This blog post is the second of three posts to get you started on packing light.

Bags – For years I used my trusty LL Bean roller bags. They have proved to be sturdy and continue to serve me well from time to time. However, they don’t work well on uneven surfaces, stairs, and the rollers take up valuable space and weight. When I decided to start packing lighter, I began to look for other options. Taking a cue from the younger generation who travel from hostel to hostel with a backpack, I began to look into those options.

Thinking at first that I could travel with my Osprey Talon 44 that I use for extended hiking, I quickly found that travel and hiking were two different activities. My hiking backpack has lots of straps and pockets that can get hung up on conveyor belts, and a top and bottom load. A suitcase is more streamlined and opens for full access. Although through use of a rain cover or duffel, you can contain the backpack straps sufficiently to check the bag, I found that there were better options for general traveling – the backpack suitcase.

Backpack Suitcase – I chose the eBags TLS Motherload Weekender Convertible. This model has all the features I wanted in a suitcase, plus the ability to carry the bag as a backpack or as a regular suitcase. If I don’t want to use the backpack straps or need to check the bag, they simply can be tucked into a pocket. The bag has an expandable main compartment, a smaller front compartment, a laptop sleeve in the bag, a document holder, and a small pocket on the front of the bag for your 3-1-1 bag or other quick access item.

Day Pack – In addition, I travel with a day pack either in my bag or if needed, carried as a front pack when using the backpack option on the larger bag. I use this bag for my Surface 3, kindle, small purse, snacks and other carryon items when traveling and as a day pack when sightseeing. I have a Pac-Safe 100 that I have had for several years and use regularly on my daily walks and other times at home. It is designed for travel and although smaller than a typical day pack, holds a couple of water bottles, a jacket, small camera, wallet, cell phone, snacks and other items. An alternative backpack to consider is the Neatpack foldup travel backpack. It is inexpensive and designed to fold up small enough to be carried in the regular luggage and used on site.

Super Lightweight Pack – For those superlight trips where size and weight is limited, I use the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Tote Pack 22L, which can be used as a backpack or tote bag. It fits my large packing cube, my toiletry kit, and several small cubes or stuff sacks for other items.

Packing Cubes and Stuff Sacks – These are a must for organized packing and for compressing your clothes into a smaller space. The come in various sizes and shapes. With good planning, you can configure a selection of packing cubes and sacks of various sizes to hold all your items and fit snugly within your bag. Everything goes in a cube or sack, so if I need something, I just grab that cube/sack without rummaging through the entire bag. Especially when you are staying at a hostel or moving from hotel to hotel, using a packing cube and stuff sack system (and keeping items in their respective spots when not in use) makes packing up a breeze and reduces the chances of leaving items behind.

Toiletry bag – I’ve found a small hanging toiletry bag works best. Often in hostels, there is no place besides the floor to put your bag (yuck) and when hanging, the bag provides easy access to all the contents. I use the Neatpack Small Toiletry Bag, but there are many similar options available.

 

Toiletries – Decant your daily liquid toiletries into small leak-proof bottles contained by a plastic bag for 3-1-1 compliance. After a few bad experiences with leaky inexpensive bottles, I now use only Neoprene bottles (the 1 oz size is perfect) or the smaller Go Toob squeeze containers. For some trips, I use only solid toiletries, thus eliminating the 3-1-1 bag and the risk of leaks. More  on solids in a later blog.

See Packing Light Parts 1 and 3 for other tips