My Packing Style: Lessons from the Road
Written on February 3rd , 2025 by Dariusz Siedlecki
When preparing for my journey, I had to make some tough decisions about what to keep, what to let go of, and most importantly—what to bring with me. Early on, I spent time reading travel blogs, trying to decipher the best packing strategies. I quickly realized a few key things:
- A backpack is a better choice than a suitcase.
- My existing backpacks weren’t ideal for long-term travel.
- Despite recommendations for massive travel backpacks, a 40-50L pack should be enough.
- I needed both a main travel backpack and a smaller daypack.
After some research, I set my sights on the Osprey Farpoint 40 for its balance of durability, compact size, and versatility—perfect for long-term travel while still being carry-on compliant. There was also a 40+15L version that included a detachable daypack, but I decided to use my existing 9L Decathlon backpack instead. (Oh, Dariusz, you sweet summer child… if only you had known how quickly that decision would come back to haunt you.)
The First Attempt: Overpacking
I purchased my backpack, did a test pack, and thought I had everything under control. However, in the rush of moving out, I wasn’t able to optimize my packing. I threw in some extra items last minute, figuring I’d sort it all out at my first destination.
Clothing
At first, I packed more than I needed:
- 8x Uniqlo AIRism undershirts
- 8x Boxers
- 6x Long socks
- 4x Short socks
- 3x T-shirts
- 2x Shirts
- 2x Polo shirts
- 2x Jeans
- 1x Shorts
- 2x Sweaters
- Pajamas
- Thick jacket, scarf, gloves, and a beanie
Sounds like a lot? It was. Despite using Amazon Basics packing cubes, I struggled with space. After two weeks of traveling, I reevaluated and downsized:
- 8x Uniqlo AIRism undershirts
- 8x Boxers
- 6x Long socks
- 4x Short socks
- 2x T-shirts
- 1x Shirt
- 1x Polo shirt
- 1x Jeans (later will swap them for linen pants)
- 1x Shorts
- 1x Sweater
- Pajamas
- Light jacket, scarf
This might not seem like a drastic change, but dropping just a few bulky items made a huge difference. The undershirts, socks, and boxers compressed easily, but every unnecessary T-shirt or sweater took up valuable space. Once I left freezing temperatures behind, I also picked up a Uniqlo ultra-light jacket, which compresses into a small cube—perfect for unpredictable weather.
(And if you’re wondering, yes, I’m a Uniqlo geek.)
Electronics
As a self-proclaimed nerd, I knew I’d be carrying more electronics than most travelers:
- Backup iPhone
- Dumbphone
- Charging cables x2 + charging plug
- Multi-country travel adapter
- Steam Deck
- Miyoo Mini Plus+
- MacBook Air
- Power banks (10,000mAh & 20,000mAh)
- Earphones
- Action camera + neck holder
- Electric toothbrush
- Shaver
It’s still a lot, and I occasionally question the need for three gaming devices. Each one serves a different purpose, but the Steam Deck, in particular, is quite heavy and large. Do I really need it? On longer trips or extended stays, I think I’ll appreciate having it, but for now, it remains a bit of a luxury item. I think on the longer travel or longer stays I will appreciate it a lot. However, everything else feels essential for my workflow, entertainment, and hygiene.
Miscellaneous Items
- Passport & vaccine passport
- International Driving Permit
- AirTags – I keep one in each of my backpacks, which is useful for tracking them if lost. If I ever check in my big backpack, having an AirTag inside is an extra layer of security.
- Chipolo card – I keep one in my wallet as a precaution in case it ever gets lost or stolen.
- Backup credit cards – Having multiple cards is essential in case one gets lost, stolen, or unexpectedly blocked. I use my German N26 account with Apple Pay for daily expenses, withdraw small amounts of local currency in each country, and keep a Visa card from another bank and a MasterCard from Revolut as backups. I also carry an American Express card, though I try to avoid using it due to poor currency conversion rates.
- Deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo
- Basic medications (allergy pills, blood pressure meds, pain and cold medications)
- Small lock
- Notebook & therapy journal
- Travel challenge cards (a gift from my coworkers!)
- Camera tripod
- Trash bags
In Spain, the last country in Europe I visited, I stocked up on some emergency medicine like paracetamol and pseudoephedrine—just in case. I hope I won’t need them, but better safe than sorry.
I also received two meaningful gifts from my coworkers before I left: a Hobonichi 5-Year Techo planner to document my journey and a Travel Challenges card set for inspiration when I don’t know what to do next. I haven’t used the cards yet, but I’m looking forward to trying them!
As part of my therapy work, I brought along a guided journal. I struggle with writing freely, so having prompts has been incredibly helpful in structuring my thoughts.
Refinements: Packing Smarter
While my initial packing approach wasn’t disastrous, I learned a few things quickly:
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Compression Packing Cubes Are a Game Changer: I invested in Thule Compression Packing Cubes (two small, one medium). One cube holds dirty laundry, another holds small clothing items, and the largest one stores the bulk of my clothes. These cubes don’t just organize my items—they significantly reduce bulk.
-
Electronics Need Organization: Instead of letting cables and gadgets float freely in my bag, I got a Cocoon GRID-IT! organizer. I had my doubts initially, but it has proven invaluable for keeping my gear accessible and tidy.
-
A Better Daypack Was Necessary: My Decathlon backpack wasn’t cutting it. I initially thought it was nice that I could compress it and store it inside my larger backpack, but I quickly realized that would never happen. I have enough things to fill both backpacks, making compression impractical. So I upgraded to the Osprey Farpoint Travel Daypack 15L—the exact model that comes with the 40+15L version. I wish I had bought it from the start, but at least now I can attach it to my main backpack for seamless travel.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure my packing list will evolve further. There are still items I’m unsure about (like my Studio Ghibli shoulder bag, which I haven’t used much), but only time will tell what stays and what goes. Every step of this journey teaches me something new about what I truly need—and what I can live without.
