The Ultimate Minimalist Travel Packing Guide (India Edition)From 21 kg to 8 kg – Here's What I Actually Carry Now

Hey fellow nomads!

Welcome back to Budget Nomad. After years on the road, through trial, error, and many sore shoulders, I’ve fine-tuned my travel kit down from a hefty 21 kilos to a lean, minimalist 8–9 kilos. If you're heading to hot countries like India, Southeast Asia, or parts of Africa, this list might just become your packing Bible.

Whether you're a digital nomad, a long-term backpacker, or just tired of dragging your life around on your back, here's my no-fluff, long-term minimalist packing list — what I actually use on the road.

Backpack – Your Portable Home

I recently picked up a Decathlon Forclaz backpack here in India for just ₹2,500 (~$30 USD).It’s lightweight, tough, and budget-friendly — perfect for long-term, low-maintenance travel. Decathlon is a solid go-to brand available in most countries now.

💡 Tip: Keep your pack under 40L if you’re going minimalist. Trust me, you won’t miss the extra space — you’ll hate carrying it.

👕 Clothing – Less is More

Hot country? Great. You don’t need much.

• 2 pairs of lightweight shorts (with pockets – always!)

• 4 t-shirts (breathable cotton or quick-dry)

• 1 shirt (for smart-casual days or temple visits)

• 1 pair of jeans (I know… not ideal in heat, but sometimes needed)

• 1 pair of “lounge” shorts (for hotel wear or sleeping)

• 1 pair of swimming shorts (doubles as another pair of shorts)

• 4 pairs of underwear

• 2 pairs of socks

• 1 pair of trainers

• 1 pair of flip-flops

• 1 microfiber towel (fast-drying, super light)

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💡 Packing Hack: I use a lightweight Decathlon daypack (₹200/$4) as a packing cube for my clean clothes. Multipurpose gear = minimalist gold.

⚙️ Tech – Ditch the Laptop

Let’s get controversial…

Don’t bring a laptop.Seriously. I ditched mine. Instead:

• Smartphone with 6GB+ RAM

• Bluetooth keyboard (lightweight + portable)

• Stand (optional — most keyboards include one)

  
  

You can now blog, edit videos, email, and work online straight from a phone. If needed, grab a cheap Android tablet.

Also in the tech kit:

• Power bank (Mine’s 20,000mAh from Mophie — a bit heavy, but it lasts days. Try Anker for lighter options.)

• 2 USB cables + 1 micro-USB

• 2 chargers – One fast charger, one slow charger (slower is better for batteries long-term)

• Universal adapter (Important – India power sockets can melt cheap ones!)

• 3 pairs of headphones

  • Main wired pair (with mic for Skype)

  • Backup (no mic)

  • Bluetooth earbuds for convenience

• USB Flash drive – rarely used, but handy for backups

• Internet café cards (yep, I still carry them sometimes)

• Iron (Yes. Really.)

  • Travel-sized, heavy, but I like looking neat.

  • Doubles as a clothes dryer in emergencies!

    
    

💡 Top Tip: Phones and a keyboard are enough for 90% of travel work. Save your spine — skip the laptop.

🎥 Camera Gear – Optional but Risky

This is the only part of my setup I’m debating cutting.

• Gimbal – Big and bulky. I rarely use it now but may come back to it.

• Tripod – Hefty, but great for stable video.

• Old phone as a backup GoPro – Might replace this with a better one soon.

  
  

If you’re a content creator, you might justify this gear. But if you’re not shooting YouTube or TikToks, ditch it all.

🛁 Toiletries & Extras

• Rain cover (comes with the backpack)

• Toiletry bag – Includes:

• Toothbrush/paste

• Soap

• Razor

• Nail clippers

• Tiny scissors

• Deodorant

• Sunblock

• Plastic bags – For shoes, wet clothes, laundry

• Padlock(s) – Most budget places use lockers or doors needing your own lock

• Wallet – With passport, credit/debit cards, cash

• Notebook & pen – Always. Great for journaling or scribbling notes.

• Water bottle – Sadly, I lost mine… replacement coming soon.

  
  

📱 Digital Life Strategy

• Phone for everything

• Backup phone for camera/video

• No heavy gear unless essential

• Store documents (passport, visa) both digitally and physically

🧳 Final Thoughts – Minimalist Travel = Freedom

Going minimalist isn’t about suffering — it’s about freedom. It’s not glamorous, but when you're hopping trains, squeezing into tuk-tuks, or weaving through Mumbai traffic, you’ll thank yourself for going light.

Everything I carry now fits into one 35–40L backpack. No check-in bags. No long waits. No luggage anxiety.

I still replace items every few months. T-shirts wear out. Flip-flops break. That’s fine — everything is cheap and easy to find on the road, especially in countries like India.

🎯 Your Minimalist Packing Goal:

• Everything has a function

• Most things serve multiple purposes

• Keep the weight under 9kg

• Stick to a hot weather wardrobe

• Digitize as much as possible👉 Subscribe to BUDGET NOMAD for weekly travel tips, guides, and destination reviews 📸 Follow me on Instagram: budgetnomad0 💼 Work with me: budgetnomad0@gmail.com

  
  

If you’ve got questions about any gear mentioned or want a downloadable checklist, let me know in the comments!

Stay light. Stay curious.Budget Nomad 🌍