11lbs (5kg) world travel blueprint. (updated 2026-01)

Why travel light with one small/medium backpack?

1. Greater transit and schedule flexibility. You gain the freedom to work from a cafe or visit a market on your way to or from the airport without needing to first stop at your hotel room to drop your luggage off.
2. Save 30 minutes+ every flight not having to wait for checked luggage
3. Security: Your bag never leaves your sight. No risk of theft from checked luggage or luggage storage on trains.
4. Hands free don’t need roller bag. walk across a city, run up and down stairs, hop on trains,
5. Accommodation flexibility — Can stay in smaller places, crash with friends, or book last-minute capsule hotels without worrying about where your stuff goes.
6. Blend in better — Looking like a local rather than a tourist can improve interactions and reduce targeting by scammers or pickpockets.

Tradeoffs:

In order to get this freedom, here are some trade-offs you have to make:

1. Only take the things you need. If you haven't used some item the last few trips, you probably really don't need to bring it.
2. Reusing items. For instance I love really flat pillows and I wanted to travel with a pillow because it helps me sleep in new places to have a comforting familiar thing. I use my puffy jacket with a t-shirt pillowcase, both of which I can use daily as well.
3. Spending a small amount of time can save you some weight, like hand-washing clothes in a sink vs bringing a bunch with you. Because clothes are kind of heavy you want to bring fewer of them which means washing more.
4. Use better gear that’s stronger or more useful for it’s weight

Here’s what I take with me on unlimited duration trips, my last was 3 weeks is asia.

Biggest mistakes people make:

1. Too heavy of a backpack. spending 4-5lbs on a single ‘onebag’ or rolling bag.
2. Taking too many clothes. James Clear and Tim Ferris recommend only 1 extra change of clothes, so you have to do laundry every night. I do 3 extra shirts, underwear, socks, so I only have to do laundry 2x a week, or less.
3. Not reusing things. My running shorts are also my swimming shorts. my pillowcase is also a t-shirt

also see my older youtube video until I make a new one:

Bag: Backpack

If your bag is heavy empty, you’ve already lost. My system is designed to compress volume so I can move through a city like a local, not a tourist.

• Custom Hyperlite Day Bag (30L) – 193g I swapped my 60L hiking pack for this modified 30L day pack. It forces discipline and fits under any airline seat.
• Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Vacuum Bags (20L) – 36g one of these. Blue is for Clean. dirty clothes get wrapped in a dirty shirt to keep separated. Compression is primary. clothes pack down a lot if you sit on the bag and close it. Also doubles as a pillow and to lean over on the tray table on overnight flights.

The Mobile Office: Productivity at 1730g

• Asus Zenbook Duo – 1730g The dual-screen capability is non-negotiable for my workflow. It is the heaviest single item I bring but it replaces a desktop monitor. fits in the chair in front you, keyboard on the tray

• Nitecore NB10000 Power Bank – 158g
• 10ft USB-C Cable – 48g A 10ft cable tethers you to power without tethering you to the wall.
• Samsung Watch Puck 9g to charge my watches, and—critically—my Oral-B toothbrush.
• Universal Travel Adapter – 50g Simple, lightweight, global.
• Mouse – 44g
• Laptop Pen – 16g
• USB Splitter (1 USB-B to 4 USB-C) – 12g
• Pebble + Charger – 29g My backup "just in case" wearable. (may drop if I don’t use it in the next few trips)

The Wardrobe: The "3+1" Algorithm

I use a "3+1" rotation: 3 pairs in the bag, 1 pair on my body. Combined with Merino wool, this allows for indefinite travel with weekly to biweekly laundry cycles.

The "Climate Shield" (Packed)

• Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket – 260g The Pillow Hack: I do not carry a travel pillow. This jacket is my warmth during the day and my pillow at night. Stuff it into a T-shirt for the pillowcase
• Timmermade Mega Zip DCF Rain Shell – 107g Made of Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). Better than so-called ‘air permeable’ rain jackets, this is completely waterproof, and has zippers for vents. works great
• FarPointe Sun Hoodie – 188g (Optional. only for warm weather replace one t-shirt) My primary packed layer. It protects against sun in the tropics and layers for warmth in the cold.
• Alpha Fabric Under Pants – 93g (optional, only take for cold weather) "Cold weather insurance"

Clothes

• Salomon Aero 3in Shorts – 92g Running shorts that double as swim trunks.
• Merino T-Shirts (2x) – ~280g total
• Ridge Merino Pocket Tee (136g)
• Surly Merino Tees (139g)
• Why Merino? It doesn't stink. You can wear these for days in high humidity without social penalty.
• Socks (3 pairs) – 84g total Cheap Merino wool from AliExpress. They work just as well as the $20 pairs.
• Underwear (Icebreaker) (3 pairs) – 159g total
• Neck Scarf/Gaiter – 38g Seamless (I cut the ends off). Good for warmth, sun, or as an eye mask in a pinch.

The Utility Kit: 95g of "MacGyver"

I've traveled with pliers, mini pliers, a spork knife, and a screwdriver set before but I didn't use them enough to warrant bringing them. This is the kit I use often when traveling.

• Nitecore NU25 Flashlight – 51g Headlamp for emergencies or dark trails.
• Velcro – 5g
• Measuring Tape – 7g
• Mini BIC Lighter – 12g
• Scissors / Nail File – 14g
• Safety Pin / Paper Clips / Rubberband / string – 5g

Hygiene & Toiletries:

I don't sacrifice hygiene for weight. I just find lighter tools.

• Oral-B Toothbrush – 140g Not shown. (Currently looking for a lighter toothbrush though) I use a lightweight handle that charges via my Samsung Watch Puck. No proprietary charger needed.
• Water Flosser (Ponyfree) – 126g Dental health is non-negotiable, water flossing is supposedly better than with string
• OneBlade Intimate – 53g This handles both face and body grooming. I carry the dedicated cable (19g) because it's lighter than a standard shaver.
• Braun Mini Shaver – 137g (optional) (Optional: packed only when I need a closer shave than the OneBlade).
• Liquids & Creams:
• Toothpaste (Matador Refillable) – 38g
• Sunscreen – 37g
• Deodorant – 21g
• Mini Floss – 11g
• Fingernail Clippers – 11g

Tech & Capture: Documenting the Journey

• Insta360 X5 – 200g Capture everything, reframe later.
• 2nd Android Watch – 72g
• MicroSD Reader + Cards – 26g
• CO2 Monitor (Airspot) – 18g Air quality awareness in planes and hotels.

Sleep & Identity

• Custom Sleep Mask – 86g My "Portable Sleep Sanctuary." Total blackout is essential for circadian management.
• Meds Strategy – 51g
• Sleep: Zopiclone, Melatonin.
• Focus: Modafinil, Adderall.
• Emergency: Antibiotics.
• First Aid / Bandages – 30g
• Passport – 54g
• Wallet – 7.5g
• Waterproof Labels – 5g Every high-value item gets a label: "If you find this, return to Michael Andregg."

Total Base Weight: ~5kg (11 lbs)

Weights are approximate and vary slightly based on consumables.

Pre-Departure Protocols

• The "One-In-One-Out" Rule: If I take a cable out to use at home, I will forget it. My bag stays mostly packed at all times.
• Grooming: Get a haircut and full grooming done the day before travel to "reset the clock" on maintenance.
• Labels: Every high-value item has a waterproof label stating: "If found, return to Michael Andregg."

Comprehensive Gear list with links

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