what I packed to live in my 50L backpack.

If you read my latest life update, then you already know I am going to be living out of a 50 liter backpack for the foreseeable future. Wild, I know. And if you are thinking of traveling nomadically or are simply curious of how someone can fit their entire life into a backpack, then you are probably wondering what I am bringing with me.

Here is a thorough (and I mean, thorough) breakdown of everything I have packed in my 50L backpack, from clothing to personal care to entertainment, all starting with…

The Backpack

When I originally began planning for my new life, I first purchased the Nomatic 40L Travel Backpack ($289). Considering I will be working remotely as I travel, it was important for me to have a bag that could accommodate my laptop and film camera, along with all the wires and lenses that come with them. This backpack is built for digital nomadic travelers (hence the name).

There are pockets galore, the zipping adds plenty of security, any laptops or tablets are secure inside of the backpack where they cannot be accessed unless the bag is fully removed from the bakc, and the material the bag is made of is durable and water-resistant; a major plus for nomadic travelers. All-in-all, I really enjoy it. The only catch: there is no supportive backing, and when you are traveling with your entire life on your back, it begins to weigh on you.

Now, I had taken this backpack on a few short trip test runs—New York City, St. Simons Island in Georgia, and back to Boston—and it worked great. I felt comfortable, and I was able to take it on flights as a carry-on, sliding it under the sear. However, when I went to start my adventure, moving out of my apartment and heading down south to visit family before kicking off my trip, I found it difficult to sustain the weight on my back throughout the trip.

So, first thing I did when I arrived to Asheville, North Carolina: purchase the Osprey Aura AG 50L Pack ($300).

While I haven’t traveled with it yet, this bag is incredible with its back support, subtle additional pockets, and overall weight distribution. There is a framework separate from the backpack to make it comfortable to carry and there are support straps that sit just above the hip, helping to ease strain from the shoulders and back. In terms of organization, there is one large pocket where I was able to easily put my packing cubes and my toiletry bag, and a handful of smaller pockets built-in throughout the back.

I know I should have originally went with a long-term hiking bag, but my hesitance was knowing that I would be carrying digital equipment with me and wanting that extra built-in organization. However, so long as you have packing cubes and optimize use of the separate pockets for any loose or small products, the Aura AG works like a charm. Plus, it has an extra 10L, which, in retrospect, is needed with everything I am taking with me.

Organization Support

Generally speaking, I don’t have many loose items that I am taking with me. If I do, most are toiletries that are now organized in my toiletry bag ($23). This bag is split into four sections, perfect for separating shower products from my stock of contacts, from my stock of tampons, from my skin care, etc. It also has a hook to hang in showers that have sectional stalls.

The one downside is the fabric isn’t waterproof, but I don’t mind. It keeps everything in one place and is easy to stow away in my backpack.

For clothing, to ensure I optimize what space I have, I have been using packing cubes. I purchased a set of four off of Amazon ($25), really nothing special but they have worked like a charm, compacting my wardrobe into just two cubes, the ideal size to slide into the bottom of my backpack.

Granted, I haven’t tried traveling without them yet, so I am not sure how much a difference they make. But in terms of organization, they help immensely to avoid having clothes sprawling loose through my bag.

The Wardrobe

I have a feeling this is what people are most curious about: what did I bring for clothing.

That’s a great question. Considering I will be traveling through four different countries on different continents until the end of the year, I had to ensure I brought clothing for every season and every type of weather. Luckily, having grown up in Maine and living in the northeast of the United States, I was already equipped with a wardrobe that catered to such a situation. The challenge, however, was deciding what to keep and what to toss.

While deciding what to keep (or really, to bring) and what to toss through selling and donating, I kept in mind the concept of a capsule wardrobe, where just about everything in my bag can be mixed and matched. A lot of this involves having a collection of basics.

Before I left for Scotland, TALA launched their 365 collection: a range of core wardrobe essentials, exactly what I needed. I ended up purchasing a good chunk of the collection (all of which is shown below in their respective sections) and took them with my own my trip, and I LOVED them. They hardly take up any room while packing, the material is like butter, the colors and the fit are flattering, and they are versatile; exactly what I needed while traveling out of a backpack.

The downside to some of this collection will be the price. All of TALA’s products are on the higher side, and there are, of course, cheaper alternatives in finding basics. However, I have supported TALA since the company’s launch because of their mission and the quality of their products.

All of their products are made with mostly recycled materials—if not, sustainable materials, they are high quality and made to last (I literally still have Zinnia Seamless Leggings from their first-ever launch and they have outlived every other pair of leggings I own), they are ethically made by workers who are given a living wage and in factories —all of this is to say, I buy product that align with my personal beliefs and that are made to last, like TALA.

As for the other concept of having a capsule wardrobe, I planned out how many of each type of clothing article I needed and minimized what I owned—meaning I ended up getting rid of 85% of my closet. It was a lot, and it was hard to let some of my favorite clothing statements go, but as you will see, I had to be reasonable with what I brought, because not only did I have to be able to fit it all in a bag, I had to ensure I would wear it regularly. Space is valuable, and I can’t bring a dress or a shirt I am only going to wear maybe once every month.

Everything you see below are all products I love and trust, and oftentimes recommend to others.

Tops

I am a big fan of wearing sports bras for crop tops. My favorites are from Girlfriend Collective, specifically the Paloma Racerback Bra ($46) for the support but also the color choices. I brought three (different!) ones with me to pair on their own and for hikes and other physical activities.

For the day-to-day and for layering, I purchased the 365 High Neck Sleeveless Bodysuit ($36) in Oyster Black and Mocha and the 365 Short Sleeve T-Shirt ($32) also in Oyster Black and Mocha from TALA. I have gotten many compliments on both of these, and as I mentioned, they are flattering in color and in fit, and are extremely versatile. These are the only “top-tops” I am bring.

Of course, it’s bound to get cold in the coming months and I am a big fan of being cozy, so I have two pullover sweatshirts and a hoodie to wear on their own or to layer when the winter comes.

Dresses

You never know when the occasion for a nicer attire might come up, so I packed two of the Exercise Dress ($100) from Outdoor Voices—cannot recommend this dress enough—and the 365 Racerback Bodycon Maxi Dress ($50) in Oyster Black from TALA. The latter is definitely for special occasions or when I am feeling a bit “dressier”, while the dresses from Outdoor Voices are versatile and work for any situation.

Bottoms

Bottoms are what I have the most of because there are so many different situations that require different bottoms. For example:

I brought one pair of jeans (one!)—the vintage Levis I thrifted years ago in a beautiful cream color, and the Babaton Vegan Leather pants ($148) from Aritzia. For shorts, I have a pair of thrifted high-waisted green Lee shorts and two pairs of bicycle shorts—the Skinluxe High Waisted Training Shorts ($46) from TALA and the Wunder Train High-Rise Shorts with Pockets 8” ($74) from Lululemon. For hiking or just relaxing, I have two pairs of leggings—one pair I purchased in Scotland, so I have no idea what brand they are but they are amazing and have pockets, and the other: the Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with Pockets 25” ($128) from Lululemon. And last, but definitely not least, when I am ready to crash or to simply lounge about in my hostels, a pair of sweatpants I have owned for who knows how many years.

Outerwear

There are really only two types of jackets one needs while travels: one for warmth and one for rain.

Usually for warmth, I wear the puffer jacket I have owned for well over six years with holes in the pockets. However, because space is everything, I traded it for a lightweight puffer jacket from Amazon ($44) that can be folded up to fit in a complimentary pouch, making it easy to pack when I am not using it.

As for the rain, I bought (on sale!) the Fjällräven Kaipack Jacket ($250). It’s sturdy, sustainably made, and perfect for if I fall and slip on a trail while raining, which unfortunately happens a lot.

*Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot*

Footwear

Originally, I was only going to bring two pairs of shoes with me, but I recently ordered the Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot ($100) from Columbia because it was on sale and I need proper hiking boots. The boots I have been using and will also be taking with me, Madewell no longer carries (similar boot here) doubled as hiking boots, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. They lived up to their duality in Scotland, being the only shoe I wore. But I thought it was about time I got myself proper hiking boots to wear when I am not wearing my boots or my Vans.

Toiletries & Personal Care

Being on the road as frequently as I am, it is important I take care of myself while also doing my best to be as sustainable as possible. This plays out in all of my choices, as you saw in my clothing, but it also plays out a good deal in my personal care items.

Self-Maintenance

For showering, most hostels offer towels for a small fee. To save some money, I am bringing a microfiber towel ($10). It’s compact, easy to store, and does an impressive job of wicking moisture post-shower.

I never know where I will be when my period comes around, and to ensure I am doing my best with minimizing long-term waste, I have stocked up on period products from August. Not only are the products made of sustainable, 100% organic cotton and are fully biodegradable, the company is woman and POC owned. It is an incredible company that gives back and is fighting the stigma around menstruation through education and making menstrual products accessible—I cannot recommend enough.

Keeping things clean and fresh, I am taking my trusty Wild Refillable Natural Deodorant ($29 for the case and three refills) and the Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets ($15).

The deodorant is vegan, made with natural ingredients, WORKS (very important, because I tried several natural deodorants and sadly, they don’t usually hold up), sustainable, and bonus! has super cute packaging. The laundry detergent sheets are another thing that are offered at hostels for a small fee, but every penny counts and these take up minimal space, come in plastic free packaging, and are vegan.

Last but not least, fun fact: I am blind as a bat, so one of the sections in my toiletry back is dedicated to my several-months stock of contacts. Other random self-maintenance things include hair elastics, bobby pins, and jewelry.

Haircare

My hair is complicated, to say the least. It’s long and wavy, prone to drying out and going frizzy, but it’s also oily and sometimes looks like I just got out of a lake. Finding products that work for my hair type has been a long journey, especially products that are travel-friendly and sustainable.

For the last two months I have been using a combination of the Lush Avocado Co-Wash ($18.50) and Super Milk ($21 for the 3.3 oz), and it has worked wonders. The Avocado Co-Wash is a two-in one bar specifically made for those who have curly hair. It is designed to focus more on reinforcing moisture rather than stripping the air of its oils as most hair products do. Then, just to add some extra moisture, I spray the Super Milk while my hair is still damp and my curls dry healthy and shiny.

It’s two steps, perfect for travel, and sustainable.

Skincare

Confession time: I don’t take care of my skin.

I am simple person. The most I do on an average day is use a cleanser, but I have recently invested in a routine from Ordinary to hopefully (fingers crossed) give my skin a better life. This includes: Squalane Cleanser ($8 for the 50ml), Niacinamide ($6.50 for the 30ml), and Hyaluronic Acid ($7.50 for the 30ml). Don’t worry, I also have sunscreen.

Entertainment

Honestly, there really isn’t much room for anything aside from my basic living essentials. Plus, I will be spending a lot of time exploring the places I am visiting, not seeking an escape from my reality. However, I am bringing a two things for when I am traveling or want to decompress in the evening.

The first is Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang. Very random choice of book, but one of the last things I did before leaving Boston was attend Kuang’s conversation with the Harvard Bookstore and get a signed copy of her new book. I have been reading very slowly recently due to the many things on my plate, meaning I am only 50 pages in, but I cannot recommend it enough. Just hearing her talk about the book and the ideas she explores in the text, I already know it’s going to be a good one.

The second is my Nintendo Switch. I debated between bringing this, because I don’t often have the time to play video games and I am picky with my games, but I recently downloaded The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and it is my favorite way to decompress every once in a while when I need a break from my projects (including the fun ones). I also have Animal Crossing, a classic though I haven’t played it in a while (RIP to my island).

Miscellaneous

Of course I have things that don’t necessarily fit in any of the above categories, but I said this was going to be thorough.

For day hikes, I have my Kavu Rope Sling Bag ($60). This thing is incredible with its weight distribution and space. It has plenty of room for snacks, water, and even a book if you are like me and bring one everywhere you go. It also fits my Welly Human Repair Kit ($9) for when I inevitably trip over a rock and hurt myself.

When I go out on the town, I am bringing along my tote bag from Daunt Books. This is by far my absolute favorite tote bag I have ever owned, mostly because it has a pocket. Yup, you read that right: a pocket. I got mine for free because I purchased so many books, they gave me one. But, it is 100% worth the $17.

Though they are worth a pretty penny, my AirPods Pro are a must. The noise cancelling is so helpful when I am trying to focus but I’m in a common space. Or for when I simply want to listen to music without disturbing anyone.

And for my very random last thing: I have a pouch for rocks. There are already some in there from my trip to Scotland, England, and South Dakota. But rather than collect material items, I like to take a rock from every hike I do.

I have a chipping from the Old Man of Storr, a piece of raw quartz from Custer State park, sea porcelain from the beaches of Portree, dried stone from the Badlands. It’s an ever-growing list, and each one has a story.

With that said, that is everything—and I mean everything aside from my laptop and reading tablet, I will be bringing with me at least for the next three months. It is definitely a unique experience. I have to be intentional about everything I take and of anything I want to buy. Frankly, it saves me a good deal of money.

But all in all, I am beyond excited to live minimally and nomadically for however long it takes until my heart is content.

Until next time, take care.

Rachel xoxo