Comments on: Packing List

By: Mark Dowdell

Mark Dowdell — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:58:08 +0000

Chrono Trigger is one of the best video games ever created. My eyes lit up when I saw that in your photos. I didn’t even know it was out for the DS. It seems like an indespensable item, for sure.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:22:41 +0000

Great article. I’m obsessed with packing light.

A few things I’ve discovered:

1) Columbia River pants with zip off leg bottoms that convert to shorts. Lots of pockets and very durable.

2) Fenix 30 flashlight. 220 crazy-blinding lumens, tiny package. (they even say you can use it for self protection as it will wipe out night vision) Turn it down for over 60 hours of reading light. Complete with headband to make it a headlight. Awesome.

3) Micronet toiletry sack, and towel which folds up into nothing.

4) Benchmade 1100 pen. Light and indestructible.

I used to always have my swiss army knife (mostly for the corkscrew!) but thats a no-go on flights now…

Rod

By: Abbie on the Road

Abbie on the Road — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:47:38 +0000

on week long trips I use a backpack that has a laptop section. Since I usually wear the same pair of jeans for that time and a pair of shoes that are cute yet comfortable… I can pack everything I need in it! This limits me to ONE bag that I can carry onto the airplane and not even have to put in the overhead! So wonderful!!

By: Bender

Bender — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:38 +0000

I am fascinated by other people’s packing lists, but I have yet to find one suited to the kind of traveling I do. I’m a stagehand touring with broadway shows, usually for 5 – 6 months at a time. We trek all over N. America going from Canada in January to Florida in June and everywhere in between. So, I obviously have to pack for multiple climates. Chances are, I’m working everyday and getting gross and sweaty and may be sleeping on a bus 4 nights out of the week. (The other nights we get a hotel room!) So, I can’t just pack 2 pair of undies and pray I have time to do wash in a sink somewhere every other day!!

Any suggestions? Thanks!

By: John

John — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:17:57 +0000

I just travel wearing 3 of everything – t shirts, jumpers, pants, socks etc and rotate them every day.
I win?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:03:39 +0000

It might seem a bit back to front, but if I do forget stuff when I travel, I try to see how well I get along without it and if it’s not missed much, then I just drop that off the list next time – it’s worked for me.

By: gary s chapman

gary s chapman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:09:24 +0000

I am a professional photographer that travels quite a bit. Nine times out of ten I only travel with carry on and that includes photo gear. I have a checklist that I consult each time before packing. It can be found at this link if you are interested. I have learned a lot from all of you on this list. Thanks

By: Julie Anna

Julie Anna — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:09:48 +0000

Thank you for posting this! During my travels in South America this year I had my big backpack stolen with all my basic needs in it – but I was way overpacked. Fortunately my MacBook, iPod, camera, journal and passport were not in that bag. However, ironically, having my bag stolen was the best thing that’s ever happened to me with the packing problems I had. Now I totally agree with the simplicity of what you are saying to pack. We just don’t need that much STUFF.

I do the same thing in India – buy new, local dress, wear it while I’m there, and give it away before I depart the country. It helps me be a bit more accepted as a Western woman and helps out someone who needs the clothes more than I do. Since I’m abroad for about 5 months at a time, I’ll sometimes buy seasonal and then give it away before I depart as well.

Great tips! Thanks Chris!

By: Andrew Leunig

Andrew Leunig — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:22:51 +0000

Great site, can endorse your travel approach. I haven’t checked a bag domestically or internationally for over 2 years.Our family of five has even traveled carry-on only (although I later discovered that my wife had stowed some of her stuff into the kids bags!).

For your one carry-on bag I can recommend the Airboss by Redoxx. Not cheap at USD $225 but the bag is very well constructed and has a Lifetime Warranty. I am targeting a 20 year useful life. Doug Dyment, the one-bag maven had a hand in the design. I’ve had mine for about 2 years and it is one of my favorite possessions. The bag works well, either carried or over the shoulder. Very flexible.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:11:37 +0000

My father had a rule for our family of 6 when we would leave on a trip for possibly 3-10 months. We got 3 pairs of pants, shirts, underwear and socks. Anything else we did without. We would drive from Homer, Alaska to Costa Rica in central america. I think we always smuggled crayons and paper into the car too.