suze

Wow. That's some list. I'll just say I've never found the need on the road for a guitar or high heels myself!

toedtoes

I agree. I would cut down like this:

Equipment:
Day bag
Camera, Extra Batteries
<<Flashlight OR Headlamps>> - use one or the other for all purposes
Memory cards
Leatherman multitool
Global phone
Universal adaptor
Ipod & Charger
<<Video camera, Binoculars>> - personally, I would skip the binoculars (use the zoom on the camera instead)
2 sleeping bags, travel Pillows (2)
Pack Towels (2)
GPS
Rechargable Battery Charger
<<small iPod docking station/radio>> - SKIP and just use headphones - you can get a splitter to connect 2 headphones and it will take a lot less space
Mosquito Net
Oroikaso Travel plates
Stuff Sacks to keep clothes dry
Travel Games, Journal
Clothes Line/laundry soap
extra Zip Lock Bags
Sunglasses
Nalgene, Thermos
Steripen
Books to Read
Travel Guitar - SKIP
Extra Duffel

Toiletries:
Contact solution, Extra contacts
Toothpaste, Toothbrush w/ case
Glasses w/ case, Sunglasses
<<Suntan lotion, Face lotion
Face wash, Shampoo, Conditioner
Body wash, loofah>> - try to combine some of these items (e.g., shampoo & conditioner in one, body/face wash in one, etc.)
Purell hand sanitizer
Bug Spray
Birth control, vitamins

First Aid:
Band aids large, med, sm
Bandage, patch
Ace bandage, Splint/brace
Suture x 3, Needles and syringes
Iodine pads
Knuckle strips
Blister mole skin
Medical tape
Iodine tablets
Bandage scissors, Hemostat, Forceps
Benadryl cream
Benadryl pills
Advil
Sudafed
Dayquil, Nyquil
Anti-fungal cream

Clothes - women's
Bathing suit, Bandanas, Hat, Sarong
<<1 pair Jeans, 1 Black Pants>> khaki style pants would be lighter than jeans and come in a variety of colors and styles
<<3 Tank Tops>> - no more than 2 since you can rotate with t-shirts
<<2 pair shorts, 1 pair capris>> - do one pair shorts and switch with capris. You've got 9 bottoms and can reduce that by at least two
<<2 pair quick dry hiking pants>> - if you're only doing minor hiking, I would reduce or eliminate this, but if you're doing extensive hiking, then keep them in
<<3 Quick Dry shirts
3 Long Sleeve Shirts>> - reduce by at least 2 as these can be interchangeable
<<2 Pullovers, Fleece Jacket>> - combine with sweatshirts and reduce by at least 1
<<3 dressy shirts>> - reduce by at least 1
<<3 T-Shirts>> - no more than 2 since you can rotate with tanks
<<2 Dresses>> - unless you plan a really formal affair where a skirt would be unacceptable, I'd SKIP both, otherwise reduce by 1
<<2 Skirts>> - if you're planning a lot of upscale events, take both, otherwise reduce by 1 and rotate with black pants
3 Bras, 1 performance
12 Socks
15 Pair Underwear
<<sweatshirt, Vest>> - combine with pullovers and reduce by at least 1
Winter Jacket
Shower Shoes
Walking Shoes
<<nice Sandals
1 Pair High Heels>> - unless you're going to events where "nice sandals" won't be acceptable, skip the high heels
Sneakers/mud shoes


That would reduce your clothes by at least 11 pieces without reducing your variety.

hibyeperson

I would bring...

OUTERWEAR

1 raincoat
1 sweater

FOOTWEAR

1-2 Flip flops
1-2 sneakers
1 pair comfy, casual shoe
1-2 pair of fancy shoes, ballet, heel, wedge, etc.

TOPS
1-2 tank tops/camisoles
1-2 fancy dresses
1-2 tee shirts
7-14 differents shirts. you can always wash and reuse
1-2 outfits of train/plane outfits.

BOTTOMS

1-2 jeans
1 skirt
5 shorts
i recomend neautrel (black, white, tan, brown, etc.) colors.

SLEEPWEAR

1 pair of cold
1-2 of warm

JEWELRY

1-2 sets of fancy things
1 watch

ELECTRONICS

possibly portable DVD players, with chargers and movies

cell phone (and charger)

ipods (and chargers)

camras and camcorders (and chargers)

UNDERWEAR

socks

underwear

COSMETICS

deoderent

razor

shaving cream

perfume (maybe night)

floss

toothbrush

tweezers

beauty products (lip gloss, etc.)

bug spray

sun tan lotion

OTHER

gum

magazine

books

hair clips and elastics

saige

Too late for goferfan512, but I have been using this checklist for all my travel since 2002. <http://www.onebag.com/checklist.html>

It helps me to pack light and since I never want to have more than I can carry up and down multiple flights of stairs (or out of order escalators)or walking several miles, it may be useful to others on this forum.

Bon Voyage!
Saige

FainaAgain

I typed up a very detailed list, by type: medicine, clothes, toiletries, to do before the trip. Print it before each trip, and mark off what is packed.

I save the last list with my notes on it, and update the list for next trip.

Normally I start 2-3 weeks before the trip, there is always something to buy, especially toiletries and OTC meds.

In my "to do" list is to call credit card and ATM banks so they won't freeze my cards. To stop mail if both go away. To e-mail itinerary to (adult) children.

Nywoman

I don't pack any clothes that I don't wear regularly at home. I also don't buy new clothes because I think it will look good "there". However much I think that something will look better abroad, than at home, it doesn't. Learnt this the hard and it took several trips before the lesson sank in.

I also usually pack too many tops.

Continental_Drifter

Holy cow! Aren't you guys encumbered by all of this STUFF?

While I believe in being prepared, I think some of these lists are what prompted the checked bag fees for the airlines! I'd say you guys need less than half of this stuff and you're way overpacking shoes. The BEST shoes are from Italy and Spain and I search them out here at home, so I know I can buy a new pair on the road. Sure, take your Rockport sandals or walkers, but sheesh, leave the hiking boots (unless you're hiking!) and tennis shoes (unless you're playing tennis!) at home!

Take a giant step back from your list. Ask yourself this: Would you use it at home during the next two, three or five weeks? Am I a packrat? If I go to dinner downtown tonight, would I really wear tennis shoes? I keep a small first aid kit in my car that contains my daughter's backup diabetic meds and my son's epi pen, along with the usual meds in travel sizes. It's about 8 inches long by four inches across. It has everything in it, including the hand sanitizer.

We've encountered all kinds of maladies traveling with our kids in third world and remote places and never needed most of the items on your lists.

And next time you're looking at your closet, ask yourself this series of questions:

1. Do I need it?
2. Do I LOVE it?
3. Does it make me money?

If you can't say yes to at least two questions, throw it out!

Sorry for the rant, but they have sunscreen in Mykonos and sometimes the mere purchase of it is an experience not to be forgotten!

Pare down your electronics to a single camera and a few storage cards. Buy a few batteries on the road. Be selective when taking photos. Is there someone you love in that photo? Are YOU in the photo? If you can get the same photo in Google images when you get home, resist the urge to click or make good use of that delete button!

whew... sorry...

madameX

Mom23rugats --

You are a wise woman.

Your thoughts help to focus on what simiplifies and makes your life easier, but also allows for what makes you comfortable and life enjoyable.

Personally, I can't do without a nice nightgown, whether at home or travel. Usefully, it packs to nothing (spaghetti straps, low back -- and feels so much better than crummy shorts and a T-shirt. But to each her own priorities.) Simiarly, travel without a small robe or pashmina wrap, small evening bag, and little evening slides suitable for a stroll to dinner make the experience worthwhile. After schlepping around "the sights" all day, it feels so refreshing to make the evening more special.

5alive

Curious Traveler2 is going on an around the world summer/winter trip, and to remote places. That doesn't sound like the average trip to me; I got the feeling there was more to it. Also, it sounds like she is going hiking in those "remote places," so she probably should take the boots.

I would disagree on buying toiletries at your destination. There are a lot of us out there who have honed down over years which contact solution, sunscreen, etc we can use without having allergies or rashes.

It would be really useful to do a few targeted lists somewhat related to destination, especially with the new baggage limits. Here are some examples:

Summer-beach destination
summer-national parks destinations
winter ski/snow destination
urban destination summer
urban destination winter
Europe, moving from place to place
Europe, in apartments

TDudette

Now that you are back...how did it go?
We don't usually pack those things we can easily buy at the host country or that might be provided by the hotel. One of our first "getting to know our neighborhood" activities is to go shopping for these things.

Maybe I missed this above but we put our itinerary on the top-if our luggage gets lost, airlines know where to bring the stuff.

suze

5alive~ I like the idea of the topics you listed. I recently wrote up my beach vacation packing list and can post that. Why don't you start a new thread (called packing lists for different purposes or something like that)?

madameX

Dear 5alive and Suze --

Much agreed.

I find that it really helps to imagine the activities that you will be doing, and how many times you need to change location. I know that I pack very differently for the different types of travel, and make some consideration for whether I will be hopping on/off trains a lot. While I never take the jumbo suitcase for most travel (and only sometimes for the one-month stay in one location,) I reconsider the types and how much stuff I take if I know I'll be on/off a train every few days, vs. staying put for most of the time.

This can even affect the type of hat(s) I pack. I like a crushable one that I need for sun protection, but can pack in the suitcase for a lot of train transfers. This is in contrast to the sunhats I pack for when I can stay in one place. Believe me, it crushed me not to pack one of my hat "creations" for when I went to Royal Ascot last year (a real treat - not a habitual trip,) but this event was going to be followed with a few weeks on and off trains in Switzerland. I managed something respectable on my head, but would have preferred one of my feathered works of art. However, I looked forward to a wonderful vacation in the mountains, and the "creation" would become a nuisance.

The point: imagine what you will be doing during your trip, and edit.

madameX

I should have mentioned, looking at your list: pack a small fan, or carry something that can be used as such.

I was in Italy a few times in recent years in June and July (Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Capri, Sorrento, Cinque Terre, etc. Milan did better wsith AC.) It can get very steamy in Italy, and my experience is that the Italians define standards of air-conditioning as bringing the temperature from insufferable to uncomfortable, even when you expect better at some hotels, restaurants, and sites. (No, I don't like things icebox cold -- just more comfortable.)

Yes, I know this is a gross over-generalization, but in comparison with other places I've traveled, it's my belief. In contrast, the Japanese, who also suffer from very warm and VERY humid temperatures at this time of year, have done a great job in comfortable (not TOO cool) AC. Even many little 300-year old shops in a back street seem to have found a small, efficient AC system....and they still manage to be the most energy-efficient developed economy of the major developed economies. (I just returned from almost a month in Japan and Korea, and was much more comfortable there than in my trips to Italy at the same time of year, in similarly sultry weather conditions.) The Japanese also have respect for and deal with older properties -- the Italians could do much better.

shadowcat

I saw this site mentioned recently in a local magazine under an article called "10 Sites to Visit Before You Leave Town". It is www.dontforgetyourtoothbrush.com

I tried it today and I think it is very handy for creating personalized packing lists. It offers suggestions based upon the type of trip (Beach Vacation, Winter Sports, Cruising, etc) and also includes things to do before you leave in a trip (e.g. 1 week before, leave copy of itinerary with friends and family, contact credit card companies). It gives you suggestions on items that you can select to add to your list and you have the option of adding customized items.

You create a packing list for each trip and they will email a copy to you 2 weeks before, 1 week before and 2 days before your scheduled trip.

Note that this site is in the UK, so some of the terminology is different ("trainers" as an option instead of sneakers, for example.)

toedtoes

I agree to a certain extent with Mom23rugrats, but I do think there is room to personalize.

For me, my camera gear is NOT staying home. I will NOT not take a photo because I can buy a postcard of it or google it - I want MY photo of MY memory, not someone else's.

For others, allergies can require specific toiletries to be used and the risk of not finding them at the destination and breaking out in hives, etc. is not worth it.

For some, health issues require a small arsenal of OTC meds to keep a minor problem from becoming a major problem.

For some, getting dressed up for a night on the town is a big part of traveling and they won't be satisfied wearing a casual skirt.

The trick with packing is to identify YOUR specific "exception to the rules" and not pack for everyone else's.

For me, that means I take all my camera gear, but I skip the "might need" OTC meds, the fancy outfits, the fans, the headlamps, etc.

For someone else, that might mean bringing the special toiletries but not a bag full of camera equipment.

5alive

Very well said Toedtoes. What seems obvious to me to cut off your list might not be the right choice for you at all!

Another issue I have is that for car trips, I get really casual about my packing and I have to rethink things when we fly. Also, my kids' needs have really changed over the years, and it's a little confusing. Each time we pull out an old list, it's outdated.

What do people think? should we start a destinations packing thread or does this website suggested do a good job? I haven't become a member and clicked through as yet.

toedtoes

I haven't checked out that site either (I tend not to do websites that require me to sign in to see it).

I think we should have our own list here on Fodors.

suze

I don't work from a packing list. I start packing several weeks in advance and keep my suitcase and the things I'm taking in a separate location (like the bed in the guest room).

I do have some pack lists, but I write them *after* the trip, with notes about what I used, did not use, and could have used but did not have!

lanejohann

i am a compulsive list writer when it comes to trips
i have all my outfits selected and the combinations written down in advance so i know what to look for in the wardrobe
i start buying bits and pieces months in advance for a big trip
for me it's all part of the joy of travelling even though it's a headache as well
shoes arethe biggest problem:
something to wearwhen it's raining..a pair to wear out at night that are still comfortable for walking round a city..
id live in flat boots, if i could but we travel in early summer so id feel strange and theyre heavy to lug around- i cant justify boots in my case
,

debsnj

I have a very comprehensive "master" list on my computer with everything needed for beach, winter, etc. There is also a section for things to do - water plants, set timers, stop newspapers, etc. Before I pack, I copy the list to a new document, delete items not needed for the specific destination and print. The master list gets updated as needed. Each member of the family has their own section. This system really works for us.