What’s in My Minimalist Travel Bag for 30 Days in Europe?

Traveling across Europe for a month with just a backpack might sound daunting, but with careful planning and a minimalist approach, it’s entirely doable. Here’s a detailed look at what I’m packing and how I fit everything I need into one bag.

On My Person

Before we dive into the backpack, let’s start with what I carry on me:

Wallet: Essential for keeping cash and cards secure.
Pocket Notebook: A simple, inexpensive one from Walmart, perfect for jotting down thoughts or travel notes.
AirPods: For music and podcasts on the go.
5-in-1 Charger: This versatile charger is a lifesaver. It attaches to my keychain and handles multiple devices.

Backpack Strap Accessory

On the strap of my backpack, I’ve attached a phone mount. This allows for easy access to my phone for quick photos or videos without having to dig into my bag.

Front Pocket (Clothes and Towel)

I keep all my clothes in the front pocket, organized with military folding techniques. Here’s what’s inside:

Three Pairs of Socks: Compact and easy to mix and match.
Midsize Towel: A space-saving option that dries most of the moisture off.
Two Pairs of Pants: One casual and one dressy.
Two Pairs of Shorts: For warmer days.
Three Shirts: One long sleeve, one casual black, and one dressy white button-up.
Hoodie: Worn around my waist in the airport to save space in the bag.

Extra space may be used for a back massager to ease travel fatigue.

Main Pocket (Camera Gear, Travel Essentials, Toiletries)

The main compartment is where I store most of my essentials:

Travel Tripod: A KF concept tripod that inverts to fit into the bag while extending up to 6 feet.
Laptop: A 15-inch MacBook (replacing soon with a 16-inch M1 Pro).
Travel Accessories: Including an all-in-one adapter and a versatile USB hub for charging multiple devices simultaneously.
DJI Microphone: Ideal for clear audio recording in various environments.
SD Card Case: Holds up to 512 GB of storage.
Miscellaneous Items: Toothbrush, deodorant, standard headphones, and a razor.
Ray-Ban Metas: Smart glasses with recording capabilities.
Sony A7C Camera: My main camera, compact and efficient.
Additional Chargers: Two 3-in-1 chargers for multiple device connections.
Sleep Headphones: For comfort during flights and noisy environments.
Toothbrush Charger: Essential for keeping my electric toothbrush ready.
Quick Release Mount and Lens: For easy setup and shooting versatility.

Side Pockets

In the side pockets, I keep:

Full iPhone Charger: For quick top-ups.
Quick Release Mount: Useful for attaching my phone to the tripod.

Final Thoughts

All of this fits comfortably into my Soul Guard backpack, also known as The Life Pack. It’s an older model, but still reliable. The packing process took under 20 minutes, thanks largely to efficient clothing organization. This setup will last me 30 days across Europe, proving that with the right approach, minimalism can be both practical and effective.

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Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more tips on minimalist packing. Happy travels!