Comments on: What I Pack for My Travels: Your Guide to Packing

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:53:06 +0000

Hi all – we’re not traveling now due to covid and after 4 months in Portugal in mid 2020, don’t really miss it. Not too much anyway. We spent nearly a year traveling out of the country and nearly a year in a small rv where we more or less kept to our travel wardrobe due to space constraints. Quick dry performance wear is basic for us (man/woman). We generally do a sink or tub wash (while showering, we stomp on the dirties with shampoo) every 3 days or so. We travel with small line that doubles as a clothes line and for tie downs when needed. We wrap a bunch of duct tape around a golf tee (or a small pencil) and it lasts a long time. We try to maintain a get one/give one policy. Anything new to the “wardrobe/gear” causes a let go of something else to maintain a fairly constant collection. We found nearly anywhere in the world there are thrift/charity shops where you can get that odd sweater or jacket and give back something no longer needed. Give it a good wash and someone else will be glad to have it.

By: Peta Wenzel

Peta Wenzel — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 02:00:30 +0000

We have travelled fulltime for more than 2 years but still have not managed to cut our luggage down to carryon only. Hat’s off to those of you that can!

By: Deanna Lynne

Deanna Lynne — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 16:34:25 +0000

It made sense when you talked about tailoring our packing list to suit our travels and lifestyle. My sister mentioned she wants to look at vacation lodges to book so she can plan a vacation with her husband this August. Since she usually has a hard time packing for trips, I think she’ll appreciate the advice in your article!

By: Bavin

Bavin — Mon, 17 May 2021 03:53:06 +0000

Hey Matt,

Great packing list! Specially liked your advice about packing a dress shirt and another pair of shoes which is not a sneaker. Also liked your small medical kit. I think carrying a scissor and/or multitool pocket knife can also be quite handy.

Keep up the good work!

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 05 May 2021 02:14:33 +0000

If I’m going somewhere that I will need to “dress up” a little, I always carry a pair of Allbirds black over black sole. They take up very little space, wear very little and look great with slacks. Also, can wear casual, too.

By: Gava H

Gava H — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 07:42:18 +0000

In reply to Trevor Huxham. Same question been bothering me for some time. But, I find Matt's response reasonable.

By: Edmund III

Edmund III — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 06:28:07 +0000

I am a student and a little bit tied up in financial matters so I always pack lightly not because I have small needs but because of the financial restrains. Though NomadicMatt is right when he/she cited “take as little as possible”. Packing really is strenuous. But not having the right things in a caught up situation takes up all the energy of your cerebral cortex…and your wallet. That is why this community is really helpful.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 03:39:55 +0000

In reply to Crispy Pete. Matt my friend is still having lost of trouble with bag size. please help him.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:23:49 +0000

Why a backpack? Seriously! Unless you expect to do some trekking, consider whether it’s really necessary. Why? Cause a carry-on size wheeled bag/luggage is so much easier to tote around. Add a small daypack for day-to-day sightseeing. I’ve been travelling for over 40 years, the first 30 with backpacks before I saw the light, and the only time a backpack was a necessity was for trekking in Nepal. I’ll never go back to one.

I have two wheeled pieces now, a 36-litre Patagonia that’s really rugged and comes with backpack straps for emergency situations, though I’ve never used them. And I recently bought a 46-litre Osprey, super lightweight though not as heavy duty. Both have the requisite heavy-duty wheels. I always take a small daypacks, too.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 02:12:31 +0000

In reply to Lissie. I wash socks and underwear daily or as often as possible so I don't need half a dozen pair. I use lightweight materials that dry quickly.