yk

True. My 21" is usually heavier on the way back because I do tend to buy a few books on my trip (eg official guides, museum/gallery guides). I wish I could just leave my guidebooks abroad at the end of my trip, but I'm emotionally attached to my guidebooks. Also, sometimes I just borrow guidebooks from my local library so I HAVE to carry them back home.

Sometimes I bring old clothes on my trip and just toss them after wearing them. That makes space for anything I purchase during the trip. But of course, clothes weigh much less than books.

I should find out how much my rollaboard weighs when it's empty. REI has a sale now and they have a 21" rollaboard/backpack combo which weighs 7lb4oz when empty. Seems to be the lightest 21" they sell.

ira

> it's much easier to pack women's clothes in a 21" than men's clothes in the same size suitcase. DH's clothes (shirts, pants, as well as underwear) are at least 2-3x size of mine...<

On behalf of my sex/gender, I rise to respectfully demur.

For a 3-week trip I pack:

2 pair trousers - 50/50 poly-cotton
2 dress shirts
2 polo shirts
3 pr undershorts
3 pr socks
1 pr shoes
1 toilet kit
1 pr glasses
1 travel umbrella
Travel guides, maps, itinerary
Camera and associated gear
3 cartons cigarettes
Bubble wrap
Mesh bag for grocery/souvenir shopping

This all fits in 1 carryon and a tote bag.

I wear,
1 pr trousers
1 pr shoes
1 pr undershorts
1 pr socks
1 sweater
1 sports jacket (tie in pocket)
1 hat
1 belt
1 pr glasses

I wash my socks and underwear as we go along.

No problem.

ParrotMom

OH CRAP!!!!! Just bought new all luggage including a carry on bag and we are flying Aer Lingus.. Well, we are seniors and Im sure some good soul will help put it above..but..and a big BUT I spotted a bag on rollers that supposedly fits UNDER the seat with a handle...and Ill use that instead of a handbag. the problem is that we are going on a two week cruise (no washing machine on ship) and a pre-cruise stay in Barcelona.. I did buy two outfits that can be folded and squashed together and are lightweight. As somebody has said.. they havent figured out how to weigh the clothes your wearing.. I truly am going to try to cut down..The other problem is that Im not a petite and my clothes take a bit more room..lol,, Guess formal nights will be black, separates as soebody said with killer tops..now I need to find a another killer top..lol

danon

we tend to ditch guide books on the way back and on more than one occasion
'old" shoes.
If you wash a few thing ,buy an extra item (if you really need it) at your destination ( an umbrella is only 5 euros), it is very easy to travel light even for men - Ira is right!
After years of lugging too much luggage what a relief it was to finally see the light.

noe847

We bring a lightweight nylon duffle bag with us - empty on the way over, we fold it into the suitcase. Then as we travel and accumulate things, we fill it (mostly with clothing) and clip it to the front of the suitcase and roll the luggage along. Works great. On some trips I've also brought an empty cardboard tube, which fits diagonally inside my 21" bag. This has come in quite handy including for any posters or art prints that we might buy. I have also wrapped fragile items in socks and put them in the tube. Another thing I've done at times is to bring a sturdy small cardboard box - packed with clean clothing on the way over in my suitcase, and available for fragile items on the way back.

noe847

Oh, and on the way back I check both the suitcase and the nylon duffle. Most fragile things get carried on with me.

Attnymom

Thank you for confirming it can be done! We are planning on bringing only carry-on luggage for our 8 week summer vacation in Europe. Like you, my entire wardrobe is black and khaki, and I plan to wear my long pants and sweater on the plane. I plan to wash undies in the sink and other clothes as needed. If need be, we can supplement our wardrobes over there (I pack a "Baggallini" bag in every suitcase - it is a duffel bag that folds up to nothing and zips around itself into a compact pouch. It is wonderful for extra purchases, dirty clothes, etc. .. And it can be checked at the end of the trip. ) Like lvillinois, I am leaving my big camera with extra lenses at home and am bringing my point and shoot. Now I have to decide if I am going to bring my laptop . . . . I change my mind every other day. I'm not worried about it getting stolen - I am worried about the extra 7 lbs!

llamalady

I've got the same plan, Attymom -
and the same duffel bag!

We have a washer/dryer in three of
the places we're staying so I'll be
able to keep up appearances - and,
there is the shopping aspect to
consider she said with a smile.

Attnymom

llamalady, I am all about the shopping aspect!! We have rented 3 apartments (Paris, London and Edinburgh) which have a washer and dryer, but that is the last 3 weeks of our trip - we may be quite smelly by then! I am hoping some of our hotels offer a laundry service - there is only so much you can do with Febreeze and Downy wrinkle release!

danon

on longer trips I have sometimes taken a very small, light iron.
Comes in very handy.

shangrila

After making approx. 20 trips over to Europe from the US, this will be my very first trip with only a carryon and a backpack.

I must say I was very impressed with myself on being able to do this. It is a 4 week trip Budapest, Krakow, Vienna, and London.

Most of the pants/shorts are kahki in color. Most shirts will be discarded along the way since they are "older" shirts, as well as socks and undies. I have invested in packing cubes, did a trial pack and half of my carryone suitcase is still empty. I also purchased the Jansport Euro Sac converts from suitcase style to shoulder bag to back pack. I am not very tall, only 5'2" and converted it to the backpack mode, it felt great. After the last trip we (DH, DD, self) took we each had 2 suitcases filled to max. That was 6 bags, I promised DH no more sherpa-ing. He was greatful when the new bags arrived from Campmor.

Yes, I find it hard to beleive that I am only taking 1 extra pair of shoes. I recall one trip I took with my sister 1 whole suitcase was dedicated to shoes only. I am proud of myself for the change. I have also eliminated liquid shampoo from my packing list. I discovered a wonderful store www.Lush.com that carries bar shampoo and conditioner. Takes a little getting used to, but I even used it at home now. I figure if I just pack enough $$$ whatever I did not pack, can be purchased along the way.

It will be interesting to see what I will miss.

shangrila

Forgot to mention... I photo copy out the parts of the tour book where I am going. Don't need to take all of Poland when all I am seeing is Krakow.