12/6/11

Reader “Embees” offered this Packing List:

Six day trip, mid-October to Seattle, WA with a mostly-casual agenda (tourist sites, walking around the city), plus a couple of nice dinners out.  Weather was fairly mild: 45-60*F, no heavy rain (some drizzle).  I’m thirty-mumble, female.  Transport was airplane + public transit in Seattle (train/buses).  

I carried an LL Bean Quickload Convertible; everything fit with room to spare (ended up carrying several of my husband’s shirts, ahem).  Tucked inside was a Tom Bihn “Small Cafe Bag” that came out just before boarding - hello, gold star!  :)  (My intent was to use that around the city as well, but I ended up just putting the necessities in my pockets most days.)

The clothing list includes the items I wore on the plane (pants, long-sleeved tshirt, fleece “jacket”, slip-on loafers).     

CLOTHES
3 pr pants (1 corduroy, 1 casual, 1 dress slacks)
4 t-shirts (long sleeve, mix of plain vs “dressy”)
1 button-front blouse (dressy)
2 sweaters (1 cardigan, 1 pullover v-neck)
3 camisoles/tank tops
1 pr tennis shoes
slip-on loafers
fleece jacket (zip front)
socks/underwear
scarf (thin cotton)
raincoat

3-1-1 BAG
shampoo
conditioner
lotion
liquid makeup (foundation)
toothpaste

SMALL PACKING CUBE
hairbrush
toothbrush
jewelry (in “snack size” ziplock bag)
non-liquid makeup (blush, eyeshadow, eyelash curler, lipstick)
feminine necessities

ELECTRONICS BAG (sandwich bag sized)
chargers (camera, cell phone, nook)
hands free/headphones for cell phone


“DAY” BAG
chapstick
wallet
cell phone
camera (small point-and-shoot digital)
flashlight (TB “Guardian”)
nook
mini first aid kit (couple of bandages, antihistimes, Tylenol)
mini-umbrella

______________________________________________________________________

BRAD’S SAMPLE PACKING LIST

Here’s Brad’s packing list for a 10-day trip to  England and Scotland in May/June where temperatures can range from the mid-40’s to mid-80’s. The upper end temperatures may feel warmer since there’s little air conditioning in hotels or public transportation in the UK. The cooler temperatures can come on quickly and sharply given the blustery winds of northern England and Scotland. So, in effect, the traveler must plan for three seasons’ worth of temperatures. This kit without the options weighs in around 12 pounds.

Luggage is a convertible or shoulder-type carryon weighing under four pounds empty plus a lightweight, unpadded nylon briefcase which serves as carry-on “personal item” on the plane and day bag on the ground.

(This clothing list assumes that sink-washing will be done most nights)

     Clothing - to pack or wear on plane

• Poly briefs - pack 2, wear 1
• Poly undershirts - pack 2, wear 1
• Long-sleeve shirts (quick dry) - pack 1, wear 1
• Khaki travel sport coat (doubles as light rain coat) - wear
• Kkaki polyester dress pants - wear
• Khaki cotton wrinke-resistant pants - pack
• Wool shirt/jacket (lightweight) - pack
• Marmot Precip raincoat - pack
• Socks (lightweight wool or Coolmax) - pack 2, wear 1
• Shoes - 1 pair (durable, well-broken in - or you’ll regret it)
• Rain hat - crushable, waxed cotton
  
  Toiletries

• Anti-perspirant stick - 1/2 oz.
• Toothpaste - 1 oz.
• Toothbrush
• Razor w/2 blades
• Shaving oil - 1/2 oz. bottle
  
  Laundry
  
  
• Bungee cord clothesline
• Flat universal sink stopper
• Plastic hangers (2) - never enough in the hotel, none in the hostel
• Plastic clothespins (4)
• Softsoap anti-bacterial soap (2 - 2 oz. bottles)
  
• Bottle of Febreze antimicrobial (2 oz. - half-full)
• Sink stopper
  
  Tech
  
  
• Pocket-sized digital camera, charger, 3 memory cards
• iPod shuffle and USB charger
• Noise-cancelling earphones
• Rick Steves AC adapter plug (for dual-voltage camera charger and USB iPod charger)
• LED flashlight
  
  Misc.
  
  
• Moleskine Cahier pocket notebook and pen
• Quart Ziploc bags (2)
• Printed travel info sheets (lighter than guidebooks)
• Reading glasses
  
  
  Optional items for extended climate requirements
  
  
• Wool vest
• Long lightweight poly underwear
• Wool gloves
• Wool hat
• Short-sleeve shirts
  
  Things normal people wouldn’t leave out
  
  
• Shampoo (I prefer to use what I find along the way - variety is good for the hair)
• Hairbursh (I can actually get by with my fingers and I have plenty of hair)
• Sunglasses
  
  Things I should carry but don’t (according to the experts)
  
  
• Bath robe
• Lounge pants (for hotel room)
• Flip-flops
• Sewing kit
• First-aid stuff
  
  Things I may add
  
  
• Small compass
• Moleskine London city notebook
• Short-sleeve travel shirt
• Suction cup hooks to hold clothesline
• Stain remover stick or wipes (for laundry)

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIST SO I CAN SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS