Many people say that they are a Minimalist but when you see their backpack, this myth is instantly debunked. There are certain ways to pack a backpack that can be considered as minimalism.
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| My Backpack |
Very often it happens that
people overpack their backpack because they’re paranoid and think that they “need”
multiple changes of clothes or that pair of shoes or that extra fleece jacket.
That’s the paranoia speaking and if you listen to it, you end up lugging around
a sack of potatoes on your travels, not a backpack. The gist of Minimalism is – take what you actually
need – the bare minimum – the basic essentials with which you can survive
anywhere. Anything else that doesn’t come to your mind when you think of
essential items doesn’t have a place in your backpack.
Here are 7 ways a minimalist usually packs their backpack,
often, irrespective of the length of the trip. Now, I follow all these methods
as well as have seen numerous other backpackers follow them and have found them
to be quite helpful. Why don’t you test them out?
1.
Invest
in a good Backpack:
Don’t
try to skimp on the budget while purchasing a backpack and settle for an
average one. This item will become a part of your body for the entirety of your
trip, choose it well. On average, a 60-liter backpack will be more than enough,
but the 80-90 liter ones are more suitable for month-long trekking expeditions
in high mountains and freezing temperatures. An extra pair of warm clothes or a
raincoat can easily be accommodated in your bag if you have that extra space. Be
wise, research a bit and then invest in a good quality rucksack.
Mine is
a 60-liter bag by Quechua which is sufficient for my current travel needs and
cost me just US $52. Other brands that people have recommended me after long
term use are The North Face, Deuter, Lowe Alpine, Mammut, Vaude and Osprey.
*TIP:
If you’re purchasing from India or U.S.A (California), check out the sports
apparel store Decathlon, they have
authentic brands and there’s always a sale you can take advantage of, I did!
2.
Dri-Fit Clothing will be your savior:
It is
always better to carry clothes made of “Dri-Fit” material, they absorb the
sweat quickly and usually dry within a couple of hours after washing. They are
very lightweight and can be neatly rolled up so you will save a lot of
space in your backpack; one point for great efficiency! Brands like Quechua,
Domyos, The North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Nike and many others make highly durable
t-shirts and pants. Make sure that your trekking/hiking pants are made of
premium quality material and if possible, come with a tear-away zip to make-do
as hiking shorts in case it gets hot. You can also purchase quick-dry towels to
make your life on the road simpler.
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| It was quite hot and I took a dip in the Ganges, but my t-shirt & pants dried off within an hour. |
3.
“Roll
don’t Fold”- A Minimalist:
At
home, you might be used to folding your clothes and arranging them neatly in
your closet, but that won’t be any help while packing for a long backpacking
trip. You must learn how to roll your clothes properly and pack them in the bag
in an efficient way.
2 pairs
of hiking pants, 4 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 4 pairs of socks, innerwear and
your towel must not take more than half the space in your rucksack. That’s what
I packed for my short trip to Nepal. I organized my clothes in such a way that
it was easy for me to take them out from the top as well as from the front.
4.
Utilize
all the space in your backpack:
Every
hiking bag has several compartments, make good use of all of them. Keep your
medicine and first aid kits in the easy access compartments so you can take
them out in case of an emergency. Almost all backpacks have a bottom access
feature that opens into the main compartment as well as a bottom compartment,
usually provided for shoes; use it! Smaller items like selfie sticks, camera
mounts and chargers can be stored in the top or side of the backpack. Many
travelers don’t know their own rucksack, which is sad as it will be your
closest companion for the entire trip.
5.
Determine
your NEEDS and WANTS:
Yeah,
there’s a huge difference between the two. An extra pair of warm/thermal socks
or undergarments is a Need, an additional pair or two of jeans or a fancy
leather jacket doesn’t qualify as a Need but instead falls under Want.
Understand this- minimalism represents efficiency and involves only the
essentials, so be efficient and don’t be tempted to “overpack”, else you will
feel like a mule carrying all that unnecessary weight on your shoulders and
back. I have written a blog about how
to manage your budget while traveling, do give it a read.
*TIP:
Keep a separate budget for miscellaneous expenses (~ $100-$150 should be enough,
je crois que oui!) just in case you need to purchase extra pair of socks or maybe
rent a jacket or hiking/trekking shoes for a trek.
6.
A minimalist is always independent:
Maybe
the correct word is self-sufficient. Even though minimalism means carrying the bare essentials, it is crucial to
note that these essentials must help you survive in almost any situation and
condition. Swiss knife, fire starter, a cloth line, bungee cords or rope, cloth
washing materials- scrub/brush and powder/bar detergent, peanut butter, oats, a
loaf of bread, spoon & fork, cup and a plate; these are few of the items
that I carry, they don’t take up much space in my backpack and I can get out of most sticky situations with them in
my bag.
When I was
traveling in Nepal, I needed to wash my clothes but according to the rules of
the hostel I was staying in, I wasn’t allowed to. The laundry service wasn’t expensive
but for a backpacker minimalist like
me, that’s simply squandering money. So, I spoke with the owner and decided
that I’ll only give my hiking pants and my t-shirt to the laundry and I will
wash the smaller clothes by myself. That saved me around 60-80 bucks in local
currency, not much but I enjoyed a glass of local rice whiskey with my savings!
*TIP:
Peanut butter, bread and oats can be lifesavers. I advise many of my friends to
carry them as it’s easy to make a PB sandwich and some porridge; a meal that’ll
definitely satisfy your hunger for a few hours.
7.
ONE BACKPACK-
that’s all you need:
When
you can say that you carry your entire life in your rucksack, I think that’s
when you become a true backpacker. There are no stringent rules for minimalism,
it comes from within and can be different for each traveler. But, I’ve noticed one
thing that brings all travelers with this lifestyle closer, living life out of
a single bag. I think Socrates said
it really well:
“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in
seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”
Great info!!!
ReplyDeleteMy backpack is 45l and don't got several entries to the main storage^^ I see now that this is not optimal for use cuz I cant reach the button staff or have to unpack. Good post dear Anike :)
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