A detailed gear review from a 2-week Colombia trip reveals why the country works perfectly for minimalist travelers. From Bogotá's altitude to Cartagena's humidity and Tayrona's beaches, the varied terrain tests ultralight packing strategies while offering budget-friendly infrastructure.
The trip report posted to r/onebag provides specific insights into what gear succeeded and failed across Colombia's diverse climates and activities - offering practical value beyond generic packing lists.
The Route and Challenge
The two-week itinerary covered Bogotá, Medellín, Guatapé, Cartagena, and Santa Marta, with activities including hiking, biking, and swimming. This diversity makes Colombia an ideal testing ground for minimalist packing strategies.
The traveler packed everything into a Patagonia Micro MLC 22L bag weighing about 10 pounds, successfully using it as a personal item across Avianca, Air Transat, Wingo, and Clic Air despite exceeding stated size limits.
What Worked
Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals: "Really comfortable and sturdy sole/bottom, wore on the Tayrona Park hike to the Cabo San Juan beach with no issue and full comfort." The beefier sandal design proved essential for multi-hour hikes while allowing sneakers to dry out.
Osprey Ultralight Stuff Bag 18L: Initially brought thinking it wouldn't be used, the packable daypack "got used tons" when smaller bags were needed for day trips.
