In August 2022, I decided to do something I'd never done before — leave my home for seven days with just a backpack.
I spent a week visiting Canada for the first time. And I didn't want to bring a carry-on luggage because my plans had me constantly on the move.
I traveled by train from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York, and walked into Niagara Falls, Canada, on foot. Three days later, I took a bus up to Toronto for a night. From there, I traveled by train to Montreal and Quebec City, spending one night in each city before flying home to New York.
I explored each destination on foot, taking photos and notes along the way. I also stayed in a variety of accommodations, from Airbnbs to luxury hotels.
While packing light made the trip easier, I did forget a few critical items.
I used a 32-liter backpack for my weeklong trip to Canada.
I used a 32-liter backpack, the largest one I own, to hold everything I brought. I packed my work computer, camera, and chargers; my tripod, toiletries, and medications; one packing cube stuffed with clothing; and additional necessities, like a raincoat, a tote, and a pair of comfy shoes.
I think I did pretty well for my first time packing this light, but I missed a handful of items.
One of the most important things I packed was laundry sheets so I could wash my clothes every couple of days.
Laundry sheets are small, dry, scented squares that look like dryer sheets, but they're actually pads of laundry detergent that turn into a bubbly soap when mixed with water. They're great for on-the-go use, and I like to pack them when traveling so I can do my own laundry in sinks and then air-dry my items.
I'm glad I came prepared so I could pack fewer clothes without spending time and money at a laundromat.
Laundry sheets allowed me to pack fewer outfits, but I wish I'd brought more socks because they took longer to air-dry than the rest of my clothes.
I only brought five pairs of socks for this trip. I thought it would be enough, considering I planned to do my own laundry, but I wish I had packed one pair for each day rather than trying to wash and rewear some of them.
Drying my socks took much longer than the rest of my clothes, and waiting for them made me leave for the day later than I expected a couple of times.
My quick-dry clothing dried much more quickly in the sun, and I'm glad I brought some.
For clothing, I brought a couple of quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants made of thin, moisture-wicking materials that dry quickly in the sun.
Most of my quick-drying clothes are from Under Armour or Prana and are good for exercise, but I thought they'd serve a dual purpose on this trip, considering my laundry strategy. During my trip, I dried my freshly laundered clothing on hotel room balconies and Airbnb porches, and it never took longer than 20 minutes.
I wish I had packed pajamas to make the evenings more comfortable.
Once it was time for bed the first night, I couldn't believe I had forgotten to pack pajamas. I was so focused on preparing for each day, I forgot to consider my nighttime routine.
Although pajamas are bulkier than much of the other clothing I brought, it would have been worth it to pack them to have a comfy pair of sweats to sleep in, instead of my daytime clothes.
I'm glad I remembered to use a packing cube to keep my clothing from taking up too much room in my backpack.
I think packing cubes make backpack organization easier.
I used one packing cube to stuff all my clothing into, and it took up less space in the bag by keeping it compact.
I'm also glad I packed a tote bag to keep some items separate and easier to access during my travels, like my phone, wallet, and headphones.
On travel days, I used the tote to separate and hold personal belongings I'd want to use on trains or buses so that I could stuff my backpack into the overhead bin.
This made it easy to quickly find items I needed, such as my headphones, and also kept my bulky backpack out of the way. By stowing my backpack on the shelf above me, I was able to maximize leg room, too.
But I wish I'd remembered to bring a portable charging battery for long days of exploring when my phone nearly died.
Some days, I was out of my hotel room for 12 hours at a time, and not every train I rode had an outlet. During these times, I had to use my phone less to conserve battery life.
Since I was traveling solo, I couldn't risk letting my phone die for safety reasons. But I wish I had brought a portable battery pack so I could have used my phone as much as needed to snap extra pictures or take notes.
For those long days of exploring, I'm glad I packed Mio, a caffeinated, fruity addition to water that also packs in B vitamins.
In the summertime, I drink Mio every morning, a caffeinated fruit-flavored addition to water with B vitamins. I can't stand drinking hot coffee in the heat, and I find it gives me the extra jolt of energy I need.
Since I visited Canada in the summer, I brought my Mio, and it helped me feel comfortable and alert while on the go.
I thought it would have been nice to pack some tea bags as well, since all my hotels had hot water available.
While on the road, I noticed that every hotel and Airbnb I stayed in had a kettle or a pod coffee maker, so I could have easily boiled water.
Since I enjoy tea and my lodgings were cool and climate-controlled, I would have loved to sip on a freshly brewed cup. Next time, I'll bring my favorite flavors since each tea bag is so small.
I was glad I packed my reusable water bottle, so I didn't have to purchase disposable plastic water bottles to stay hydrated throughout my trip.
Hydration while traveling is important, and bringing your own water bottle can save you money while limiting your use of plastic bottles, which also helps the environment.
I thought bringing my own water bottle also saved me time and space since my backpack has a water bottle holder on the side.
Ultimately, I think I did a good job packing light for this trip, but bringing a few additional items would have made my trip more comfortable without weighing me down.
Next time I pack for a trip like this, I'll definitely reach for my backpack and packing cubes, but I won't forget my socks, my pajamas, or my tea.
