What is the absolute lightest you could pack for a trip?

No. Nor would I have wanted to.

Here's my packing list for any trip longer than a week:
2x shorts + wearing
3x T-shirts +wearing
4x socks +wearing
4x underwear +wearing
button down short sleeve
rain jacket/shell
allbirds shoes
phone accessories: chargers, converter, battery packs,
short extension cord
travel CPAP
travel meds
toiletries
worn: fleece that packs small, belt, and lightweight hikers, shorts, t-shirt and socks.
I don't know about 3 lbs. My stuff plus the pack weighs maybe 15lbs

I'm with CJean—I wouldn't want to.

I could see an athletic kid in their 20s who wants to backpack around the world on $5 a day doing something like that. It would definitely save money and time and be very liberating, I imagine. Maybe they could even camp out in the woods.

But I'm not in my 20's and I don't like to suffer while I'm traveling. I would rather enjoy myself, which means packing just light enough so that it's mildly inconvenient for me.

When I was backpacking I was playing the lightweight game, but traveling to Europe I don't need that game, I just have to keep in mind I have a bum leg, a cane, and I have to move my bags.

Traveling in the autumn my carry-on bag is 19"x14"x9” and contains 2 pairs cargo pants, 5 colored t-shirts, 1 poly-t for nightwear, 2 lightweight pullovers, 2 medium weight pullovers, 5 pairs underwear, 5 pairs wool socks, Rain jacket, Toiletries & meds, wall adaptor kit, and bluetooth speaker. Whenever I weigh the bag at the Amtrak station it is 15 pounds.

My personal bag is my EDC bag and travels over nearly empty, it'll usually just have eyeglasses, cables, earbuds and my tablet.

I got tired of limiting souvenirs and origami packing the ones I did buy so I started checking an empty carry-on sized hardshell.

I found my niche and it works well. It's not so much an age thing its comfort and what are you willing to compromise.

If you want a real window into it, you could read
r/onebag over on reddit. I can't be quite that minimalist, but it is a bit inspiring to see what people have managed to do to reduce weight when they travel.

There’s the joke by comedian Brian Regan when handed an “essentials kit” by the airline who lost his luggage. “These are the essentials? Then I overpacked!”

Three pounds for me? No way. But I do pack 13-14 pounds total for a month in Europe - Cotopaxi 35L & ORI crossbody purse. I could drop it another couple of pounds, but it’s diminishing returns at that point.

I do pack to my printed packing list & check off the items. “If it’s not on the list, it’s not going with me.” - helps immensely to not add more that final day before a trip. My main motivation for the discipline is because I love to switch locations often, and I want to minimize any injuries.

Only years ago when tent camping and then we all smelled like wood smoke anyway.

The Washington Post had an interesting article: "A Fanny Pack is the Only Travel Bag You Need."

I believe the Scottevest company used to (maybe still) have a contest to see if you could travel with only what you could fit in one of their vests.

I've known some pretty aggressive light travelers over the years. One who bought and discarded cheap clothes along the way so as not to bring clothes over. Another who wore the same clothes for two weeks. Obviously they had to accept a high level of disapproval. But I guess it does come down to your determination.

I agree with @Mardee. I’m over 50 and want to enjoy myself, not suffer. I try to tell that to my adult daughter, but as long as I'm not carrying her huge suitcase, it’s NMP. ;-)

If something happens to the shoes on your feet, you may have difficulty finding the right replacement pair when you're on a trip. And the right shoes are right up there with passport and credit cards as absolute essentials. So I would always pack a 2nd pair of walking shoes.

EDITED: I used to just take the shoes on my feet, but when the sole came off on a LL Bean hiking boot while I was on a trail near my house, I decided I wouldn't want to risk this happening during a trip.

I can’t get as light as Jean but she and I both weigh each item that goes in to the suitcase. If someone decides they’re serious about going very light, get a digital kitchen scale and start with weighing the pack you plan to use.

Tech stuff will probably weigh as much as your few clothing items unless you are going tech-less.

This is a topic very near to my heart, as I just finished packing for an upcoming 18 day trip, with the RS “rolling backpack” bag, and I struggled to pare down to this:

Clothing, besides what I wear on plane (including a jacket), that is:
3 pr underwear and socks; 3 lightweight t-shirts; 1 pr long pants; 1 set shortie pjs; 1 long sleeve t-shirt; 1 roll-up hat; 1 light scarf that can double as a neck warmer. That is it. No bathing suit, shorts, extra shoes, skirts, long underwear.

BUT here are the other things I deem essential, and the weight increases incrementally with each seemingly “inconsequential” item:

• Umbrella, collapsible (works for sun or rain, and no more lugging around a raincoat, the lightweight jacket will suffice)
• Toiletries (pretty much as suggested by RS in his video selling the truly useful toiletry bag)
• Small baggie washing powder (since doing the sink thing each and every night is liberating)
• i-Phone, can’t do without that
• Battery pack, postcard-size; and adapter and charging cords: these are weightier than you’d think
• A collapsible holdall, again RS issue, on the ever-diminishing chance I want to bring back oodles of stuff. There’s always gifts though.
• RS guidebooks, 2 (Portugal and Belgium): these babies are heavy, even tearing out all the unnecessary pages
• 2 very slender books (Tortilla Flat; Cakes and Ale): options for down time
• Approx. 10 packets of instant coffee, with milk powder...This is a vice, I know, when there is so much superb coffee available everywhere you go in Europe, but there you are.
• Plane items: eye mask, lightweight; Aquaphor, lots, for dry lips; compression hose; face mask (I learned my lesson the hard way about the likelihood of getting struck down by viruses on airplane)
• Sunglasses (prescription)
• Meds packed into one pill bottle (maybe risky but never caused a problem yet)
• OTCs not available in Europe: benedryl, cough med. Also won’t make that mistake again, i.e. forgetting them.
• Bandaids, Neosporin, travel scissors, sunblock, Benedryl ointment. That’s for the mosquito bites of non-screened windows
• A “sling back” backpack that can carry water, umbrella, sunglasses and rolled up hat, barely.
• Empty water bottle, disposable plastic. Negligible weight when empty.
• Plastic spoon for the emergency picnic. Truly negligible weight.
• Documents like passport, money, cards, list of tour members and hotels.
• Small wallet, money belt AND crossbody purse.

It adds up fast, and the bag itself is 5 ½ lb. So this weighs a grand total of 21.2 lb, or just under 10 kg. I hope KLM is going to let me carry it on rather than check, intra-Europe.

The point is: even if the bag only weighed 3 lb like the RS “convertible”, these absolute essentials would still be 18.7 lb, more than the Utopian levels mentioned in this thread. That said, 30 years ago when I was traveling closer to the bone, maybe could cross off the iPhone, battery pack, compression hose, prescription meds, And Rick Steves' guidebooks were a lot lighter back then!

I pack in a travelpro maxlite 22” spinner for all of my travel these days. For the past few trips my luggage has weighed 19lbs at the airport for a one month trip. We are going on a 3 week domestic trip tomorrow and I needed to pack a dress, jacket and an extra pair of shoes for a memorial we will attend in chilly Wisconsin. I immediately noticed the heaviness and got the hand held luggage scale out. I wasn’t surprised at all to see that it weighed 20.8lbs. For our May 5 week trip to Europe I’m hoping to weigh in at 19lbs again. That’s my comfort weight to lift overhead, up stairs, etc.

If I was young and energetic but still had my current financial status then I could pack like Jack Reacher and buy new clothes every couple of days. I guess the real essentials are simply my phone, passport, a couple of credit cards and the clothes on my back, everything else can be bought. However while I do carryon only, I have no desire to pack any lighter and inconvenience myself. I have removed items before like a heavy jacket or sweater with the thought that if I really need it, I'd buy it.

For a three week trip, say 23 nights, with only the carry-on, I can lighten the load to 11 to 12 pounds max. ...very flexible and not cumbersome at all.

I don't do the backpack thing, no cross bag, or day pack, or anything similar. Gemini is clueless as to how I travel in Europe, even if it's a mere 3 week trip.

Yikes! 3 pounds? My lotions and potions and drug bags weight at least that! Great topic, who doesn't like to talk about packing. I'm always amazed how light some of you pack and always learn something.

I'm old(ish) and getting older and achier by the day so I take what I know I need and what I think I'll need to be comfortable. RS Rolling Carry-On is consistently 21 pounds and tote packed is 9 pounds (I checked my past four packing lists). Each year I swear I will pack lighter and at best can reduce outbound weight by one pound. Since my travel wardrobe and supplies are almost the same every year, I gave up trying to cut stuff and live with the weight (good reason to work up to lifting 8# weights).

I've posted my packing list each year with my trip report so this will sound redundant:
Suitcase holds two pair leggings (wear a third), five long sleeve & short sleeve shirts (wear a sixth), tank top & shorts as pjs, three sets undies & socks + compression socks (wear the fourth set), jacket, rain poncho (souvenir from Sorrento), hat, sandals. Then add bath bag, extension cord for charging electronics, laundry supplies, zippered supply bags for 311, lots of eye drops, wet wipes, clock and odds and ends. Can't forget the Pay Day candy & Cliff bars, spare eye glasses and face masks after getting very ill twice from sick people on planes. Oh, I tuck in a tiny sewing kit, luggage scale and tape measure and sometimes a knee brace if there will be lots of stairs.

Tote holds a sweater, back-up paperwork folder, drug bag, electronic chargers & cords (iPhone only), book to read on plane, plastic silverware for picnic, silicone glass, Nanopack backpack. I quit taking guidebooks (too heavy even when pages only), I didn't use and everything is on my phone.

My sling purse holds all my daily stuff including money, sun glasses and phone. Stashbandz money belt holds passport, back-up credit cards/ATM and excess cash.

One thing we do is take old socks and undershirts etc. that are near the end of their usefulness and then throw them away. This also allows some room for whatever you want to bring back. The key thing is to have enough under clothing so as not to be gross or stinky lol. Sometimes washing some lighter clothing in a sink and letting them air dry.

A fanny pack only? Nah lol.

Scottevest used to have the No Baggage Challenge.

Travel Writer Rolf Potts took them up on it and made a few videos of his journey. (He brought along a friend who did all the filming.)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5aeVrsPqtpOObmN2vXMrWtFf40giD68k&si=wHKYxCILbm0qCmyX

There are many who try to travel as light as possible and you can find videos all over the internet of people who pack only a light sling. Good for them.

As for me, between all of the medical stuff I have to take, as well as a few items to make my trip more enjoyable, I'd rather be healthy and happy rather than worry about whether or not I meet Ryanair's minimum packing amount so it won't cost me a penny more.

I started the thread with this list:
3 pairs of underwear,
3 pairs of socks,
2 short sleeve golf shirts,
and 1 pair of pants.

This was all in addition to what I was already wearing. That is the hypothetical minimum I would want to take if I was 18 years old. Now that I am much much older, and am about to pack for a one month trip, I think I will add:
5 more pairs of socks,
9 more pairs of underwear,
2 more shirts,
1 undershirt/pajama,
1 more pair of pants,
various toiletries,
my cell phone and charger,
European electrical adapters,
copies of my passport and credit cards,
money belt,
alcohol pads for sanitizing hands,
antacids,
Advil PM,
Apple Airtags in my luggage,
a dirty clothes bag,
and foam ear plugs.

I think that's about as light as I want to go for a 1 month trip.

My mother, who first travelled to Europe back before electric lights, gave me this advice: back less, take more money.

When was young and spry, I backpacked good sized sections of the Appalachian trail-- as well other places like the Tetons. Every extra pound you packed, you carried-- so you really had to want it. But what sort of civilized person doesn't bring along a good brandy for making flambés ? There is a pound... or two.

Rarely do I check a bag no matter how long the trip. My wife on the other hand thinks I'm nuts and she has found a fair amount of evidence to support her case.

I think less is more but I realize sometimes more is more too.

Happy travels.

I can pack very light, which I learned from backpacking in the mountains. That plus traveling with young kids, I kept everything to a minimum for ease.

Our most recent trip was to Iceland last month. My Rick Steve's 21" rolling bag weights about 6 pounds on its own, and with everything I took (Including a duffel bag to bring stuff home), it was a total of 17 pounds. I had a small daypack with me as well, but just for my phone cord/adapter/hat/gloves/extra underwear. I could have gone even lighter, but this was light but had everything I wanted. I had one shirt I never wore, and the extra pairs of underwear. I almost always take only one pair of shoes, which for Iceland are always my hiking boots. One thing I found that saves a lot of space is a travel size hairbrush. I much prefer my big paddle brush for at home, but it is not worth taking on a trip. I did take a small tripod/selfie stick, but we forgot about it and it never got used.

I did weigh every single item to make sure I really needed it.

I'll pack a bag and think, "I did great!"

Then I'll see that I haven't packed the tablet and the cords, chargers, plugs, etc.
Which doesn't sound like much until you start packing it.

When I was a kid, a swimsuit, flip-flops and cover-up was all I wanted. Luckily Mom would remind me that even though I was fine living in a swimsuit for a week, I needed some real clothes too.

Then I reached the age of "but I don't know what I'll feel like wearing".

Now I know that I will "feel like wearing" whatever is in my suitcase. If it's colder than expected, I might have to wear all of it at one time. If I haven't brought appropriate clothes for an activity, I might have to go shopping or skip the activity.

I guess you could pack one to wash and one to wear if you are sure the washed one will dry quickly enough.

But that's not for me.

The Washington Post had an interesting article: "A Fanny Pack is the Only Travel Bag You Need."

If I wore a fanny pack on vacation I'd be constantly worrying that that it wouldn't get stolen. 〈 ͝° ͜ ͜ʖ͡°〉

I will respectfully disagree with the idea that packing light is somehow "limiting". On the contrary, I think it's liberating. And remember you're going to a place that has stores if you need something.

I know Rick says bring some washing powder and a clothesline, but I find either spending a couple hours in a local laundromat or paying €30 to have an innkeeper do a load of laundry is better. The clothes come back clean and totally dry...something that doesn't always happen if I'm moving around too quickly for things to dry.

I will respectfully disagree with the idea that packing light is somehow "limiting". On the contrary, I think it's liberating.

I agree with you and said that specifically in my response of thread. I do think it can be liberating, especially if you’re in your 20s. But that doesn’t mean I want to do it.

I don’t have to be liberated. I just have to be comfortable. 😊

Well, one of my Caminos was 7 weeks long and my pack weighed 5.5kg, and that included the pack.
Wear a set of clothes, carry a set, plus 2 extra pair of socks and undies, toiletries, long fleece jacket, sleeping bag and a poncho. Hip pack had my iphone and cables. Just do hand laundry every night.
For a regular trip, I would replace the sleeping bag with a few more blouses and a couple more socks and undies. That is it.

As long as I can lift my case on and off trains and buses , that’s how light I need to be.
I did two trips with only carryon, then went back to checking a slightly bigger bag.
It still is quite lightweight.
I realised I didn’t want to drag a bag around an airport while changing flights, and take the risk of having it gate-checked.
I also like to shop, so needed more room.
(For cheese from Paris……)

I cut the chip off my bank card and glued it to my toothbrush. Toothbrush, flip-phone and I'm all packed.

Okay. On way to 73 years old. Since 2010, fill a RS Convertible for 13 to 15 nights. 7 or 8 up, 7 tee shirts, 3 additional long sleeve shirts (4th on plane), lighter pair of pants (or shorts if in season), wear jacket onto plane.Wear my bluejeans on plane, lighter pair of my sneakers, small mesh toiletry bag for essentials and various meds, small mesh bag for various tech stuff (cords, blocks, phone), iPad, wear my shell jacket or heavier in transit. Laundry stop always planned mid-trip. Possibly a guide book along with maps. This has topped at barely 18 pounds, 16.5 on current, the RS bag itself is 3 pounds tare weight.. I am able to carry this on my back without issue and still upwards of a mile if need be. My partner has the RS rolling, but her clothes are lighter. All I can say is this works and I have never had to worry about where my bag is; very important as my home airport, Philadelphia, had a horrible problem some years back of their own baggage handlers rifling through bags and I never want to be in that situation.

One thing we do is take old socks and undershirts etc. that are near the end of their usefulness and then throw them away. This also allows some room for whatever you want to bring back.

I read a post here or somewhere that stated they would wear old clothes on the plane trip over then upon landing go immediately into the airport bathroom to change and throw away the clothes. Sounds a little extreme.

I'm with Larry, though I'm female and 81. Using a 40-liter Osprey Fairview backpack and strive to limit to 17 pounds.

I read a post here or somewhere that stated they would wear old clothes on the plane trip over then upon landing go immediately into the airport bathroom to change and throw away the clothes. Sounds a little extreme.

Joe, yeah, I didn't intend to imply I'm going off the deep end here lol. It's just that I find clothes at the end of their servicable lives, and it's convenient to wear some of them one last time and discard to save weight and allow some extra room upon return. No, I'm not going into the bathroom and disrobing but that is comical to think about.

Mr E, thank you for brushing your teeth and otherwise using good hygiene. I was sitting next to a guy whose breath could've killed a small child. I mean, how hard is it to brush your teeth and take a shower? Minutes.

I've been averaging around 17 pounds for two weeks in varied temperatures. It seems that once you get a good travel wardrobe together packing light becomes less of a challenge. I use a 5-4-3-2-1 plan with a few alterations and add in whatever outerwear and extra shoes I need.

musicmoll1,
I think I can figure out what your 5-4-3-2-1 packing plan is, but would you explain it please so I can be sure? Thanks!

“I cut the chip off my bank card and glued it to my toothbrush. Toothbrush, flip-phone and I'm all packed.”

Everyone be on the lookout for Mr E tapping his damp toothbrush while doing his shopping……😉

I’m with CJean and others who are too old for the nonsense of seeing how light they can travel. For those who might get misled in to thinking they will get to heaven sooner by “packing light,” I offer a few caveats. I’ll spare you the details, but this is what I’ve learned from many years of travel.
Don’t believe the esteemed R S when he advises that you can buy anything you may unexpectedly need. Not on a Sunday or holiday, nor at a convenient location. In many countries, otc meds are sold only in pharmacies, not in supermarkets. They may be eye-wateringly expensive, as well. Some products commonly available in the U.S., are banned elsewhere.

If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair.
Always bring 2 pairs of shoes; one on your feet, the other as back-up. Shoes can get wet. Feet can get sore or blistered.
If you are wedded to sink washing, be sure your clothing is quick-dry. (How much extra weight does a couple more pairs of underwear add, anyway?)
Some kind of rain gear.
,

Posted by Rosalyn

Don’t believe the esteemed R S when he advises that you can buy
anything you may unexpectedly need. Not on a Sunday or holiday, nor at
a convenient location.

And mostly not at 3AM when your dinner decides that it really doesn't like you.

I think this comic takes "packing light" too far. :)

https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5795

In about 20 or 25 trips overseas, I have only packed extra shoes once, and I didn't use them. I have had shoes fall apart, twice, but it was my fault for wearing cheaply made shoes that were well-worn. It was easy to find a shoe store and buy some shoes. I find that one pair of fairly new (I won't name the brand because this isn't an advertisement) is enough. They cost about $50, and they're good quality and very comfortable. So I don't understand the need to lug around an extra pair of shoes.

Someone said "bring an extra pair of glasses." I don't understand that. Are your glasses going to fall off your head and be somehow lost? My glasses haven't fallen off my head since grade school.

I've been as guilty as anyone else of doing "just in case" packing, and I'm determined to stop doing it.

I always bring a 2nd pair of glasses, even for short weekend trips. They are just reading glasses, but I have broken so many of them, or had the lenses fall out. Yes, they do fall off my head or I knock them on the floor from the nightstand.

Glasses break sometimes. I always bring an extra pair. What would be the purpose of going to see Europe and then not being able to see? Lightweight and take up minimal space.

I always bring a second pair of glasses as well. For the amount of space they take up is worth it just in case.

I always bring a second pair of all types of glasses, but particularly sun glasses as I can not go outside without sunglasses on. I bring two sets of reading type glasses, one includes long distance clear glasses. I'd be lost without being able to read even if it is just in my hotel room. As far as clear distance glasses...I don't wear them often, which is surprising.

I did fall flat on my face on a false sidewalk in London about 15 years ago. Glasses broken, black eye, and probably fx cheek bone (blanking on the bone's name). As I don't walk on my cheek, in general, I never had it formally DX. Thank goodness I had another pair of sunglasses. My H on the otherhand was getting very dirty looks from strangers for the rest of our vacation whenever I removed them. LOL

As for the subject at hand, I'm a 20lb packer in my carryon (22x14x9), that's my maximum goal. I can keep my PI(12x15x6) to about 6 lbs. However, my clothing is only a tiny portion. I follow the 3x3x3 system, which includes what I am wearing: 3 merino tops, 3 bottoms (usually 2 jeans), the alleged middle 3 are usually another merino wool top, a blazer, fleece or sweater, a vest or cashmere scarf. It's the small first aide kit, hotel room shoes or flip flops (depending on the trip) electronics, compact dslr, fan, maybe other toys I can't think of at the moment, etc. that take up the weight. Exceptions depending on the trip might enable me to go lighter or when that weight is too much be forced to go lighter. Not yet!

”Someone said "bring an extra pair of glasses." I don't understand that.”

Reading glasses tend to sprout legs and walk away; otherwise , why do I have four pair of them at home and only see two of them right now - LOL!

I’ve had the tiny screw fall out of one in northern Italy during a trip - not fun to hold your glasses to your head at a restaurant! ; )

And if you wear reading glasses, make sure you bring pairs that are your current ones. I brought a pair to the Christmas Markets last December that were a previous magnification - not very helpful!

I try to eliminate all ‘what if’ stuff when possible but I’m completely in the camp that takes 2 pairs of footwear and an extra pair of glasses. I took a bad fall a few trips back and I watched my glasses fly off my face and land yards away. I was very fortunate that #1 , I wasn’t really hurt and #2 my glasses survived. Being without glasses would have been bad news for me and the rest of my trip. And replacing shoes when you have a less than a standard size is not something I’d like to rely on either.

It's limiting when you're packing at home, but liberating when you're carrying it around during your trip.

It’s all very well to say you can walk into a shop and replace your shoes easily - that works for normal feet. But if you have problem feet or are an unusual size in clothing, it’s not easy at all

So true Amanda. It would be easy for me but not so much for my 5' tall curvy wife with size 5 duck shaped feet.

I always bring 2 pairs of shoes. I wear my bulky hikers and I pack lighter packable walking shoes. I’ll even add a third pair of water shoes if the itinerary calls for it. Fresh, cool, lightweight shoes feel amazing after a day tromping around.

Judy, the usual 5-4-3-2-1 packing plan is 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, and 1 each of accessories like scarves, hats, etc. I've tweaked it for our travel style. I pack/wear on plane 6 tops, 4 bottoms, 2 pairs shoes/boots, 1 dress (maybe) and 1 scarf. Since we've been doing more cold weather travel I'll wear a coat and pack a hat and gloves and I may take a cardigan. Daily underwear and socks negate the need for daily sink washing. Dark colors can usually be worn twice.

We'll be in the Arctic next year, so we may need heavier clothing, which will be a challenge for carryon travel.

Thanks to some of my heroes who posted their travel styles, I aspire to you I really do... I get sore easily, so yep, for me lighter is indeed better. I guess the answer is, *"How much are you going to feel comfortable carrying down a cobblestone lane, up & down stairs to trains, etc?" I finally paid up for a Samsonite 2-wheeler, it weighs 4 lbs, I can make do with 14 lbs for a spring to autumn trip, plus hat, scarf & gloves in winter, down jacket over my arm. Just not interested in colder temps when we live in real winter.

I loathe clothes shopping, so why waste a perfectly good morning gasp, shopping, if I could be sitting in a cafe, at a museum? (Unless it's a scarf, oh yeah. ) And my first aid kit weighs less than a T-shirt.
I'm envious of those of you with no-trouble feet! I wear my hiking boots if I'm planning on walking a LOT, (like in Rome or Pompeii,) pack trainers & Oofos for hotel rooms. I wish I could get by with fewer shoes, but it's just not worth the literal pain!

@Sandancisco, which Samsonite bag did you find that weighs in at 4 lbs? Did you get it in the US or Europe?

On my first trip abroad as a high school student one of the guys wore his glasses in the surf at Taormina and lost them. As it was the first week of the trip he had to wear his contacts all the time.

On a trip to Naples my favorite flats were ruined when I wore them on Vesuvius and they got wet. The combination of ash and mud really made them stink. and I threw them away. I'm glad I had a second pair of shoes with me.

musicmoll1,
Thanks for the explanation. I kind of had it right. The various comments/options/experiences have made this a useful and interesting thread!

It's easy. Just wear extra clothes and a coat with deep pockets. Problem solved.

You guys have persuaded me to take an extra pair of shoes. Shoes can get wet. I'm not taking an extra pair of glasses, though. I have never lost my glasses in about 6 decades of wearing glasses.

I know some people joke about those who are tenacious to bring the smallest amount possible on a trip. I’m not handed an award by bringing less & less each year - LOL! But all of that work will be leading up to my heaviest packing trip ever! I’m attending a pastel painting workshop in a tiny village in Italy next year that requires a tripod, plein air box & easel, and lots of pastel “chalk” pieces, etc. Thankfully from past experience, I know that I can do a rotation of two dresses, two shirts & a pair of pants for a month, plus I will bring an artist apron.

This trip will take more packing planning than ever before because, of course, I am not just going to the location in the Le Marche region. : ). I will probably fly into Venice and add time in Ferrara, etc. and route through the Umbria or Abruzzo region before flying home from Rome. I anticipate my 2-wheel carry on will hold everything except my fragile pastels & iPad which will be in my backpack, along with a dress.

For those who don't pack shoes, do you wear your walking shoes when dressing up a bit for concerts, operas or what have you?

My “walking shoes” are lightweight hikers (Merrill Moabs) because they’re the best I’ve found for my feet talking a pounding all day. Those I wear on the plane because they’re bulky

My other shoes are typically something lighter and breathable. I choose something that flexibly works with my wardrobe and my color capsule.

So just select something that fits your wardrobe and still looks nice for a night at the opera. Don’t choose anything that’s just a single-event item.

pbscd, yes I wear walking shoes even at concerts. I don't ever expect to see these people again and just want to be comfortable and travel easily. Of course, I spent my college years in jeans and tennis shoes in the chemistry lab, so never developed a preference for looking nice.

I'm only traveling with the hiking shoes I am actually wearing - nothing gaudy or brightly colored, something plain. Usually Merrell Intercepts or Chameleon. I'm not going anywhere or doing anything where I feel the need to dress up beyond my everyday where.

Hubs and I will be doing the RS 21 day's Best of Europe next year. That tour ends in Paris and then we will be doing 14 days in Switzerland followed by a 21-day cruise to the Med. April to June and that's a lot of changing weather and temps. I'm determined to go carry-on only and do my own laundry. I have been putting my capsule wardrobe together and its mostly merino wool and linen / linen blends. If it's not dry overnight, I'm not bringing it. Prayers appreciated lol.

Often innkeepers will do laundry for a reasonable fee. It comes back clean and 100% dry. ….No worries about damp clothes stinking up your bag.

A €25 splurge is well worth it on your $15,000 tour

I wear Sauconys that I have used for running for my walking shoes. I did wear them to a concert last spring in Paris but the website said people would be coming from work so it was ok. There were people more casual and people more dressed up. But I do want to go to the opera in Vienna in September and I think I should slip in some not fancy but decent shoes (I only own one pair).

When the wife and I are in France, we keep two changes of clothes, toiletries and prescription drugs in the car. So…if the sprit moves us off we go from Department 14. Defies planning, being old, having an itinerary and so on. It’s fun and though I might reach an age of being too old that day hasn’t come and I don’t care :)

Cala, I think I'll make a little sign and put this with my travel gear:

It's limiting when you're packing at home, but liberating when you're carrying it around during your trip.