PACK & TRAVEL CHECKLIST

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A backpack or a roller bag? What is better? The bag weight will make the difference in flight. Wheels add weight. Therefore a backpack is the better option. Which backpack is the best?  My personal favorites are the eBag MotherLoad Weekender or Osprey 50L these bags are both light weight featuring tough exteriors and smart pockets. Another is the PacSafe Bags I started with Gregory Backpack. It was awesome. But I graduated and found other bags that worked better for me.

This will change your life of travel as you know it. Packing Cubes help organize your things. Leave no loose items floating around your bag. It allows you to know where all your things are. From your pants to gadgets and bath items, you will have peace of mind that you have all your things from place to place. When TSA and Security go through your back when you are not there to ensure items don't go missing due to falling out of your bag, the packing cubes help secure all your items in an organized fashion and you will arrive with, we hope, all your things.

Know the weight before you head to the airport.  Travel bag scale for $10 can take the fear and additional bag cost concern out of the travel equation. I prefer to travel stress free the entire way if I can help it!

How many shoes do you bring? How many do you need? I am a hiker so my trail shoes, black Solomons, are on the priority list and are ultra lightweight. I always bring a lightweight flip flop to protect me feet from dirty floors and shower basins. A dress shoe or casual shoe? I try to combine this one. I found a sketcher black low wedge that has covered both and is water tolerant. Waterproof/water-tolerant  is so important when traveling. Your feet are so important and need the best care to ensure a successful adventure with good support, good insoles, comfortable and water tolerant. It's a bonus when they look good and support multi-purpose. When I fly I wear my heaviest of all the pairs to keep my carry-on bag at its lightest weight.

Just as important as your shoes. I have found that wool or silk are the best materials for your feet. Both resist odor and wear well. I carry mostly wool socks of many thicknesses and heights. from Ankle to boot. I carry 6 pairs at the most. 5 is ideal. Wear and rotate daily. try not to wear the same pair consecutively. This allows them to air between wears until you can wash them. I wash mine almost daily and hang to dry overnight. keep them in a mesh cube or mesh synch bag and keep the used ones on the exterior of your bag to keep them aired. Usually this in one or two at a time, as I am washing them as often as I am able.

3-4 pairs is all you will need. I carry mostly black. This way they show less dirt and go with all my tops.  I might bring one pair of jeans. Jeans are heavy, so when I am flying I will wear them to keep my bag at its lightest weight. But when it is super hot you will not want to wear them.  Whe wet they dry slowly. So think twice before you decide to bring jeans. My pants tend to be ultra thin yet durable, travel/trail smart. I hunt of pairs that would look good if I where to go to dinner or be on the trail. Take your time finding the right pair for you.

2-Shorts, 2-Skorts. 3-4 pairs is all you will need. I carry mostly black. This way they show less dirt and go with all my tops.  I might bring one pair of jeans. Jeans are heavy, so when I am flying I will wear them to keep my bag at its lightest weight. But when it is super hot you will not want to wear them.  Whe wet they dry slowly. So think twice before you decide to bring jeans. My pants tend to be ultra thin yet durable, travel/trail smart. I hunt of pairs that would look good if I where to go to dinner or be on the trail. Take your time finding the right pair for you.

Being that I plan hikes and walk the cities for hours on end, I want to have comfortable but nice looking layers. I always pack and travel with layers. 3 active tank tops, 2 color, 1-black. 3 short sleeve, 2 color, 1-black. 2 Long Sleeve, 1-color, 1-black. a few sheer tops to cover a tank from now and then to dress it up. I take one with me in my day bag so that if I choose to go into a nice restaurant or go to the theater I can because I am ready. 

I always have 2 sarongs with me. They are so useful. From a towel to a skirt to a curtain to a wrap. When I was India I used one to go over my head. I covered my shorts and used it as a skirt. I covered my shoulders and a wrap. This way when there is a dress code I can manage.  I also, always have 1-black scarf with me. When its cold I always want to be able to wrap my neck to ensure good health and  a Black scarf can double as a short skirt or wrap as well. 

All my bath gear is specifically selected to be lightweight, super functional and travel friendly. 1 Travel Towel • 1 Quick Dry Washcloth • Dry Bar Shampoo • Dry Bar Conditioner •  Dry Small Bar Soap •  1 Rubber Facial Scrubber • Travel Tooth Powder • Dry Hair Shampoo (travel size) • Foot Fungus • Rubbing Alcohol small spray bottle • Personal Wipes (cut in half) • Tea Tree Oil  • Lavender Oil •  Nail Care Clippers

Mini First Aid Kit • Z-Pak • Antibiotics (7days) • Benadryl Capsules (10) •  IBP (14)