A recent trend has developed on how people want to live. Many people are starting to pull away from their materialistic commercialistic lives in exchange for minimalist living. First, people began downgrading from two-story houses to tiny homes. Now, people are going further towards simple living by learning how to live out of a backpack.
Why Live Out of a Backpack?
Reducing down everything you own into the size of a backpack can be trying. You have to learn how to let go of years of stuff you’ve amassed. The key to living out of a bag is that you will get rid of just about everything you have, including items of sentimental value.
What you do keep in your pack are items essential to survival. There’s not going to be room for anything else. Living out of a backpack is not for everyone. But some people enjoy being free to jump from place to place at a moment’s notice.
Maybe you’re backpacking across the country to experience the trip of a lifetime. Or perhaps you have a goal of seeing all the fantastic sites of the world. A lot of people regularly travel for their jobs, such as photographers and journalists. It would not make sense for these people to pay for a physical establishment such as a house or apartment if they’ll never be there.
Each person who decides to live out of a backpack has their own story of inspiration and reasons. If you’re going to be a traveling backpacker, you’ll likely hook up with other packers along your way. You’ll learn that it can be a community and a lot less lonely if you learn how to share your experiences along the way.
Tips for How to Live Out of a Backpack
I’m not going to lie. When you decide to embark on a journey of living out of your backpack, you might make the rookie move of trying to keep too much stuff. I don’t blame you. We’ve been conditioned to believe that our success, and our happiness is based on how much stuff we own.
You want to have the newest cell phone, even though there’s nothing wrong with the one you just bought six months ago: laptops, tablets, cell phones, televisions, gaming consoles, streaming devices. The list goes on and on. And chances are, you currently have, or at one time had, at least a few different forms of technology.
Living out of a backpack will require you to dissolve all your worldly possessions down to the bare minimum. You’ll no longer need six different devices just to check your social media. A thin laptop, a cell phone, and a camera will suffice for a life on the road. Other people prefer to carry a tablet, like an iPad, with a small attachable keyboard if you’ll be doing a lot of typing.
If you’re trying to prepare to live out of a backpack, there are some simple tips you can employ to make things easier. You’ll face enough challenges by being a nomad, such as figuring out how to take showers and prepare food when you don’t have a roof over your head.
Five things you’ll absolutely need to live out of your backpack:
- Backpack
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Toiletries
- Electronic gadgets
Tip 1 – Pick Your Backpack
Your backpack is going to be the most crucial possession you’ll own. You don’t want to grab a bargain pack off the shelf of your local discount store. Your backpack will be your home base, your house if you will. It will hold everything you own.
Travel experts recommend finding a pack that has multiple pockets so you can organize all your stuff without having to dig through your bag for one item. Look for one made out of nylon, with ripstop material, so you don’t have to worry about your pack getting damaged if you’re traveling through rough terrain.
Some backpacks have a waterproof layer, which is going to be something you want to factor in if you’re going to be doing a lot of outdoor traveling. You might have to pay a higher price for a good backpack. But this is an investment you’ll use every second of your life, so it’s worth the cost. Don’t be cheap in this capacity.
Look for these Qualities for Your Backpack
When you’re trying to pick your pack, do your research. Read reviews from other customers to see how the product functioned out in the real world. You’ll want to find one that is durable enough to last you while you’re out on the road.
You’ll also want to make sure you have enough room to pack everything you’ll be carrying with you. Think about the purpose of your decision to live out of a backpack. Are you going to be moving from location to location, chasing work? If so, you’ll need enough room for your equipment. Most travelers prefer a pack that’s at least 26 liters, which is about seven gallons.
Some people make the mistake of buying the biggest pack they can find so they can bring along more stuff. The problem is they don’t think about the fact that more stuff equals more weight. If you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling on foot, you could get worn down by a large, heavy pack.
If possible, try the pack on for size before purchasing. Make sure it feels comfortable on your shoulders and your back. Adjust the straps to see the different ways you can position the pack. Look for straps that attach over your chest and stomach for extra security and comfort. And pay attention to the thickness of the straps. A good pack will have thickly padded, wide straps.
Tip Two – Plan Your Packing
One of the trickiest parts of living out of a backpack is getting all your worldly possessions inside. We know that you’ll want to have a lot of stuff with you, but let’s be realistic. You’re going to have to leave behind a lot of things. It helps to know what you’ll be taking along before you purchase your backpack. It would suck to spend a bunch of money on a pack and not be able to fit everything inside.
The first thing you’ll need to plan is your clothing. Living out of your backpack means surviving on a limited wardrobe. If you’re the type of person who refuses to wear the same thing twice, you might find this type of lifestyle to be trying. You’ll only have a few outfits to your name.
You’ll also have to decide on your toiletries. If you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling in rural areas, you’ll want to carry along items to keep you in proper hygiene, such as a toothbrush, mouth wash, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and a brush. However, remember that a lot of places will have stores so you can buy everything you’ll need, which can save on packing.
However, it will eat up your money, so figure out which is more important for your needs. You’ll also want to consider the technology you’ll be carrying. You might be leaving behind a life of materialism, but chances are you aren’t going to be completely unplugged. Not only will you need to have space for your gear, but you’ll also need a place to store all your cords.
What to Bring
When you’re deciding what to pack, think about where you’ll be traveling. You won’t need to buy a lot of fancy clothes to take with you. Instead, stick with basic plain clothing. You’ll most likely start each morning out dressed in a lot of your clothes. Layers will be your best friend. As the day heats up, you can store what you take off in your pack. But early, your bag will be lighter, which might make you move faster.
For your shirts, take four different solid colored tees. When paired with different bottoms and shoes, you can create multiple outfits. Always make sure to have a black shirt, as black can work on all occasions and make any outfit look classic. You might also want a flannel or thick button-up shirt for extra warmth. And always have a waterproof jacket, whether it’s a pullover or zippered. This will keep you warm and dry in case of sudden showers.
With your bottoms, you’ll want to take at least two pairs of pants, one pair of khakis and a pair of black. Linen is cooler to wear if you’re going to do a lot of moving around in the heat. Some people prefer to avoid denim as it can make walking more difficult and takes up a lot of space in your pack. For females, you might decide to pack a little black dress for special occasions or a simple black skirt. These won’t take up much room.
You’ll want at least five days worth of underwear, not including the pair you’re wearing while you start your new nomadic life. Take four to five pairs of socks. For your shoes, you’ll want to carry along a pair of rubber flip flops for casual traveling and showers. If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, you’ll need something for everyday-wear like tennis shoes or hiking boots. These will be on your feet the majority of the time, but you’ll still need to be sure they can fit in your pack or attach to the side when you aren’t wearing them.
How to Store Your Stuff
When you’re storing all of your stuff in your bag, it helps to have a method of organizing things together so you can easily find everything. Nothing is worse than trying to access something in your pack and having to pull everything out just to get to it.
Put your clothing together by category, tops, bottoms, undergarments. If you’ve purchased a pack that has multiple pockets, designate a specific use for each one. When you get into the habit of putting things into the same spot, you spend less time looking for something and more time enjoying what you’re doing.
Use the outside pockets for things you’ll want to reach easily, such as snacks, your camera or phone, water bottle, chargers, and toiletries. Always remember to store items in waterproof bags or containers, so you don’t risk things getting damaged if you get wet.
Ziplock bags make a great and cheap solution to keeping your stuff dry. Especially necessary paperwork such as your passport and emergency credit cards. Other people prefer to use packing cubes and space-saving bags to keep things sorted. These items collapse for secure storage without taking up a lot of room. However, storage bags can add extra weight. A small mesh knapsack can store your dirty laundry, so you don’t mix your clothes up.
Tip Three – Make Everything Double Duty
When you’re limited on what you can take with you, you’ll learn to be picky about what you pack. If you’re backpacking in a new country, you’ve probably got a guidebook buried deep in your bag that you’ve only pulled out twice. Toss it.
Go digital when you can by getting rid of any paper. Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re lessening the weight you’ll have to carry. Maps, books, notebooks, scrap it all. A cell phone can hold all of these things and more without taking up a lot of space or weight. Use your phone as a camera for pictures if you don’t need professional-grade shots.
Your backpack can double as a pillow when you’re stopping for a break. Stowaway a few snacks, and your pack becomes a vending machine. Are you trying to type up an assignment without a desk? Prop your bag down in front of you and put your computer on top.
Tip Four – Limit Your Gadgets
One of the hardest things you may have to do is walk away from all your various electronics. In a world where we rely on our technology for our survival, it can seem scary. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have access to my cell phone, the cornerstone of my whole life.
The good news is you don’t have to leave the phone behind. And today, phones are capable of doing just about anything, so you shouldn’t feel isolated from the world if you don’t have your iPad, iPad mini, and laptop. When you’re living out of your backpack, reduce the gadgets you bring along. If you take a computer, you don’t have to have a tablet too.
Instead, find a tablet that can convert into a computer so you’ll have the best of both worlds. For your laptop, you’ll need one that will fit into your pack without taking up too much room. Chromebooks are lightweight and small enough to fit into an average backpack, which is how I carry mine. And they have impressive battery life. My computer can go almost 12 hours of constant use without a charge.
Headphones are a valuable addition to your life out of a backpack. You can wear these all day so they won’t be taking up much space in your pack. But they provide a lot of benefits that make it worth taking them along. Consider getting a pair of wireless headphones or a pair that you can fold for easier storage.
Don’t Forget the Extras
Nothing is worse than being in the middle of a project and losing power on your device. Taking along a backup power source is crucial if you’re going to be doing a lot of rural traveling, and you need access to technology.
Consider purchasing power banks that can require batteries instead of electricity. These will allow you to charge your devices without having to plug up to a power source. You can just change out the batteries when needed, so you’ll always have a way to charge your stuff. Rechargeable batteries are an excellent solution. You save money by not having to buy new ones, and they hold a longer charge. Simply recharge them whenever you find yourself around a power outlet.
The internet is full of awesome technological gadgets that serve multiple purposes, like a power pack that will charge your phone or tablet while working as a waterproof flashlight. There are even power banks small enough to fit into your bag that can supply power to your laptop or anything else that requires plugging in. Although these are small enough to carry around, they can make your pack heavier.
You always want to have extra storage for your tech gear. Consider flash drives as they are small enough not to take up a lot of space. Or you could use a little external hard drive to save all your material. If you’re using a camera, be sure you also have backup memory cards.
Tip Five – Toiletries
Just because you’re giving up a permanent roof over your head doesn’t mean that you have to turn into an unwashed social outcast. There are plenty of ways to stay clean while living out of your backpack. You may decide to clean up at a store or grab a quick shower at someone’s house. At other times, you might have to wash up outdoors. Having the right toiletries is crucial.
Hair Care
If you know you’re going to have limited access to showers, dry shampoo gives you a way to clean your hair without water. You can find these in travel sizes, so they easily fit in your pack. Wait until you have a hot shower before you spring for liquid shampoo.
We get that you want to look your best at all times, but carrying along a bunch of styling products can be a useless waste of space. Wait until the situation arises before you purchase items like these that you’ll rarely use. And when possible, go for travel or sample sizes, so you don’t get stuck with extra luggage, but you’re not wasting money either.
Body Care
You can use a rag and a bar of soap anywhere you have water, even if it’s from your canteen or a bottle. Some people prefer to use wet wipes instead of soap and carry along a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer when they feel like they should be cleaning their hands.
Deodorant is a must-have, regardless of how you’ll be bathing. With the assistance of deodorant and a splash of cologne, you could successfully survive two or three days without a decent shower before you start to smell. Just remember to spot clean every night, especially your face. These items can be stored in one bag and kept in an outside pocket for easy reach.
Teeth
The hardest part of your grooming routine will likely be your teeth. Just because you don’t have access to a bathroom shouldn’t give you an excuse to skip proper oral care. A lot of travelers rely on electronic toothbrushes, as they get your teeth cleaner and reduce the need to see a dentist. It’s hard to have a steady doctor when you don’t stay in the same place for long.
You should always have a small tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush with you. Whether you decide to go manual or electric is a personal choice. But remember that battery-powered is easier to use without water. You will also want to have a bottle of mouthwash and maybe even a small thing of floss. Use your selfie camera mode on your phone as a mirror so you can be sure you get every spot. Store these in a small Ziploc bag and put them with your other toiletries.
Feet
So many people neglect their feet and end up with blisters and foot fungus. You don’t have to be one of these. If your feet are getting wet regularly, you should consider using Gold Bond or baby powder. These products, which are corn starch, will protect your feet from moisture, itching, and cracks.
Walking around in wet shoes can lead you to have athlete’s feet or other fungi. Using medicated powders in your socks will kill any bacteria and heal any sores. It can also keep your feet from smelling, which is great when you’re limited on how often you can shower.
Shaving
Many men have decided to take the no-shave challenge. While I always encourage a beard – the longer, the better – I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t warn my readers of the complications. Beards require a lot of maintenance and might not flourish under a vagabond lifestyle if you don’t provide the proper care. Consider carrying a bottle of beard wash, which works as a face wash as well. Or some beard oil, which will keep your beard conditioned between washes. And don’t forget about brushing it with a wood comb at least once a day.
For those of you who shave, you can carry along a travel size can of shaving cream and disposable razors. If you’re not worried about having a perfectly smooth shave, consider using an electric razor instead. These allow you to shave without water or shaving cream. Just remember to have extra batteries or a charger.
Ladies can carry along a small razor and travel size shaving cream. Or, an alternative solution for those of you who can use it is a hair removal lotion, such as Nair. These products come in small bottles that you could easily store in your toiletries bag without compromising your comfort.
Tip Six – Miscellaneous Luggage
You might think as long as you’ve got your clothes and tech stored away, you won’t need anything else. But there are a few other items you’ll also want to take if you’re going to live out of a backpack successfully.
A first aid kit is a crucial piece of equipment that you will want to have with you at all times. Make sure you keep it fully stocked with essential products like band-aids, antiseptic and alcohol wipes, gauze, tape, antibacterial cream, and medications for pain, allergic reactions, and blood coagulants.
Silverware is something that most people don’t consider carrying along, but it can be a lifesaver when you find yourself in the middle of the wilderness trying to eat a bowl of soup. A spoon is preferable over a fork. Or be ingenious and carry along a metal spork, the best of both worlds.
How to Do Laundry
Many people don’t think about how they’ll be doing their laundry while living out of a backpack. You don’t have to be one of those. There are a few different ways you can keep your clothes clean without access to a washing machine. Purchase individual packets of laundry detergent, which easily fit into your pack.
Use the largest size Ziploc bag you can find as your washing machine. Just add water, the detergent, and your clothes. Shake for five minutes and then let soak for another five minutes. Pour out the soapy water, add clean, and repeat the process for your rinse cycle. Then, lay your clothes flat on a warm surface, hang them in a tree, or pin them to your pack as you hike so they can dry.
Now You Know How to Live Out of a Backpack
If you’re ready to experience the ultimate nomadic lifestyle of living out of a backpack, know that it won’t be easy at first. You might experience anxiety about reducing your possessions down to the bare minimum. But the freedom of being able to travel anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat more than makes up for it. Using our tips, you’re ready to enjoy life out of a backpack.