Let’s look at luggage and packing. Too much stuff and too many bags can really weigh you down….literally!
Luggage
The first consideration is to make sure your bag has rolling wheels. The second is whether or not your suitcase is up to the trip you’re planning.
Casual and easy trips you make frequently don’t count. You know what you need and you already have it.
We invested in Thule’s Crossover rolling duffel bag, $$ for our second safari because we would be taking &Beyond’s charter flights. The charter planes had specific requirements for baggage size and type. We still use it on every trip and they still look fantastic! Con’s: The bag is a two wheeler and when fully packed can tip over. It’s heavy to load into the overhead compartment.
Hard sided bags are useful as well. We like that the hard sides help protect the contents inside. In addition to the Thule we also have a Solgaard hard sided carry on closet bag and a Samsonite expandable carry on. We use both bags when we carry on.
Unless you’re in the market for new travel luggage or carry on gear use what you have. If you are looking for some new pieces we will give you some suggestions that we love. (let’s go shopping!)
Hard side, soft side, expandable?
If you’re traveling by air there are some considerations to make. If you plan to only carry on there is a plethora of bags to choose for every budget. Typically, you have small to large carry on sizes. The smaller carry ons will most likely adhere to international sizing guidelines.
So, make sure to check the airlines you are traveling with. The other consideration besides the size is the weight. Be cognisant of what you can lift into an overhead compartment. Don’t count on help to do that! Soft side luggage vs. hard side is really personal choice. Be wary on the return trip with a soft sided bag that extends! It’s like having elastic waisted pants that you can add more stuff, but then you realize that you don’t fit into what you used to fit into!
The SRC of packing.
Sort, Roll and Cube!!!
First off invest in quality compression packing cubes. Once you have them you can start!
Separate the items you are packing into stacks that make sense to you. Like sleepwear, socks and underwear in one stack . Tops go in their own little stack and bottoms in another stack. PJ’s may go in with the underwear and socks. Swimwear and coverups in their own waterproof cube. Then we have everything else in another stack. Golf wear in its own stack.
So take an assessment of your “stacks” and decide what size cube to use for each stack.
Once you have everything out and ready, start with the first stack and cube and start rolling! Yes! Roll your clothes! You will have less wrinkling and more room. We roll everything, including our underwear!
You will find that you don’t have to unpack everything when you get to your destination. Just pull out your cubes and put them in a drawer! Easy!
Don’t forget your shoes!
Shoes and hats need to get in there too. Shoes can be in a packing cube, but if you have any dust bags that came with any of your handbags, use those. They are very handy because they will protect your clothes from the shoes and are wrap around the shoes easier. Choose a hat that is packable or plan to wear it while traveling. Packable sun hats or ball caps are best.
Backpacks and duffels
Backpacks
Tom has always used a backpack for his personal carry on. However, don’t ask my why, but I’ve have been an anti backpack traveler… Then I discovered the Solgaard backpacks and have been reborn! I discovered that a well designed Backpack makes life easier! Solgaard makes a few different styles and I chose the smaller of them.
Duffle bags
Duffle bags are great for travel and use we them for weekend car trips or road trips with one or two night stops. We don’t use them for air travel anymore because we both have issues with the weight of the bags on our shoulders, arms and neck…. and having to schlep them around an airport. They get heavy!
Packing cubes
I think you get that we LOVE packing cubes!
For clothing that may need extra TLC and to minimize wrinkles more, use tissue paper when you are rolling up your clothes.
Getting it all together!
Last but not least, arrange your cubes into your bag. All the inserts you have that you don’t need absolute access to go into the bag*. After you do all that then you can tuck in the extras that could include a dual wattage hair appliance, travel makeup mirror (X10-X20) with suctions. If you are checking bags you can pack larger liquids such as sunscreen. Make sure you place them inside a zip lock bag though in case of leakage.
*Accessible items go into your personal carry on. (Backpack, right?)
Backpack or personal carry on for stuff you need now.
You don’t need an ABC list for what you need ease access to while flying, road tripping or other means of transportation.
Medications are one of the top 3 items that must not be forgotten or stuck in checked luggage. Make sure all your vital medications are with you in your backpack or personal carry on. Preferably your medications should be in their prescription containers. Always make sure you bring more than you need. If necessary discuss that with your doctor to make sure your prescription will last you more days than you need in case of delays and such. The other 2 items to carry with you are your passport and tickets (boarding passes can also be in your phone wallet). A nice passport and pass holder is convenient to hold everything and usually has space for money and credit cards. RFID compliant is also suggested. Bring a couple pens, a small handbag (just in my backpack), clear dopp bag (makes pulling it out for TSA so much easier) and then the usual stuff like iPads, Kindles, cell phones, ear buds, chargers and water bottle.
Done!!
Packing is complete!
The amazing part of packing thoughtfully is that you have just what you need while avoiding lugging around the stuff you don’t need! Plan ahead and take the stress out of packing.