We just got back from a short trip to Scotland. I tried so hard to pack lightly and thought I was doing a good job with packing. We did carryon only. I took the Rick Steves Two Wheeled Rolling 21” case. It weighed 18 pounds packed at first and I thought I was going to be a proud member of Team Jean (The Lightest Packing Queen) :) By the time I added my toiletries, first aid stuff and electronic items, it went up to over 20 lbs. Some of those items are on the “wish I hadn’t” taken list below. I also took my new Roka Canfield Pack (medium size) as my personal item. That is #1 on my “glad I took it” list.
Glad I took:
1. The Roka Cranfield medium sized backpack. Used as personal item on plane and used several days during trip. Great for storing jackets, small umbrella, souvenirs and water bottle. So versatile and stylish. I may get a small at some point I like it so much.
2. Vessi tennis shoes. Wore them almost every day.
3. Columbia waterproof rain jacket. Wore that almost every day. Held off the rain well and was warm.
4. The Rick Steves two wheeled case. Very light and packs a ton. I did have a bit of four wheeled envy a couple of times in the airport, but we’ll see…
5. Tom Bihn small tray. Got this after hearing so much about it on the forum. Really liked using it and keeping everything in place.
6. Tiny packable Totes umbrella. We had some rain and it was nice to have it and not wear the jacket if it was warm.
7. Foldable hangers. So light, easy to pack and allowed things to dry easily.
8. Pants did great. Two pair Levi’s jeans, one Duluth Trading Co. Dry on the Fly khakis. Wore one pair jeans on the plane. 3 pair pants for 7 days was fine.
9. Merino wool socks
10. Mock turtleneck lightweight sweater
11. Small Kipling cross body purse. Using that was nice on several days. Lightweight and compact.
Wish I hadn’t- will rethink next time
- Too many first aid kind of things. Toiletry bag was too bulky and heavy. Neosporin, moleskin, tweezers, etc. The only thing I really used was Tylenol. I don’t need to be super mom prepared for any situation anymore.
- Took second Falraven Keb puffer coat. Could have gotten by with the 32 Degrees vest and the raincoat.
- Wore Blundstones boots over on plane and only two days. Love these boots, and thought the waterproof factor would be great to have, but in hindsight, for this trip the Vessi’s would have been enough.
- Anker portable power bank. My son took one and we only used his once. Unnecessary weight for this trip.
- Too many tops. Took two short sleeve. Didn’t wear. Used the other four tops and sweater. Took five total- wore one on plane.
- Digital camera. I think I am just going to use my phone from here on out. I have a Panasonic Lumix that is compact and I used it a lot, but it got a bit bulky to tote by the end of the week.
- This was a silly one. I thought I would busy myself some on the plane with an adult coloring book and pencil case. Colored one picture lol. Ended up donating the book and the Prismacolor coloring pencils to a local thrift shop before coming home. That idea was an epic fail!
Anyway, I was much better this time lifting the Rick Steve’s bag as compared to the TravelPro Elite bag I gifted my son. But, I think I can do better next trip if I eliminate or substitute some things. It’s a work in progress!