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Relative newbie traveler packing report

Lyndash’s recent post about her new purchases/ old standbys on her trip coincided with my assessment as I packed things Post trip away, so I thought I would share, too. Many of the things I bought over the last year came from recommendations and alerts fro the various enablers on here, so there is a distinct connection :)

For newer travelers just starting to put together ideas of items to take, here are some things that I bought that worked great and I will be packing again, some that didn’t work and some I wish I had taken:

Keepers
Travelon RFID blocking single zip wallet. I found mine at TJMaxx for $7. It was a great size and I could put a copy of my documents (passport, license, etc) folded tickets and cards in there. Also has a little zippered part for coins.

Travelon World Essentials set of 2 currency and passport organizer. I bought these at TJ Max too for my daughter. $14. She mainly used the smaller one for a wallet.

Sherpani Cruz crossbody bag. I really liked this bag. I had a baggellini, but I wanted something more streamlined and narrow against my body. I felt it was a perfect size.

Rick Steves two wheeled carryon. Great purchase for me. Mine is burgundy. Weight is perfect and it holds so much. Even filled coming back, I could easily lift it to the overhead.

Malibu hard water hair care products. Another big hit. I took the shampoo (put in a tsa size plastic bottle), the conditioner and hair repair treatment packets were easy to fit in. No more straw hair- yay!

Cuddle duds- long sleeve (1) and tank top (1). These did great to layer. I kind of wish I had 2 of the long sleeve. You can’t tell you are wearing them and they really helped with layering. I plan on buying another le with the v neck.

Vessi women’s weekend in oak brown. I’ve had these for over a year and love them. They did great walking in London. Kept my feet dry and supported my legs well. We walked on an average 8-9 miles a day. when they wear out, I’m definitely getting another pair.

Merino wool socks from Costco. Washed and dried well, so warm.

Tildaks electronic organizer pouch in pink from Amazon. For 7 bucks it did the trick keeping everything where it needed to be.

A fold into itself /pouch two handle carryall bag. Can’t remember where I got one, but we used the heck out of it for souvenirs purchases, food, etc. we stopped quite a few items in there!

Dr Bonner’s peppermint Castile soap. Travel size. Used for laundry and shower. Smells so good.

Levi’s Classic Straight stretch jeans. I’m a jeans person and these are just so comfortable for me. I took two pair. Made the mistake of thinking I could wash and they would be ready the evening of next day, but it took two full days to dry.

Duluth Trading company flexpedition slim leg pants. Took one khaki colored pair. I really like these pants because they are so comfortable and stretchy. I did not wash them while I was there so I don’t know how fast they dry, but I will take them again.

Eddie Bauer departure tops at Costco. I took two, a blue and a reddish color. I really like these- they’re very soft and comfortable. I did need to wear the cuddle dud layer underneath on a couple of days because they are very thin.

Travel size Totes umbrella. Got it for $8 at TJMaxx. I know there is some debate about whether to have an umbrella or go with out while in London, but it was nice having the barrier on the day that it rained a little bit harder when we were in Hampstead. The wind one day made me wonder if I need a little bit stronger one, but this one is very small and light. I used a carabiner to attach it to my Sherpani or it fit in my coat pocket.

Oil of Olay cleansing squares. My daughter and I really like these. We had not used them before, but she’s actually ordered more since she’s gotten back home.

Packing cubes. Whoever invented these is my hero. :)

Posted by
515 posts

Keepers continued

Levi’s Classic Straight stretch jeans. I’m a jeans person and these are just so comfortable for me. I took two pair. Made the mistake of thinking I could wash and they would be ready the evening of next day, but it took two full days to dry.

Duluth Trading company flexpedition slim leg pants. Took one khaki colored pair. I really like these pants because they are so comfortable and stretchy. I did not wash them while I was there so I don’t know how fast they dry, but I will take them again.

Eddie Bauer departure tops at Costco. I took two, a blue and a reddish color. I really like these- they’re very soft and comfortable. I did need to wear the cuddle dud layer underneath on a couple of days because they are very thin.

Travel size Totes umbrella. Got it for $8 at TJMaxx. I know there is some debate about whether to have an umbrella or go with out while in London, but it was nice having the barrier on the day that it rained a little bit harder when we were in Hampstead. The wind one day made me wonder if I need a little bit stronger one, but this one is very small and light. I used a carabiner to attach it to my Sherpani or it fit in my coat pocket.

Oil of Olay cleansing squares. My daughter and I really like these. We had not used them before, but she’s actually ordered more since she’s gotten back home.

Packing cubes. Whoever invented these is my hero. :)

AirPods2- I splurged and bought a set of these when they went on a deep sale. My others were a cheap pair that weren’t worth two cents. So glad I did. Really helped with the noise in the aircraft - such great noise canceling! They really helped me relax.

Duds

5 in drain cover to do laundry- Didn’t use, and got flagged for it at LHR. Will try other methods or smaller version.

Knit midi long sleeve dress from Amazon Essentials. I thought I might want to take something a little dressier to wear to the theater. I only wore this that one night and it was a little bit heavier in my suitcase, than a pair of knit slacks would’ve been that I could’ve worn with my sweater.

Digital camera- I took a small Panasonic Lumix digital camera with me, but I think I could’ve gone without it and just used my phone. It ended up becoming a little heavy in my purse over the course of the week. I also might look into the new disposable cameras that have become popular again. I think they’re quite a bit lighter.

Laundry sheets- I didn’t really care for these. I didn’t feel like they were as cleansing. Used the Bonners

Neck pillow- I bought a very highly rated Cabeau brand. Too hard. Won’t use again.

Wish I had taken

A water bottle

A different coat- OK I went around and around with this one. I wasn’t sure how heavy a coat I needed and I ended up, at the last minute, not taking my Columbia waterproof jacket, and instead went with a London fog hooded trenchcoat and my 32° degrees puffer vest. Well, the hooded trenchcoat was very chic, lol, BUT I should have listened to my gut and not my 20 something year old fashion queen travel partner. The hood was too big on my head for sightseeing. I was messing with that big hood trying to see everything all day. Drove me absolutely crazy! Anyway, I think next time I will take my 32 degrees puffer long sleeve coat and the waterproof top coat from Columbia. Those would have been better choices. Live and learn.

A scarf and gloves. I ended up buying a matching set at Marks & Spencer, which was fine. Something to remember our trip by, but I could’ve used them a day earlier.

Another long sleeve cuddle dud to layer with. We both got colder than we anticipated.

A backpack as a personal item rather than a shoulder bag. I took my Longchamp large bag as my personal item. Love this as a everyday purse, but it got too heavy when stuffed with the 3-1-1 bag, and everything else. Luckily I found a Roka backpack at the airport! That will be a great help next trip I think.

Posted by
23625 posts

It is great that you made a list and evaluated after the trip. It will be a great aid when packing for the next trip. The RFID protection is marketing hype and is really not needed but it does not weigh much either. You seem to have a good handle on everything else.

Frank

Posted by
2297 posts

My cuddle duds long pants have saved my life on numerous occasions. I don't leave home without 'em!

Posted by
515 posts

Janet- I left my legging cuddle duds at home and was kicking myself for it one day we were there. They will go with me next time!

Posted by
993 posts

Thanks so much, great to hear what worked and what didn't on your trip. Do you think the "Duluth Trading company flexpedition slim leg pants" front zippered pocket would be large enough for a 12-mini iPhone?

Posted by
515 posts

It would fit, but the weird thing is that the pocket goes all the way down to the knee, so if you put it there, the weight of the phone drops it down so it’s hitting against the knee. Not great. Now the back pocket on the right along the thigh, an extra one in addition to the two normal back pockets, I think is meant for phones. It’s narrow and you can walk easily with a phone in there. Hope this helps!

Posted by
595 posts

Very good rundown, I also took the Bonners peppermint travel size soap for the first time and liked it. I normally use the shower gel in the hotel but I preferred this and I came back with more than half I think.

Also a big thumbs up on the cuddle duds bottom layer. Easy and comfortable to pack and wear, it was a last minute addition for me and I was very glad I did it.