Traveling light is an art form, but even the most seasoned travelers can make mistakes. I recently embarked on a 30-day backpacking journey across Europe, packing everything into a single bag. Spoiler alert: I made some regrettable choices. Here’s a look at what I packed, what I should have left behind, and the lessons I learned from my minimalist packing missteps.
The Great Mistakes: What I Regret Not Bringing
- The Bigger Portable Travel Charger
- Affiliate Link: The Better, Fatter Portable Charger
- Why It Was Great: This charger would have saved my life. Compact, powerful, and versatile, it would have charged all my devices without fuss.
- Travel Accessories
- Affiliate Link: The Best Mini Tripod
- Why It Was Great: I heavily regretted bring a full-sized tripod, even though it was marketed as a travel tripod. This mini tripod would have been more useful for capturing stable shots on the go. If you’re a content creator, a compact mini tripod is a must-have.
- The Massage Gun
- Affiliate Link: The Cheap Massage Gun That WORKS WELL
- Why It Was Great: Long hikes and heavy backpacks would have made this a lifesaver. The massage gun would have provided much-needed relief and should have been packed from the start.
- The Travel Towel
- Affiliate Link: The Better Travel Towel
- Why It Was Great: Compact and quick-drying, this towel was an upgrade over traditional ones. I should have replaced the normal towel with this sooner.
The Regrets: What I Should Have Left Behind
- The Large Phone Mount
- Why It Was a Mistake: Bulky, uncomfortable, and unstable, this phone mount took up too much space and was rarely used. A smaller, more versatile option would have been better.
- The Full-Sized Tripod
- Why It Was a Mistake: Despite good intentions, the full-sized tripod was impractical. It was cumbersome and rarely used. A mini tripod would have sufficed and saved valuable space.
- The Camera and Extra Lens
- Why It Was a Mistake: I ended up using my iPhone for most of the photos and videos. The camera and extra lens were unnecessary, adding weight and taking up space that could have been used more efficiently.
Lessons Learned
- Pack Light, Pack Smart: Minimalism isn’t just about reducing items; it’s about choosing the right items. Opt for compact, versatile gear that you’ll actually use.
- Prioritize Comfort: Long days of travel and exploration mean you need gear that enhances comfort, like a good massage gun for muscle relief.
- Embrace Flexibility: Sometimes, a minimalist approach means being adaptable. If you find something isn’t working, be prepared to adjust your packing list.
In hindsight, my minimalist packing approach was a mix of hits and misses. While I learned valuable lessons and discovered some great travel gear, there were also clear missteps. If you’re planning a similar adventure, take my experiences as a guide to streamline your packing process.
For more detailed reviews of the travel gear I used, check out the links above. And if you want to see the daily vlogs from my European journey, let me know in the comments!
Affiliate Links to Gear Mentioned:
- The Better Travel Towel
- The Best Mini Tripod
- The Cheap Massage Gun That WORKS WELL
- The Better, Fatter Portable Charger
If you want to see everything I originally brought live and in detail, check out this video!
Happy travels and may your packing be flawless!
The TechWanderer 