Dans clothes on bed showing what he packs

What We Pack for Slow Full-Time Travel

What We Pack to Travel Full‑Time: Our Real‑Life Packing List for Long‑Term Slow Travel

When we closed the door to our condo for the last time and rolled off with six bags, one carry-on, one checked bag, and one backpack each, we thought we had it all figured out and knew what to pack. Spoiler alert: We (Dan and Meghan) packed too much.

After years of full-time travel, we’ve refined our packing list to include only what we use and what makes nomadic life easier, more comfortable, and more efficient. Whether you’re planning a long trip, transitioning to full-time travel, or just curious about how we live out of two bags each, here’s what we pack and why.

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Table of Contents

Meghan infront of our Travel Packing List

For us, packing isn’t just filling a suitcase; it’s a ritual that ensures a trip starts smoothly. We learned the hard way that forgetting an essential item can ruin the day (hello, missing underwear and charger), so we always begin with duplicates of critical documents, such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, and debit and credit cards. In our carry‑on, we keep a backup wallet with cards and cash, a spare cell phone, a laptop, and headphones. Still, we also always add a portable charger and a multi-country adapter.

Versatile clothing matters: breathable layers, a swimsuit, and lightweight sleepwear, a warm fleece or jacket, a scarf that doubles as a blanket, and comfortable walking shoes allow us to adapt to climate changes. We pack a dry bag to protect electronics, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and first-aid supplies. We also never travel without our camera so that we can capture memories on the go. A compact daypack or sling bag keeps all these must-haves organized while we explore, and being prepared means we can enjoy the journey instead of worrying about what we’ve left behind.

You’ll find every item we mention below in our online shop. Simply click on a product to view its details or make a purchase. We’ve also put together downloadable packing lists that are entirely free, and you can access them through the links provided below.

 

Meghan’s Essentials:

 

Dan’s Essentials:

Dan in front of his packing items on bed

When it comes to clothes, we lean on versatile staples that can handle a range of climates and situations. Our core wardrobe includes the basics, plenty of underwear and socks, comfortable wicking T-shirts and activewear for days on the move, one or two pairs of pants, five pairs of shorts, a swimsuit, and cozy sleepwear. We always bring a sweater or a light down jacket for cooler evenings and at least one dress or button‑down shirt so we’re covered for a nice meal. A scarf doubles as a blanket on flights, adding warmth when needed, and a sun hat keeps us shaded.

Footwear is a priority: everyday sneakers and supportive walking shoes are a must, and we also include slip-on water shoes or sandals for the beach or park.

Destinations determine our add-ons, including extra swimsuits, a cover-up, and a lightweight wrap for beach trips; thermals, a puffy jacket, a warm Smartwool hat, and alpaca gloves for cooler weather adventures; or sturdy hiking sneakers, a rain jacket, and a dry bag when we’ll be hitting the trail. If a business or formal event is on the itinerary, we pack one pair of dress shoes and a smart outfit. Packing clothes this way keeps our luggage light and makes us feel prepared and comfortable wherever we roam.

You’ll find every item we mention below in our online shop. Simply click on Dan or Meghan’s Travel Wardrobe to view its details or make a purchase. We’ve also put together downloadable packing lists that are entirely free, and you can access them through the links provided below.

 

Dan’s Travel Wardrobe:

  • 2 pairs of travel pants
  • 5 pairs of shorts
  • 4 Pairs of Pants
  • 2 pairs of athletic shorts/swim trunks
  • 2 lightweight button-up shirts
  • 7 T-shirts
  • 3 Polo Shirts
  • 8 long-sleeved shirts
  • 2 sweaters or pullovers
  • 7 pairs of underwear
  • 5 pairs of socks
  • 1 light jacket
  • 1 rain jacket
  • 1 pair of sneakers,
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 Pair of Water Shoes
  • 1 Pair of Dress Shoes

 

Meghan’s Travel Wardrobe:

  • 3 pairs of travel pants (1 that can pass as dressy)
  • 1 skirt
  • 1 dress
  • 6 pairs of shorts
  • 5 t-shirts
  • 3 tank tops
  • 2 nicer tops
  • 4 long-sleeved shirts
  • 2 Sweatshirts
  • 1 Fleece 
  • 5 pairs of underwear
  • 2 bras
  • 2 sports bras
  • 5 pairs of socks
  • 1 scarf (can double as a blanket or pillow)
  • 1 Swim Goggle
  • 1 One Piece Swimsuit
  • 2 Swimsuit Bottoms
  • 1 pair of hiking sneakers
  • 1 pair of lightweight sandals,
  • 1 pair of foldable flats
  • 1 pair of water shoes
Me holding my bag at the airport

For our Carry-On, Dan uses a Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L. It’s lightweight, rugged, and suited to our nomadic, slow-travel lifestyle; the bags we carry aren’t just containers for gear, they enable the way we travel. The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40 L is a workhorse carry-on; its weather-resistant, recycled fabric and padded base withstand rough treatment, while removable backpack straps and a compact footprint make it easy to carry and small enough to meet most airline carry-on requirements.  

When we need organization and security, Meghan reaches for her Pacsafe EXP45 anti-theft pack. The 45-litre bag can be used as a backpack, suitcase, or duffel and features hidden straps, RFID-safe pockets, puncture-resistant zippers, slash-resistant materials, and an internal frame with adjustable straps for comfortable load carrying.

We rarely travel with checked luggage anymore; if a flight includes a free checked bag, we simply check our carry‑on bags and enjoy the journey hands‑free. 

For our personal items and backpacks, Meghan uses a 25-liter Dakine backpack, which features a padded laptop sleeve, an organizer pocket, a fleece-lined sunglass pocket, an insulated cooler pocket, and mesh side pockets, making it a roomy yet tidy mobile office. Dan favours the Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 – a 25-litre daypack featuring lockable zippers, cut-resistant materials, an anchor strap, an RFID-blocking pocket, and a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve. To secure valuables in our rental apartments or cars, we carry a Travelsafe GII portable safe. Its 360-degree stainless-steel wire mesh and stainless-steel locking cable allow us to tether passports, electronics, and cash to an immovable object, and a Travel Sentry-approved combination lock adds extra peace of mind. Finally, our ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 30L provides additional space for day trips or hikes when needed. Together with these bags, we can travel slowly and comfortably, staying organized and feeling confident that our essentials are protected wherever the road takes us.

We’ve put together a free, downloadable packing list, which you can access through the links provided below.

Watch Our Full Packing Video

Dan and Meghan on the bow of the ship in Antarctica with winter coats on

How Antarctica Tested Our Packing Strategy

One of our biggest packing tests came during our recent trip to South America and Antarctica. While our core travel gear would have probably gotten us through the extreme weather, we were fortunate; our daughter flew in to join us for the Antarctica portion of the trip.

She not only brought her adventurous spirit but also a couple of cold-weather luxuries: a heavy ski jacket and ski pants. These made all the difference when braving the icy wind and sub-zero temps. At the end of the trip, she flew home with the gear, saving us from having to lug winter gear around South America for weeks.

If you don’t have a family member or friend joining you with luggage space to spare, another great option is to shop at a local thrift store for destination-specific items. And when you’re done, donate them back or pass them along, it’s a great way to pack smarter, travel lighter, and minimize waste.

Small storage bags for Nomad Packing List

Our Packing Philosophy

Overpacking is easy, but we’ve learned that less really is more. We don’t pack for every what-if scenario; we pack for who we are now. Our bags reflect the lifestyle we love: slow, simple, and full of discovery.

And yes, we still make packing mistakes from time to time (looking at you, white sneakers). But with each trip, we learn more about what’s essential, what’s just extra, and what helps us live entirely on the road.

Dans clothes on bed showing what he packs

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    FAQ

    Q: How do you manage with so few clothes while traveling full-time?

    A: We do laundry regularly—either at Airbnbs, laundromats, or with a portable wash bag if needed. We also choose pieces that mix and match and layer well. It’s all about the right fabrics and a limited color palette.

    A: Honestly, no. It’s freeing! We’ve learned that we only wear our favorites anyway. And when we want to freshen things up, we’ll swap out items or visit a thrift store.

    A: We pack for the warmest climate we expect and layer for cooler temps. When we face extreme conditions, such as those in Antarctica, we borrow, rent, or buy gear locally, then donate or return it to our home base. In that case, our daughter brought cold-weather gear and took it back with her!

    A: A rolling carry-on, a soft-sided duffel (checked), and a personal backpack each. Lightweight, durable, and flexible. We love spinner wheels and expandable compartments.

    A: We keep things minimal and under 100 ml (3.4 oz) in TSA-compliant bags. We refill from larger bottles stored in our checked bag when needed. Most places have what we need if we run out of anything.

    A: Occasionally, but we’ve found we can almost always find a substitute locally or do without. Our biggest learning? Avoid packing for ‘just in case.

    A: Meghan swears by her microfiber towel; it’s excellent for beaches, picnics, and hostels. Dan’s must-have is his fold-flat backpack for spontaneous day trips.

    A: We each have our luggage system but coordinate to avoid duplicates (like chargers or travel laundry gear). Sharing the load, literally and figuratively, makes it easier!

    A: We use Google Sheets for shared packing lists, the PackPoint app to build checklists by destination, and Apple Notes for last-minute adds. Our paid Nomadic Travel Toolkit includes templates to help you get started.

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