Stories from the cutting edge of packing
Bookworm on Jul 11 2012 at 2:54 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized
I am preparing for another one of our epic family vacations. The key to this vacation (as it, really, to all of my vacations) is packing light.
So, what are your packing stories?
What’s your smartest idea for packing light?
What was the greatest packing mistake you’ve ever made?
What’s your advice for the savvy traveler?
For now, my favorite “aren’t I clever?” story is the fact that I figured out that I could be ultra wicking sports wear (shirts, underwear, shorts, etc.) from Target at a quarter the price of more expensive ultra wicking travel wear at various travel and outdoor adventure stores. There are some limitations: the shirts don’t have button-up collars and the shorts lack lots of pockets but all this stuff packs light, washes easily, and dries quickly. I’ll also have saved lots of money and all the things I bought are clothes that my family members will happily wear on our home turf too.
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4 Responses to “Stories from the cutting edge of packing”
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Non-cotton underwear has come a long ways – Ah! You say the distaff side has been wearing nylon for a long time?
Anyhow, I find that a couple of pair works well and saves space. They can be washed out each night and will be dry by morning – the extra pair is in case of a late night or other emergencies. I haven’t got an answer for socks, though.
TravelSmith has a lot of stuff that washes and dries quickly and without wrinkles.
Roll the shirts and pants around a bundle of socks and underwear. Seems to make for more compact packaging and fewer wrinkles. With your back issues, be sure you have a lumbar support. I use a tightly rolled bath towel secured with rubber bands.
Definitely roll your clothes to make them fit the suitcase. Pj’s on the top! Who wants to dig for pajamas when you are exhausted?
My best packing advice addresses traveling in a large family group….uh, ten. Most of our traveling is now stateside and driving. Pack one bag for overnights while on the road. Nothing worse than unpacking the big van, ten suitcases, pillows, etc at the Econolodge at 11pm only to pack it all up at 7am. We now take only two bags into a hotel (one for each room). Much easier. Basics people, basics! You can have all your ‘stuff’ at the final destination.
Have fun!
I’ve gotten to the point where I hardly pack at all. Unless you’re going to Outermost Fapistan you can pick up pretty much whatever you need on the ground when you arrive, and not lugging stuff is a much easier way to travel. I like my hands as free as possible for some reason, probably the result of deep psychological scarring.
I realize this is no help at all, but there you go: I’m a terrible example of anything.