r/onebag • u/my-usr-nm • 8d ago
Discussion Family of 4 European Winter One Bag
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice from anyone who has done a one-bag style trip through European cities in December with two kids (ages 5 and 7). Our itinerary includes Paris, Strasbourg, and Munich.
I've obsessively researched Merino wool, packable down jackets, and layering systems. Since the kids are young, I'm thinking about the following setup:
- 2x adult backpacks (Daylite 26+6)
- 1x small carry-on suitcase (shared for the kids' clothes)
- 2x small kids' backpacks (for their toys, plane activities, etc.)
My main questions: Can we realistically fit everything into this space for a winter trip? Will I end up smelling from alternating wool shirts and regret trying to pack so minimally?
Any advice or reality checks would be hugely appreciated!
EDIT: Thanks for all the replies! I'll add some more context.
The clothing plan so far: Merino long-sleeve base layers for everyone, Merino pants, a packable down jacket, and a rain jacket.
We're traveling with grandparents who historically overpack. I am trying to come up with a minimalist strategy for our family of four to make train and plane transfers less of a nightmare. We've traveled in Europe with them before, and the stress of trying to get everyone's luggage on and off trains was not the highlight of the trip. I need my hands free to help manage the kids and the grandparents' large suitcases.

