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Light packing: bits and bobs

Hi! Long time reader, first time poster! I've been busy gathering up loads of info here behind the scenes and am popping up now with a light-packing inquiry.

Essentially I'm hoping this thread can perhaps serve as a master list of all the random non-clothing miscellany that you light packers DO include and bring along in your travels. I know I'd benefit from hearing everything on your packing lists from the fun ideas (hobbies etc) to the utilitarian/practical (laundry, hygiene, room supplies, etc) that can actually fit right in with light packing.

I'm inspired to post and ask this question because light(ish) packing hasn't been too much of a challenge for us thus far (because our careers have kept us limited to shorter/closer trips), but as we begin to see a light on the horizon, I very much want us to stick with carry-on only even for longer trips abroad. Whether that's our usual 21" spinners or -- ambitiously -- a backpack + personal item, I want to get a better sense of what's possible!

Posted by
7089 posts

This is all so personal and unique to each traveler, but for me:

21" two wheel carry on
No purse
Scottevest jacket or vest- inside zipper pockets
Bandolier phone case (comes with a neck strap) with snap pocket for a credit card and cash- I tap pay everththing.
Backpack
Passport and extra cash/credit cards in an Eagle Creek silk passport case, worn under clothes.
Tom Bihn "trays"

I calculate all liquids and pills so that the containers will be empty by trip's end.

Have fun planning. Once you achieve carry on status, you'll never go back!
Safe travels!

Posted by
9797 posts

Hi Josie, I’m sitting at an airport bored right now awaiting my final flight home in a few hours, so I have time to type. I pack to my custom packing list, so these are the same items for a couple of weeks or a month in Europe:

I use the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack as my only bag, weighing 13-14 pounds packed. My personal item is an ORI crossbody purse.

Non-clothing items:

Eagle Creek rips top nylon thin toiletry kit has: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, tweezers,disposable razor, sunscreen, Clinique foundation in a tiny sample jar, mascara, eyebrow mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, deodorant, Oil of Olay makeup remover disposable cloths cut in half, prescriptions, OTC meds, q-tips, nail clippers, Pantene tiny Rescue shot - used as very concentrated conditioner. Silicone collapsible bathroom cup.

Money belt contents:
Passport, 2 credit cards, ATM card, large Euros, and driver’s license if needing to leave ID for bike rental.

Misc. in a gallon Ziploc bag:
1 plastic fold-up hanger, 2 pens, shopping bag that folds into a tiny ball, small sketchbook, small fabric pencil case with sketching supplies, plastic spoon.

Tom Bihn travel tray contents:
Tiny flashlight, Post-its, airplane free eye mask, 2European plugs (not adapters) with phone & iPad cords, extra pair reading glasses.

Quart Ziploc bag with instant coffee sticks & individual nuts pkgs for first few days.

iPad mini
Mesh zipper folder with itinerary papers & reservation tickets.

My crossbody purse contents:
Phone, reading glasses, Purell individual packets of sanitizer, mints, TP, 1pen, coin purse, any reservation ticket for today.