The Art of Selective Packing
 

Hi all,

I've just written an epic (arguably too long for a forum post) however some may find of use if they are currently planning their travels and are wondering what they should pack. There are a few tips n what-have-you in there too.
Its in 3 chunks - clothes, cash, and other.
you can find part 1 at www.ubertramp.com/packclothes.htm and navigate from there if you find it of substance.

Regards,

Enjoyable reading, ubertramp.:) Probably more suited to much younger, hostel travelers than the average age on this board, but some good tips.

I absolutely agree with your recommendation to take a compass. It's amazing how useful one can be. But, I'm not sure you'll find much interest in the four-day underwear wearing plan :D

That 4 day plan had me cringing... as for the mythical 5 day plan, perhaps on the 5th day they wear it on their head. :-d

It was a good article, I did catch a few misspellings, so you may want to have someone do a proofread for you (I'm a terrible proofreader of my own work so I always have to find someone else).

I like your writing style - very casual and full of personality and humor. You might want to move the underwear paragraph down a bit until readers have a chance to "get you". Right at the beginning like that, I fear some folks coming to the site from a search engine will think it's a joke article.

I still have to read parts 2 and 3.

omigod!!! you are my son , aren't you??? :)
My boy is in Spain right now, then Morrocco and England and more Spain, he said he was packing about 4 pairs of this and that and taking a bit of laundry soap..as much as he travels, I would think he would know better by now ..
My worries are always, What if things don't dry? you wear the damp undies?

I am sending him your epic post :)
Good luck !!

<What if things don't dry? you wear the damp undies?>

Oh, Scarlett! Doncha know? They go commando!

LOL Scarlett, my husband's Godmother always said "being a parent is a lifetime sentence". Isn't it true??
I thought of her when I just read your post about your dear boy.

lol, "commando"..

My son certainly did not take his packing advice or wisdom from me! I have discovered it is impossible to pack light. Even my purse is overpacked lol.

Maybe it is an age thing?
When one is no longer 20- something and cute as a bug, one needs to bring more Stuff along?

Perhaps the airlines could institute a new rule:

For every "tree ring" around your neck, you get to bring a bag.

That way, those 20 somethings with smooth necks can go commando (in every way) and the rest of us ring-necks can have 5 or 6 bags! :-d

I like the "lazy pants". I have a few pairs myself, and take the better looking pair (or two) on my trips. :-)

I'm still a light packer, though not quite as much as I was in my 20's. ;-)

OMG, my husband used to tell me about the 4 days to a pair of underwear from his Navy days! Thank God he never had to resort to it...but it was well known in that community, lol!

I have to say, your use of the word thong kept me giggling. I have a teenage girl, and thongs are most definitely not things you put on your feet:D Keep using the term flip flips instead...please:)

Gotta go read the other 2 sections now. Love the way you write though!

I read the rest...very good! One thing we learned with backpacking (mountains) is to line our packs with trash compactor bags. Those are pretty much bullet proof and really keep things dry.

Interesting UberT. My husband is the heavy packer in the family. I pack light - about half of what he takes. He needs to read your article.

Excellent list, ubertramp!

One thing I carry that differs from your list is a -

miner's light

It's a "flashlight/torch" that you attach to your head

A good miner's light is brighter than the usual flashlight and also has the advantage of freeing up one's hands.

I also use it as a night reading light, great for reading and not disturbing anyone else who may be snoring.

Get a good one.

Also I carry REI's Jungle Juice - better to feel like I'm oiled over like a wrestler than to be bitten by mosquitoes!

Also After Bite for that occasional sneaky mosquito that finds the one spot that doesn't have any Jungle Juice on it.

Lastly, your underwear suggestions can't be followed by someone like me. I need one fresh pair every day. If I run out, I just go out and buy some more locally. Otherwise, I can wash my current supply and hang them up overnight. They are usually dry by morning.

Great thread! :)

Thanks for all your comments, folks. I really appreciate the feedback - both good and 'constructive' (thats the bit I welcome, and need, the most). Yup, I definitely need to proof read more!
As for the 4 day pant schedule, not even I stretch to that length of time (although I did used to be in the Navy!). Mind you, I only change them more regularly for fear of them growing roots and becoming a permanent physical feature ;-). Seriously though, its no problem to 'crash your kegs' each time you shower, and once you get into that routine you only need a handful of pairs - at least thats what I find. People hold fears about traveling and my one fear is being in close quarters to others on a cramped bus and being the smelly one. if you have a source of water and a bar of soap there really is no excuse for poor hygiene on the road - personal or clothing!
Good point about the headtorch, too. Definitely more useful than the conventional kind.
Thanks again for your kind comments and oh, one more thing, I'm of to Morocco with my beloved at the start of September. I plan to log (most) events on ubertramp.com so if you fancy dropping by from time to time and check that were changing our pants regularly then it'd be great to have you all onboard for the ride. If you wish, you can subscribe to the free updates from the site.
Thanks again and happy travels,
Nath

No! Never four days in the same pair of underwear!

Good lawd send me your address while on the road and I'll Fed Ex you new drawers!