I am an over-packer and would love suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with checking a bag? I check a bag for every trip. I want choices and I want to be comfortable.

I've checked TWO bags for some international trips -- I have to fly with camera and video equipment so it leaves me no choice but to check my bags as the electronics are my carry on.

Quit shaming people for checking a bag.

Also, judging by all the folks at the baggage claim on recent trips, traveling carry on only isn't as prevalent as you might think

I always check a bag even if I could carry it on. I hate dealing with a bag on a flight.

[Anonymous]

Do a "soft pack" - that's what we do before a big trip ie kids' sleepover 2-3 wk camps or 2 wk travels to Europe.

Put in what you want and then take out what you can't fit in - hahaha! Seriously. Only by putting it in and visually seeing what you have is it easier to forgo what really you can't fit. It's prioritizing and making peace with that choice - you gotta see it to realize you don't actually need it

Typically - I find bringing enough PJ/comfy evening sleeping/chill clothes is good because you just want to relax in a new room/house you've never been, away from home, after a day of long sightseeing you may be tired. I also find bringing my own pillow or travel pillow is nice because I hate the huge big pillows offered in many places. I also try to bring my own throw blanket. Believe it or not I can pack all this and not check luggage. I use the 22in Briggs and Riley that is so cool when you hit it everything it compresses - you can fit a ton of stuff and it's crazy $$ but I can pack everything and I mean everything in this bag! We just did 2 weeks in Europe and I managed to fit my blanket and 10 outfits in - dresses, skorts, shorts, tops, undergarments, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't any of you wear shoes?

Yes. I wear the heavy ones on the plane, and pack 1 maybe another pair -depending on trip activities and weather. I try to bring ones that I know are comfortable fulfill my activities and go with my clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with checking a bag? I check a bag for every trip. I want choices and I want to be comfortable.

I've checked TWO bags for some international trips -- I have to fly with camera and video equipment so it leaves me no choice but to check my bags as the electronics are my carry on.

Quit shaming people for checking a bag.

Also, judging by all the folks at the baggage claim on recent trips, traveling carry on only isn't as prevalent as you might think

So these are business trips for you? I'm a pp that always only flies with a carryon. I think work trips that involves equipment essential to your job is a completely different thing. I thought this thread was about leisure travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't any of you wear shoes?

Yes, I only need 3 pairs
-running shoes (all of my trips involve at least a light hike-think along the lines of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, and some trips have longer hikes too)
-basic/every day shoes (for walking around town/museums/out to dinner)
-flip flops (many of my trips involve showering at a pool/campground or some other public shower)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't any of you wear shoes?

Yes, I only need 3 pairs
-running shoes (all of my trips involve at least a light hike-think along the lines of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, and some trips have longer hikes too)
-basic/every day shoes (for walking around town/museums/out to dinner)
-flip flops (many of my trips involve showering at a pool/campground or some other public shower)

I wish.
It doesn't matter how comfortable the shoes are, my feet will hurt or blister if I wear them days in a row. I do pack extra and skimp elsewhere. I figure it's harder to find shoes while traveling then to buy a souvenir tshirt or hoodie.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the "soft pack" poster. When all the stuff are laid out on the floor, it's helpful to see what can be eliminated.

We always check luggage and have never lost one. Even so, we set aside one outfit that goes on the plane with us. This way we will always have a change of clothes to avoid interruption in case of lost or delayed luggage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the "soft pack" poster. When all the stuff are laid out on the floor, it's helpful to see what can be eliminated.

We always check luggage and have never lost one. Even so, we set aside one outfit that goes on the plane with us. This way we will always have a change of clothes to avoid interruption in case of lost or delayed luggage.

Thirded! I pack and unpack a few times. i sleep in my t shirts and camisoles I wore that day. And I have to reiterate the accessories point--i traveled for 3 weeks with a backpack and brought 14 pairs of earrings. They take up no space and help me feel like I'm newly attired.

And bring sneakers you can hike, and travel in that are cute (whatever that means to you). These are my new ones: https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/gel-lyte-v-spring-in-japan/p/ANA_1201A822-101.html

[Anonymous]

I am a super light packer. I make a capsule wardrobe for a trip and only bring items that go with every other item. And I always make a plan for laundry.

[Anonymous]

Lots of interesting thoughts on this thread. I'm historically an over-packer but gotten better on my last two trips by:
1) packing cubes! they really have helped me stay organized and feel like I can see my choices.
2) committing to a color palette but also allowing 1 or 2 small items to augment that. For a March trip to paris, everything was either navy blue, black, or white. Then I had one pink sweater and a floral scarf that when with everything. I find it hard to eliminate jewelry since I like to decide "that day" about earrings and such, but the limited color palette really helped.

GL!