Whether on a two-week vacation in South America or a semester while studying abroad, traveling light is one of my greatest passions. My mother-in-law recently texted me for advice, wondering if she could pack only a carry-on for a two-week trip to Peru. "Absolutely," I said, "Pack light. It should be doable if you're willing to re-wear and do laundry. Just consider these four things before you commit." 1. Your ability and willingness to get laundry done My older brother once told me, "After 10 days, you have to do laundry anyway," and you know what? He was right. If you want to simplify your life and increase joy, pack light. You don't need that much stuff to be happy, and I often find I don't use everything I bring when my suitcase is crammed full. A two-week trip is right on the border regarding whether or not I do laundry. Often, it depends on how many pairs of underwear and socks I pack. If you're doing this for the first time, this is the one department that you should never skimp on. If you're going to overpack anywhere, make it underwear and socks. So, for instance, if you have a 14-day trip, bring 20 pairs of underwear. You never know how sweaty you'll be or how much you'll need a clean set after a long travel day. It may not be fun to re-wear one of your 3-4 shirts at the tail end of the trip, but I'd rather have fresh undergarments than a new shirt any day. Fortunately, if you (like me) don't love feeling dirty and would like to wear fresh clothes as often as possible, laundry is fairly cheap around the world. There are a handful of places (Jordan is coming to mind) where the only quick laundry services available were priced per item, which adds up very quickly. However, most laundry services charge per pound. In cities like Kathmandu that serve as gateways to adventure seekers, nearly every corner shop offers laundry services with a quick turnaround. When I'm planning a trip, I try to map out the most likely city where I'll get laundry done and make sure there's a solid option close to my accommodation. I've schlepped back and forth across a city with a laundry bag — it's possible, but it's inconvenient and pretty miserable. In an ideal world, you'll find a business with a Google page, their prices posted, a quick turnaround (same-day, one day, two days — depending on how long you have in the city), and a walkable distance from your hotel. 2. The weather in all your destinations I'd prefer to pack a carry-on in 99% of situations, but the weather makes the execution of this much more difficult. The first time I traveled with a 40L backpack for a prolonged period was my 2019 Southeast Asia trip. Every single destination I visited was hot. Warm weather clothes (shorts, tank tops, sundresses, swimsuits) are lighter and pack up much smaller. However be warned, you'll probably need to do laundry more frequently because of sweat. When I traveled full-time in Eastern Europe, I packed a fraction of what I did a few years earlier. Long-sleeved t-shirts, sweaters, boots, and jackets don't pack as compactly and weigh a lot more — a factor when flying budget airlines. That said, it was a lot easier to re-wear items and stretch out laundry days because sweat wasn't as big a factor. So, packing light for the Caribbean in the summertime? A no-brainer! Heading on a month-long trip to Scandinavia in December? It may be a bit more challenging to get everything you need in one carry-on. 3. The dress code of your events Weather and dress code are probably the top two factors I consider when deciding to skip a checked bag. As noted above, needing to have heavy cold-weather clothes (or a wide array of items for different climates) can result in a complex packing situation. I find the same tricky situation arises with the dress code as well. If I'm attending a wedding or will need to dress in formal attire, I'm unlikely to pack my trusty 40L Osprey. A lot of the challenge comes down to shoes. I try to target flying with 2 pairs of shoes (3 maximum), and when you add in any fancy event, it normally tips you over into the 4-shoe territory. Why are shoes the enemy when trying to pack light? Compared to any other clothing item, they take up the most weight and space. It's one of the easiest items that you can change and still craft similar outfits with a dozen other clothing items (as long as you pack the right multi-purpose shoes). That said, if you're headed to Austria for ball season, and you simultaneously need cold-weather clothing AND formal wear, don't feel bad if you can't fit it in a carry-on suitcase. Whenever we attend weddings, my husband and I typically end up sharing a checked bag between us. 4. The luggage allowances of the airlines you're flying Check the weight limits on the airline you're flying. Luggage weight is one part of the equation that seasoned travelers always remember to factor in, and one of my biggest hacks is carrying a portal luggage scale in my backpack at all times. You DO NOT want to be at
