Fess Up! Who travels heavier?

I try to pack lighter and lighter each trip as my body can't handle the weight of lifting bags anymore ( tendinitis and carpel tunnel ) . We still will check a bag for our international flight , it's usually the 22 inch one , but just so we don't have to lug it around airports

Gutsy post on this forum :-)
I don't pack heavier than when I was younger, but there are times I pack heavier than other times. My 'worst' was a recent fly and flop in Mexico for a week at a resort - I took a 25 inch checked bag. It wasn't all about clothes, but the resort was not an all-inclusive and room had a small kitchen. I was nursing a foot injury on a big resort so planned to eat in and use my room a lot - so the comforts started being added to the bag. The full sized pillow, bird guidebook, full sized binocs, coffee, rice, some canned foods, items due to food allergies, real reading books (no ereader) and magazines. It was by no means full, but it was one less thing to stress about as I had almost cancelled the trip and there were many other stressors in my life at the time.

I have also started to check my smaller bags because lugging them around the airports are a pain. A change of clothes and continued good luck (of no delayed luggage in 45 years except 2x on homeward leg) go in my carry on. I recently bought the light weight backpack that Sarah Murdoch used for her 10 pound challenge and did a test walk. It held almost everything that would go into my 21 inch case and weighed in at 15 pounds, but aging shoulders and no waist strap made me realize that wouldn't do it for me. So, I still have to factor in the weight of my suitcase and take a wheeled case rather than a backpack.
I travel in different ways with different needs depending on the trip, so packing can also be 'different' (as in heavy or light).

I pack lighter every trip, unless I am going somewhere with different temps (Germany and Poland were cold in May). But then I ship something's back at some point.

Smart phones. These gadgets have replaced probably 3-8 pounds of stuff I used to pack (and the bulk that went with them): books, 35mm camera, numerous rolls of film, tape player, maps, and maybe a few other things. You have to go out of your way to over-pack these days.

I'm packing a little lighter in my RS 21 inch carry on wheelie but I now have to travel with a cpap which I put in a separate bag. As a medical device it isn't weighed or counted when I carry it on as well (at least so far), so I hide a few extra things in there (ipad, guide book, paper documents.) It's a slippery slope ...
My last 2 trips have been on Norwegian which has a 22.6 lb weight limit on carry on. I think my bag was 22.1 lbs.My cpap bag was probably another 7 or 8 lbs, but it wasn't even looked at.
So I guess I'm in both camps, but I have a great excuse!
And I certainly don't feel so smug anymore as I look at folks with one 25 inch bag.
;-)

"I pack heavier than I did in my younger days." How true and tempting. Main problem is get the supplies needed for the trip a month long or two months down to 27 lbs in the spinner. Admittedly, I did over pack, could have done easily on the seven week plus trip without some "stuff" At check-in the spinner weighed 30 pounds, no electronics at all, manageable but 25-27 is better. That's the goal now at check-in.

I plan to never again check a bag for an outbound international flight. It's great to be able to go as soon as you get through the necessaries. Having to wait for nearly an hour at baggage claim in CDG cured me. Coming back, though, depends on number of connections and how much I want to buy things that may require me to check a bag. Just depends.
Domestically, I'm more likely to pack what I need and check it either going or coming. Flying from ATL, I almost always have a direct flight so lost bags are unlikely. When I'm traveling for work, I need to have certain clothes, shoes, etc., that may require me to check, or that I choose to check so I don't have to be a helpless female and have help to lift it into the overhead bin. The clothes and such don't matter as much to me when it's leisure travel so I'm more likely to pack lighter.

Oh, I always seem to travel heavier than I should. It's just one of my many charms.

Hahaha...KIM!!

My packing training came from my Mom who was of the pack it you might need it school of thought. In my early years I had the biggest Samsonite I could manage, one that was sort of like a steamer trunk on wheels. I did not use if for international travel but I traveled with it domestically and the desk agent would just look at it before it was weighed and automatically put a HEAVY tag on it. I am pretty sure that sucker came in at around 50#.

Over the last 4 years since I returned to International travel, my brother got me interested in light packing. We even went to a light packing presentation given at a local library by Monte who is on the forum occasionally. I've made mistakes and find myself refining my packing list every time. I will never be as light as some but if I can stay around 22-25# which is what I can lift overhead then I'm happy with that. I would not be able to get down to 11# and I've given up the thought of wearing my suitcase on my back.

I have had lost luggage one time in my years of travel, but that was to a wedding!! Had to borrow a dress from a neighbor to the bride. That has made me very risk averse!

I have to confess that with the added years (and added body mass) I have had to go to wheels on my checked bags, both duffel bag and ski box. The duffel as an LL Bean (bought before the last election) Rolling Adventure Large (about 8# empty and at 15"H x 30"W x 13"D = 58 linear inches meeting max airline size with inches to spare). My ski box is a double SportTube ski box. Traveling as a couple, we get one checked bag per person on international flights without added cost from legacy airlines.

The rolling duffel goes outbound with something like 35 pounds and definitely under 40 pounds. The rolling duffel tends to come home weighting more than 40 pounds and under 50 pounds. (I have a small luggage scale.) The ski box is rigid limiting us to three pairs of skis and three pairs of ski poles scaling also about 35+ pounds.

We do max out our carry-on with my RS Classic and her RS rolling carry-on. The carry-ons do push the 8 kg limit. We can fit ski boots and ski clothing (except for warm-up pants/jacket that go in the duffel) and everything needed for skiing except for the skis and poles in my carry-on. We wear our outerwear layers and walking boots. My wife uses a small day backpack as her "personal" while I pack a day pack in the duffel using a small messenger bag for papers, camera and electronics.

Although we share the two checked bags, I have the privilege of pulling both the rolling duffel and ski box. Train travel is a team effort with my tossing the bags into the train.

In the 20 or so years of international travel, checked luggage was delayed outbound only twice ("knock on wood"), both more than 10 years ago. In both cases, luggage was delivered to our hotel the same evening of arrival. My ski box was delayed for several days on one return trip but the return delay did not impact our travel.

Bottom line is between the two of us we are traveling with something like 110 to 120 pounds of luggage during winter trips.

PS For Hawaii travel, carry-ons only but shorts, couple of Crazy (tee) Shirts and aloha shirts are easy to pack.

I should amend my post .

I didn't include that I only worry about packing light for our European trips , when we move from city to city and country to country , often taking trains or low cost carriers . Heavy luggage is a pain then as you have to move it so many times yourself .

But each year we take a weeks sun vacation to Mexico , and for that trip I pack a bigger bag and take whatever I want ( snorkel gear too) as I only have to move the bag off the luggage claim to the transfer , the rest of the time the bellboy handles it and it stays out for the week !

We, husband and I, usually check our bags, which are carry on size. We will each pack a change of clothes in each other's bag. Plus, I usually carry a change in my carry on. Of course we take meds in carry on, also. It is not fun to drag along a bag while at the airport, and it is not fair to leave the husband stuck with the bags, either, in my opinion. I do pack 5 bottoms, sometimes more, and 8 or so tops, along with (gasp) three pairs of shoes. Darn it, my feet hurt at the end of a long day, and I want them to be happy. Keeping my shoes rotated does help. I manage to get it all in and still can manage to carry it on and off trains, and up and down hotel stairs.

I was recently forced to valet check my RS Rolling Carry On as it was deemed "too large" to carry on. This was a flight between Dallas and Memphis. There was almost nothing in it, I could have gotten away with a tote bag. So, even when I plan to carry on, it does not always work out.

I keep going lighter and lighter. I've yet to miss the stuff I've dumped.
I enjoy spending time creating an efficient capsule wardrobe. It's like a fun optimization puzzle. A good wardrobe lets me relax at my destination because I know everything goes with everything else - grab and go! Since I wash my clothes when I'm showering I'm not spending much extra time doing laundry.

I do, but not by choice.

As I get older and develop more and more medical issues, I have to take more and more bottles of drugs and medical assistance devices with me. I still manage to fit everything into a single RS classic convertible carry on bag (no wheels! If it has wheels, it is not a CARRY on!).

My lightest traveling was 17.5 pounds in 2014. Now my European trip bag weighs close to 20.

@Maria, hah, I know, right?! Trip to trip it does vary, but I'm essentially in the same range as you. I'm not going lighter, in fact, I'm thinking of packing my tempurpedic (sp) pillow next trips.
@FastEddie, I gave up my 35 mm in the early 2000's, but since digital has refined so, I now can't do without my DSLR, but it's not in my checked bag.
@Sharyn, Nice idea putting extras in CPap.
@Fred, We're going in the same direction. :)
@Celeste, Rather than carryon at CDG, I avoid CDG...as we had one of those waits when my daughter was moving to France for a year.
@Kim, Emma, LOL.

@Pat, Agreed, it does depend on the trip.

That being said when I someday take just my underseat bag with meds and maps, and buy what I need there because I'm 88 years old and don't give a hoot, the heavy packers can say "I told you so"!

I fall somewhere in the middle--I always check a rolling suitcase that weighs about 28 lbs (7 lbs suitcase + 21 lbs stuff) and bring a carry-on like the RS euro flight bag. For my usual 2 week trip I bring 2 pairs shoes and jeans, 5 undies and socks, maybe 7 tops total, nightie and toiletries plus a few other things. I've definitely weeded out what doesn't get used or isn't necessary, and I always have plenty of room to bring things back, especially when I plan to visit flea markets. I can control and lift my bags and that's all that matters to me.

I've packed very very light for the last couple of trips and I think I've gone too light. The lack of clothing variety is depressing on a 3 week trip, as emma pointed out. I love the mobility of having just the one small suitcase each, but I think we will size up one of them on the next trip and have a bit more choice.

I shouldn't post again so soon on this thread, but I'm going to!

Regarding getting bored with clothes:

When I went to France in April/May I took 3 pr pants, 5 shirts, 2 cardigans, 2 scarves. Those combinations added up to 90 clothing combinations. I also seemed to have acquired 2 more scarves (really it is a sickness) along the way so that is...uh...more. I do take bright colors - had cobalt and teal as colors this time, so maybe that makes things not seem so same old, same old as if someone packed mainly neutrals? All combinations were not 100% suitable for every day - one set was without a sweater at all and it was pretty chilly when I arrived in Paris so that would never have done. But still, 30 combos with the 2 cardies plus 30 more with each of the 2 scarves is more than I could ever wear, then with the addition of 2 more scarves....a bunch!

Lighter and lighter....and significantly lighter than years ago. After a trip, I want to toss all clothes into a heap and set on fire.

I'm with Bruce. Just back from my 6th and 7th RS tour and the second one where a fellow tour member had checked luggage delayed. This one was just 2 days, the last one was 5! Even packing light I had a couple of items that did not get worn as much as I thought, so, even lighter next time. Check a bag? Never! Wray, you have dodged a bullet not having a bag lost or delayed all this time. I hope your luck holds out.

I don't really think about packing heavy or light. I think there is no right way to travel and no right way to pack for everyone. I take was is comfortable to me and after traveling for a few years found I take pretty much the same stuff (with a little variation for weather, but not much.) I prefer checking my bag but I started out with carry on only (although my bag is carry on size.) I also prefer a wheeled bag (which is heavier) but easier to move around....yes, even over cobblestones (gasp!) It seems I take everything I want and still have room for souvenirs. If I wasn't into photography (I take 2 cameras with me) I wouldn't require a personal bag but there is no way I will check a camera. My bag was under 20 lbs prior to my trip and I have never weighed my personal item. The contents really haven't changed in years.

@Alan, I'll clarify, I have had a piece of luggage delayed...about 1986. Skis, but they were delivered by midnight so no ski rental required. I'd never check my boots.
Other family members have had luggage 'delivered' home on their return from vacations...it actually works as a nice delivery service.
I don't check my bag willy nilly. I have a bag clearly labeled and flagged with bright colors so it can't be mistaken for someone else's. I always have a photograph of my bag. I make sure the airline properly labels my bag. I also make sure I have adequate time between flights for the airline to move the bag from flight to flight. There is a little common sense that has to be used when checking a bag.

PS. @Alan, I also have a complete change of clothes in my bag and anything that is important, so I could go thru my entire vacation with just my underseat bag...although wouldn't like to do so. Packing light in my underseat bag, but preferring to have a lot more with me in my carryon sized bag. So if I never received my bag, no real hardship, just a lot of overnight washing and boredom.

As pointed out above, another aspect of the inescapable reality in traveling to Europe is that in my 20s I didn't have to bring pills along, let alone vitamins, unless I chose to. Now, I have meds to take along plus vitamins, and it's added weight if the trip is longer than a month, ie packing, say 60 days of pills. So, you to compensate elsewhere to reduce the over-all weight, ie, less clutter.

While I always book flights with much time for connections.... things happen and flights are delayed. Several times we've made connecting flights in the U.S. that checked bags literally could not. I don't want to chill for a few hours or more at my arrival airport in Europe hoping for wayward bags, when we generally continue traveling a significant distance to previously booked accommodations. Some people have great luck...

Either baggage handling is getting faster or clearing passport/immigration control is getting slower (or both). My checked bags have been either arriving at the baggage claim carousel before I arrive or within single digit minutes of the time I clear passport control. And this includes special handling baggage.

For the most part, I do okay -- a couple of pairs of jeans, 5 or so shirts, a few jackets or vests, a few scarves, and a spare pare of shoes. My toiletries are fairly minimal, too.

Then, I start packing electronics, and everything falls apart. I have to have the laptop in case a problem comes up at work; I am also an artist/painter, and so I wind up packing two camera bodies and half a dozen lenses; then, there's the Kindle; and the spare hard drive; and the cables and chargers .... Pretty soon the electronics bag is up over 10 pounds. I have a rule that all the electronics, except chargers and cables, have to fit under the seat in front of me. Even though it fits under the seat, it's still a drag to carry it around the airport.

I pack heavy. A 25" wheeled suitcase up and down the steps in the Paris Metro isn't the most fun though in the world, but I'm still reasonably healthy and find it tolerable enough. Doing laundry in the sink, on the other hand, grosses me out.

It depends on the trip - where I'm going, time of year, independent, RS tour, Odysseys tour. If I am on my own or on a RS tour, I pack as light as possible - 25 lbs. max including the luggage. On our Christmas market tour, my checked luggage went missing for 4 days. I made a shopping trip in Strasbourg and bought a few essentials (pair of jammies, sweater, 3 polyester turtle necks, 2 pair of jeans, underwear and a special scarf to make me feel less like an orphan) that fit into a shopping bag. It was fun and liberating. I could have done the entire two weeks with that little bit of clothing. I was almost sorry when my luggage finally showed up in Rothenberg. This next trip is to Africa. We are restricted to a soft duffel which weighs next to nothing. I packed 17 items - total weight 20 lbs. we will be in 3 cities as well as the bush. Because it is an escorted tour, I will never have to handle my bag once I check it on to the plane. I packed heavier for our month in France in the summer when I knew it would be hot and humid. I ended up having to wash things more often because we were soggy messes by the end of each day due to the humidity. I don't feel guilty about packing a bit heavier as long as I am able to lift my own bag.

I feel conflicted about packing for a 10 day trip to Vancouver/Victoria next month. I travel carryon (was raised an airline kid who flew standby. You never knew when you were going to be bumped), packing cubes, the coat with many pockets, one pair of walking shoes, and minimal liquids. I love capsule wardrobes. My guy wants to check a bag and is encouraging me to take more clothes. I feel so extravagant and flush! Perhaps I should relax a bit, since I am going to meet his mother for the first time (we're in our 50s: it's been a very long time since I've done this!).

Oh Fluffy, under those circumstances, take everything!!!

i always check a bag, the carry on only thing does not work for me. I am very fastidious about dental hygiene stuff like mouthwash and fluoride rinse, and I don't want to buy that stuff in countries where the labels are in a foreign language (or spend time looking for it upon landing). Unfortunately that stuff is heavy. I also need a second pair of shoes which take up a lot of space and add weight. I made the mistake of traveling with one pair of not-broken-in shoes in Italy last fall and my feet hurt for two weeks upon return. When you check a bag you get an actual carry one, and there you can put your iPad, camera, jacket, etc. My wife and I have moved to a 22" bags for Europe trips the last couple of times, and this was driven by the small size of car trunks. On our 2013 England trip, our 25" bags barely fit without being obvious in the hatchback, and so much of the benefit of a rental car is the places in between stops. A bonus of 22" bags is they only pack to 30 lbs. or so. My wife will pack a 25" bag to a weight that tests the limits of what airlines will accept. Guess who gets to carry that heavy bag up the stairs? Smaller bags are easier in both weight and volume to lift onto a train, too. In summary, we travel on the heavy side compared to many here, but lighter than we used to.

This is a good thread!

I pack lighter than I once did. My mother was also of the school to pack EVERYTHING, because you never knew what you might need once you were on the road. I grew up believing that going more than 10 miles from your house meant preparing for a journey like Frodo packing to travel to Mount Doom.

While I still haven't made it to Mount Doom, I have learned that I don't need as many clothes as I used to take. Having said that, I still can't pack light. I envy those people who can throw on a scarf and create a new look. When I put on a scarf, it looks - well - kinda foolish. It's just not my look at all, but I really wish I could pull it off.

We try now for one checked bag between us. (Liquids go in there. Wine purchased abroad also goes there coming back. It's hard sided but extremely lightweight as we learned the importance of non permeable luggage on a trip to Costa Rica. ) I have a RS rolling backpack that can almost carry my full wardrobe. I'm still working with him on that carryon bag that fits most of what you need. But isn't it fun to have knew things to learn? ;-)

As I have become more comfortable in new places I have started participating in more activities. So packing has included suits, furs, fishing waders, tuxedos, parkas and insulated trousers. I am not going to pass up the gala or the trout stream so i can brag that I travel with nothing but a carry on. So i don't park light or heavy, i pack for the trip.

@aquamarinesteph

Look at the knot library at scarves.net

Thank you for this thread, Wray. I feel supported in my choice to always take a checked bag . . . for many of the reasons others have shared. I do keep trying to take less because a lighter bag means less to lift up and down stairs and on and off trains.

Great thread!

I love packing light - we tend to move around and it is easier with smaller bags. That being said I don't skimp on the extras either. I still pack all of my own shampoo, conditioner, wash, lotion, etc. - I like my brands and really do not want to spend time shopping for them upon arrival.

Oh yes - the medical items now take up considerable space - at least I can pack all in one bag and it does not count against carry-on allowance.

This next trip we are 90 days, from August in Paris to NYC in November - including a 15 nt cruise! So I will be packing a 3rd bag which will be checked - it will spend most of our time in Europe stored and once we pick it up we will be traveling by car mostly.

Funny I was just discussing this with my husband earlier today - the clothes are a minor part of the packing - although I have 6 dresses, 2 pr leggings, and 2 long sleeve tops - DH has 3 prs pants, 7 shirts, 1 shorts, and 1 sweater. I also have paper plates, ziplocs, utensils, wine glasses, coffee maker & supplies, laundry supplies, extension cord, chrome book, fan, kitchen sink...

I am 80% packed - I will weigh in when fully packed. One thing I did this trip is use 2 x 2 baggies for daily pills - one for each day - I can fit 50 days in a qt ziploc.

On the meds in the baggies, I carry a print out from the pharmacy too. Just a little insurance, although the only truly "safe" thing is to leave all in the original labeled bottles. But like many I would take up way too much space with all the bottles.

Light going out, heavy coming back.

Emma, love your style.

Chani, because we pack for the trip and never consider limiting our trip based on what we will or will not carry or check, there is never an "always". One trip last year involved two checked and we maxed out the carryon allowance. One two week trip the same year we had no more than 2 half size carryon bags. Another heavy trip coming in September, followed by an only slightly lighter trip in January; but the spring trip will probably be carryon.

So i don't park light or heavy, i pack for the trip.

James, this is it in a nutshell! Each trip is different and requires different items.

Emma, I love hotels with laundry service. Free or not!

On my first RS tour in March, I think I was pushed to the brink by pre-tour words: 1. strenuous (well, all relative apparently...this word should not be used so lightly). 2. Pack light because you will be carrying your luggage long distances between bus and hotel...Well, not if you are used to traveling independently, their 'carrying' means 'rolling', and should be stated...did I miss that? I concentrated on the word "carry" so I pictured carrying my suitcase for blocks, not able to put it down and roll it at all. Considering I've rolled my suitcase in amazing situations...paths, rocks, snow, etc., quite easily, what was I thinking Greece had that I hadn't been through before? As it turns out the only carry is up/down stairs. So, scared to death because I'm nothing if not competitive, I was Sarah Murdock. I weighed clothes; consequently, I took clothes out I wish I had taken and added lighter clothes that clearly said different tee shirt, etc. Generally, I'll wear the same type/color jeans and tee shirts each trip, but I vary with sweater/vest type options, and they were essentially left behind as I had some extreme suitcase carrying in mind from the tour descriptions...and thought tour members needed to know I was wearing a different tee shirt. All RS tours really need to say is 'you are responsible for your luggage at all times outside the bus storage'. And, if applicable, there are no bell hops...although the tough hill hanging hotel in Kardamyli took care of one's luggage and most hotels had an elevator if you wanted to use it. So, I will keep in mind I want my vacation to be a vacation, I want my variable semi-outer wear, I want my comfort items. All I need to be able to do is lift my suitcase up stairs and able to lift it into the overhead bin, although I don't care to use it. My size will likely always be carryon, as the size is more manageable for shorter arms, but it will, from now, on have most of what I want to bring...which makes me a much heavier packer than I was in my young adult hood. Of course, that's not so hard as I've never had that many clothes at a time. My H has the walk in closet.

PS, our lovely tour guide had a huge suitcase and she apologized for not following RS's packing ways, but she didn't want to wear the same thing every day, didn't want to do laundry while working, and as long as she could handle it, she'd take her tank of a suitcase. And she handled it quite fine for the petite person she was.

Great thread! The message is you pack your own parachute, so, whatever suits you (no pun intended) that is what you do. I've learned a few things that have helped me keep it light and become a carry on person:

-Materials matter. I go for synthetics that dry quickly. Reduces the number of everything I need.
-Meds: I found little plastic bags just for meds at Walgreens, where the pill boxes are stored. I photocopy the RX on one sheet of paper, load up the envelopes with all I need + an extra few days in case, and label them. Saves much space.
-Toiletries: if you think you can't find what you need (with some exceptions) think again. Europeans bathe, shampoo, brush their teeth, etc. Especially if you are going to France or England you will find products galore! The three things I always bring are deodorant, as I am allergic to most brands, hearing aide batteries (can't seem to find these in Europe, I know they have to be there), and a bar or two of Dial soap packed in baggies. Using Dial keeps me and my clothes fresher and sink washing clothes then really does the trick. But dropping into a pharmacy in Europe is fun! This trip I found Elgydium toothpaste in Portugal, made in France. Great stuff. Also, OTC Voltaren cream to rub on those achy joints.
-Clothes and shoes that are at the end of the road: we pack these with the intent of throwing them away after the trip. There is almost always a few items. This gives us the room to pack the very few souvenirs we bring home.

Do I pack heavier? Always heavier than I wish (when I am trying to lift bags onto the train) and heavier than the I-pack-in-a-lunch-bag people tell me I could, but lighter than my earlier trips. I take along "extras" like: underpants for a full week (plan for laundromat stops or apartments with washers); battery-powered toothbrush; small binoculars for ceilings and artworks; plastic coathangers (4); second set of sunglasses and reading glasses; slip-on Sketchers as hotel-room slippers. Not that much in extra clothes (but I almost always come home with new scarves) and generally check my carry-on-size bag both ways.

heavier than the I-pack-in-a-lunch-bag people tell me I could

Made me laugh!

Packing for the trip and its purpose really is the key. I don't think I've ever worked so hard to get so much in the bags or brought so many suitcases than when I went to Africa and was bringing supplies for a missionary family and an educational program. I bet you didn't know it was possible to take apart and pack a full size electric vacuum cleaner in a suitcase with plenty of other items as well!! I can only imagine what people thought when they saw me arrive at the airport to check in for my flight to Amsterdam with my 3 huge checked bags that used every ounce of possible luggage allowance and my carryon. I'm sure they had me pegged as a chronic overpacker.......

Hi Wray,

Thanks for this fun thread!

I try to travel light but my bag seems to always get heavier as I add souvenirs to it. I usually only buy scarves or small souvenirs, but when we went to Spain in 2014, I fell in love with some (small) ceramic bowls & plates!

@ Cindy H-- Thanks for the Scarf Knot Master link! Last year while visiting France, there was a woman enjoying her coffee at a bakery & her scarf was beautifully draped around her neck and shoulder. When I asked her how she tied it, she showed me and it was so simple, however... My scarves never looked as nice as hers.

I think I will take Zoe's idea & plan to send a package home if my bag gets too heavy ;-)

Happy & Safe travels!

Oh Carol, I so understand your African delivery situation. I had 2 x 50-pound checked bags and maxed carry on. One checked bag was soccer uniforms, other had numerous other items including about 800 condoms. I figured my volunteer visa would explain the odd assortment of goods, but was sooooo relieved to not have to open bags for inspection upon arrival in Tanzania. It was difficult enough trying to look cool while tin upon tin of Durex went through the Costco cashier. Yes, it got the attention of a few staff, so I broke down and explained why the excess.....

Carol - you were probably pegged as an OC cleaner!
Maria - your post tops them all. I knew Costco was a great place to buy in bulk for items like toilet paper. Never knew it was a place for bulk - "er" - health items. Hope you got a great rate. Bet you had your dark hat and sunglasses on when purchasing.

Well, no disguises but I picked a snowy mid week February night. Held my head up high until the manager came by, looked at the goods and said 'well, I see what you are doing for Superbowl'. I burst out laughing, blushed, then explained....in everyone's hearing.
Packed in zip locked bags, they are not overly bulky and the tins are rather useful storage items at home ;-)

Oh! I wish I could pack lighter!
I have improved over the years though.
I'm always under the airline limit so that I can be right at it on the way home.
I like to shop in Europe.
One thing I have discovered is that you can pack way lighter for a winter city trip than for a warm weather trip, as you only need two pairs of shoes or boots!
I realized this on two winter trips to Paris in the past 18 months; and when I brought only red, black and grey clothes, my bag was even lighter.
I always feel like I need at least four pairs of footwear for a warm weather trip.

I too packed 3 50# bags for Uganda filled with supplies: school backpacks, ballpoint pens, several packs of Costco women's undies size Medium (nope, not for me), cake decorating supplies, reference books, and 150 pairs of reading glasses (donated by my eye doctor). My friend came along, and I let her check only 1 bag for herself and annexed her second checked bag for supplies. Awful, aren't I? Our room looked like a Walmart exploded when we unpacked it all. We telescoped those bags into just 1 to check for the way home, with the exception of all the hand-carved elephants and giraffes we received as gifts.

I try really hard to travel carryon for most trips. (22-25# with a roller). It would be too tough for me to buy clothes at my destination if my bag got lost, so I carry what I need outbound. But if, say, I overindulge in museum books or scarves, I check the Don't Tell Rick bag packed with dirty clothes on the way home. I consider myself a heavy packer compared to many here. But by my usual standards, I pack light! :-)

Sjackson good point about warm weather shoes ! I do take more for summer trips , flip flops for beach ( we always include a beach stop since our trips are 4-5 weeks long ) , good sensible walking shoes or runners( good for longer walking days , cooler wetter climates ) , walking sandals that I wear a lot since in hot weather I tend to wear sundresses and skirts and I don't like lace up runners with them, -and often a pair of flats for going out to dinner

Sjackson good point about warm weather shoes ! I do take more for summer trips , flip flops for beach ( we always include a beach stop since our trips are 4-5 weeks long ) , good sensible walking shoes or runners( good for longer walking days , cooler wetter climates ) , walking sandals that I wear a lot since in hot weather I tend to wear sundresses and skirts and I don't like lace up runners with them, -and often a pair of flats for going out to dinner

I really do seem always to have just that one little bit more than one can comfortably carry -- usually in terms of the stuff I'm carrying on (while checking a bag). I always have that one or two special somethings that I think are worth the effort to bring. Then again, I always manage my own luggage, so I guess I'm not hurting anyone else!!

I can remember 20 years ago this summer -- maybe right now! -- my mom came to visit me in Budapest, where I was doing a summer internship. We took a few days to go to Prague, Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejovice, then down into Austria and along the Wachau before finishing up in Vienna and returning to Budapest. I had sworn to myself that on this trip I was staying LIGHT. And then what did I find in Prague that I just HAD to have? A handmade tea set - teapot, sugar, creamer, and six cups and saucers. I carried that &#&() pottery in my backpack (along with all its wrapping protection) for the rest of the trip!! And you know what. . . I *still treasure it, and it makes me smile every time I look at it or think about it.

Wray...thanks for the wonderful post.
I still travel with and check my old black 30 inch roller..... and bring whatever toiletries i want! And scissors and tape and a table knife...

Great thread. For me it all depends on the trip and whether or not my husband is traveling with me. Just returned from 10 day couples' trip to Hawaii. I checked a 26" suitcase that weighed 40#! I could not lift it. Next month I will go on a gals' trip to Italy which will include train travel. I'll use a 21" spinner and my goal is 20#. I have to be able to manage on my own. Here in the states, we take lots of road trips in a big truck that can haul a lot of stuff! So basically, I pack for the trip.

I always pack too heavy and wish I had packed lighter. Though there have been a few times I've thought "well I sure am glad I packed that." When traveling locally it isn't a bid deal, but I think I've learned my lesson lugging a heavy suitcase through the London Underground and then not using half of the stuff I packed.

Preliminary packing trial last night came to 16.5#, although that did not include the mini binoculars I need for whale watching in Vancouver (just reminded myself to find them, ha!).

@Fluffy, So did you talk your BF into carryon and/or was it to H--- with meeting Mom? LOL

Wray, the end of your post of July 29th regarding your first tour reminded me of my first RS tour. Our tour guide had the largest suitcase of any of us tour members. He said if you pack light as RS recommends, you spend time doing laundry and he'd rather not, so he brings enough of what he needs and doesn't worry about it!! It got me thinking about why I struggle to fit everything in a carry on size piece of luggage when I never carry on?! I hate having to wheel and worry a bag around an airport and since I can't get to Europe from where I live in one flight, it always involves two airports and layovers etc. Plus, first checked bag for overseas flights are free, so why not? I know a lot of people like to be able to grab their bag and get out of the airport quickly, but I always feel a bit disoriented in a strange airport after an overnight flight. So, for me, I don't mind waiting at baggage claim for a few minutes to collect myself. To answer your question, I try to pack light but sometimes it does get heavier.

Wray, he is aware of my packing fetish and assures me this Canada trip is different than Europe since we will have a car and many nights at an Airbnb or with family (i.e. laundry facilities, so the clothes don't have to be quick dry). He has declined my offers of packing cubes. It is just a matter of how many bags to check, since he likes to bring back maple syrup as gifts. I will meet Mum; I have ordered some charms for her bracelet (small and packs well, lol).

Oh my goodness. This post is so timely. Our last three summer vacations have involved extensive train travel (Europe, US East Coast, Japan) and we did a great job packing light. We started off with one 21 inch carry on per person. We are a family of 4. On our trip to Japan this summer we only took 3 21 inch carry ons for the 4 of us. We also had 2 small softsided coolers, and a Timbuktu messenger bag. The Shinkansen bullet train as well as local trains had quite a bit of space and we could have easily traveled with only 2 25 inch suitcases. And unlike when I lived in Japan 25 years ago almost all stations have elevators and escalators.

Next year we're going back to Hawaii and I'm not packing light. Well I'll take very few cloths but I'll take a lot of stuff that will make the overall trip cheaper: spices, snorkeling gear, etc. we stay in a timeshare and I figured out years ago that while you can buy everything there, Hawaii is a lot cheaper if you bring stuff from home.

Depends on the trip. Hawaii - we don't back light. We stay in one place the whole time and bring our snorkel gear. Work trips - not very light, also because I'm in one place but it depends on the duration. 3 days is easier than 10 days. Europe trips...light! We move a lot and light is SO nice to not have much when there's lots of movement. I do not reach the 11lb challenge but my entire travel kit to Croatia was 20lbs and that's the plan with our trip next week to hike Mt. Blanc.

Im often taking with me such weird things as iron, kettle, vacuum cleaner, hairdryer. Because Im engaged in cosplay and all this stuff is pretty useful in some cases. And of course, I have a large bag with makeup and a huge box of all sorts of stuff from hot glue to 8 different kinds of pins and needles. Believe me, all this mess is necessary stuff. But, I have to say that vacuum, kettle and dryer are very small. I've got one of those "roadie" models. Im not able to add the photo right now, but its similar to such models https://bestvacuum.reviews/handheld-vacuum/ , except that I have Dyson.
If somebody interested in cosplay, traveling with a lot of fragile stuff and etc. - I`ll gladly answer all your questions.
P.S. Adding one of my photos from festival in Ukraine)

• img1 - https://imgur.com/nl0G6pI
• img2 - https://imgur.com/hC9uZnM
• img3 - https://imgur.com/a/TJXwm

mr.acksel,

I'm not passing any judgement as I often travel with a rice cooker. But I'm really curious. Why do you travel with a vacuum cleaner?

Wow yes a vacuum is quite something!!

The answer is simple - very often costumes for performances are made of cheap cloth. and a lot of threads, wool, pieces of some kind of small husks constantly stick to it, that's what a small vacuum cleaner helps out, since it usually does not clean out any adhesive tape, and it is not advisable to wash such suits))
I apologize for not responding for a long time - I broke my leg and lay in the hospital.
Cheers)

So as I talk about packing heavier, I can be stubborn. I'm heading to NC on a Delta Connection flight...smallish plane, soon. If I check my bag each way, they charge me! This irks me. I can wheel my carryon for gate check for free, but I've flown this flight before and everyone seems to be waiting in the jetway, bags in the wall of the jetway, no one can see, crowds in narrow jetway...yuck. So I'm doing the ridiculous 'packing in a lunchbox' thing (sorry, I can't recall who said that above, but I love that quote). I am packing entirely in my BA underseat bag 12x16x6. 8 lbs: packed: 1 slack, 2 tees, 2 socks & under, toiletries, laptop (never bring this but we'll be playing with genealogy), electronics, etc. I am only doing this as I am staying with my cousin and laundry facilities and extras will be provided. So just incase this comes up somewhere and I seem like a hypocrite, I can be as stubborn as the next guy. However, I'd hate to travel to Europe like this...until I can no longer lift anything...and, a big and, I am not bringing my camera.

Haha, no way i'm traveling heavy! I hate carrying a heavy bag, and I don't feel like i need so many things :/ only the essentials..

I hate carrying a heavy bag

I do too, that's why I roll mine.

I suppose I'm getting better, improving if that is a possibility at all. At check-in dep from OAK last month to London, the spinner weighed 13.5 kilos. But that's packing for only 11 nights.

I have not weighed my luggage, but including my laptop, I packed in a small samsonite carryone bag and have plenty for 3 weeks in winter. I carried coat and had a carryone rolly bag and small computer case with stuff stuffed around computer.

Ray, You made me chuckle. The truth can be funny!
Jette, It sounds as if you packed a reasonable amount for your travels.

Not me! Too many years packing for field station (microscopes, scuba gear, plant presses) with a baby/toddler (porta-a-crib, diapers). Happy to travel with a 33l backpack and personal item. 😁

%) After several "backpack, carry-on, ultra light, no frills--if you want to be a 'real' traveler" adventures, I figured out how I like to travel. Have enjoyed my last 15-20 trips sooooooooooo much more.

I've loved reading this thread and seeing how it hasn't descended into the usual bickering. I think only Uber and tipping generate more controversy on travel forums.

Although I don't travel 'heavy', I do fall into the category of checking a bag on almost every trip, the only time I wouldn't is for a 2/3 day trip to a warm weather climate.

I'm sure one day I'll experience the lost luggage, but that hasn't happened so far with many flights so far. All my travel is leisure now, so I don't think I waste time reclaiming baggage, especially on international flights. Even on my most recent trip to LHR, where I connected through DUB and thus didn't have to endure the awful queue at LHR passport control, my bag arrived in less than 20 minutes.

I simply can't understand taking time out of a trip to spend time doing laundry, with the exception of having laundry facilities at your hotel or apartment, where it can be combined with other tasks. Otherwise, laundry is either dropped off or, even better, I love the services where they'll pick it up at your hotel and then return it a day or so later. Most of the time, I need a variety of clothing anyway and it's nice to have two pairs of shoes, one for serious walking and something a bit nicer for dinners out, theatre, or nicer bars.

It is like Goldilocks, the goal is to pack "not too big, not too small, but just right." It isn't fun to drag items that you don't ever use around for the length of your holiday, but it also isn't fun to be uncomfortable due to not having the right things or feeling like you're wasting precious time dealing with laundry or emergency shopping.

Some of my trips are much more enjoyable when I bring more stuff and check a suitcase. But, if I can carry-on and avoid the risk and the weight I do, but it is not my highest order goal.

And some of us love an occasional trip where shopping is a major component. I could carry-on easily for the outbound leg of my next trip to London, but I am taking my largest checked bag and intend to bring it back full.

Regarding the need to do laundry in a hotel sink to save packing space and weight, I’ll say “no thanks”. I’ve tried this a couple of times, and in both cases the stuff was still damp the next morning. No, I didn’t spend a fortune on overpriced “travel clothes”, and don’t care to. I don’t see the point in buying a separate wardrobe only for travel, though some items are practical. But for me at least, spending an evening doing laundry in a bathroom is a waste of time.

I’ve found that by staying in hotels (in the US) that have self-service washers and dryers, I can still pack light and run a load of clothes through for $3. I have a little pouch with quarters I pack in my carryon along with a few detergent pods. On a cruise or at a resort, I’ll pay for the laundry service, which is usually reasonable. I haven’t tried the “local laundry” option yet out of country, but that’s doable, too.

As some other posters here have pointed out, a lot of the stuff that causes “overpacking” isn’t necessarily clothing but our growing electronic needs and excess toiletries. I’ll plead guilty on that one, but I’ve been able to handle a ten day trip with a carryon and a backpack (underseat) with careful clothing selection and a little discipline with all the ancillary stuff. So far, so good.

Thank you, Wray, for the entertaining post! I’m one of those light packers, but I do remember taking the RS rules very seriously, and seeing some large suitcases at our first RS trip. What? Rule breakers? Ha!

I thought I'd update as packing has started. After reading Barbara's results of her "overpacking" post, I'm going big for my March trip to Amsterdam. I've pulled out my old Rick Steves 22" wheelie, which was never really a legitimate carryon at 23" so it got little use as I wasn't checking in that era. Now I check my bag regardless of size. SO, I will have room for more sweater/vest type clothes (3 or 4), which I love, and I'll bring a raincoat in addition to my light jacket just incase the weather is horrible and I need to resort to it, and two pairs of shoes plus hotel room slippers, and sweat pants for the room... This trip we are only 10 days gone, and 7 full days in Amsterdam, so I will not do sink laundry (because yuck), but let the hotel provide us with their free laundry service closer to our return as I always have a clean outfit for the flight home. So I'm packing larger the older I get...or for this trip at least. That being said, we are staying essentially in one hotel, which has a small elevator for the luggage. A bus goes from airport to hotel area (or maybe we'll take a taxi), so there is little necessary handling of this bag. The fun has begun!

Love this! We have about worn out our RS 22" wheelies and the newer model is too small. My husband's size 15 shoes take up much of that bag. I'll pack light, (primarily if a train figures in our travel), but the older I get, the more I need/want to travel with. Years ago there was. RS 24" wheelie that was sold by another source- same pocket configuration. They're going on the river cruise this summer because we're in and out of Amsterdam on planes.

Wary- hope to see a trip report?

I will admit to smiling about my luggage on a recent 7 day trip to Mexico. A resort yet - where clothing needs are less complicated than most places. But I had a 24 inch suitcase packed to the gills with 'stuff'. Not so much clothing, but a bird guide, 'real' books, a mini kitchen including kettle and basic dishes, 3 swimsuits instead of 1 and 3 pairs of shoes. There was also room for my hat, gloves and down coat - it was after all, -25C when I left Ottawa. Given the flight was at 5 a.m., no one offered to drive me and keep my coat for me, so into the luggage it went, and once in Mexico, into a pillow case to become my comfy thin feather pillow.
Checked bag was free this flight and once outside the small Cancun airport, someone else handled my luggage. Easy peasy and felt so indulgent.
The only down side was I needed Uber to get home instead of trying to tackle 3 city buses during rush hour. Hmm. 30 minute Uber vs 80 minutes and 2 transfers? maybe not such a down side....

I'm very into (vintage) fashion. I'm bringing at least 6 dresses for a two week trip. And at least three skirts.

I'll be darned if I don't wear these dresses but I suspect I might freeze (delicate Californian here) so I ordered some figure skating tights.

At least that's my plan. The dresses come in the mail today so I'll be packing my Osprey Fairview up and seeing how it goes pretty soon.

All clothing I'm ready to get rid of gets in my "travel" box . I'll pack that for my trip and leave it behind , folded on the bed , so the maid can do whatever she wants to do with it. In some poor countries it will probably be used and this makes room for anything I may buy on the trip. I also take older undies and socks and pitch them at the end of the trip. Dress in layers . No raingear except for a thin poncho that fits in a quart size Ziploc . Keeps me and any bag I have dry . Wear the heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane . The rest fits in my carry-on plus a small shoulder bag . If I could only talk hubby into packing light I would not have to watch that baggage carousel anymore.

As long as I really like the clothes I'm bringing, traveling light is okey. But I do come back heavier than I left, that is to say my luggage does. Without the luggage, I'm usually a few pounds lighter. It's not just souvenirs, but I plan on buying a scarf and a t-shirt or two. Occasionally I buy a sweater. This slightly balanced by using up guidebook pages and preprinted tickets as I go. Still the stuff usualky expands, though it often gets lighter.

I manage this by using a backpack that begins carryon size and expands a few inches over a month or so. I carry a stuffable duffle in it. Flying home, I fill the duffle with dirty clothes and check it. That leaves the backpack smaller than when I started.

I thought I'd report on what I actually did do in the end... My husband ended up using my old 22/23" Rick Steves bag, as he uses the latch that hangs his PI on the front of it. I tried to talk myself into my sturdy 9lb Hartman, but couldn't do it in the end. I took my RS 20/21" wheeled bag. My PI was my small travelon backpack for my DSLR mainly. We planned all along to check our bags. For this trip I needed 9 days of clothes.

Here's what I packed:
9 pairs of socks & unders; 1 pair of shoes (no need and won't again...I say); 2 pairs pants (1 NYDJ & one being emergency pants); 3 bras; 4 Lands End Modal LS tees; 1 Blouse; 2 PJs, 1 yoga paints; 1 Chicos reversible quilted vest; Ebags small toiletry kit; 3 scarves; 3 earrings; umbrella (exchanged one small pack of a days clothes minus pants with husband for protection against loss luggage). Suitcase was 22 lbs.
Here's what I wore:
Black NYDJeans, white blouse, black tank, leather shoes (wore my packed Abeos the rest of the time), Landsend windproof fleece vest, LE light jacket, belt, earrings.

PI: DSLR, extra lens, 1 of the above bras, electronic cords, snacks, Sony noise canceling headphones, backup meds including eye drops so had almost empty 311 bag, my backup $$ and financials.

Small cross body: which other than thru security stayed attached to me and had CC, PP, iPod, Meds, insurance cards, boarding passes. PI weight with cross body: less than 8 lbs. (So, here's a question, when the emergency directions say take no bags with you, are they talking about a bag, essentially, permanently attached to you? It is smaller than Gordon Ramsey's purse...if you fly BA.)
To sum up, the packing splurges were yoga pants, 2 vests, 2 PJs, 2 shoes. I'll likely not pack the extra shoes again...but I said that last time.

Let me speak about checking. We had three separate flights on which we had to check the bags, and the bag had an additional flight connection (well we did also but without picking up the bag :) . Easy and quick drop off on all front ends. For pick up at the carousel, one was immediate, one was 30 seconds, and one was less than 2 minutes. Essentially our luggage was popping out onto the carousel when we arrived at luggage pickup. As we have to walk by the luggage carousel to exit the secure zone or airport, I really don't understand the brouhaha on this forum about checking luggage. It is lovely not having luggage with me through the airports. In many years of flying, never lost a pieces of luggage. Had skis delayed once for 6 hours but they arrived by midnight on the arrival day so we had them by the next morning for skiing.

PS, the hotel offered a free laundry service, which we took them up on midway, so 2 teeshirts, 1 blouse, and 1 jean were cleaned. Nice perk.

I really don't understand the brouhaha on this forum about checking luggage.

Really?

I’ve waited 1-1/2 hours at the luggage carrousel and then the luggage never came out.

I’ve had checked luggage lost for 3 days.

I’ve had flights canceled and been stranded overnight in the wrong city. The airlines won’t give you your luggage for an overnight so you’re left spending the night with nothing but the clothes on your back.

I’ve had airlines leave my luggage behind because the plane was overweight.

All those problems went away when I did carry on only.

It’s fine to choose check through as your choice for travel. But there’s no need to diss others choices to carry on. Especially on a board dedicated to carry on travel. That’s like going over to a PETA board and saying how meat eating is superior.

What are you hoping to accomplish?

It isn't my thread, but I am going to toss myself under the bus and see if we can't stop the 'carry on vs checked bag' debate. As the Wray started the thread, and it is about packing heavier, then let her have her say. I am quite sure there was no one's name attached to the comment about 'the bruhaha'....it was her experience and her opinion. Period.
Now as to this being a dedicated 'carry on' forum, I beg to differ.
The Packing header states:
Pack light. Share your creative tricks to fit your world into a small bag for a European Trip. Or since we all slip a goofy little extra in, which soothing, handy, or fun packing extravagances can you justify? IF IT IS ABOUT PACKING FOR YOUR BIG TRIP, DISCUSS HERE.
So, given the 'criteria', some would consider Wray's 22 pounds as 'light'. It is a small bag. She added yoga pants and extra pjs, which seemed to be justified...and she freely admitted that the shoes weren't an extravagance to be repeated. It was her big trip and her packing decision. So, there is nothing about this thread that really contravenes the intended framework.
Nothing on the framework states 'carry on only'. Heck, even Rick says it is okay to check a bag on the way home. Who are we to argue with the guru of American European travel?
Wray, next post...maybe an 'YMMV' may save you from unjustified accusations.

Wray! You know I love your packing lists! I'm so glad you came back with an update. I have about talked myself out of packing an extra pair of shoes as I generally wear just one pair the whole time. I do go with 2 packed pants /wear 1 since your post from last year, lol.

I've enjoyed this thread. I'm generally at 25# on the way home with all the extra paper I've collected along the way and the least I can get down to is around #21 outbound. That works for me. I'm happy with my clothes and the other things I take and I can live with these numbers.

I'm thinking of checking when I travel in May. I've got one plane change and it's in SLC where they seem to be very good at baggage handling. I get the text from Delta when they've loaded it on the plane and so far that's been accurate. I'm in my first hotel in London for 5 nights so hopefully time for anything to catch up with me if things do go astray. On the way home we are routed thru JFK which we usually try to avoid but I'll check my bag then and won't care if it gets delayed.

I did have luggage delayed in January flying from Idaho via SLC and ATL to FL. I knew there were weather issues in ATL for my flight day and Delta issued a waiver so I thought there was a good chance I would get stuck and that my bag might go astray. I purposefully checked my bag and I did wind up sleeping at the airport that night. My bag was delayed to the flight after mine the next day but that was a better alternative than hauling it around the ATL airport while looking for a place to stake out as my campsite, lol. I spent the wait time picking up my rental car and grabbing a bite to eat so the bag delay wasn't horrible.

Wow! LOL

OK. Brouhaha. I guess that was certainly an accurate word; Brouhaha on this forum regarding carrying on the plane. Point proven. However, I will explain my interpretation: My take is that some people that carry on their luggage have no tolerance for any other way. Carry on the plane or you lose. Period. I don't think packing is a contest. It is an addiction (for me anyway)! I don't care how you pack or carryon or not. I was explaining my actions, my development in packing, my being all over the place on the scale, and my end result, and wondering if others have had the same issue. If my way has been interpreted as the only way...well, just wait, my way will continue to change...

One person asked "what did I intend to accomplish?" I intended to accomplish outlining how I've adjusted my travel through time and that I've gone from extremely light and ill planned (of course, I was thin, young and cute at the time so it didn't matter what I wore) to everywhere in between and now I'm packing heavier (um 22lbs heavy), checking, finding it convenient and loving it. At no point did I suggest packing a trunk, a huge suitcase, etc. It never dawned on me that this forum was only for people who want to carry their luggage onto the airplane. If I missed that obvious point, I'm sorry. But I think there would be many fewer people on this forum if that were the case.

Anyway, if my posts have offended anyone. I'm sorry. But my lifestyle is mine. You can have yours. That doesn't make either right or wrong. They just are and I thought this forum was about having fun exchanging ideas. And packing is an incredibly fun addiction I'm sorry to say.

What is YMMV? So I know what I'm using...

Wray, this forum is about packing. Not carry on only. YMMV. Stands for 'your mileage may vary' An 'out' clause by auto manufacturers selling cars with a quoted miles per gallon. Now used as 'your experience may vary' sort of comment. Of course it won't protect you from naysayers, but it might reinforce the point it was just your experience or opinions. At the least, you will recognize when you see it elsewhere.

Actually, my objection was in relation to the inflammatory word “brouhaha”.

That, coupled with comments on other threads about people smelling if they take less clothes. Or taking two shirts. Or being obsessed by weight.

The passive agressive poking at others choices is what I object to. It’s gotten very old.

Pack as you wish.

Wray, we have always checked our luggage. For this next trip, our luggage will come in around 21 lbs. each. We could do carryon but don’t want to be bothered with dragging it through several airports when we change planes (2 changes). We have had our luggage go astray a couple of times in all these years of travel and were without our stuff for 3 or 4 days. It wasn’t a tragedy. We bought some clothes and carried on until we were reunited with our luggage. I, too, am obsessed with the weight of our luggage. My husband thinks I am nuts because the last few trips we have taken we have had porters to fetch and carry for us. Still it’s the principle of packing light ingrained in me from all the years of independent travel. Whatever works for you as long as you are willing to deal with the consequences of possible missing luggage.

Ok I know there is a shoe category, but Wray thinking she might give up a second pair of shoes has me thinking........
Somewhere in my far distant past., like junior high home ec..... I was taught that alternating two pairs of shoes was better for the shoes and for yr feet. Anyone else have a similar mantra? I usually travel w a pair of birkenstock sandals and a pair of lace up shoes

As a former teacher, I never told my students to alternate their shoes. Some only had one pair of shoes. But this leads me to another question. Am I the only traveler here who doesn’t wear or even take along a pair of shoes if they are going somewhere where the temperatures are above freezing? I only take along and wear sandals.

Alternating athletic shoes is good if you're exercising regularly in them- giving them more time between wearings means the cushioning can re-expand more after it's been crushed a bunch by your body weight as you exercise.

For a typical vacation, it doesn't matter quite so much, even if you're walking a lot.

Update on my packing status:

We tried really, really hard on our last trip to pack lighter. I worked into the night to get everything compressed into fewer, smaller bags.

Unfortunately, when I did this, I messed up the system whereby we'd packed half his/half mine into each suitcase. It was late the night before we left. I just wanted to get finished.

Long story short - we packed lighter. His checked bag arrived. My checked bag (with all of my shirts, save one), all of our pants, our deodorants, his shave cream, our toothpaste, my hair styling stuff...never found me until 7 days into my trip b/c apparently two of the airlines didn't get along.

Thank heavens I packed my undies, my toothbrush, my socks & one clean shirt on my carryon. This put a whole new spin on packing light for me, though.

For future reference, if I check a bag, the following goes into my carryon - TWO spare shirts, one pair of jeans, all my undies & socks. My toothbrush. My comb. AND pajamas. We were traveling in Morocco. Beautiful country, but finding clothes for which we could pay with a credit card (and theoretically be reimbursed later) was a major issue.

And definitely wear a hoodie/sweater on the plane...just in case.

Carry on (no pun intended) and pack as you like. We'll still check at least one bag next time. But I'll do a better job packing, regardless of how late at night it is.

Until I got the 2 wheel roller and then the spinner, I checked in both pieces of luggage after the 9/11 security measures took effect. I boarded the plane with no carry-on and consequently had to wait until both checked pieces were thrown out on the carousel. Those times, luckily they were few, when I saw ca 85% of the passengers on my flight had already picked their luggage, I did get nervous but someone has to be first and someone has to be last in getting his/her luggage.

Having the spinner now, I only check in that one piece. The 2nd piece is the carry on.

Acqua, That was a good plan, just wrong clothing mix. Sometimes systems change because I do get tired or the plan just gets old, etc.

Regarding the shoes, I wasn't taught to alternate my shoes. I'm thinking when I grew up I had day/school shoe and a church/dress shoe. So no alternating possible. I don't like the look of gym shoes even if blackish so I wanted my leather ones to potentially help if in the sights for an upgrade or if my sneakers got wet. It's mainly the wet thing, but I think I'll leave them as I said...that's when I'll need them. A shoe story if I may...not a travel story so no one yell at me please. My grandmother was the teacher in a one room schoolhouse in Connecticut circa 1905. She worked really hard at getting her kids to wear shoes to school. My grandfather showed up in his barefeet once when they were 'courting' and apparently got put in his place, so to speak, for his barefeet, after all her hard work. Seventy years later he went with my mother once to pick up my brothers at their expensive, liberal arts college and he looked around and all the kids were barefoot. He thought that was ironic and funny, and laughed about it all the way home.

Anyway, I love how everyone has a plan that develops because of how we live and what we experience and our moods at the time. I love packing vicariously through others, particularly when I'm not packing for myself.

Wray, loved your grandfather’s bare feet story. I can just picture him being amused by it, smile on his face, as he rode home. Ah, those barefoot hippy (your brothers) days...

Packing for me is always evolving.
Next time to Europe, I’ll take a 22” bag packed as light as possible and will check it. I’ll also take a rolling, small, underseat tote (Baggallini) which has a sleeve that goes over the 22” bag’s telescoping handle and sits on top of the 22” bag. Haven’t done this before, so I’ll see how it goes.

I’ve travelled to Europe many times with just a carry on bag and my large Baggallini travel purse, but next time will try the above and see which I like better.

I have extreme fear of my main bag not arriving when I do, has happened to me twice, took 3 days to get to me. My new system lessens my fear as I’ll have enough in my tote to get by for a few days. I’ve also had to wait 1-1.5 hrs many times at the carousel.

Wray,

I loved your shoe story!

Susan, does the Baggallini rolling tote fit under the seat? I saw one at Container Store yesterday, and it looked too wide to fit under the seat. I look forward to reading about your experience. I generally check a carryon size or a 24" bag and take on board a Vera Bradley rolling backpack that has fit under every seat so far. It contains a change of clothes in a compression cube. I have used it as a backpack only a few times.

Hi sandybwb, I saw it at Container store yesterday too, lol. I take them at their word that it will fit. I checked out many more wheeled underseat totes at Macy’s (after Container Store) and they were all the same size or even noticeably bigger. I was asking the saleswoman about the bigger ones fitting and another customer there assured me the bigger one would and added that she’s a flight attendant. That made me feel assured.
I liked the Baggallini better than all the ones I saw at Macy’s so I ordered one last night from Amazon and it was $50 less than the Container Store price ($200). Still expensive but if it works out as well as I think it will, it’s worth it (to me). When I get it, I’ll seriously check it out before deciding to keep it or send back and get a different one at Macy’s.

As to being too wide, I’d turn it and put it
In narrow side first.

What I especially like about wheeled totes is that they are designed to sit on top of your larger bag, attached by a sleeve. I want a tote for the plane but don’t want to carry it around after I check my bag. I have a bad back, very painful to carry anything w any weight.

• Macy’s is having a sale on luggage now.

Susan, My husband took an old, wheeled backpack as his personal item for this trip. I took a small backpack. We were at Schipol Airport...OMG, what long walks to the gate! I'm thinking we were one of the furthest! Anyway, while my backpack was only 8-10 lbs, I did envy his small wheeled bag...but I'd like mine smaller and perhaps cuter. I've been studying them since my return. I'm going to check out Vera Bradley per your post as I haven't been able to find a wheeled backpack with the small dimensions that I want. The one thing I do wonder about is, if the PI wheeled bag is not a backpack and does not have a shoulder strap, how do you enter and exit trains/buses, etc. I do like a hand free for railings and bannisters. My backpack allows that. In other words, I'd love to hear what you think of that wheeled tote after your trip. (Hmmm, that hands free dilemma). Wray

Wray, VB has a rolling back pack - very cute, but don't know if it has a trolley sleeve. At least VB's straps are a little longer, so you can hoist it over your shoulder for 'hands free' for train entry, but it would be awkward. If you are a person who sews, you could add an adjustable shoulder strap - or sew on D rings to clip an existing shoulder strap to....but still could be heavy enough to be awkward.
The Bagallini would be a keeper if the red was the darker red of the Bagallini site image rather than the bright red of the Amazon images.....but not really in the market for such a bag, myself....but handles look like hand held only.

Wray, VB has a rolling back pack - very cute, but don't know if it has a trolley sleeve. At least VB's straps are a little longer, so you can hoist it over your shoulder for 'hands free' for train entry, but it would be awkward. If you are a person who sews, you could add an adjustable shoulder strap - or sew on D rings to clip an existing shoulder strap to....but still could be heavy enough to be awkward.
The Bagallini would be a keeper if the red was the darker red of the Bagallini site image rather than the bright red of the Amazon images.....but not really in the market for such a bag, myself....but handles look like hand held only.

Wray, you make a good point re: not being hands free getting on a train...
I’m not doing trains next trip so I didn’t think about that. Pretty sure I can manage the Baggallini tote and main bag without hands free but it’s something to think about and thoroughly test out when I get it. I appreciate you making this point... it’s a lot of money and maybe the Baggallini isn’t the right one for me after all. Here’s a link to the Baggallini:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00L57GIW6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523028083&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=baggallini%2Bwheeled%2Bbags&dpPl=1&dpID=41XdWMh2-5L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I use an add-a-bag strap to roll luggage and PI together. In transit, the backpack straps are already attached in case I need to wear it and not roll it. It is awkward to roll 2 bags.

sandy, I agree rolling two bags is not ideal, not planning to do that. Add a bag strap is great in a pinch, but not ideal for me as a system. Don’t want to carry anything after I check my main bag.

I use the add a bag strap so I don't need the sleeve on the backpack. However, I do need the small handle on top of the bag to attach the bag in this way. I fought this system for the longest time, but my husband kept telling me I'd like the counter weight so the bags fairly float along behind me. I must admit, he was right. I do. YMMV. (Chuckle; Thanks Maria!) I wish it were one inch shorter, but considering the lack of competition in this size for backpacks, that I've found, I may have to get try it. This is definitely a bag for me to think about.

Susan, Please let me know what you think of your non-backpack PI after your trip. I do really like how those bags are organized.

Wray... will do!