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Packing for Scotland/Ireland and Flying Air France

Posted by (NorCal) on

I am planning a bit in advance (our trip isn't until next August). But despite having many more travel bags than anyone I know, I'm considering what would be best for this trip. We are flying Air France, which has some of the more restrictive carryon sizes and weights. It is allowing me 1 carryon and 2 personal items (premium economy) but the weight limit is the same as economy (which allows just 1 personal item) for a total of 26.4 lbs.

We will be spending a couple of days in Edinburgh, then 16 days on a Windstar cruise (in port every day) and then a couple of days in Rouen/Bayeux/Normandy. So not a lot of transitions and only one train ride (to London from France). Just under 4 weeks.

I think I'd like to travel with a carry on on the way over and bring a packable bag with me, so if I buy some items, I'll check through my roller and carry my personal item and packable bag on the plane.

I have the no longer available IKEA roller which fits the Air France dimensions of 21.6535 x 13.7795 x 9.84252, as it is 21.25 x 13.5 x 7.75. It weighs 4.8 pounds. When I went to Iceland, I had packed in this bag and a travel backpack from Amazon that weighed 2.1 lbs. The IKEA suitcase weighed about 7.75 KG (about 17 pounds) and the backpack about 4 kg (almost 8 pounds). However, I ended up switching rollers and switching to my Travelpro and shipping it through (not added items, just slightly more space)

I'm thinking of ordering this lightweight backpack: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FS769PKG/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AYGGTJSBMUHSR&th=1 which fits the personal items dimensions and is about 8 ounces. I am thinking (or more likely overthinking) if I use this backpack I'll save about 1.5 pounds. The Iceland trip I also took my iPad and a portable keyboard, which I wont need (saving another 1.5 lbs)

My other option is using my Hynes 38 liter backpack (weighs 1.76 pounds) and carrying very lightweight zippered tote as my personal item. I have the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil crossbody, which I think would work and only weighs 2 ounces. I think i might actually get a little more packing space with this bag (19.7x13x7.9). But, I do prefer a roller. On the other hand, we will have very limited times I have to actually carry it-basically just through the airport, most everywhere else we'll be using uber or cabs). Using these two would buy me 5 pounds, which I think would give me lots of leeway.

So, having said that....
1. Does anyone have a super lightweight backpack they recommend that fits the 40x30x15cm restriction?
2. What is your best advice for packing light for Ireland and Scotland in August?
3. If I decided to carry a backpack, do you have a recommendation for a very light shoulder tote? (The Sea to Summit is amazingly light, true, but it's also kind of ugly)
4. Am I over thinking this and should just ship through my trusty old Travelpro and just carry a smaller backpack on?
5. If I carryon, I'd like to bring a pair of waterproof chelsea style ankle boots that look more stylish (to wear for dinner) as well as a pair of waterproof walking shoes. Best recommendations for these?

I know this trip isn't for a while, but I do love planning in advance. (and giving my family gift ideas). My other upcoming trips (Caribbean cruise, NYC, San Diego, Boston), require little planning for packing, so I'm thinking more about this trip.

Thanks!

Posted by
16553 posts

"What is your best advice for packing light for Ireland and Scotland in August?"

In addition to your waterproof Chelsea boots and some kind of waterproof walking/athletic shoe, I'd also suggest a waterproof (not water resistant) jacket with a hood. I have started taking a waterproof ball cap to wear under the hood to keep the rain off my face. I am so NOT a ball cap wearer but this works for me!

I would say also to go with a couple of short sleeve easy wash tees plus at least 1 long sleeve tee, maybe 2 depending on the last minute weather forecast. I've recently gotten some good long sleeve tees at Fred Meyer/Kroger that are a cotton/modal mix. I took a short sleeve one with me in October and it washes and dries really well. It is the DIP brand if you are looking for an inexpensive but quicker dry shirt option.

I don't think you are overthinking...but I am an over-thinker, hahaha!! I stressed over a similar situation in 2022 when I was going to Italy using Delta and Air France. I got the Osprey Ozone then just to save 1.5# so I completely understand your thinking.

I have the Sea to Summit sil-nylon day pack that I travel with. It's not sturdy enough to really do any hiking but it's great for a day bag to leave in a tour bus or van and carry extra layers. Mine is aqua so it's pretty but there is an orange that I'm not crazy about.

How big do you want your cross-body to be? I know many on the forum have been in to Tom Bihn products for a long time. I just got my first 2 pieces before my last trip in October and am in love. I got the very small Everyday Cubelet that will zip up under my rain jacket on a wet day as well as a Rogue Sacoche for something a little bigger. Both are very, very lightweight. Take a look at their website and see if there is anything that fits the bill for you. Be warned of 2 things...if you see a color you like...get it as it will be gone. It may also start a low-level buying addiction, hahaha!!

Posted by
178 posts

In addition to your waterproof Chelsea boots and some kind of
waterproof walking/athletic shoe, I'd also suggest a waterproof (not
water resistant) jacket with a hood.
I should have mentioned, I also have a raincoat that goes to my hips and is rated 10,000mmH2O waterproof (not that I really understand the rating). I got it for Iceland and Alaska and consequently had essentially no rain on either trip!

I got the Osprey Ozone then just to save 1.5# so I completely
understand your thinking.
Someone who understands!

I know many on the forum have been in to Tom Bihn products for a long
time.
I've definitely heard of their products but didn't realize they were lightweight. I'll check them out.

Thanks!

Posted by
16553 posts

Your jacket sounds excellent! Maybe it will ward off rain on this trip too, hahaha!!

The Tom Bihn crew seems to be in to light packing. On their website they have weights listed for every item and they are correct weights (yes, I weighed my Everyday Cubelet to be sure, hahaha. AND they have weights for each of the different fabrics their bags come in.

Posted by
178 posts

This is a very light weight comfortable backpack that I have taken to
Europe many times. It is not designed for a lap top so if you want to
take one, this is not the right bag.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DNGEORW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

PS You do not have to have your backpack be the size the airline says.
It just has to fit into that sizer. I have taken this back pack not
stuffed on Air France twice.

Thank you! I actually looked at this earlier, but looked away because of the extra 5 centimeters on top. I appreciate the suggestion as its hard to gauge the comfort of the straps on a lightweight bag like this. Luckily no computer is needed.

Posted by
1942 posts

What is your best advice for packing light for Ireland and Scotland in August?

Wear your heaviest clothes on the plane. For example the waterproof chelsea boots you mentioned. And even though it's summer, wear your waterproof raincoat on the plane as well. Since you're on a cruise, I'm not sure you'll need both waterproof boots and waterproof walking shoes. Unless you plan on doing some hiking in boggy terrain (where you might find a puddle or mud that would cover the tops of shoes) I'd bring one or the other. For a second pair of shoes I'd bring comfortable sandals for dinner and which could also be used for walking in towns.

Posted by
2606 posts

As to a waterproof jacket, I've owned such and it reminds me of being in a sauna with high humidity next to my skin. Given trial and error, my kit has evolved to a lightweight water resistant shell (does very well) with one or more layers of clothing. If cold, then I utilize one to two merino wool products, a thin version next to my torso and then a thicker layer.

Posted by
16553 posts

"*As to a waterproof jacket, I've owned such and it reminds me of being in a sauna with high humidity next to my skin. *"

To me this is dependent on the jacket fabric. The less expensive ones tend not to be breathable so can sometimes indeed feel like you've wrapped yourself in Saran Wrap. The more expensive ones made of GoreTex are breathable and in fact I think they work because the heat from your body pushes out thru the membrane and that is what helps to keep water from seeping in. (I am happy to be corrected if I've not understood the function right!). The expensive ones also have pit zips so you can regulate temp better.

Posted by
1559 posts

Your bags are pretty light and fit the size requirements of the airlines, so I don't think they are the issue. And unless I'm reading wrong, you have packed these two items to within the weight limit. So you might well be overthinking it.
OTOH, it may be the 19.5 pounds of clothes, shoes and toiletries. You don't need two pairs of waterproof shoes in August. I would skip the boots in favor of sandals (or ballet flats). I am a light packer, but I also use packing cubes for organization and to maximize space. I weigh all my clothes and have found extremely lightweight packing cubes.
I have the Peak Design Packable Tote in a kind of army green color. I like it quite a lot as it has a zip top and lightly padded shoulder strap (not cross body). REI only has the grey/black one right now: https://www.rei.com/product/241404/peak-design-packable-tote
If I were you, I'd make my life easier by checking the TravelPro and using the Hynes backpack as my carryon.

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