Question for "light packers" - how heavy is your suitcase?

Chelsea,, I did 26 days with a 22 inch suitcase, I wouldn't up it to a 24 or 25 inch case,, that would be too big to me. You will have to lift and carry it alot, plus there is not always alot of room on trains , metros etc for big cases.

A 24-25" bag is already too big, even empty. You really should be able to pack in a 20-22" bag, particularly in the summer when you don't need heavier clothing or jackets. You only need to pack for a week, and plan on washing as you go along (or hitting a laundry). I always check a bag, but I try to get as close as I can to the allowable carryon weight. Even if you check, you will have to haul it around, lift it into and out of trains, etc.

For a hard number: I think 17-20 lbs. should be your max. That is what is allowed as carry-on on intra-Europe flights and even if you won't be flying, you will have to lift it a lot. You can find a suitcase without wheels for 3 lbs or less, leaving you 15 lbs. of stuff.

There is tons of information on this site and on some specialized packing-light sites, with packing lists and specific advice.

And don't forget to wear your heavier shoes and raincoat on the plane so they won't count in your luggage weight.

My teenaged daughters, who will be traveling with us this summer, are a bit concerned about the limit, because they could pack that much weight just in toiletries if I let them. Thank goodness for the TSA and their liquids limits!

You'll be sorry you asked.

I just purchased a ETBD Appenzell Day Pack to use as my primary bag. It has backpack straps and weighs 20 oz, empty. Loaded with everything I brought back with me in my main bag from my last trip, the Appenzell bag weighs just under 10 #. When I last used my ETBD convertible bag, I think I was down to 15-16#, loaded.

I don't expect you to get down to this weight. I've be working on this for 8 trips over the last 9 years, refining my wardrobe (fast drying cotton/polyester blends), my wash-as-you-go technique, and my packing list. A few trips ago, I learned to shave with a disposable razor so I could leave my 1# rechargeable at home.

In addition to my main bag, I have a 2# netbook computer in a case. It has all my necessary information (rail schedules, maps, addresses) loaded into it. Read your guidebooks before you go, then leave them at home. I carry my digital camera in my jacket pocket.

You can see how I pack on my web page.

There is no reason you need an 8-10 #, 24" bag, especially not with wheels. Get the lightest ETBD Convertible one.

The most important thing I would advise you to do is make a packing list, now. Then, as Rick advises, pack your bag and carry it around for an hour. Then come back and say, 'What do I really need to take.'

Hubby and I converted to Rick's philosophy about travel and packing more than 20 years ago. After 40 trips we have it down! We use Rick's convertiable bag (the old style, but it's still in great shape) Hubby's suitcase usaully weighs about 8-10 lb (sometimes less in summer). Mine usually comes in about 12-15 lb. Some trips I also take a day pack that will have the camera, umbrellas, jackets, and guidebook pages/brochures, plus my "survivor"gear - notepad,pen, sketch book and pencils, sewing kit, nail clippers, first aid stuff, meds.,etc. It will weigh about 2-3 lb and will fit inside one of our suitcases if needed. You CAN do this.

Pack 2 or 3 pair of pants (swap one for a skirt if you wish), 6-8 tops (at least 2 light weight long sleeve to layer with others), socks, underwear, jacket, umbrella, LIMITED makeup and toiletries. If at all possible, make do with only 1 pair of shoes- 2 at most. Check out the packing lists on this and other sites.

Chelsea, you should read all the packing recommendations on the website, including Rick's recommended list, etc. People get passionate about how little they can take, etc., as well as whether to carry on or take a wheeled bag.

You're right, it all depends on your age, etc.

We've used only convertible/frameless packpacks up to now, which weigh less than 2# starting, and we start the trip with them weighing about 18#. That doesn't mean I'm against a rolling case -- I'm just waiting for someone to come up with one that doesn't start out around 7-8#. If you take too much, you'll find yourself wanting to start throwing out the ballast.

It's all personal preference. Some of us visit the laundromat and enjoy struggling through foreign machinery and instructions and meeting locals. Others will vehemently insist you shouldn't waste time in a laundromat. So you'll get all kinds of input. If you do wash clothes there, you eliminate a lot of weight and gain a lot of space.

I would recommend trying to assemble everything you want to take far enough ahead of your trip that you can assess it and make adjustments (as in oh, no, what can I eliminate here!). The other thing I would say is, don't forget you can get almost anything wherever you're going. We tried to follow the packing light info for our first trip and still realized we took too much, like toiletries, etc.

Try to travel light -- we sure haven't regretted it.

Great, thought-provoking responses. I so appreciate the specific advice and the suggestion to stay under 20# makes a lot of sense. (Lee -- you are the winner, hands down, with an under 10# bag!)

"Pack for a week" puts it in perspective for me. I will definitely forget about a 24-25" case and focus on the smaller ones. Lifting the (empty) larger wheeled suitcases off the shelves in the stores yesterday made me realize I'd be in trouble with packed case on a trip but I didn't know if the 20-22" bags were practical for a longer trip. Now I feel like it is doable, but like most things takes discipline.

I wish I could find a truly lightweight smaller wheeled bag, though -- any suggestions?

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

Are you sure you need wheels? In my experience, they really do just get in the way especially at train stations (often no ramps, just stairs) and if you're traveling by train you'll have to lift them up and down a lot. Plus cobblestones and wheels are a match made in....disaster. I feel more agile with a backpack style bag.

I travel with an eBags Weekender carry on (backpack straps stow away), weighs about 4 pounds empty. On my last 2 week trip to Ireland, all my stuff and the bag was less than 17 pounds (the carry on weight limit for my airline).

I second the suggestions to create a packing list. After every trip I review and usually take something else off the list. Also, lay everything you think you need to take with you before you leave, and question every item and how frequently you'll use it. If it isn't just about every day, leave it home.

For good reference try this site http://www.onebag.com/

As a general rule, I try to pack very light, figuring I can pick up a shirt or other items as I go to freshen things up, if I need shampoo or other personal items, they have them there, but I do tend to be less of a light packer coming back. I am, for instance going to Rome on business for a week and a half. Even though that requires more clothes than my typical trip, I will actually take my Rick Steves bag(no wheels) and put it inside my roller carry-on, so I can check both on the way back. Basically, I pack light going (carry on only) and check on the way back. Best of both worlds.

I do exactly what Paul does except that I have been taking a RS wheeled carry-on sized suitcase to Europe for the last 8 or 9 years. I have never wished that my suitcase did not have wheels and I have traveled all over Europe.

Yes,, the wheels or no wheels thing is quite a point for many. I am definately a wheels person,, and yes, you do have to lift bag up stairs and over ledges etc,, but, you have to do that anyways if it doesn't have wheels. I notice more men then woman like to wear back packs instead( of course some woman do like backpacks,, but as I said,, more men do) since for many of us females our upper body strength isn't set to carry 20+ lbs around,, when we could be pulling it behind us!!

Remember, it's not a four week trip, it's several three day trips put together.

Www.onebag.com is a good resource

take a look at luggage companies mobile office selections. Wheels, lots of pockets, smaller but still big enough. Got my dad one made by Tourister a while back and it has worked well.

I always carry on for both foreign and domestic trips, and I use a 22" wheeled bag. For our upcoming 4 week trip to Italy and Germany my husband and I got Rick's convertible bags. I have struggled in the past with the heavier wheeled bags when going up a lot of stairs or onto the train. I pack lighter with every trip, and knowing that I will have to carry the bag on my back or over my shoulder will motivate me to pack even lighter.

I take 2 pairs of shoes, wearing the heavier ones. I use packing cubes to keep organized. It also helps limit what you take. This upcoming trip I will not take my travel hair dryer, as most places seem to have one. I saw travel curling irons online that seem to be smaller and lighter.

It is easy to do laundry in your room. You can get laundry soap that comes in small "leaves" that are activated when you get then wet. They also have shampoo like that, but I don't know how well it works. I take inflatable hangers to dry shirts and a couple of the type pants come on at the store to hang pants. I leave those behind at the end of the trip. I have a clothes line and I think I might take a couple of clothes pins next time too. On a 3.5 week trip I hand washed and went to a laundry 2 times.

You aren't going to the middle of nowhere. If you find you really need something you can always buy it there.

I don't have a number of pounds that I shoot for, but I do have a rigid rule, I have to be able to lift my bag over my head. If I can lift it over my head then I know I can put in an overhead bin or luggage rack.

While I'm a "non-wheel" person, this case is probably the lightest "wheeled" one you'll find. Just be aware, it's true dimensions are bigger than advertised. (As is pointed out in the blog.) And it weighs just under 5 pounds:

Landor & Hawa Sub-0-G Luggage

I have the Landor Hawa bag and I love it! I think it weighs less than 5 lbs. and it is wheeled. Bought it for my last trip to Italy. I think it is one of the lightest wheeled bags out there. Pack light. Use Rick's packing list.

I love Sherry's rule. You do need to be able to lift your bag over your head, on trains, etc. I only use a carry on wheeled suitcase for my Europe trips. We do laundry once a week--it's not hard to find a hotel/b and b/hostel with laundry. I've never actually had to use a laundromat though that would be easy, too.

A couple things off the bat you can ditch: We travel in Europe every year and don't bring maps, unless we are spending a week+ in one city--then we get a map of that city (even then, you can buy it there and leave it there). The maps in your guidebooks should suffice, plus there are free tourist maps at hotels and TI booths. Guidebooks--take only one. Potocopy pages out of others that you can't live without. Of if you are bringing a laptop, scan pages out of other guides and put them on your computer.

I've never seen anyone travel with a curling iron. I appreciate wanting to look your best, but this to me is a no-brainer to leave home.

I love the Heys bags - I have both the 21 inch expandable spinner and the 20 inch x-case. Both weigh under 6 lbs empty, just depends how long my trip is on which bag I choose. The expandable bag usually goes with me to Europe so that I can pack the souvenirs that I bring back (meaning wine) that I check. The x-case is strictly for carry-on and easily fits in most plane bins - if not,I can gate-check it.

Have you given thought to getting a Kindle to down load all the guide books to.
Hubby and I went to Italy & Med cruise last year we took Ricks backpacks. They were great. Pack light light weight t-shirts, a pair of shorts, a pair of pants plus the ones you wear on the plane and something nice to out in. We did a trial pack about two weeks before just in case. Wear neutral colors or items to mix and match. I downloaded travel info to my ipod. Or rip out pages or copy pages from the books to save on weight.

Lots of great feedback already... My wife and I each set a maximum weight of 20 lbs (just a single carry on each and that's the usual max). Which means we average 15 - 17 lbs on the way to Europe and 20 on the way back. Although last trip I hit 22 lbs on the way home as I purchased a large, heavy linen table cloth in Salzburg for my mother.

The longest we have done is 26 days, but once you break 2 weeks it's a cycle that we could keep going for months if we could afford to take longer vacations! We've had great experiences with both doing laundry ourselves or paying the hotel a small amount to do a load for us (we did this in Reutte Austria and spent the time exploring instead of washing!).

Light travel has really become a way of life for us now. Even when I travel with work, I now go carry-on anytime I can. Half the fun on traveling is shopping with the locals for something you forgot.

Also, I second the recommendation of visiting www.onebag.com. Great site, great tips.

Pete

My first trip to Europe, I took a HUGE 27" rolling bag AND a carry-on. On each subsequent trip, I was able to whittle it down more and more. I now still take a 22" roller but no carry-on. I still use the 22" as I have issues with doing laundry (especially underwear) while I'm traveling so I make room for plenty of the tighty-whities. I toss these as I go, so then my bag gets more roomy and lighter as the trip progresses, and I then have room for my purchases.

I agree with your 20-22" goal - I've found that a lot of bags that bill themselves as that size, are actually a little bigger, when you include handle, wheels, etc.

After one trip where I took a wheeled 24" bag, I decided not to do that again - it was just too big for me to easily move around. (I'm a short, small female who has no problem with doing things on my own, and reasonably strong.)

I do fine with my 22" bag (a very old Eagle Creek, it also expands if I need it to). Also, I have a day bag that I can carry across my body. Depending on whether I'll need to lift the bag up a lot, or pull it somewhere, I'll put the heavier items (generally my books) in the daybag or the wheeled bag.

I use a non-wheeled bag for weekend trips in the U.S., but that gets too tiring for me after a while, and it's difficult to carry a day bag across the should and the other bag on my shoulder.

Since I'm so short, sometimes I just must get help to get my bag overhead - not due to bag size, but height of my arms!

An alternative to the recommendation of a Kindle, is an iPod Touch, with the free amazon kindle app. smaller than a kindle, can read all the kindle books on it, listen to your music on the flight, plus you can access your e-mail and web from wireless hot-spots.

you can also download many free walking tours to listen to, and there are also often local transportation apps for major cities showing underground and bus stations, schedules, etc.

Today's Practical Hacks blog has info on a Itouch app for reading docs...and it's free.

Mighty Docs

I've read and re-read all the posts above and am really determined to pack light -- the advice and tips are so good, I'm convinced it can be done.

Today I found a 23" Heys wheeled bag (FuseX2) at a discount store and snapped it up once I lifted it and felt how light it was. (7# on my home scale but actually feels lighter.) I just love the features, size, and general feel of it. After really thinking about it, the convenience of having the option to pull a bag when possible is worth a couple of pounds of weight to me. The bag is wonderful -- also very expandable, which will work for the tail end of my trip when we'll have a car and I can indulge in some serious souvenir buying. ;-) (And I'm only allowed one free checked bag on the flight home.)

Am seriously considering a Kindle or iTouch -- thanks for those suggestions. And will be on the lookout for the soap leaves and inflatable hangars. I'd also like to find a backpack for my carryon that isn't too sporty/student-y -- ideally something that would convert to a handled tote bag, without the shoulder straps always hanging out.

(BTW, am I the only one who thinks planning and researching before a trip is almost as much fun as the trip itself??) Again, I appreciate all the thoughtful responses and wish you all happy travels!

My normal load seems to be 18 pounds. I can live indefinitely on that much. If the carry on requirement dictates, it's not hard to get it down to 15 or below. I've also done a week at a time with only a daypack containing 1 1/2 changes of clothes (two shirts, one pants, two pair socks and underwear, light sweater).

Chelsea - Check travel stores for the inflatable hangers. You can probably find the soap leaves there too. Rei has the soap leaves too.

The 23" bag you bought is too big to carry on, but if that isn't important to you it sounds like you got the perfect bag for you.

I would guess that most of us that frequent this board feel that the planning is just as much fun as the traveling. My husband is not interested at all in planning a trip, and I'm sure he has never been on this website. For me...it's addicting! Travel and planning for it is my drug of choice!!!!

Chelsea,You are most definitely not the only one who thinks the planning and research are almost as much fun as the trip itself! I have filled and revised and re-revised 2 three ring binders with planning for a 16 day trip to France,Belgium and the U.K. this Fall.I have been working on it for a few months already and I am still at it! As far as packing goes,I am converting to Ricks packing light philosophy and I am taking his Autobahn rolling backpack and no checked luggage.I have taken it as a challenge with the attitude of "I can do this and I will do it" I understand I will run into the unexpected but I will use the Marine Corps attitude of adapt,improvise and overcome I learned 56 yrs.ago and I am looking foward to it! I am sure your trip will be one you will look back on with enjoyment even when there are rough spots and look at what you will learn toward planning your next time around!
Happy Travels,John

Chelsea- Of course the planning and anticipation are part of the fun! And sharing afterward stretches out your enjoyment! Glad you found a bag you are comfortable with. For your carryon- check out the bags on this site, and also look at bagallini. I have used a wide variety of day bags over the years- the things I learned to value were water resistance as well as comfort and organization.

I'll throw my two cents into this discussion!

Last summer my husband and I along with our two daughters (aged 7 and 5) went to Europe for 3 weeks. We each had a carry-on roller suitcase (although admittedly half of each of the kid's suitcases had some of our stuff). I read a lot on here about packing tips and they were all so helpful - the main thing I found helpful was to pack things that can all be washed together. So, all four of us were wearing sort of 'medium' colored things (no fushia that could run!).

Shoes are the big problem and I spent a lot of time on that! I found a cute pair of ecco shoes that are like ballet flats with a strap on top - I bought a silverish color and they were perfect with jeans, shorts, or a skirt. I also took a pair of flip flops for the beach. Each of us only had a pair of flip flops and comfortable walking shoes and it worked out perfectly (although admittedly I was a little sick of those shoes by the end, even if they were both cute and comfortable!).

Lay out everything on the bed and make sure it all mixes and matches. I lived in one pair of grey capris, one black skirt and one pair of khaki shorts, 2 tank tops, 3 t-shirts, two thin cardigan type sweaters. I also took a lightweight pashmina scarf for fun and used it on the train a few times. We stayed mostly in places that had laundry facilities so we washed clothes every 3 days or so which worked out well.

As for the 'extras' - I photocopied the relevant pages from the guide books, we took a very small laptop, and I had my flat iron! Plus we bought most of our toiletries there and left them there at the end. (Oh, and two of our suitcases had extendable zippers we we used for the return flight home - and checked them!).

In retropect the only thing I would change for the 4 of us is having 2 roller suitcases and 2 soft bags/backpacks that could connect to the rollers.

Oh, and discard as you go! My jeans ripped halfway through so I just tossed them!

Chelsea,

Remember that your 23" is checked luggage both ways. That's too big for a carry-on.

As Sherry said, my rule is "if I can't lift it un-aided into the overhead it's TOO heavy"

Remember that US based FAs are NOT required to assist you with your luggage. And your fellow travelers were not there to be your "porters" (I am always amazed at the women I see just blindly assuming "someone will take care of me" and then the upset look when they realize no one will and they have to wrestle that thing up there)

RS wheeled bag 2/3 to 3/4 full. No netbook or elx, toiletries for 2 people = about 17 pounds. 16 pounds of that comes back with me.

My problem is paper. I carry all the guidebooks and website printouts in my bag as that is my department. The guidebooks and website printouts push it up to 20 pounds (and uses the extra space) if I'm not organized enough to cut up my guidebook before I leave. I also tend to take some regular-size toiletry containers (as possible w/ 3-1-1) that are almost empty and leave them behind instead of using special containers.