For me, figuring out the shoes is the priority. But if flying, I usually make sure to fit it all in a large-ish (but legal) rolling carry-on and a backpace. Exception is winter respite trip to Mexico all-inclusive resort (ie single hotel), where big bag allows room for more dresses, beachwear for both of us, and sunblock.
I am prone to plantir fasciitis, so I often have 4 pair for a winter trip. Recently it was a pair of low black boots on the plane (sigh needed them when we dug out from 28 inches of snow on the car), running shoes (used a lot during the apartment cleanout chores; also had hoped to have a chance to run), Easy Spirit traveltime clogs (wear mostly as slippers, fit easily at bottom of my backpack), dressier shoes to go with a dress (maybe could have skipped, but trip details at packing time were unclear)
A summer driving trip to beach destination always has more than 4 pairs of footwear
Check whether any handles, wheels, or other things make the bag longer, wider, or taller than its nominal size, which can make it difficult to fit into overhead bins (or baggage sizers), particularly for hard sided bags.
I switched to a spinner in 2024 and I am never going back. Dragging the 2-wheel bag behind me was a killer to my shoulders. I’ve had frozen shoulders in the past, so anything I can do to alleviate stress on them is a plus.
Non-negotiables for me:
2 pairs of shoes : 1 pair sneakers/runners, 1 pair booties, sandals, or flats to wear with something nicer. I bought a pair of Rothy’s sling-back flats and they work a treat. Cute, comfy, washable.
As many undergarments as needed to get me through whatever time until I have a washer.
My curly hair products unless I know for sure there will be good stuff available for purchase at my destination.
A silk scarf in the colors I’ve chosen for the trip
I am willing to wash underwear in a sink, though the travel ones dry faster than regulars. But for me it only saves a little space. (Hubby’s are bigger.)
I like my 2-wheel bag, provides a lot of interior space. In an airport, spinner would be easier. But we are often in tougher terrain with sidewalks, cobblestone etc when touring. I do sometimes think hardsided is appealing, but at the hotel I like to leave many items in bag… so works better to just have a lid I can lean against the wall when open.
The ones I have have a special zipper which compresses everything in the cube when you use it. For example, one might be 3 inches high when you’re packing it. Then you use the extra zipper, and it compresses it to 1.5 inches. (I’m making up the inches, but you get the idea).
Yes, compression cubes are helpful for bulky things like hoodies I like for the plane. They’re also handy for organizing at destination(s). I use them like drawers. Tops rolled in one, bottoms (including thermals) in another, underwear & socks in another, one for on the plane which is vertical with handle on the top. I prefer my cubes to have mesh so I can see what’s in each and remind myself. It makes life easier.
I feel the same way about my spinner! Will never going back. The fraction of extra room isn’t worth it to me. H held out longer than I did and also will never go back.
Coming back to say that my Briggs and Riley is easily over a decade old, has been in all kinds of travel situations, and is still in excellent condition. Two wheels. Imho, totally worth the money.
Also in reading this, I think you need to carefully assess your travel plans. Packing light when you’ll be in one place for a while and can unpack and maybe find a laundromat is quite a different exercise than a trip where you’re on the go every day or two. Travel cubes may be more helpfulin the second case. Somewhat different choices and organization. All doable, of course! Everything equal, the longer stays give more flexibility.
Echoing that shoe choices are the most difficult. This is the item that may be hardest to address on the road, depending on where you are.
I have been helping myself with my overpacking problem by trying to purchase travel staples in the same color family. I used to wear a LOT of black, but as I’ve gotten older I don’t look great in black near my face. Now I’m mostly going with navy blue and colors that coordinate with navy.
We often go on active (cycling/hiking) vacations, and I need 2 pairs of shoes that work for those activities, sometimes 3. When we do mountain area trips I need hiking boots PLUS 2 pairs of running shoes I can use to cycle in (I don’t bring cycling shoes if I’m low on space).
I also bring my Keen sandals when the weather is right for them. I often sneak in my small slippers and a pair of flats or “dressier” sandals for summer. Yeah, footwear is wear I guess I spend a lot of space.
We seen to pack the same size suitcase whether we’re flying to the beach for a week or going on a 28 day trip with multiple significant climate changes.
Rick Steves packing comment. (Not sure if I could get down to the backpack-ish suitcase he has at end, and not sure if he tries to do another backpack too. But definitely I need wheels)
So true. We’ve done some travel with other couples, and it’s so nice that it allows us to have a rental apartment with washer (and dryer too if we can, though in Europe often it is washer only)
I’ve recently switched from a soft-sided 2 wheel carryon to a hard sided spinner. I spent a lot of time thinking about the switch because it’s true the hard sided ones are heavier AND you need twice as much room to open them. Having said that, I have come to LOVE (even more than I thought I would) the fact that each half of my hard sided piece is more user friendly than the twice-as-deep cave in my soft carryon. I have become a “roller” in recent years so, even when I don’t use my packing cubes, my clothes are far more organized in the shallower halves of my hard sided luggage. They are just the right depth to stand my rolled pieces on end where I can see everything in a single layer, without wasted space and without having to move a thing or restack once I’ve found my item. Now, if I am not unpacking at my destination my luggage stays super organized compared to the nightmare of a clothes dune that developed in the soft sided case before.
The awesome glide of the 4 wheel spinner moving through the airport is just the icing on the cake for me.
Now if someone would just make a 4 lb soft-sided case that opens in the middle, has removable wheels, a cupholder, AND a frame that makes the luggage sturdy enough to sit on (when it’s upright), we’d have the holy grail of luggage (imo).
I’m in search of a new bag to drag over cobblestone streets and onto trains and busses in the fall. I definitely don’t want to use my 4 wheeler for fear of destroying the wheels.
So I’m reviewing 2 wheeled duffles. Haven’t used a 2 wheeler in years. I’m a 4 wheel convert for sure! So will likely not use this new bag often.
One like this appeals as I could put my backpack in the lower portion when moving around. https://a.co/d/04foOIHB
My H and I each have this Travelpro and LOVE it! The price is reasonable (compared to some other brands), it is attractive and we have taken them all over Europe and they look brand new!
I have fit 2 weeks worth of stuff in it and bring a decent sized weekender (with trolley sleeve) as my second carry-on. . I do use packing cubes, but generally just 2 cubes (1 medium, 1 smallish) then strategically roll/fold soft, pliable items in the remaining spaces. I always pack a large, soft bag (like a re-usable grocery bag) that can be used on trip home for allowable carry-one items (generally laundry) to free up space in my Travelpro for fun purchases! I don’t mind checking my bag on way home. When we went to Germany last year, we managed to pack a ridiculous amount of beer and other stuff in our checked bag by loading up that “grocery bag” with all our soft dirty laundry
I love my Travelpro Maxlite suitcases. I have the hard sided version and DH has the soft sided. They are light as a feather before putting anything in them (I need every ounce!) I dragged mine all over the cobblestone streets of Europe. I have a love/hate with the hard sided luggage; I like how I can pack things in each side and that the hard sides make it more durable, but I HATE how it opens like a clam and that I need so much space to open it and store it open on a trip. DH is partial to the soft sided luggage but I don’t like that his is a “black hole” and that it’s hard to find what you’re looking for (and having to re-stack everything when you find it).
My Achilles Heel when it comes to packing is the toiletries & hair care items. I do take travel size items of everything, (I leave half of my skin care routine at home and do a modified version on vacation), I do take make-up but don’t feel like I use that much to begin with - but there is still so much stuff and it’s heavy. The only thing I will use at a hotel is soap and shower gel (unless it’s a very high end one with products that I am familiar with). That’s on me, I know.
I use packing cubes but sometimes have fallen victim to having an overweight suitcase. It can also be hard to Tetris all of them into the suitcase. On a recent extended trip, I did a hybrid combination of cubes and free-range clothes. That seemed to work well. I always use the shoe bags, so they don’t get my clothes dirty.
I am in awe of the one carry on/backpack people for a multi-week vacation!
I have a High Sierra bag that I bought 15 years ago and love for its versatility. It has two wheels plus secret backpack straps. Plus opens like a regular suitcase instead of a cavernous black hole like so many backpacks. And there is a cover for the wheels if you want to wear it as a backpack so they won’t dirty your clothes. I definitely use the wheels in airports and on sidewalks etc but when going up stairs or over rough terrrain the backpack straps are great.
I fold almost all my clothes Marie Kondo style so my drawers at home look like a file cabinet. I can see everything at once. I just move them straight to suitcase for travel. I just live out of my suitcase since it stays organized. I specifically look for non-wrinkle clothes. I also look for quick dry fabrics so I can wash and dry overnight if necessary. I try to limit shoes to decent walking shoes and one other dressier style (at least not clunky).
I don’t use a regular toiletry bag–mine is a small see through zipper pouch that gets laid on top–essentials only. See through so I can find what I need without emptying it. It stays packed so I don’t need to think much.
A tiny mister bottle. WalMart has 2oz fingertip spray bottle in their travel section for $1. Just put water in it and it’ll remove wrinkles if need be. It’s also great to carry with you on a hot day to cool yourself off quickly.
I have to say I’ve gotten pretty ruthless over the years. Especially Europe travel with trains and stairs. And cobblestone streets (you end up carrying to save your sanity!)
Lighter and smaller. Then even lighter and smaller. I may find myself without what I want but haven’t found myself in need.
That can be a concern with soft sided. What helps with mine is that there is a great zip compartment in the lid. Typically I have a large packing cube up there plus my nightgown (to grab easily first night) and another item rolled near the edge. Packing cubes and in main compartment make it more organized than before. Shoes are the bottom layer (in the voids between the rods for handle). Also the outside pockets are handy - last trip they had my winter wool hat and ski gloves…. handy but not cluttering my backpack.
