Packing Light

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Does anybody have any suggestions for packing light? I always take too much stuff. We are going to be gone for 5 weeks - flying and not doing any timeshares. We'll be in cool weather, Alaska in Spring, to warm weather, California in Summer.

Hubby says I can only take 1 suitcase and I have to be able to lift it.

Thanks for any suggestions
Nancy

ps. I know about Fern's underwear suggestions, but don't think it will help me.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Packing layers would help and since it it is in the USA, you can always go to a laundromat or have the hotel do it for you if you do not have a w/d.

We are going to Hawaii in two weeks today and will travel light too this time. We always pack too much and swear we won't do it again.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Packing light?? I just asked 'She who must be obeyed' about this and was told in no uncertain terms that the two words cannot be used in the same sentence

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Nancy
If you are going for five weeks, I would put it in my mind that I would only pack for two weeks. Two weeks before you go, I would pull out the suitcase and pack for two weeks not counting the clothes that you will be wearing to the airport (we will get to that later). Once you finish rolling up all the clothes real tight and putting them in the suitcase, put the suitcase away for a day or two, then take the suitcase out. Start removing what you think you really don’t need. Do it again two more times. You will still bring clothes that you will not wear and think why I brought this piece. You may also want to consider packing those clothes that you are willing to leave behind in case you need the space.

The clothes you are wearing to the airport would be layers of the warmest clothes your bringing. Put some of them in a backpack. Right before you get on the plane, I would put on the clothes and carry the empty backpack on the plane. Put the clothes back in the backpack once on the plane. They won’t say anything about the empty backpack

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I also find it very difficult to pack light, and 5 weeks is a long time.

I have been somewhat successful in packing lighter when I color code my wardrobe. Sometimes I only pack black, white, and biege. It's a little boring, but everything will match so I don't have to bring as much.

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

We've done several trips where we were allowed only one suitcase and one carry on and I didn't think it could be done. But, I never have had to take any dressy clothes, other than a pair of nice slacks or skirt & top. I limit the number of shoes I take, since I'm not 'a shoe' person. A good pair of walking shoes, a pair of casual shoes that can double for dress.

I agree with Faust...ROLL up your clothes. I have been packing that way and find it very easy...I put all T shirts, pants/shorts, blouses in their own little area so they are easy to find. I put all my socks and underwear in their own ziplock bags (squeeze the air out). This way I don't have to mess up the whole suitcase to find just the right thing to wear. I know some people pack each outfit in a bag and lay them out in the suitcase that way. We did a six week drive around the country that way, and several organized tours for two weeks (with possibly NO washer/dryer facilities) and managed very well with one suitcase each.

[xzhan02 Member Find all posts View Profile Close xzhan02]

Those space bags really help. https://www.spacebag.com/travelbag/900707/ or you can get them at Target. My daughter (10) was able to pack everything she needs for a 3 day rough camping trip in her backpack, using the space bags.

[itchyfeet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close itchyfeet]

Here is a packing list from Rick Steves website: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/womenpack_text.htm

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

Don't you have to have access to a vaccuum for the space bags to be usable on the way home?

I did the pack ahead, keep opening it up, thing for the last trip. I ended up UNDER PACKING!! IT CAN BE DONE!

[Jim and Cindy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jim and Cindy]

I stopped bringing dressy clothes and shoes. Always overestimated how often we would dress up to go out. 2-3 pairs of shoes max.

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

[QUOTE=BoardGirl]Don't you have to have access to a vacuum for the space bags to be usable on the way home?

The space bags I have are the zip top kind. Fill it up, squeeze out the excess air and zip the zipper. Works great.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies. Would someone like to come and help me pack? I love to go, but hate to pack.

Nancy

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Keep in mind that the space bags work great and the problem is that they work to good. If you are using them you can end up over packing and end up going over the weight limit.