I do that sometimes too, tossing things on the way. Depends on where, how long, who travels with me. At home I have a "travel space" where unwanted socks, undies, t-shirts go. Also check the toiletries - travel size shampoo, toothpaste, etc... Usually I wash and wear things, and toss them on the last day. I never take books with me - free AAA books easy to tear apart, few computer print-outs. At work I try to combine notes by location and take a 1-page copy instead of several. The weight does add up. This can be tossed to.

Don't forget about buying things you'll want as part of your actual travel wardrobe. For example, why would I pack a sweater going to Switzerland? I'd rather pick one up there to wear and keep for later.

I don't like taking my old undies or wearing cheapie undies on vacation either. Ziplock bags, coin op laundry, and shipping souveniers home or bringing an extra carryon bag is definitely the way to go for me.

What about packing a smaller size suitcase inside a larger suitcase (same types that might stack together, of course.) Then fill the inside smaller one with your clothes, and once you start buying items, fill up the outside suitcase that the small suitcase was in originally?

We usually pack a couple garbage liners in our suitcase for our dirty clothes. If we're lucky enough to stay in a place that has a laundry, we might wash things up if we have time, or rinse out workout/running clothes and dry in the hotel before placing in the dirty clothes bag. The dirty clothes bag then gets packed by itself in one piece of luggage, then we combine our other clothing together in the suitcases that we have used clothing out of.

I personally wouldn't take a chance on buying underwear at the Dollar Store because I go through this very scientific ritual with my undies--certain pairs go with certain clothes, depending on lines, colors, comfort, fit, etc. It would be too much of a guess for me to try to determine if the Dollar Store undies would feel as comfortable or work as well with my clothing as what I already own--I sure don't want this making me grouchy and you can stuff underwear in any little pocket :)

I agree with "E" and recommend the CoolMax (or similar wicking material -- NOT cotton) undies for men and women and kids. They dry quickly and are comfortable. Try www.campmor.com for a supply that is less expensive than Magellans.

We usually travel together me and hubby and each have our own suitcase. while on trips one suitcase becomes the hamper whilst the other keeps the clean clothes and other good stuff. Also use the hotel room plastic laundry bag for dirty undies and the like, coin laundry used if there is one and if we have time.

First, try not to soil your underwear!
Use panty liners if possible...
I handwash stuff at the hotel and never have a problem.
One of the best things in the world is Space Bags. I have a set that I pack clothing in and then suck/press all the air out of. It's amazing how much room it frees up. Also, try not to take more than one extra pair of shoes. I try my hardest to use the pair I wear on the plane the entire trip! If you must toss out stuff, I agree with those above who say it makes more sense to toss old stuff than new stuff. And I think it's a bit rude to leave dirty clothes for the cleaning people. That's kinda gross unless it's a Tshirt or something. Just because they are cleaning people does not mean they have no standards. And please do not leave dirty clothes in lieu of a tip!!!
One other idea... get an expandable suitcase.

Buy the "Coolmax" underwear and socks. It dries FAST and you will need only a few pair. Travel Smith has it. I found some on Sierra Trading Post that was a great deal.

Dirty clothes as a tips ?
Whereever this idea came from ?
I like it ! :)

One thing I always bring on vacation are old walking shoes. The ones that look really beat-up but are so comfortable that you've held on to them for years. Well, now is your chance to put them through their last 20 miles, not have any foot pain, and leave them behind. Plus you can find a fancy new pair while you're there!

A regular traveller I know MAILS his dirty clothes home!

Just another idea to think about.

I think this is a bit embarrasing that someone would be willing to buy something brand new to throw it away. What about the landfill space? or the wasted resources to make what you are throwing away. It seems that we throw enough stuff away as it is without doing this. I suppose if you are going to throw the old underwear away anyway then that doesn't matter so much but it really does seem wasteful to throw it away because you don't want to launder or keep it near clean clothes.

Please take 2 hours out of your trip and do laundry once or take an extra bag to keep all the dirties in. My preference is to pack an empty nylon bag (takes little space) and fill it with my clothes and put my goodies in the hard sided suitcase. (learned that the hard way after some goodies that went through the airline luggage process came out looking a bit different than when I put them in.

I have a question about that space bags--if you suck the air out of them before you leave, what in the heck do you use to suck the air out of them for the return trip home? I always wondered that everytime I see the infomercial on TV!

LOL hugglyn how about your body weight?

suzanne, while your sentiments are in the right place, your suggestion is horrible.

Bringing worn out walking shoes on your trip can spell disaster. As a runner and former aerobics instructer, worn out shoes are your enemy.

Worn out shoes break down on concrete causing back, hip, and knee injury.

When I was teaching and people would complain of sore knees or hips, the culprit was ALWAYS the shoes.

Throw those things in the trash and get a new pair.

Am I missing something here - why not just bring an extra bag, duffle, etc. if you are worried about buying too much stuff to have it fit in your suitcase.

Now that my kids are teenagers, on our last trip I was finally able to just let go of micromanaging what husband and kids brought with them. Everyone had his/her own suitcase, packed for themselves. If teenage son chose to bring only 3 pairs of socks for 10 days, that was his problem, not mine. If husband brought enough clothing to last a month, as long as he carried his suitcase, who cares.

Took 17 years of traveling with them to reach this point. For me, I'll stick with basic black shorts, pants, skirts, plus a few assorted tops and I'm good for a month doing hotel-sink laundry.

katybird: My kind of traveler. "Cool-Max", silks, polyester/rayon blends.

Dries fast, so don't need to overpack
Thin, packs wells.

Expensive [so to speak], but good quality and reusable.

Packing well can save space too.

The travel space bags have a special valve that allows you to squeeze or roll out the air. Works great!
The big bags for comforters and stuff use a vaccume.
You can also use a vaccume for the travel bags but it is not necessary.

Well, off the topic, and meant for Go Travel--I am also a runner and former aerobics instructor...sometime we can compare favorite running vacations!

Circa
I have found the Coolmax briefs and t-shirts on the web but cannot find casual socks for men or women. Any ideas?