Background: I was reading James Clear’s blog about travelling light, and realized that I was carrying more luggage for a 2 day trip to my parents’ where I was going to be at home almost all the time than he carried for a 12 day international vacation. That’s when I started learning how to pack light.
My Philosophy: Don’t go extreme into this fad, maintain balance. But learn enough to reduce the amount of luggage that I have to carry.
Techniques that I use:
These techniques are going to be more male casual oriented, as clothes differ heavily by gender and by what you prefer wearing. I work in a job where I don’t really need formals, and I am not too much into fashion. But the principles remain the same even if you have a different style.
- Reduce footwear: Unless I’m on official travel or attending a wedding, I force myself to choose one of these 2 — hiking shoes (wintery and hilly vacations) or black running shoes (all other vacations). I’ve bought both hiking shoes (Decathlon MH 100) and black running shoes (Adidas Pure Boost) that look decent even with trousers. Apart from these shoes that I wear in my flights, I carry either rubber chappals, or 1 compact closed footwear to wear indoors. If I am travelling for work, I keep one set of leather shoes in addition to the other footwear.
- In winters, carry thin inner-layers: Carry very thin innermost layers. I have a few black and beige half-sleeve vests, and a few super thin t-shirts that I wear inside other layers. This prevents the outer layers from getting soiled, and the inner layers also serve as nightwear.
- In winters, layer outer-wear: I carry 1 or 2 lightweight outermost layers such as down or fleece. I wear one of these during my travel, so the luggage is reduced. Other than these I keep a lot of thin layers such as inners, shirts, and sweaters, which you can add if its too cold, or wear as standalone. Generally I wear my inner above my innermost t-shirt so that it does not get soiled so soon.
- In summers, find ways to reduce the volume t-shirts and shirts take in the luggage: I first figure out if it’s feasible to use hotel laundry, and if it is feasible, I use it. This is useful when I am travelling on a multi-day work trip. Otherwise I carry a couple that are easy dry and I can wash myself. If there’s no way to reuse shirts, then I try carrying thinner top layers.
- Manage undergarments: In summers, I only carry cotton. The ones I carry during travel I carry underwear and socks that are thinner than the ones I use usually, so they’re easy to dry after washing and easier to pack. In winters, sometimes I do carry some quick-dry type underwear. They dry easier, but they cannot be ironed if they remain wet.
- Reduce Denim: I wear jeans, but apart from that I try to carry lightweight trousers. That helps clothing remain light in summers. In winters trousers can be paired with inner bottoms to add warmth.
- Cut out the clutter: Apart from all of the above, I ask myself before carrying bulky items. Often they’re not required, and just asking yourself that question before packing something extra helps reduce the luggage.
