I used to be an over packer - then I bought a hardside carryon bag (no more check in luggage for me)…this prevents me from being able to overpack, because it simply does not expand. I also started reminding myself I’m “not going to Kathmandu” anything (ANYthing) I may have left behind can be purchased at my destination if needed (and it has never been needed). For those OTC items…simply raid the “travel size” section of Target, then break those open and take 1/3 of whatever is in there…for 5 days, I’d say 2 pants, 3 shirts (mix and match), 1 bathing suit, 1 shorts, underwear, 1 pjs, 1 sweater (or sweatshirt), 1 sneaker, 1 sandals. That’s it. It’s summer, no need to bring more. Everything else will end up not being worn. Guaranteed.
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I spent 40 days on the Camino de Santiago living out of a backpack. It was fine as everyone else was doing the same. But it was really fun when we got back to Barcelona to do some clothes shopping in the fashionable shops there and something new to wear.
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This is my all time favorite bag–I use it for most trips that are less than two weeks.
The bag wears really; I’ve had mine for at least 7 years.
Travel bag expandable Le Pliage Original Black (L1911089001) | Longchamp US
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And these bags are completely machine washable, leather handles and all. I had mine for more than ten years, and it has seen multiple washes in its lifetime amd is still going strong.
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@BunsenBurner I did not know that the Longchamps bags are machine wash! I’m thinking gentle cycle, cold water?
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I just told mine in the washer with a regular load of clothes. No special treatment at all.
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I hope that bag lasts forever. It’s beautiful but very pricey. It would make a special gift.
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My packing cubes are coming any time now. So excited!
I went to Walmart and got some travel bottles and toiletries. I’m going to try to keep that to a minimum, too.
We are traveling by car with a lot of girls so even with a car there won’t be a lot of space, but it will be easy to get anything we need in a drive that’s not too long.
I made the mistake of taking my blood pressure at Walmart and it’s high. Usually, I’m low. I think it’s the recent stress in our family as well as the lack of exercise with everything going on. It shows I really need a break and to get back into my healthy routine. It will be very nice to get away.
H is staying home with the dogs but no kids so that will be his break.
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Yes! Handwash cycle. Hang to dry. I also wash all of my Tumi totes in the same manner.
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The majority of our trips are to Hawaii. I have a special suitcase to be packed just for that travel. I keep all things that we might need in Hawaii but do not need at home in that bag and adjust accordingly (for example, I take out the baggie with Tide pods and cooking spices if we are going to stay in a hotel room without kitchen and W/D). I keep our flip flops, rash guards, beach towels, a cube with exercise clothes, etc. in that bag. This way, I do not need to hunt for this stuff when the time to pack comes. Clothes go into the garment bag on hangers. Two aloha shirts and a pair of shorts for Mr. and a handful of dresses for me. I throw in a couple of pairs of shoes and a cube with undies. We don’t have a his and hers bags - we (I) pack everything in 2 bags and always check them. Even if we don’t have extra liquid that require to be checked in, it is much more pleasant to get on board without a roller bag and no overhead bin space wars. 
When we go to California, we pack carryons. The flights are short and usually have businessfolk on them who know how to board efficiently.
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Ugh. I forgot laundry detergent pods!
Maybe college girl has some to share….
I like the packing cubes to keep me more organized. I pack a large cube, with many rolled tops and sometimes some shorts, in the zipped section of the lid of my carry-on bag. I also stuff my nightgown alongside it.
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I like these thin sheets of detergent for travel. On longer trips I use one or two for sink washing of socks and travel underwear.
https://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Laundry-Soap-Sheets-50-Count/dp/B000Y0CL8K/ref=dp_fod_3?pd_rd_i=B000Y0CL8K&psc=1
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What’s nice about packing cubes is that they have square corners, so they stack up very efficiently in a suit case. Wife packs hers with complete changes of clothes in each, while I pack mine with all socks, all shirts, etc. How we do it works for each of us.
Pre-packing cube use, wife would use huge zip-lock bags. Because they bulge in the middle and are narrow at the edges, they just don’t stack well, wasting space.
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I am definitely an overpacker. But unless I was traveling to multiple cities I just don’t really understand the appeal of minimalistic packing. Maybe someone can explain the appeal if you’re not super duper tight in space. And no matter how little I pack I do not get not bringing a lot of underwear. I mean a weeks worth of the stuff I wear takes up mere 1/2 inch when packed flat. Also the “ you can get it when there” to me means a midnight drive to a Walgreens if a slight stomach distress hits after bedtime. No thanks. I’d rather have pepto on hand.
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If I’m flying, It comes from never checking bags. I have a very bad track record of airlines losing my luggage so I just stopped. My mil lost a bag while going in a cruise that was filled with new clothes and some evening dresses. The reimbursement from the airlines barely covered the cost of the two pairs of shoes she packed. If I can’t carry it on the plane, it’s not coming with me. If I’m driving, some time I’ll expand my suitcase to fit more.
We are going on a two week driving vacation next month. I’ll need everything from hiking clothes to dressy dinner wear. I will have a large canvas bag just for shoes for that trip so I can get more clothing in my suitcase
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When we drive places for vacations, I usally thorw extra jackets or shoes in the car. I also don’t feel bad about using a bigger suitcase. For me, on a road trip, it is critical that the suitcase has wheels and I can easily roll it around. My carry on sized bags do not have wheels.
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I don’t check bags when I fly anymore. I’ve had lost luggage more than once.
On a driving trip, I don’t even use a suitcase for some things. If we are renting a house or condo, I put everything in laundry baskets and plop in my truck. I drove to an event where I grew up and couldn’t decide what dress to wear so I took 6 with me. But that was in my car!
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For me it depends on the nature of the trip and whether something I might need will be readily available and not expensive at my destination.
One thing I hate, especially with car travel, is unpacking. The worst is unpacking after a long car trip when you are tired. That is incentive for me to not overpack. Today is our last day of a week at the beach and I’ve been packing up what I can this morning. At least we have a washer/dryer here so I won’t have to do laundry when we get home.
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I hate unpacking too which is why I love the packing cubes. I’ll plop the cubes in a dresser drawer and be done.
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