3 Things I’d Never Take Travelling (From Someone Who’s Visited Over 100 Countries)

There are things I used to pack every single time I travelled — until I actually started travelling a lot.

After visiting 100+ countries and living out of backpacks, duffels, and carry-ons, I’ve made every packing mistake under the sun. But a few items stand out as things I absolutely never take with me anymore.

These aren’t “don’t bring a winter coat to Bali” kind of tips. These are things I’ve personally packed, regretted, and ditched for good — because they’re bulky, annoying, or just not made for how real people travel.

So if you’re prepping for a Euro summer, a Southeast Asia adventure, or just your next backpacking trip, here are three things I’ll never pack again — and exactly what I bring instead.

1. Liquid Shampoo and Conditioner

Yes, even the tiny ones.

Between airport spills, leaky lids, and liquids limits, lugging around bottles of shampoo and conditioner is always more hassle than it’s worth.

They:

• Take up space and weight in your toiletry bag
  
  

• Explode mid-transit (hello shampoo-covered clothes)
  
  

• Get confiscated by airport security
  
  

• Always seem to run out halfway through a trip
  
  

What I Pack Instead:

Solid shampoo and conditioner bars — they last forever, never leak, and are way more eco-friendly. Also, they don’t count as liquids, so they’re a dream for carry-on travel.

 

2. A Suitcase

Controversial? Maybe. But for almost every kind of trip I take — especially in Europe or Southeast Asia — a suitcase is a no from me.

Rolling it over cobblestones, dragging it up hostel stairs, wedging it onto boats or buses... no thanks.

Why I Ditched the Roller:

• You can’t carry it upstairs or across sand
  
  

• The wheels get stuck or snap
  
  

• It makes you a target in busy tourist spots
  
  

• It’s impossible to maneuver on ferries, hikes, or unpaved streets
  
  

What I Pack Instead:

A 40L to 50L backpack. Hands-free, light, flexible, and perfect for moving fast between cities, beaches, and mountains. Bonus points if it opens clamshell-style for easy access.

 

3. A Microfibre Towel

The classic backpacker towel. But let’s be honest: those cheap microfibre travel towels are terrible.

They:

• Feel weird and plasticky
  
  

• Don’t actually absorb water
  
  

• Stay damp for ages
  
  

• Smell funky after one or two uses
  
  

• Stick to everything in your bag
  
  

They’re sold everywhere, but they’re not made for real-world travel.

What I Pack Instead:

My own Nomadique travel towel — and it’s not even close.

Why I Designed My Own Travel Towel (and Never Looked Back)

After years of being let down by bad towels, I made one that actually works for real travellers.

Here’s what I love about it — and why it’s the only one I take now:

✅ Actually Absorbent

It dries you off fast. No smearing water around like plastic wrap.

✅ Quick Drying

It’s a quick dry towel — you can hang it for a few hours and it’s good to go. Even in humid places like Thailand or Italy in peak summer.

✅ Sand-Free and Compact

Unlike other bulky towels, this is a proper sand free beach towel — but it folds up smaller than a T-shirt and weighs almost nothing.

✅ Hidden Zip Pocket

This is the hero feature: it’s a beach towel with pocket. I stash my hostel key, card, and lip balm in it while swimming — no more stressing about my stuff on the beach.

✅ Multi-Use

I’ve used mine as:

• A blanket on trains
  
  

• A scarf on cold buses
  
  

• A sarong when visiting temples
  
  

• A seat on hikes
  
  

• A makeshift pillow on ferries
  
  

It’s more than just a towel — it’s a daily essential.

Why A Good Travel Towel Changes Everything

You use it constantly when you’re on the move:

• After hostel showers
  
  

• On beach days
  
  

• For sunbaking in parks
  
  

• When drying hand-washed clothes
  
  

• For boat trips, hikes, and travel days
  
  

A bad towel just takes up space.
A good one — like a travel towel with pocket — actually improves your trip.

Microfibre Towels vs. Real Travel Towels

Let’s compare quickly:

 

Final Thoughts: Travel Light, Travel Smart

Packing light doesn’t mean packing less — it means packing better.

Here’s what I don’t take anymore: ❌ Liquid shampoo
❌ A bulky suitcase
❌ A microfibre towel

Here’s what I bring instead: ✅ Solid shampoo bars
✅ A compact backpack
✅ A smart, quick dry, sand free beach towel with pocket that’s built for everything from spontaneous swims to chill sunsets

Once you stop packing things “just because” and start bringing what you actually use, your whole travel experience changes.

So next time you hit the road, ask yourself — would I pack this again after 100 countries?