The High-Tech Minimalist (Packing List)

A packing list for the "high-tech" minimalist.. the third and final entry in this series, after the True Minimalist and Mostly Minimalist lists.

The idea here is simple: same tiny pack, more climates. The true and mostly minimalist lists both come with a catch, they're limited to warm (or at least not cold) weather; this list fixes that by swapping in gear that's lighter, warmer and faster-drying than the cheap stuff, so you can carry the same two or three sets of clothes through a European winter and a Southeast Asian summer without adding a bag.

The catch with this list is the price tag. Most of what's below costs two to five times what the generic version costs, and none of it is required; I've written a whole post arguing for cheap gear, and I still stand by it. But if you already know you'll be crossing seasons, or you just like nice things and can afford to lose them, this is how I'd spend the money.

Must-Haves: Clothes

• Two or three sets of quick-dry basics: the same shirts, shorts, socks and underwear from the mostly minimalist list; they're the layer that gets washed every day, and cheap is fine here.
• Merino or merino-blend base layer: one long-sleeve top and one pair of bottoms; they're warm for their weight, pack down to nothing, and can go a few days between washes. Look for a merino/nylon blend rather than 100% wool; it holds up better to daily wear and to laundromats that ignore care labels.
• Convertible hiking pants: one pair; long pants for cold days, shorts for warm ones, and the only "pants" you need. See Shorts, Pants and Trunks.
• Packable synthetic puffer jacket: the piece that makes cold weather possible. Synthetic insulation (as opposed to down) still keeps you warm when it's damp, and a good one stuffs into its own pocket. I pack a Nano Puff; a cheap compressible puffer works too, I've packed one of those as well and it did the job.
• Light rain shell: a thin, packable rain jacket that fits over the puffer; together they replace a winter coat for anything short of actual winter sports. A 50-cent poncho does most of this job, so skip it if you're only chasing summer.
• Trail runners: one pair, worn every day, for hikes, cities, gyms and airports; this is the one place I'd tell anyone to spend money.
• Packable sandals: a pair of minimalist or barefoot-style sandals that flatten to nothing; showers, beaches, hot days and giving your feet a break from the trail runners.
• A warm hat and light gloves: optional, but they take up no space and buy a surprising amount of comfort.

Must-Haves: Gear

• A small backpack (18-25L): same as the mostly minimalist list; the point of the upgrades is that the bag doesn't get bigger.
• Packable day bag: an ultralight day pack that stuffs into a pouch the size of an egg; for groceries, day hikes, and leaving your main bag at the hostel.
• Compression cubes or a wash bag: compression packing cubes squeeze the puffer and base layers down to a fraction of their size. I use a portable wash bag instead, because it compresses just as well (the air valve is the trick) and it also washes clothes; either way, pick one system.
• Compact charger and one cable: a small, fast wall charger with two ports and a single cable that charges your phone and headphones; it replaces the tangle of bricks and cords most people carry, and it means you can skip the power bank.
• Universal travel adapter, padlock, small quick-dry towel: the usual suspects.
• Waterproof phone case or small dry bag: for beach days, boat days and the occasional monsoon.

Must-Haves: Toiletries

• A tiny kit: bar soap, solid deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste tabs, razor, nail clippers, and two or three small refillable bottles for the liquids you actually need; buy the rest on arrival. Details in Space Saving Toiletries.

Optional Add-ons

• Thin merino or fleece hoodie for the in-between days
• Rechargeable hand warmers if you'll be outdoors a lot in real cold; see Cold Weather Travel
• Paracord or a packable clothesline for drying clothes
• Sink stopper

Pros

• Works in cold, cool, warm and hot climates with the same pack
• Everything dries fast, packs small and layers together
• The outer layers need fewer washes, so daily laundry is still just socks, underwear and a shirt
• Comfort, which matters more than anything when you wear the same clothes for months

Cons

• It costs a lot more, easily several hundred dollars over the mostly minimalist list
• Expensive gear is more painful to lose, damage, or hand to a laundromat
• Merino and puffers need a little care (gentle washing, air drying, clear nail polish on snags)
• You may buy all of it and then spend the whole trip somewhere warm, wishing you had the cheap list

Final thoughts

This list is the same size as the mostly minimalist list with better materials, and that's the whole trick; the pack doesn't grow, the range of weather it handles does. Whether that's worth the money depends on where you're going and how much you'll worry about your stuff; if you're honestly not sure, start with the cheap list and buy the puffer in the first cold country you land in.

For the full argument on both sides, read The Case for Inexpensive Travel Gear and The Case for High-Quality Travel Gear.

Read Next: Cold Weather Travel