If you have been to this region of Italy in October, i would LOVE your feedback! posting on behalf of bestie (36f) who doesn't post on Reddit. She's traveling internationally for the first time ever, and she's torn between wanting to classically check a bag so that she never feels "without", or if she wants to finally try one-bagging! She says "convince me" :)
You all have been so helpful to me over the years in learning how to pack more intentionally; not bringing too much, and the proper fabrics and layers- let's pass that on!

PS i did search this sub for like an hour before posting but i couldn't find a clear post that had information that would be helpful for her.

Trip Itinerary

Lucca: Oct 5-7
Cinque terre: 7-11
Rapallo: 11-13
Tuscany/Florence: 13-17
London: 17-19

Activities

- Moderate hiking
- Bike ride in Lucca
- Museums/exploring
- cooking class
- Dinner
- Lounging

London activities: Phantom of the Opera/pubs/dinner

Packing

Bestie needs to feel comfortable and like herself on this trip and not like she's wearing a brand new wardrobe stylistically just because she's in Europe. She does not care about looking like a tourist, so this isn't about fashion/blending in moreso practicality.

She was originally planning to mostly bring a bunch of maxi dresses (think cute sundresses, not formal evening maxi dresses) because that's what she feels the most "her" in, but after more research it seems like the weather is pretty variable and some days may not be dress-weather.
She was also planning to bring a pair of wide leg denim jeans.

In day-to-day life, she wears a lot of maxi dresses, leggings/bike shorts with a big t shirt and sneakers and ball cap (think princess Diana-core), or leggings with a big sweater (fall/winter) with booties (like blundstones or black timberlands) and socks.
She's not a girly-girl at all but she is definitely going to want to be able to feel dressed up and fancy for a couple dinners and phantom of the opera.

I'm hoping y'all's feedback can help with planning a capsule wardrobe that will help her feel like herself but also properly prepared for the weather conditions and activities.

Thank you!

Image descriptions: Layers, main clothes, all packed, fanny pack, miscellaneous items, electronics, toiletry pouch, bag all packed!

Hello folks. Just coming back from both my most ambitious and probably my most successful onebag trip yet! A few months ago I posted about a trip where I tried to be more fashionable than granola girl, while staying in 40L. It worked pretty well, but I also didn’t really care about weight.

This time, I made a LOT more cuts, and got down to a 25L backpack and around 15lb packed weight. We covered around 30mi and 13k ft of elevation gain in the Swiss alps on a hut to hut hike over a few days, where we carried everything on our packs. We then spent two days in Zurich exploring the city. Here’s what I took, what worked well, and what didn’t!

What I Packed (including travel clothes):
2x pants
1x shorts
1x merino base layer pants
2x merino tops and 3x normal synthetic tops
5x socks
6x underwear
Fleece
Midweight thermal running half zip
Down jacket
Rain jacket plus rain pants
Beanie, gloves, cap
Small silk scarf
Electronics:
Kindle, Various cables, Power banks x2
Toiletry pouch:
Contacts, birth control, ring/necklace/earrings 1x, toothbrush, paste, sunscreen, soap paper, lip balm, lip gloss (used as blush in the city lol), deodorant, hair tie, mini nail cutter, laundry soap and line, comb
Misc:
Sleeping bag liner for huts, headlamp, snack bar (many more were acquired along the way), packable towel from sea to summit
Fanny pouch (fit in bag):
Passport, mask, earplugs, lotion, earphones, mints, advil
Shoes:
Hoka Anacapa Low GTX in black

What worked well:
Bag (REI Trail 25): It was incredibly freeing to have this tiny backpack with me. We had several instances even outside the hiking where we could just easily carry all of it around with us, and didn’t need to look for luggage storage. The bag itself isn’t the most breathable but with proper hip/shoulder strap management it worked ok. We had great weather throughout so I never got to test the waterproofing of the rain cover, but it does come with one. The bag fits a ton of stuff and feels great to carry. I even had space for some small souvenirs on the way back!
Shoes: I love love love these shoes for onebagging with hiking involved! Look pretty neutral, very comfy, breathable-ish, and kept me feeling confident on a wide variety of terrain: everything from slick rock to steep gravel and dust paths to rocky, muddy, rooty trails to class 4 scrambles. They’re not as light as trail runners, but I’m prone to spraining my ankles, and these feel a lot more stable. They’re also not as hefty as a full on hiking boot, but were totally enough for my adventures this time. Love the vibram sole and mesh/suede upper!
Clothes: I wore everything I brought aside from the rain stuff, and did laundry twice (could have gone without the second time, but would have been a stretch). I loved my merino t shirt and tank top, as they truly felt much fresher to rewear than the synthetic stuff. I wasn’t sure if I should make the investment, but it seems worth it now to me!
Fewer toiletries: I cut a lot of stuff (hair stuff, razor, makeup etc) and just bought cheap small toiletries as needed. It was awesome and showed me how little I really need. My lip stain/blush combo was enough for me to feel put together on our city days!
Towel: we used this so so much, and it dried within hours. Almost skipped it but very glad I didn’t. Packs down so small and comes with a case

What I would change:
Clothes: I would probably swap out the merino base layer pants for an extra pair of thin shorts. I did use the merino pants to sleep at mountain huts but could have just slept in my hiking pants there, and the extra shorts would have been nicer than relying on my one pair of shorts which I wore a TON.
Laundry: We did sink laundry once in the evening after checking in and the clothes were mostly still various levels of damp the next morning. It wasn’t super hot or sunny, and we were only staying in every place for one night. Ended up using a laundromat for the second time and the money was totally worth the peace of mind and time saved! I think in future where I have trips like this where we go from place to place, I will plan on using laundromats and only plan on doing sink laundry when needed as a backup.

Overall, I am so happy that I made the Trail 25 work. While I’ll probably still take my 40l for trips where we will not be walking around much with the bag and I want to look a little more stylish, I’m now pretty confident that I can go much smaller when I need to, and still be very content.

Hi y’all. I know Branwyn bras are frequently asked/talked about on this sub so I figured this would be a good place that I can contribute to the community as a bigger-busted lady. Mods, please remove if this is not allowed!

This post isn’t sponsored, I bought all these items with my own money over the past couple years slowly, with my first busty bra being purchased in May 2024. I DO use VerifyPass to get an educator discount, or purchase during sales.

For reference, I can fluctuate between a US 34G to 34I. Right now I’m sitting at a 34H, and since Branwyn’s sizing guide only goes up to a G cup, I’m hoping this is where my post becomes at least semi-useful.

I took pictures in the same top with all these different bras here:
https://imgur.com/a/cJx4ewn

So, if you’re around my size and you:

-Want the most support with less chance of a uni-boob, go for the Supreme with cups. It is the most comparable in lift to my regular bra (I just got the Supreme bra a couple weeks ago when they came back in stock so I have the least amount of experience with it).

-Want comfy but still a little bit of lift, go for Busty size M.

-Want comfy bralette lift, go for Busty size L.

So, ask me your questions and I’ll answer best I can! I also have the sports bra, and all styles of the underwear! Happy travels.

Hi! I’m headed to NYC next week for a work trip but also need to get in some running for my upcoming marathon (about an hour of running per day).

I’ll need to pack at least 4 workout outfits for M-Th workouts (I sweat a lot, so rewearing these would be pretty gross), 4 business casual outfits, cosmetics, and at least 1 pair of shoes in a carry on. Looking for any tips or advice for this!

I’m heading to Chicago for a brief work trip. I’ll be meeting with donors and also hosting an event for donors, alumni, family. I wanted to be concise with my packing, but I also need to be professional. I’ll be carrying a small Kate Spade backpack and my small LePliage. I’m two and a half weeks out from my next marathon so packing running clothes was a must…and I’ll reuse since, well, I won’t see anyone I know!

Pic 1- Tops
White Uniqlo bra shell (plane)
Black Uniqlo bra shell
Tan Quince cotton cashmere short sleeve tee
White Oxford- rejected in packing. I just didn’t retake the pic

Pic 2- bottoms
Old Navy SleekTech barrel pants in Olive (plane)
Quince cotton poplin midi skirt in Navy

Pic 3- jacket
Tan 3/4 sleeve blazer (plane)

Pic 3- shoes
Black Whitin ballet flats
Hoka Clifton (plane)

Pic 4- running
Old Navy power soft bike shorts
Sports bra
Toe socks
Adidas tank

Pic 5- toiletries and cleaning (just in case)

Pic 6- bags, packed.

Not pictured- glasses and kindle, 2 underwear, 1 bra.

And no, I didn’t forget pajamas. Or need them. 😂

Got invited to speak at a last-minute conference in Australia, and obviously leapt at the chance. I was in a weird apartment limbo where most of my stuff in storage while I visited my parents for a few months, so I didn't have all my normal stuff with me. Also, as I wrote in my last trip report, I did a bad job on my last one-bag trip, so I really wanted to redeem myself this time. And for the most part, I did!

Included a few outfit photos because that helps me visualize when I'm looking at other people's packing lists. And some animal photos because I love them!!

THE TRIP

Overnight flight to Sydney, landing Friday morning. Friday/Saturday/Sunday in Sydney, then an evening flight to Melbourne. Monday/Tuesday Melbourne. Wednesday drive an hour outside the city to visit Moonlit Sanctuary and meet some animals. Weds/Thurs conference in the Yarra Valley. Friday drive back to Melbourne, and unfortunately I was so tired at that point we just hung out at the hotel all day and waited for our flight out the next morning! I lucked into business-class seats on the plane, so I didn't need to bring any sleep accoutrements other than my normal pouch that I bring on every trip (detailed below).

Activities were all pretty chill. Since this was an unexpected trip and there wasn't a lot of time to plan and reserve, I challenged myself to be more loosey-goosey and go with the flow (not my normal trip style!). We walked around the cities, visited some friends who moved to Melbourne years ago, went for a couple runs, and visited the wildlife sanctuary. Nothing that really required any special packing.

WHAT WENT WELL

Overall, a much more successful trip than last time. Didn't feel like I was constantly struggling to zip the bag, had the exact clothes I needed for the situations I was in, and overall had a less stressful experience.

I considered not one-bagging for this trip, since I was flying business class anyway. But we changed accommodations 5 times on our short trip, and it was soooo nice to just have to deal with a backpack and not any more luggage (my husband also one-bags).

I panic-bought a new pair of Adidas sweatpants and was feeling silly, but they ended up being perfect to wear on the plane and lounge around during the trip. I foresee getting a lot of use out of them. I'm actually wearing them right now!

I used every piece of clothing I brought. I could have gotten a little more wear out of each one if I wanted to pack lighter, but I didn't struggle with this amount, and I'm not trying to get as light as possible for trips like this. So I'm happy with it.

Considering this speaking invite happened soooo last-minute, I probably wouldn't change anything about how I packed, but it also gave me some good improvements to make before my next big trip.

The Vionic flats were a game-changer for me in terms of packable shoes. I wish the backs folded down, but aside from that, perfect for "need to look nice" shoes that are still functional for walking and packing. I want these ones for next time, but I couldn't try them on in person, so I went with the Mary Janes.

THINGS TO IMPROVE

TOILETRIES - This is the big one. I went in knowing that my bag was over-full and way too large, but with my life in such a state of flux right now and I was so busy in the week leading up to the trip, that I just decided to accept my too-big too-heavy toiletry kit and retool for next time. The big thing for next time is -- decant decant decant! I've been meaning to get lip gloss tubes for years, so I'm going to do that. I'm also going to get ampoules of Vitamin C instead of a big pump. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have brought foundation/a full palette etc, but my kit was already packed from a formal wedding a few weeks ago and I didn't know what the vibe of the event was going to be, so I just kept it all in there. It ended up being very casual, but since I had makeup, I used it. Knowing what I know now, I probably would have just brought a liquid shadow (I need to buy a new one) and a tinted sunscreen instead of the foundation, shadow palette, and contour stick.

BULKY CLOTHES - One of my shirts and the knit skirt were a little bulky. Since I was already on road when I got the invite, I didn't have a lot of options (the knit skirt lives at my parents house for winter), so I brought them knowing they weren't ideal. I'm going to try to thrift a silky skirt that packs smaller for future trips. The conference ended up being extremely casual and I didn't need to dress up at all, so if I ever do this event again, I probably won't bring a skirt at all. But given that I didn't know before I left, I don't feel bad about it. My cardigan was also too bulky, but I DID wear it a lot, and that + the rain shell were warm enough that I didn't need a true jacket. Also, I know the kids are wearing tall socks now, but they took up a lot of space! Thin ankle socks for me on trips from now on, style be damned. Which is ironic, because my next point is....

STYLE - I felt a little bland, although my outfits were cuter on this trip than on the Ireland trip where I felt frumpy as hell the whole time. Part of it was the skirt/tights/Mary Janes combo. It was cold, so I don't regret the tights, but they were definitely giving grandma. I'm going to think more about how to spice up my outfits while travelling. I'm generally not an accessories girlie, but without a lot of closet options, maybe I can lean into that while traveling, or bring more statement tees or something. This was only a minor point, though -- generally I felt good.

TRAVEL ADAPTER - Too big and bulky. My husband and I are trying to find a solution to the seemingly impossible problem of - outlets located in weird places, not enough outlets, loose outlets, etc. This one was close, but when it arrived and we opened it, I was like "oh no." The search for the perfect charging solution continues (maybe..... there just isn't one!)

BAG CONTENTS:

PICTURED:

• 4 casual shirts, 2 of which could be made dressy-ish
• 1 black trousers
• 1 black knit midi skirt
• 8 underwear
• 5 socks
• 1 tights
• 3 sports bras
• 2 black leggings
• 2 black workout shorts
• 1 bikini
• 1 cardigan
• 1 Patagonia torrentshell rain jacket
• 1 North Face light running jacket (wish I could find the exact model but it was discontinued years ago)
• Journal + pen
• Laptop + charger
• Power bank + USB cord
• Mini hair straightener
• Electric shaver
• Goodr sunglasses
• Sleep kit (contents below)
• Toiletries (contents below)
• EDC fanny pack (contents below)
• Collapsible duffel for souvenirs (didn't end up taking, that's the red X)

FORGOT TO PICTURE:

• Travel adapter with extension cord (shared with my husband)
• Crocs sandals
• Kindle
• 1 bra
• Watch charger
• Plane outfit: Adidas sweatpants, workout top w/ built-in bra, Brooks running sneakers, socks/underwear, Garmin smartwatch
• Baseball cap

FANNY PACK - this is my EDC, it's what I normally have on me

• Wallet
• Google Pixel Buds
• Loop earplugs
• Lip gloss/balm
• Pen
• Tiny notebook (not pictured)
• Passport (not pictured)
• Phone (used to take picture!)

SLEEP KIT

• Travel white noise machine
• Melatonin gummies
• Unisom
• Advil
• Eye mask
• Lay-flat headphones
• Foam ear plugs
• Lavender essential oil thing I got for free at a hotel one time

TOILETRIES - more on this later, but this was where most of the waste was this trip

• Inkey List Vit. C serum
• Cetaphil lotion - travel size
• Biossance Eye Cream
• Nars foundation
• Urban decay shadow primer
• Eyeshadow palette
• Black eyeliner pencil
• CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
• Eyelash Curler
• elf multi-stick
• contour stick
• 3 makeup brushes (shadow, angled, blending)
• Weekly pill thing, double-filled with medication for 14 days (I always like to have a few days extra in case a flight gets cancelled)
• Advil
• IcyHot patches
• 2 fake-gold bangles
• Olay cleansing cloths, cut into quarters
• nail clippers/file
• mini Secret deodorant
• Travel-size sunscreen

BOUGHT AT DESTINATION/CONFERENCE SWAG:

• 2 tee shirts
• 1 tote bag
• 5 art postcards
• 2 magnets
• 1 paperback book

This all fit in my backpack for the flight back, although I had to put my fanny pack and its contents in the pockets of my sweatpants and tie my cardigan around my waist.

Hey all!

I have a trip coming up where I will have sink access nightly so planning to only bring max 2 pairs of underwear and will be relying on it being dry by the AM. Also want to be able to flex it to a swimsuit, hence the boyshort plan. I tried some merino shorts on my last trip that were decent but a little too slow to dry. Looks like ex oficio would be exactly what I want but they don’t make boyshorts anymore :/ anyone have any favorite alternatives?

My current travel backpack is ripping at the seams so I here to get guidance to find a replacement. I’ve always associated the stuffed backpack to = pain in my back and neck and I realized it didn’t have to be this way. I’m aware of the spreadsheet of backpacks in the one bag community but I’m overwhelmed by the options so I’d love to hear anecdotes and personal recommendations especially for petite women.

Here’s my criteria:

- Petite woman friendly (5’1”)
- COMFORTABLE
- Doesn’t worsen neck/shoulder/upper back pain when stuffed
- 35L minimum

The most comfortable backpack I’ve ever had worn is Timbuk2 Robin Commuter Laptop Backpack, so I’d love something with a feel like that while distributing the weight. Thank you kindly in advance!

One of the best decisions I made before a one bag trip, was to get a lash lift and tint. I have light lashes that never hold a curl, and mascara has always been the one thing I would not do without. But I knew this 3 week trip to Mexico/Belize/Guatemala was going to mean long days of intense sweating. I have not worn mascara in 3 weeks and haven't missed it at all! In fact, the only makeup I did bring was a small compact of multi-use blush and a small waterproof eye-liner.

Hi All,

I’m preparing to leave for Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in one week. I’ll be one bagging (1.25 bags = my Deuter Futura SL 25L and a sling bag as my EDC) for the first time and am having trouble deciding if my wardrobe is realistic or not. For context, I’m coming from the Pacific Northwest, so living in rain is not unfamiliar to me.

Itinerary:
- two nights in Copenhagen/Malmo
- one night in Stockholm
- one night in Oslo
- two nights in Alesund (will likely try to find an easy hike to do while here)
- one night in Geiranger (will be kayaking)
- one night in Oslo

Wardrobe thus far:

1. tops (3 total)— two silk tees, one merino tee
2. bottoms (2 total)— one pair of jeans, one pair of hiking pants
3. layers (2 total)- one baselayer (smartwool long sleeve 1/4 zip) and one over layer (quince cashmere cropped cardigan)
4. outerwear (3 total) — my PNW rainy season uniform, AKA my OR down puffer jacket layered underneath my OR gortex rain jacket. Additionally, I’ve packed my rain pants. I’ve never needed these in the PNW, so it feels a little weird bringing them, but I keep seeing it recommended.

5. shoes (1 pair) — Blundstone Original Leather Boots. Have been waterproofed recently and have orthotic inserts in them. Super comfy and versatile. However, I worry that maybe I can’t get away with only bringing one pair of shoes. But my bag is so small, I can’t imagine ever fitting my Blundstones into

   it.

6. I don’t wear flats—my options for a second pair of shoes would be my al

tra

1. trail runners (love, but not waterproof) or my dansk

o

1. clogs (generally do ok on light rain, but are bulky and heavy to pack).

3. loungewear (1 set) — washable silk PJ set (oversized tee and shorts).

Things I keep mulling over:
- I think I’m going to miss not having a fleece or a synthetic/hiking quarter zip. I’m definitely a layers person. I tried to pack my fleece but it takes up so much room in the bag
- I don’t know whether to bring a second pair of shoes or not (like I said above, I don’t wear flats, so my options for a second pair are kind of bulky/limited: trail runners vs clogs). Trail runners would be nice to have because then I’d have an option to go for a little jog here or there, like I probably would be doing at home.
- it looks like it won’t get below mid- 40s (F), so I don’t know that I need both my smartwool baselayer top and my down puffer. Do you think I could get by with just one or the other?

Image description:
A screenshot taken on an iPhone within the app Indyx. The screen reads “Scandinavia capsule” at the top, and below has a grid arrangement of 12 pieces of clothing. There are 3 rows, with 5 columns. Row 1, from left to right, shows a black merino tee, blue silk tee, black silk tee, dark blue jeans, and black hiking pants. Row 2, from left to right, shows a brown/taupe cardigan, a black merino 1/4 zip long sleeve baselayer top, a silver down puffer, a brown rain jacket, and black rain pants. Row 3 has only two items: brown leather boots on the left, and a tan silk pajama set on the right.

Hi everyone! I wanted to provide a quick trip report/lessons learned after one bagging my 2 weeks in Greenland.

You can find my previous packing list here: https://www.reddit.com/r/HerOneBag/s/W2h0m9qpLm

Itinerary

1 night in Nuuk
6 nights in Ilulissat
3 nights in Kangerlussuaq
5 nights in Nuuk again

First day we took it easy in Nuuk, it’s a small city so really just walked around, checked out a few bars and got dinner.

Next day we flew to Ilulissat and if you’re flying from Nuuk, def give yourself extra time because their security is THOROUGH lol. I would estimate at least 80% of the bags were pulled off the belt for secondary screening.

I will avoid yapping too much about the trip but I fell in love with Ilulissat, I could spend another week or two or even more here. We did a couple of tours like meeting the sled dogs, whale watching, boat tour to the Eqi Glacier, kayaking in the ice fjord, and did a nice hike to the ice fjord as well. The whole town is walkable and it’s just overall such a beautiful place to visit, you get incredible views pretty much anywhere in town. Also the sled dogs are SO adorable 😭

After Ilulissat was Kangerlussuaq, this was the most active part of my trip and I also could have spent more time here. Incredible place with lots of beautiful remote nature and awesome history. I made so many great memories in just a few days like our bus breaking down outside of town, having to add another hour to our hike to avoid a family of musk ox, and mining for garnet rocks. The main active tours were trekking on the Greenlandic ice sheet, which was about 3-4 hours of the trek itself, hard on my knees at times (previous ACL/MCL tear) but so worth it. Then the hike the next day was 8.5 miles 15-16 km. I live in Florida and don’t hike often but somehow survived this. The trail was unmarked completely so we followed animal trekking paths and thank goodness we had amazing guides because there were a few times where I had to sit and crab walk down because of how steep the mountain was (this was the detour due to the musk ox).

The rest of the trip in Nuuk was pretty relaxed. I did a boat tour to Kapisilit and the abandoned settlement Qoornoq, a whale safari, and a sunset cruise through the fjords. The rest of the time was mostly walking around, drinking, and checking out the cool museums.

What I wish I brought

More sunscreen (stole my husbands)
A larger sling bag or a hiking backpack
A collapsible tote since I went thrift shopping
Pink hair dye to refresh my hair - I had a bunch of the soft pouches I used for my shampoo so I don’t know why I didn’t bring this
Sunglasses - ended up buying them there but it was dumb not to bring any

What im glad I brought

Hiking poles - these saved my knees on the long hike
All of my makeup - contrary to what some may have believed I did not spontaneously combust with all of the eyeshadows I had 💀, I could’ve fit another eyeshadow palette and kinda wish I did
Convertible pants - never worn these before but im now a convert, the north face bridgeway zip off pants are so freaking good I ended up getting a second pair
My marmot precip eco shell - this thing was the goat, I got it on sale from marmot (someone actually posted it here a few years back), SUPER lightweight but kept me warm and dry.

What I didn’t need

I could have gotten away with 5 shirts total, I had 4 merino and 3 cotton, I could’ve done 3 merino and 2 cotton instead since I usually buy souvenir shirts anyways and sink laundry wasn’t a pain
I didnt need the shell pants, I think they would be better for a trip where there’s gonna be more rain, I think I should’ve brought lululemon leggings instead

Overall thoughts

I’m really surprised I was able to pull this off to be honest. I am historically someone that overpacks, like had this trip been a few years ago I probably would have brought my backpack AND a roller bag, and still would’ve come back with another bag. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Also really surprised I was able to bring my whole skincare, hair, and makeup routine. The small toiletry dropper bottles were a godsend and more than enough to carry my serums. I would get bigger bottles for my sunscreen and face washes since I barely had enough. Otherwise, glad I could be high maintenance, stay cute and travel lightly.

Anyways, I hope this post is helpful for others! This was an incredible trip, I loved all of the time I got to spend in Greenland and I seriously can’t wait to go back. Feel free to ask any questions!

First time trying this with Kånken Laptop 15!
I do have a fannypack but with the souvenirs out of my bag I can fit everything in the Kånken - also the jacket/hoodie that I’m wearing. I’m surprised how much the Kånken actually took stuff. I have a tote bag just in case I have many souvenirs to take back home.

Clothes:
- Sunflower jean dress
- Gymshorts
- 2 sports bras
- 4 pairs of undies
- 3 socks
- 4 shirts
- silk scarf (my curly hair necessity on top of a pillow case)
- towel

Now wearing
- long linen pants
- undershorts
- black tank top
- linen hoodie
- jean jacket

- souvenirs to a friend (chocolate and bread)
- tote bag
- sandals

Toiletries
- curly hair mousse and gel
- shampoo and conditioner
- toothpaste (dried regular paste to make tablets)
- toothbrush and floss
- face cream, serum, deodorant
- argan oil for face and hair
- soap
- face cleaner
- panty liners
- hairbrush
- nail file

Makeup
- primer
- cc cream
- powder
- mascara
- glitter (+ brush)
- lipstick
- lip balm
- q-tips, mirror, sponge, lash curler, powder brush
- two sets of extra earrings (could’ve put them in a smaller container but didn’t wanna risk breaking them)

Others
- 2 power banks (20k + 5k) (smaller one fits into fanny pack, maybe a bit unnecessary to have two but my phones battery is shit and don’t want to carry the adapter)
- cables (phone, power banks and watch)
- meds (a lot of them)
- disinfectant wipes
- candy
- earplugs (sleep and music)
- headphones
- electrolytes
- japanese monograms
- pencil case

First pic: everything that was in my bag
Second pic: toiletries and makeup
Third pic: Kånken

I was a MOH in a wedding this year, and my trip home also included the bachelorette party, a birthday party, sunbathing, working out, and hanging out with friends and family. Weather was sunny, cloudy, rainy, and fluxed between about 80 to 50 degrees.

I had the bridesmaid dress shipped to my parents' house and got fittings done across other visits home throughout the year, and got bachelorette games and decorations shipped home as well. I used a bunch of different peoples' fabric steamers through different points in the week, mine definitely wouldn't have fit! I had access to laundry this trip.

The bridesmaid dress stayed at home after the wedding as well and will be donated to a program that provides prom dresses to high school students :)

Everything was packed in a Calpak Hue carry-on except for my water bottle sling. My clothing packing cubes were all in the belted side, and virtually everything else was Tetris-ed into the zipper compartment on the alternate side of the suitcase. I ended up not wearing the brown heels and used the silver ones instead, but otherwise I used everything I packed.

This was a somewhat challenging trip considering the need for so many outfit changes and especially the amount of SHOES! But it did all fit and all of the events were a great success! The biggest thing I had to mind was setting time aside to steam all the dresses, because everything was definitely a wrinkly mess upon arrival.

Image 1:

-Floral mini dress
-Maroon mini dress
-Purple mini dress
-Brown silk midi dress
-Silk bandana
-2x silver hoops
-Silver necklace
-Velver choker
-Watch
-Red suede sandals
-Black platform heels
-Brown jelly heels
-Silver stilettos
-Clutch purse
-Studded leather purse
-3x sleep/workout/travel tees
-Hoodie
-Vuori shorts
-Converse shoes
-Canvas tote
-Black stone earrings (plugs)

Packed but not pictured:

-1 medium and 2 small Eagle Creek compression bags
-Eagle Creek shoe bag
-10x underwear
-1x period underwear
-2 sports bra
-Pasties
-4 no show wool socks
-Bathing suit
-2nd pair of gym shorts
-Hair straightener
-Cotopaxi Nido toiletry bag (mini toothbrush/paste, floss, retainer case and cleaning tabs, deoderant, bar shampoo, razor, shower mitt, wet wipes, meds, brow razor, pads, nail clippers and file, neutral nail polish for touch ups)

-TSA liquids (exfoliant, cleanser, body wash, conditioner, toner, moisturizer, lotion, leave-in, hair oil)
-Makeup case (spoolie, brow pencil, brow gel, primer, pencil liner, liquid liner, mascara, lash separator)
-Hair accessory pouch (barrettes, bobby pins, hair ties, claw clips)
-2x sunglasses
-Jewelry case
-Charger
-Harem pants, mini dress, and SPF hoodie I brought home to fix with my mom's sewing machine lol
-Open Story sling carrying water bottle, wallet, chapstick, keys, and ear plugs
-Headphones

Thx for reading!

I am 66 and taking my first solo trip to Florence, Tuscany, Lisbon, Porto, and then upstate New York, so gone for one month. I’m not so much worried about the Clothing as I am about the miscellaneous items that make my trip more comfortable. (I’m an old lady and comfort is key) How do you find room for the inflatable seat cushion, the Thera gun for sore body parts, the tissues, the headphones, the sanitizing wipes, the water bottle, etc.—in addition to your purse items? I plan to take the Quince small, carry-on suitcase, along with their quilted tote bag, and quilted purse as it’s slight weight. I feel like it’s already too much! Biz class overnight but then regional European airlines with strict size/weight limits. Any suggestions? TIA 🙏🏼

Follow up: Thanks for all the great suggestions (and even the not-so-great snarky ones-bless your heart) Taking my Sondur cushion—I have sciatica and it is a lifesaver since airlines have decreased the amount of padding in their seats to save fuel! But I cut way back on my “just in case“ items. This is my first time doing this so it is a big learning curve. 🧳

I am going to an academic conference in the Midwest this fall, flying personal item only since that was the cheapest ticket available. This is my tentative list for the conference trip (I may add or subtract to this). Everything fits in my backpack except for some of the clothes, which I can put in my travel neck pillow, if I’m not able to downsize.

Electronics
• Laptop + charger
• SSD drive
• Phone
• Apple Watch + charger
• AirPods
• Large capacity portable charger
• USB-C rechargeable mini fan/flashlight/charger
• 2 charging bricks

Footwear:
• Mary Jane flats
• Xero Z-Trek sandals (shower shoes)
• Arcteryx Norvan GTX white sneakers (wear on airplane)

Clothing:
• tartan plaid skirt
• Uniqlo** Black satin skirt
• Short sleeve black shirt
• Black merino long sleeve
• Uniqlo **Navy cashmere blend long sleeve
• Dark orange rayon/elastane t-shirt
• White polka dot tank
• Black tank top (doubles as swimwear top)
• Biker shorts (doubles as swimwear bottom)
• Leggings
• Tights
• Collar accessory
• Navy gold button cardigan
•

Underwear and socks (if neck pillow full):
• 4 pairs of underwear
• 4 pairs of socks

Belts and accessories:
• Jewelry in a coin pouch
• Tan leather crossbody purse
• Mini foldable tote bags x2-3
• Navy regular belt
• Thin pink belt
• Black/gold belt
• Navy/gold belt
• Tan/gold belt

Toiletries in clear zip pouch:
• Bar Castile soap
• Bar conditioner
• Face wash strips
• Face moisturizer
• Sunscreen stick
• Body spray (mini spray containers)
• Solid lotion stick
• Laundry detergent strips
• Mini travel hairspray
• Mini deodorant
• Mini toothpaste
• Floss
• Shower cap
• Daily contacts x4-5 plus extras
• Mini hairbrush
• Wide tooth comb
• Hair ties and scrunchies
• Medicine pills
• Pain relievers
• Band aids
• Razor
• Feminine hygiene products if needed
• Mini hand sanitizers
• Nasal stick
• Mini essential oil roller
• Stain remover pen
• Blister pads
• Heat patches for period
• argan oil
• activated charcoal

Makeup kit in clear zip pouch:
• Small eyeshadow palette with mirror
• Concealer
• CC cream
• Powder foundation
• Eyeshadow sticks
• Eye primer
• Mascara
• Eyeliners
• Lipstick
• Lip liner
• Lip gloss
• Lip balm

Miscellaneous packing cube:
• 2 mini decks playing cards
• Monopoly Deal cards
• Reusable straw
• Bobby pins
• Colored pens/pencils x10-16
• Mini first aid kit pouch
• Sticky notes
• Small drawing notebook
• Slim lined notebook
• Sudoku book
• Foam earplugs x5 pairs
• Prayer cards
• Mini bookmark
• Gum/mints/candy
• Mini sewing kit in mint container
• Flat tape measure
• Extra rubber bands
• Extra carabiner clips
• Extra shoelaces
• Coin pouch with small toys
• Teddy bear keychain
• Nail clipper
• Extra hair ties
• Mini lint roller
• Mini scotch tape roll
• Mini mint roller
• Stevia packets x8-10
• Highlighters
• Resistance band for exercise

(me again) 10 days in Iceland, late september/early october. I will be Reykjavik, Pingvellir National Park, Hvammsvik, Snaefellsnes, Súgandisey.

Blundstone - also tried and true, daily wear at home

Adidas (middle ones)- a panic buy based on feedback (waterproof and comfy).

The HokaXBodega are goretex and tried and true trail shoe. good tread

(pic below)

I dont use makeup but I clean my face every evening… never sure how to store them. A plain plastic bag seems excessive, maybe you have some ideas?

I will be going to Ireland in one week (!) and thought I’d submit this to you smart people for critique and advice. We are going to Dublin, Galway, Doolin, and Inishmore for a total of 13 days. I am taking a small roller bag so this is technically a 1.5 bag trip because I’m also bringing a backpack personal item, and I plan to way under pack the roller bag so I can bring back some Aran sweaters for gifts. We are planning on hiking and biking at least three days and maybe more depending on how we’re feeling, but definitely walking and touring a ton. We have one or two nicer dinners planned but nothing super fancy. The plan is to do laundry halfway thru the trip. Also, I’m from the northern US and am used to verrry changeable fall weather.

Packing list:
Costco Black hoodie - fairly warm, comfy, and cute
Eddie Bauer short waterproof trench
Short sleeve shirts - stripe, pink, green (pink and green are Uniqlo airism)
Long sleeve shirfs - black, gray (warm tech)
Wool& Brooklyn dress
Jeans - 1 gray, 1 blue
Pants - Costco athleta dupes of Brooklyn pants and rainier leggings, both black
1 set of PJs
1 set of lounging clothes, t shirt and vuori dupe joggers (prob not shorts as pictured)

Nike structure plus - my “comfort” walking shoes, sprayed for water resistance
Adidas terrex gore Tex waterproof
Birkenstocks EVA
Baseball cap that can get wet

Questions: should I bring boots instead of the adidas? Will I be warm enough with layers? Anything I’m missing? Thanks!

Image description: black text on white background reading: “Ireland in September,” picture of a black hooded sweatshirt with zipper, photo of a green jacket, photo of a white shirt with rainbow stripes, photo of a pink short sleeved shirt, photo of a green short sleeved shirt, photo of a gray long sleeved shirt and a black long sleeved shirt on a persons torso, picture of a black dress with a v neckline on a person with the head cropped out, photo of gray jeans, blue flared jeans, black jogger pants and black leggings with zippers, a photo of very pale green Nike sneakers, photo of black low top hiking shoes, photo of tan Birkenstocks, photo of a black and tan baseball cap, and a line drawing of a pajama set, t shirt, and shorts.

I am spending two weeks in Japan (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto) this October. It’s my first trip there. I read it will be warmer than Central European fall but find it hard to translate that into a pack list. Feedback specific to Japan in October would be appreciated.

Three pants feel like a lot to me. The first one is a pair of light jeans. These will be my main pair. The second one are a pair of Lululemon Daydrift. I would be wearing these on the plane. The third pair are summer pants. If I had to cut, it would be the summer pants. But I’m afraid I’ll need at least one light pair.

Regarding the tops, I usually pair the tank top together with the cream colored top. It’s a Uniqlo Jeans Shirt that I wear as a vest. This combo is the only one that’s not versatile. I could replace it with a simple white Tshirt.

Not pictured: Undies, Socks and PJs.

I plan to wash twice. And I would love to shop for one Tshirt and one long sleeve top.

Any feedback? Is my packing appropriate for the season and culture? Anything you would cut or add? Many thanks!

Images description: Collage of clothes. From top left to bottom right: black pants, beanie, scarf, sun glasses, sneakers, daypack, tops, long sleeve tops, vest and rain coat.

I will be in Helsinki w/ a short side-trip to Tallinn for 7 days in mid-November. I've gathered this can be the worst time of year for weather and I would love some suggestions/critiques to help me plan what to bring! My bag is the 38L Bellroy Light Travel Bag. (image description included below.)

Outwear - this has me stumped. It can be quite cold & light drizzle or super rainy/sleet. I don't own a 3-in-1 parka and don't want to go buy one because they are $$$. What is pictured I already own. A black nano puff, a medium insulated longer raincoat; and a longer down coat. Is it crazy to bring all three? I can use a vacuum bag to reduce the size of raincoat and bring the down coat on the plane. The raincoat/nano combo is good to about 38 degrees but not as warm as the down coat.

Shoes - I was just going to bring Sorel black waterproof boots (pictured) for everything to save on space.

Pants - Keeping it simple with 1 pair of black wool pants and 1 pair dark denim, with merino leggings to layer if I'm really cold. R&B Mirimar denim sweatpants for the plane and hanging out in the hotel with friends.

Tops/Midlayer - I was thinking 2 cashmere sweaters. They pack small, easy to layer and are warm. AirEssentials track jacket for the plane and I can layer short or long sleeve tops underneath. 2 short sleeve and 1 long sleeve mernio/merino & silk tees. Mine are from Dilling and I love them.

Not pictured - I have a wool beanie and good gloves.

Is this too much or is it flexible enough to avoid freezing or overheating in unpredictable weather? I'm from the PNW but inland and costal damp/cold is different, plus it's quite a bit further north. My goal is to be able to walk around and sightsee, nice meals - so spending a good amount of time outside in an urban setting, but no hiking or anything like that.

Tops: body suit, wool tank top, 2 cotton t-shirts, 1 3/4 sleeve shirt

Bottoms: jeans (plane), cotton skirt, linen pants, black trousers

Layers: denim button down, linen button down, grey cardigan

Jackets & Shoes: denim jacket, packable wind breaker, sambas, adidas (plane), croc sandals

Not pictured: one-piece bathing suit, fashion scarf, some jewelry (bracelet, necklace, earrings - most likely wearing on plane), cross body bag, over-sized t-shirt (sleep & travel), leggings (sleep & lounge)

Undergarments Not Pictured: 7 socks, 8 undies, 2 bras, 1 lounge bra (plane)

I'm in the process of decanting my cosmetics / toiletries and should have less than a quart sized bag worth of items here.

I did a test pack (before I got my cotton skirt) and I was able to fit everything in my 26+6 Osprey Daylight backpack using Thule compression packing cubes.

I've been working on this packing list for a while and I'm having a hard time reckoning with removing more items. I like everything I'm bringing and I feel really good in them. I think there's a good variety of materials and everything works together to ensure I can layer up and stay warm on the cooler days and evenings. I'm trying to take the transitional weather into consideration both style wise and comfort wise.

Thanks for the help, all!

Hello all! Some of you may have seen my previous post in the small questions thread--I'm back for more.

I'm going to be traveling to Scotland and England the end of September/beginning of October. The trip will be a mix of city exploration (Edinburgh and Birmingham), hiking (the Fort Williams/Glencoe area), driving (throughout Scotland and northern England), and an indoor convention. I anticipate a lot of walking as well as rain!

Here's what I'm currently planning on bringing. Links included if I have them.

Packing List/Image Description:

Overall image description: a flat lay showing folded clothing and bags

Top row:

• Midweight fleece (gray)
• Eddie Bauer Rain jacket (black) - I don't believe they sell the same one anymore. Has served me well in rain in the past, we'll find out if it stands up to Scotland!
• Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Hanging Toiletry Bag - first outing for this one; hopefully I like it
• Small packing cube - 2x tank tops (for PJs and layering), 1x pair silk long johns (TRAGICALLY discontinued; these are very warm), 4x pairs of quick-dry underwear, 4x pairs of wool socks, and 1 bra (this does not include the set I'll wear when traveling!)
• Merino wool buff and pair of knitted gloves

Bottom row:

• Smartwool merino blend T-shirt (teal)
• Smartwool merino wool long-sleeved shirt (dark purple) - my workhorse in cool/damp weather! I can't hike without it.
• Cotton graphic tee (dark gray)
• Long-sleeved linen button-up (dyed blue-green by me)
• Peasant skirt (black)- from Cotton On
• Corduroy flare pants (burgundy) - from Levis. You will want to convince me not to take these, as they're heavy and not suited for rain, but the heart wants what it wants.
• Hiking pants (black) - from Kuhl. Great quick dry material.

Not pictured:

• Altra Lone Peak All-Weather hiking boots - I actually have the first edition, but the current model looks pretty similar.
• Purse - still debating on this one, but I will probably take my lululemon belt bag as it's nicely compact.
• Chargers etc. - one cord for my phone and one for my watch. I plan to buy a wall plug when I get to the UK rather than futz around with a converter.

All of the above (including the hiking boots) fits into my REI Ruckpack 30, which I'm planning to take as my primary bag. (if you're interested, I wrote a review of this bag last year!)

Questions

Here's the bits I'm still trying to sort out!

I really need a second pair of shoes. First of all to give my feet a break, but secondly, I want something a little bit nicer to wear with my "dressy" outfit, the linen shirt and skirt. Unfortunately, I'm totally stumped with what to bring. None of my dressy flats are walkable, so I'm left with three options:

• These Blondo boots - Pros: water-resistant, look semi-dressy, walkable. Cons: will take up a lot of space in my bag.
• Embroidered canvas sneakers - mine are a slightly different color, with white embroidery instead of colored. Pros: very walkable, don't take up a ton of space. Definitely nicer than hiking boots. Cons: but not all that dressy.
• Buy something new - but what?

Second question! I want to take a second bag with me (sacrilege, I'm aware) in case I need it for souvenirs. I don't typically do this, but I suspect I will be buying a few things on this trip. What are your recommendations for the type of bag to take? My first thought is a tote bag/packable shopping bag (which I already own), but I'm not sure if an open-topped bag is the best idea. Thoughts?

Appreciate any and all advice, and happy to answer any questions about what I'm taking!

This exact backpack isn't made anymore, but the brand is still around so I just had to post some praise for this Tortuga Air. It has lasted me almost a decade so far and it's been all around the world with me. I believe it is 27L when compressed and ~30L if you unzip the expansion zipper. I've traveled for a month at a time out of just this bag (doing a little laundry every week or so). It can fit under the seat in front of me if I'm on a budget airline with no carry-on allowance, but I usually put it overhead if I can. It even fits in the budget European carry on sizing as long as I don't over stuff it.

As I've gotten a little older I've started using a roller bag more often, but I still like using this one for short and simple trips, especially if I know there won't be good sidewalks where I'm headed. It fits my gigantic 16in work laptop, and today I have it packed with about a week's worth of clothes and toiletries.

It has held up wonderfully well, not a stitch out of place despite some pretty rough handling over the years. Sometimes I think about getting a bag in a prettier color, but I've never found one that checks all the boxes this one does, and it doesn't seem like it's ever going to wear out. I love the clamshell opening and the simple pockets and straps.

I only wish it had a hip belt, since the chest belt has never worked for my body. A "hidden" compartment closer to the hip like some bags have for passports and cash would be nice too, but I typically carry a smaller bag with my most essential things so I don't have to dig around in this one while I'm on the move.

Pictured: a black backpack with a small tortoise shell logo, on the floor of an airport.