My Weekend Warrior Packing Guide

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of weekend trips, it’s this: packing light is a skill — and once you master it, travel becomes so much easier.

When you’re only away for two or three days, you don’t need half the stuff you think you do. But that doesn’t stop most of us from throwing in “just in case” outfits, too many shoes, and toiletries we never touch.

The result? Heavy bags, aching shoulders, and the stress of dragging luggage across cobbled streets, up narrow hotel staircases, or onto trams and trains.

I’ve been there. I’ve overpacked for a short break in Amsterdam, only to spend the whole weekend annoyed that I’d lugged around things I never used. I’ve learned the hard way that the less you bring, the more you enjoy the trip.

So here’s my Weekend Warrior Packing Guide - the exact method I use for every short getaway, refined through trial, error, and more than a few “Why did I bring this?” moments.

🧳 1. Pick the Right Bag

Your bag is your limit — so choose wisely.

For weekend trips, I swear by a small cabin-size backpack or wheeled carry-on. If it doesn’t fit in there, it’s not coming with me. This is my self-imposed rule, and it works because it forces me to make choices instead of packing everything “just in case”.

Think about your bag as the boundary between smart packing and chaos. If you start with a big suitcase, you’ll fill it. If you start small, you’ll only pack the essentials.

My go-to choices:

Backpack: Ideal for trips where you’ll be walking a lot or hopping on multiple trains/buses. My personal favourite is a 40L travel backpack with a front-opening design (like a suitcase) so I can see everything at once.
Small wheeled carry-on: Great if you’re sticking to airports or smooth pavements. I use a hard-shell case that fits most airline carry-on limits (55x40x20cm).

💡 Pro tip: If you’re travelling with someone else, coordinate bag sizes so you can share essentials (like toiletries or chargers) and avoid duplication.

👕 2. Stick to a Colour Palette

Packing light isn’t about fewer clothes, it’s about smarter clothes.

When I first started travelling regularly, I’d throw in a bit of everything. Bright shirts. Patterned trousers. Jackets that only went with one outfit. The problem? Nothing matched, so I had to bring more to make it work.

Now, I pick a colour palette before I even open my wardrobe. Usually, I go for neutrals (black, navy, grey, white) with one or two accent colours to keep things interesting.

That way, every top works with every bottom, and I can mix-and-match without packing loads.

Example Weekend Wardrobe:

Jeans (dark blue or black)
2 T-shirts (neutral shades)
1 smart shirt/top for evenings
1 jumper or cardigan
Lightweight jacket (weather dependent)
1 scarf or accessory in an accent colour. It is a baseball cap for me.

This means I can make 5–6 different outfit combinations from just a few pieces.

💡 Pro tip: Lay your clothes out before packing. If an item only works in one outfit, it’s not coming.

👟 3. One Pair of Shoes (Two Max)

Shoes are the ultimate space-stealers. They’re bulky, heavy, and awkward to pack.

My rule is simple: wear one pair, pack one pair and only if I really need the second.

For most city weekends, I get away with one pair of comfortable trainers that work for both sightseeing and casual dinners. If I’m going somewhere that needs a smarter option, I’ll pack lightweight loafers or ankle boots.

Example: In Amsterdam, I wore trainers all day and night. If i had a second pair of smarter shoes for our evening at Moeders, that would have been acceptable, but it wasn’t needed.

💡 Pro tip: Wear your bulkiest pair on the journey so you’re not wasting space in your bag.

🧴 4. Downsize Your Toiletries

You’re not moving house, you’re going for a weekend.

Toiletries are one of the easiest areas to overpack. I used to throw in full-size shampoo bottles, big tubs of moisturiser, and five different hair products “just in case”. They took up space, added weight, and often leaked in my bag.

Now, I stick to travel-sized everything and in some cases, I skip bringing things entirely if I know the hotel will have them.

My toiletries packing rules:

Decant liquids into travel bottles (100ml max if flying)
Use solid shampoo or soap to save space and avoid spills
Bring multi-use products (moisturiser with SPF, 2-in-1 shower gel & shampoo)
Keep it to the basics: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, small moisturiser, comb

Most hotels provide shower gel and shampoo, so I only bring my own if I’m particular about brands.

💡 Pro tip: Keep a pre-packed toiletries bag ready to grab - it saves time before every trip.

📱 5. Pack the Essentials First

Before clothes and shoes, I make sure my essentials are sorted. These are the things you cannot replace easily if you forget them.

For me, that’s:

Passport/ID
Wallet (with cards + some local currency)
Phone + charger
Portable power bank
Travel tickets/reservations (digital or printed)
Any medications
A small reusable water bottle

If you’ve got these, you can travel. Everything else is just making it more comfortable.

💡 Pro tip: Keep essentials in a small, easy-access pouch so you’re not digging through your bag at security or ticket gates.

🎯 6. Avoid the “Just in Case” Trap

This is where most people overpack.

I used to throw in an extra outfit, extra shoes, even a raincoat when the forecast said 0% chance of rain. Most of it came back unworn.

Here’s my reality check rule:

“If I might use it, I leave it. If I know I’ll use it, I pack it.”

It’s rare that you can’t buy something locally if you desperately need it, so don’t waste space on long-shot items.

📝 7. My Weekend Warrior Packing Checklist

Here’s the checklist I follow for every short trip:

Clothing:

2–3 tops
1 pair of jeans/trousers
1 jumper/jacket
1–2 pairs of shoes (max)
Underwear & socks for each day + one spare

Toiletries:

Travel-size basics (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, moisturiser)
Hairbrush or comb
Small pack of tissues/wet wipes

Tech:

Phone + charger
Portable power bank
Headphones
Camera (optional)

Travel Essentials:

Passport/ID
Wallet + cards
Travel tickets/reservations
Medications
Reusable water bottle

💡 Pro tip: Pack your bag the night before and live out of it for a day at home. If you don’t use something, you probably won’t need it on the trip.

🌍 Why Packing Light Changes the Trip

Packing light doesn’t just make travelling easier, it changes the way you experience a trip.

No waiting at baggage claim — You’re out of the station/airport and exploring in minutes.
Freedom to move — You can walk anywhere without worrying about dragging a case.
Less stress — No risk of lost luggage, no overstuffed bags to repack every morning.
More energy — You’re not physically drained from carrying too much.

And the biggest one? You focus more on the trip than on your stuff.

✨ Final Thoughts

Packing light isn’t about denying yourself, it’s about making travel simpler, faster, and more enjoyable.

With just a carry-on, you skip check-in queues, avoid baggage fees, and walk straight off the train or plane ready to explore. You’re less stressed, more mobile, and more focused on actually enjoying your destination.

And here’s the thing: you never remember the outfits you didn’t bring — you remember the trip.

The Art of Travelling Light