8 Days, 3 Cities, 1 Backpack – What Fit in My 20L EXTEND

I spent 8 days traveling through Madrid, Milan, and Santorini with only a 20L backpack.

It wasn’t a minimalist challenge—it was simply the most practical decision I’ve made in a while.

Here’s what actually fit inside:

👕 Worn on day one:

Quick-dry base layer

Lightweight fleece

Windbreaker

Outdoor pants 


🧳 Packed in a compression cube:

2 tops

1 pair of shorts

2 underwear

2 pairs of socks

1 towel


🧼 Essentials:

Toiletry kit in a transparent zip bag

U-shaped pillow, sunglasses

Foldable crossbody bag (flat-packed, used in cities)

One small book, phone tripod, pen & notepad


💻 Digital gear:

I also brought my laptop. It fit snugly in the inner sleeve of the backpack—safe, padded, and always within reach on planes or trains.

The EXTEND Waterproof Backpack standing on a Santorini beach after 8 days of travel, still going strong.
(The EXTEND Waterproof Backpack standing on a Santorini beach after 8 days of travel, still going strong.)

The real MVP?

My EXTEND Waterproof Backpack. At just 20L, it carried everything I needed and nothing I didn’t. Comfortable straps, smart compartments, and it still looked great after a week of daily use.


→ [Shop the EXTEND Waterproof Backpack]

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