The Things We Carry

This isn’t your typical packing list. We are full-time nomads who live in a different place each month - usually an Airbnb or other furnished rental. So when we pack for “moving days,” we’re packing everything we own.

Like most nomads, we travel light. But we’re not roughing it in the wilderness! It’s usually easy to purchase supplies locally when needed. We’re not extravagant, either - we live minimally but comfortably. To make moving days easier, we have curated and pared our possessions to just the essentials, plus a few small indulgences that help us to feel at home wherever we are.

Nomads love to read and share packing lists. So here is ours, with links where available for anyone curious about the details. (♻️ = eco-friendly)

Luggage

Steve and I are in the no-checked-bags camp, so each of us has one carry-on and one personal item. I use the packing skills I learned from decades of work travel. I try to put everything in the same place each time, as it helps ensure nothing gets left behind.

• Carry-on

  My Away Carry-on (in limited-edition violet) is still going strong after 8+ years. I tried using a travel backpack, but I’m a small person, and carrying it was too hard. So I have gone back to a carry-on with wheels. Steve uses an Amazon Basics travel backpack.

• Packing cubes

  We have both become packing cube converts! I love keeping things organized in my carry-on. I don’t typically need to use the compression feature, but it’s nice to know it’s there. I use one cube in my daypack for 1-2 day excursions.

• Personal item

  I use an Away Daypack, in the original minimalist design, with a sleeve that fits over my carry-on handle. Steve has a travel guitar (half-size, carbon fiber) in a nylon case.

• Foldable bag

  We each have a small bag that packs flat, for use at our destination. They are great for day hikes, walking tours, and more. I have a Baggu Crescent Bag, and Steve has an Eagle Creek foldable backpack.

Technology

We’re nomads moving from place to place, not tourists on perpetual vacation. We may be retired, but we’re still very much online. So we carry all our devices with us. My pro-tip for technology is to choose one ecosystem for all travelers and stick with it. This way you can share accessories and passwords, track one another’s devices, and so on. We happen to be an Apple family.

• Smartphone with case and strap

  We both have iPhones. (I get a new one every 2-3 years, and give Steve my old one.) I have a Bandolier phone case that holds an ID and credit card, and a crossbody strap that keeps my phone secure. I use the detachable accessory case for earbuds, lip balm, and a bit of “just-in-case” cash in local currency. I don’t need a handbag any longer!

• Laptop

  We each have a 13” MacBook My daypack has a laptop sleeve, so I don’t need a separate case.

• Tablet/e-Reader

  I’m still carrying my Kindle, though this may get left behind soon because I prefer listening to audiobooks nowadays. Steve has an iPad mini.

• Media streaming device

  We bring our Apple TV with us everywhere. The screensaver is set up to randomly display our family photos, to make each new place feel more like home.

• Earbuds

  I like Beats Fit Pro, which have good sound and noise cancellation and stay securely in my ears when I’m walking. Steve loves his AirPods.

• Chargers and cords

  I have an Apple charger block with two ports for my laptop and phone, and an Anker Nano charger to use by the bed, both with fold-away prongs. I have one cord each for laptop and smartphone, a spare 2-meter cord, and a couple of super-short ones for charging earbuds and power banks. Everything goes in a small Muji nylon pouch.

• Power strip

  I like this power strip best for its compact size and USB-A and USB-C ports. It is totally worth the space it takes up in my bag because 1) hotel rooms and rentals rarely have enough outlets in the right places, and 2) when outside the US, I need only one plug adapter to charge multiple devices.

• Plug adapter

  I carry two of the type(s) needed for where we’re living, one for the power strip and one for the Apple TV. Individual plug adapters are smaller and cheaper than “universal” travel adapters, and it’s easy to buy more at the destination if needed.

• Power bank

  My carry-on has a power bank. I also carry a super-slim miisso power bank with built-in USB-C and lightning cords.

• Bluetooth trackers

  We stash an AirTag in each of our bags. Occasionally we’ll be required by regional airlines to check our carry-on bags due to small aircraft.

Clothing

I have just one week’s worth of clothing. I can mix and match all of my tops and bottoms! I like thin, durable fabrics that pack flat and line dry quickly - most of my clothes come from REI. We follow good weather, so I don’t carry a winter coat. If needed, I can stay warm with layers. Note, weekly washing makes clothes wear out faster, though I usually get tired of something before that happens.

• Tops (7)

  I have four of the same REI running shirt in assorted colors, two black shirts with different necklines, and one long-sleeved black shirt that I can layer over the others. Black shirts can be dressed up easily with a necklace or scarf. I’m testing a merino wool shirt; I like its odor-resistance, but it takes longer to line-dry (and was expensive).

• Bottoms (3)

  I have two pairs of Prana Koen hiking pants (gray and khaki) and one pair of palazzo pants in a black and white print for dressier occasions. Everything has a stretchy waistband and roomy pockets. For warmer weather, I swap out a pair of pants for REI running short tights and/or an Athleta skort.

• Sleepwear (2)

  I have one sleeveless top and one long-sleeve shirt that double as nightshirts and base layers. They’re soft and warm and bit of a splurge, but totally worth it.

• Underwear

  I have 8 Chantelle hipster panties and 4 True & Co. wireless bras that are very light and comfortable, hand wash easily in a bathroom sink, and line dry quickly. The trade-off is that they need to be replaced every two years or so.

• Hoodie & Sweater

  I like wearing my Rhone full-zip hoodie on moving days for softness and flexible temperature control. I also have a baby alpaca cardigan I bought in Peru. I love functional souvenirs!

• Rain Jacket

  This REI rain jacket is slightly stretchy, packs small, and layers easily over my sweater or hoodie. It doubles as a windbreaker or extra layer for warmth.

• Hat

  This Sunday Afternoon fedora shields me from sun and rain and squishes flat when not needed. I also have a favorite baseball cap for variety.

• Socks (5)

  I have 2 pairs of Smartwool hiking socks, which are warm and breathable and can be worn repeatedly without smelling! I also have 3 pairs of Wrightsocks double-layer quarter socks because they line dry more quickly than the wool ones.

• Shoes (2)

  My On waterproof trail runners have taken me from city streets to mountaintops. My Keen hiking sandals are great for hot weather and can be worn with socks if it’s cold and my other shoes need a break. On Moving Days, I wear the trail runners and pack the sandals.

Personal Care

I could streamline my personal care products to lighten my load, but for now I’m carrying some of my favorite things.

• Medications

  I carry 90-days’ worth of prescription meds and get refills as needed along the way. I transfer the pills to smaller bottles and attach the original adhesive labels. I also use a 7-day travel case to help me keep track.
  I also carry a few over-the-counter medications - pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, and antihistamines.

• Electric toothbrush ♻️

  I have a rainbow-colored Quip Sonic toothbrush that I love. I carry an extra brush head and replace it every three months. Sure, it’s heavier than a plastic toothbrush, and I have to bring the charging cord as well, but I use less plastic and am a better brusher. Worth it!

• Portable Bidet ♻️

  This Culo Clean is awesome! It’s a small plastic cap that fits almost any plastic bottle, thanks to rubber rings and smart design. Just tilt the bottle and squeeze for an angled stream of water. Voilà! You’ll feel clean and fresh and use less toilet paper. A proper bidet or toilet attachment would be better of course, but for nomads, this ingenious little gadget is the next best thing.

• Toiletries

  I refill 50ml plastic travel bottles with my favorite haircare products. Face cream goes in a similar plastic jar. My favorite deodorant and sunscreen are travel-sized and last for many months. I’m less choosy about toothpaste and body lotion and buy them wherever we are. All my toiletries go in a clear zipper case.

• Grooming tools

  My hairbrush is full-sized but very light. I also have a razor with a travel case, replacement blades, a nail clipper, a glass nail file, and a pair of tweezers.

• Bar soap holder ♻️

  We’ve used these Soap Savers for years to make our bar soap last longer, and they are so small and light that we carry one with us. They come in multi-packs, so you can give some to your friends.

Household Items

These items take up very little room in our bags and make life easier, greener, and/or more pleasant.

• Night lights

  I carry two of these compact night lights with folding prongs and adjustable brightness. They keep us safe when using the bathroom in the middle of the night.

• Laundry detergent sheets ♻️

  These HeySunday laundry detergent sheets are unscented and dissolve in cold water. 30 sheets will last us 3+ months. For hand-washing in the bathroom sink, I just tear off a portion of a sheet.

• Mesh laundry bags

  I have one bag with compartments for lingerie, a small one for bras, and a larger one to hold dirty clothes.

• Swedish dish cloths ♻️

  I dislike smelly kitchen sponges. I prefer to have a fresh Swedish dish cloth each time we move to a new place (usually once a month). These can also be used as cleaning cloths in lieu of paper towels.

• Chip clips

  Airbnbs never seem to have these, but they are very handy for keeping food fresh. They can double as clothespins in a pinch.

• Cloth napkins ♻️

  Cotton or linen napkins may sound like an indulgence, but they are eco-friendly and so much nicer to use than paper.

• Reusable grocery bags ♻️

  We have two foldable totes that squish down small and fit easily in Steve’s pocket. Our favorite bag is no longer available, so when we lost one we replaced it with this Nanobag.

• Reusable water bottle ♻️

  I carry this 0.5L City Bottle with the Tampa skyline. It’s made from sugar cane, and there are designs for many cities around the world. For every bottle purchased, 100L of drinking water are donated.

Odds and Ends

• Jewelry

  I don’t travel with any valuable jewelry. I do have a couple of favorite handcrafted necklaces and rings that are souvenirs from our travels. I keep them in resealable plastic pouches, which take up less room than a jewelry case. I also pack a small silver polishing cloth.

• Fragrance

  In Athens we found a lovely little shop where they mixed custom perfumes. I bought little rollers with the same fragrance for Amy and me. So this is a functional souvenir with sentimental value that I don’t mind carrying.

• Sunglasses and case

  It’s a pain having prescription sunglasses. At least I have a fun MOMA puff pouch for them (mine has a Keith Haring design) - a functional souvenir.

• Spare eyeglasses

  Just in case!

• Random useful items

  I have an 8” zipper case with an assortment of small, useful items. True, we could purchase these while traveling, but they are easy enough to carry, so I do.

  • travel sewing kit

  • mini tape measure

  • a few safety pins, paper clips, and binder clips

  • microfiber cleaning cloth

  • extra AirTag batteries

  • two magnetic hooks

  • keyboard cleaning brush

  • ball-point pen

  • Sharpie marker

  • tape