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Newsletter - Travel Light and Travel Right

Travel Light and Travel Right
This month's newsletter is about traveling....light!

Traveling "light" has been a pet peeve of mine for many years.  When I'm traveling with others I urge everyone to take only one suitcase, and to make that a carry on size.

I might not be successful all the time, but those traveling with me are certainly more aware of traveling light.  I generally carry one bag and a backpack.  If I'm on a photo trip I'll carry a photo backpack instead of a daypack.

If you choose to become a 'light traveler' I am sure you'll be glad you made the change.  You'll probably start looking for new ways to travel even lighter on the next trip!

Read on, and enjoy your travels!

Cliff and Doris Kolber

www.kolberphotography.com


When you pack for a trip, would you fill your suitcase with dirty clothes?  Probably not.  So why do you pack your suitcase with extra clothes and eventually turn your suitcase into a bag of dirty laundry?
 
You really don't need a different outfit for every day, or several tops for each pants, or several pants for each top.  When you pack light you'll pack a few tops to mix and match with two or three pants.  And shoes - all you need is a few pair for an entire trip.
 
In the end, you'll pack less clothes and accessories, carry a lighter bag, feel better about yourself, and then laugh at everyone else still lugging big, heavy suitcases!
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There are three points overall that you need to consider in order to pack light.  They are:
  1. WHAT TO PACK
  2. WHAT TO PACK IT IN
  3. HOW TO PACK IT
Before we go into these points, let's review the "Why's" of traveling light and some of the challenges of packing light.
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Why Travel Light?
  • 1. You will have less bags and less weight to carry around.  Have you noticed that the farther along a trip, the heavier the bag becomes! It is easier to maneuver a light bag over stairs, cobblestones, streets, buses, trains, subways and taxis.  Especially in Europe where everyone walks.  Even if you are on a group tour or a cruise, you will have to handle your bag at some time.
  • 2. You don't have to check baggage at the airport.  This is a biggie.  You can bypass the check-in line (check in via internet the night before) and save checked baggage fees.  On arrival at your destination you don't wait around for your luggage at the carousel.  And you have less chance of your luggage being lost or stolen.  Enough said?
  • 3. You can save money on cabs, cars and transfers.  When you travel light it is much easier to use public transportation like trains, buses, streetcars, subways.  And with public transportation you can get to know the city like a native rather than as a tourist.  And if you enjoy walking, you can enjoy a leisurely walk from the train station to your hotel.
  • 4. You will be less obvious as a tourist.  It's easier to blend in with small, discrete bags than with big luggage.  You also become less of a target for pickpockets and thieves.
  • 5. And finally, you will feel good about yourself.  This is the "Zen" part of packing light.  You carry less baggage, both literally and figuratively.  You have the ability to release yourself from the desire to take things you do not really need. Release yourself from the fear of being caught without something.  Carry what you need and nothing more. Remember - "If in doubt, don't pack it".  You will not miss it. 
 
Some Challenges to Traveling Light
These challenges are easily met with an open mind.
  • Packing light requires planning, especially before your first trip.  The KEY: make your packing list, then cut it in half, then cut it in half again!  It might be scary, but it will work. You cannot travel light unless you reduce the amount you pack.

  • No matter how long a trip is, you do not need to bring more than four or five days worth of clothes (underwear is an acceptable exception - pack for the trip if you want).
  • Use a light weight suitcase.  See "What to Pack it in" below.
  • TSA and 3-1-1.  There are items that are not allowed on airplanes in carry-on bags, such as knives, lighters, hiking poles, or large quantities of liquids or gels. (If you are not familiar with the 3-1-1 TSA rules, make sure you are before you carry-on).  If you have disallowed items, you will need to check your bag.  But it will still be smaller and easier to tote around!
  • Washing.  You will wash every few days, which is why you only need to pack a few days of clothing, i.e. 2-3 pants and a few shirts, no matter how long the trip.  Use hotel shampoo to wash with. You can wash a couple days of clothes in a hotel sink in just a few minutes. The clothes will be dry the next morning if they are synthetic, or later in the day if they are cotton.  Washing is not a big deal, I promise you!  And look at the space and weight you save.
WHAT TO PACK
These are well-proven tips that help make traveling more fun and convenient. Once you get it, you will be a reformed traveler forever.

  • The Packing List.  This is the most important part of packing light.  What you pack determines the size of your bag and how much weight you will carry. The packing list is your top priority for packing.  I've been using my packing list for about ten years and before each trip I review it and modify it for that trip.  I do this well before packing day.  I then print the list and keep it by the bag.  When I'm ready to pack, I check off each item as it goes in the bag.  This system is foolproof.  You will never forget a pair of socks or a belt again. 
Once you print the packing list, STICK TO IT.  Do not listen to the small, still voice that will talk to you just before packing or just before leaving the house, that says, "You might need the [fill in the blank] that you didn't pack".  Do not listen to that voice, and do not pack that item.  You will not need it.  I promise you. The worst possible time to think about what to take on a trip is while you are actually packing.  In fact, here's a packing tip: Print this paragraph and tape it to your bag so you are reminded while packing!
  • Color coordinate and rotate your clothes.  Pants are your key to coordinating.  Pack pants in darker basic colors (blue, black, gray) and then mix and match a few tops to those colors. You will end up with a variety of outfits, just by changing tops and pants. I wear t-shirts or polo shirts in any city or environment.  I have never felt out of place and never been refused service.
  • Number of outfits.  I have traveled with people who go through two or more different outfits on each day of a trip, without rotating back to those outfits later in the trip.  Talk about excess baggage!  I promise you, no one will mind if you wear the same tops and pants several times in a week.  And if you rotate no one will realize that you are wearing the same clothes! (and your clothes are clean since you are washing every so often). The same goes for shoes - two or three pair of shoes will work for the entire trip
  • Synthetic materials.  Use synthetic materials, especially shirts and pants.  Synthetics are light and "quick dry".  If you wash in the evening they are dry in the morning.  Cotton is heavier than synthetics and will take longer to dry.  Convertible pants are great to bring along.  They not only dry overnight and are light weight, but become either shorts or long pants. 
  • Dress in layers. Bring only one or two sweaters or jackets for cold weather.  You will get by easily without packing a lot of winter clothes.  A shell jacket is invaluable; it doubles as a raincoat and as a light jacket.  A long sleeve shirt can double as a light jacket if an evening is cool.

WHAT TO PACK IT IN
  • THE BAG  Get a lightweight bag if you don't have one.  It should be no bigger than 22" x 14" x 9".  This is regulation size for carry-on bags. Quality 22" bags can be as light as 7 or 8 lbs.  The bag you have today probably weighs 11 or 12 lbs. You can shave 3 or 4 lbs before even packing! 
All references in this article are to wheeled bags, but there are other options.  Non-wheeled bags include suitcases, duffel bags, travel packs and backpacks.  These are some great options in the non-wheeled bags.  We aren't discussing these in this article, but keep them in mind if you are ok with non-wheeled bags.  And a good quality bag can weigh as little as 2 or 3 lbs.
  • PACKING CUBES.  These are invaluable in packing.  If you have never tried them, you need to.  Now!  I use packing cubes made by Rick Steves. Eagle Creek is another popular brand.  I can put all my t-shirts, underwear, socks and shorts in one medium size packing cube and they stay together and organized during an entire trip.  Larger cubes are good for pants, dress shirts, etc.  If you don't have packing cubes, get them.

HOW TO PACK IT
 
PACKING THE BAG.  How you pack is critical to traveling light.  I use packing cubes to organize my clothes inside the bag. These are invaluable during a trip.  I'll stuff other clothes and items under and around the cube.
  • Roll your clothes.  This saves space and your clothes will stay in better shape with fewer creases. Roll t-shirts together, roll underwear together, roll your pants and shirts. It really compacts your clothing.  Pack them in the packing cubes or in your shoes or fill cracks and crevices.
  • Cracks and crevices.  Fill cracks and crevices inside your bag with socks, underwear or rolled items.
  • Your shoes are storage spaces.  Stuff socks and underwear inside your shoes.  Shoes have empty spaces that are waiting to be filled.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
Here are some online websites that sell luggage, clothing and accessories or discuss traveling and offer packing advice.
 
Rick Steves - Europe travel advice, bags, travel packs, and packing advice.  If you are traveling to Europe, be sure to check this website before you go.  

Eagle Creek - Bags, backpacks and travel packs.  Eagle Creek is a well-known brand for quality backpacks, bags and travel packs.  Most of their products are geared toward backpackers and light travelers.  They have a variety of bags and packs, both with and without wheels.

OneBag.com - A website dedicated to the light traveler, with advice and discussions on bags and packing.
 
One Bag, One World- Dedicated to light travelers, with advice on clothing, bags and packing.
 
Luggage Online - Bags and accessories.  Luggage Online has a wide selection of bags at good prices.  Look for their sales and discounts.
 
ebags.com - Bags and accessories.  Ebags.com also has a wide selection of bags at good prices, and be sure to look for their sales and discounts.
 
Magellan's - Website dedicated to travel gear and packing advice.
 
Le Travel Store - clothing, bags, gear, travel advice.  A good website to check out for ideas and advice.
 
REI - Clothing, bags and gear.  REI is an outdoor enthusiast's toy store, and they have a good selection of light travel bags and gear.
 
Campmor - Clothing and gear.  This is a good place to buy quality clothing at discount prices.  Watch for their sales and closeouts. They also carry packs.


So that's it.  Are you a light traveler now?  Try it -- you'll never go back!

And thanks for visiting.  Be sure to explore the outdoors Cliff and Doris backyardand enjoy our natural lands. Leave everything as it was when you arrived and it will be a rewarding experience for everyone.

Cliff and Doris Kolber

Kolberphotography.com

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