It's 5:30am at the airport. Terminal two is a sea of bleary-eyed travellers dragging oversized luggage.
The check-in queue snakes around the hall and hasn't moved for 20 minutes.
But look closer and you'll spot them - the quiet minority confidently breezing past with nothing but a single backpack, heading straight to security.
They're onebagging. And they're winning at travel.
As airlines continue to hike up the price of checked-in luggage, more UK travellers are joining the onebag revolution. It's travel minimalism at its best – and makes perfect sense in 2025.
Pack Faster, Lighter and Smarter - What is the Onebag Movement?
The 'rules' of onebagging, a trend that's quickly catching fire online, are simple. Travel with just one carry-on bag.
No checked luggage, no waiting at baggage claim and no possibility of your case taking its own holiday to Bangkok while you're heading to Barcelona.
The onebag movement isn't just about travelling with less, it's about experiencing more.
By removing the physical and mental burdens of excessive luggage, you create space for spontaneity, flexibility and deeper connections with the places you visit.
"Less stuff, more adventure" could be the onebagging motto.
Although it might appear so, it's also not about roughing it. Rather, onebagging is our cue to think harder about what we take away, make smarter choices, prioritise versatile items and leave behind the burden of excessive stuff.
You'll find yourself wondering, "Do I really need four pairs of shoes for a weekend in Dublin?" (Spoiler alert: You don't).
Why Travellers Are Ditching Checked Luggage for Onebagging
The onebag movement has inspired a whole online subculture, with the Reddit onebag community having over 800,000 members.
And there are more benefits to onebagging than avoiding airlines' rising baggage fees. Although that alone makes it worth it.
Speed
In an airport, moving quickly is a superpower. While others wait anxiously at the baggage carousel, you're already in a taxi heading to your accommodation. And on departure day, you can roll out of bed dangerously close to boarding time and still make your flight.
Mobility
Mobility means freedom when you travel. Try sprinting between terminals with a rolling suitcase with a mind of its own. Now imagine doing the same with a well-balanced backpack. Sometimes, a little extra weight on your back can mean a little weight off your shoulders.
Budget
When it comes to travel, money saved is more money you can spend on experiences. Some airlines charge upwards of £50 per bag per flight. That's money you could save trying unbelievable local food or adding another excursion to your itinerary.
Peace of Mind
When it's just you and a bag on your back, lost luggage doesn't come into play. Nor does the worry of your case being damaged or broken into during transit. And knowing your belongings are always with you is just one less thing to worry about.
Who is Onebagging For?
Digital nomads were early adopters of the onebag lifestyle.
When your office is your laptop, and your address changes month-to-month, streamlining your possessions can make all the difference.
Business travellers fed up with dragging suits around airport car parks have embraced the wrinkle-resistant fabrics and compact tech that make onebagging possible.
Weekend breakers find it perfect for short city hops, particularly with the rise of budget airlines connecting UK regional airports to European destinations.
Long-term backpackers can find that less stuff means more flexibility and fewer opportunities for things going missing.
Onebagging Meets the Extreme Day Tripping Trend
Onebagging pairs perfectly with the growing Extreme Day Trip trend that's taking hold across the UK and Ireland.
When you're catching a 6am flight to Rome and returning home the same evening, checking luggage into the hold isn't really an option.
Essentials Only - What Do You Pack in a Onebag?
The first rule of onebagging - every item must earn its place. The second rule - multi-purpose items are your friends.
While the below list isn't an exclusive checklist, it's a great starting point for those new to onebagging.
Ideal Clothes for Onebaggers
- 3-4 t-shirts/tops that can be layered
- 1 pair of versatile trousers
- 1 pair of shorts
- 4-5 pairs of quick-dry underwear
- 4-5 pairs of lightweight socks
- 1 packable rain jacket
- 1 light mid-layer, such as a fleece or jumper
Toiletries
- Solid shampoo bar (to meet liquid restrictions)
- Small toothpaste
- Foldable toothbrush
- Deodorant stick
- Multipurpose soap/body wash
- Makeup compacts in a small bag
Tech
- Smartphone
- Slim power bank
- Multi-country adapter
- Minimum cables needed (preferably one universal charging cable)
- An eBook app on your phone, instead of physical books or eReaders
Documents
- Passport
- Digital copies of important documents
- Credit card/debit card
- Small amount of local currency
Tech Must-Haves for Onebagging
Technology has been a game-changer for onebag travellers. Here's what the savviest digital nomads never leave home without.
- An eSIM-enabled phone. eSIMs are revolutionising the way we stay connected on the move. Instead of juggling physical SIM cards or paying hefty roaming fees, an eSIM lets you download a local data plan before you even board your flight. It's the ultimate onebag tech solution.
- Ultralight power banks have become essential. The latest models pack enough power to charge a phone multiple times while weighing less than a small notebook.
- Noise-cancelling earbuds rather than bulky headphones save precious space while still providing sanctuary from rowdy passengers on planes or snoring hostel roommates.
What Kind of Bag Counts as a 'Onebag'?
Most onebagging devotees agree that the following are essential qualities.
- Carry-on compliant - always check your airline luggage specs beforehand
- Comfortable to carry for extended periods
- Quality construction that won't fail mid-journey
- Smart organisation features e.g., multiple pockets or compartments
- Weather resistance
So, what is the best onebag backpack? Three bags consistently earn praise on Reddit onebag forums.
Osprey Farpoint 40
Reliable, widely available and comfortable for most frames.
Peak Design Travel Backpack
For the design-conscious traveller who appreciates clever access features and premium materials.
Cabin Zero Classic 44L
A budget-friendly option that maximises carry-on allowances while remaining lightweight.
Onebag Tips for First-Timers
If you think you're ready to join the onebag revolution, here are a few suggestions for beginners.
Start with a practice run. Pack your bag for an imaginary week-long trip, then live out of it at home for a weekend. You'll quickly see what's essential and what's dead weight.
Embrace the rule of threes. One to wear, one for spare, one to wash. This applies to nearly all clothing categories.
Wear your bulkiest items on travel days. Your heavy boots and jacket don't count toward your bag allowance if they're on your body.
Invest in packing cubes. These fabric organisers aren't just about compression – they create a modular system that help prevent a big, unorganised mess every time you need something from the bottom of your bag.
Learn to make do with less. The onebagging community is unanimous: most people overestimate what they'll need. You can always buy toiletries at your destination.
What to leave behind? "Just in case" items. Full-size anything. Books (get digital). Hair dryers. Multiple pairs of shoes.
Stay Connected on Your Onebag Missions
The final frontier of onebagging isn't physical but digital. Staying connected while travelling once meant carrying international adapters, physical SIM cards and possibly a separate work phone.
Now, eSIM technology is the best way to stay connected on your travels.
Travel eSIMs embody the onebagging ethos perfectly - digital, minimal and practical. No plastic SIM cards to find and to lose, no hunting for mobile shops upon arrival and the chance to say goodbye forever to surprise roaming charges.
With coverage in over 200 countries and regions, eSIMs from Airalo are a one-baggers' best friend.
Visit the Airalo store, choose how much data you want and for where, install, activate and enjoy seamless connectivity on your travels.
Just don't forget to use some of that data bragging to your fellow onebaggers.
