People with only carry-on luggage never pack these 7 items

I think the point of "specialty gadgets" is that there are a plethora of "travel items" that you haul while traveling, but never would need at home. It is of course personal preference, and I travel with a couple items others may think crazy, but it is easy for many to get carried away with "ooh, that neat and looks like it might be handy" and never gets pulled out of the suitcase, or is for only very limited use.

Things I looked at, maybe even traveled with, but have decided to leave home?

-Neck Pillow and Over Ear Headphones, bulky and are mainly only for the flight over, then you lug them for the trip.

-Lots of things for laundry (clothesline, detergent, washing bag, etc.) My compromise anymore is a few detergent sheets, but the sink, a little liquid soap, and any available object to dry a few things works. And that is really only for a few pair of underwear or to deal with a stain, otherwise, I strategically get an apartment with a washer or hit up a laundry.

-Any "Boomer tech" things I used to do or haul, that my phone, e-reader, or laptop can now do. So no guidebooks, books, maps, paper printouts, camera, video camera, translator books or menu decoders, the list really could go on.

-The "Day Bag Load", some people wandering the streets look like they are on safari, hauling a bulging day pack. Usually filled with the Boomer Tech items, but food for a few days; a couple gallons of water; umbrella, parka, and options for every variation of weather; maybe a tent in case you get stranded near the Trevi Fountain. I only jest a little bit, but one really does not need all that in an urban environment. I found out water and drinks are readily available, if I feel the need for a snack, I visit a bakery, or a store and find something different and interesting. The weather? I take my chances, I'm drip-dry, or can wait out a shower having a beer. Now when I go out for the day, I have my passport, my phone, and an ultra thin wallet with just a credit card and a little cash. It is absolutely liberating.

What do I haul that may seem unnecessary? I have my vices, I haul a flat sheet, I get hot at night, and duvets are the bane of my existence. My wife has grown partial to a small USB powered fan, she sleeps better with some air moving and white noise. I also pack an outdoors "Drybag" probably several liters in size. It is good for packing wet/dirty clothes, just as a pack sack, and can double as an ice bag for drinks or food, or to take to the beach. I also purchased a multiport, high wattage, USB charger with the Euro type C plug, so no adapter needed for most travel.

I understand the "too hot for a duvet", so I take the duvet out of the cover and use just the cover. I instruct housekeeping to please take the duvet out of the room for our stay and just leave the cover. It's even easier in an apartment--I just stash it.

The "Day Bag Load", some people wandering the streets look like they are on safari, hauling a bulging day pack.

It's not my thing. At home and when I travel I do always have a bag with me. The thing is its always nearly empty with the only things in it is a pair of glasses, my several pairs of earbuds, a pen, a couple cables and rain jacket. It's to carry the things I acquire through the day so I am not always going back home or hotel room.

Been travelling carryon only for 11 years, including trips to Africa, Asia, and South America, in addition to Europe. Things I bring/don't bring?

1. Multiple pairs of shoes
Always at LEAST 2 pair. This is a must for me, as switching shoes can be helpful if my feet get sore. If I'm travelling someplace where I might be swimming, then I also bring water shoes.

2. Full-sized toiletries
Nope. Didn't do this before I started travelling carryon, either. What for?

3. Bulky jackets and sweaters
Depends on the time of year., but I wouldn't consider most of my jackets bulky, anyway. If I need to bring jackets or sweaters, I'll wear the bulkiest on the plane.

4. Heavy books
I have an iPad and can carry 100 books on it, if I so wish.

5. Extra “just in case” outfits
This was the hardest thing for me to give up, and I still sometimes bring things I don't end up wearing, but, as VAP mentioned, layering is key. I always bring a couple of silk or thermal camisoles, and these can give me extra warmth, if needed.

6. Expensive jewelry and accessories
"Never mind travel, that is just not even an at home thing." Same.

7. Specialty gadgets
I travel with my phone, tablet, and bluetooth earphones, as well as a portable charger. On some trips, I've travelled with a LARQ water bottle, which my kids gave me. (If I don't bring the LARQ, I still bring a stainless-steel, insulated bottle.)

Things I've sometimes also brought, depending on the trip: full-face snorkel mask, hiking boots, a bridge-camera with a 30 or 40x zoom, an underwater camera, and a neck pillow and/or neck pillowcase (with a couple of sweaters stuffed in, in November).

I too have given up the daybag. I carry a small crossbody or wear a waist bag. Besides my ID and a coin purse, the only thing I need is a very small tube of sunblock (I am very fair) even if I wear a hat. I carry one set of wireless earbuds, my husband and I each use one, it works fine.
If it is raining when we go out, we wear our rain jackets. If it is just a threat of rain, we take our chances.
We got tired of the bag weight on our backs or shoulders and having to check it at many museums.
Also, because we travel mostly off season, we wear jackets with zippered pockets for the odd item we might need, like a portable charger.
I take pictures of certain pages in guidebooks of restaurants I want to try. I don’t have a good memory for names.

I find these lists entertaining as well. Most often I just shake my head. We do carryon only about 90% of the time, and only check bags when it is not possible to do carryon only.

1. Multiple pairs of shoes

Most of the time I only take one pair. I just got back this weekend from a trip and wore a pair of sandals and had a pair of heels in my bag. The heels never got worn. When we go to Iceland, I almost always just have my hiking boots.

1. Full-sized toiletries

I have never done this as they are just way too much.

1. Bulky jackets and sweaters

We do layer, but have had to bring some heavier things. For Greenland, we took our bulky wool sweaters from Iceland. They are not heavy, so I just put them in a compression bag to save space. Same with my puffer.

1. Heavy books

I rarely take a book, but my trip last week I did. It fits in my purse so that is easy.

1. Extra “just in case” outfits

Most of the time no, but last week I was indecisive so did bring much more than I needed. We were going to a celebration of life though, so I wasn't sure what I would wear depending on the weather. Hence the heels I mentioned above.

1. Expensive jewelry and accessories

I wear the same thing day in and day out. Minimal jewelry, nothing extra packed.

1. Specialty gadgets

I did take a sound machine as we use a fan at home, and I found one that is about 2"x2" and it works like a charm without taking up hardly any space. I almost always take my travel pillow, but it is very compact and I can cram it into most anything and it is very lightweight (designed for backpacking).

The only time we check bags is if we are headed to the bush and need our hip waders, or if I want my hiking poles, or like our trip to Greenland where the carryon weight limit was 13# (we were at 18#).

Barbara--I make an album on my phone and have all my trip planning stuff on there. I take photos of guidebook pages, things I read here and on Trip Advisor, etc and then have a specific album for each trips planning. That way it is very easy to have it all in one spot.

mikliz97
Good idea about the album. I’m doing it now.

Brian Regan comedy routine - bring a mattress, lamp & a yak, instead! LOL!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NV_V3aDERrE

1. I wear my Keen Rose sandal 95% of the time, but I bring a pair of lightweight black flats for concerts & nicer dinners.
2. I have stopped trying to bring multiple travel size toothpastes. I bring one & plan an excuse to go into a store to buy a tube while I’m in the country.
3. Nope
4. No, but I stood in front of the Puglia coffee table book in Lecce last year trying to figure out how I could bring it home. Completely impractical because I still had many cities left on the itinerary.
   
5. Never
6. I bring some accessories but nothing of monetary or sentimental value.
7. Not even tempted in this category. Basic travel & processes.

I don’t bring a day bag. My crossbody purse has my phone, reading glasses, pen, TP, a couple of mints & Purell singles & something with the hotel name on it. Sometimes also.a paper of a reservation activity. I don’t carry water - just stop when I’m tired or thirsty for an outdoor cafe break. I stop back at my nearby hotel when I would like to recharge my phone or my legs. ; )

Bravo, Paul!
I often wonder why, when travelers are at home they go out with no special packs, but when they go to Europe, there is the sudden emergence and absolute necessity of day packs, cross body bags and fanny packs. Nothing says “tourist” louder!

I've wondered the same thing.

Well, I always have three pairs of shoes. And no, I am not a fashionista. I have foot problems and I have to change shoes and I can’t go barefooted even inside. Last trip took hiking shoes (went to Dolomites), white sneakers, and sandals. I take the sandals to wear around a hotel room even if it is too cold to wear them outside.

I still do carry on.

Phillip, having worked/volunteered for many years in a museum here in Bend that sees international as well as domestic travelers I can say that carrying backbacks, fannypacks, etc., is not specific to travelers in Europe but travelers or “tourists” in general.

I often wonder why, when travelers are at home they go out with no special packs, but when they go to Europe, there is the sudden emergence and absolute necessity of day packs, cross body bags and fanny packs.

When we're in the US, whether home or traveling, we usually have our vehicle nearby with what we would put in a daypack in Europe. In Europe we tend to be out and about all day so we use a daypack for outerwear, snacks., and our water bottles.

when travelers are at home they go out with no special packs

When I go "into the city" for the day, I absolutely bring a day pack, perhaps with a rainjacket or umbrella, phone charger, water bottle and maybe a snack. Where I live, I never know when I might need it.

I think the article has good information for novice travelers and good reminders for seasoned travelers. I’ve gotten better about not overpacking the day bag to take around, but I will still need to carry something. I like to have water on me and a small snack, plus room for small souvenirs. For laundry tasks, I just bring a couple of laundry sheets and a few foldable plastic hangers.

Shoes - I wear my walking shoes on the plane and pack flats for dinner and flip flops for the room.
I’ve never traveled with full-sized toiletries, even for road trips. I do like to bring my own products in 1 or 2 ounce silicone containers because many hotel products have an unappealing smell to me.

I used to always carry on my suitcase, but have switched to checking it in the last few years because of shoulder issues. I will always pack light in a small suitcase, though. It’s so much easier to manage on trains, small elevators, stairs, etc.

OK, now one thing I do wonder about now, how are we defining a day bag? And what would then be the difference between a day bag, sling bag, cross body bag or a purse? I carry my Osprey bag every single day and would not be bothered to consider it my purse.

Bravo, Paul!
I often wonder why, when travelers are at home they go out with no special packs, but when they go to Europe, there is the sudden emergence and absolute necessity of day packs, cross body bags and fanny packs. Nothing says “tourist” louder!

Like I said, every single day. At home I cannot bike anymore, but I walk everywhere or use our local transit authority. I do not go about my daily activities running back out to the car to drop things off. Going to work I may have parts and pieces of projects going with me, lunch and rain jacket. Or I know I need to bring something home. On my days off I throw my tablet in my bag and go to get breakfast at a local cafe, I may go to the library to check out materials, occasionally stop at the city admin building to take care of something, or then groceries. Having a bag makes errands easier to manage at home and when traveling I treat my bag just the same.

It's not the bag that says tourists. If anything it's the accoutrements or paraphernalia stuffed hanging and dangling from the bag.

I never leave home without my full-frame mirrorless and three zooms. I am a boomer, and as long as my bones allow, you'll have to 'pry them from my...' you know how the rest goes. 'Boomer Tech' indeed!