One bag – that’s all anyone needs for a trip, no matter the length or circumstances.
That’s the premise behind the #onebag movement, which got its start on the eponymous subreddit and has since gained widespread popularity in the travel community. And there are certainly some compelling reasons for stripping away the excess and saving the essentials.
In this post, let’s review the four main reasons to pack ultra-light on your next vacation. Consider these points the next time you’re tempted to throw your entire wardrobe into a giant suitcase and call it a day.
It Saves Money
Let’s start by appealing to frugality (a common characteristic among die-hard travelers!). Ever since airlines began levying checked bag fees on top of flight costs, that fee has gradually inched upwards. Now, checking your oversized bag can cost around $100 for an international flight – each way! (Checked bags can cost upwards of $500 on some routes!)
In any other context, that’s a sizeable amount of money. You wouldn’t spend $200 to ship anything else, but airlines expect you to shell out that sum for the luxury of… having a few extra clothing options? It’s not worth it. Instead, pack a single carry-on bag and save that money for things that matter: nice dinners at your destination, meaningful experiences and versatile Unbound Merino clothing for traveling light.
It Saves Time
Packing light doesn’t just save money. It also saves time. An obvious example is the frustratingly long wait at a baggage carousel, which delays your arrival by a half-hour or longer.
Then, you can tally up all the other delays. With a large suitcase, you have to wait for a taxi to take you to your accommodation (more money spent, by the way). You have to wait for a porter to escort your luggage up to the room. And you have to budget time to repack your enormous bag every time you move destinations. That’s time better spent enjoying your destination.
Packing Light Equals Freedom and Spontaneity
Spontaneity and freedom are perhaps the most significant benefits of packing light. As others have rightly pointed out, large suitcases can hamper your ability to move freely. They slow you down. They limit your options. They make it difficult to weave through crowds, catch last-minute trains and change your itinerary on a whim. Large luggage is literally and figuratively a burdensome weight on your trip.
It Allows You to Distance Yourself from Home
What happens when you bring your entire wardrobe from home, or each of your creature comforts and routines? Rather than leaving for unknown adventures, you essentially bring home with you on the road. You transplant your life into a new place, rather than fully immersing yourself. Therefore, the last reason to pack light is a quasi-philosophical one: Packing light distances you from home, allowing you to embrace new cultures and ways of life.
Those are the main reasons for packing light. You could also make a case that packing light is safer (fewer items means less opportunity for theft) and preserves your energy (why waste breath lugging a suitcase when you could save it on hikes and city walks?). Next time you travel, consider the advantages of the “onebag” experience.
