One-Bag Travel: Personal Item

One request I receive with surprising frequency is an updated travel wardrobe. But I’ve struggled with the follow-up because my formula hasn’t changed all that much–I might adapt the color palette and fabric weight for the season, but the packing fundamentals remain mostly unchanged.

I followed that familiar playbook last month on a five-day hiking trip to Colorado. On shorter or more outdoorsy trips, I have started to further simplify: I often choose to forgo a carry-on, and can usually get by with just an in-flight personal item, like the Carhartt Convertible Backpack Tote.

Here’s everything (excluding undergarments, and toiletries) that I brought with me:

TRAVEL DAY UNIFORM

To minimize the load, I always wear the bulkiest pieces on travel day. A combination of this Champion Hoodie and the FP Movement Fleece Jacket did a great job of keeping me warm on the redeye flight; I also wear my hiking shoes on travel days so I don’t have to pack them.

SA106 Runway Fashion Metal Bridge Trim Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses • Mott & Bow Fitted V-Neck Marcy Tee (reviewed here) • Champion Vintage Wash Full-Zip Hoodie (size XS) • FP Movement Hit the Slopes Fleece Jacket in Bright Forest (also here; reviewed here) • Free People Sweatpants (similar here and here) • KEEN Bryce WP Trekking Shoes in Grey/Green (past season)

COLOR UNIFORM

Sticking to a simple color palette (i.e., a neutral base and one accent color) helps streamline both the packing and dressing process. While there are more fashionable ways to travel, this does ensure that I will never look like I got dressed in the dark or had a laundry mishap.

SA106 Runway Fashion Metal Bridge Trim Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses • AIR SPACE Plain Square Neck Knit Top (size S; similar here, here, and here) • Champion Vintage Wash Full-Zip Hoodie (size XS) • Amazon Essentials Everyday Fitness 7/8 Zipped Legging (size XS) • Smartwool Hike Medium Crew Socks in Gray • KEEN Bryce WP Trekking Shoes in Grey/Green (past season)

*I will be reviewing the FP Movement Cakewalk Sling before the end of the summer, but it’s become my favorite daypack.*

FRIENDLY LAYERS

Summer hiking in the northern parts of Colorado requires packing for wild temperature swings and skillfully layering pieces that belong in different seasons. For this occasion I brought both my summer and winter basics: Uniqlo’s HEATTECH collection for chilly moments, and Mott & Bow tees when things warm up. They take up vey little room, can be handwashed and hang dried easily, and fit comfortably under a fleece outer layer.

SA106 Runway Fashion Metal Bridge Trim Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses • Uniqlo HEATTECH Ultra Warm High Neck T-Shirt (size XXS) • FP Movement Hit the Slopes Fleece Jacket in Bright Forest (also here; reviewed here) • Smartwool Hike Medium Crew Socks in Gray • KEEN Bryce WP Trekking Shoes in Grey/Green (past season)

SA106 Runway Fashion Metal Bridge Trim Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses • Mott & Bow Fitted V-Neck Marcy Tee (reviewed here) • FP Movement Hit the Slopes Fleece Jacket in Bright Forest (also here; reviewed here) • GYM RAINBOW High Waisted Running Shorts with Pockets in #3 Black (size S)

BE PRACTICAL

Traveling with just a personal item means there’s no room for wants, only needs. Every piece must serve a real (not imagined or hopeful) purpose.

One item that I bring on every trip is my most packable rain jacket: The Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket may not be the cutest option available, but it keeps me dry and my pack light. The many zippered pockets also give me a safe place to stow keys, glasses, and handfuls of tissues.