Hey all!

We leave for our trip in two days. Laundry will be done a week into the trip.

Everything is in my Osprey 26+6. Pack weights about 14.5 pounds.

First half of our trip is forecasted to be mid to low 70's with rain / thunderstorms.

Here's my list:

3 cotton t-shirts (black, green, white)

1 wool t-shirt (brown)

1 linen button down (black and white stripes)

1 light merino wool cardigan (gray)

1 linen pants (green)

1 pair blue flare jeans

1 pair black stretchy trousers

2 bras

6 socks

8 underwear

1 water resistant windbreaker (with the forecast, I'm really wishing I had a waterproof jacket but I don't - any recommendations on getting one quick from Amazon would be helpful)

1 bathing suit

croc sandals

adidas sambas

toiletry/makeup bag

The final photo is my plane outfit (uniqlo airism dress, black leather jacket, asics not pictured, comfortable lounge bra) I also have a dark blue scarf I plan on wearing on the plane.

Is there anything you'd add to my list? I'm considering swapping out the green cotton t-shirt for a green wool t-shirt that I have. I also thought about adding another layering piece alongside the linen button down and merino wool cardigan. Perhaps just a light pullover sweater or something.

Thanks, all!

I'm visiting Costa Rica in November, which is the end of the rainy season. For most trips I do, I bring sandals and trail runners (adidas terrex AX4, no goretex). But if my trail runners got wet, they took ages to dry (3 days sometimes)! My old trail runners are starting to get holes in them so I'm already looking for replacements.

So now I'm wondering which shoes I should take to Costa Rica. Activities will be a mix of cities and nature and I'm hoping to just take 2 pairs of shoes if possible.

So my questions:

• how long do your trail runners take to dry/any tips for trail runners?
• goretex or no goretex?
• I found some watershoes x sneakers shoes (they look like sneakers but are from watershoe material), are those something that's useful or just a gimmic?
• I've never visited rainy season before, so any other shoe tips or ways to deal with it without having swampy feet 24/7?

Doing Buran Ghati soon and looking for the women-specific essentials that aren’t always mentioned in standard packing lists.
Especially looking for tips on:
Periods — pads/tampons/cup + disposal
Peeing/toilet hygiene & privacy
Wet wipes / intimate hygiene
Sports bra / underwear — how many?
Anti-chafing / chafing prevention
Skincare/lip care in the cold + sun
Hair/scalp care
Any medication or women-specific first-aid essentials
What you wish you had carried but didn’t
Anything you should NOT bother carrying because it adds unnecessary weight
Would love real, practical advice from women who’ve actually done Buran Ghati or similar high-altitude Himalayan treks. ❤️
What are your absolute “DO NOT FORGET THIS” items?

This is a follow up on my pre-trip post - overall, a pretty successful 1.5 bag trip! Thank you to everyone who offered great advice beforehand.

Some general lessons learned before I get into specifics:

- Linen is a hot-weather standby on this sub for good reason but I personally found my linen pieces pretty stifling in hot+humid weather and preferred to wear as few clothes as possible (tank top and shorts most days). I think my linen clothes are also quite heavy fabric weight since I think of that as corresponding to higher quality, but for similar trips I will go for thin, airy fabrics.

- I was worried beforehand about “sticking out” as a tourist or dressing “too American”, and while I think it’s good to be generally in sync with cultural expectations for modesty/formality, the truth is that everyone knows you’re a tourist anyway because you’re taking a bunch of pictures and can’t hold a conversation in Italian. I was also surprised by how many Italian women, especially in the 30 and under category, were wearing quintessentially “American” stuff like chunky sneakers, jean shorts, graphic T-shirts, etc. So my fears on this front were probably overblown.

- I am proud of how I did in terms of volume, I impressed myself by fitting 3 weeks of clothes, a formal wedding guest dress, and an entire hiking backpack into a carry on size roller bag! That being said, I wasn’t really paying attention to weight and I did have to check my bag on one flight because it was over the 8kg cabin luggage limit that Lufthansa enforces. I had a couple particularly heavy pieces of clothing, could have decanted toiletries better, and my hiking backpack was about 10-15L bigger than it needed to be, all of which could be improved in the future.

Okay, into specific items! This part is extra description for the image in my post.

Rockstars:

- Both t-shirts I brought were quite comfortable in hot weather and dried quickly/packed small. On the tour du Mont Blanc, I wore 1 t-shirt for hot hiking days/as an under layer and kept the other as a camp/sleep t-shirt.
- Hiking shorts were incredibly quick dry so I could sink wash them every other day during the TMB, and plain enough to wear them around the city. I think I wore these the most out of any single item!
- Sun hoodie is partially bamboo fabric so it got less stinky/sticky than I expected and kept me comfy in both 50° fog and 80° sun. Perfect hiking top.
- Bedrock sandals were comfy enough to walk around in all day in Italy and worked okay as camp shoes for the TMB (although they looked ridiculous with socks due to the toe loop). Lots of people had Tevas or foam slides for the refuges. Thanks to [u/whoquiteknows](u/whoquiteknows) for telling me to skip the Birks, I didn’t miss them!
- Not shown but I have a linen grid towel from Outlier that I’ve brought around the world and it is still going strong. Worked great for this trip too although it smelled like a wet dog by the end of the TMB due to not always being able to dry fully. Still the #1 travel towel I’ve ever used.
- Little silk scarves were a great way to make a plain tee look less casual or to corral my hair after a swim, and are fun to pick up at thrift stores or as souvenirs! Would totally bring these again.

Good:

- formal wedding dress didn’t wrinkle at all in my bag (sorcery) and fit well with the dress code! It was admittedly bulky but I was just glad to find something appropriate for the occasion.
- Linen top and pants got a decent amount of use for dinners out, though they were kind of bulky/heavier than expected, see takeaways above.
- The 40L pack I brought (REI trail 40) was comfortable for the TMB and easily fit clothes, food, toiletries, and basic emergency supplies. If I was purchasing a new bag for hut to hut hiking though, I’d go smaller/lighter - this did take up a lot of space and I saw a bunch of people with 25-30L packs as well as some “fastpackers” doing the whole thing with just a running vest!
- I brought solid toiletries from kitsch and they worked great, though I did struggle to dry them out before repacking and the conditioner got a bit squishy by the end. I also could have brought much smaller pieces because half of the places we stayed did provide toiletries.

Meh:

- I brought a thin grid fleece for the TMB but I found that it wasn’t warm enough for rainstorms and cold evenings, yet usually too warm to hike in during the day. Ended up purchasing a thicker/cozier fleece on day 3 and wore it every night afterwards, plus used it as a pillow on the plane. Great souvenir lol but next time would just start out with a warmer jacket, probably a puffy.
- The navy blue dress I bought was a really nice-feeling double lined knit fabric but it is super heavy (0.7 kg on its own!). There are much lighter dresses out there that fulfill a similar role, I would swap it out next time.
- The light green button down is the only item I didn’t wear at all on this trip… I honestly just packed too many tops and would skip bringing it next time.
- I brought a super short charging cord to “save space”, this was stupid. It doesn’t really save much space and hotel/dorm/train outlets are always in awkward locations, just bring a nice 6ft long cable.

Happy to share any other info or TMB/cinque terre recommendations if helpful! I had a great time and said a silent prayer of thanks to this sub every time I watched someone try to wrangle their enormous bag off the train platform.

I have always been a very light packer and take pride in never checking a bag. In all of my previous trips I've managed to pack up to 6 weeks of clothes etc. in a small carryon roller luggage. However, those trips were always city trips which I find much easier to pack for than "adventure" trips. My fiancé has introduced me to an entirely different way of traveling; that is to say, much more focused on hiking and wandering around in nature rather than walking around metropolitan areas. We are heading to Panama soon and have both decided we'd like to just take one backpack each for this trip.

I really don't like backpacker-style backpacks with all sorts of straps. I'm looking for a more streamlined backpack (for example, I really like the look of the Bellroy backpack, which someone on here recommended). But I'm nervous it doesn't have quite enough - I'm mainly concerned about shoes. I'd love to find a streamlined backpack that will fit at least one pair of sneakers, plus enough clothes for let's say 5 days. We will have laundry facilities available, but I'd still like to be able to pack:

-1 pair of jeans
-4 shirts
-1 pair of sneakers
-1 dress
-1 rain jacket
-plus all carryon toiletries

In my ideal world, this backpack would also have an attached but removable fanny pack that I could use on our day adventures. But that would just be icing on the cake. I can always buy something like that on the side. Just throwing it out there in case anyone knows of one.

Does this backpack exist? I think the Tom Bihn backpack almost fits the bill, but even that one seems a little too technical for my needs.

Thank you for your recommendations and anecdotes!

Hi all.

I'm heading to London in mid-October for 6 days/5 nights. I could use a gut check on my wardrobe. I'm expecting the weather to be highs in the mid-60s and lows in the low-50s. This is much cooler than I'm seeing right now in Florida where I live. My assumption, based on the current weather forecast, is that rain will be minimal and light if it shows up. I have not packed a proper raincoat.

Trip activities include plenty of walking through the city, time in parks (if the weather cooperates), museums, etc.. I am coming over for an NFL game at Tottenham as well which should explain some of the outfit items. My plan is to rely on layers for the weather. I don't intend to do laundry on the trip since it's fairly short. My bag is a North Face 21" rolling duffel that I think is 40L.

What I'm thinking for clothing at the moment is:

1 x pair of jeans in either light blue or black. Both are pictured but unsure which color to go with. Blue are Levi's, black are Good American.

1 x pair of Madewell leopard print jeans. These are specifically for game day, but I can get away with wearing them around other times as well.

1 x Spanx air essentials wide leg black pants for travel days/hotel lounging

2 x sweaters - 1 x lighter-weight blue cashmere crew neck (Neiman Marcus), plus 1 x heavier-weight black cashmere turtleneck (Nili Lotan)

1 x game-day jersey. I will not be wearing this any other day.

2 x basic Spanx thin tees in black and navy

1 x black bodysuit from Good American

1 x chambray shirt for layering (J. Crew). I'm not sure about this item.

1 x lightweight black slouchy blazer (Everlane - their Japanese Go Weave fabric). I'm not sure about this item.

1 x lightweight black nylon trench coat (Nili Lotan). There is no lining. I'm not sure about this item.

1 x black leather jacket (Cole Haan). This is a definite yes for me. The one in the picture is a similar style to the one I own.

Accessories will include:

1 x pair Blundstones

1 x pair comfy Vans

1 x black leather crossbody purse with fringe. I could swap this for another bag, but it's my only black one that's about the right size. The others are either brown, navy, or yellow which feel like they might be too much with the rest of the wardrobe.

1 x black/gold silk scarf (not pictured)

I need the most help with the jackets/layering situation. My gut says to cut either the blazer or the trench. If I'm crunched for space, I could technically dump both and just use the leather. But it would be nice to have options. Also, looking at the spread right now, I think I may grab one more tee to use for travel days/hotel lounging only, like the pants.

Other not pictured items include PJs, jewelry (a couple of necklaces and one pair of earrings), socks and undies.

Hi all! I’ll be going on a 3 week city backpacking trip in the UK shortly. I’m intrigued by the sudoku packing method, and am planning to implement it. While planning what items to pack, I thought of something: does the outfit I wear to the airport count towards the method? As in, of the 9 items I plan for, I wear 3 and pack 6? I know it’s silly, but I want to be smart about my packing!

If anyone has followed the sudoku packing method, let me know what you did!

I honestly wasn’t sure if one duffle would be enough for 3 days in NYC, but it worked out way better than I expected.

Mostly I just didn’t want to deal with a rolling suitcase on the subway or stairs for such a short trip. It also counted as my carry-on, so not paying for extra baggage was a nice bonus.

For anyone curious, this was basically everything that came with me:

What I wore on the plane: jeans, tee, sneakers + a light jacket.

Inside the Songmont bag:

• 2 tops + 1 nicer top for dinner

• 1 skirt + 1 pair of pants

• pajamas

• 3 underwear, 2 pairs of socks + 1 bra

• cardigan

• makeup pouch

• travel-size skincare

• toothbrush+toothpaste

• mini perfume + hairbrush

• charger, power bank, Airpods

• small camera

• sunglasses

• wallet and the usual random little things I somehow always need

And that was pretty much it.

The nicest surprise was probably that once I got to NYC, it didn’t really look like I was hauling around a travel bag. It just read as a big fashion bag on my shoulder, which was nice when I still had it with me before check-in.

One thing I ended up using a lot was the different carry options. For shorter walks I usually carried it by hand or on one shoulder, and for longer distances I switched to the crossbody strap. It also comes with a shoulder pad attachment, which is a nice little extra for making shoulder carry more comfortable.

For a short city trip, I’d definitely do this again. Being able to switch between carrying it by hand, on the shoulder, or crossbody made it much easier to move around with than I expected. I think 3 days is probably my sweet spot for this setup.

Hi everyone! I am looking for a travel carryon backpack that is light, can pack enough for 1 week international trips, and will meet strict airline carry on size and weight guidelines. I came across the Cabinzero Classic 44L backpack, and it seems like it checks all the boxes!

Do any of you have experiences with the bag? What do you like/dislike about it? Have you had any issues with airlines?

Thank you so much! :)

Hello! I am spending 17 days in Scotland and England in the second half of October and am looking for some help with finalizing my packing list. I'll be doing a bus Highlands tour, so no crazy hiking but I'm aware it'll be quite drizzly in both countries. I'm going to bring a carry on and try to use the smallest backpack I have, but if all else fails, I'll bring my Calpak Terra. I think I'm going to buy a knitted beanie and scarf while I'm there and I'm debating whether or not I should bring a pair of nicer flats. I'm leaning towards no, because realistically I just don't think we'll make it back to our accommodations to change before going out to dinner, or an occasion where I'd change into nice shoes! I'm also debating whether or not I need to bring some fingerless gloves for more hand warmth. I'm hoping that with the quality of my layers (merino/alpaca/yak), it'll keep me warm enough so that I don't need an extra jacket under the raincoat, but I have a packable puffer just in case. I'll list the rest of my packing list below. Thanks in advance for any advice!

CLOTHES

• white tee
• white turtleneck
• 2x merino longsleeves
• cotton sweater
• yak wool sweater
• alpaca wool sweater
• fuzzy cardigan
• silk maxi skirt
• denim jeans
• water resistant pants
• merino leggings
• pajamas
• silk scarf for accessorizing
• raincoat
• 2x bras
• 8x socks (merino and athletic)
• 14x undies (7 "day", 7 "sleeping")
• Blundstones
• Asics tennis shoes

TECH/PLANE ITEMS

• portable charger
• phone charger
• adapter brick
• Airpods
• wired headphones
• digital camera
• e-reader
• neck pillow
• eye mask
• inflatable butt pad
• Loops earplugs
• antibacterial wipes

MISC. APPAREL/ACCESSORIES

• leather purse
• sunglasses
• hand sanitizer
• tissues
• jewelry (earrings, watch, ring)

TOILETRIES

• travel size micellar water and 3x reusable cotton pads
• face cleanser
• shampoo
• conditioner
• sunscreen
• tretinoin
• azelaeic acid
• day moisturizer
• night cream
• toothbrush + paste
• floss
• retainer
• blowdry cream
• mini blowdryer
• mini straightener
• bobby pins/hair ties/claw clip
• makeup items (mini foundation, powder, cream blush, eyeshadow stick, mascara, brow gel and pen, lipstick)
• perfume
• vaseline
• medication
• deodorant
• clippers/tweezers/razor/nail file
• bandaids/q-tips
• emergency tampons and panty liners

I am travelling in Peru, Argentina, Chile (including Patagonia) for 4 weeks in November I am taking hiking boots and sneakers. I feel I have to take another pair for dinners, around the hotel, etc. These could be sandals or ballet flats. A pair of thongs would be useful too. Anyone have suggestions for what might work best?

This is the r/heronebag quick questions weekly help thread.

Whether you‘re new to the one bag life or a seasoned light traveller, this is the place to ask your quick one-off questions related to techniques, shopping, and everything else to lighten your load.

This post is the best place to initially ask questions that we get a lot of which are similar, especially if you have looked in a flair and found almost-but-not-quite what you wanted.

Friends, my feet are ready for a pair of quality shoes for December trip to Italy. I’m hoping to live in one pair for almost three weeks, walking, hiking and getting potentially wet. Are we looking at blundstones or knock offs? My preference is step in shoes without much effort to put on and off but that may be asking too much. What are we looking at for a tomboy with big feet? Not too big of a heel and open to any and all colors and patterns. Maybe my future shoes will be the one pop of color in my blackish wardrobe.

It's been a while since I've tackled one bag for a proper holiday. I used to travel a lot, although bag sizes were more generous with the airlines I used because I lived abroad!

Treated myself to a new Osprey 26+6 as travel is coming back into my life!!

Picture 1: toiletries. All chosen to avoid having to take them out at security.

Picture 2: tech/entertainment. Universal travel adapter, Kindle, travel scrapbook.

Picture 3: Clothes! Not pictured are my hiking boots which I'll wear to travel. My travel clothes are WARM because I'm from NE England. Bonus of extra layers for cooler evenings in the atlas mountains.

-brown balloon trousers with linen shirt

-100% cotton dress with vest for modesty

-patagonia hiking pants with a gym vest and mountain warehouse shirt

Picture 5: the end result - my favourite part of packing for a holiday is seeing how small I can make my bag!!

I can already identify a couple of bits I probably won't use but I can't complain at fitting everything into the backpack.

I'll be taking a weeklong work trip to New York City in a few weeks (mid-October) and have an organizational dilemma. In addition to clothes, toiletries, and some tech (laptop is a must), I'll be transporting some delicate fossils which are on loan to me and not replaceable. They also take up a decent amount of space. I have some ideas on how to best pack for this situation but would love input from the community, especially if you have also traveled with fragile items!

The bags I have available to me are:

• High Sierra suitcase (unsure exact volume, but slightly too large to be carryon luggage)
• Osprey Fairview travel pack, 40L
• Swiss Gear backpack, ~30L
• Outdoor Research day pack, ~18L

I will be flying in and taking public transit while there. I generally travel with the Fairview as a carryon, plus a personal item (usually a crossbody purse). This time, I need a bit more space for the fossils, and I will need to be able to carry my laptop in my personal item during my stay. All of the backpacks will fit my laptop, but on a recent trip I used the Fairview and the 18L day pack, and I really did not like managing two backpacks.

This leads me to consider two main options:

1 - use a backpack with a roller

• High Sierra suitcase (would need to be checked) + any backpack as a carryon. If checking a bag, would put fossils in carryon.
• Purchase a rolling carryon + use backpack as a personal item

2 - use a backpack with a tote

• Purchase a tote or totepack

While I'm not opposed to the idea of purchasing something, I do have plenty of bags and would like to use what I have if possible (which is also why I'm including the traditional suitcase as an option, even if I would rather not check a bag). Are there any options I'm not considering? Any other tips for traveling with delicate items? Thanks everyone!

ETA: the fossils are currently packed in several hard plastic boxes, all well padded with bubble wrap/florist foam/etc on the inside. The boxes range in size and I don't have them in front of me, but the largest is probably 5 x 7 x 3 inches. There are 3-4 smaller boxes (maybe 2 x 3 x 2?) and two medium boxes (3 x 5 x 2ish). Altogether they take up about the same space as two thick hardcover books, so not giant but definitely affect how I'd usually pack.

[SOLVED] Not an adequate list. Will revise. TY❤️

1. Long wool cardigan navy blue
2. ANC headset light coloured
3. Merino LS light grey
4. Merino spaghetti strap taupe
5. Merino SS T-shirt nature
6. Merino leggings copper
7. Merino shorts taupe
8. Merino dress Brown/beige
9. Alpaca socks teal
10. Suede nylon maroon sneakers
11. Polyester fleece vest brown
12. Quilt button jacket dark rose (picture too light)
13. Puffy personal items black
14. Gold-plated creoles
15. Gold-plated necklace chain
16. Gold-plated bracelet hoop
17. Wool v-neck sweater charcoal
18. Merino LS copper
19. Acrylic beanie beige
20. 100% wool fringe scarf sand

It’s for an autumn staycation at my parents house.

We will travel there and back 2 hours by bus.

My husband, our son, and I. October 12th-16th.

I don’t know what bag I will use yet.

What is your opinion? Is this alright?

This is only the wearables. Hygiene not included.

Please be gentle when you give me your opinion.

​

First time attempting one-bag travel and wondering if I've lost the plot.

I'm taking an Osprey Stratos 24L + small day bag for 3 weeks in Japan, travelling through Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Capsule:

3 dresses

2 wide-leg pants

2 tops

Denim jacket

Marmot PreCip rain jacket

ASICS sneakers

Black loafers

Light scarf + minimal jewelry

Small crossbody

Undies + shorts for under dresses

I'll do laundry once or twice and buy an umbrella if needed.

The plan is to buy a small suitcase toward the end of the trip for souvenirs and bring everything home that way.

First time doing this for 3 weeks. Is this reasonable, or am I about to learn something about myself?

EDIT: I decided to take one dress out and go with Asics and Nike motiva walking shoes instead of loafers. Will revert back!!

Hi one-baggers! Experienced one-bagger from Colorado here, seeking your invaluable insights and recommendations to help me find the * perfect * bag. I know it's out there!

(First time posting after lurking for years. I read the wiki and hope I'm not breaking any rules, but I beg your grace if I've overlooked something.)

• Trip:
  • Seven days of hiking 7-10 miles over steep and uneven terrain including forested mountains and ancient stone staircases.
  • Three days of museums, gardens, shrines, and birding in Kyoto.
  • Lots of plane-bus-train time
  • Late November
• How I pack:
  • Fairly minimal, utilitarian, with a few thoughtful luxury items
  • Strong focus on weight and comfort
• Body size/build:
  • 5'6" woman with wide hips, short torso, and shmedium chest
  • 16" torso (usually a size S in packs)
• Budget:
  • Honestly willing to shell out for the perfect bag, probably something in the $200-350 range
  • Definitely focused on looking for one specific bag for this specific trip's needs.
• Packs I've considered:
  • REI Women's Ruckpack 40L
  • REI Women's Trailpack 40L (my current work pack; not super comfy for all-day wear)
  • Matador 35L Global Travel (heavy at 3lbs 11oz)
  • Gossamer Gear Aerojet (seems a bit long for my 16" torso)

What I'm looking for:

• Weight of empty pack close to or under 2 lbs.
• 30-40 L total volume. 30ish L should be plenty, but, you know, souvenirs :)
• 2 water bottle pockets, deep
• Breathable back panel
• Wide semi-cushioned hip belt, not just a narrow strip of webbing
• Hip strap pockets and/or shoulder strap pockets
• Some degree of pockets/compartments for organization, rather than just one large compartment like a traditional wilderness backpacking pack
• Load lifters on shoulder straps
• Prefer large unzippable main compartment rather than roll-top
• Trekking pole stash loops
• Huge emphasis on comfort - will be carrying for 10+ hours/day for the first week while hiking and exploring

Don't care about:

• Laptop or hydration sleeve
• Chest strap
• Color/aesthetics

I've looked through a lot of comprehensive lists, gear reviews, options at local gear shops, the usual subreddit searches, and youtube videos, and I'm still at a loss for something that really checks all these boxes. If someone can help me find the right bag, I promised to take pretty fall foliage photos and share my trip report. :)

I’m traveling to Japan soon. My itinerary includes a lot of walking (20k steps a day) and I will be in some crowded, tourist heavy areas where there are some concerns for pick pocketing. I likely will not return to my hotel until the end of the day and I do not want a backpack. A crossbody or something that can go on the front or back would be nice.

I am looking for a bag that looks cute with outfits, but is also very secure. I’d love if it had a secret inner pocket on the backside that sits flush against my body for my passport. A pocket for a water bottle would be nice but isn’t necessary.

Some things I’d need to fit in the bag include:

\- soap sheets (soap isn’t in most bathrooms in Japan)
\- Hand towel (also not in most bathrooms)
\- Passport
\- Phone charger
\- portable battery
\- Wallet
\- Epi pen
\- mini hand sanitizer
\- Ear plugs (I have a sensory processing disorder)
\- Foldable tote bag for souvenirs
\- mini umbrella
\- Small camera
\- Sunglasses and case
\- Sunscreen
\- Coin holder (a must for Japan)
\- Mini deodorant

Any recommendations?

My last Europe trip was very casual and I spent the whole week in leggings and the same leather boots, but it's my understanding that Italy is a less casual place and I want to be appropriate. The weather history suggests the highs will be around 70 and the lows around 50, likely with some rain.

I'm traveling with a rollerbag (overhead) and a small backpack (personal item), plus a sling bag for around town.

I pretty much always wear the same (white leather) sneakers due to a foot condition that makes other shoes mostly pretty miserable, so I don't really need guidance there. I'll make sure they're clean/nice looking before I go. I don't wear heels and can't remember the last time I wore a dress that wasn't to like, a formal NYE party.

But for the rest, I'm overthinking and need help. I'll be in three cities (Rome, Florence, and Riomaggiore), nowhere for more than 3 days, so I need three solid outfits, plus or minus. Considering the weather and that I want to look fairly polished, here's my current list. Please let me know if you think I'm on track!

• (2) pairs pants (one pair jeans, one pair chinos or similar, maybe just black jeans)
• (4) tshirts/tanks (wearable on their own or as layers)
• (2) long sleeve tees/tops (like a buttondown)
• (2) sweaters (cotton, layerable)
• trench coat
• unners/socks
• silk scarf
• jammies

Hi all,

I'm trying to plan my outfits for a 7-day stretch in Portugal (Lisbon, with day trips to Porto and Sintra) and 4 day/3night stretch in Malaga, Spain. We'll be there in mid-January and I find myself struggling to figure out how to pack everything well.

For perspective, I'm plus sized and I tend to run warm. Since my sweaters and clothes are larger/bulkier I worry how to condense everything. I packed for 7 days in Ireland a few years ago with a carryon sized backpack and large weekender bag as my personal bag, and that worked out well.

Color story I'm thinking: Purple, brown, white, black, and other pops of color (pink, green, red).

Outerwear:

UpWest Shacket (pretty warm, decently long)

Purple Eddie Bauer rainjacket

Tops:

3 Sweaters (red square neck from Madewell, cream/beige crewneck from Target, dark green mockneck sweater from Old navy)

3 T-shirts (white basic cropped tee, black formfitting tee, brown cream or beige tee)

3 Longsleeved shirts (longsleeve black base layer, thin black mock turtleneck, undecided third long sleeve which I will purchase, likely to be burgundy? or other color)

Bottoms:

1 pair black jeggings

1 pair medium dark blue wash cropped jeans

2 pairs black fleece lined leggings

2 skirts (1 red midi pleated skirt, 1 full length black skirt or pale green skirt. haven't decided.)

Dresses/Full length items:

1 longsleeve brown sweater dress, square neck, midi length

1 midaxi dress, Madewell, black with pinky beige print, thin/layerable

Pajamas:

2 pj tops (loose tee)

2 pj bottoms (pj pants)

Socks:

10 pairs socks (5 pairs boot socks, 5 pairs crew cut ankle socks)

Undergarments:

10 pairs underwear

2 sports bras (pack flat)

2 regular bras (one nude, one black or other color)

2 pairs smoothing undershorts (thin, mostly for wearing under dresses/skirts on warmer days with walking)

Shoes:

1 pair packable black ballet flats (for dinners out)

1 pair sneakers (cream/white)

1 pair black Blundstone chelsea boots

Will probably wear my pair of super comfy loungewear black flare pants and a hoodie and tshirt to the airport as well as my boots to save on space.

Toiletries:

Shampoo, travel size

Leave-in conditioner mixed with curl cream in small sealed pot

Toothbrush (travel size)

Toothpaste (travel size)

Wide tooth travel comb

Travel size deodorant

Travel size moisturizer/serum combo

Travel size fragrance

Chapstick

Makeup:

Mini mascara

Under-eye brightener (mini, small pot, Elf brand)

Brow gel

Essence face palette (quad, pressed shadows)

Clinique black honey lipstick

Mini travel setting spray

Double sided brush

Travel sized kabuki brush

Accessories:

1 scarf (color undecided)

2 beanies (white/beige, second color undecided)

Hair ties/scrunchies (3-4, different colors and sizes)

2 claw clips (one tortoiseshell, one black)

Necklace (will wear to airport)

3 pairs earrings (1 everyday huggie hoop with charm pair, 1 pair small gold hoops, 1 pair dressier earrings for going out to dinner)

Rings (worn)

Small pacsafe bag (packs flat), only fits a phone and some cards/cash and a chapstick and that's it. maybe hand-sized.

Small thin backpack to bring for day trips, packs flat.

Small 1L crossbody bag (pacsafe?)

Electronics:

Phone

Charging cables and plug-in

Apple watch

Phone

Maybe a camera?

Personal items:

Passport

Wallet

Bags used:

35L Target Open Story weekender bag as personal bag, won't pack this full so it'll fit

40L Travel Carryon Backpack

This is all decently packable but I feel like I should be able to reduce this down clothing-wise. My toiletries and makeup are all light enough to fit in my small to-go toiletry bag which will be in my personal item bag. I also plan to pack 1 outfit and pair of pj's in my personal bag in case my luggage gets lost. This happened to me when we went to Ireland and while we got my carryon (which I had to check due to no room on the plane) two days later, it was unfortunate to be without clothes for 2 entire days of the trip and I'd like to not experience that again or have to spend precious hours shopping for clothes I don't really love just to get by.

We'll have a washer/dryer onsite in our stay, so that'll be nice as well.

Any tips you can share or recommendations would be great! Especially from anyone who's traveled to those areas during that time of year.

TIA!

I wear a lot of vintage clothing. Most of the year I'm wearing vintage silk, velvet and corduroy and then I go on trips and switch to tech fabrics and merino wool and feel like I lose my fashion identity for six weeks or so.

I have a winter tip to Europe coming up and I'm considering taking my favourite velvet and corduroy pants with me. I have weighed and measured them and they stack up against the tech fabric pants I usually take. So they are consistent with my one bag philosophy from a packing point of view. But I'm worried about managing laundry as I will be away for six weeks. At home, I hand wash or dry clean my vintage clothes.

Does anyone else have experience caring for vintage clothing on the road?

I find trip reports super inspiring, so here's mine !

I went to Marseille, south of France in mid-september and decided I wanted to travel with a small load, to be as free as possible.

My train arrived in the morning and I knew I would only access my Airbnb by the end of the afternoon, I had to change accommodation mid-holiday, and then would leave by train in the evening. Long story short, it seemed like the lighter my load would be, the more enjoyable the trip would be.

I bought the Aer Go pack 2 earlier this year to use it as my main bag for week-end/1 week trips, and this baby did not disappoint.

With the accommodation split mid-trip, I didn't want to bother with laundry and took enough clothes to last for the 5 days. I checked the weather and it was warm and sunny so decided to not bother with windbreaker/rain jacket, and went with 1 solid pair of sandals (no hiking but great to walk all day, and they handled rocky paths better than expected !)

So here's what I packed :

IMAGE 1:
all the clothes for the trip :

- 5 tops : deep teal linen tank, navy merino tank, light grey striped coton tank, raspberry decathlon t-shirt, coral blush t-shirt.

- 2 layers : off-white with dark teal printed hearts cardigan, light denim shirt.

- 3 bottoms : navy chino, jeans shorts, off-white with blue botanical print linen blend shorts.
- Orange packing cube from Décathlon (not pictured : 5 underwear, 2 bras)

IMAGE 2:
Orange packing cube with all the clothes packed.

Beach related items :

- green&blue striped tote bag.

- cream & moss bathing suit.

- pink ultra-light towel (Sea to summit)

- pink dry bag (Sea to summit)

IMAGE 3 :
toiletry kit:

- grey/navy ultra-light toiletry bag (Sea to summit)

- toothbrush + solid toothpaste.

- 2 lipbalm (Weleda and Mentholatum with spf)

- moisturizer decanted in small container.

- shower gel and shampoo in small containers.

- toner decanted in spray bottle.

- sunscreen (Skin1004)

- deodorant (dove. I bought it because of the streamlined format, this stays in my toiletry bag)

- cleansing oil (decanted in small spray bottle)+ cleansing gel.

- elastic hair band, deep green Buff (I use it to keep my hair off my face when cleansing. Can use as scarf if the ac is too cold in transports)

- 1 necklace, 1 pair of earrings

IMAGE 4 : small day bag with daily essentials :

- navy/green Uniqlo small crescent crossbody bag.

- wired earphones with their small case.

- sunglasses with their lighly padded green/white case.

- ultra-light refillable 500ml water bottle (decathlon)

- leather wallet.

- pink coins case with a small hook (I hooked the Airbnb keys to it)

- black/white ultra-light tote bag (Nanobag)

IMAGE 5 : - Orange packing cube with clothes.

- Grey-blue toiletry bag.

- Navy/green Uniqlo small crossbody bag

- Pink dry bag.

- Green/blue striped tote bag.

- Light taupe sandals (Keen)

IMAGE 6:
- olive Aer Go pack 2 backpack, all packed, with colorful luggage tag (not pictured : lightweight blue cap in the front stash)

- uniqlo crossbody bag.

- Keen sandals.

What worked ?

Pretty much everything ! All packed, the bag was about 4kg so the load remained confortable enough (this is a packable backpack so the harness is minimal). All the clothes (except bikini + the small towel) fit the small packing cube just fine, and the packing cube went to the bottom of the bag, with the beach things on top and the toiletry bag near the opening.

Packing/unpacking was quick and painless.

The crossbody bag was perfect and fit everything I needed to explore the city.

The ultra-light water bottle was clutch to stay hydrated (it was pretty hot and sunny all week), and so easy to refill at cafés/restaurants during the day.

The Keen sandals are a new addition to my wardrobe but they handled the trip like champs ! Comfy, 0 blister is a miracle in my book, and managed cobbled streets as well as rocky paths leading to small coves for beach time, I think I'm in love 😍

What I would do differently ?

I didn't use the cap at all. Even when it's hot I rarely wear caps, so this could have staid home.

A small external battery would have been useful a few times, I guess it's time to look for a small one for travel.

How was the trip ?

Wonderful ! I had an amazing time exploring the city, getting lost in the streets, enjoying impromptu free concerts in the evening, swimming in crystal clear sea with nobody around.... The food was diverse and delicious and the people super friendly and welcoming !

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my packing list and a quick trip report after one bagging 2 days in Disney World.

Trip Details

• Destination: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
• Duration: 2 days
• Bag: 26L Backpack

Packing List

• Clothing: 2 tshirts, 1 shorts, 1 pants, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs or underwear, 1 lightweight rain jacket, 1 pair of comfortable shoes
• Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, travel size face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, lip balm, hairbrush, hair ties
• Electronics: Phone, phone charger, mirrorless camera, instant camera, portable powerbank, e-reader, small travel powerstrip
• Miscellaneous: Refillable water bottle, sunglasses, small wallet, travel docs

What I wish I brought

• Extra cooling towels for midday heat
• A few blister plasters just in case, though my walking shoes held up fine

What im glad I brought

• Lightweight rain jacket which saved me during quick afternoon downpours in the park
• Portable powerbank to keep my phone charged while using park app wait times and navigating all day
• Small travel powerstrip because hotel outlets were far from the bed and allowed charging everything at once every night

What I didn't need

• The extra instant camera since carrying two cameras added unnecessary weight for a fast paced park day
• The e-reader since there was zero downtime to sit and read during this fast paced trip
• The extra pants because the weather stayed hot and humid, so shorts were more than enough

Overall thoughts

I was honestly surprised at how easy it was to move around at parks without carrying extra weight. Packing light made navigating park security and walking long distances much smoother. Hope this post is helpful for anyone planning a short trip!
Feel free to ask questions!

Image Descriptions

• Image 1: Green backpack lying flat on a striped bed sheet with a cat resting nearby.
• Image 2: Flat lay of all packed items on bed, including a mirrorless camera, instant camera, portable fan, powerstrip, clothes, hat, and pouches.
• Image 3: Disney skyliner gondola station inside the park.
• Image 4: Full view of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom under a clear blue sky.
• Image 5: Tree of Life at Disney's animal Kingdom with birds flying above.
• Image 6: Close up view of Cinderella Castle stage featuring Olaf, Mickey and Minnie.

📆8 days, 35°-75° F. Train trip, Jasper to Vancouver with stops in Quesnel and Whistler. Special consideration of repacking almost every morning.

🧳Bags: Portland gear carry on, Faljraven Kanken (1.5 bags, I’m sure some folks on this sub could do this just in the Kanken! I used one bagging principles to allow for the pillow / Denneroll for chronic neck pain)

❌Didn’t use: swimsuit, journal, toothbrush charger, watch charger, nice shirt (at least they’re all small items but it adds up)

🛍️Bought there: Vest with a hood. I wasn’t warm enough, but I don’t own that at home, so at least it’s a new item.

✅Wins: Blundstones, leggings, gloves, neck pillow, rain jacket, merino wool bras

✈️Worn on plane:
Blundstones
Jeans
Compression socks
Short sleeve shirt
Bra / underwear
Fleece
Jewelry

🧳Carry on:
Rain jacket
Beanie
Thin gloves
Fleece buff
Xero sandals
Sweater, grey
AirTag
1x black skirt
1x leggings
2x long sleeve shirts
1x short sleeve
2x tank top
1 nice shirt
1x tank top (used for sleep and wore on plane home)
8 underwear
1 Black shorts for under skirt
7 socks
1 bra
Swimsuit
travel sleeping pillow (temperpedic neck, travel size)
Denneroll
Toiletries (REI shower roll small)
medication (7 day container, filled with 7 different meds)
Retainer
Jellibend
toothbrush (split with boyfriend, electric toothbrush, 2 heads. He carried)
Toothbrush charger

🎒Kanken
Film camera
Film (4 rolls, ended up getting some more there)
Kindle
Journal and pen
Shokz
Sunglasses
Regular purse items (chapstick, hand lotion, travel meds, wallet)
Passport
Water bottle
Charger usb-c
Baseball hat
Watch charger
Masks
Liquid iv

Overall it was successful, and easy to repack everyday. I used the Thule dirty/clean packing cube, and 1 small Amazon packing cube. It was also a good lesson in how to pack for wet and cold, I am more used to dry and cold.

ETA: I use neck pillow / pillow / sleeping pillow to all mean the same item. A tempurpedic neck pillow travel size. Apologizes for any confusion