Smallest Backpack you've used
 

I am a very light traveling....we haven't yet done a long stint in Europe but are mulling over how light we can go---how small a pack we can take...so I am wanting to know what is the smallest pack you've traveled 2 weeks + with. Thanks!!

What season? What travel style (hotels vs youth hostels vs renting your own vacation lodgings)? Rental car or public transportation? Personal habits (need for hair dyer? how many electronics and chargers? cameras)?

Avoiding June-July-August in Europe, I have had to take shoulder-season and light winter gear and have managed with a regulation-sized cabin-legal roll-away. In summer I could do with less - the habit of nightly washing of clothing in the sink helps, and buying quick-drying travel wardrobe items helps even more.

We will airbnb rooms and will not need any large electronics...just a small kindle and smartphone, public transportation, no blow dryers...we're super light. am hoping a 28liter pack will do

I travel for months with a 22inch roller that I check and a day pack I use for carry on. I could go smaller. My packing lists are on my blog:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...take-part-one/

I've traveled for 2 weeks with only a gym bag.

But for a Europe trip (assuming you are using trains to get around) I'd want a small wheeled bag instead.

Never used an actual "backpack" myself.

Rather than size, I'd consider weight. Aim for 15-20 pounds.

The season has a lot to do with it. Freezing around New Year's in - of all places - Florence sent us to a thrift store for warmer items we hadn't packed. But yes, a 22" roller plus a shoulder bag or small backpack for daily outings should suffice at any time.

This one:

https://www.lesportsac.com/Voyager_Backpack

I've found it's more about how the space is utilized than about the size of the space. And this is an awesome stuff sack- has just enough structure to be comfortable but can easily be packed into checked luggage when not needed. Washes up nicely- I go a white one, so really thought it would be junk after a few months, but I've had it 3 years and have abused it a lot.

Limitations: like others have said, it depends on seasons or needs. This is a summer bag, mostly. My summer stuff is much lighter and mostly consists of a swimsuit, shorts, tanks, sun shrugs, and usually 1 dress, 1 pair of shoes. I don't carry a lot of makeup and I cut my hair really short in hot weather. And also, this isn't a good bag for a full iPad or multiple books- this pack doesn't have enough padding or support for that. You can fit it, it's just not comfy to haul around.I'm not sure I'd use it in Europe as luggage- it would be difficult to secure. On most packs I don't use the outer pockets, but on this one, it only works as a luggage if you use all available space. I don't think pickpockets would want my glasses but I can't afford to lose them...so in situations like hostels or use of lots of transit, I usually have a small hard shell.


But I've found that backpacking backpacks don't work for me- need a more unstructured bag and something that can double as a day pack if necessary.

I travel for 6-12 months at a time using a Lowe Alpine TT 40 Carryon - the max size allowed as cabinbaggage by most airlines. Just got back from 6 months in South America with coldweather gear and it was more than adequate For two weeks I would use the same bag. My packing list for six month in South America @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2016/05...ck-like-a-man/ for warmer climes i would clearly need less stuff.