Traveling Light - The Ultimate Edition

[CaptainYooh]

My name is CaptainYooh and I can no longer travel light. Wherever I go, no matter if it's two days or two weeks, I must take a ton of stuff of with me just because I think I might need it. Shirts, sweaters, jackets, lots of underwear & socks, minimum three pairs of shoes, belts, hats... then camera, lenses, tripod (in a separate bag), laptop, ipad, cords, chargers... I honestly cannot remember the last time I was able to travel anywhere without checking in at least one heavy suitcase. I think I need help...

Say, you plan a long trip somewhere, all by yourself. Not an island, but say, traveling alone in Europe for a year. It is safe to assume that you can buy basic necessities like food, water, toothpaste etc. as you move from place to place. Say, you want to carry one small backpack only, nothing else. You will need the money to do this; Europe is not cheap; but let's assume that you saved enough and can afford to pay for your economy class airfare, public transit and 3-star hotel accommodations, so you don't need to worry about carrying a sleeping bag.

Please describe your packing list for this trip. Things you absolutely must have and are willing to carry on your shoulders in your backpack everywhere you go for one full year.

Thank you.

[undercoverbrother]

You work in threes.

3 pairs of underwear, 1 clean, 1 being washed, 1 on your body.

That goes for shirts, socks. Pants you only need 2 pair as you can wear them 2-3 days in a row. 1 jacket, 1 sweater/hoodie.

1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of flip flops.

You can hand wash your stuff in the hotel tub or sink, hanging to dry.

As the saying goes travel light freeze at night.

[GGG]

Just a phone for electronics. It is good enough now to cover for GPS, Maps, laptop. 1 extra battery cell.

Clothing - Wear 1 pair of athletic type pants, pack 1 pair of slightly dressier khaki type pants, and a pair of board shorts.
Shirts - worn t shirt, button down shirt, one extra t shirt, one long sleeve shirt
Jackets - one light weight compressible down jacket, one ultra light rain coat.
Underwear - 3 pair ultralight weight merino wool underwear good for two days at a time
Socks - 3 pair wool socks
Shoes - 1 pair trail runners worn, 1 pair sandles, and 1 dressier pair that is still comfy to walk in all day.

Pack - Six moon designs traveler backpack.
I'd still bring a sleeping bag and pad because I'm likely doing some hut to hut hiking while I'm there.

For additions after that I would add one more pair of long pants, 1 more shirt and 2 more pairs of underwear and socks if it could fit. This way you can do weekly laundry instead of washing clothes each night in the sink.

The key is multi-functional outfits and be willing to sacrifice being perfectly dressed for whatever activity and instead be adequately dressed.

[nik-]

My longest trip was a month this December.

6 underwear 6 socks, plus the one of each I wear. (I bring more of these just in case I have a gap in laundry facilities)
2-3 pairs of shorts
1 pair of jeans
5 t-shirts
1 heavier shirt/sweater
1 pair of sandals
razor
toothbrush
some basic medicine (antacid, advil)
chargers
Even carried a little bluetooth speaker with me this year.

All easily fits in a 45L pack and sits at around 12-14 pounds. Never had an issue with using it as a carry on.

I've also brought a small "man purse" in the past to carry around an actual camera (easily fits under the seat in front of you type size), but I think I'm going to stop that now as I barely used it this year and my phone camera is pretty good.

[mikephoen]

Phone charger, and don't forget that some places in europe use different plug ins, so you'll need a universal phone charger or else you'll be stuck only charging your phone when you can find a usb port. And that always charges slow. I'd probably take one of those back up phone charger things that pokemon go players all have also.

[Rubicant]

I'd love to help you but I have small children and can't even remember what packing light is.

[ResAlien]

Maybe I'm too old or not old enough but why in the world are most of you listing sandals as a must have to pack and travel with? Most useless piece of footwear ever. You've got shoes, you've got bare feet, you're covered.

[nik-]

Walking barefoot on sand covered stone walkways in dirty conditions isn't the greatest idea. Also super handy when walking around a pool if you're not looking to slip and crack your head open

edit: I do also hate wearing sandals though, but ... time and place.

[mikephoen]

I also wouldn't worry too much about taking all the clothes you need for everything. Since you said you'll be going to Europe, and for up to a year, I would just plan on buying some of the clothes you need there.

If you're shopping in the non-touristy areas, it's a good way to meet locals as well, which I assume you want to do since you said you'll be traveling alone.

[worth]

I traveled for a year with a 30L backpack that weighed 16 lbs total.

I took 4 pair of socks and underwear 4 shirts and 2 pair of pants.

Everything I took with me is listed here:

http://strattondelany.tumblr.com/pos...taking-on-this

I was able to take my 30L pack as carry on, never having to wait for checked luggage. You don't need all the things you think you need.

I didn't buy anything along the way except for toothpaste when I needed it or contact lens solution. I wore the same four shirt for a year straight.

[CaptainYooh]

OK, I tried. Below are all of the things I think I must take with me (plus wallet, plus passport, of course). There is no way they'd all fit in a reasonably-sized travel backpack! And I'm sure I've missed a few things... What wouldn't you take???

[GGG]

The right side can be replaced with your phone, a tiny ziplock first aid kit, use disposable razors or just shaving cream you purchase on site.

Travel mug - disposable cup
Head phones - ear buds
Beard trimmer - go for a trim onsite or let it go or shave it off
Fork and spoon disposable
Lap Top - unless required for work phone or tablet
One of your pairs of shoes is worn

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

OK, I tried. Below are all of the things I think I must take with me (plus wallet, plus passport, of course). There is no way they'd all fit in a reasonably-sized travel backpack! And I'm sure I've missed a few things... What wouldn't you take???

Everything you must take or everything you could possibly need?

Why do you need four long sleeved shirts? Why do need a first aid kit, do you plan to be away from a town for extended periods? Why do you need two pairs of shoes plus a pair of overly complicated sandals, two scarves, a big electric trimmer, a large toiletries bag, coffee mug? A power bar?

There are stores in Europe.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by GGG

The right side can be replaced with your phone, - you probably meant just the camera/laptop, I assume.

a tiny ziplock first aid kit, use disposable razors or just shaving cream you purchase on site. Agreed.

Travel mug - disposable cup - agreed, but having a mug to refill with water/coffee is more practical on the go; not?
Fork and spoon disposable - agreed, but they really don't take any space at all.
Head phones - ear buds - agreed, this is more of a preference thing, I have not had a pair yet that fits well in my ears.
Beard trimmer - go for a trim onsite or let it go or shave it off - I shave my head with it. Could lose it, I suppose and use barber shops instead.

Lap Top - unless required for work phone or tablet. MacBook Air 11" - is not much bigger/heavier than ipad, but much more versatile.

One of your pairs of shoes is worn - of course.

See above comment in italics.

Camera - I would not want to travel without a good camera. I'm prepared to carry it on my shoulder.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by nik-

Everything you must take or everything you could possibly need?

Why do you need four long sleeved shirts? Why do need a first aid kit, do you plan to be away from a town for extended periods? Why do you need two pairs of shoes plus a pair of overly complicated sandals, two scarves, a big electric trimmer, a large toiletries bag, coffee mug? A power bar?

There are stores in Europe.

two long-sleeve shirts/two t-shirts, one scarf
one light jacket/one warm jacket
walking shoes can get wet/leather shoes for wet weather.
sandals for wearing inside (not a necessity, I guess).
trimmer - for hair, could loose and use local barbershop, OK
toiletries - I don't have to have it, but I'd have to buy it there; so what's the point of not taking it? I am not going to keep buying it over and over again, right?
Power bar - for the laptop/camera/phone chargers

[Northendzone]

If you are going to Edmonton all you need is one pair of jogging pants, a pair of loafers, a fanny pack and two button up shirts

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

two long-sleeve shirts/two t-shirts, one scarf
one light jacket/one warm jacket
walking shoes can get wet/leather shoes for wet weather.
sandals for wearing inside (not a necessity, I guess).
trimmer - for hair, could loose and use local barbershop, OK
toiletries - I don't have to have it, but I'd have to buy it there; so what's the point of not taking it? I am not going to keep buying it over and over again, right?
Power bar - for the laptop/camera/phone chargers

No I understand the technical reasons one would need these things, it's just excessive.
Toiletries you bring a toothbrush and a nail clipper. I also bring a small bag of Q-tips. Everything else you absolutely buy over there. If you want a small footprint, you're going to have to accept making several small purchases of things when technically you could have brought a larger version of. Clothes are going to be the same thing. If you go in summer, you add a warmer piece or two in the winter and toss out the summer comparable. You have more long sleeved shirts than socks and as many as underwear. Shirts you can wear a few days in a row, socks and underwear, not so much.

Hotels and rentals have power outlets, all you need is a couple adapters, not a power bar.

[CaptainYooh]

OK. If you don't mind and have a few minutes to spare, open my pic in Preview and use red pen tool to cross out things you wouldn't pack in your backpack going to Europe for one year.

[worth]

dude...

-one pair of shoes
-what is the hanky for?
-ditch the scarf, get a buff
-buy a $5 toque when it is cold no need to carry it around when it's 30c out if you're going for a year
-do you really need that puffy jacket? are you traveling in europe in the dead of winter?
-those pants are heavy cotton, they will soak up water and sweat
-why do you need a laptop?
-earbuds!
-clippers? are you serious?
-wtf is that scissor kit?
-ditch the mug, bring a 1l Nalgene
-also, you look like you are going on safari with all that khaki
-umbrella? get rid of it

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

OK. If you don't mind and have a few minutes to spare, open my pic in Preview and use red pen tool to cross out things you wouldn't pack in your backpack going to Europe for one year.

Depending on when you'll go, you'll have to get a toque and jacket probably for winter. Ditch the khakis, bring one pair of jeans, just make them very dark so they're dressy enough to go most places. Bring an extra pair of those khaki type shorts. I've never had any issue getting into churches or the like with shorts. As long as they're not Larry Bird NBA shorts and cover your knee, you should be fine. Bring a small satchel/bag for your camera. You can also use it to stuff chargers and items into at the airport if you need to cheat the scale. I just picked that red shirt because I'm assuming that it is relatively warm for cool, but not cold, nights.

Bring more underwear and socks, I really can't stress this enough. I'd also bring a couple more t-shirts.

Do you really need the laptop? what are you using it for? Can you replace it with a tablet or just your phone?

The bandana I left because it's so small it's not a big deal, and if you rent a scooter it's actually pretty nice to tie one around your face.