Comments on: Destination Asia: Packing Ultra-Light

By: Vi @ Travel Tips

Vi @ Travel Tips — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:15:45 +0000

Will be interesting to see your final list. Don't see how I could fit all my stuff into 28l

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:08:33 +0000

Hi Lindsey – thanks for chiming in! I love what you did with the detailed gear list. A great resource for future travelers.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:07:51 +0000

I agree in theory to packing super light, but in practice, I still have trouble letting go of certain items. I think I could better do it if I were going to a specific region, like SE Asia, where it is warm and inexpensive to buy extra items as you go.

On the plus side, it's severely limit my souvenir buying habits!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:05:10 +0000

Hey Andy – yes, that was my goal, and my Gregory Chaos pack lets me get away with carry-on when packed right. The problem I ran into with my RTW trip – I was unwilling to throw away all my liquid and gel toiletries and medications before each flight. It was less about the cost of replacing them and had more to do with the difficulty you can sometimes have finding what you want in the pharmacies and markets of foreign countries. Luckily, my pack always arrived at the same time I did!

By: rtw_lin

rtw_lin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:57:26 +0000

Ladies, traveling light is NOT just for the guys! I'm currently on a RTW trip and for the past 11 months (5 more to go) I have been perfectly happy–and well stocked!–with my 35 liter pack. I don't use a daybag either, just a small wristlet and sometimes a plastic grocery bag if I carry water/beach blanket/umbrella/etc. If you don't believe me, check out my packing list at http://www.sabenandlin.com/details/gear/lins-pa... . As a matter of fact, my next trip will see me carrying even less because you really just don't need much! Happy travels! :)

By: ShannonOD

ShannonOD — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:58:38 +0000

Looks like the males have weighed in – as a female, I just don't think I could do it in 28 liters. I took 52L on my RTW and I while there is some stuff I wouldn't have taken again…28 flabbergasts me ;-) I like the video..but again, I'd love to see how a woman does it in 28!

By: Andy Mesa

Andy Mesa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:13:28 +0000

10 kg is the carry-on limit for most low cost airlines, so it's definitely what you should be aiming for.

By: Andy Mesa

Andy Mesa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:11:50 +0000

Actually, my mistake, it seems the grey/red bag is not the one you're planning on using.

By: Andy Mesa

Andy Mesa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:49:02 +0000

Scaling down is good, but you're gonna find because of the design of the bag you might still have to stow it. That bag won't fit in many compartments. I own an eBags Weekender and an REI Vagabond, both about 40-50L if packed full but I rarely do. With compression straps it's all flat against my back and close to my body for better mobility, and because they're more like carry-on bags they fit luggage compartments and looks smaller than they seem.

65L is definitely too big, carry-on size is best, but you need to pay further attention to dimensions and not just carrying capacity. I have a hard time believing that bag fits the standard 22″ x 14″ x 9″ compartment.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:58:55 +0000

I'll have a couple more posts on packing before the trip, look for them closer to my departure date. I'll have a full rundown of my gear.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:38:22 +0000

I'm lost when it comes to describing backpacks in Liters, but at 10 kilos/20lbs, I was on the small end of the spectrum for sure.

I'd really like to try going ultra-light.

By: Matthew Kyhnn

Matthew Kyhnn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:05 +0000

Traveling light is the way to go. Good luck with it! I packed for a year in New Zealand in my Gregory Baltoro 70L – and it's not even packed to the brim! With nothing hanging off the sides …

safe travels

By: Shawnosaurus

Shawnosaurus — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:47:22 +0000

Hey Matt, I bought the same Deuter Futura 28 pack after reading Tyan's posts too! :) It's a fantastic pack - very intelligently built. My only complaint was the frame that lets your back breathe also increases the profile size of the pack. So it doesn't lay down as nicely as it could while trying to cram it into a small space.

I also used a 32L pack for 6 weeks in central america and had no problem whatsoever. Hell, I even had space to spare. I am adding a small laptop to the mix, and going for longer on this upcoming trip, so I think I am going to cave and go with a larger pack. It makes me sad and nervous to have such a large pack though.

Will you be posting more details on your gear choices? Like what you finally end up fitting into the Deuter? Best of luck!