Packing Light - Tips, tricks, and strategies for deciding what to bring on a trip.

[seawolf]

I'm going abroad soon, and really trying to pare down the number of clothing items I'm bringing.

I really like the idea of the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method, and I'm giving it a try for this trip. The trouble is, where I'm going, the weather is a bit whacky, so layers are key, and picking versatile layering options will be 100% necessary for success and comfort.

For those not familiar, the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, method looks something like this (neutral colors for versatility):

5 - sets of socks and underwear (and in my case, undershirts too).
4 - tops. I'm doing mostly black tees, and my Johnny Cash shirt
3 - bottoms. I'm thinking two pairs of jeans, and one pair of shorts
2 - pairs of shoes. I'll be wearing one pair of boots on the plane, and packing a pair of Birkenstock sandals or clogs
1 - hat

Added to the list are things like a rain jacket, down vest, a light mid-layer jacket (Arc'teryx Atom LT).

What are your travel/packing tips?

[mclaincausey]

Great thread. 54321 sounds good.

Travel adapters, all the imaginable cords you could need, and a nice high capacity quick charge battery.

A packable shell and maybe rain pants depending on where you’re going.

Water bottle.

Headlamp.

I like some sort of daypack and a travel bag. Water resistant for those. I really prefer carry on if in any way possible and I’ll travel with heavy layers to make it so. Zip hoody or heavy flannel for a heavy layer.

I think it’s wise to mix natural and synthetic layers.

Just idle thoughts about how I roll when I travel. I look forward to hearing from others.

[seawolf]

I love your responses! I've been mulling a flashlight, but I don't have one small or light enough to make sense for this trip. I do have a headlamp though! That's a wonderful idea, thank you!

You mentioned natural and synthetic layers, and I couldn't agree more. I'll have a good mix of wool (merino mostly, and one black cashmere sweater), the down vest for dry insulation, and synthetic insulation and a rain jacket for wet days, and of course the wool will be great for wet weather too.

I always carry a water bottle with me, and for this trip, I'll have a 16oz Nalgene that fits in my backpack side pocket.

Here's the battery that I'm bringing. It's really small and lightweight, and comes with a little cord with USB-A and USB-C, which matches the ports on the battery itself, making it super compact and versatile. https://amzn.to/46WP1hE

[goosehd]

@seawolf Synthetics and wool are easy to wash and quick to dry. In my opinion a must have for trips. I’ve been packing using this method for years and didn’t know it was a thing and admit it really is a great way to travel.

I like to pretty much carry one bag for clothes (Medium Duffle size) and one backpack for computer, cords, chargers, and miscellaneous items.

My wife and kids like to have a few outfits for every day, and a few backups just in case…guess who ends up carrying their bags…

[jordanscollected]

My travel tip is always to leave a little space in your luggage or backpack (I often travel an 80% empty backpack, in case i don't pack as tight on the way home, and to leave room for things I may bring back from the trip.

don't forget Q-tips, floss, band-aids and toothpicks. easily forgotten in the toiletry bag. I tend to also lean towards shorts or pants with a secure zipper pocket for my wallet. I feel better in unknown areas.

I also like the ideas above, especially the merino wool. A lightweight merino wool t-shirt can be worn over and over without picking up odors.

[Giles]

I travel with one of these. I have a few (one in my fishing bag, a couple on the boat etc). They are as light and tiny as tiny and light can be, and they pack a punch......

[mclaincausey]

A mini first aid kit is a good idea. A packable bag can be handy too to add storage on demand if you, for example, grab groceries while out and about.

I love this Dopp kit (they call it a shower roll; mine is a smaller version though): https://www.rei.com/product/195309/rei-co-op-shower-roll-large

[pechelman]

Some things i've adopted that help

-Never check bags. Ever.
-Always use a backpack and avoid rolling bags for quick transfers and being able to run up/down stairs as needed to make connections
-Use space saving bags like these that dont require a pump to save on packing space and to help reduce the size of the bag you take
-Leave at least 25% of your bag empty. I can never pack as efficiently coming home due to laundry and buying stuff
-Plan on doing laundry and book accommodation that enable this OR find a laundry place that can do it for you so you dont waste time
-Bring things that launder and dry fast. I.e. I'd suggest leaving heavy johnny cash type shirts and go for something like a chambray instead
-Bring a few plastic shopping bags to handle packing laundry or other dirty items like shoes
-Streamline power adapters and interfaces. Everything I have is USB-C so I bring a single cable and adapter

[AdamJ]

@pechelman Currently laughing at the 7 different cables I am trying to fold neatly into circles for my upcoming trip. Long live USB-A!

[mclaincausey]

On the launder & fry fast front, they’re bulky but if you need warmth fleeces are great layers in that regard.

[Brandrea]

We travel frequently and just got back from a 7 day trip to Vancouver.

What works best for me is the following:

1. Always have your toiletry bag fully stocked and ready to grab and go. That means when I get back, I restock it right away.
2. Resist the temptation to over pack. It’s taken me years to master this. Put up your hand if you were like me and packed too many tees, or pants and shirts only to get home and realize you didn’t wear half of it lol.

For me on 7 day, that means one pair of denim, one pair of chinos, one pair of shorts, 3 tees, one sweater, one shirt. Underwear etc is one pair for each day (you can always reverse them if needed lol).
3. Pack one jacket, in my case always a lightweight puffer that will pack down.
4. We are the opposite to the advice above and we like to ship our luggage to its final destination. Nothing worse (to us) than slogging luggage through the airport, train etc., or checking it and having it go missing.
5. I always wear a travel back pack (about 20l size) to carry my electronics, and travel papers etc.
6. Last is footwear, a huge space sucker upper … I wear Birks pretty much for everything and I pack one pair of dressier walking shoes.

[Graeme]

I haven't heard of the 54321 packing scheme, but I often use a similar one, which is:

7 sets of socks and underwear
4 t-shirts
2 mid-layers
2 pairs of trousers

I don't take a second pair of shoes, which frees up a bit of space in the bag.

In Australia the biggest constraint on travelling with hand-luggage only is weight. I took a trip up the East Coast of Australia in April, and though I could fit everything into my trusty Defy Verbockel, my bag weighed 12 kg (about 26 lbs), against a limit of 10 kg (22 lbs). Admittedly I was carrying two laptops and a few other things for work, and that pushed me over. Plus my Verbockel weighs half a tonne empty.

[pechelman]

one more note on shoes, I don't always bring extra ones either. If I do, I try to stuff them full of things like socks, chargers, cables, etc so they their space is used a little more efficiently. Then snug up the laces so they're as compression straps to further reduce bulk. I've also found voile straps to be immensely useful to strap two shoes together to further reduce their bulk as well. These straps are handy around the house too.

[mclaincausey]

I pack usually some sort of vulcanized sneaker I can use for leisurely endeavors or working out (vans, soccer shoes, etc—low packable profile), and wear something more robust (boot or something).

[68degreesorless]

Ever since I bought the 21 oz carryall, I take a lot less stuff on trips. Consider getting a smaller bag that you love and want to use. You might be surprised what you are capable of.

[louisbosco]

I ride with a backpack for short trips. 3-4days kinda trip. being on a naked without panniers, I have to pack light or suffer.

comfy shoes for riding, walking and the jeans I wear out. what I'll pack are jocks and sock and few tees. in a tropical climate, plenty of tees and jocks are a necessity. the rest I can live without..

[Brian]

I’m going to impart some of this onto the wife
Last trip we took was to a cabin at the beach for 5 nights I’m sure she took enough things for a slow trek up Everest

I can usually get away with a pair of socks and boxers for the number of days/ nights
A pair of jeans, 1 over layer ( jumper sweater )
Couple of shirts and T-shirts

I have found over the years the way things are folded / rolled plays a big part in the available space in luggage as to the amount that can be taken on a trip

[Giles]

@Brian said in Packing Light - Tips, tricks, and strategies for deciding what to bring on a trip.:

I’m sure she took enough things for a slow trek up Everest

Welcome to my world.....

When I go away on my own, it is usually to a relatively remote place to fish. I'll pack all the essential fishing tech, and then any space that is left once that is done, I squeeze clothing in. If I am away for 7 nights, and I can only fit enough clothes in for a couple of days, I have to deal with it and do some washing.

I can go hiking for a week in the Alps and only take hand luggage, this is something Paula simply can't comprehend....

[Brian]

@Giles
Must be a female thing
How she will cope with the boat I do wish you the best you may only have room for hanging the undies off the mast

[Giles]

Luckily there is stacks of space on the boat......