How to Pack a Personal Item Backpack for a 3-Day Trip
A personal item backpack holds 25 to 32 litres, about a third of a checked suitcase. That is enough for three days if you pack with a plan and stop at the first "just in case". Here is the list and the layout that works.
The list
Clothes (wear the bulkiest):
- 2 tops in the bag, 1 on you
- 1 pair of trousers in the bag, 1 on you
- 3 sets of underwear and socks
- 1 light layer that works as a jacket and a pillow
- Sleepwear that doubles as loungewear
- Shoes: the pair on your feet, and only those
Toiletries, all in one small clear bag:
- Travel-size or solid toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo
- A razor, a comb, any medication in original packaging
- Skip the full-size anything; hotels and shops exist
Electronics:
- Phone and one charger with a short cable
- Laptop or tablet only if you will use it; this is where the 15.6 versus 17 inch sleeve question matters
- A small power bank for the airport
Paper and small items:
- ID, cards, a pen
- Earbuds, a reusable water bottle (empty through security)
The layout
Clamshell bags open flat like a suitcase, so pack them like one:
- Against the back panel: the laptop in its sleeve, then the heaviest clothes. Weight close to your spine carries best.
- Middle: rolled tops and underwear in a packing cube or held by the bag's elastic bands. Rolling beats folding for wrinkle-free small loads.
- Front compartment: toiletries bag and the things you need in flight, so you never open the main compartment on the plane.
- Wet pocket: empty on the way out, swimsuit or worn socks on the way back.
- Side pocket: water bottle, filled after security.
Zip it, press it flat, and measure the depth. Under 8 inches and you are through the sizer.
Packing cubes are not optional
In a bag this size, one cube for clothes and one small pouch for toiletries turn a jumble into a system, and let you repack in thirty seconds at a security table. Some bags, including the expandable ZOMFELT on our comparison page, include three; for the others, buy a cheap set once.
If you are tempted to overpack
Ask what you will do if you need it. Almost everything can be bought or washed at the destination. The bag fee you avoid pays for a lot of laundry.