Tips - Packing for Extended Travels
Planning for an extended trip comes with unique challenges, especially when it involves multiple climates. The freedom of slow travel is thrilling, yet balancing weight limits while prepping for tropical beaches and winter chills can be daunting. Here’s a guide based on shared wisdom from seasoned travelers, including tips from members of the ‘Empty Nester Women Looking to Relocate’ community.
Embracing Light Packing: It’s Not Easy!
I admit! I’m always struggling to travel light, despite being a seasoned traveler. Tumbleweeding—living without a permanent base— means that everything I own must fit into one suitcase! Even after decades of travel, I haven’t mastered staying under the 20kg limit. Packing for different climates feels like an impossible jigsaw puzzle. Yet, packing light can be achieved with a few clever strategies, especially with advice from those women who've perfected the art of minimalist travel.
Start with Versatile Basics
Choose Multi-Use Pieces: Jane suggested packing versatile basics that mix and match easily. "I’m always struggling with my packing weight because of essentials like my journals, crochet supplies, and toiletries. I can barely fit clothes!" For Jane and others, choosing versatile basics in neutral colors helps maximize outfits with minimal items.
Invest in Quality Fabrics: Durable, breathable materials like cotton, linen, and merino wool are great for all climates. Merino wool, for instance, is breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant, ideal for everything from warm-weather tours to chilly evening walks.
Reader Tip: Victoria swears by creating a “capsule wardrobe” with monochrome layers (black, gray, white, beige), and “jazzing it up with colorful jewelry and silk scarves, which weigh almost nothing!”
Layering is Key for Varied Climates
Light Layers for Warm Weather: For warm locations, bring lightweight tops, shorts, and loose-fitting pants. Opt for quick-drying fabrics, and don’t forget a hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
Warm Layers for Cooler Weather: For colder destinations, layering is crucial. A few core items, like a cozy sweater and a packable, insulated jacket, make transitioning easy. Lightweight jackets that fold into compact bags can keep you cozy without taking up space.
Reader Tip: Shiree, who traveled to Morocco, shared, "I packed by climate. Long cotton pants and silk layers travel well and work for either warm or cool weather."
Prioritize Lightweight and Packable Outerwear
Pack jackets that are both waterproof and windproof. Lightweight outerwear is invaluable in unpredictable weather, and a packable down jacket provides warmth without bulk. Adding a compact knit hat and gloves can make chilly evenings more comfortable without overloading your bag.
Yvonne, fresh from a multi-climate trip, explained, "I layered black pants, a black T-shirt, merino long johns, and a puffer jacket to adjust as temperatures fluctuated. A lightweight scarf added warmth and style for city evenings."
Three-Pair Rule for Footwear
When it comes to shoes, most long-term travelers agree: three pairs are enough! Comfortable walking shoes, sandals for warmer days, and a pair of boots or hiking shoes for rough terrain cover most needs.
Lucie, who struggles with packing shoes, shared her solution: "Clothing is easy to buy on the go, but I make sure to pack quality shoes that fit the trip’s needs." Shiree also supports packing minimally, bringing two everyday slip-on sandals, one pair of heeled sandals, and Ugg boots for cold weather.
Toiletries and Medications
Travel-sized toiletries are your friend. Bring just enough for a week or so, and plan to replenish at your destination. Prescription medications are best stocked for the entire trip, along with a small first-aid kit for essentials. Just be sure to check any limits and requirements that may land you in trouble in some countries!
Cultural Awareness
For travelers visiting conservative regions, modest clothing options like a long skirt or loose pants, and a scarf to cover shoulders, are useful and show respect for local norms. Shiree, mindful of cultural considerations in Muslim-majority countries, advises, "I pack things that are versatile. No skimpy attire here—just pieces that can team up with other layers.”
Small Comforts to Make a Place Feel Like Home
When away for long periods, a few familiar items can go a long way in making accommodations feel more comfortable. A small framed family photo, a travel pillow, or a portable charger for connectivity add a sense of home to any place.
Amber, currently in the UK, shared her essentials: "With only three pants, three shirts, and basic toiletries, my pack weighs in at 18 lbs, leaving room for comforts like protein powder and my iPad.”
Inspiring Conversations with Experienced Travelers
Some travelers, like Carrie, learned to anticipate size limitations abroad. "Shopping locally in Spain and Thailand was tough—I never expected how hard it would be to find larger sizes!"
Jan, who toured Italy in zip-off pants, remembers, "I felt a little out of place style-wise, but I made it work!" Kristin echoed this, noting that her over-packing was more of a “mindset thing” as she adapted to life on the go.
Final Takeaway: Embrace the Experience, Over the Baggage
Katherine sums it up beautifully: “I often end up using just a third of what I pack. Hopefully, I’ll get better with each trip!”
Mastering the art of packing for extended travel and varying climates is challenging, but with a few strategic choices, I’m determined to lighten my load and travel with greater ease. What I do once I get to Thailand though - where i already have two suitcases and 4 large crates of ‘stuff’ will be the next challenge in my nomadic lifestyle.
JO’S ULTIMATE PACKING LIST
Jo is the Queen of Light Packing and below is her ultra light-weight packing list:
Cool climates:
Cashmere hat (Uniqlo),
Cashmere sweater (eBay),
Puffy jacket.
Warmer climates:
2 shorts,
2 tops,
sarong
1 pair of strong leather shoes/ closed toes sandals
2 pairs of socks
Endless underwear (tuck into pockets and sleeves)
Shampoo bar to use for everything
MacBook Air & charge cables
Thank you to all those amazing ladies in the group, who shared their wisdom so generously!
