Lightest way to travel?

[Anonymous]

I am an older woman who will be taking trains all around Italy to celebrate my retirement. But that means I have to lug all my stuff along the way. Even if I try to bring a minimal amount , with shoes, toiletries, raincoat, etc…I am worried about the physical burden.

Do you have a suggestion for a rolling carryon or backpack that will lighten the load?

[Anonymous]

Backpack will be much more maneuverable if traveling anywhere other than the biggest stations/mainline trains. Definitely can't count on smooth rolling surfaces and ramps everywhere. If you can handle the weight of a backpack (meaning putting it on, adjusting, etc), something like this is light but will be comfortable to walk with because of the waist belt, which puts most of the weight on your hips.

https://www.rei.com/product/207736/osprey-fairview-40-travel-pack-womens

[Anonymous]

Need room for stuff you buy along the way also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need room for stuff you buy along the way also.

Or not. We usually don't bring anything back with us. Our house is full.

[Anonymous]

Yes, backpack would be easiest in terms of carrying, but I hate backpacks cause find it harder to pull out stuff I need. It’s so much easier if overnighting to pull out stuff from a carry on.

I’d opt for a light carry on and small backpack, and bring stuff for 3-4 days max and do laundry. Have very versatile pieces that you can wear and recombine.

I’d take:
- newspaper pants
- long light skirt
- shorts (2)
- dress
- flip flops
-sandals
- underwear
- sweatshirt
-toiletries
- swimsuit
- sleepwear
You really can travel a lot with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Backpack will be much more maneuverable if traveling anywhere other than the biggest stations/mainline trains. Definitely can't count on smooth rolling surfaces and ramps everywhere. If you can handle the weight of a backpack (meaning putting it on, adjusting, etc), something like this is light but will be comfortable to walk with because of the waist belt, which puts most of the weight on your hips.

https://www.rei.com/product/207736/osprey-fairview-40-travel-pack-womens

I disagree with this, a backpack with all your possessions is very hard on your back, even young backpackers seem to struggle with this.

If you want to look like a european and have max comfort, I would recommend a very, very small rolling suitcase (European airline hand luggage dimensions) that you can easily stow above your seat or on a luggage rack on the train when full, and then a smaller backpack like an eastpak that can also easily fit inside the suitcase. NOTE: Do NOT put your valuables in the backpack, it is more for things like your lunch, sweatshirt/rain jacket, reading glasses, books, things you want close to you on the train. Keep your purse close to your body. The other train advantage of the tiny rolling suitcase is you can stow it above your seat, which is nice for security/convenience purposes.

The key to this strategy is figuring out where to do laundry. Lots of laundromats, and you can also get your laundry done at cleaners rather economically if you'll be in the same town for a few days.

[Anonymous]

I’d take a personal size backpack and rolling carryon. Choose shoes wisely so they are versatile. Consider wool shirts or dress that can be worn multiple times without washing if needed.

[Anonymous]

i have the Fairview Osprey travel pack and used it for a 10 day trip to Scotland and London--mainly we wanted to do all carry on and avoid any lost luggage woes. We had a car for much of our Scotland journey so I did not have to carry the backpack a lot in Scotland. The Osprey opens like a suitcase which is a big plus. It also has a chest straps and waist belt to distribute the weight properly. i used packing cubes which were essential to organization. All that said, as a 58 YO woman, I did find the backpack weight a little daunting for longer treks. I think even if it is only 20-25 lbs, it will make you wish for a rolling case--and I really like my travel pack. So, I agree with the above poster: small rolling carryon that you can carry up the stairs and where necessary and smaller pack or personal item. The good news is that you don't need your laptop anymore! Congratulations on your retirement!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Backpack will be much more maneuverable if traveling anywhere other than the biggest stations/mainline trains. Definitely can't count on smooth rolling surfaces and ramps everywhere. If you can handle the weight of a backpack (meaning putting it on, adjusting, etc), something like this is light but will be comfortable to walk with because of the waist belt, which puts most of the weight on your hips.

https://www.rei.com/product/207736/osprey-fairview-40-travel-pack-womens

I disagree with this, a backpack with all your possessions is very hard on your back, even young backpackers seem to struggle with this.

If you want to look like a european and have max comfort, I would recommend a very, very small rolling suitcase (European airline hand luggage dimensions) that you can easily stow above your seat or on a luggage rack on the train when full, and then a smaller backpack like an eastpak that can also easily fit inside the suitcase. NOTE: Do NOT put your valuables in the backpack, it is more for things like your lunch, sweatshirt/rain jacket, reading glasses, books, things you want close to you on the train. Keep your purse close to your body. The other train advantage of the tiny rolling suitcase is you can stow it above your seat, which is nice for security/convenience purposes.

The key to this strategy is figuring out where to do laundry. Lots of laundromats, and you can also get your laundry done at cleaners rather economically if you'll be in the same town for a few days.

NP
I disagree with almost everything in here.

Most people (especially young people) don't struggle with carrying a backpack full of a few days clothing.
Why on earth would she not put her valuable stuff (passport? Wallet?) in the bag that she is keeping close to her on the train?
And I definitely wouldn't say there are "lot of laundromats" all over Italy.

[Anonymous]

I have one of the Motherlode bags from ebags.com, which I really like. Another light possibility is one of the rolling carryons from Rick Steves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Backpack will be much more maneuverable if traveling anywhere other than the biggest stations/mainline trains. Definitely can't count on smooth rolling surfaces and ramps everywhere. If you can handle the weight of a backpack (meaning putting it on, adjusting, etc), something like this is light but will be comfortable to walk with because of the waist belt, which puts most of the weight on your hips.

https://www.rei.com/product/207736/osprey-fairview-40-travel-pack-womens

I disagree with this, a backpack with all your possessions is very hard on your back, even young backpackers seem to struggle with this.

If you want to look like a european and have max comfort, I would recommend a very, very small rolling suitcase (European airline hand luggage dimensions) that you can easily stow above your seat or on a luggage rack on the train when full, and then a smaller backpack like an eastpak that can also easily fit inside the suitcase. NOTE: Do NOT put your valuables in the backpack, it is more for things like your lunch, sweatshirt/rain jacket, reading glasses, books, things you want close to you on the train. Keep your purse close to your body. The other train advantage of the tiny rolling suitcase is you can stow it above your seat, which is nice for security/convenience purposes.

The key to this strategy is figuring out where to do laundry. Lots of laundromats, and you can also get your laundry done at cleaners rather economically if you'll be in the same town for a few days.

NP
I disagree with almost everything in here.

Most people (especially young people) don't struggle with carrying a backpack full of a few days clothing.
Why on earth would she not put her valuable stuff (passport? Wallet?) in the bag that she is keeping close to her on the train?
And I definitely wouldn't say there are "lot of laundromats" all over Italy.

NP here. I think you misunderstood PP’s post. The valuables and passports go inside a secure purse/small bag that you keep close to your body. Meaning, you do not place them in either the rolling suitcase nor do you put them in the backpack.

[Anonymous]

I bet you can find some quick dry clothes options that you can wash in a sink and hang to dry. If you have a few basic items you can mix/match and just wash at night and hang and they’ll dry by morning. Reduces how much you’ll have to pack.

[Anonymous]

OP, my advice (as an older woman) is to get something with wheels. You do not want your trip ruined because you hurt yourself trying to lug around a backpack!

The key is learning/practicing to travel light. I did a six-week solo trip to New Zealand/Australia when I retired. Had to pack clothes for everything from beaches to mountains. I did it in a carry-on size rolling bag.

IMO, the most important advice I can give is to get a bag with TWO WHEELS, not four. I know four wheels is the predominant style now but two wheels is easier to get up and down stairs and roll over cobbles, if you need to. And you will need to. The other advantage is the two-wheel styles usually have sturdier wheels (similar to roller-blade wheels).

If you want to cover all options, you can combine both backpack and rolling bag. I have a Kipling rolling backpack that I used every single day for commuting on the Metro and it lasted for years. It is small but if you used it, and a tote bag that fits on top, you would have as much space as one larger carry-on bag. In a pinch, you could put the backpack on for a short period and carry tote bag by hand. It would also be easier to keep both bags with you on trains, buses, etc. It's really a matter of choice - a carry-on bag or two smaller bags (one with wheels).

If you intend to bring back a few baubles, another thing you can do is the "throw and go" method. If you have older but still serviceable clothing, especially underwear, take that with you and throw it out after you've worn it. Same with shoes, which can take up a lot of room.

Otherwise, I look for clothing that is quick-dry and can be washed out in the sink. I have a couple of plastic folding hangars which I hang things on.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement and enjoy the wonderful freedom it brings! Buon Viaggio!

[Anonymous]

PP above. You may want to check out Target - they have a two-wheel rolling carryon. And they also have a smaller backpack that opens up like a suitcase. Both are the Embark/Target brand and are affordable - under $100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my advice (as an older woman) is to get something with wheels. You do not want your trip ruined because you hurt yourself trying to lug around a backpack!

The key is learning/practicing to travel light. I did a six-week solo trip to New Zealand/Australia when I retired. Had to pack clothes for everything from beaches to mountains. I did it in a carry-on size rolling bag.

IMO, the most important advice I can give is to get a bag with TWO WHEELS, not four. I know four wheels is the predominant style now but two wheels is easier to get up and down stairs and roll over cobbles, if you need to. And you will need to. The other advantage is the two-wheel styles usually have sturdier wheels (similar to roller-blade wheels).

If you want to cover all options, you can combine both backpack and rolling bag. I have a Kipling rolling backpack that I used every single day for commuting on the Metro and it lasted for years. It is small but if you used it, and a tote bag that fits on top, you would have as much space as one larger carry-on bag. In a pinch, you could put the backpack on for a short period and carry tote bag by hand. It would also be easier to keep both bags with you on trains, buses, etc. It's really a matter of choice - a carry-on bag or two smaller bags (one with wheels).

If you intend to bring back a few baubles, another thing you can do is the "throw and go" method. If you have older but still serviceable clothing, especially underwear, take that with you and throw it out after you've worn it. Same with shoes, which can take up a lot of room.

Otherwise, I look for clothing that is quick-dry and can be washed out in the sink. I have a couple of plastic folding hangars which I hang things on.

I wish you the best of luck in your retirement and enjoy the wonderful freedom it brings! Buon Viaggio!

Can the Kipling rolling backpack fit under the airplane seat in front of you?