👕 Clothing & Minimalism

How to live with a 40L backpack? Our complete clothing list + organization tips.

Traveling light isn’t just about physical comfort - it’s also what lets you stay mobile (changing accommodation, catching a local bus, climbing stairs with no elevator) without wrecking your back.

🧺 The “capsule wardrobe” rule

The idea: few pieces, but ones that all mix and match and work across multiple climates.

• 3-4 technical tops (quick-dry, odor-resistant) rather than regular cotton
• 2 convertible pants/shorts that go from hiking to city wear
• 1 packable warm layer (light down jacket or fleece) even for tropical destinations - air-conditioned buses and altitude always catch you off guard
• 1 lightweight waterproof jacket

🧦 What we often underestimate

Technical socks and underwear (merino or quick-dry synthetic) are well worth the price: they dry overnight after a hand wash, unlike cotton.

🧼 Handling laundry on the road

You don’t need a laundromat everywhere: a small tube of concentrated detergent + a foldable clothesline is enough to hand-wash in most accommodations. For bigger loads, local laundromats (often charged by weight) stay very affordable in most of the countries we’ve traveled through.

⚖️ Target weight

8-10kg per person, full luggage included (not counting the backpack itself). Beyond that, you start feeling the difference on transport and stairs.

Leaving soon and not sure what to pack? Write to us, we can help you sort it out: romain.steph@ourlifeabroad.com