A while ago, a reader sent me an email asking about the plausibility of getting smaller luggage and having it work for her intended trip. It went like this:
I’m going to the UK this summer for 5 weeks and I am thinking about buying a 33L backpack. The last time I went to Europe, I took probably a 45L suitcase for two weeks in Spain and I had way more stuff than I needed. Am I going overboard in thinking I can do 33L?…
Here was my response:
No, you are not going overboard, and yes, it is absolutely possible!
For a 5 week trip in the summer, and without the need for special gear/equipment, a 33L backpack will be just fine. If you’re questioning yourself, think about your trip to Spain. What did you actually wear and use? I find even if I pack more clothes, I end up wearing the same few outfits most of the time with a couple extra occasional items that aren’t totally necessary.
If that thinking doesn’t help you pack minimal, opt for a couple extra tank tops and scarves to layer, mix and match, and make your outfits not feel “the same”.
Remember, you can always buy extra stuff on the road and cheap bags to tote said stuff around in.
And, to make this post even more complete, I followed up with the reader after her trip to see how it all went:
…Yep, the 33L bag was plenty and my trip was AMAZING…
Well how about that!
Are you struggling with the decision to buy smaller luggage? If you went smaller, what was your inspiration to do so?
I’m wondering what would be a good backpack for 3-5 day trips? Or would a tote or duffle be good? Or would you say that the same backpack you would use for 2 weeks of travel be okay? I’m planning on doing mostly short trips around the US. I’m from Los Angeles and maybe later in the year a 2 week trip.
Oh, and what 33 L back did the reader use?
I have daily back pain, so I knew I would have to take that into account during my upcoming backpacking trip to Europe for 6 weeks this summer. I bought the Pacsafe Venturesafe 25L backpack (which is suppose to be a day pack). It was scary seeing it in person for the first time, because I thought there was no way I could do it. Since then, however, I have used it for week long trips to New York City, San Francisco, and Louisiana without any problems. A packing cube and a minimalist approach are needed, but I can’t wait to see how it goes.