Packing light....help!

I need to master the art of packing light so for this trip, my check luggage must not exceed 15 kilos but once I hit Europe, it has to be 10 kilos as I will only use carry on luggage.

Sometimes, I think I am crazy not to pay for a check luggage in Europe but what the heck! It is time to be self discipline.

So, I need a few tips. The 10kilos must include the ipad. Prepare to sacrifice the camera, phone but will not compromise on the ipad.

Any tips, advise and funny stories will be gratefully read.

Thanks, folks

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.

Wow, where can I find this vest......it is exactly what I need. I don't do glamour when travelling and at home, only occasionally.

I am mostly excited but also a bit scared at the same time. I do love my jeans but agree that it is not hugle practical due to it's weight.

Thrift store is certainly in my agenda. Can get quality stuff from thrift store sometimes. :)

I go by the 'Rule of threes'
3 tops - one short sleeved, one long sleeved, one warm long sleeved.
3 bottoms - 1 skirt, 1 cargo/walking type trousers, 1 black pants.
3 'outers' - 1 fleece, one light jacket, one sweater/cardigan/lightweight top
3 prs shoes - 1 pr walking shoes, 1 pr ballet flats type 'good shoes', 1 pr sandals (if needed)
3 sets of underwear - one to wear, one to wash and one spare.
Together with the bits and pieces like makeup, electronics etc, it usually comes in at under 8 kg.
Should I ever need to 'frock up' because I've unexpectedly been invited to the Queen's garden party, there's always the Charity Shops. Same goes for the unexpected resurgence of the ice age in July.
If you are a bloke it's even easier!

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've never seen any of this stuff (that I can see from the chair I'm sitting in) at a garage sale:

Good Burmese lacquerware
Betel nut boxes, etc. from Laos, Burma, and Cambodia
Old, well-used "hill-tribe" basketry
Tara, Buddha, and other images from Nepal, Burma, etc.
Old ritual knives, bells, cymbals, and so on from Tibet and Nepal
Thangkas (one very nice one in this room)
Silk curtains/sarongs from Laos and Cambodia (hanging on carved sandlewood)
Beautiful rock from the hillside overlooking the crematory fires at a river in Nepal

(Not buying much these days, though.)

Yeah, there is some seriously good stuff in here. I'm so glad I brought it home. And I'm so glad I can have good coffee every morning, even in coffee wastelands like HK and Cambodia. And gladder still that I don't need to buy fake antibiotics, etc. if I get sick in Asia.

WoW! I prefer your taste.
lol

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

Here's an idea. Get yourself a string vest and sew up the bottom.
Fill it with your heavy stuff or whatever, then wear it round your neck under your clothes. You'll look preggers, but who cares?

Don't stay up all nightwith excitement b4 leaving home. (yeah right). All the years I've been traveling, and all the diff pcks, duffles, rolling du.., pack with wheels thatt weighed 8.5 lbs empty. heee hee

I think I have a stem down.

But I repack abbout three times the night b4 cast-off.

I'm never more alive than when agawking.
getting lost is a bonus!

stem?

system.

sheesh!

My backpack is 8-9 kg/35 l., I'm male, so I carry less than average woman. It's one piece, carry on, handy on flights, busses and trains.
5 underwear, 5 pairs of socks, 2 t-shirts, 3 shortsleeved shirts, 2 longsleeved shirts, 1 long trousers, 2 pairs of shortpants, 1 pair of sandals, a book. Plus a little torch, toilettries (toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clipper, small shampoo), fleece jacket, shell jacket.
Separate waist pouch for camera, wallet and sun glasses.
That's what I usually have, no matter what country and what climate or temps (-10 C to 40 C). I've never missed anything.
I can wash t-shirts or socks in the bathroom, or at a laundry service. Things like sleeping bags and tents can be hired.
I don't carry laptop with me. There're inernet cafes everywhere.

I've never been able to get it below 15 kg. Most bags weigh at least 3.5 kg. I agree about jeans, but suggest light-weight long underwear for under the light pants for necessary warmth.

Anyone still travel with a sleep sheet - I had one made out of an Indian sari. Light weight, and gorgeous. I also must have my binoculars with me. And, if going to mozzie areas, my free-standing mosquito tent!

I see there is another person who goes by the rule of three!!! it has worked for me for years. I do put in a skirt when i go to a hot country, as it is more comfortable than long pants. Just Google 'fisherman's vest' and you will find a place either in Oz or on line. there are dozens of styles. you could probably get one at a sports shop. I once travelled with a woman who wore one, and it was brilliant, esp. for her camera gear in the pre digital camera days.

My point, gawk, is that there are valuable and unique things available for purchase in SE Asia and elsewhere. I’ve been fortunate enough to bring some of them home and they bring me pleasure, both in their presence and in the memories they evoke.

Your post seemed to say that there is little of value to bring home from travels and that what you’ve seen can be had at garage sales. You’re wrong on both counts.

ok.

Stuff in a house, multiplies to fit space available.

Bookmarking this thread for future reference. Maybe LP could make it a sticky.

If emotional baggage had weight (in lbs/kgs), they wouldn't allow some people on airplanes.

If emotional baggage had weight (in lbs/kgs - some planes would never get off the runway...

some planes would never get off the runway...

Yeah, their tires would blow out before they left the boarding gate.

Bun_cha

Your point "there are valuable and unique things available for purchase in SE Asia and elsewhere."

I would say, each to it's own taste. What is valuable to you could be junk to me! Therefore, it is hasty to point out that gawk is wrong on both counts.

I grew up with some of the stuff you collected and therefore, it is a truism that for me 'familiarity breeds contempt'. Also, I have come to a stage in my life that I prefer not to burden myself with material goods. As for memories, you carry it around with you, and for me, that is enough. Why should one burden oneself with "unique and valuable stuff" or eager to show it and to share it with people who have no interest in what you collected. They after all have their own memories.

Lee (if you're the Lee with the little house in Cali, then big respect),

The value of the things I’ve accumulated is to me and there is also artistic and monetary value. The value to me is indisputable and the current issue of Arts of Asia features several pieces (silver betel paraphernalia and lacquerware) that are almost exactly like (in terms of age, workmanship, style, material) what is sitting within reach as I type. So that would speak some to artistic and monetary value.

That your contempt (I’m assuming a figure of speech) for some of what I like would indicate a lack of value in those things makes no sense other than there is a lack of value for you. I put no value in Rolex watches, but I don’t think they have no value.

I don’t think many people who come into this room see it in terms of full of souvenirs.

There is still a lot of good stuff in SE Asia and I assume, elsewhere. That’s really my only point.

Good luck with the lightening effort. REI is having a great sale right now (if you’re in North America), with good deals on the synthetic clothing that is essential for lightening the load. Good backpacks, too.

Have any Canadians on this thread ordered stuff from REI? Does it still make sense once you pay duty, etc.?

Lee52, I can't talk as a female but my partner, Vikki, only takes one pair of shoes - the ones she's wearing. These are rather cute but amazingly sturdy and ultra- lightweight Keens walking shoes. They seem to fit any occassion from climbing the vulcano in Bali to breakfast with the Australian ambassador in Cairo. They are available in Australia in maybe half a dozen styles.

Sometimes Vikki may take a pair of very lightweight sandals, but not always. That's it as far as footwear goes and it saves a lot of weight. I just take the lightweight walking shoes I wear, fairly normal looking and not those outrageous designs, so they are multi-functional when it comes to going out to restaurants, etc.

I went to Spain recently, as you know. Took three pairs of shoes including the ones I was wearing; regular black leather ones, sandals, and a pair of cheap canvas ('boat shoes' I think they're called).

The ones I wore most were the canvas shoes, which cost me £4 from Primark. They were light, comfortable and easy to walk in and I walked everywhere - for up to 10 hours a day. Surprisingly, they're not worn out yet.
I've just bought three more pairs to wear when I do the Camino next year. I expect I'll get through that many over 1000 km.

Fewer books for sure... It really depends on the amount of time on the road... A 2 week trip...is easier than planning for 2 months on the road...

My recent discovery is packing things you can just leave behind... Older clothes can simply be left...as new stuff is acquired ... If you buy new shoes for a trip...make sure they are well tested...

Remember 10 mintues of walking at home is not a good test for 10 hours of hiking or walking around on your trip... It takes a while for "hot spots" to be discovered...

I usually donate my guide books to the last hostel in the country I'm stay in...marking it "house copy"...

Lotusland - ... suggest light-weight long underwear for under the light pants for necessary warmth.

An even better idea is those footless tights, which can be worn as trousers and also be worn under dresses, or under light trousers for extra warmth. Primark is selling them right now at £3.00 a pair, in different colours.

Very good advice above, my wife and I just finished an around the world trip with only 45 litre packs and she has posted an amazing " Packing List for Female Backpackers". It is totally conclusive and space efficient, she has gotten rave reviews about it so if you feel inclined check it out!
www.beachslapme.com

Have a fantastic trip!!
Josh

Must check out Primark as I think I definitely need a pair of footless tights for the ski lift trip over mountain tops between Courmayer and Chamonix. Has anyone attempted this trip?

Someone suggested getting a pair of Merrell walking shoes. Well, I have been searching high and low for the Merrell walking shoes but unfortunately it is either full price (and I don't pay full price if I can possibly get it at a discounted price) or it is difficult for me to get the correct size. I take a size 3.5 or possibly a 3 and the smallest size is a 4.

But, I recently got a real bargain, Asics walking shoes reduced from 60GBP to 18GBP. It is also light and well padded so I am set for some heavy duty walking. lol

I think I have almost mastered the art of packing light. Took four tops and 4 pants (which includes 1 wrapped around skirt.......just in case) and find myself rotating between three tops and two pants so perhaps this time I will feel more comfortable with the 'threes'.

Btw, I found the most gorgeous outfit in an op/charity shop. It is a Laura Ashley but unfortunately due to heavy consumption of cream teas, the skirt was a smidgen too tight. Still wished I bought it. lol

I bought a pair of Mafisto shoes. Guaranteed special bottom half. Ya get 'em replaced very two and a half years or so. $3.25 as I remember.

I had the tops resown about four times over time. Much less time than the guarantee.

Finally gave up, cursing myself for being scammed again.

Keep it simple.
We don't have to buy a Cadillac, to have a car.

I'm absolutely loving these tips, it's nice to see what other people actually pack in order to pack light. As someone mentioned, it's best when your actual bag weighs as little as possible- in fact my bag's size and weight sort of tells me how much I can pack. It's soft-sided so it can be squeeze if necessary as well. I bought the older version of this bag (http://www.chapmanbags.com/women/shop-by-products/luggage/traveller-19-holdall.html) and have never regretted it- a little soap and water and that's it- worth every penny!

That said I can NOT understand why someone would limit themselves to 3 pairs of underwear- I bring at least 7 each time. Not bulky and not something you want to run out of if you can't wash or if they can't dry in time for use......

I leave lots behind. I know that toothpaste can be bought anywhere. As t-shirts. rent a towel at the hostel. what shirts don't I like much. And probly not wear anyway. one pare of jeans. At least two walking shorts. remenber you're wearing one set of skivvies now.

one good pair of shoes for lots of walking. one sandals.

you can wash something in the shower too.