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- - Packing light (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/packing-light-79603/)

I have read a lot about packing light. When we went to Spain for three weeks, we tried what we considered the best of the ideas. We took with us: 1. two pair of CoolMax underwear each, which we washed each evening (no hardship, really)and which were ready the next AM for breakfast (i got them at www.campmor.com); 2. three pair of CoolMax double layer socks each, as these often require a bit more time to dry (only two pair if you get the single layer type) which i bought at www.justsocks.com as they have them in black, which is a rarity, and, for me, two pair of black, sturdy, knee-highs; 3. two pair black slacks each,low wrinkle type, one low wrinkle skirt, one sweater each, and one blazer each; 4. four colored tops, each, wrinkle-free and soft for easy packing (now available in CoolMax; 5. for ladies, three bras; 6. one pair of extremely comfortable shoes, built for long hours of walking (mine are Soft Spot Supremes - black, and one pair of black, low-heeled Easy Spirit pumps (my husband took one pair of regular shoes and a pair of black walking shoes - i would have skipped the regular shoes); 7. two pair glasses each; 8. small amount of inexpensive jewelry; 9. carefully selected as only most necessary cosmetics and body care items; 10. eye mask, inflatable neck pillow, and noise reducing ear plugs which are necessary in any European city, and a microfibre, over opposite shoulder bag; 11. 4-6 bandaids, triple antibiotic salve in a tube, some Mylanta tablets, some form of aspirin or anti-inflamatory for sore muscles and some form of sun block; 12. brush, comb, very small travel hair drier and/or curling iron, both with both US and European voltage choices; 13. two gallon plastic, sealable bags, as well as a few smaller, which we used for everything - cosmetics, shaving gear, etc. - instead of heavier types of containers, each; 14. one twisted, elastic clothes line for obvious reasons ( we could have lived without this); 15. dial type locks which we used on our suitcases to store anything of value which we did not carry on our persons, feeling that the lock might make cleaning people think twice about breaking into the luggage; 15. and last, but not least, a simple muslin bag with a flap which folded in, which held our passports, money, credit cards (i also rolled up some larger bills around the ties against my waist in front for easy access in stores and i tucked the bag inside my underwear at my waist in back, with the tucked flap at the back). If i think of something i may have left out, i will post it. Hope this helps someone. We were able to travel for the whole three weeks with only one rolling carry on each.

Excellent post, Charley! It was good of you to take the time to share your list on packing light. Packing light is really essential -- especially in travel to foreign countries. One should always pack light enough to be able to carry one's own luggage.

Your post is excellent. Ironically, I spent about 6 months planning the packing for our recent 28-day trip to Spain, and I still took far too much! My husband, daughter and I each took one small roll-on suitcase and one carry-on bag each. This was 6 pieces of luggage for 3 people--but my husband hurt his back right before we left, so it became 6 pieces of luggage for 2 people. We certainly took too much clothing for each of us--my husband took 3 pairs of slacks, and 2 were all he needed. He took 2 pairs of shoes, and only used one. We took a hairdryer which we never bothered to use, and if we had, there was one in all but one hotel. I took 4 skirts and 2 would suffice, and far too many tops. Clothing I took thinking I might wear to dinner at night ended up in the suitcase because it was hot and we were tired and you tend to choose the most comfortable clothing to wear, not the dressiest. We took far too many toiletries and "just in case" items, which add up and weigh you down. Keep in mind, I gave this a lot of thought, and still got it all wrong. I have vowed we will not travel to Europe again with more than one bag each. I discovered that you can buy anything once you get there--Europe not only has everything we have here, sometimes they have more! What's funny is that my friends thought I was crazy to take such little luggage for a month, but it became apparent to me immediately that it was far too much. I found it easy to wash things in the tub or sink, and because I did make the right decision on fabrics, our clothing dried quickly. I personally think it's less effort to launder items than to carry extra ones around with you.

Thank you, AlsoPack. Maureen, I couldn't agree more. Too much luggage made several trips less comfortable until i put this list together.

On our first trip to Europe two years ago, my sister and I thought we were traveling light. We took 1 small roll-on and 1 carryon. We each took 4 prs. of slacks and 6 blouses, 1 blazer, 2 sweaters, 5 prs. of underwear, 3 bras, 5 prs. of socks, 2 prs. pantyhose, 1 pr. SAS sneakers, 1 pr.easyspirit, 1 pr. low heels (supposedly for dressing up), regular size cosmetics and body care items, small hair blower, small iron. We started out in London and by the time we got to our second city (Edinburgh)we were exhausted from loading our luggage on and off the trains. We decided to mail back some of our clothes. Can you picture us taking the clothes, shoes, etc. and packing them into two small boxes at the post office!!! Have a good laugh with us and don't make the same mistake. The rest of our 20-day trip through Paris, Nice and Madrid was much more enjoyable. We are now planning a trip to Italy in October, and will take only what fits into a 17-inch, lightweight carryon. It cannot weigh more than 13 lbs. (BritAir). Happy Light Travels Gladys

Amen! After travelling with my mother to Europe and with my boyfriend to Costa Rica, they have both been converted (for the most part) from overpackers to light travellers. On the plane home from every trip we take, we make a list of things we brought and never used, and use that list for next time to help remind us of what NOT to bring. My boyfriend's downfall is photography equipment and accessories. Mine are personal care items. But we're getting better. The light bulb went on when my boyfriend realized he could get laundry done anywhere in the world if he really needed to -- even in the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest. I now bring basically the same things with me for a 2-week trip that I do for a weekend trip, with a few modifications depending on climate, etc. LONGER does not mean MORE LUGGAGE.

Charley: Why three bras but two pairs of underwear?

Martha, I did not have CoolMax bras at the time, so i was concerned as to how long my bras would take to dry. I just found bras made of CoolMax so i will take just two, now. One other hint: when we washed our underwear, socks, etc., we rolled them in a towel lengthwise, and twisted with all of our might. Then we hung them to dry. That started the drying process with as little excess water as possible. It may sound like all the washing was a pain, but we really got into a routine, and had it done in a couple of minutes each night.

I forgot this in my previous post: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the person who suggested taking a bag of balloons. If you blow up the balloon and insert it inside a wet shirt, undershirt, shorts, etc., it helps it dry more quickly by separating the fabric. Sounds like a silly hint, but it sure worked for me! The balloons take up no space and besides, you keep throwing them away as you use them anyway. The fabrics like Cool Max, and blends like cotton/lycra really worked well for us as far as laundering and drying.

After you wrap wet items in a towel, jump up and down on the towel several times. This really gets out the excess water, and saves your hands.

Old Navy trick: lay a towel on the floor, spread the washed item flat on the towel, roll the towel and the washed item, place one end of the towel under your foot, grab the other end of the towel, and twist with all your might using both hands. This puts maximum twist and pressure on your wet item(s). Simply unroll and spread the washed item over a lampshade, turn on the lamp, and it's dry in no time. If you have a sunny window, spread a dry towel on the floor in the sun and spread your washed items on the sunny spot.

Great list. Very helpful, but one question...What is Cool Max?? A brand name or a material?

"cool max" is a trademark for a synthetic, polyester-like material made by DuPont, and used by clothing manufacturers to make the final garment. similar situation to "gore tex" or "teflon", both of which are trademarked & copyrighted names.

And depending on the quality of the garment you buy, it will feel like either gore-tex or teflon! I highly recommend buying a test garment ahead of time and wearing for a while before investing a lot in a travel wardrobe dependent on CoolMax. Some of it is really wonderful, other things pill and are very clammy. Does anybody know why?

Hi Charley! Thanks for the packing tips and also for the info on www.campmor.com! I just ordered 3 must have bargains from them and now I have 3 more items to take with me to Rome in Sept....sooooo much for packing light!???Really, I wish I could pack lite, but it would probably drive me batty!!!!But the idea has merit!

Meredith, CoolMax is a synthetic fiber designed to wick water away from the body. I have never purchased anything made of CoolMax that was scratchy, although pilling can be a problem. The company feels that it has solved the problem with a new fiber called CoolMax Alta. I have purchased all of my CoolMax items from very reputable Travel Clothing stores and fine Sports Clothing stores. But definitely get this stuff well before you leave so that you can return it if it is not comfortable or good quality. Enjoy traveling, all!

I agree I work for an airline so we travel standby and a small bag is the only way to go. I have found that any where in Europe you can get cheap t-shirts or even sweatshirts. Covent Garden or Camden Locks in London or Albert Cuypmarket in Amsterdam. Last year I bought a pair of shoes in Bruge and left my old ones there.

Also if you can get a pair of Doc Martins shoes they are great, then you just need one pair the whole trip but get them 3-4 wks before, every one I know has to break them in they tend to rub on the heal but after that they are comfortable and look good for men or women.

hey thanks for the packing tips , i still get it wrong, usualy the weather does the oposite to expectations. any way , wash your clothes and hook around a tap or shower pipe , twist as hard as you can , then you dont get that towel extra wet as well.