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[Patrick Rhone]

I have always struggled with packing way too much. I have been getting better about it over the years. Mainly because I often pack and then take a look at how much crap I am about to drag around and then unpack a lot of it. I go through each item and seriously question it's need. Even doing this I still feel like I could reduce weight and bag size if I just was savvy enough.

Perhaps it is because of this I am absolutely fascinated by articles, posts and resources that talk about how to pack lightly and travel well. Here are a couple I have run across that I just can't seem to stop reading as more travel approaches (Going to Mexico in a couple of months):

How to Travel the World with 10 Pounds or Less (Plus: How to Negotiate Convertibles and Luxury Treehouses)

How does a geek plan for 3 weeks in 4 countries with a small bag & a laptop?

One of the items mentioned in both posts that I can absolutely vouch for is the Marmot Ion Windshirt. This thing saved me on a cool, rainy day on a ferry in Oslo harbor. Kept me very warm and dry and can (literally) fold up and fit into your cargo pants pocket.

[Jamie Phelps]

Do you practice TF's Buy It There method of travel? I really think that is huge. Just budget in an extra \$\d{1,3} for stuff you'll need once you get there but don't want to lug around with you as you travel.

And yes, I did use a regular expression in a forum post.

[Patrick Rhone]

The thing about "Buy it there"in the current economy, especially concerning overseas travel, is how much more things cost in a lot of other countries after you have converted your (weak) dollar.

Let's take the trip to Oslo I just got back from (granted, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world). Bethany, my two sons and I wen out to dinner at a pub the first night there. The three boys ordered fish and chips, each with a soft drink, Bethany had a cheese tortilla and such with water. US equivalent cost for that meal? Just under $100.00. That is not a typo. We spent $100.00 for a meal that would have cost us about $40.00 here.

Now can you imagine how much clothes cost after currency conversion? Cheapest pair of jeans I saw, on sale, were a bit over $100.00 US.

My point being that, "Buy it there" may work in some countries where the dollar is stronger. That is not a lot of countries right now. But hey, if at the place you are traveling to, items will cost equal or less, it makes sense.

[Jason Rehmus]

I always travel with as little as possible. In fact, when I went to Montana last week I took one backpack. And that backpack carried my laptop bag inside it!

But that's just me. Or sometime me and my wife. Adding kids in there must really complicate things! 

[MarinaMartin]

The next time you're packing, you should photograph everything you're about to take and ask for feedback.

If you're traveling as a family, you can combine toiletries so you only bring one tube of toothpaste, etc. Are you bringing travel-sized toiletries wherever possible? Only bringing one jacket for cold weather? Drying off with dirty clothes instead of carrying a bath towel around?

I travel at least once a month and I *hate* lugging things around, so I've gotten pretty good at bringing the bare minimums. The main thing for me is I never bring anything "just in case" - unless I'm going to a remote village in Africa, I'll be able to get whatever I need.

I also go on many trips-within-trips, so I pack a very thin (but sturdy) Adidas duffel bag in my larger suitcase so I can pack even lighter and leave the larger suitcase behind when possible.

[Scott Elias]

This is a great thread (giving Patrick some Karma now...  ). We took a 5 night road trip with our 4-year-old and 18-month-old and way overpacked. I swear the minivan was going to burst at the seams!

I mean, we're going to Yellowstone! What if it's cold? What if it's hot? What if it snows in July? It's happened before! Oh my God - we don't want the kids to get cold!

We packed for every conceivable contingency forgetting that three of the five nights would be spent at my dad's cabin in Cody, WY, where there is a Super Wal-Mart 7 miles away...

The one thing we forgot? Our daughter's prescription eczema cream. Of course.

[Jason Echols]

I use an old fashioned double-edged safety razor to shave.

And I also like to carry on all of my stuff for 4 days or less. 

So I have to break down the razor and pack it (without the blade), and then purchase double-edge razor blades at my destination.  They are cheap enough that there is very little cash lost on the other razors.  And I have no issued with TSA.

Currently, I pack in a 22 inch Ogio Layover for these trips.  I am looking at other options though through vendors like Red Oxx and Tom Bihn.

[Nathan Hale]

Thanks for those links, Patrick! It's tough for me to pack light, since I'm the type that likes to be prepared for anything...but I've really tried to lighten my load in recent years. Electronics sure add weight and take up space fast!! That's one of main reasons I bought an Eee PC...it easily fits in my main carryon, with no extra bag.

[Brad Blackman]

I like the Rick Steves approach: lay out all your stuff on the bed (twin size) and take out half of it. That's what you pack.

[Patrick Rhone]

I have a trip coming up to Cancun. We will be there fore 5 nights. My plan is to pack as light as possible. I have been gathering (buying) items to take for a couple of months now. Here is my current list:

3 Button Down Short Sleeve Shirts. All are light, easily hand washable and quick drying.

2 Pairs of Travelsmith Anywhere Pants. Once again, light, cool, quick dry.

2 Pairs LL Bean Supplex Cargo Shorts. Light, quick dry, can also double as swim trunks.

3 Pairs Ex Officio Boxer Briefs. Light, quick dry.

1 Marmot Ion Windshirt. For rain and wind protection.

1 Pair Teva Hurricane II Sandals.

1 Kiva Keychain Duffle. If needed for a day bag or souvenirs.

As you may be able to tell, my plan is to hand wash things so that I can take less items with me. For instance, one pair of shorts can be drying overnight and I still have a pair dry and ready to go. I will update this list if it changes but that is what I have right now.

[Brad Blackman]

You're a man after my own heart in the traveling light department! Make sure that jacket can collapse easily. You might want another pair of shoes that actually covers your toes.

Otherwise, this looks good. Throw in a lightweight camera, batteries, snacks, and a notebook to track all your photos and thoughts and you'll be good to go.

[Patrick Rhone]

You're a man after my own heart in the traveling light department! Make sure that jacket can collapse easily. You might want another pair of shoes that actually covers your toes.

Otherwise, this looks good. Throw in a lightweight camera, batteries, snacks, and a notebook to track all your photos and thoughts and you'll be good to go.

The jacket packs into an little bundle about the size of a potato. I could even fit it into a front pocket. No worries there.

I actually will most likely end up taking my Nikon D40 and my Macbook so no space/weight saved there. That being said, I am saving so much weight in my clothing that it will make up for it.

As far as shoes, I will be wearing my Keen shoes on the flight so that covers my other shoe option.

[Brad Blackman]

I love jackets that fold up into a small size. When I spent a semester in Europe in 1999, I had an Eddie Bauer "Anorak in a Sack" pullover that folded into the front pouch. It wasn't as compact as yours, but it doubled as a travel pillow on the trains.

The only thing I don't like about DSLRs is how bulky they are. But they take great photos and allow you to do a lot of neat stuff that regular old point-and-shoot cameras don't.

But I agree with you: you've saved space everywhere else, so why not take the laptop and big camera?

I think you'll be fine. I hope you have a blast! Are you taking the kids?

[technotheory]

Sounds good to me, Patrick!  If I were doing it and HAD to be religiously careful, here's my mods but they're more personal than real advice.  As it is you can easily fit that in a carry-on

* for Cancun, one pair of pants would do
* I'd bring just one button-down shirt (since it takes up space) and instead opt for plain short sleeve shirts.  I find it hard to find nice looking synthetic button down shirts but plain thin shirts of cotton (they're tiny and still dry fast enough) or synthetic are easier to come by and lighter.

Not really important for you, but do you know that there'll be a clothes-line for drying?  I brought a small hooked rope with hanging hooks (and Woolite).  But for 5 days it's not really important.

And as for Cancun, if you get a chance, I'd highly recommend a day in Playa del Carmen and/or Cozumel.  It's more cosmopolitan/European there.  I enjoyed Cancun but loved PDC.

Cheers.

[Patrick Rhone]

Sounds good to me, Patrick!  If I were doing it and HAD to be religiously careful, here's my mods but they're more personal than real advice.  As it is you can easily fit that in a carry-on

* for Cancun, one pair of pants would do
* I'd bring just one button-down shirt (since it takes up space) and instead opt for plain short sleeve shirts.  I find it hard to find nice looking synthetic button down shirts but plain thin shirts of cotton (they're tiny and still dry fast enough) or synthetic are easier to come by and lighter.

Not really important for you, but do you know that there'll be a clothes-line for drying?  I brought a small hooked rope with hanging hooks (and Woolite).  But for 5 days it's not really important.

And as for Cancun, if you get a chance, I'd highly recommend a day in Playa del Carmen and/or Cozumel.  It's more cosmopolitan/European there.  I enjoyed Cancun but loved PDC.

Cheers.

I'm right with you on all of these points...

The shirts I am taking are 2 Horny Toad "Patron" made of a cotton poly weave that is cool, moisture wicking and fast drying. The other is a washable cotton-silk from Travelsmith. These are all pretty plain, short sleve shirts.

I also have a travel clothes line that designed for pin free hanging (it is a braided rope style and you hang the clothes by threading them between the braids).

We are staying at an all inclusive resort and the shorts I am taking are pretty casual so I am taking two pairs of pants as to have something a bit more dinner appropriate in the evenings.

And we already have a day trip to Carmen booked.

Like I said, I am right on board with everything you suggest, thus further proving the soundness of your advice. Especially meaningful coming from you as I was largely inspired by your post of the subject.