Lilyharper said:
Carry on only, unless the trip is longer than 10 days.
If you can pack for 10 days, can’t you essentially pack for an indefinite time?
Traveled internationally twice for a month each time (vacation/sight-seeing, late summer/early fall). One under-seat-sized backpack and one small purse (worn). Backpack carried one large compression bag (rolled up leggings and shorts), one medium compression bag (2 nice lace-layered tops, 2 Duluth TC armachillo sleeveless v-neck tops, 1 light longer cover-up, 1 merino wool long-sleeved crew neck layer top), another medium compression bag (6 cotton bikini panties, 4 very thin sports panties, 3 cotton shelf-bra cammies, 2 very thin sports bras, 2-piece swimsuit, shortie pjs, 2 pr ankle merino wool socks). All clothing is easily washed in a sink (if necessary) and quick to dry. Charger cord. Adapter plug. Flip flops. Laundry detergent sheets. Tea bags. Small water bottle in the outside pocket. Toiletries: 2 small bottles of shampoo, bar soap, small bottle sunscreen/lotion, baggie with face powder, mascara. Thick plastic bag for dirty clothes. Thin shopping bag for carrying food during the trip & bringing home souvenirs. Worn on the plane: raincoat with hood, visor, RX sunglasses, jean shirt, sleeveless cotton shirt, leggings, merino wool socks, waterproof hiking shoes. In worn purse: thin wallet, passport, iPhone (used as my computer), lip gloss, gum, tissues, travel-sized wet wipes, travel-sized hand sanitizer, earbuds for phone, eyeglasses. This works for me!
@Dean
Whoa nice, great list! How big was your backpack?
Hale said:
@Dean
Whoa nice, great list! How big was your backpack?
Biaggi Carry-Cube Backpack (about $50 on sale right now) 18 1/2” x 12 1/2” x 6 1/2”. Love it.
A 50l backpack and I check it in (live in a country where check-in is generally free) and then just one small tote-style bag on board with a book, small wash bag, spare underwear, water bottle, etc. But I travel on trains, etc., and hate big suitcases. That’s got me through most trips.
I use a carry-on backpack if it’s just going to be a weekend trip or something brief, else I check a carry-on sized roller bag. Small sling for in-flight items.
I do carry on for both, up to two weeks. For my personal item I bring a large Longchamp that goes under my seat. That’s where I carry my Surface Pro, flight essentials like toothpaste, wallet, passport, anything important stays with me.
One carry-on backpack for everything, domestic or international. Got tired of checking bags after one too many lost luggage incidents. You’d be amazed what you can fit in a 40L pack once you ditch the ‘just in case’ stuff.
The Dagne Dover Landon carryall in size large is the GOATED carry-on duffle to go with a suitcase.
I try like hell to avoid checking a bag. My hacks are to wear your suit coat and use a bigger backpack to add your dress shoes to. By keeping the suit coat and shoes out of your overhead luggage you can pack addition clothes. Also, LL Bean has a vest and coat called Primaloft pack-away, awesome for cold weather trips. Safe travels.
@Darwin
A suit coat? My man travels in style.
Backpack and duffel for both domestic and international. About 75 liters total.
I go out of my way to not check anything ever, especially when flying standby. I use either a 35L or 45L backpack - never use a wheeled carry-on at this point because they can end up being gate checked - and a sling or messenger bag that goes under the seat. It needs to be large enough to handle my coat or hoodie and my basic toiletries and an emergency pack or medications. (I split my medications between both bags, in case one gets lost or stolen.)
With that combo and careful packing I can do 1 day to a couple of weeks of travel. For me, compression packing cubes and those roll-up ziplock vacuum bags are lifesavers. Even so, I always seem to realize I have packed things I never needed.
@Charlie
In what cases do you use 35L vs 45L? Can your sling or messenger bag go inside your main bag?
Hale said:
@Charlie
In what cases do you use 35L vs 45L? Can your sling or messenger bag go inside your main bag?
Time and weather determine which size I use. I usually lean into my 35L for a week or less, or if I don’t need cold weather clothes.
I usually pack a small chest sling into my pack if I am going to be out and about to carry my wallet, phone, etc. if I am not going to use my personal item bag. My personal item bag with my computer and stuff doesn’t pack into my main bag, even though I try to leave room in my main bag for anything I purchase.
For international I try to stick to one carry-on roller bag and a larger personal item like a Cal Pak duffle or backpack. I will pack a folded bag so if I buy anything abroad I could check it on the way home. I also try as much as I can to fly nonstop flights so I’m not lugging everything through connecting airports.
Domestic I stick with the same plan but will often check my roller bag for convenience. I do have a small roller personal item bag that has wheels for airport convenience but also fits under my seat. I usually fly Southwest with free bag checking or one of the airlines I have status with so I’m not paying to check the bag just doing for convenience.
This is only for international since I’ve never taken a domestic flight:
Check in only if it’s going to be a 3 months or longer stay.
I take both a carry on and a personal item. My carry on is the Osprey Fairview travel backpack, my personal item is a shoulder bag I got from Bagsmart that can either expand a whole lot (pushing the limits of some airlines’ personal items) or be small and sleek. I also take a fanny pack and a cargo jacket with a ton of pockets. My Osprey + Bagsmart bag + fanny pack has worked great for almost any trip I’ve taken it on.
I carry the same number of bags regardless of domestic vs international. It all depends on the duration of the trip.
Domestic: One carry on backpack filled with essentials.
International: The above carry on plus one small checked suitcase filled with basics, underwear, and anything bulky that I don’t want to carry on. I leave plenty of space for bringing things back. On the last day of a holiday I’ll typically go to a supermarket there and pick up as many goodies as I can to try when I’m back home.
One medium size, spinner bag, and one Filson over the shoulder bag as my carry-on.