Well, my H ventured an opinion and believes that the Merrell shoes will more likely result in black toe from the foot hitting the end of the firmer shoe than the Hoka, so we bought me the Hoka waterproof shoe today and I’m returning the Merrells. H has bad a lot of foot issues over the years with his running and sports. I like the all black of the Hokas and that they have Goretex to keep feet drier.
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I had been an inveterate over-packer for years. A comment on CC (while I was stressfully packing for Italy) really helped me - and I now repeat it before every trip:
Keep track of your ID, credit card, and phone - everything else you can buy when you get there (if forgotten).
Somehow the ‘prioritization’ concept didn’t click before then - I was putting same effort/thought into every aspect (what clothes? what toiletries?). This was very freeing. 
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I use the same mantra, but add in prescription medication.
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I read on some social media pop up, that I thought was an idea I had never thought of, although I don’t expect to be traveling out of the country. Instead of packing you large bottle of prescription medication because you want each Rx to have the label, ask your pharmacist to print another label, and put it on a smaller travel bottle.
I never worried about mixing my medications as I take so few, so vitamins and daily meds all get put into one empty pharmacy bottle. I thought this so simple idea for those that worry about not having label meds, especially when out of the country was a good idea. I know people taking major meds, and like to have them in labeled bottles, so pack their entire supply. Of course you should always have your meds in your carry on, so small bottles would hopefully free up room.
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If you have any very essential medication, that may be another item to keep in your pockets or otherwise on you, like ID / passport, credit cards, and phone, in case of evacuation where you are supposed to leave baggage behind.
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Zippered pockets are great for stashing essentials. You can have them in your vest, jacket, shirt and pants. Between all of them you can hold many essentials.
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They are great, but I can never remember what pocket I put what in
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Haha—you have to develop a system, but at least it’s on you if you need to suddenly evacuate. It’s also handy to zip things into pockets so they aren’t left at TSA (H once left kid driver’s license there & we had to go retrieve it to avoid excessive postage for having it sent to us).
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The legal status of various over the counter and prescription drugs may differ in other countries. An unlabeled container of pills might attract unwelcome questions if noticed at customs entering some countries.
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The little 2x2 mini storage bags would be great for this too, and take up even less room than the small pill bottles. You can easily stick your extra label on them.
Having said that, I wonder if this is something we even need to worry about. In the event an unmarked package of prescription medication was questioned, couldn’t the traveler just pull up their Rx in their online portal? Seems like that would be much harder to fake than a printed label. I will be traveling with my immitrex which is in a blister pack and am well stocked and the box with the label is long gone. I think I’ll throw in a sleeve of tablets and not worry about the label.
I take a few different supplements, so I am thinking about how to travel with those though. I really just want to throw all my morning pills in one baggie and all my evening pills in another baggie and call it good. I’m leaning toward doing that with the knowledge that it is remotely possible that security will hassle me over them and I might have to go a month without my calcium, iron, vit C, etc. I think I’d rather take that risk than mess with figuring out what to do about labeling everything.
I just use those plastic pill organizers. I’ve yet to have an issue. Seems like security is far more concerned with confiscating my nail files and nail scissors.
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The problems with prescription medications, if happen, usually happen when traveling abroad.
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I admit, I always throw everything from vitamins to prescription drugs into snack sized baggies- one per week - and have never been questioned or given it another thought. But it could be an issue, so liking the idea of little labels.
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My local pharmacist is happy to print labels and I affix them to mini ziplocks as was recommended by my pharmacist (he gave me a supply of them as well). I have used this method for travel (domestic & international) for years. No one has been interested in them—they’re much more curious and concerned about my medical equipment, cords & batteries.
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I only have prescription eyedrops. But I think my husband has photos of his med prescriptions. Then he pre-packs into by-day containers.
LOL - ALWAYS REMEMBER TO PACK YOUR MEDS. I started chatting with a fellow in elevator at hotel this morning. He said his day was getting better. Seeing some bags of CVS prescription meds, I said “ooooh - somebody sick?” He said “no, I forgot all my meds at bedside table.. had to get emergency prescriptions at home. To make him feel better, I told him, ‘Ha… haven’t we all done that?” (which I really meant something important, not necessarily med). Then I smiled and said, “but only once” once you have that pain.
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Good idea with the photos.
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