The Right Clothes and the Right Gear Make all the Difference
We’ve been doing a lot of traveling for around forty years and for the past couple of decades many of our trips can be as long as 30 days. Even on long trips people are amazed at how little luggage we have.
Traveling light can become a lifestyle once you give packing some thought. It actually makes the trip much easier on you when you no longer are hauling around oversized and heavy luggage.
Pick your wardrobe carefully
Check the weather where you are going to help determine what clothes to pack. Also try to determine any special events that may require dressing up or dressing down. With this information you will be able to determine what you will need but also what items aren’t necessary.
Eliminate items that need special care
Don’t take clothes that wrinkle easily or need ironing. (You can pack a small spray bottle and use water to spritz out most wrinkles.) Avoid items, like silk, that are easily damaged in a laundry.
Stage selected clothes
You’ve selected what to pack but before you pack stage your selection in one place so you can make an evaluation. Ask yourself questions like what combinations do I have and how many items work with each other. It’s important to be able to mix and match. Many environments also lend themselves to layering outfits. Does your selection fit those needs?
Select clothes designed to travel. Give priority to clothes that can be rinsed out and dried quickly. There are growing choices in miracle fabrics that are designed to keep you cool and dry fast. These items are generally lighter in weight so they take up less space when packing.
Pick shoes with a purpose
We travel with very lightweight tennis shoes (actually running shoes), a pair of sandals and we usually wear our everyday shoes. Pick a comfortable pair of all purpose shoes that will fit into your wardrobe choices. When packing, fill fold-top sandwich bags with socks and small items and put them in your shoes. This keeps things organized and also keeps the shoes from creasing.
Select the right suitcases
It is awkward to find yourself on a crowded train with an oversized suitcase that you can’t lift or will not fit in the overhead. In places like Italy, people will offer to lift the suitcases and place them in the overhead racks for you but then they will demand a substantial tip. On commuter trains, you cannot place suitcases on the seats without being lectured or, at best, glared at the entire journey.
We have gotten into the habit of traveling mostly with two carry-on size suitcases and a couple of backpacks. We have started using packing cubes to organize our suitcase. By packing the cubes tight it reduces items shifting around and getting wrinkled. We also usually carry an additional light- weight foldable backpack for short day trips and holding things acquired along the way.
Pick clothes that travel well
To get a serious savings in size as well as weight take advantage of light weight, easy dry clothing for traveling. Polyester is the new wonder fabric and it has none of the issues of the old nylon clothes from years ago. Generally you’ll find it comfortable, light weight, moisture wicking and fast drying. It’s perfect for washing out in the evening and being dry in the morning.
32 Degrees – We’ve become very fond of this line of clothing. Available in thermal and sweat wicking shirts and other apparel. We both wear their T’s and thermals.
Exofficio – They offer a wide assortment of fast dry under garments for men and women along with interesting travel ideas.
Balanced Tech @ Amazon – another good collection of fast dry clothing.
Under Armour – This company was the first in the market with sweat wicking clothing and was originally marketed to the military and police.
UNIQLO – this is a Japanese clothing company that is expanding quickly worldwide. We believe they offer a premium line at reasonable price. We have bought and traveled with their moisture wicking polo shirts and while heavier than Columbia they still seem to rinse and dry quickly.
Columbia – has built its brand around cool travel clothing. I have had issues with their polo shirts developing pulls in the fabric and am beginning to rethink this shirt.
Taking care of clothes on the road
We also carry a few items that make it easier to freshen up clothes on the roar.
A small spray bottle – Usually all it takes to get rid of suitcase wrinkles is a little mist of water upon unpacking.
Packets of laundry soap – Rinsing out a few things in a bathroom sink is SOP but you’ll get better results by using a small amount of laundry powder.
An inflatable hanger – These take up almost no space and go a long way towards preventing puckers caused by hanging up damp clothes after rinsing out.
Rolling Clothes
Many people swear by rolling cloths to pack, but we admit to never really getting the knack of this process. Even so rolling clothes for packing is a popular technique for maximizing space in your luggage while also minimizing wrinkles. Here are some steps to follow:
- Lay the clothing item flat on a surface.
- Fold any sleeves or pant legs neatly towards the center of the garment.
- Starting from one end, tightly roll the garment towards the other end.
- Once rolled, you can secure the roll with a rubber band or by tucking the end of the garment into the roll.
- This method not only saves space but also makes it easier to find specific items in your luggage without having to dig through everything. Additionally, it can help prevent wrinkles and creases that may occur with folding.
The Intentional Travelers 