Canada Packing List: What I Packed in One Backpack for a Weeklong Trip

I used a 32-liter backpack, the largest one I own, to hold everything I brought. I packed my work computer, camera, and chargers; my tripod, toiletries, and medications; one packing cube stuffed with clothing; and additional necessities, like a raincoat, a tote, and a pair of comfy shoes. 

I think I did pretty well for my first time packing this light, but I missed a handful of items. 

Laundry sheets are small, dry, scented squares that look like dryer sheets, but they’re actually pads of laundry detergent that turn into a bubbly soap when mixed with water. They’re great for on-the-go use, and I like to pack them when traveling so I can do my own laundry in sinks and then air-dry my items.

I’m glad I came prepared so I could pack fewer clothes without spending time and money at a laundromat. 

I only brought five pairs of socks for this trip. I thought it would be enough, considering I planned to do my own laundry, but I wish I had packed one pair for each day rather than trying to wash and rewear some of them.  

Drying my socks took much longer than the rest of my clothes, and waiting for them made me leave for the day later than I expected a couple of times. 

For clothing, I brought a couple of quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants made of thin, moisture-wicking materials that dry quickly in the sun.

Most of my quick-drying clothes are from Under Armour or Prana and are good for exercise, but I thought they’d serve a dual purpose on this trip, considering my laundry strategy. During my trip, I dried my freshly laundered clothing on hotel room balconies and Airbnb porches, and it never took longer than 20 minutes.

Once it was time for bed the first night, I couldn’t believe I had forgotten to pack pajamas. I was so focused on preparing for each day, I forgot to consider my nighttime routine.

Although pajamas are bulkier than much of the other clothing I brought, it would have been worth it to pack them to have a comfy pair of sweats to sleep in, instead of my daytime clothes.

I think packing cubes make backpack organization easier.

I used one packing cube to stuff all my clothing into, and it took up less space in the bag by keeping it compact. 

On travel days, I used the tote to separate and hold personal belongings I’d want to use on trains or buses so that I could stuff my backpack into the overhead bin.

This made it easy to quickly find items I needed, such as my headphones, and also kept my bulky backpack out of the way. By stowing my backpack on the shelf above me, I was able to maximize leg room, too.

Some days, I was out of my hotel room for 12 hours at a time, and not every train I rode had an outlet. During these times, I had to use my phone less to conserve battery life.

Since I was traveling solo, I couldn’t risk letting my phone die for safety reasons. But I wish I had brought a portable battery pack so I could have used my phone as much as needed to snap extra pictures or take notes.

In the summertime, I drink Mio every morning, a caffeinated fruit-flavored addition to water with B vitamins. I can’t stand drinking hot coffee in the heat, and I find it gives me the extra jolt of energy I need.

Since I visited Canada in the summer, I brought my Mio, and it helped me feel comfortable and alert while on the go.

While on the road, I noticed that every hotel and Airbnb I stayed in had a kettle or a pod coffee maker, so I could have easily boiled water. 

Since I enjoy tea and my lodgings were cool and climate-controlled, I would have loved to sip on a freshly brewed cup. Next time, I’ll bring my favorite flavors since each tea bag is so small.

Hydration while traveling is important, and bringing your own water bottle can save you money while limiting your use of plastic bottles, which also helps the environment. 

I thought bringing my own water bottle also saved me time and space since my backpack has a water bottle holder on the side. 

Next time I pack for a trip like this, I’ll definitely reach for my backpack and packing cubes, but I won’t forget my socks, my pajamas, or my tea.