a packing dilemma

jenn · Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 10 Location: los angeles

while on the subject of packing, how does one pack if they are planning to visit several countries with all different (and extreme) climates? i know about bringing clothes for layering, but how do you know what the real necessities are?

anyone with this sort of experience?

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

That's a tough one...one thing that might help is the suggested packing lists at travelsmith.com . They have ones for travel to different areas of the world for different purposes, pehaps by looking at the different lists you can work out a unified list that works for your trip.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Yup! I bring a really thin layer of mountain-climbing wear to wear underneath a sexy sweater. The polypropylene items these days are super-thin & super-light and are almost unnoticeable under things like flimsly sweaters. They also can double as sleepwear! They are breatheable should you happen to sweat in them and dry super-fast so you can wash them in the morning before you go out and when you return to your hotel in the evening, they are dry. I use the mountaineering brand "Mont Bell" which I purchase here in Japan. The North Face will have many items like this as will REI. Forget cotton as it is moisture-absorbing and never dries.

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

Good point about the cotton. When travelling to hot locations I bring undewear and shirts made from Cool Max. They are much cooler than cotton and dry right away so you can wash them at night and they'll be dry the next morning. You can get clothes made from Cool Max at good sporting stores like the ones cococrilo mentioned, and also at places like title9sports.com, travelsmith.com, and magellans.com

Another thing I do is save my regular cotton t shirts throughout the year. Whenever one gets too old or stained to keep wearing, I set it aside. I also do this for old underwear, pants, socks that have started getting holes, etc. When I pack, I'll start by going through this pile. I'll wear these things once or twice on my trip and then throw them out. This makes rooms for whatever I might be buying while I'm travelling.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Laura wrote:

Another thing I do is save my regular cotton t shirts throughout the year. Whenever one gets too old or stained to keep wearing, I set it aside. I also do this for old underwear, pants, socks that have started getting holes, etc. When I pack, I'll start by going through this pile. I'll wear these things once or twice on my trip and then throw them out. This makes rooms for whatever I might be buying while I'm travelling.

My Mom's friend said she used to do that! Like bring holey undies and threadbare camisoles & just huck 'em before the trip back. I just bring very few garments to begin with as I always end up buying a lot of new stuff & wearing it for the duration of my trip. (Most of my travel invlolves "stocking up" on certain items!) I have however brought some totally worn out sneakers on a trip that I know I will be going hiking on and I leave those at the hotel when the hiking trip is over. Expect to do this if you climb Mt Fuji. RED, volcanic dust will stain EVERYTHING it comes in contact with a brick red! Socks, too!

allpromediaman · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 2

Travel tips for packing your luggage

Before packing your {broken link removed} it's always good to make yourself a list of everything you want to take with you. As you pack, check off each item from your list that you packed. This helps you not forget anything, which is never fun when you realize you forgot something very important while your miles away from home.

Not only does your list help you pack, but it also can be a documented inventory list should your luggage become lost by the airlines.

Make sure you always check ahead what the weather is like at your destination. That way you can plan accordingly.

When packing your {broken link removed}, make sure you only pack items that are necessary like medicines, first-aid kits, jewelry or fragile items that you may need in hurry or that are expensive. Remember all airlines have size limits concerning {broken link removed}, so make sure you take that into consideration in your planning.

Candlelight · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 25

I've tried the lists at TravelSmith.com and they've been very helpful. I have combined different items from their lists so that they fitted my travel needs.

AmericanGuestHouse.Com · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Washington DC

How about you take a little bit of everything. Pack Some light wear, and certain items that will help you keep warm. Maybe some things you might be able to wear underneath, and small stuff like boots, scarves and gloves.

Candlelight · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 25

That's a good advice!! :wink:

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

The best possible advice I have ever received(and abide by)-

Take half the clothes you need and twice the money! ;-)

rollin_asuncion · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

now now people... what are your favorite places to travel to? :)

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Every place I have been to has been my favorite! And I go back again and again! :-)

Jonathan · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 185

cocodrilo wrote: The best possible advice I have ever received(and abide by)-

Take half the clothes you need and twice the money! ;-)
Hmmm, sounds good... if only I'd won the lottery! :lol: