Survival Packing
Jul 26th, 2008, 09:40 AM
#62
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oops - sorry, I was offline.
I have two methods of disposable clothing traveling that don't involve actually buying packaged "disposable" 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.
I have two methods of disposable clothing traveling that don't involve actually buying packaged "disposable" 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.
Jul 26th, 2008, 10:45 AM
#65
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Jul 26th, 2008, 12:14 PM
#66
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
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
Jul 26th, 2008, 12:18 PM
#67
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Jul 26th, 2008, 12:28 PM
#68
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Believe it or not, that last 2 airports I arrived at had my luggage exit the carosel before I even got there.
Jul 28th, 2008, 01:59 AM
#70
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Janis : "In general the only things that need regular laundry are lingerie/underwear/socks" : 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.
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.
Jul 28th, 2008, 01:04 PM
#71
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 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.
Jul 28th, 2008, 07:37 PM
#72
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
much lighter for our September trip.
Jul 29th, 2008, 01:29 AM
#73
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Jul 29th, 2008, 02:37 AM
#75
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am 6'3".
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.
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.
Jul 29th, 2008, 04:05 AM
#76
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Jul 29th, 2008, 07:57 AM
#77
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" and one was shorter but quite overweight so their clothes were about the same size as yours.
I heard every excuse - "My shoes are too big", "I need one bag just for my cosmetics/toiletries", "I want to take 6 pairs of shoes", 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" plus small day pack.
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" and one was shorter but quite overweight so their clothes were about the same size as yours.
I heard every excuse - "My shoes are too big", "I need one bag just for my cosmetics/toiletries", "I want to take 6 pairs of shoes", 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" plus small day pack.
