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

Electronics – When I must carry a computer, I use my Surface 3. It is light and compact. However, the more I travel, the more I find that I leave the computer at home. My iphone is sufficient for email, internet searches, camera, and kindle – and much lighter than carrying the computer, camera, kindle, and phone. To mitigate the additional drain on the phone battery, I carry a small supplemental battery charger and also, a small multiplug extension cord so I can easily recharge my phone, fitbit, and supplemental battery charger. Occasionally I carry my small point and shoot camera with a couple of extra batteries so I can leave the charger at home.
Lightweight Fold Up Bags – These fit compactly in your main bag for use at your destination. I typically add a small lightweight tote bag to use for keeping my clothes off the floor in the shower if there is no counter space and/or for picking up grocery or snack items. I also have a lightweight fold up day pack by Neatpack that allows me to keep everything in my main travel bag and still have a day pack to use every day. If you plan on doing laundry, a mesh laundry bag can be helpful. Just keep all the clothes in the bag when you wash them – no more lost items. Also include a couple of plastic bags if you are carrying snacks or wet items.

Travel Towels – If you are staying somewhere where towels are not provided or need a towel for the beach, lightweight travel towels are great. They take up little room, are super absorbent, and dry fast.

Odds and Ends – A small flashlight is essential in a hostel and helpful in any travel environment. If you are washing out some clothing during the trip, Sea to Summit makes a great tiny clothesline to string up and hang clothes on. Foldup water bottles are a good alternative to buying bottled water on location. My current bottle of choice is Vapur, but I have also used Platypus with success. Keep in mind that the roll-up bottles are not as study as the rigid ones and need to be replaced periodically. I always carry a small amount of toilet paper and a Stall Mates towelette in a snack size plastic page along with a couple of bandaids and safety pins. These items take up little space and are nice to have when you need them. A small roll of duct tape can help with a quick temporary repair. I always carry a spork in my day pack so I can pick up meals and snacks at the grocery or convenience store and have something to eat them with. Finally take a couple of small combination locks – certainly a necessity in a hostel (for lockers) but also useful for securing your bag or backpack in troublesome areas.

This series of three blog posts will hopefully get you started with packing light. Look for additional suggestions in future posts.