Packing light....help!

My pack weighs 10.5 kilos, which I take for (at present trip) 14 weeks. For clothing I take (or wear) 2 long-sleeved tee shirts, 3 short sleeved tees, 2 pr jeans, 1 pr shorts, 3 sets of undies and socks, swim suit, zip-up fleece sweatshirt, shell (unlined) jacket, 1 pr. walking shoes and 1 pr. sandals, cosmetics and toiletries, nightie---I think that's about it. I take a small computer, an iPod (which I put 25 books on for listening) a phone (I buy a SIM card in each country) a big camera in case that holds my copies from LP guidebooks that I'm curraently using. I throw away the chapters that I'm done with, I bring a small travel towel, some TP, a tiny flashlight with compass, a money belt/pouch, which I wear under my jeans (I know, that's un-cool, but it's safe!) Hope this helps----

Thanks Lor. What is a TP?

I was told that the low cost airlines in Europe insist that only one bag is allowed and so the handbag or day pack or jacket must be stored in the hand luggage.

So, do you carry a day pack and a hand luggage?

TP is a pertial roll of toilet paper, with the cardboard removed. Multipurpous. :)

Pack only three compleat changes of clothes. You'll buy t-shirts along the way. Buy nice ones out there, that go with other outfit. Many everywhere are made by Fruit of the Loom.

They must buy 'em white and color later. so wash them alone a few times.

They make good towels, so don't pack one. Or take a quick dry towel. But it takes space and weighs a bit... rent a towel at hostels.

Except for airline weight restrictions I don't understand why people sacrifice convenience or comfort to save a few pounds. I carry either a backpack or rolling suitcase + a daypack for 2 month trips to Asia. The weight of these is less than what I carry trekking in the Rockies or desert, and I carry the trekking weight a lot farther in a day of hiking than I carry stuff in a month in Asia, so the weight is no factor at all.

In addition to the usual clothes (including fleece pullover) I carry medicine, fiber (this is an old people's forum, right?), flashlight, umbrella, coffee (starting the day off right), laptop, a little food, a few books, etc. Weight is right at 15 kilos (Air Asia limit) and on the way home a little more, so I pay a small upsize fee ahead of time.

It's a great help if your bag itself weighs a little as possible.

But, for carry-ons, note that:
#1 you're not allowed to take knives or scissors or similar;
#2. that any liquids must be less than 100 ml, and that they must all fit inside one not very large clear zip-lock bag;
#3. you re only allowed to carry on board ONE bag - and that's it. No handbag, for example.(I got around it by making a vest with large pocket, which I stuffed with my notebook computer, etc.)

Ruinair has a 10kg limit, but I don't think Easyjet does. The other cheap airlines I don't know about. It pays to read the airlines' T&Cs.

Are you getting excited yet?

Thanks all for your tips.

go_2, I am brimming and bubbling over with excitement. lol

bun_cha, it is not a matter of saving a few pounds but more to do with decluttering, self discipline and buying junk and/or the odd souvenir which I don't need. :)

As one of my tc related, she bought a fake fur in one of her travels and what is she going to do with fake fur as she lives in Adelaide, South Australia. Now she travels only with a hand luggage for short trips.

I am only a midget and 15 kilos is as much as I can carry or drag along comfortably. So, why burden oneself with huge, heavy luggage. :)

In all my years of travel, I can think of 4 souveirs, I wish I'd bought.

You see that stuff at garage sales.

I know what to pack for the tropics but what do you pack for UK towards end of May, all of June and part of July. Also, what to pack for 3 weeks jaunt in Europe eg northern Italy around Lake Como, southern France and most likely Barcelona.

Packing layers is good. 3 change of clothing is excellent idea, one to wear, one as a spare and one to wash.

gawkabout, I do agree. There is only one or perhaps two souvenirs I wish I did buy but now, I don't want to get any. If it do it will be a couple of small gifts for friends. :)

go_2, I wish I can sew but perhaps I can stuff the ipad under my clothing. lol

lee... thrift stores can be your friend. Especially if you need warm stuff only for a short period, and are not likely to need them when you go home. If you need warmer clothes in Europe, buy cheap or from a thrift shop, and dump everything when you move on.. Lor is right on with her list. The only thing i would disagree with is blue jeans. they are heavy, and difficult to wash by hand. I preferlighte weight washable slacks, with lots of pockets. And Go@2has a great idea re vest with pockets. Look for fishermans vests like this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OouXgEEXL.<u>SL500_AA300</u>.jpg They aren't glamerous, but glamour goes out the window while travelling with 10k. 22 pounds has been my magic lulggage weight for years.