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Travel Tips

	-Travel Tips
	There's no question: over packing easily heads the list of biggest travel mistakes. Thus this Web site, offering exhaustive (some might say exhausting) detail on the art of traveling light, living for an indefinite period of time out of a single (carryon-sized) bag. My own lifestyle over the years has always involved a great deal of travel, for both business and pleasure. Like most seasoned travelers, I have found that the lighter my burden, the more pleasant my journey. Consequently (and unsurprisingly, given my scientific/engineering background), I have thought a lot about the subject, read extensively on the issues, even attended seminars on packing techniques. Most important, I have tried all this stuff out, experimenting with a variety of solutions in many cases. This Web site affords me an opportunity to share the resulting opinions (and, I hope, save you a lot of trouble repeating my mistakes).

	-Why Live Out of One Bag?
	There are many reasons to "travel light", the principal ones being...

	-Security:
	By not having to check baggage (or otherwise entrust it to the care of others), you are much less likely to lose same (or its contents) to theft, damage, or misrouting. Would that peace of mind was always so easily acquired!

	-Economy:
	You don't have to pay porters and the like to carry stuff around for you. You will be more able to take public transportation, rather than taxis and limos (where you often pay extra for luggage). You can even walk. All of which will also bring you into more intimate (and thus rewarding) contact with the people and places you have come to visit.

	-Mobility:
	You needn't arrive at airports as early. You can board trains, trams, and coaches with alacrity. You can more easily deal with delayed transportation and missed connections (because you can choose alternatives without worrying about what will happen to your belongings). You can travel as an air courier. You can sell your seat (by volunteering to be "bumped") on full flights. You will be among the first to leave the airport for your destination, while others wait for baggage delivery and long customs inspection queues. And you won't feel compelled to take the first hotel room offered; you can easily walk out when the reception counter person quotes an unreasonably high price.

	-What to take (in your one carryon-sized bag)
	Arguably the most important aspect of intelligent traveling is the issue of what to take. This, more than anything else, will determine the size of your luggage, the weight of your load, and the state of your happiness. Your top priority, then, should be the acquisition, personalization, and use of a good packing list. "What to take" is far too important to make up as you go along! The world is awash with packing lists. Dozens have appeared on the Internet, and almost any travel store will happily supply you with what usually amounts to a list of the many things you might buy from them. And therein lays the fault of most lists: they enumerate the possibilities, rather than eliminate the liabilities. A list of stuff you might want to take is very different from a list of things you can't travel (comfortably) without. Even the venerable Universal Packing List is intended to be exhaustive; author/maintainer Mats Henricson uses a much shorter list for his actual travels.

	-The One-Page Checklist
	This Web page contains an extensively annotated copy of the packing list I use, refined over many years (and many miles) of travel, both business and pleasure; it's intended to provide a convenient starting point for you to create a customized list of your own. For actual use while packing, of course, a more compact format is preferable. You can download a copy of the convenient checklist version of my list, provided in Adobe portable document format (PDF) for printing on a single letter-sized page (which can be printed on both sides, then cut in half to make two smaller copies; this also works on A4 paper with just a bit of extra trimming). The consistent use of such a checklist (keep one in your bag, or the room where you regularly pack) is the single most important step you can take to lighten your packing load. It's not possible to overstate the importance of actually creating (or adopting) a packing list, and using it regularly. This serves two purposes. First, it's a gentle reminder that if it's not on your list, it shouldn't be in your bag (because all the necessary items are on your list); this defends against last-minute attacks of "I might need this." Second, it helps ensure that nothing important will be forgotten. The go-light traveler in particular is only carrying items that are essential to the journey, so forgetting one of them can be particularly inconvenient. I've used the list on this site for over a quarter century of travel around the world. I could probably reproduce it from memory. Nonetheless, I never fail to check it on every single trip of more than a few days. And, on more occasions than I like to admit, I've been reminded of items like a belt that I was forgetting to pack for the pair of trousers in my bag. It's no coincidence that aircraft pilots are required to complete a mandatory checklist before being allowed to fly the plane. Eliminate items from the list whenever you can: parkas aren't necessary in North Africa, nor are shorts in the Andes. For that matter, shorts are culturally inappropriate in many countries. Add items if you must, to address your business needs, hobbies, personal interests, etc., but resist the temptation to add non-essentials. If you're thinking "I might need this", you're likely mistaken; if it's "I can't survive without this", you may be right. But consider it carefully and dispassionately. Will the joys of listening to Radio America really warrant lugging that short-wave radio? Do you truly need that 200mm lens? Perhaps, though I have yet to hear of someone returning from an extended trip who vows to take more stuff the next time!

	-Doing Laundry
	Smart travelers plan to wash clothes during the trip, one of the major secrets to living out of one small bag. This is not as onerous as it might sound, if you carry the right tools. Of course, you could take your laundry to a local self-service wash ("Laundromat", "launderette"), although that: Assumes there is a local one (improbable in most locales), Is likely to be expensive outside North America, and Turns laundering into a major (time-consuming) event, when it can be almost as easy (and convenient) as brushing one's teeth before bedtime; So one of your evening chores becomes doing the day's laundry (if you travel with a partner, each of you can wash on alternate days); Wash and rinse the clothes (these will often be only socks and undergarments) in the sink of your hotel or B&B. [Scrubbing difficult stains out of socks? Try slipping them over your hands like mittens.] Rinsing can occasionally be done more efficiently in a shower than in a sink. [Laundering silk? Try an extra/final rinse containing some hair conditioner, which (because silk—like hair—is a protein) both keeps the fabric nice and lessens wrinkles.] Rolling wet clothes in a towel, and wringing the towel tightly (with clothes inside), is an old traveler’s trick to extract water and thus considerably speed the drying process. Then hang the garments on your travel clothesline (described in the following list), and go to bed. If you're ready to depart in the morning, and some item of clothing isn't quite dry, do as they do in the army: put it on anyway. Though it might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, you'll be surprised at how quickly it will dry next to a warm body. A better solution, though, is to choose traveling clothes made of quick-drying (and wrinkle-free) fabrics. A shirt made of Coolmax® (or some similar fabric) will not only dry quickly, but will keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter than one made of cotton. If you're traveling on business, of course, you're unlikely to want to wash your dress shirts in the sink (though it's nice to be able to). On the other hand, it's more likely that someone else is footing the bill, so letting the hotel do your laundry is a more acceptable option. Be prepared for occasional surprises if you take this route; the laundry process in foreign hotels can be entertaining!

	-Choosing Clothing
	Minimize clothing by selecting a uniform (one or two) color scheme. Choose fabrics carefully: natural fabrics can be cooler, but wrinkle more easily, dry more slowly, and are generally heavier than synthetics. Knitted fabrics are less prone to creasing. In all cases, the use of "bundle wrapping" helps considerably, by avoiding hard creases.

	- Deal with temperature
	Deal with temperature variations by layering, not by packing heavier clothing; a set of long underwear (especially the newer technical varieties) is much more weight/bulk-efficient than a heavy coat. The following list offers 5-7 layers of upper-body insulation, enough for anything short of an arctic expedition. Make sure that the clothes you choose will dry out quickly. It's not a bad idea to test any new item you are considering by washing, rinsing, and towel drying, and hanging it indoors overnight. Anything not dry by morning is likely to prove annoying on a long trip (see "Doing Laundry", above). Avoid military-styled clothing, which in some parts of the world can definitely send the wrong message. This includes anything with a camouflage pattern, or colored green! Sounds extreme, but even green backpacks were once confiscated in Nicaragua. Pay particular attention to underwear and socks, especially on longer trips. They will have a significant effect on your comfort, and likely be much more difficult (if not impossible) to replace than your outerwear, especially in third world countries, or areas where the local people have body shapes much different than yours. It's always possible to purchase appropriate outerwear locally (it may well be more appropriate than what you brought with you, and often makes for good souvenirs); the same is not true of undergarments. Incidentally, white socks and underwear are unlikely to remain that way over time, so unless you prefer surprises, start off with a color choice of your own! Finally, be aware of another useful traveler’s strategy: taking along some older clothes that you plan to discard anyway. Abandoning them along the way makes room for souvenirs (which, again, might simply be some local clothing). If you do this, don't just leave clothes in your hotel room, unless you'd like them returned home at your expense! Deposit them in the trash, or donate them to the service staff.

	-What to take when traveling (on a trip of any length)?
	An old saying aptly applies: take half as many clothes and twice as much money; This is a list of the maximum amount of stuff one should ever need to cart around (the suggested quantities include those clothes that you will be wearing). It is the list I actually use, allowing me to live more or less indefinitely out of a single (carryon-sized) bag.

	-Wardrobe
	Dressy jacket a nice blazer is ideal for almost any dress-up occasion, and companies like Travel Smith make them with fabrics and pocket arrangements that are specifically designed for traveling. Women who anticipate more formal events should consider the merits of a skirt and separate top; the popular "little black dress" has drawbacks for the serious traveler (black is much too hot for many areas, and the one-piece nature of the outfit makes it quite a challenge to deal with the security pouch that you should be wearing). 2 pairs trousers/skirts (shorts?) Denim jeans make poor traveling clothes: they're heavy, bulky, and take forever to dry. Several companies now make trousers with zip-off legs (which convert them to shorts), a versatile solution that may appeal to you. 2-4 shirts Have you ever noticed that the traditional garb in desert countries is not the bikini? Loose, light, long-sleeved shirts will keep you cooler than T-shirts. Swimsuit For males, the right kind of swim trunks can double as shorts. For women, a one-piece in a silky fabric substitutes for a body suit under a skirt and jacket. Dark (cardigan) sweater a nice cardigan is an excellent layering item, and can also substitute for a jacket when a more formal appearance is required.

	-Rainwear, (umbrella?)
	If you opt for a rain jacket/coat instead of an umbrella, and expect a significant amount of rain, you might want to think about a cover for your luggage as well. Camphor carries these, but an acceptable alternative is to pack a couple of heavy duty plastic garbage bags; they take up almost no space, and can serve other uses as well (such as dust covers).

	-Parka, coat, or equivalent
	3+ pair’s socks despite the fact that it feels nice and is a natural fibre, cotton is just about the worst sock fabric available. Walking experts overwhelmingly recommend socks made of synthetic yarns (acrylic, CoolMax, Capilene, and PolarTec are but a few) to keep your feet comfortable and dry. Blends that add wool or alpaca are also acceptable, especially in cooler weather; they don't wear as well, though. The goal is to "wick" (draw) moisture away from the skin. Cotton, unfortunately, absorbs moisture, leaving your feet moist and more susceptible to blisters, fungal infection, and outdoor. It is also notoriously slow to dry, which can interfere with your laundry plans. And finally, pay attention to fit, which is more important that you may realize: steer clear of tube socks, one-size-fits-all types (they don't), stretch socks (too tight), and those with toe seams. 3+ pair’s undergarments Once again, look for fast drying qualities. Remember that nylon, which doesn't breathe, invites fungal infections in the tropics. long (lightweight) underwear Stores such as Camphor, REI, and the Sierra Trading Post sell very high-tech, lightweight underwear (often made of polypropylene to wick away moisture, and speed drying), that is ideal for layering. Long T-shirt or sarong a multipurpose item, this can function as a cover-up (for beach and bath) and nightshirt. In general, it's a good idea to consider what you will wear for trips down the hall to a shared bathroom, or building evacuations due to fire alarms and the like (both of which are much more common in the less-traveled parts of the world). Appropriate footwear and clothes that preserve some semblance of modesty are the prime requirements An ideal solution is the wonderfully utilitarian sarong (also known as a: boubou, canga, kain, kanga, kikepa, kikoi, lap-lap, lapa, lava, longyi, lungi, pagne, pakome, pasin, pareo, pareu, sulu, zulu, etc.), the traditional tropical garment of Asia, the Pacific, and east Africa (and where one is most easily acquired). A length of thin cotton cloth, roughly 1 x 2 (or 2.5) meters/yards, traditionally with a batik pattern, it can be arranged on the body in various ways to form a dress, a skirt, trousers, shawl, and even a hat. It also functions as a sheet, beach/picnic/airline blanket, towel, tote/laundry bag, shower/window curtain, pillowcase, changing room, tablecloth, and more. There are almost as many ways to wear them as there are Asian-Pacific cultures; if you see a style you like, ask a local to show you how to tie it. When buying a sarong, ensure that it's dyed all the way through (not just on one side); it's advisable to set the dye(s) by soaking the garment in cold water before you use it the first time. Necktie, scarf, hair band, bandannas Accessorizing is a good way to stretch a wardrobe; for women in particular, a well-chosen scarf can dramatically alter the appearance — and thus multiply the utility — of an outfit. Costume jewelry also works well in this manner. For men, consider a bow tie; it not only packs smaller, lighter, & more wrinkle-free, it also transforms a blazer into notably more formal attire. In colder weather, a long woolen scarf can be surprisingly effective. I've included bandannas here, but as another of the classic examples of utilitarianism, they could easily be a section in their own right. A large cotton bandanna can serve as a neck/head scarf, headband, hat (knot each of the corners), halter top (for the sufficiently thin!), sun shade (hung French Foreign Legion style from the crown of a hat, or low over the brow in front; also from a rolled-up car window as a mini-curtain), napkin, handkerchief, dust mask, sun/sleep mask, tablecloth, seating mat, towel, washcloth, scrub rag, bandage, tourniquet, hot pad, cold/wet compress, short cord, carry sack, toothbrush, fly swatter, etc. Sort of a little cousin to the sarong! Gloves/mittens sun hat / knitted cap, hat clip Choose a light, soft, floppy sun hat over one that's too stiff to pack well; if it doesn't have tie-down strings, buy (or make) a hat clip (a short cord connecting two strong clips, which fasten to your hat and shirt collar; Chums makes one). If it's cold, take a knitted cap instead. 1 pair dressy shoes (laces?) Don't break in a new pair of shoes on your trip. 1 pair walking shoes/boots (laces?) ibid. Thongs or sandals Teva river sandals (and similar brands) are more versatile than cheap flip-flops, but the latter will suffice for the beach, or toilet/bath/shower visits when at a hostel or B&B. In tropical areas, these are pretty much a necessity to avoid fungal infections. Belt Make sure it fits the loops of all the trousers you're taking. As wet leather is very prone to mold and mildew, choose canvas or nylon belts when visiting humid regions. Luggage (Use the red bookmark menu on the left for other sections.) Travel pack or shoulder bag (& luggage cart?) This topic is discussed at some length in the "What To Take It In" section. Daypack (fanny pack? purse?) ibid. lightweight duffel/laundry bag A (light, strong) nylon bag will isolate your dirty laundry until the next washing, and give you a second bag if you want to bring extra stuff on your final flight home. Mine (the Last Minute Bag, from Easy Going) weighs about 3.5 ounces (100g) and folds into its own side pocket, measuring about 6 x 8 x 0.6 inches (15 x 20 x 1.5cm). Luggage lock(s) (cable?) Your bag should have zippers designed to be locked with a small padlock. Which you should use accordingly, to keep the contents from the prying fingers of airport angers-on and street thieves, not to mention the curious eyes of your B&B host's children. Make sure to lock all entry points to your bag, especially in poorer countries (many carriers will not accept bags as checked luggage unless all external openings are locked). Use combination locks, rather than the keyed variety. Most locks sold at travel stores are very cheaply made; search out good quality ones (I like the "Presto lock" brand). Casual pilferage