How to Plan a One-Bag Trip With Topo Designs
Between the time it takes to pack and check a bag and then retrieve it at the carousel when you land, there has to be a better way to travel. Good news: there is. More people are consolidating their packing lists to embrace one-bag travel, a method of bringing everything you need in a single carry-on-sized bag.
Imagine having the time and the freedom to move through airports, train stations, and cities with ease. Whether you’re preparing for a long weekend or an extended stint as a digital nomad, mastering one-bag travel starts with understanding the right gear, packing strategies, and mindset shifts that make it all work.
Benefits of One-Bag Travel
Convenience That Compounds
If you could save yourself the hassle of sprinting across an airport for a connecting flight and needing to rebook if you miss it, or risk being separated from your checked luggage, wouldn’t you? A single carry-on makes it easier to be in control of your bag, so you can head to your next location faster. Even if you do miss that connection, you don’t have to worry about your belongings ending up somewhere else1. And when you reach your destination, you can breeze past baggage claim and focus on your actual travel plans.
Sustainability Built Into Every Trip
One-bag travel can help you get more out of a single purchase, whether it’s a backpack you’re looking to buy now or a travel bag you’ve been happy with for years2. It teaches you to be a more intentional consumer and traveler, almost without trying—a core component of sustainability.
You probably already have favorite clothing items and outfit combinations, and you might also wear the same things multiple times between washes. Those are the pieces that earn their place in your bag, so focus on them instead of impulse buying something new or packing extra items just in case.
Sustainability is at the heart of Topo Designs. Our gear is built to last years, not seasons. We prioritize durable materials and designs that look smart and withstand any activity. We want your bag to become a genuine travel companion.
Freedom to Move
Something shifts mentally when everything you need fits on your back. Cobblestone streets? No problem. Stairs at the train station? Go for it. That cool neighborhood that’s an extra mile away? You’ll walk it without a second thought. This isn't just physical freedom—it’s the kind of spontaneity that makes even business travel enjoyable instead of logistically exhausting.
Choosing the Right Backpack
Not every bag works for one-bag travel. Not only does it have to meet TSA and airline requirements for carry-ons, but it also has to be functional enough to save you the trouble of digging to find what you need. And it needs to carry comfortably, whether you’re walking five blocks or five miles.
The one-bag travel backpack selection at Topo Designs hits all the right notes thanks to our decades of experience making gear for people who really put it to the test. Our travel bags are designed to keep trips simple, with smart compartments and construction that holds up to airport security and weather, along with unpacking and repacking. Look for a bag in the 30- to 45-liter range. That’s the sweet spot that maxes out carry-on size while giving you enough room for a week or more3.
Need a hand keeping things organized? Our pack bags offer streamlined options that ensure your necessities are easy to find.
Meanwhile, plenty of our customers swear by pairing their main bag with a tote bag as a personal item. It offers quick access to your laptop, documents, and in-flight essentials. There’s a backpack for every travel style, whether you’re hopping between cities or need something that works just as well on a trail.
What to Pack
Your one-bag travel packing list is going to look a little different from someone else’s, but the principles stay the same. You’re packing items that work in multiple situations, like quick-dry fabrics and versatile styles. And absolutely zero “just-in-case” items that you know deep down you’ll never touch1.
Clothing Foundation
Mixing and matching pieces is the key to minimizing the likelihood of overpacking. Focus on items you can wear in multiple situations and occasions:
- 3–4 shirts (mix of short and long sleeve)
- 2 pairs of pants or shorts
- 1 versatile jacket
- 4–5 pairs of underwear and socks
- 1 pair of walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals or secondary footwear
Essentials
Whether your trip is for work or pleasure, there are key accessories and supplies that need to make it into your bag:
- Toiletries in TSA-friendly sizes
- Medications
- Phone charger and adapters
- Important documents and cards
- Sunglasses and any prescription eyewear
Organization
Fitting everything into one bag doesn’t have to be chaotic. Lightweight organization accessories help you keep track of everything without adding bulk:
- Packing cubes
- Laundry bag or dry bag
- Small pouch for electronics and cables
The real secret to packing for one-bag travel is to choose items that layer and mix easily. Stick with neutral colors and fabrics that wear well and dry overnight. You’re basically building a capsule wardrobe designed for movement.
Packing Tips
Packing Cubes Are Non-Negotiable
Packing cubes might seem like a “nice to have” accessory, but they can take one-bag travel from confusing to second nature. They compress your clothes to save space and create distinct zones in a small space. Think about separating clean and dirty clothes and keeping small items together. The goal is to provide lightweight, flexible organization1.
Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling saves space and cuts down on wrinkles. Plus, you can see everything when you open your bag instead of digging around. If you have garments that wrinkle easily, try rolling them inside out to protect the areas that are most visible when you wear them4.
Wear Your Bulkiest Items
Some trips will take you from one climate to another, but that doesn’t mean you need to be under-prepared for either condition. Wear heavier outerwear and shoes on travel days to keep them out of your bag and save space4. As a bonus, you'll be ready for cooler temperatures on the plane too.
Strategic Placement Matters
Heavy items go closest to your back for better weight distribution and wrinkle prevention. Things you need frequently should live near the top or in external pockets. Shoes go in separate bags to keep dirt away from clean clothes5.
Plan to Do Laundry
Instead of packing items you’ll only wear once, wash and rewear clothes during your trip5. Your accommodations might have on-site laundry or access to a local business, or you can hand-wash your quick-dry items in the sink. This one change means you can travel for longer with the amount of clothing you'd normally pack for a long weekend.
Leave Space for Incidentals
It’s tempting to fill your bag to capacity, but leave a little extra room for anything you pick up along the way. You might pick up some souvenirs or need to restock small toiletries mid-trip, so it’s best to have some space available.
One-Bag Travel the Topo Designs Way
Paring down your travel routine to one bag doesn’t mean sacrificing flexibility—and it puts an emphasis on quality and durability. No matter where your journey takes you, count on Topo Designs to keep your belongings secure and organized so you can spend more time exploring.
FAQ
What size backpack works for one-bag travel?
Most airlines cap carry-ons around 22 x 14 x 9 inches, which translates to roughly 40–45 liters in backpack terms6. A bag between 35 and 40 liters is the sweet spot for most people. That’s enough space for a week or more and well within carry-on limits.
A larger bag could end up getting checked at the gate, which eats up time when you land. Your best bet is to go smaller and be more disciplined about packing.
Can you travel internationally with one bag?
Absolutely. International travel often works better with one bag. The ability to move quickly through all types of spaces in all types of weather becomes even more important in crowded cities and transit stations or when stopping in small restaurants. Plenty of travelers and digital nomads stick to one bag permanently, no matter how long the trip2.
How do you pack efficiently?
Choose versatile items that serve multiple purposes, use packing cubes to keep things organized, and be ruthless about leaving “maybe” items at home. Before packing your bag, lay everything out and consider each item individually to determine whether it's a want or a need. After a few trips, you'll develop a personal system that works for your style, and packing becomes almost automatic.
Sources:
- Tench, D. (18 April 2025). Pack Faster, Lighter and Smarter - What is the Onebag Movement? Airalo. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://www.airalo.com/blog/what-is-the-onebag-movement
- Jackson, C. (9 December 2024). What is One-Bag Travel (Deep Dive). Tetherlite. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://www.tetherlite.com/post/what-is-one-bag-travel-deep-dive
- Perotta, F. (15 October 2021). One Bag Travel: Everything You Need to Know. Tortuga. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://blog.tortugabackpacks.com/one-bag-travel/
- Pineda, L. (15 July 2021). 9 Tips for Traveling with One Bag, From a Skilled Backpacker. Wide Open Spaces. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://www.wideopenspaces.com/how-to-travel-with-one-bag/
- Watters, W. (22 November 2023). Ultimate One Bag Packing List for Easy Travel. Western Rise. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://westernrise.com/blogs/journal/one-bag-travel-packing-list
- Norcross, A. (1 July 2025). Carry-on Luggage Sizes, Dimensions and Fees by Airline. US News. Retrieved on November 24, 2025, from https://travel.usnews.com/features/carry-on-luggage-sizes-size-restrictions-by-airline
