Freedom is a 40L Backpack: How to Travel Carry-On Only

Checking a bag is a gamble. Airlines lose them, they take an hour to arrive at the carousel, and dragging a 20kg suitcase across a sandy beach to your bungalow is a special kind of hell.

The solution? Carry-on only. It sounds impossible for a 2-week trip, but it’s not. It’s a science. Here is how to master the art of minimalism in 2026.

1. The Bag: Soft vs. Hard

  • The Winner: The Travel Backpack (approx 40 Liters).
  • Why: It fits in the overhead bin. You can run for a bus. It squishes into tight spaces on ferries.
  • Hard Shell Suitcase: Good for protection, but useless on cobblestones or sand. Only choose this if you are going resort-to-resort by taxi.

2. The 5-4-3-2-1 Rule

A proven formula for a 2-week island trip:

  • 5 Tops: Mix of t-shirts/tanks.
  • 4 Bottoms: 2 shorts, 1 skirt/dress, 1 pair of long linen trousers (for planes/mosquitoes).
  • 3 Accessories: Hat, sunglasses, sarong.
  • 2 Shoes: Flip-flops + Walking Sandals (wear sneakers on the plane).
  • 1 Swimsuit: Okay, maybe 2 or 3. They are small.

3. The Laundry Strategy

You are not packing for 14 days. You are packing for 7 days and doing laundry once.

  • The “Sink Wash”: Bring a travel wash liquid (like Dr. Bronner’s). Wash socks/underwear in the sink.
  • The Laundromat: In SE Asia, laundry is $1/kg. In Europe, drop it off at a service wash. It’s worth the €15 to not carry heavy bags.

4. Packing Cubes: The Secret Weapon

If you don’t use cubes, you are wasting space.

  • Compression Cubes: These zip down to squeeze the air out of your clothes. You can fit twice as much.
  • Organization: One cube for tops, one for bottoms. No more exploding backpack.

5. The Liquids Problem (100ml Rule)

Airport security is the bottleneck.

  • Go Solid: Solid shampoo, solid conditioner, solid deodorant, solid sunscreen stick. No liquids = no stress.
  • Buy Local: You don’t need to bring a liter of body wash. Buy it at the 7-Eleven when you arrive.
  • Contact Lens Cases: Perfect for holding small amounts of face cream or foundation for a week.

6. Wear Your Bulk

The “Michelin Man” strategy.

  • Plane Outfit: Wear your heaviest shoes (sneakers), your long trousers, and your hoodie/jacket on the plane. Even if it’s hot outside, planes are cold. This saves massive space in the bag.

7. Tech Diet

  • Do you need the laptop? Really? Or can you do it on your phone?
  • Kindle: One device holds 1,000 books. Lighter than a single paperback.
  • Cables: Bring one high-speed multi-charger (GaN) that charges phone, camera, and Kindle at once.

8. The “Just in Case” Trap

“What if I get invited to a formal gala?” “What if it hails?”

  • Reality: You won’t. And if you do, you can buy a shirt.
  • Rule: Pack for the “Best Case” scenario, not the “Worst Case.”

9. The “Airport Dad” Checklist

Before you leave:

  • Screenshot Everything: What if your phone has no signal? Screenshot the hotel address and your ticket.
  • Offline Maps: Download the map of the island on Google Maps.
  • Pen: Always bring a pen for customs forms.

10. Dealing with Souvenirs

“But I want to buy things!”

  • Consumables: Eat the local chocolate. Drink the local rum. Don’t bring it home.
  • Small Items: Jewelry, magnets, or postcards take no space.
  • Ship It: If you buy a rug in Morocco or a painting in Bali, pay the shop to ship it to your home. It’s safer and easier than carrying it.

11. The “Wear It Twice” Mental Shift

The biggest barrier to carry-on travel is psychological. “People will see me in the same outfit!”

  • The Truth: Nobody cares. You will likely never see these people again.
  • The Photo Trick: If you are worried about Instagram, change your accessories (hat, sunglasses, scarf). It looks like a different outfit.

12. Security Line Hacks

Speed through security like a pro.

  • Liquids at the Top: Put your liquids bag in the top pocket of your backpack.
  • Laptop Out: Keep your laptop accessible (or get TSA PreCheck/Global Entry to leave it in).
  • Empty Pockets: Put your watch, belt, and wallet in your bag before you get to the conveyor belt.

13. Backpack Features to Look For

  • Clamshell Opening: Does it open like a suitcase? This is essential. Top-loaders are a nightmare to organize.
  • Hip Belt: Takes the weight off your shoulders.
  • Water Bottle Pocket: Essential for hydration in the heat.

Traveling light makes you agile. You can jump on a scooter, hop on a longtail boat, or walk up 500 steps to a view without groaning. It is the ultimate freedom.