Comments on: Europe: 11 days, one bag + a personal item – how I packed

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:25:18 +0000

Shannon:

Thanks for commenting. Your comment made me smile; of course, we think little about taking a shower in a shower or tub that’s also been used by thousands of people.

In any event, it’s entirely possible to pack a week’s worth of clothing into one bag. You’ll definitely have to be clever in terms of packing clothes that coordinate well with one another. See my wife’s related post: http://bit.ly/cqDFMO

Thanks again for visiting, and commenting!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:08:32 +0000

I’m very intrigued with the whole packing light thing because historically I’ve packed crazy heavy. However, washing my clothes, by hand, in a bathroom sink that’s been used by thousands of people and probably never properly cleaned, every 3 days … seems like kind of a downer. We’re going to Europe for 2 weeks and I’d hoped to pack one week of clothes then hit a launderette, rinse, repeat. Is it possible to fit 7 days into one bag?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:17:21 +0000

Andrew,

Glad you discovered the site and are enjoying it. Thanks for a thoughtful comment – please let us know how you make out with your new bags!

Kevin

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:05:12 +0000

Just found your site & been devouring it, thanks.
After 25 years traveling as airline crew (and constant leisure pass traveler) I’ve spent a lot of time with wheeled luggage (Travelpro is most airline’s contractual issue, but I prefer my 22″ Costco Kirkland rollaboard–indestructible, roomy, lots of excellent details built in).

As to cobblestones and curbs, wheelies are fine. Stairs, trains, buses can be a different matter, and your size & upper body strength may influence your choice.
What surprises many people about rollaboards is how much they weigh empty–15 full pounds for the 22′ Kirkland, 11 for my 20′ ‘Crew’ Travelpro. Search eBags and there are now some good choices around 7 lbs and under–like the one in your photo.

Convertible shoulder bag/backpacks almost died out for a while and are coming back due to ever more stringent weight limits, esp. in Europe where you can now be too overweight for carryon at 20 1/2 lbs.
My next vacation bag buy will be a convertible. I’ve just ordered both an LL Bean Quickload pack (2 lbs, 2900 cu in), an eBags Weekender (3 lbs 10 oz, 3000 cu in) and a couple of other bags to see which works best. I’ll post again once I’ve received them & done some hands-on to select a winner(s?)

Sink washing? Absolutely. You can pack 3 days clothes, then wash and wear the same 3 changes for however long you’re away. I fill a 3 oz bottle with Woolite for a 10 day-3 week trip, but any soap will do–hotel shampoo, etc. Bar soap rubbed on a stain makes a good substitute for Shout, etc. I carry a $1 all purpose stopper from WalMart, flat, weighs nothing, but a sock also would work. Cotton always dries slowly; synthetics make better choices for travel undies, socks etc. Just rinse well to make sure you get all the soap out the first few times until you get the hang of it.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:22:53 +0000

I love the thought you put into your packing! My husband is the over-packer in our house…he will benefit from your tips! I, on the other hand, have packed for a two-week European trip in a carry-on bag. Here are some tips on how I do it (from a girl’s perspective): http://tiny.cc/6z1aq