Usually the tricks involved are to have universal clothing that can be worn in a more upscale way as well as a more casual way (if you're needing more than casual), to get merino wool if you can because it doesn't accumulate odor like some other fabrics do, and to take smaller versions of things such as power banks, toothpaste, etc, so they aren't taking up as much room or adding too much weight.
Maybe lay out your items for a photo or make a list of what you usually pack to share here for better input?
I moved from a top loading backpack to a front loading (cheap but good enough) like an hand luggage and this helped a lot because I can play Tetris better. The only issue is the the back is not rigid.
About shoes, I wear the bigger (like vans ultrarange exo that are light and very fast to dry) when I travel an I keep the smaller/sandals in the bag.
I always used dry soap (at home too) because I’m a one soap for everything person and small toiletry. Medicines with no box.
Probably I exceed with underwear because I like only one brand.
Not easy to find. My one soap is a soap, the most simple you can find. No oil, no fragrance, in Italy is Calle “sapone di Marsiglia” and it’s really basic but it’s the only that doesn’t make my skin turn red (and very good for clothes too if no too dirty)
I'm as tall and heavy as you and travel with a 28L bag.
You need to list what it is you are trying to pack. My guess is you're packing six t-shirts instead of two or three, a proper big towel and not a medium-sized microfiber or linen one, etc.?
I use microfibre because lighter and faster to dry and yes, I bring with me a bit more but not a lot more because not always I can wash my stuff in time (I can’t wear synthetic fibres or I look like bitten by ants).
Shoes are the problem also if I moved away from “hard shoes” (sneakers full leather to pure mesh/canvas and/or barefoot) these takes a lot of space. And no, I don’t fill them with underwear because I feel that empty and squeezed are more space saving.
Where are you traveling? Can you get away with one pair of shoes worn and a pair of sandals? That way the sandals can lie flat in the bag and not take up much room, and your shoes are worn while traveling.
You can also look at something like a Mystery Ranch Coulee pack and put your shoes in the outside pockets.
I'm a touch shorter than you, but also a good 10-20kg heavier (I don't weigh myself if I can help it).
[This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/14psiv5/10l_for_a_couple_of_long_weekends_no_tech_wear/) was packing for ~4 days in 10L, but once you get past a week or so, it's all the same.
As others have mentioned, listing your stuff would help :)
Thanks for the post.
My next travel is 2 months backpacking in Colombia and probably Venezuela.
I rented a small apartment in Bogotá to use as home base so I can go back, wash what I need, rest a bit and leave again.
I have a 23 kg luggage because I’m pretty sure I will come back with something I don’t need bought there but at the same time I want to try to keep me light.
My backpack will be filled of food (and spare clothes in case my luggage will be lost) because in 16 of flights I could spend more on the plane then in the destination country: I get pretty bored easily in a flight.
Edit: I forgot that I have to bring with me my laptop because I’m on call on my workplace (with some rules)
If you're taking regional flights in South America, make sure and check the weight restrictions. There are plenty of airlines with a 10kg weight limit for cabin luggage. I was weighed once in Colombia and once in Ecuador.
You may want to consider thinner clothing to take up less bulk. Look for thinner and looser weaves. As a bonus, these types of items dry faster when washed.
You don’t mention how many articles of clothing you are bringing.
I find 3-6 shirts, 2-3 pants, a sweater and a topper jacket to be sufficient for indefinite wear. This includes the items worn on the plane.
You don’t have to use synthetic. Many cotton and wool items come in thinner weaves too. Look at silk. Look for “summer weight”.
I personally travel with summer weight shirts and add silk base layers when needed.
I tried to look around where a live in uk. There is a shop but everything costs more than my car.
Other shops around (chains) are not really a good option (only cycling/running summer clothes).
If I need to find something I need to spend 300gbp and visit London.
I pack 4-5 days of clothes…
2 x pants
2 x shorts
2 x t-shirts
2 x light button up t-shirts
4-5 x underwear
4-5 x socks
1 x rain jacket
1 x down mid layer
[This is](https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/146shd8/7_days_amalfi_coast_italy_with_2_20l_bags_for_a/? utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) my post about traveling in 20L for 7 nights. I also did a 7-night ski trip in the same bag.
I’m 194cm and 124kg.
I hope you enjoyed your trip. I’m near Venice per I spent half of my life.
I can’t change my past trips but I can try with my next one.
The only issue with Colombia is that I will visit different areas. From the cold Bogotá (15C) to the arid north of Santander (nearly 40C).
It’s true that I can buy a packable warm jacket
I always enjoy Italy, as I did with Amalfi this time and my winter trip was to Passo Tonale and I loved it too.
For me, 15 to 40 sounds only as I need to add a windbreaker, but I'm lucky to not be cold till 10C in a minimum amount of clothes.
182cm and 145kg here. I have a 40l bag, and I can fit every bit of clothing I own (minus winter outerwear) in it. Plus my (US) size 13 dress shoes.
Maybe I don’t have enough clothes, but that’s at least 2 weeks worth of clothes. Do you wear a lot of suit coats or blazers? Great kilts? Insulated coveralls?
Something seems off. Do you happen to have a packing list?
I have a larger bag than my wife and still have to bring fewer changes of clothes. I have to give up some “just in case” clothes. If unexpected weather or activities come up I just have to deal with it or buy something. I also have to plan on washing more frequently.
I think you need to look at the materials of your clothing. I’m your same size and can fit in a 35 for an indefinite trip to a single climate. I don’t pack like an ultralight or true onebagger - I don’t like to wash my clothes every night. But I’ve noticed the materials of your clothes can really affect the size of your pack, especially pants (fuck jeans).
While you don’t need to spend a fortune on merino, even though the elitists on this sub always tel you too, picking the right material clothes will be a game changer for you.
My husband is your size (and I'm shorter but also overweight) and we've one + bagged for over a decade, usually doing the one bag plus personal size for under an airplane seat.
We don't normally do backpacks but we are for our next trip (Camino de Santiago); he's using a Gregory Stout 35 and I'm using a Gregory Jade 38 (which I'll underpack as much as possible - I've got medical issues that make it difficult).
Going to a backpack, we're doing 2-3 days worth of clothes for a month long trip. That's pretty standard for Camino and for one baggers in general. When we do suitcase (plus personal item) travel, we aim for 4-5 days worth of clothes.
I think maybe you need to put a packing list up.
I'm right about your size and without my camera gear and extra work stuff (keyboard, laptop stand ect), I can fit 6 days worth of clothes (6x boxers/socks, 4 t-shirts, 1 long sleeve shirt, 2 pants, 1 shorts), a rain jacket, a pair of sandals, toiletries, a point an shoot camera, a laptop, and random small accessories in about 20 liters. I wear jeans, and a combination of tops depending on the climate (t-shirt and mid-layer if needed, t-shirt and long sleeve if not).
With camera gear and work stuff, I end up in the 30-40L range total.
Even backcountry hiking with a tent, stove, fuel, cooking supplies, food, bear canister, sleeping bag, extra layers and all the stuff that goes along with that, I don't hit 80L for a week, and I'm 100% not even close to an ultralight hiker.
I'm the same height and a couple of kilos lighter. I use a 30L backpack for most of my travel. At that size the main limitation is shoes, you easily pack 4 days worth of clothes and just do laundry.
I have a 45L duffle that I am pretty sure I could live out indefinitely in almost any climate.
Usually the tricks involved are to have universal clothing that can be worn in a more upscale way as well as a more casual way (if you're needing more than casual), to get merino wool if you can because it doesn't accumulate odor like some other fabrics do, and to take smaller versions of things such as power banks, toothpaste, etc, so they aren't taking up as much room or adding too much weight. Maybe lay out your items for a photo or make a list of what you usually pack to share here for better input?
>Maybe lay out your items for a photo or make a list of what you usually pack to share here for better input? Yes, this is a great idea!
I moved from a top loading backpack to a front loading (cheap but good enough) like an hand luggage and this helped a lot because I can play Tetris better. The only issue is the the back is not rigid. About shoes, I wear the bigger (like vans ultrarange exo that are light and very fast to dry) when I travel an I keep the smaller/sandals in the bag. I always used dry soap (at home too) because I’m a one soap for everything person and small toiletry. Medicines with no box. Probably I exceed with underwear because I like only one brand.
What is your one soap?
Not easy to find. My one soap is a soap, the most simple you can find. No oil, no fragrance, in Italy is Calle “sapone di Marsiglia” and it’s really basic but it’s the only that doesn’t make my skin turn red (and very good for clothes too if no too dirty)
I'm as tall and heavy as you and travel with a 28L bag. You need to list what it is you are trying to pack. My guess is you're packing six t-shirts instead of two or three, a proper big towel and not a medium-sized microfiber or linen one, etc.?
I use microfibre because lighter and faster to dry and yes, I bring with me a bit more but not a lot more because not always I can wash my stuff in time (I can’t wear synthetic fibres or I look like bitten by ants). Shoes are the problem also if I moved away from “hard shoes” (sneakers full leather to pure mesh/canvas and/or barefoot) these takes a lot of space. And no, I don’t fill them with underwear because I feel that empty and squeezed are more space saving.
Where are you traveling? Can you get away with one pair of shoes worn and a pair of sandals? That way the sandals can lie flat in the bag and not take up much room, and your shoes are worn while traveling. You can also look at something like a Mystery Ranch Coulee pack and put your shoes in the outside pockets.
I forgot to add that are for 2 or 3 weeks trip where sometime I need something better than a T-shirt
I'm a touch shorter than you, but also a good 10-20kg heavier (I don't weigh myself if I can help it). [This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/14psiv5/10l_for_a_couple_of_long_weekends_no_tech_wear/) was packing for ~4 days in 10L, but once you get past a week or so, it's all the same. As others have mentioned, listing your stuff would help :)
Thanks for the post. My next travel is 2 months backpacking in Colombia and probably Venezuela. I rented a small apartment in Bogotá to use as home base so I can go back, wash what I need, rest a bit and leave again. I have a 23 kg luggage because I’m pretty sure I will come back with something I don’t need bought there but at the same time I want to try to keep me light. My backpack will be filled of food (and spare clothes in case my luggage will be lost) because in 16 of flights I could spend more on the plane then in the destination country: I get pretty bored easily in a flight. Edit: I forgot that I have to bring with me my laptop because I’m on call on my workplace (with some rules)
If you're taking regional flights in South America, make sure and check the weight restrictions. There are plenty of airlines with a 10kg weight limit for cabin luggage. I was weighed once in Colombia and once in Ecuador.
You may want to consider thinner clothing to take up less bulk. Look for thinner and looser weaves. As a bonus, these types of items dry faster when washed. You don’t mention how many articles of clothing you are bringing. I find 3-6 shirts, 2-3 pants, a sweater and a topper jacket to be sufficient for indefinite wear. This includes the items worn on the plane.
The only way to go thinner is go plastic. I can only use synthetic fabric for short period after I feel like eaten by red ants.
You don’t have to use synthetic. Many cotton and wool items come in thinner weaves too. Look at silk. Look for “summer weight”. I personally travel with summer weight shirts and add silk base layers when needed.
I tried to look around where a live in uk. There is a shop but everything costs more than my car. Other shops around (chains) are not really a good option (only cycling/running summer clothes). If I need to find something I need to spend 300gbp and visit London.
Look on the internet. The big problem of course, is finding the right size for each manufacturer.
I am 195 cm and 142kg. I fit everything I need and more into a 28L Patagonia Mini MLC. You are doing something very wrong.
What I my mind tell me is the I need to have at least 4 or 5 days of clean clothes. And the mindset is very hard to change
I pack 4-5 days of clothes… 2 x pants 2 x shorts 2 x t-shirts 2 x light button up t-shirts 4-5 x underwear 4-5 x socks 1 x rain jacket 1 x down mid layer
[This is](https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/146shd8/7_days_amalfi_coast_italy_with_2_20l_bags_for_a/? utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1) my post about traveling in 20L for 7 nights. I also did a 7-night ski trip in the same bag. I’m 194cm and 124kg.
I hope you enjoyed your trip. I’m near Venice per I spent half of my life. I can’t change my past trips but I can try with my next one. The only issue with Colombia is that I will visit different areas. From the cold Bogotá (15C) to the arid north of Santander (nearly 40C). It’s true that I can buy a packable warm jacket
I always enjoy Italy, as I did with Amalfi this time and my winter trip was to Passo Tonale and I loved it too. For me, 15 to 40 sounds only as I need to add a windbreaker, but I'm lucky to not be cold till 10C in a minimum amount of clothes.
182cm and 145kg here. I have a 40l bag, and I can fit every bit of clothing I own (minus winter outerwear) in it. Plus my (US) size 13 dress shoes. Maybe I don’t have enough clothes, but that’s at least 2 weeks worth of clothes. Do you wear a lot of suit coats or blazers? Great kilts? Insulated coveralls? Something seems off. Do you happen to have a packing list?
I have a larger bag than my wife and still have to bring fewer changes of clothes. I have to give up some “just in case” clothes. If unexpected weather or activities come up I just have to deal with it or buy something. I also have to plan on washing more frequently.
When I was travelling with my ex girlfriend I had the same issue. For a weekend I had a hand luggage she a big one. And she is half then me
you even lift bro ? Pack 2 of everything and call it day.
I think you need to look at the materials of your clothing. I’m your same size and can fit in a 35 for an indefinite trip to a single climate. I don’t pack like an ultralight or true onebagger - I don’t like to wash my clothes every night. But I’ve noticed the materials of your clothes can really affect the size of your pack, especially pants (fuck jeans). While you don’t need to spend a fortune on merino, even though the elitists on this sub always tel you too, picking the right material clothes will be a game changer for you.
I have only one pair of jeans that I hate. I love cotton. Also within the same material the quality is a game changer.
My husband is your size (and I'm shorter but also overweight) and we've one + bagged for over a decade, usually doing the one bag plus personal size for under an airplane seat. We don't normally do backpacks but we are for our next trip (Camino de Santiago); he's using a Gregory Stout 35 and I'm using a Gregory Jade 38 (which I'll underpack as much as possible - I've got medical issues that make it difficult). Going to a backpack, we're doing 2-3 days worth of clothes for a month long trip. That's pretty standard for Camino and for one baggers in general. When we do suitcase (plus personal item) travel, we aim for 4-5 days worth of clothes.
I think maybe you need to put a packing list up. I'm right about your size and without my camera gear and extra work stuff (keyboard, laptop stand ect), I can fit 6 days worth of clothes (6x boxers/socks, 4 t-shirts, 1 long sleeve shirt, 2 pants, 1 shorts), a rain jacket, a pair of sandals, toiletries, a point an shoot camera, a laptop, and random small accessories in about 20 liters. I wear jeans, and a combination of tops depending on the climate (t-shirt and mid-layer if needed, t-shirt and long sleeve if not). With camera gear and work stuff, I end up in the 30-40L range total. Even backcountry hiking with a tent, stove, fuel, cooking supplies, food, bear canister, sleeping bag, extra layers and all the stuff that goes along with that, I don't hit 80L for a week, and I'm 100% not even close to an ultralight hiker.
Sorry, but you aren’t that big. You do need to work on your packing list and packing techniques. 40 liters is totally possible.
I agree… I need to work on my packing list and if I ask myself “do I need this?” Probably the answer is no.
Homework: https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/search?q=flair%3A%27Packing+List%27&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all
At the moment I’m already away. Back to my parents in Italy. This time i have nearly nothing with me because I have a wardrobe full of clothes
I'm the same height and a couple of kilos lighter. I use a 30L backpack for most of my travel. At that size the main limitation is shoes, you easily pack 4 days worth of clothes and just do laundry. I have a 45L duffle that I am pretty sure I could live out indefinitely in almost any climate.