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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how on earth people pack light?!

412 replies

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 11/08/2024 17:44

Travelling to the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix in ten days or so

We (stupidly) booked to travel hand luggage only and I just don't understand how it's possible! The amount of things you need, I'll be due on my period that weekend too so need to take extra bits for that as well. I know everyone's answer will be "just take less clothes" but it all seems to accumulate - shorts, t-shirts, a dress or two for if we want to go out in the evening, it's not possible!😩

OP posts:
S0livagant · 12/08/2024 21:57

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 19:44

Yes!!! Do some of you not get sweaty feet???

Socks? I change socks.

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:01

@S0livagant yes but the shoes are still damp and smelly! Maybe I'm just precious 😂

OP posts:
S0livagant · 12/08/2024 22:06

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:01

@S0livagant yes but the shoes are still damp and smelly! Maybe I'm just precious 😂

I have one pair of trainers I wear almost every day, they air overnight surely?

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:13

@S0livagant maybe it was just Silverstone because it was SO rainy it was literally pooling in my shoes

OP posts:
S0livagant · 12/08/2024 22:16

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:13

@S0livagant maybe it was just Silverstone because it was SO rainy it was literally pooling in my shoes

Sounds like the shoes were not suitable for the conditions.

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:16

@S0livagant they were leather new balance trainers, incredibly comfy but the rain was literally coming down in sheets, pouring off the back of me 😩 it makes it so hard to pack!

OP posts:
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 22:17

Well probably fake leather, but waterproof!

OP posts:
Tryonemoretime · 12/08/2024 22:28

Melissa Murrell on YouTube addresses this problem. She does a video on packing light for both an overseas holiday and a Cornish holiday. Both are really worth watching.

BettyBardMacDonald · 12/08/2024 22:37

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 19:44

Yes!!! Do some of you not get sweaty feet???

My feet don't sweat much.

To each her own but as I said I have been attending F1 and other motorsports events multiple times per year since 1978. Most race days involve probably 5-7 miles of walking.

In the past 10 years or so I have switched from trainers to a nice supportive sandal like the Clark's Sea Breeze flip flop (or Brinkley which has a cute flower on the thong part), which are readily available in multiple colors on Amazon.

They are supportive enough for walking and obviously don't get soaked the way trainers would, on rainy days. No socks needed, just a cute pedicure. Plus if you get black, silver, bright pink or whatever, they can pair nicely with a dress for evening. I have lived in them for four or five days on long weekend breaks and never felt the need for alternative shoes.

(Again, keeping in mind this isn't home; at home of course I wouldn't wear the same shoes four days running. But I have come to loathe hauling large suitcases around. And it's all the same in the end; no one notices or cares.)

OP, are you attending as normal spectators or will you be hosted in team-related hospitality tents or suites? That would be a place of refuge if it's raining.

Wide-brim roll-up sun hats also are good for keeping the rain off your face. I never bother with waterproofs or ponchos any more, but they do sell plastic ponchos with hoods that come in a pocket-size pouch. There's a 12-pack of them on Amazon right now for 10 quid.

kennycat · 12/08/2024 22:54

I’m not all that stylish so maybe not the best advisor but I travel
in jeans, too and jumper (hoody maybe depending on location) take 2 extra tops, -extra bottom half then underwear. I usually shined brought a dress or skirt though so should pack one really! One alternative pair of shoes would be useful. Pjs (or shorts and vest) and wash stuff which is minimal when away. I’ve done a week with just carry on and it was fine. Good luck!

DickEmery · 12/08/2024 22:59

I have literally been around the world but can't travel light and at age 53 have no intention of starting to now. I just pay for luggage. Fuck it, I say. I like my nice things.

Teenagehorrorbag · 12/08/2024 23:02

We used to do it going to my sister's place in Spain for a week - but she had things like towels, shampoo etc out there so we needed less.

But if you take those little microfibre towels (if you need to take any) and don't take rubbish like hairdryers, you should be fine. Hand luggage is basically a backpack - you can get loads in.

HowAmITheCatsGranny · 12/08/2024 23:24

I flew to the canaries for a week with just a carry on plus personal bag (easyjet). I wore trainers on the plane, plus layered a light hoodie and a jacket over the clothes I traveled in, then packed flat sandals. The hotel had a hair dryer, but I managed to fit straighteners in. Clothes wise I chose lightweight trousers and skirts, plus a selection of T-shirts and vests that I could mix and match, and swimwear. I still had space for a dress or two as well! What I didn’t do though was try to take many toiletries.. I bought 90% of what I needed at boots at the uk airport, used it for a week and then left it behind (obviously stuck to cheaper brands, I did take my more expensive makeup etc in small quantities and bring it home).

Thethuthinang · 12/08/2024 23:40

Cashmere and merino tops, dresses, socks, and trousers can be worn multiple times without washing.

Caspianberg · 13/08/2024 05:04

@DickEmery - it’s not the cost of luggage but inconvenience of having to wait to collect or arrive early to check in. If you are travelling public transport then on and off trains or walking over cobble stones or up and down stairs at tubes or hotels with no lifts it’s just far far easier to take small luggage so it’s easier to carry and move.

Generally I find ba hand luggage of small hand luggage case and handbag has enough room for a weeks worth of clothes. So it’s pretty easy to travel longer as even for a 3 week trip you just take max a week and launder on route.

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 07:28

Caspianberg · 13/08/2024 05:04

@DickEmery - it’s not the cost of luggage but inconvenience of having to wait to collect or arrive early to check in. If you are travelling public transport then on and off trains or walking over cobble stones or up and down stairs at tubes or hotels with no lifts it’s just far far easier to take small luggage so it’s easier to carry and move.

Generally I find ba hand luggage of small hand luggage case and handbag has enough room for a weeks worth of clothes. So it’s pretty easy to travel longer as even for a 3 week trip you just take max a week and launder on route.

This! Add to that not just the wait for the luggage but the Russian Roulette game of wondering whether it will appear. And after passports, you are free!

As for the 3 week trip mentioned above, surely nobody could pack for 3 weeks and not do any washing.

SomewhereInTheMIdlands · 13/08/2024 07:56

It's easy. Forget the "just in case" plus the kitchen sink packing. Really think in terms of the least you can get away with. Have gone away for a week to Greece with just under seat free luggage. 3or 4 days in Europe is a no brainer.

Ginmonkeyagain · 13/08/2024 08:25

A Turkish cottom hamman towel is great.to take for beach holiday - they fold up really small and can be used as a towel, something to sit on and a cover up (sarong etc..)

Another tip is Uniqlo - they do a lot of dow jackets and water proofs that fold in to small drawstring bags. Not suitable for really cold or wet weather but ideal to take in sping/late summer as a just in case.

Toptops · 13/08/2024 09:58

DH and I went away for 2 weeks earlier this year with hand luggage only as an experiment.
It was EASY!
Roll up clothes (hot country so lightweight clothes), put toiletries in 100ml bottles and took a small bar of laundry soap.
As pp have said, wear your heaviest clothes and sturdiest shoes. I took in my bag 7 dresses, 1 shorts, 4 t shirts, swimsuit & lightweight bath sheet, underwear & 7 bottles of toiletries. Also 2 pairs sandals/shoes. I wore most of it and didn't miss anything.
We are both v low maintenance which helped.

TheYakWanders · 13/08/2024 09:59

We only ever travel hand luggage (backpacks, not even little cases) and we have 3 kids too. If it's just a long weekend, you will be able to manage - and don't forget that you are going somewhere that has shops even just the airport has shops for shampoo etc. For a 4 day trip, I'd pack travel size day cream, night cream, mascara, eyeliner, and cleansing balm. Leaving my skincare routine for one weekend is something I can bear. I buy shampoo and conditioner at the airport. For periods, you need period pants - saves your life. Or a decent cup! The Victoria's Secret period shorts are my favourite for comfort and dryness. Cotton dresses roll up crease free in the bag. Wear your heaviest shoes - I wear hiking trainers. Pack your light evening shoes in the bottom of the rucksack. Always "wear your coat" to the airport and just hold it, no need to pack it and take up space, or take a pack a Mac.

TheYakWanders · 13/08/2024 10:00

Toptops · 13/08/2024 09:58

DH and I went away for 2 weeks earlier this year with hand luggage only as an experiment.
It was EASY!
Roll up clothes (hot country so lightweight clothes), put toiletries in 100ml bottles and took a small bar of laundry soap.
As pp have said, wear your heaviest clothes and sturdiest shoes. I took in my bag 7 dresses, 1 shorts, 4 t shirts, swimsuit & lightweight bath sheet, underwear & 7 bottles of toiletries. Also 2 pairs sandals/shoes. I wore most of it and didn't miss anything.
We are both v low maintenance which helped.

This exactly! I just posted almost the same! It can be done really easily. Just think smaller / lighter

AuditAngel · 13/08/2024 10:12

I have travelled to Spain for 30 days with hand luggage only. DD1 came for 5 weeks with only under seat bag but she is the queen of packing light!

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 13/08/2024 10:14

Something I find helpful to trim my packing down (as mentioned this is a work on progress and I'll probably never reach the holy grail but hey,baby steps, right?!) is to write my outfits down by each day including footwear, underwear and accessories. This allows me to "see" what I can double up on and means I can tick each outfit as I pack so the temptation to put any "just in case" items in is massively reduced - although still there if I'm not disciplined.

Divebar2021 · 13/08/2024 10:19

Well it helps if you’re going to a hot country and you’re doing the same kind of activities ( like being on the beach). If you’re going to experience different temperatures / weather
and activities then that’s different. So if you’re hiking for a week in the mountains and then off to a city where you’re going for some nice dinners or the theatre then that’s more challenging.

motherdaughter · 13/08/2024 12:24

Surely pants x4, tshirts x4, shortsx2 warm top for cooler evenings, swimsuit, travel towel, change of shoes, frock, travel wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant. Suncream. If uk, add waterproofs. Fits in hand luggage.

My packing light goes wrong when I add paddleboard, wetsuit, thermals hiking gear...

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