Rick's small travel kit

What are you taking? Using travel size products my kit is about 3 or 4 inches thick, and 4 by 5 or 6. I do use an electric razor for travel which eliminates the need for shaving creams, etc.

Frank,
I'm a girl! I take full size shampoo and conditioner and all the other stuff. We usually travel for three weeks. I have bought some items there, but I like my regular products from home. My husband takes less than me and could go without. I also like to take some over the counter medications and a few perscriptions just in case. I do use your wife's travel list for packing you sent me a few years ago.(Very good). Help!

How much shampoo do you use in 3 weeks?? I am a girl with realy long, thick hair and even I woulnt go through that much shampoo and condtioner in that amount of time!

a lot of the popular brands now have their products in a travel size, and if yours doesnt, you could always just buy smaller bottles and fill those up with your shampoo and conditioner from home, that way you can still use what you would like (it's what I am going to do :))

Hay, I know you are a girl. I was addressing more you husband. But my wife is a girl with long hair, etc. and gets by very well with travel size bottles. Beside the airlines are not going let you take a lot of big bottles unless you check your luggage. The idea is to come home with empty bottles not half full bottles.

I'm also a woman with long, thick hair (that needs lots of conditioner) and I've found I don't need full size for 3 weeks. 3 oz each of shampoo, conditioner, etc., were enough to get by. Maybe you could test how much you actually use at home in 3 weeks to see? Sorry - I haven't actually used Rick's small kit, so can't advise on that.

I have Rick's small travel kit but am now going smaller (in a way).

Because TSA requires my liquid stuff to be in zip lock. That is now the liquid part of my shave kit.

I also have a small zip bag that carries my dry travel stuff, brush, tooth brush, razor, sew kit, small first aid kit, floss.

It adds up to less than the small RS kit holds so the kit now takes up too much space. I've been thinking about his removable insert as an option.

We have found seperate travel kits come in handy time and time again, especially in budget accomodations.

I am going to have to do a test and see how much shampoo and conditioner my husband and I would use in three weeks. I normally take a shampoo that holds 12 ounces and I never have run out. I tend to take too much and my husband does not use the conditioner. I have this fear of running out while I'm there. You all are going to laugh when I tell you that I am a licensed Barber. You would think I could estimate better? Do you think 3ounces would last 3 weeks for two people?

Oop's, sorry that posted three times. I usually check my luggage even though I pack light. I have not had a problem with my luggage because I usually fly direct. Isat is a hassle waiting for it at the airport.

I was looking at the container store, and they have leak-proof Nalgene bottles. I was thinking of buying some and putting my shampoo/conditioner into smaller bottles (mine are 32 oz and have a pump that I found on my summer trip to Yellowstone to be LEAKY.) I'm a girl with long, curly hair, too, and NO WAY will 3 oz last me for a trip. Plus, I am picky about my brands.

I used to be the same way. I had to have my products from home. However, in 1994 I was in London at the end of June; when they got an unexpected heatwave(?) on our first of three day... and I forgot my deodorant in Ireland at one of cousins place. Now I always use a particular deodorant because I do sweat alot under my arm pit. Yeah, I know that is gross. I was beside myself thinking how and the heck am I gonna find something in London that could help. I went to the local shop and purchased a 'new' product called: SURE.. yep...however, it was better than an SURE here in the States at that time... it was SURE w/platinum; which had not been approved by the FDA. It was the best stuff. Months after coming home I regreted that I didnt buy a load of it to bring back to the States. I took YEARS before the Sure w/platinum was avialble here in the States.

Basically, I got tired of lugging shampoo, conditioner, soap etc... to and from; so I ditched my home products for products abroad. I just get what I need when I get to my destination and it has worked out fine. I love BOOTS, they have lovely stuff.

They say live like the locals. lol

I have 2 suggestions. The LLbean kits come in many sizes. I use the smallest one, which is thinner, and less wide than the Steves one. It also includes a pull-out piece w/ a hook for stuff you take in the shower, and the kits can "stand up" on the counter, if you have one.I use my small rick steves kit for the gym, as it takes up too much space, for me, in my 22" carryon.

Also, eBags makes a "flat" toiletry kit that may work for you. Check it out, paying close attention to the positive and negative comments about it.

Happy travels.

Darla: The 3 oz of shampoo, 3 oz conditioner, etc., was enough for just me. So you may require more if it's for both you and your husband.

Why don't you fill a 3oz shampoo bottle at home, and see how long it lasts you? That will give you an idea if you need more or not on your trip.

liz - is this the one you are talking about from llbean (small size)? http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=personal-organizer&categoryId=51638&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4525&cat4=2936&shop_method=pp&feat=4525-tn&np=Y

since i will be gone for 5 weeks i will definately need more than 3oz of shampoo and conditioner but i don't mind buying from over there. i was thinking once i got there i would buy a 7 or 10 oz and just keep refilling the little bottle for ease of use. can this bag hold a 7/10oz bottle of shampoo and conditioner?

Darla-You may be limited in taking 3oz bottles in a quart zip bag, but there are no shampoo monitors at TSA. Your husband can take 3oz in his bag, and you can take conditioner and TWO 3oz shampoos in yours! Right now, go get a quart bag and see how much it will hold. It really holds plenty, including liquid makeup, hand sanitizer, etc.

The trouble I always have is that one of the kits keeps everything together in a big lump that often doesn't fit well in my bag. I'm thinking about packing things outside the kit, maybe in ziplocks or packing bags, as they fit more effectively. I like the 'kit' bag to hang and keep things organized in a small bathroom, so I'll pack it empty and still have it with me.

Might depend on whether you're basing out of one place, as we usually do, or moving every couple of days.

I try to fly without liquids as much as possible. I make a stop and buy what I need when I get there.

I prefer (or need) to use my products from home too. I figure out how much I'll need for how many days I'll be gone and fill 3 or 2 oz bottles with the liquids I really require. If I don't have enough space in the quart bag, I toss the items I can replace in Europe--the ones I don't mind not having "my" brands. I also take Rick's toiletries kit empty so that once I get to Europe it gives us extra "shelf" space since the bathrooms as a rule don't have any counters or shelves.

The small LL BEan one is almost the same size as Rick's.

Eagle Creek's Koala is a fairly flat toiletry kit.

Or, you could do what I do and get an Eagle Creek Pack-It Sac. I find the small one is perfect for daily stuff, and another small one for "other" toiletries--meds, bandages, etc.

I use the Rick Steves' Compact Travelin' Toiletries Kit, and I recommend it, for people of any gender. If a person has a large item that will not fit in that bag, such as a can of shaving gel, or an electric shaver, that item does not need to be in the toiletries kit. I do not want to put the full size toiletries kit in my travel bag, because I do not like having one item take up that much space in my bag. I recommend pouring shampoo into a small bottle (3 fluid ounces), and the same with hair conditioner. The reason Rick Steves' Compact Travelin' Toiletries kit was invented was because it was perceived as being the ideal size. (Rick Steves has 36 years experience traveling in Europe). And, I think Brad's style of packing the hygiene and grooming supplies more compactly is a viable alternative. I like Rick Steves' Tavelin' Toiletries kit because it has a metal hook, for putting it over a towel rack. Finding a place to set a bag in a bathroom in a hotel or B & B can be a problem.

yes Lisa, that is what I am talking about. The smallest llBean one is smaller (9x6.5x3)than the small Steves one (with mesh pockets is 10x8x3), has a hanging hook on both the main piece and the insert (no extra charge for this, unlike Steves). I put an 8 oz. bottle of shampoo and one of conditioner in it no problem. The space I save lets me fit a pair of flat shoes in the suitcase. If I didn't use the mesh pockets, they would be +/- the same, but I apparently need the discipline of a smaller container.

The Koala mentioned above is another good toiletry kit.

I use the Koala. One thing I like is that the hook swivels, so you can hang it more places and still have the bag face outward.

I just jam all the toiletries into various zip-lock bags and put them into the open spaces in my suitcase. No need for bulky toiletries kits that waste space, especially if you want to travel light!

hmmm, maybe i will try the ll bean one. i had planned to get the RS small kit but i like how the ll bean one looks better.

are you sure the ll bean one has the removable mesh bag that holds the little shampoo/conditioner bottles? i'm not seeing this in the picture but the picture doesn't show everything either.

These are some great ideas. I am going to check out the Koala bag by eagle creek. I saw it on line, but it is good to see it in person. That is what I want something more on the flat side. Our next trip will be traveling every two to three days so it will be a lot of packing and unpacking. I could go without the shampoo and only take my good conditioner in two smaller bottles. Thanks for all the input.

I collect shampoo, soap, etc. from hotel rooms (I travel a lot for my job) Then I take a plastic bag in my checked luggage on the trip to France. As we use them up, I throw the bottles away. That leaves more room on the way back.

Also, I save empty prescription bottles prior to a trip. I load each with just enough meds for the time I will be away. That way I can throw those away also--more room for the return trip.

Darla, make sacrafices and be creative. its a trip not a move. you can do without having everything you want and just make do with things you must have. In the end you'll be proud of yourself for it.

You can save some room on those "just in case" prescroptions. If you do end up needing something like that you can always stop at a pharmacist out there. They are marked with big green neon crosses( more like a plus sign) and they can prescribe whatever you need (provided you shouldn't actually be in hospital:)

William,

You are right! I need to travel with less and not worry about things that just don't matter. I take too much just in case I get a stomach flu, or whatever. I have never gotten sick while traveling so I don't know why I take all that stuff. I will try!

Darla...on my first trip to europe I caught a terrible cold. I was in Venice in desperate need of something to relieve my symptoms.

By chance, I walked into the only non-English speaking pharmacy in town. I reached into my handy, dandy prase book and in Italian said "I have a cold."

The woman smiled, opened a drawer, and placed two items in front of me. One was in Italian and I had never heard of it. The other was Sudafed.

No need to worry.

Okay everyone,
I bought the Jansport small travel kit. It has two small bottles(3oz) for shampoo and condidtioner and a soap dish. It comes out so you can hang it in the shower. My husband bought one of the eagle creek travel kits. It is about the same size but has more pockets. R.E.I. had the best selection of bags. I am going to put my laundry stuff in a ziplock bag and also my over the counter medications. Both bags are half the size of our old bag