Ten things I stopped taking with me when I travel

In my last essay, I covered things that are absolute essentials in my bag for a trip, be it two days or two months on the road.

Conversely, I thought it would be interesting to cover things that were not essential, and in fact, actively work against your travel experience.

We spend so much time reading about essentials for travel (or I do, at least) that often the question of the non-essential is overlooked.

So, here are my 10 non-essentials for travel.

(Remember, the 20/20 is always in play – that is, if an item costs less than £20 to replace within 20 minutes, do you really need it on the road?)

Disclaimer: I am a male in my mid-thirties, so do remember that when reading this list. Everyone is different, with different needs. 

 

• • The bag

The bag is what brings the experience of travel altogether. And this is where it is important to research your location, not just your case.

For example, a wheel suitcase will actually work very well in Tokyo, Japan. Every metro station has a lift to accommodate anyone who needs it.

Take that same type of case in Venice, Italy and you are signing up for an awful time. Trust me, anyone who has visited that city will know the horror stories of using such an item.

For me, Pakt have come to the rescue on this one. For years, I have used backpacks but have never quite landed it on the perfect one of choice. These days, I have through the Pakt Travel backpack, version II, 35L. I also use the Pakt duffle bag which works just as well, location depending.

The choice is up to you. There are a million different options – make sure the bag is right for the location. This is a matter of being practical.

 

• • Towels

For the average traveller, you probably won’t need this.

In my most recent trip to Japan, there was only one instance where our accommodation did not provide a towel – fortunately, we were able to rent one for the entire duration of the stay for 100 Yen (this works out to £0.47p)

Add that up against packing a towel and the results pay dividends.

Long term trips, which involve being on the road for months is a different matter. For these situations, I have used and would recommend a small microfibre towel. Just remember to wash them where you can, as they can start to smell.

Generally, this is an item that you can almost always give a miss. For general trips, I do not pack it.

 

• • Numerous pairs of shoes

The key to travel with shoes is to ensure they are multifunctional. They can take up a lot of room and weight, in addition to being frankly unnecessary.

For travel, I tend to go for just two;

1. A dynamic pair of running trainers that are great to doubling up as hiking shoes, or for anything else.
2. A pair of white Stan Smith shoes – these are perfect for matching your outfits, and are durable, meaning you can be on your feet all day in comfort. My go to shoe on the road. Occasionally, my Sebago Boat Shoes stand in, if I know I’m attending formal occasions.

(Winter or location/climate depending, I substitute one of these for my waterproof Peter Storm boots.)

I also, always pack sandals.

 

• • Cheap socks

Comfort is key when on the road; you will be doing a lot of walking. These hours on your feet will take a toll. Blisters are not pleasant.

So, wear long lasting socks, built for comfort. Do not opt for old socks that are on their last legs or ones that uncomfortable.

Merino wool socks are best, as you can wash them on the road with ease and are travelling lightweight, whilst warm.

 

• • Neck pillows

I do not have positive things to say on this item…but here goes.

If you absolutely, desperately cannot travel without one of these and believe it will spell the doom of all, I strongly suggest you opt for an inflatable one.

This is a one trick pony item. It can only really be used on the flights you travel on. And then the thing is a space invader, taking up room in your bag or being carried outside of the bag wherever you go, from hostel to hotel, to Air B&B to couch. It also makes you look like a tourist, despite all other careful efforts.

And really, this item is only needed for 1/10 of the trip. If comfort is that important to you, I suggest taking a jumper or coat that you can roll up to use as a makeshift pillow. Many long-haul carries will offer pillows for comfort and on short haul. In short; what are you doing?

Simple answer is I’m not sure what you’re doing here.

 

• • Overpacking of clothes

To be fair, this is the easier said than done part of the list. The clothes on our back are part of our identity. Our style, vibe that we give off and general appearance, plus weight loss/gain and comfort all play into this. I’m not convinced anyone of us will get this right.

(I am convinced we all need to stop judging people and just be comfortable in our skin.)

Layering and colour theory are your best friends in this situation. Opt for clothing that can be mixed and matched with versatility, whilst not breaking the bank or your waistline.

It is incredibly easy to overpack, overthink and suffer the consequences with this one. Trust me, I have done this on several occasions.

But the real issue relates directly to the bag on your pack. The smaller the bag, the less clothes.

But remember, less is always more.

Often, people will travel with big wheely suitcases. And this Pandoras box is the best way to fill up your valued space with numerous clothes that you simply will not use.

Think about all the times you have been on the road and ask yourself – what will this work with? How can I get away with the minimum, enjoy my trip and not have decision fatigue, plus a bad back?

And finally, pack for the season and remember the 20/20 rule again. I’ve had to resort to it and guess what? – the world kept turning and I felt fine.

 

• • Physical books

Yes, this one might sound bizarre coming from a writer who loves books and suggests you should try to read every day.

(Because you absolutely, should, always be reading every day.)

A kindle is your best friend on the road.

Books are weight on the road. Space stealing, heavy buggers that are far from your enlightened friend – they become the enemy. Trust me, I have made this mistake – many times in my 35 years.

Buy a kindle and download your books to it. Leave the paperbacks at home.

Do not buy paperbacks on the road. (Unless, like I did one time, you find a 1^st edition copy of For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway in New York. Buy that. That is treasure.)

Instead, when you find a book on your travels, if you can, take a photo of it, and buy it when you are home. Buying a book online now is incredibly easy.

The exception to the rule is perhaps a guidebook for me, but even the hardline digital minimalists will push back on that one.

 

• • Hairdryers

I almost never use one of these in general, but my wife to be frequently uses a hairdryer, especially in the winter months where long hair takes an age to dry.

We own one at home and it makes sense to keep one.

It does not make sense to travel with one. Nearly every hotel on the planet offers one and if there is not one in your room, you can always ask for one at reception.

The absolute worse case scenario is you can buy one on the road and then donate it back to the local economy before you leave. (20/20 rule strikes again.)

Packing one, adding the excess weight and taking up pointless space in your bag has simply never made sense to me.

 

• • Excess cash

Some cash is good, and frankly necessary. You will visit places, like I have done in Morocco, Japan and Loas, where credit cards and payment by phone is simply not a thing. It is important to always have some on your travels.

But not too much. The thing about cash is it is almost impossible to trace. And very easy to lose, be it by misplacing it or having it outright stolen.

Instead, opt to take a conversative amount, research your locations and use cards that allow you zero interest withdrawals. Always take cash from a bank, not some touristy ATM on the street and withdraw in the local currency.

 

• • E-Sims

Once upon a time, we had to buy physical E-Sims in order to make phone calls.

And even further back, once upon a time, I had two phones when I was travelling.

And even further back (in some mythic time I do not know of) mobile phones did not exist.

Physical Sim Cards are risky. You can damage the phone or sim if you are not careful. Lose the original quite easily or spend hours on the trip worrying where it is in your bag.

These days, we can download sim cards to our phones for the periods of travel we undertake. All you do is download and switch the thing on when required.

I use Revolut to do this but there are numerous options out there.

This one is a no brainer in 2026.

 

The final word

This list is intended as advice and is based on personal experience of what is not needed on the road. It is written with intentionalism and minimalism in mind, for ease of travel and to allow for maximum joy whilst going from A-B without making your life intentionally difficult.