One Bag Travel Packing List - All the Essentials You Probably Forgot to Pack

After spending two months traveling abroad with only one backpack, I’ve collected a list of all my favorite necessities that you cannot forget to pack when one-bagging or traveling abroad. Parts of my trip were done traveling with my partner, while other parts were spent solo traveling, and this list covers the packing essentials, technology favorites from the trip, and my favorite security measures for traveling in hostels and backpacking abroad.

Packing + Toiletries

Cotopaxi Allpa 35

This whole trip relied on my new favorite backpack, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35. This backpack opens up clamshell style, much like your typical rolling luggage might. Every compartment in the clamshell is zippered, allowing for some great separation of your stuff. The Cotopaxi Allpa has an easy access top pouch for your essentials, and a secure laptop sleeve close to your back, along with a waist strap for when your carry gets heavy. This bag definitely likes to be full and struggles with structure if its not packed all the way up, but when it is she rides like a beauty. There are lots of loops all over the bag for in case you like to clip things on the outside of your bag. Not to mention the mission statement behind Cotopaxi makes them an easy choice!

Microfiber Travel Towel

We stayed in quite a few hostels during our travels, and one of the biggest hacks was bringing a Microfiber Travel Towel. These things fold up small and flat which is the perfect thickness for a travel towel. They dry quickly after being used and even have a convenient loop for hanging in your room. They come in various sizes, and I made sure to have a full size towel for my body and a small hand towel for hen

Hanging Toiletry Bag

The best travelers know the power of a hanging travel toiletry bag. When you’re looking to maximize your experience while traveling, being able to hang up your toiletry bag on the curtain rod, a hook in your room, or anywhere else in the bathroom feels like one of the most convenient luxuries. A good dopp kit setup can make or break your experience, and if you’ve got a portable toiletry organizer for traveling that can hang from its hanging hook, you’re guaranteed to have a good time in those hostel bathrooms.

GoToob

As I write this blog post I’ve learned after all this time that these are in fact called humangear GoToob+, while I’ve been calling them Goob Tubes this entire time. Petition to have humangear rebrand this to what it actually is, a tube for your goob. Either way, these things are insane. They’re TSA approved sizes but because of the control with the squeeze bottle, they seem to last forever. Not only that but these travel tubes also have a locking mechanism so your products don’t spill inside your bag during travel. They’re refillable silicone travel bottles that come in a 3 pack set and locking toiletries for your beauty and cosmetics needs.

Compression Packing Cubes

I’ll never travel without a compression packing cube again. These expandable storage travel luggage bags are the best organizers for your clothes within your bag. The set comes in multiple sizes and not only are they great for separating and organizing your clothes in your travel luggage, but they also compress your clothing so you can fit more within your space. The dual zipper system allows for you to fill the packing cube with your clothes, then zip the whole cube down smaller to a compressed size.

Electronics

Electronic Organizer Travel Bag

I’m very much a technology person, and I had several cords and chargers to organize during my travels. This electronic organizer is perfect for cables, plugs, USB chargers, and SD cards. By keeping all my charging equipment and cords in this one thin organizer, I was able to make sure I didn’t lose any cords or SD cards during my travel, and the slim profile allows for easy packing.

SD Card Adapter

Since I decided to travel with just my iPad mini and GoPro camera, I needed a way to get my Micro SD card images from my GoPro into my iPad directly. This SD Card reader supports SD, Micro SD, SDHC, SDXC and MMC. It’s compatible with Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iPads and many android options. It’s perfect for getting those images to your device quickly, and since it has a USB-C connection alongside the USB 3 connection, you’re able to plug it straight into your iPad.

Portable Wireless Charging Station

This 3 in 1 Portable Wireless Charging Station is amazing! With a slim profile, this fit right into my Electronics Organizer and its the perfect way to set up my charging station to charge my AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone using the MagSafe charging. Being able to charge all my devices on one small platform that only requires one output USB-C cord is ideal because it minimizes the amount of charging space I take up in the outlets, as well as making it easy for multiple people to charge their devices at the same time.

Apple AirTag

An AirTag proved to be endlessly useful while traveling. I bought a pack of 4 Apple AirTags before I went abroad for my travels and ended up getting so much use out of them. I got one specifically for my AirTag compatible wallet so I could keep tabs on it at all times. I also made sure to put one in my Passport as well. The best part was, since I clipped an AirTag inside my backpack, when I had to surprise gate-check my bag on a flight that included a layover, I was able to check the location of my bag using the Find My app on my phone to make sure that it made on my connecting flight! I sat comfortably on the tarmac, knowing I didn’t have to stress since I was able to confirm my bag made it under my plane.

AirTag Card Wallet

I made my wallet as small as possible and fit it all into this slim minimalist card holder wallet. This particular one is RFID blocking which is essential these days, and also has a designated spot for your AirTag. Given the slim profile of this wallet, it also has a cash strap which comes in handy on keeping any cash on hand or any cards readily available. I’ve had multiple versions of this wallet but the ability to keep an AirTag in this minimalist wallet really makes a difference when traveling. If it ever goes missing, I’m always able to locate it using the AirTag.

AirTag Passport Cover

If it seemed like something I wouldn’t want to lose, I put an AirTag in it, so that meant I bought this AirTag passport cover that also came with a Vaccine Card Holder, which proved to be very important during my multi-city travels, where many countries checked vaccinations at the border. This AirTag compatible Passport cover also has space to hold many cards, which I ended up using to store my boarding passes at the airport.

Slim SD Card Mini Carry

I love to create content and I was terrified of losing any of my Micro SD Memory Cards, so I grabbed myself this slim case which is barely bigger than a credit card. It has slots and fits up to 10 MSD Micro SD Memory Cards and organizes them. I didn’t use nearly that many of them, but I had the few that I did bring safely stored in this card while I traveled with only one bag.

Apple AirPods Pro

These might go without saying, but the Apple AirPods Pro were an amazing pickup for me before I left for my travels. I had never had individual Bluetooth headphones before, but having the AirPods setup, you’re really able to have the best of both worlds. With one headphone in and the other ear free, you’re able to listen to music or directions from your phone while still paying attention to the environment around you. The best part of the AirPods Pro while traveling, and the feature that made the Pros really worth it to me, was the ability to toggle between Transparency, Normal, and Noise Cancelling mode from the headphones. Walking on a busy street and want to be able to hear everything happening around you? Transparency mode. On a crowded plane and a baby just started crying? Sounds like it’s time for Noise Cancelling mode from your AirPods Pro, baby!

Bluetooth iPhone Camera Remote

If you’re traveling on your own, or even if you just hate asking strangers to take photos of you, this Bluetooth iPhone Camera Remote is a great little gadget to have. A shutter remote like this one connects to your phone via Bluetooth and allows control over your camera app to take photos hands-free on your iOS or Android phone. Since it works with most smartphones and tablets, you can also link it up to an iPad to take those photos as well.

Universal Travel Adapter

If you’re traveling abroad at all, you need a Travel Adapter. This Universal adapter was a great option for several reasons. It has 4 USB Ports, an AC Plug that uses multiple countries input, and has Travel Sockets that slide in place for US, EU, UK, AU and Asian Countries outlets. An absolute must for international travel to charge any and all devices.

Safety Essentials

TSA Travel Lock

This TSA Approved Luggage Travel Lock allows you to set-your-own combination for your luggage or baggage, but also can be doubled in a hostel to lock your bags to the bed, or within the provided lockers. Since they’re so small, these are great to bring along with you while traveling. While not the most secure, a lock like this helps prevent tampering with your belongings while you travel.

Travel Money Belt

Some of the biggest safety tips are actually the least technologically advanced. This Money Belt is RFID blocking and can be worn on your waist under your clothes. It fits both your passport and phone with covers on, and is a great way to store your cash, cards, and documents safely while you travel by concealing them. The bag is soft to the touch on the back and won’t irritate your skin if you wear it all day.

PacSafe Anti-Theft Backpack

PacSafe’s Women's Daysafe Anti-Theft Backpack is a great day pack option for traveling in urban environments. It rolls up small and has key safety features to keep your belongings safe while you travel. With anti-slash mesh discreetly sewn on the outside of the bag, you’d never notice the details. All the zipper pulls have tamper-resistant stops to keep them in place and the bag itself is water resistant with a large and small pouch.

PacSafe Anti-Theft Crossbody

If the backpack isn’t your style and you’d prefer a crossbody bag, the PacSafe CitySafe Anti-Theft Convertible Crossbody is a great option. The folding top allows for multiple size options, with the purse folded over for smaller storage, and popped open if you have something larger you’d like to carry. Featuring an RFID blocking pocket inside, the outer panel and strap are both slash-proof with mesh integrated into the fabric. The zippers also have security straps to reduce tampering and the bag can be clipped on to your chair while you sit and eat.