I used to check a bag on every trip. Then an airline lost my luggage for four days during a business trip in Singapore. I’ve packed carry-on only ever since.

That was three years and about forty flights ago. Here’s what I’ve learned.

The Core Principle

You don’t need as much as you think. For any trip under two weeks, you can pack everything into a 40-litre backpack or a standard carry-on roller.

The secret isn’t buying expensive travel gear (though some helps). It’s being ruthless about what you actually need versus what you might need.

“Might need” items stay home. Every single time I’ve packed something “just in case,” I haven’t used it. The exception is medication — always bring that.

The Clothing Formula

For a one-week trip, here’s what works:

• 3-4 tops (one slightly nicer for dinners)
• 2 pairs of trousers (one versatile enough for both casual and smart-casual)
• 5-7 pairs of underwear and socks
• 1 lightweight jacket
• 1 pair of shoes you’re wearing on the plane
• 1 pair of casual shoes or sandals

That’s it. Pick clothes that work together in multiple combinations. Neutral colours that mix and match.

The trick is fabric. Merino wool doesn’t smell after multiple wears. Quick-dry synthetics can be washed in a hotel sink and dry overnight. Cotton is heavy and slow to dry — minimise it.

Toiletries: Be Honest

Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Airbnbs often have them too. Do you really need to bring your own?

My toiletry bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, moisturiser. That’s the entire list.

If you have specific skincare or hair products you can’t live without, decant them into small containers. But seriously question whether you need your full bathroom routine on a one-week trip.

Tech Essentials Only

Phone, charger, and a small power bank. That covers 90% of people’s needs.

If you work while travelling: a laptop and its charger. A pair of earbuds for calls and flights.

Everything else — tablets, cameras, portable speakers — ask yourself honestly whether you’ll use them. I’ve carried a camera on trips and never taken it out of the bag more times than I’d like to admit.

One genuinely useful item: a universal power adapter. Different countries, different sockets. Get one good adapter and keep it in your travel bag permanently.

The Bag Itself

For carry-on travel, you want a bag that’s the maximum carry-on size for your most commonly used airline. In Australia, that’s usually 55 x 40 x 23 cm.

Backpacks with a clamshell opening (opens flat like a suitcase) are the most versatile. You get the comfort of a backpack with the organisation of a suitcase.

The Osprey Farpoint 40 and Tortuga Setout are excellent options around $200-$300. The Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 is surprisingly good for under $150.

Roller bags are fine if you’re mostly on smooth surfaces. But stairs, cobblestones, and unpaved paths make rollers a hassle. Backpacks go everywhere.

Packing Cubes: Actually Useful

I was sceptical about packing cubes. They seemed like an unnecessary accessory. I was wrong.

Packing cubes compress clothes, keep things organised, and make it easy to find what you need without unpacking everything.

A set of three (small, medium, large) costs about $30 and transforms how you pack. Put tops in one, bottoms in another, underwear and socks in the third.

The Laundry Strategy

For trips longer than a week, plan to do laundry. Most cities have laundromats. Many hotels offer same-day laundry service. In a pinch, you can wash clothes in a sink with a tiny packet of travel detergent.

This means you don’t need to pack enough clothes for every day of your trip. Pack for four to five days and wash once a week.

What Most People Overpack

Books. Bring a Kindle or read on your phone. One physical book weighs as much as 500 digital ones.

“Going out” outfits. Unless you’re attending a wedding, your smart-casual outfit handles everything.

Multiple pairs of shoes. Shoes are the heaviest, bulkiest items in any bag. Wear your heaviest pair on the plane and pack one lightweight alternative.

Guides and maps. Your phone does all of this now.

The Freedom of Less

Packing light isn’t just about saving money on baggage fees (though that’s nice). It’s about mobility.

You can walk from the airport to public transport without struggling. You can change hotels easily. You can take last-minute day trips without worrying about your luggage.

The less stuff you have, the more you focus on the experience rather than managing your belongings.

Start by packing what you think you need. Then remove a third of it. You’ll be fine.