If you’ve done any amount of traveling you’ve probably thought at some point “Why did I bring all of this stuff with me?”. Yeah, me too. During our last few trips, I’ve found that I often overpack, bringing too many pairs of pants, too many shirts, and things that only serve a single purpose. Today, I’m making a vow to pack lighter, and pack better. To do that, I’ve distilled my packing list down to a few absolutely essential items that I’ll never travel without. Take a look at the video below to see my minimal travel essentials:

Here are a few of my essential travel items:

• A sturdy duffel bag - When I travel I prefer to use a duffel bag. Now most travelers like to use something like a hard sided roller bag, but when roads and sidewalks aren’t in great condition, a roller bag can become more difficult to move around. In Europe, we usually take trains from place to place, and it’s much easier to go up and down the stairs to the metro stations with a duffel on your back than with a roller bag in your hand. My favorite is the REI Big Haul 60L duffel. But if you need something bigger, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler duffel is also a great option.

• Packing Cubes - Packing cubes are essential for keeping your clothing and accessories organized inside of a duffel bag. I use the Gonex packing cubes available from Amazon. They come in several sizes and help keep my clothing, toiletries, and accessories separated and easy to find and grab.

• A backup/extra stuffable duffel bag - Whether you are taking a short side trip, or planning on bringing home lots of souvenirs, a second, stuffable duffel is a great option to get you where you want to go. I use the Stuff Travel Duffel from REI.

• A good shirt that you can layer - One of the newest additions to my packing list is the Patagonia R1 Hoody. Originally designed for mountain climbers, this shirt is loved by backpackers and adventurers the world over. It’s super light, very comfortable, and fitted enough to be worn under a light shell jacket. It’s perfect for long airplane rides, or for ripping down the side of a mountain on a ski trip.

• A good quality rain jacket - A good quality rain jacket or lightweight shell jacket can serve a few purposes. First of all, it’s a raincoat, so you’re protected in wet weather. Shell jackets can also be layered to create more warmth. Pairing a solid rain jacket with a few layers can keep you warm and dry even in cold, wet climates. My go to is the REI Groundbreaker jacket (available in women’s and men’s sizes).

• A few pairs of travel/outdoor pants - Outdoor and travel pants are usually made of some sort of water resistant, stain proof, odor preventing material. Most of the time though, these pants look like you’re trying to be someones tacti-cool dad, or that you’re ready to hike the AT in your birkenstocks. If that’s your style, then own it, but for me I want my travel pants to look like regular pants. This means that I have a pair of pants that I can wear on the plane, on adventures, or out to dinner. Two of my favorites are the Slim Rivet AT and Evolution pants from Western Rise. These pants are comfortable, flexible, and give you great options no matter where you want to wear them.

• Something to write with - This might seem simple, but having something to write with and something to write on is essential. If your phone dies and you need to remember something, what are your options? Maybe you just want to write something down as a special memory. There’s nothing like a quality pen and paper. I use the Field Notes notebook and a Fisher Space Pen. Both are built with quality in mind and don’t break the bank.

• A good pocket knife - A lot of people may not do this, but I prefer to travel with a good quality pocket knife. A knife or multi tool have a million uses and can help get you out in a pinch. Please be aware thought that many historical sites may have metal detectors, where you may be prohibited from bringing in a pocket knife. A little pre-planning and research though will help you avoid any difficult situations. A few that I use are the Benchmade Griptilian or just a simple (and cheaper) Swiss Army knife

What are some of your essential travel items? Leave a comment below and let me know!