The Joy of Traveling Light

Our motto is this: ‘Travel Light, because adventure is waiting and it is NOT three piece matching luggage set friendly.’

If you are reading this, you likely already know that simple living makes life less stressful, yet more rewarding. Well, the same holds true for traveling light.

Have you ever seen one of those romance/adventure movies where a beautiful couple, with that sudden sexual tension between them, is thrown together on some crazy adventure that takes them across the wilds of an exotic country? On said adventure, they enjoy drinks with umbrellas, dare each other to eat questionable foods, photograph (and then run from) dangerous jungles animals and maybe even do some naked cliff diving. But you know what they don’t do on their exploits? They do not drag around a three piece set of matching zebra striped spinner wheeled luggage. Just sayin’.

Let’s not forget why we travel. We travel to get away from it all - to leave the burdens of daily life behind. So, why do we take so much of our daily life with us when we go? Instead of just tossing the essentials into a bag and hitting the road, we pack for every freaking scenario and drag around more crap than we could ever possibly need. It’s insanity.

The truth is that hauling around all that stuff is holding us back. Less stuff equals more flexibility, which means spontaneity and freedom. Also, traveling light means that you never have to check luggage, thus your stuff always arrives at your destination when you do (a huge bonus when traveling abroad). And it’s the only way to go if you’ll be relying on public transportation.

Already feeling that itch to strip down to the bare essentials and head to the airport? Well get ready, because we have a list of tips to get you started. Traveling light means you have to leave some things behind. But if you give it a whirl, we think you’ll become a light traveler and never look back.   

SHOPPING

• Consider buying at shops that ship. This means that you don’t have to fuss with carrying gifts home or trying to ship them yourself. This is particularly nice when traveling abroad, because the shop handles the shipping insurance. Of course, this is not an option for all destinations, but certainly for many.

• Consider keeping all gifts and souvenirs small in size, so that you can easily tuck them in your bag or backpack. This can be a lot of fun!

• Limit your own souvenir(s) to just one. This strategy supports the overall simple living philosophy in that you don’t bring home a bunch of junk you don’t need. The trick with this strategy however, is: buy that one thing you fall in love with, when you see it. There is nothing more frustrating than regretting not buying that cool bowl … in that village you passed through two weeks ago.

BACKPACK OR SUITCASE?

The quick answer for us is ‘backpack’. But that may not be the answer 100% of the time and it may not be the right answer for you. There are a number of things to consider when deciding between the two, including destination, activities, and climate. This author travels with either a 55L backpack or a Rick Steve’s Rolling Backup.

• Consider Terrain. If you expect city streets and sidewalks, then a roller bag might be the way to go. But anticipating cobblestones, dirt roads, endless stairs, waterways? If so, then a backpack is likely a better option.

• What is the rest of your party sporting? Everybody wants to be a good travel companion, right? So, don’t be that person who keeps the group from exploring a ruin or taking an impromptu day trips through a wildlife preserves because you’re the only one hauling awkward luggage around.

• Consider straps. Just be aware when selecting a backup that straps can be an issue if you decide to check your backpack. So choose one with fewer straps or stay 55L or smaller to avoid baggage check all together.  

• You have to carry a backpack all the time. If you’ve never traveled with a backpack, you’ll want to consider weight. If you don’t feel confident carrying your bag at all times, a roller backpack may be a better option for you.

DON’T PACK ITEMS THAT WILL BE PROVIDED

If you are staying in hotels or rentals, ask what toiletries, blow dryers and other items they provide. Then LEAVE THOSE ITEMS AT HOME. It can be tempting to bring your favorite brands or take extras just in case, but don’t do it. Seriously, what’s the worst that can happen? Adventure is about getting out of your comfort zone, so start your adventure with embracing the fact that there might be a bad hair day.

GET TO YOUR DESTINATION WITH ALL YOUR BELONGINGS

Traveling Light means you don’t have to check a bag, which also means you’re 100% guaranteed your stuff will arrive when you do. If you are on a direct flight from San Francisco to Dallas, this may not seem particularly noteworthy. But if you are, let’s say, taking three flights from Seattle to Dubrovnik, keeping your luggage close at hand suddenly becomes enormously appealing.

LAUNDRY SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR VACATION PLANNING

When traveling light, packing a clean change of clothes for every day of your trip simply is not possible. So, work laundry into your trip planning. Research hotels with laundry services, vacation rentals with washer/dryer, or B&Bs with dry cleaners nearby. Planning ahead for this service takes all the stress out of doing laundry. In fact, we recommend that you include laundry services right there into that old budget so that you spend zero time in a laundromat.

CHOOSE CLOTHING CAREFULLY

Traveling light requires careful clothing selection.

• Clothing that is light weight and folds up neatly is your friend. Jeans are bulky to wear and pack, so consider more versatile options. Convertible pants are fantastic because they can be rolled up and worn as shorts.

• Packing a pair of thermal pants can provide added warmth on a cold day and they also make nice lounging pants. Same goes for a thermal shirt.

• Layers, layers, layers. If you pack a heavy coat, you may find yourself too hot or too cold much of the time. Instead, consider packing: a fleece, compact pocket coat or raincoat, hat, lightweight scarf and gloves. By layering, you can stay comfortable in any number of weather conditions.

• Footwear for function, not fashion. When traveling light, you may have only the shoes on your feet, so pick your footwear wisely. If you plan to cover a lot of ground, investing in a good pair of hiking boots (and breaking them in well before you travel) will keep you comfortable no matter the terrain. We recommend something water proof yet breathable. 

MAKE A LIST AND PACK EARLY

When traveling light, always use a packing list. Any seasoned light traveler will tell you they make a list in one form or another. Once you have nailed down your list, do a ‘test pack’ to make sure everything fits.  We’ve shared a sample packing list below, just to get the ball rolling. We’d love to hear your ideas, so please feel free to add comments. 

Documents and Such

• Passport
• Printed copies of travel itinerary, emergency contact info, etc.
• Printed copies of bus schedules.
• Printed maps & Compass.
• Currency
• International Drivers License
• Small Travel Journal

Misc

• Compact pocket day pack for day trips or shopping.
• Clip on water bottle.
• Sun glasses
• Pocket Flash light
• Backpack rain cover

Hygiene

• Hair Conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Travel size lotion
• Travel size hair brush
• Travel size hair spray
• Dental floss
• Travel pack baby wipes
• Travel size deodorant
• Travel size mouthwash
• Small bag q-tips

Electronics

• Power Converters
• Camera
• Extra camera batteries
• Camera Charger
• Tripod
• Earbuds
• Phone
• Phone Charger
• Spare phone battery source
• Tripod

Medical

• Medications
• Pocket first aid kit
• Extra contacts
• Contact case
• Glasses
• Travel size Kleenex
• Lip Balm

Clothing

• Compact pocket raincoat
• Convertible Pants (3)
• Thermal Pants (1)
• Thermal Shirt (1)
• Lightweight shirts (3)
• Socks (4)
• Underwear (4)
• Gloves
• Scarf
• Hat
• Fleece jacket
• Lightweight Cardigan

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