Traveling even lighter

Yep, we just got back from 3 weeks in Europe and each of us (my husband, step-daugther-14, and I) only had a backpack each. We were SO thankful we took the advice of these forums and the RS books and stuck with that small bag at multiple points in the trip. We did full laundry once on the trip and washed a few items every night in the sinks of hotels. We each only had 4 tops, 3 bottoms, and a long sleeve option or two. We were happy to wear some different clothes when we got home! I brought a few scarves so it didn't look like I was in the same few tops in all the pictures. It worked well.

Traveling even heavier. The LLBean Rolling Under Seat bag has to be the smallest (1449 ci), heaviest bag (6#) I've ever seen. Six pounds is excessive! Ultralight, my foot. Unless you're carrying gold bars, 1449 ci won't weigh that much. You don't need wheels. My Essential Carryon holds more but only weighs 1¾ #.

We (myself and 4 kids) just returned from 46 days in Europe. We each had a RS convertible carry on. We also used 3 medium size packing cubes (not RS, we ordered individual colors from amazon). One for shirts (around 20), One for bottoms (5 shorts, 2 pants, 3 skirts), and one for everything else. With three packing cubes and 3 pair of shoes on the inside pocket we still had a large space the size of a fourth cube to fill with stuff we purchased. Everyone carried their own backpack. They are so small they fit the carry on limits for EasyJet also. We did laundry once a week if our apartment had one. Or we just washed our underwear each day as we were taking a shower.

Most carry-on luggage is around 22" high. RS makes one that is slightly shorter and will fit within most but not all airline standards. I was thinking of going smaller with the 16" to 18" high rolling bag. We used a standard sized rolling bag (22") and never even filled it to capacity. I still found it to be big and cumbersome on trains and buses. My question relates more to lighter travel in terms of clothing, not so much weight. Occasionally we had to carry them up stairs and though heavy, we muscled through it. Doable with kids? (And the packing cubes were a godsend. Great for keeping clothes organized).

I've done a month in an 18 inch without a problem. For a fall trip, I bring what I'm wearing, plus one pair dressier pants, 1 other LS tailored shirt, 1 other LS tee shirt, 2 SS tee shirts, a rain shell, some undies, and flip flops. Works fine; I just spend a few minutes every night doing laundry. I buy a shawl and some scarves while traveling as souvenirs. However, I like having some extra space for surprises I collect, so I just bought a wheeled 22 inch Osprey Ozone; weighs just 4.5 pounds empty, which was the lightest I could find.

Thanks for all the replies. I have checked the Essentials Carryon, the 18" Osprey, the RS convertible and RS back pack. I think 18" over 16" would suit us better but the best would be to be able to check out these options in person. As this is often impossible, I rely on information from fellow travelers. Thanks for your insight!

We've used a Rick Steve's convertible bag for more than 20 years. Used to go to Europe twice a year. The bags look almost new. They are very light (about 2#), but sturdy, and you have MORE than enough room for everything, including space to bring additional things back home. I understand the current bags are not identical to ours, but have heard good things about them.

I've found that I travel for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months with the same amount of 'stuff' needed. We like to travel for around a month at a time, and since those several shirts and two pairs of pants get used a LOT, they can really get worn out. I discovered long ago to not take my favorite clothes, they get ruined. Lately, I've spent just a few bucks and gotten "disposable" clothes for these longer trips - I go to WalMart or similar and buy super cheap underwear, socks, nightgown, etc., that hold up just enough for the length of your trip. You can find serviceable T-Shirts for $5 or so, and I take a few of these and just throw them away, or leave behind, at the end of a trip when they're worn out. If I have a pair of pants that are worn and near end of life, they go along and get left behind. That all makes room for souvenirs, I don't spend that much for all of it, and get a lot of use out of the pieces. Maybe not budget-wise to some, but it's worked great to swap space for clothing going over and trinkets coming home, for a minimal cost...

I usually need to check at least one bag on winter ski trips because I am transporting cross country skis and poles plus waxing iron and tools, plus waxes. However, I have "carried on" all of my clothing, ski boots, race clothing and water bottle with waist carrier and extra clothing into my Rick Steves classic carry on (no wheels, just back pack style shoulder straps. I can fit my computer, camera, telephone, travel papers and book in my Patagonia Half Mass personal (computer/camera) bag. I wear my over jacket and fleece jacket as my allowed outer wear. The skis, poles and all the waxing gear and supplies (no flammables) go into the ski box which does have wheels. We buy flammables like the wax solvents in Europe and leave any unused flammables. After all we're sitting above the cargo hold. Result: no extra baggage charge, and I can carry everything even without a trolley. Traveling during summer weather without sports gear is even easier. Just don't buy bulky stuff.

Edgar, we too are xc skiers and had to check roller skis and poles on our flight to Europe. We used our rolling bags as trolleys for the duffle containing roller skis. The poles were in a pvc pipe inside a small ski bag and obviously too long to do anything with other than carry. On a flight between Oslo and London we had to check all bags (our rolling bags did not fit for cabin storage) and pay 100 pounds for the extra. We had 5 bags between 3 people. I have been doing research since starting this thread and RS offers a 20" rolling bag now. Our current ones are closer to 22" and just too big for overhead but not big enough for roller ski/boots/helmet. I think the one rolling bag that can go in the cabin and only one checked bag per person might be a better way to go. In summer that means one bag for poles (multiple) and one bag for skis/boot/helmet. Between 3 of us we can even out who carries what in the checked luggage. A good rolling ski bag like you mentioned would take a lot of the gear when carrying winter waxing paraphernalia. We might need to invest in one now that the boys ski so much. Thanks for the tip. Walking through London crowds with ski poles was interesting though.. Not really worth repeating the experience.

Kirsten, I travel off season, including winter, with a Delsey business bag. It is a wheelie with a shoulder strap that measures 16" X 14" X 7, including wheels and handle. As some of my prior posts have indicated, I love wheels. Why carry a bag all the time, when you really rarely have to pick one up? However, I can carry this bag as a shoulder bag or cross body bag if I want my hands free. (I did travel a couple of times with my 20" bag...for my daughter's wedding and when carrying a toddler quilt for one of her friends and I thought it was heavy, but not too heavy to lift into the overhead, where it easily fit. That seemed like a lot to me, though, in the end, but I love that bag, too. There was a discussion on here...packing heavier as I get older.) My Delsey bag holds my week's wardrobe with no need for laundering. I always keep one clean unworn blouse for the flight home. I dress nicely; ie, business casual. I don't bring an extra pair of shoes. I wear my warm clothes; ie, sweater and/or jacket on the plane. I also carry a purse to hold my medicines, electronics, money, etc. My purse would not be able to fit in the Delsey for a one bag situation without reducing my clothes, which could be done, but I don't see the point. The older I become, the heavier I seem to pack, but I think I have found my level for now. With this bag there is never any question of it fitting in the overhead. I have never tried to fit it under the seat, but I think it would if you were behind a seat with full space, as compared to one with entertainment or other systems cutting into the under-seat space.

Kirsten, I got an Osprey pack for my first time traveling for pleasure. I was able to get 3 days of clothes (jeans)(including 1 set wearing) and 4 days of undies in it along with my riding clothes. Helmet, breeches , half chaps and riding shoes. in addition to other necessities and an extra pair of travel shoes. I lived out if it for 4 weeks last year and will be doing the same in 2 weeks. If you pack creatively you should be able to do it lighter. Look/examine what you did without or used vary little of and go from there. i bought my soap and shampoo overthere since in didnt want to deal with the "liquid" at the TSA stop. ive just purchased some "travel" pants at REI and will be giving them a try this sept. i did buy some "travel" shirts for my last trip and they worked out great for light weight, moisture wicking and quick drying. i hope the "travel" pants work as good. this time im taking 6 days of undies so i can use my shirt/pants 2x before i wash them - more time being a tourist and less time in the laundrymat. look/examine what you take and see what can be minimized or eliminated. for what its worth (fwiw) when it came to souvenirs, i was using the local post office and shipping gifts and my used travel books home so about every week i was lightening up on my travel books/brouchures/gifts and anything i didnt want/need. Happy trails.

Kirsten, yes, I've used a 16" Carryall Rolling under the seat bag from LLBean as my main bag on several 12-14 days trips overseas. I also took a tote as my day bag which can seat on the top of this bag very well ( I used one from Baggalini). I usually pack my electronics and a lot of miscelaneous staff in the tote, clothes and shoes go in the bag. It worked well for me but on my last trip I needed just one bag, so I bought 18" Osprey Ozone, it has wheels and a very nice handle, weighs a bit lighter then LLBean bag. I was able to fit there everything I needed for 13 days, plus I took a very small over the shoulder satchel. I usually don't travel with kids, can't give you advice there. I also find that if you roll your clothes, don't take any extra "just in case" staff, and minimize electronics, you can fit everything in 16"-18" bag.
For packing cubes, if you really want them, take ultra light, such as Rick's white bags with draw strings (not his cubes). I personally find that cubes take a lot of space in a bag and do add weight.

We always do carry-on only and keep it under 18 lbs. If anything, I find my bag isn't full and have been considering getting something smaller. I think it's good to start with extra room because your load will generally expand during your trip. Our longest trip with one carry-on only (no additional personal item) is six-weeks. We've also done a lot of one month carry-on only trips (including nice clothes for formal nights on a cruise). My lightest yet was taking ten days after a business trip and wandering Germany on my own. I dropped my business clothes at left luggage in Frankfurt and went with only a "change-and-a-half" of clothes packed in a daypack (one extra pant, two extra shirts, two extra pairs of underwear and socks).

I've just done a pre-pack for our month long trip to France next month. Everything fit in my 18x13.5x7.5 rolling bag which weighs about #18 fully packed. (1 pair pants, 1 capris, 1 dress, 3 tank tops, 2 over shirts, a couple chiffon tops, underwear and pjs, garmin, phone and ebook chargers.). All clothes mix and match. It feels really good to be running unencumbered for a train and watching others struggling with their 24" monsters. I also carry my regular cross body purse which is big enough to carry my camera and e-book.

"We did laundry once a week if our apartment had one. Or we just washed our underwear each day as we were taking a shower." Interesting. I'm a bit curious about this washing method. Am I supposed to keep my underwear while taking a shower?

You might find this recent post on the Vivienne Files interesting, perhaps not for the specifics but rather for the ideas: http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/2013/08/four-pack-navy-grey-etc.html?view=classic. If the link doesn't work, just Google the Vivienne Files and go to August 23rd. Note that she is talking about 4 garments in addition to what you wear on the plane.

"Everything fit in my 18x13.5x7.5 rolling bag which weighs about #18 fully packed. " My non-rolling convertible bag weighs about #11, fully packed. About half of the difference between your's and mine is the weight of the rollers. "It feels really good to be running for a train with everything on my back and watching others struggling with their rollng monsters."

Lo, I thought that was a particularly good VivienneFiles post. I had to keep looking back and counting to make sure she did not slip something extra in there. I could never wear her shoe choices sightseeing, though.

Hello Kirsten. Your question is in the topic of using a bag that has a length of 16 inches, as your primary bag for travel. I do not recommend buying the Carryall Rolling Underseat bag from LL Bean, because it is a heavy weight. Yes, in one trip, I travelled to and in foreign countries, a total of 30 days. I brought one bag. It was an ordinary vinyl bag (zipper at the top), it has a big handle, the kind of bag for carrying athletic clothes and shoes to a gymnasium or physical fitness club. That bag's dimensions were : Length = 16 inches. Width = 8 inches. Height = 9 inches (tapered narrow at the top). I did not carry any other bag or item. That trip was in the month August. I was at places where the weather was warm. All my shirts were short sleeve shirts. The contents of the bag included shirts, one trousers, seven sets of men's underwear, at least seven pairs of cotton socks, one pair of shoes, a hat, a camera, alarm clock, small notebook, ink pen, prescription sun glasses, a roll of toilet paper. I put items for personal grooming and hygene into the shoes. I did not bring a jacket or sweater or umbrella. There was space in the bag for a few souvenir items that I acquired in other countries. I had everything that I needed for that trip. In other trips, to England, I brought a small folding umbrella. I think "Traveling ultralight" is bringing a bag (the primary bag for travel) that weighs less than ten pounds when fully loaded. I did that.

My daughter is doing a 'big trip' early next year and I will be joining her for about 3 weeks - tentatively Ireland/Scotland/England. I will be leaving home about Feb 1st - so I know the weather will be similar to or somewhat colder than where we live (Vancouver Island, BC). We will be staying mostly in hostels, and doing small town/rural areas with a bit of typical touristy things. I'd be interested in any packing tips that would help - I will be layering for sure, but being winter I know I will need more and heavier clothing than for other seasons. All winter clothes are heavier and take up more space than summer clothes!

@Christine,
For winter travel I used compression bags to minimize the space bulkier winter wear takes up. Carry your jacket and wear your heaviest shoes on the plane.

I pack less clothes in the Winter, esp. if you are going to a place where there is not a lot of temperature variations. I take only one cashemire sweater, a jacket which can be worn on top of a sweater, and 2 pairs of jeans. Under a sweater goes either a long sleeved t-shirt or a blouse -I take 2-3. For warm undergarmets I take pantyhose, they are light, cheap, dry fast, and fit nicely under jeans. Always put on my smartwool socks as well. I always wear a winter coat, the same as at home, a hat, scarf, gloves.
You can wear a sweater and a jacket on the plane, pack only light staff, and don't forget some light shoes/ slippers for the hostel/hotel.

Yes Christine. As Andrea suggest, carry on/wear you heavy outer and insulation layers and winter walking shoes. That strategy is an effective use of your volume and weight carry on bag limits. The other big reason for carrying/wearing your outer and insulation layers and boots is the risk of checked luggage delays/lost. Think of Renee Zellweger in "New in Town", the movie, arriving in New Ulm, MN (really Winnipeg) in mid-winter sub-zero F temperatures in a Miami dress and no winter jacket. A visually interesting opening scene.