6 weeks in Europe in 1986.

And my wife and I had a 2 year
old daughter with us. We used
laundromats a few times but we survived just fine.

Rob

Ackislander: Most of those factors really don't limit one to checking luggage.

1. Gender: Not really an issue. Most (but not all) women are smaller - but they generally want/need more options/garments/accessories so total volume is about a wash.

2. Size: Yes, an XXXL person has bulkier clothing than a size 2 petite. I cover that in my classes. If I use really small sizes the bag is about 2/3 full and if I use plus sized garments it is full but not close to bulging.

3. Purpose of trip: I use a carry on whatever the type of trip. The "bundle" method means even wool/wool blend business suits or even tuxedos will not wrinkle and there is usually plenty of room.

4. Velocity (how often you change locations): Makes no difference to me since on the average 3 week trip I wouldn't wear the same exact outfit twice - that's the benefit of planning mix/match.

5. Climate: Again - not really. A winter trip requires thicker clothing, gloves, scarves, etc. A tropical trip means lighter clothing - but one may change clothes several times a day. So again, the total volume is about the same.

6. Place: Where one travels shouldn't mean they need larger luggage.

7. Days between laundry: In general the only things that need regular laundry are lingerie/underwear/socks. And if one doesn't want to wash them out every night - none of those things take up much space so you can take as many changes as you want.

Now - I'm not a "carry-on only nazi". I personally carry on - That is the point of the classes and is what they want to learn. But even cutting back to a manageable 24 inch bag that must be checked is MUCH easier than schlepping huge luggage around from place to place, on/off trains, up/down stairs etc.

There's nothing "snobby" in the carry on idea. Where in heavens did that come from? If anything, we're more basic than those who take a complete change for each day of a 3 week vacation.

The trick to carrying on (a wheeled piece of luggage) is to roll your clothes. You'd be surprised how much you can fit when you roll instead of fold.

Aside from the good feeling of having my luggage with me at all times during transit, we breeze by the baggage claim carousels, can take the inexpensive way into town (usually the tube/metro) and manage trains and cobblestoned streets with ease.

Those who say they'll "take a chance" on the "slight" possibility of having their luggage delayed/lost will change their mind after it happens! Better to have the three or four outfits in my carry on than the one change of clothes when luggage is lost/delayed.

By the way, we each have the four-wheeled spinners, which make a HUGE difference in toting them around.

I agree with Janis. It's amazing how little I can get by with. For a 3 week trip to Italy a few years ago we would be taking buses, trains, rental car, steps in hotels/ apartments. I scaled back to a 21 inch plus a small softsided for toiletries rather than taking a 24 inch plus small duffel. It wasn't carry on but very manageable and I didn't need anything I didn't pack. There was room in the bag for some souvenirs as well. Plus I used my "wear and throw out" method to create more room.

I learned not to carry so many books to read as I'm too tired at night to do much reading. Also there's so much to see and do that I never had much reading time on vacation.

Rather than carry guide books I take info from several guides plus from the internet and create my own homemade guidebook that I throw out as I go along or at the end of the trip. This is from a file I have on my laptop so I can always reprint or refer to the file.

First I think men generally need fewer clothes, shoes and electronic gadgets. Hence, on my annual Great Britain trip lasting about two weeks, I pack my gym bag until it and the my stuff weights 13 #'s. I mostly stay in B&B,s and most often, when they see my small bag they often offer to wash a batch for me. If that doesn't happen, it is not a problem to use the sink. I do have a change of socks and shorts for each day, but wear the same shoes, one sweater and jacket. Now, having said that, when I travel with my wife, all of the above goes out the window and we check bags.

"Plus a full 3-1-1 baggie w/ more than enough product for the average 3 week trip. That is much more than I'd normally take myself..."

Ditto. I often throw away small, nearly empty containers for my return trip, and typically end throwing away a bit of leftover product, as I've overestimated my use. If I've way overestimated I bring it home, of course.

I think that for people who can use the toiletries provided by the hotel or use whatever they find at a local store, then the liquid restriction isn't an issue. For myself though, I have sensitive skin, so I have to use my own products. And even though I don't use a lot of different products, I have trouble fitting them in the quart sized bag for trips more than a week and a half.

I never, ever use hotel products (except perhaps for hotel shampoo to wash out stockings and hotel lotion to prevent static electricity with a skirt). Itchy skin, weird hair---not my idea of a good time. But I still manage, even with a lot of products.

Another contrarian:

I agree for some trips it's nice to travel real light. If I'm going hiking for instance I bring one change of clothes a few extra socks and some flip flops for when I take off my hiking boots. I wash everything in the sink each night for the next day and I do just fine.

Otherwise, I am with Eliza and just don't get the big deal with waiting maybe 20 minutes at most (which I usually spend in the ladies and then making a 'safely here' phone call) getting my bag. I travel at least once a month and so far I've only had one bag go missing and it was just for a few hours and was delivered to my hotel room that evening so no big deal.

My husband travels every single week and never loses his luggage.

Okay, I know I'm asking for hell from the gods of luggage by my umbrage here, but seriously, it's really nice checking your luggage IMO. No overheads to worry about (I'm short) and no worrying about your liquids etc. Heck, you can even bring some baked goods from one continent to the other to enjoy with your coffee on arrival. I did that just Monday.

It makes sense sometimes, but otherwise relax and people watch at the luggage carousel. Enjoy having a few extra outfits, some great reading material, and your nice lingerie along with you.

gruezi

6 weeks.

They do have laundromats in Europe. It's not hard to find them.

I've never traveled with any bag larger than carry-on size. EVER.

Since the liquid restrictions, I do end sometimes check the bag, but it's still carry-on size. I can't imagine ever traveling with anything larger, and I really don't understand why anyone would, unless they were packing for two in one bag or something, or needed to pack some unusual items.

Theresa and Adrienne, thank you for the clarification. I was just curious. I definitely don't donate socks, underwear or bras.

Those things take up such little space in my suitcase though that it doesn't seem like it would make much of a difference if I threw them out as I went along or not. I guess it just depends on how long one is gone. I unfortunately can never take vacation for longer than a week or two or else apparently the office will fall apart without me ;)

Tracy

My underwear takes up very little space as well, Tracy, but men's tends to be fairly bulky. My husband likes knit boxers, for instance, the bulkiest possible option, and men's socks are often pretty bulky.

I just stuff them in his enormous shoes and don't worry about it.

november_moon: &quot;<i>For myself though, I have sensitive skin, so I have to use my own products</i>&quot;

That is really no problem at all. You can but empty travel-sized bottles and jars everywhere - Target, Walmart, Longs, Nordstrom Rack, Linens N Things, luggage shops, drugstores, etc. etc. Then just decant your own products into those containers and put them in the ziplok bag.

I would not want to wear old underwear and bras on a trip! If they are worn out enough to be left behind... they are no longer comfortable imo.

I wear my nicest clothes, not my worst, when I am lucky enough to get to Europe.

Therese, you are absolutely right. Maybe I'll try it on our next trip with DH, since his undergarments definitely take up more space.

I have sensitive skin too and just do as Janis mentioned. I use Kiehl's products, and I just ask for sample sizes when I buy my full sized products. When I don't have sample sizes I just buy the smaller containers from Target and fill them up. Full sized toiletries can quickly weigh luggage down, so I never bring them along.

Tracy

Even better than buying the travel sized containers of products you are going to throw away and replace with your own ~~~~ you can buy empty travel containers in sizes varying from an ounce to three ounces. You can choose screw-on tops or pointy ones that you can squeeze to dispense whatever you have in them.

I find them at Long's Drugs or Rite-Aid, but I would imagine most similar stores carry them. They're usually a little more sturdy than the ones you get travel stuff in, and they're reusable.

Another of my favorite finds is at the Dollar Store: they sell fold-up net hampers that can easily fit in carry-on. They pop open and stand freely to hold dirty clothes.

It took me a few minutes to figure it out but I LOVE the balloon idea!! We always have checked luggage and like another poster we use soap or shampoo to rinse out clothes. At some point we usually stay in an apartment with a washing machine for a few days. We carry a portable pegless washing line that we can rig up in the bathroom and have made good use of heated towel rails when available. I don't wear jeans on holidays, mainly because we travel in the summer and they are too hot. The post has been hijacked a bit!!

6 weeks out of a small backpack. Easy breezy.

But honestly, carry-on isn't as necessary to me anymore as is the need to avoid overpacking and just bringing loads of stuff that is not needed. I'm always amazed at the 5 huge suitcases that a family of four brings on just a week long trip to Orlando. But that's just me.

I agree with dexters-- there are many more advantages to packing light besides simply not checking bags. With less stuff, it's so much easier to deal with subway, trains, stairs, broken elevators, possible strikes.... Sometimes I pack just an 18&quot; carry-on size bag but end up checking it anyway. (And I'm obsessed with clothes).

I really need for janisj to come to my house and pack for me for my fall Europe trip. I am so stressed out on what to bring due to the weather changes etc and need/want to not check our bags.

MomDDTravel: You wouldn't be the first :)

Several friends have had me help them narrow down what to take and then pack it for them.

Oops - sorry, I was offline.

I have two methods of disposable clothing traveling that don't involve actually buying packaged &quot;disposable&quot; items:

1) THE CLEAN OUT THE CLOSET METHOD
Basically, go through your closet and pull out any shirts, bottoms, underwear, socks that are getting old and ready for the trash or donation pile. Bring them with you and, after you wear them, throw them away. This is a GREAT time to finally get rid of that shirt with the stain on it, or to replace your white T-shirts that are getting dingy.

2) THE THRIFT STORE METHOD
If you've done a recent closet purge, you can also head down to your local Good Will or thrift shop and find some acceptable, cheap shirts (50 cents, $1). Bring them and throw them away when you're finished. You're donating to charity and still recycling.

I did this in Japan with a friend who did the laundry method and he admitted he was jealous that I was able to go out while he was washing, and that I eventually had a lighter bag that had more room for souvenirs.

janisj - The offer stands :-)

My main problem with packing isn't clothes, but the REAL essential: books.

nonconformist - I purchased books to read along the way in English bookstores. There was a great one right on our street in Rome, one in Florence - and I left my books along the way - regarding travel guides, I photo copy what I want before we leave.

I have the book issue as well!! I try to buy as I go like MomDD and I also leave my finished books where someone else might find and enjoy them.

For my recent 3 week trip I started with 5 books in my suitcase and one in my purse. Then at the first airport I picked up 2 more. Later I stopped at a bookstore in the US and got another 5. I also stopped at a library and read 2 books from the new additions stack. On my return to Zurich I had a total of 6 books - 2 in my purse for the plane and 4 new ones I hadn't yet read. Well, books here are expensive so I stocked up.

Okay, books for me are like shoes for other people. I get very insecure without at least 3 good possibilities on hand.

It was a very good trip book wise and worth checking my bag to have the reading materials.

gruezi

Carryon only is practically impossible on European airlines within Europe -- 11-14 lbs. limited to just one item (no purse or briefcase in addition). For trips involving this kind of flying, I check a 22 inch rollaboard and carry on a small tote with medicines, passport, and other necessities. I have traveled for more than a month doing city, mountains, hot and cool, using these two cases.

I also agree with Eliza3, some people get too obsessive. What if everyone decided to bring on the max sized carry-on? I do not think there is a commercial jetliner that could handle all that in the overhead bins. Now instead of waiting at the luggage carosel, we wait to exit the plane.
Believe it or not, that last 2 airports I arrived at had my luggage exit the carosel before I even got there.

gruezi - like yourself I HAVE to read.. I start to twitch if I do not have several options to read!!

Janis : &quot;In general the only things that need regular laundry are lingerie/underwear/socks&quot; : surely you forgot tops ? We both want a clean top every day and sometimes 2. On our last hol I took a week's worth of t shirts for DH, which were then washed (via hotels) three times. He gets away with only one a day, generally, by wearing it first in the evening then during the following daytime. When it's hot I want a clean white top for daytime each day (unless just spending it on the beach) and a different (generally black) top for evening, although I can usually wear an evening one twice. So that's 10-11 for a week - washed three times for a month. Like I said, though, it's not clothes that I find take up most of the room.

Good point, Intex, re delays caused by carry-on baggage. The more hand luggage, the longer boarding takes. When hand baggage restrictions were at their strictest boarding was so much quicker ! And as one who likes an aisle seat, I don't relish the thought of a suitcase falling on my head if there's bad turbulence or a rough landing.

Caroline_edinburgh: I meant frequent washing out. I usually take enough tops that I only need to wash maybe 1 or 2 two over 10 days/2 weeks.

I only take 2 - 4 sets of underwear so do have to wash them more often. But some prefer to take enough underwear for the whole trip and not do any washing.

I had a problem with books so I purchased an iPod and have downloaded lots of music, podcasts and several books. Downloading the books is going to give me lots of extra space and make my carry-on
much lighter for our September trip.

Another dissenter. I usually check a bag for anything more than a few days. I greatly prefer spending an extra 30 minutes upon arrival, waiting for my luggage, rather than 10 minutes every night washing my clothes. And I am absolutely not going to spend time in a laundromat.

About the only time I would consider going carry-on for an extended period would be if I were going to a place like Thailand, where wash and fold places are literally everywhere and it is easy (and cheap) to send out laundry every day.

And I am in full agreement with AckIslander on the gender thing. There are two significant issues that many men face when packing:

1) We sweat more. I simply cannot wear the same undershirt during a day of walking around and again that same night (at least to any reputable establishment). Even were I to do laundry every night, this would be a minimum of 4 undershirts, perhaps down to 2 with some of the newer, quick-dry fabrics. And bottoms don't do much better. I might be able to wear a pair of slacks out to dinner a few times, but anything I walk around in tops out at a couple of wearings. And we haven't even gotten into the fact that virtually every piece of clothing I have is 50 to 100% bigger than the equivalent female garment.

2) Shoes. Take a pair of size 10 dress shoes. Put them into a standard roll-aboard. You have filled maybe 15 to 25% of the bag. Even stuffing them with socks and underwear, you have a tough time making up that kind of space loss. My wife could fit at least 3 or 4 pairs of shoes in the same space.

travelgourmet,

I hear you!

My husband wears 13DDD!

Only does carry-on for a 3 day or less trip.

g.

I am 6'3&quot;.

My shoes are 14D. They weigh a couple of pounds _each_.

My chest is more than 4 feet around.

My sleeves are almost 3 feet long!

I won't tell you what my waist is, but it is in proportion (well, maybe a little bit larger than proportional).

I actually can pack for two nights and three days, esp on a straight business or straight fun trip. I can't get enough in a rollaboard for both, and the suitcase would weigh too much for any European airline to check.

Still, my checked bag never weighs more than 16 kilos for an unlimited trip.

I can get a 6 kilo carryon packing my cpap, a change of underwear, sleep shirt, clean shirt, toiletries, mp3 player and headphones, and computer.

We've gone up to 30 days with one carry on each.

This is what I pack:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268

I should put a visual packing list together for my wife but styles change so much, each trip is a little different.

The other difference is my wife is totally bored with her clothes by the time we get home. She usually puts them away and they are unseen for quite awhile. My clothes are back in my closet on normal rotation right away.

Ackislander: Re being large and not being able to do it . . . .

Sure you can, but a small checked bag - like a 24 incher will give you a bit more space if you need it.

Several years ago, I took 12 friends to the UK for 2 weeks. Since we were renting 3 vehicles for the 13 of us, it was vital that everyone took ONLY carry-ons. There were 4 men in the group and while none wore a size 14 shoe, one did wear a 12 and one a size 11. One was 6'3&quot; and one was shorter but quite overweight so their clothes were about the same size as yours.

I heard every excuse - &quot;My shoes are too big&quot;, &quot;I need one bag just for my cosmetics/toiletries&quot;, &quot;I want to take 6 pairs of shoes&quot;, whatever. I WAS a packing nazi that time because we just would not have space for that much luggage in our cars. So I taught all 12 how to pack in a carry-on (this ended up being the foundation of my packing class that is very popular in my hometown) and all 12 managed just fine. Of the 13 of us - only one has back pedaled. But even she has down sized from the 30 incher plus carry-on she used to use to a 24&quot; plus small day pack.

janisj - I wish that hometown was by mine as I need it!!!!

Maybe I spoke too soon about not using a carryon. Two days ago BA lost our luggage in Prague for 2 days, and I had buy clothes to make a buisness meeting.
PS- No aplogy or reimbursement either.

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