Traveling Light With The Right Bag

Packing to travel can be a disaster if you’re not organized from the very beginning. Most people overpack and then find out when they get to their destination that they still didn’t pack exactly what they need. Realistically, for a week trip, everything needed can actually all be packed into one bag – the right bag.

I never check my bag because it’s seriously a pain in the butt when the airline loses your luggage, especially, if you’re traveling to a foreign country. So, everything I need goes into a carry-on so that I know where my bag is at all times. Believe me, you can pack a week’s worth of clothes and shoes into the right carry-on sized bag. If it doesn’t fit, then you really don’t need it to begin with. You can wear clothes twice and your heaviest shoes can be worn instead of packed. For example, your boots, if you’re traveling in the winter. Also, leave off the things you don’t need because they’ll be provided by the place that you’re staying. I’ve never been to a hotel that didn’t have, at the very least, soap and shampoo. So, why bring it? The toiletries that you do bring with you need to be travel size. This may seem like a no-brainer but there are folks who will shove a full bottle of shampoo or a glass bottle of cologne into their luggage. By the way, never, ever pack a glass bottle of anything in your bag. You’re just asking for everything you packed to be drenched in whatever comes out of the broken bottle. Cologne or perfume can be transferred to a travel-size (3.4 ozs) plastic container or just go with an inexpensive body spray in a mini size.

When it comes to the right carry-on bag, the one that I like the best because it has the best overall layout is the UTG Overbound Pack. It has optimized space saving compartments and pockets that give quick access to the things you need. It’s a tough backpack with really comfortable shoulder straps and strategically placed padding on the back panel. This is really important because, remember, your bag is going to be constantly with you the entire day of travel going and coming. You’re the one carrying it around, so yet, another good reason to pack and travel light.

So, here’s what I would pack for a week’s vacation during the summer. Of course, what you pack will also be dictated by where you’re going and what activities you’ll be doing. This, however, is a good base to start with and add or subtract what’s necessary.

Starting from the back of the bag, in the main zippered compartment, you’ll find a padded pocket for a tablet, iPad or small laptop. If this is a necessity for you to bring, put it in. The key to packing clothes, if you don’t already know, is rolling them up. First fold the article of clothing in half vertically and then roll it up tightly. Pack four pairs of shorts and four shirts, plus, a nice set of clothes like slacks and a dress shirt. If you pack the clothes in the order that you may wear them, based on what you’re doing throughout the week, it will make it easier. However, your dress clothes need to go right on top so that you can take them out and hang them as soon as you get to your hotel room. This large, main compartment also has two mesh, zippered pockets that can be used for toiletries. I use quart-sized, zip-top plastic bags to put them in before I pack them into the mesh pockets. One bag contains my travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. The other bag contains my medication including aspirin and Benadryl. Also, in one of the pockets, I pack my comb, razor and travel-size deodorant.

Moving forward to the front of the bag is another nice-sized zippered compartment, which has two deep, zippered pockets on the inside, plus, four smaller Velcro closure pockets. In one of the zippered pockets, I pack eight pairs of underwear and in the other zippered pocket I place a plastic shopping bag, since, this is where I will put my dirty underwear later. In the bottom of this compartment, pack a hoodie because you never no what the weather may be, even in the summer. On top of that, drop in four pairs of socks and then, your bathing suit. Two of the Velcro pockets, I use to pack my pair of flip-flops in, one in each pocket. Then, I use the other smaller pockets to stow my USB charger and cord and, if I’m traveling overseas, my power converter.

On the front of the bag, there is a zippered pocket at the top and at the bottom. Use the pocket at the top to put your passport or travel documents, as it gives you quick and easy access to them. This is also the place where I carry my smart phone and there’s a zippered, mesh pocket where I can stash an ink pen. The bottom pocket has a good-sized zippered pocket on the inside and three open pockets. Since the airlines are still requiring you to carry your liquids in a see-thru bag and pull it out and show it when you go through security, this outside bottom pocket is where I put it. You can just use a zip-top gallon-sized plastic bag to carry your liquids like cologne, aftershave, suntan lotion or saline solution in. This outside pocket is also a great place to put your sunglasses when you’re not wearing them.