11 Backpacking Travel Hacks – DIY Packing for Ultra Minimalist Travel

Packing minimally will make your vacation more fun and less stressful. Trust us, ultra minimalist travel is the way to go without-a-doubt! And if you haven’t ever packed minimally before, bringing only what you need on your adventure, then we are here to help you out. Our backpacking travel hacks will help you become a minimalist traveler.

Traveling can be difficult, an especially stressful when you have a few giant pieces of luggage along! You’ll wait in the long lines at the airport at bag check and baggage claim, and then have to lug a huge suitcase everywhere you are going. Wouldn’t it be easier to just pack a backpack? Or maybe a carry-on at the most? Yes!

But you have to bring everything you need on the trip… How do you get everything you need on your trip into a backpack or carry-on? By using these DIY packing travel hacks!

Having some extra space in a bag, and having the perfect travel snacks along, can be a LIFESAVER on your vacation! Over the years, we have learned a lot of secret packing hacks on our travels, and picked our 11 favorite to share with you!

On top of that, we will give you our recommendation for the best minimalist travel backpack. This bag will help you on your ultra minimalist travel adventure, wherever you are headed around the world!

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  • Our official Travel Bucket List and tips for making your own bucket list!

11. Roll Up Your Clothes

If you aren’t rolling your clothes to pack them, you are doing it wrong. This saves SO MUCH space. We didn’t believe it until we started doing it, and it is pretty shocking when you do it for the first time.

I have a challenge for you doubters out there. Pack an entire bag full of clothes the way you normally do it, by folding and stacking. Now unpack your bag and re-pack it with the exact same clothes, but this time roll the clothes tightly (like you would roll a sleeping bag) and then pack them. Did you save space? If the answer is no, then you’re either a terrible roller, or you’re lying.

10. Use Contact Cases for Liquids

Coming in at number 10 on our list of backpacking travel hacks for ultra minimalist travel solution is a way to save space on the liquids you bring along: pack them in a contact case!

We HATE having to bring entire bottles of liquids and gels on trips. They are heavy, take up a TON of space, sometimes get stopped at security, and you usually don’t even come close to using them all!

What is the solution? It’s right in front of your eyes! Your contact cases. These small storage containers are a perfect size for you to bring face lotion, sunscreen, acne cream, and so much more. They are super easy to pack and most even have a locking mechanism which is perfect when you are bringing it in a backpack!

And the best part is you don’t even have to wear contacts to use this trick! And if you don’t want to use contact cases, you can use small travel bottles instead.

9. Pack Some Snacks!

We love food. You love food. Everyone loves food. Where should you not buy food? The airport! Airport food is expensive. Airport food is usually unhealthy. And airport food almost always comes with a wait in a long line.

Skip the line and the dine on some fine snacks that you brought along! Our favorites are pistachios, beef jerky, and our guilty pleasure: gummy bears (the Albanese brand is to DIE for).

When you buy in bulk ahead of time, you’ll spend less on food and be able to eat wherever and whenever you want! Just pack a little bit and you’ll be able to save space. And if you have leftovers, then you have some great grub to bring on a hike or walk around the city!

8. Put Undergarments in Shoes

Don’t make this weird. We don’t mean for it to be weird. There is so much unused space on the inside of your shoes when you’re packing! What better way to use it than to stuff your socks and undies down in there!

If you would like a layer between your undies and shoes, then just throw them in a little ziplock bag! Or another way to use the space in your shoes is to put your jewelry in them.

7. Pack Jewelry in Saran Wrap

Do you wear jewelry? Read this! No? Skip to number 6. Coming in at number 7 on our list of backpacking travel hacks for ultra minimalist travel: pack jewelry in saran wrap.

Why? First, it keeps your jewelry untangled! You can individually wrap each item, and then put all of the wrapped jewelry in a bag! You’ll save at least 15 minutes of untangling your necklaces and bracelets.

Second, it’ll stay clean! On multiple occasions Julie’s earrings have poked a hole in a bottle, or somehow a bottle has opened, causing the bag to be a MESS! You will be able to avoid those shenanigans by wrapping your jewelry in some saran wrap!

6. Pack Mainly Neutral Colors

Clothes will take up the most space in your luggage. Any DIY packing tips that reduce the number of clothes you bring along will help immensely, and using neutral colors will do just that. You’ll be able to wear clothes in multiple outfits without the colors clashing. The best people we know who practice ultra minimalist travel use every single article of clothing a few times in multiple outfits on each trip!

The obvious reason for this is that you’ll pack fewer clothes! We know you want to look fly on your trip, and want to pack a poppin’ wardrobe to boot. We are here to tell you that you DO NOT need to pack your ENTIRE wardrobe to look and feel like a million bucks on your trip!

You need to start by packing neutral base colors. Pack the stuff that you can dress up, but also feel comfortable in. Some leggings and jeans will be a no-brainer for you ladies.

Next, make sure you have at least one or two popping colors for each day of your trip. Make it items that go well with a few of the neutrals you’ve packed. We both know you’re going to want options when you’re getting dressed each morning.

Finally, make your jewelry the cherry on top. If there’s anything that can make your outfit a showstopper without taking up a lot of space in your bag, it is your jewelry. Bring a few options!

5. Use Binder Clips to Cover Razors

Have you ever ruined a razor by packing it without a proper cover? It scratches on all your other toiletries and then gives you some nasty razor burn on your trip. We have a solution hiding in your desk drawer! Covering your razors with a binder clip will protect your razors, and everything around them, during your vacation.

4. Put Shower Caps Around Shoes to Keep Clothes Clean

This is especially good if you are going to be hiking or doing a lot of walking around the city. Your shoes are GOING to get dirty, and you do not want that dirt to make it onto your white shirt or brand new pants.

What’s the solution? Get a couple shower caps to keep the dirt from making its way from your shoes to your clothes! Shower caps are super cheap when bought in bulk online, and you can even reuse them from trip to trip!

3. Put Cash in an Empty Chapstick Bottle

This is an excellent DIY packing tip for ultra minimalist travel. It accomplishes two different things: saving space and preventing theft!

Keeping your cash in a discreet place is especially important if you are worried about pick-pockets. Your money will be hiding in plain sight in your empty chapstick bottle! As a bonus, it is a really easy way to keep all your cash in one place in your pocket or purse. Your bills won’t be floating around and be tough to find when you need them most.

2. Put a Dryer Sheet in Your Bag to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh

Any DIY packing tips that keep you smelling great are a must. You don’t want to be smelly walking around the airport, or have a suitcase that you can smell from 10 feet away! Coming in at number 2 on our backpacking travel hacks is a must: use dryer sheets to mask the smell.

This one we had to learn from experience. We took a trip to Zion National Park in Utah. UNBELIEVABLE scenery, such a beautiful part of the world. However, in the 100 degree heat the sweat was flowing… That did not bode well for the smell of our clothes and backpacks on the way home (sorry, people who had to sit next to us…).

Ever since that trip, we have brought a few dryer sheets along in our bags, and haven’t had the same problem yet! These bad boys basically soak up any bad smells and keep your clothes and bags smelling fresh!

1. Pack an Empty Water Bottle That You Can Fill Up After Security

What is the worst thing to buy at the airport? Water. Why? Because it is free, people! FREE! Five finger discount! All you have to do is pack a water bottle to fill up at the fountains once you’re through security.

Our favorite is the 32 oz Gatorade squeeze bottle. It is squishy enough that it will fit into the side pocket of any bag, and it holds enough water to last at least a whole flight. What’s better? This thing costs about as much as 2 or 3 bottles of water at the airport. 3 uses and you’ll pay it off! And it is a PERFECT hiking water bottle, also.

Best Minimalist Travel Backpack

We have an Osprey 65 liter backpack that also doubles as a duffel. This backpack holds a TON of stuff, and we have always been able to use it as a carry-on.

The other great part about this backpack is that it is Osprey. Osprey makes great backpacks that last forever and are comfortable to carry. We’ve had these for a few years now and they still look as good as the day we got them. You will not regret buying an Osprey backpack for your travels.

This is by far the best minimalist travel backpack for ultra minimalist travel. All of our DIY packing trips will do wonders in helping you bring everything you need along in this bag.

There You Have It

Those are our 11 favorite backpacking travel hacks for ultra minimalist travel and our recommendation for a minimalist travel backpack! Did you enjoy them? What are your favorite hacks that you’ve learned on your trips? Share them in the comments, we would love to hear from you!

Other Articles You Might Like

  • Girls Guide – How to Pack Light for a 2 Week Trip – Full Packing List
  • Guys Guide – How to Pack Light for a 2 Week Trip – Full Packing List
  • Our official Travel Bucket List and tips for making your own bucket list!

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  2. Stand facing the cable machine, grip the bar with an overhand grip,
    and keep your arms totally prolonged. Goal
    the mid and decrease again muscular tissues with the
    Cable Low Seated Row, an train performed on a low row machine, using an overhand grip to drag the weight toward the stomach.
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    successfully engaging the lats, rhomboids, and decrease traps.

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    a wider again. The latissimus dorsi is a big muscle group located on both sides of the back,
    extending from the higher arm bone to the lower backbone.

    If your rotator cuffs are already sturdy, and if you’re
    following a balanced program that features some overhead urgent, you
    might not want any additional rotator cuff work.
    Then, once you’ve constructed a big back, it’s straightforward to maintain up your measurement and
    strength. If you do some chin-ups and deadlifts each week, that’s greater than sufficient to take
    care of your whole back muscle tissue.
    The first group is simply too inflexible and limits the quantity of overall tension that could be created, and the second group must cease
    watching homemade R Kelly videos. There are
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    One thing to pay heed to isn’t allowing your torso to lean again excessively as you pull.
    Stay informed with the latest news, product critiques, & expert advice.
    Choopan’s back is noted for its grainy texture and deep
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    His muscles are tightly packed, giving him a glance of density and management that many opponents find troublesome to match.

    These dynamic workouts not only help build a sculpted and
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    Integrating strongman exercises presents a chance to raise
    your coaching expertise by embracing unconventional yet
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    Incorporating strongman exercises into your again exercise regimen can bolster overall energy and thickness.
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    aspects in again growth. Incorporating the Barbell One Arm Bent over Row into your workout routine can help you obtain a robust and sculpted again. By adding this exercise
    along with others really helpful right here, you
    can work in path of developing an impressive stage of
    muscle thickness while also enhancing general athletic
    efficiency.
    As such, you want to at all times work your rear delts everytime
    you prepare the the rest of your again. The landmine is an efficient but
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    landmine actions present a novel vary of
    motion that engages stabilising muscles whereas decreasing pressure on the lower again. In conclusion, building a powerful, thick back entails training the most effective compound exercises like deadlifts
    and pull-ups. Implementing strongman workouts might help enhance strength and thickness in your back muscle
    tissue. Variations in deadlifts and pulls not only contribute to muscle growth but also prevent plateauing by difficult your muscles from totally different angles.

    Including a deadlift variation will take care
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    or flaring your elbows and whether you’re stretching and contracting your shoulder blades.
    Incorporating strongman exercises into your back exercise routine can add
    a dynamic component of useful strength and athleticism.
    These workout routines, such as tire flips, farmer’s walks, and atlas stone lifts, interact a
    number of muscle teams concurrently, selling total body stability and
    power. The Cable Elevated Row is a top-notch exercise that targets the upper and center
    back, contributing to building thickness and power in these vital areas.

    This exercise can be easily adjusted to totally different resistance ranges by simply altering the burden on the cable machine.
    Strengthen and sculpt your back with these top 10 workouts, including dumbbell palm rotational bent-over row, barbell reverse grip
    incline bench row, cable low seated row, and more.

    Nevertheless, a robust again performs a vital role
    in supporting compound actions like deadlifts, squats, and bench presses.

    Additionally, it improves posture and spinal stability, decreasing
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    your elbows again, particularly when flared. You can train them by doing rows with flared elbows, by doing rear delt flyes, or by doing exterior rotation workout routines like face-pulls.

    The different benefit to rows is that you’re driving your elbows again in direction of your torso, training your lats and rear delts.

    The distinction is that rows tend to work your upper-back muscle tissue
    a bit harder, whereas chin-ups work your lats by way of a deeper range
    of motion.
    It’s not since you don’t have the drive and work ethic to get there,
    but I’ve at all times had a giant again, even when the rest of my body was skinny.
    I frequently inform the story of the time I was standing in front of the TV while my sister was attempting to watch
    it. Choopan’s signature pose is the rear double biceps, where his thick,
    grainy back muscle tissue stand out, notably in the decrease
    back. Roelly Winklaar’s again transformation is considered
    one of the dramatic in modern bodybuilding, with constant improvements
    over the years propelling him to the top of the sport.

    You’re going to need a more flared arm path and a decrease again arch if
    you’re making an attempt to isolate the upper back with a row
    or a pulldown. The diploma of flare can differ a bit, but to focus on the upper again you are going to need the
    arms abducted and performing shoulder extension. A nearer grip or shoulder-width grip is usually
    extra perfect for concentrating on the lats. A wider grip can be a nice
    choice for the higher back, particularly when doing chins or pulldowns.
    On the other hand, the underhand pull-up largely depresses the shoulder no matter the way you alter your physique place.
    This slackens the biceps, stretches the lats, entails
    minimal scapular retraction, all but removes the higher trapezius, places shearing forces on the shoulders, and brings many different disadvantages.

    Shoulder extension, which happens most purely on a row,
    addresses many muscle tissue.
    Keep In Mind that gravity pulls free weights down in a straight line
    toward the middle of the earth, so you must bend over to get any real range of motion (ROM).
    As Quickly As you determine that deep connection, you possibly can steadily start growing the weights you use.
    A true grasp of mind-muscle connection can pantomime any back exercise and not solely feel the lats working but additionally obtain an actual pump.

    The lat pull-in is an awesome exercise to really
    hone in on this area as a outcome of it places the resistance immediately according to the specific angle that the majority of
    the lat fibers run. Every week try to add somewhat extra
    weight to the top single and extra reps to the back-off sets.

    As Quickly As you’re in position, there’s a quantity of issues to
    do to make the precise rowing part more effective.
    To carry out this exercise, maintain a barbell or dumbbells with an overhand
    grip while bending on the hips and keeping your again flat.
    When it comes to building a powerful again, bodybuilders emphasize progressive overload – progressively increasing weight or resistance during exercises to continuously problem and stimulate muscle growth.
    Bodybuilders emphasize the importance of including a wide range of workout routines in their back exercises.
    They stress the necessity for compound movements such as deadlifts,
    which interact a quantity of muscle teams concurrently.

    Emphasize workout routines similar to bent-over rows,
    Meadows rows, and different row variations to effectively goal
    the upper, center, and lower back. Rack pulls contain lifting the barbell from an elevated position, permitting
    you to deal with heavier weights than conventional deadlifts.
    Not Like other again exercises, the cable rope pullover permits for a higher
    vary of movement, significantly through the eccentric (lengthening) section. This
    prolonged vary of movement helps to totally stretch and activate the lats, leading to extra muscle fiber recruitment and improved improvement.
    The cable machine offers steady pressure all through the complete train motion,
    ensuring that the muscles are continuously engaged. This constant resistance locations a big demand on the back muscle tissue, leading to greater energy gains and hypertrophy (muscle growth).
    While he lifted heavy, his emphasis was on stimulating, not annihilating the muscles—a principle he
    often repeated.
    Building these muscle tissue thickens the sides of the neck and improves neck stability.
    This muscle runs from the upper cervical vertebrae to the highest of
    the shoulder blade (scapula). It helps elevate the scapula and
    assists with neck side-bending and rotation. A well-developed levator scapulae contributes to
    the fullness between the neck and shoulders. The decrease
    lats may be difficult to activate successfully as a end result of a lack of mind-muscle connection,
    making it tough to totally contract the muscle fibers during every repetition.
    The heavier the burden, the more ramp-up units you want on the way there.
    Seated good mornings are a great accessory raise for those
    who lose their squats and front squats forward.
    I all the time use an EliteFTS Safety Squat Yoke bar for these, but a straight bar, thick bar pad,
    and lifting straps are workable substitutes.
    There’s additionally an opportunity that regardless of how onerous you
    practice, you’ll by no means develop a again like mine.
    Each of us has an inborn set of strengths and weaknesses, and it’s our job
    as bodybuilders to maximize our potential to create the best physiques
    potential. T-BAR ROWS If your gym would not have a T-bar, you
    probably can improvise one with a normal Olympic barbell.
    Put one end of the bar on the floor towards a wall, ideally
    in a nook, and place weights (such because the handle of a heavy dumbbell)
    over that finish to keep it down. Load the opposite end along with your
    required resistance, then slip a V-handle beneath that aspect, against the collar.

    Pull-ups, each broad grip and close grip variations, are extremely
    effective workouts for building a stronger and wider again. This is an advanced and difficult train that might be modified when you’re
    a beginner. Begin with assisted pull-ups utilizing a resistance band or an assisted pull-up machine.
    Extensive grip pull-ups primarily goal the lats that are the largest muscular tissues in the again liable for creating
    width and thickness. By performing wide-grip pull-ups, you engage the lats to a larger extent, promoting their improvement and contributing to a broader back look.

    His workouts included a mix of compound actions like rows and
    pull-ups, along with isolation exercises that fine-tuned his
    back’s intricate particulars. Haney’s attention to posture and method ensured that
    he developed a back that was each muscular and secure from
    damage. He believed in going heavy, pushing his limits with massive compound actions like deadlifts and bent-over barbell rows.

    One of his most well-known feats was performing 495-pound barbell rows for over 10
    reps, an illustration of his raw strength. You’re pulling the weight up by driving your elbows back, your shoulder blades are stretching out after which squeezing collectively, and your spinal erectors
    are maintaining your posture rigid. Rows won’t work all three muscle groups
    onerous sufficient to stimulate muscle growth, although. Nor will
    they challenge every region of every muscle in each muscle group.

    Stick to your exercise routine, specializing in incorporating the top 10 workouts for back thickness into your training plan. Incorporating correct form is crucial to reduce the danger of injury
    and guarantee maximum effectiveness when performing
    this exercise. By including the Cable One Arm Bent over Row to your routine, you can work in the course of attaining a defined and
    strong again with improved muscular development.
    Incorporating variations like different grips or adjusting physique angle can add diversity to this train routine
    for optimal muscle engagement and improvement. Consistency with proper technique is vital to maximise effectiveness whereas minimizing
    damage risk when performing this exercise.
    It not solely helps in strengthening and rising the size of again muscular tissues but also
    contributes to improved posture and reduced risk of back accidents.

    Fats burning should come from an general strategy which incorporates making
    a caloric deficit by way of a mix of a nutrient-dense food plan rich in protein and targeted strength coaching.
    They additionally stretch out to your shoulders, connecting to your shoulder blades (scapula).
    Because of their broad, four-sided shape, they’re
    known as the trapezius.
    Located under the middle and decrease trapezius, the rhomboids, comprising
    the major and minor rhomboid muscle tissue, might not be
    visible however nonetheless contribute to again thickness when adequately developed.

    You Will need to use a pad as a end result of because the
    shoulders roll forward, the bar will comply with onto your
    neck. Weights that used to really feel impossibly heavy will start to feel simply manageable.

    References:

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