How to Find the Perfect Minimalist Travel Backpack for Every Trip

Searching for the perfect minimalist travel backpack has been quite the process. I first started travelling with a 75-litre backpack, slowly changed to a 55-litre, and used a 33-litre pack for many years until I finally switched to a 30-litre bag.

It took awhile for me to understand what I need to bring for every trip and to embrace the idea of travelling with less.

But I am extremely happy with my current backpack, which I think is one of the best minimalist travel backpacks.

If you are an aspiring minimalist and living out of a backpack doesn’t scare you, keep reading because I will show you how you can find the best minimalist backpack and sharing all the reasons why I love my favourite minimal pack.

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3 Main Features of a Minimalist Travel Backpack

First, let’s talk about the main characteristics of a minimalistic bag. Here are my thoughts on some of the key features.

1. The perfect carry-on travel backpack size: 20 to 30 litres

The perfect minimalist backpack size must be small enough to fit in an airplane overhead bin but big enough to hold all your belongings. It should be between 20 and 30 litres.

However, every airline has different regulations about carry-on bags, and there isn’t a fixed rule on the allowable size of a carry-on suitcase.

Check the allowable carry-on luggage size of your airline and see if your bag can fit into the cabin.

And also, keep in mind that the size and weight of the current allowable carry-on luggage can be changed at any time, i.e. airlines will continue to limit the physical size and weight of hand-carry luggage. So it may be wise to lean towards a smaller backpack.

2. One to several useful compartments

When you have one main compartment in your backpack, you can organize all your belongings with packing cubes so things don’t get thrown around.

If you have two or three compartments, you can split your belongings and store them neatly in each one.

But when you have too many compartments, you end up splitting your belongings across too many spots. Sometimes it can get a little confusing (especially when you first start using a new backpack), and you may not remember where you put everything.

With the right amount of compartments, you can neatly organize all your stuff so each item can have a proper home.

3. Weigh as light as possible

It is possible to have all your belongings fit into a carry-on bag even if you are travelling long-term. And because you are carrying everything you need, you want to make sure your backpack is made with lightweight material, so the overall weight of your travel bag doesn’t weigh too much.

Some airline has a limit for 10kg for your main carry-on bag plus a personal bag (like a purse or computer bag). And other low-cost carriers limit all your carry-on weight to be less than 7kg. That means both your backpack and the personal bag has to weigh a total of 7kg. Even for me, that is pretty difficult.

When you try to pack your whole life into a carry-on bag, the weight accumulates quickly, and you will want to use every available ounce of space.

Check out my post on how to pack a 7kg carry-on bag. I also have a minimalist packing list that you can use as a guideline.

Other Features to Look for in a Minimalist Backpack

There are other things to consider when you are shopping for the perfect, minimal travel backpack. Minimalist travellers search for the following features:

1. Comfortable shoulder straps

For a daypack (up to 20-litre backpack), having comfortable shoulder straps is extremely important. Your shoulder holds the majority of the weight of your backpack, so you want to make sure the strap is comfortable and not digging into your skin.

For a medium-size backpack (20 to 30-litre), having the padded shoulder straps is equally important. Depending on the model and size of the bag, some may even have a hip belt, which is equally important for distributing the weight of your bag.

2. A proper hip belt

For a daypack, a thin hip belt is sufficient. The hip belt stabilizes your backpack against your back while you are walking or running. Having a stabilizing point is especially important, especially when you attempt different physical activities. It keeps the backpack from bouncing off your back.

For a medium-size backpack, having a padded hip belt can distribute at least 80% of the weight of your bag to your hips. When you carry a heavy backpack with a cushioned hip belt, your shoulder strap should just hover over your shoulders while the hip belt sits firmly above your hips.

3. Made with durable material

When you travel longterm, your backpack is your home. You want to make sure your backpack is made with the best material that can withstand any conditions. Having a durable backpack can give you peace of mind.

The fabric should be durable and water-resistant so it can withstand any conditions and weather. The hardware should be top-notch as well.

My Favourite Minimalistic Travel Bag: Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack

I have tried several minimalist backpacks over the past couple of years. And for the past year, I always chosen my Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack as my main travel bag because I like how it looks and how functional it is.

My review of the Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack is opinions of my own, and I did not receive any compensation of any kind. And I do not receive any commission if you purchase it from Kickstarter. I only want to share what I love.

Features of the Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack

When I saw the Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack online, I immediately ordered the backpack because of how it looks. I thought the bag has so much potential to be a minimalist backpack.

Here is some more information about the Osprey Arcane Duffel Bag:

• Size: 30 litre
• Weight: 1.9lbs
• Measurement: 19”Hx12”Wx8”D
• Meets carry-on size restriction for most airlines 
• Tuck-away shoulder straps with aluminium security hooks
• Detachable over-the-shoulder duffel bag strap 
• Top and side grab handles 
• Large U-zip duffel-style access to the main compartment
• Internal mesh organization pocket with key clip
• Scratch-free pocket 
• Padded laptop sleeve (fits up to most 15” laptops)
• Made with certified recycled fabrics (made from 12.1 plastic bottles)
• Minimal aesthetics: sleek, clean and not too many straps

Why Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack is Perfect Minimalist Backpack

After using the backpack for a year, I can honestly say that I love my Osprey Arcane Duffel Bag!

The pack has everything I want in an ultra-minimalist travel backpack: it fits all my belongings and still leaves extra space. And the bag is quite affordable compared to some I’ve seen.

Here are other reasons why I consider the Osprey backpack to be the perfect minimalist carry-on bag:

1. Perfect size for any trip

I can fit all my belongings into the 30-litre Osprey Arcane backpack and still have extra space. I’ve done city travel and adventure travels with this backpack. The size of the backpack is small, which is perfect for women. And it is the ideal cabin size backpack.

2. One large main compartment

Since the backpack has one big compartment, the easiest way to organize the backpack is to use several small packing cubes for clothes, put wet and dry toiletries in separate toiletry bags, shoes in shoe bag, and other miscellaneous items in small bags.

And since it is one large compartment, it can easily accommodate different sizes and shapes of packing cubes.

3. Minimal aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, the Osprey backpack looks minimal and sleek. There aren’t any extra pockets or water bottle holders on the outside so it looks extra clean. And I like that it doesn’t have too many straps like a lot of other hiking backpacks. It is a sleek backpack without any fuss.

4. Lightweight travel backpack

When the Osprey backpack is packed with all my belongings, it weighs between 5kg to 6kg. It is not difficult at all to carry a few kilograms of stuff on my back. I’ve had to tweak my packing list over the years and am super happy with the final list.

Summary: What you should look for in a Minimalist Travel Bag

If you are in the market to buy a new bag, consider buying the best of the best. An excellent pack will last for many years and is the one thing you should invest in for your travels because it holds everything you own.

In summary, here is what you should look for when it comes to finding the best minimalist pack:

1. Perfect size (between 20 to 30 litres) for all your belongings but small enough for airplane overhead cabin
2. A lightweight travel backpack made with durable material
3. Comfortable shoulder straps

What is your take on the best Minimalist Travel Backpack?

Previously I wrote a review on the Wanaka Adapt Backpack. While I think it is an excellent minimal backpack, I think the Osprey Arcane Duffel Travel Backpack is a much better option as a minimalist backpack because of the sleek design.

I tried many in the past and honestly love them all. But the Osprey Arcane backpack stood out because of the clean design and is super compact. I also like how it doesn’t look fussy, i.e. not too many straps hanging off the pack like other hiking packs.

What do you think the best minimalist backpack should have? Let me know in the comments on what you think of the Osprey Arcane backpack or if you have other minimalist backpacks that you love!

Thank you for reading my post on minimalist backpack

You might also like these other posts on minimalist travel:

• How to pack 7kg carry-on luggage
• My minimalist packing list for every trip
• How to create a minimalist travel wardrobe for every trip
• How to pack the perfect minimalist travel toiletry kit
• My 10 must-have essential travel items for every trip
• Minimalist backpacking: 10 packing tips to help you travel light
• Minimalist hiking: my minimalist hiking gear list
• 10 best gifts for minimalist travellers

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!