Colorado_mom - I do the same - tie lightweight jacket around my waist to save space and sleep on fold down table sometimes with neck pillow.
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Just bought 3 omniheat women’s vests for me, D and my sister from Columbia. They were having a special, discount plus free shipping plus if you spend $100+, you will get a coupon for $25 to spend in December.
I LOVE this vest–it kept me comfortable in cooler temperatures and made me look “normal,” not like someone who is always freezing. I have it in pink and just bought it in navy.
Search results: omniheat women fleece vest | Columbia Sportswear
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Interesting product. I sometimes do similar method, using an old travel pillow cover (after the inflatable insert sprung a leak).
Anyone has a recommendation for a travel locker? TIA!
I need help… (I hope this is an Ok thread for this).
I will be in New Zealand for 4 weeks in February. I’m on a 14 day bicycle trip, and 2 weeks with just my husband. We will have minimal access to washers/dryers, but occasionally places we are staying will have laundry facilities (I need to work on finding out more specifics on this).
It will be summer going into fall in NZ, and they say you can experience 4 seasons in one day. We are going to the top of a glacier so need some winter things. We also need hiking boots and probably hiking poles.
We of course need biking clothes and then regular clothes for each day of our biking trip.
What would you (especially “light packers”) take?
Thanks in advance
REI is having a sale right now which includes hiking boots/shoes. Might be a good place to check out.
Ex-Officio underwear is perfect for the kind of trip you are taking. Easy to wash in the sink and will be dry the following morning.
I would also recommend Smartwool for lightweight wool clothing/socks. Repels odor, can be worn multiple times without washing, good for all weather conditions.
ETA: Bar shampoo and conditioner great for packing light. shampoo bars, conditioner bars, lotion bars dish soap bars. — sustainabar
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Water proof outer layers for sure.
Some kind of thin but warm foldable outer layer - something like LL Bean’s tek jacket. (I wear mine even in high 20s/low 30s temps).
Lightweight waterproof trail shoes that can double as walking shoes.
Collapsable hiking poles.
I would also recommend bringing a fabric refresher type spray in a travel size. You can spray down your clothes before bed and let them air out over night. It works better than you’d expect!
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Thanks - I already own hiking boots, socks, pants, etc.
I’m wondering more about the actual packing aspect - how many pairs of shorts/shirts, etc. Plus tips like the “fabric spray” mentioned above, waterproof x,y,z, etc.
I tend to bean over packer, but I don’t have that much space.
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Love the fabric refresher spray idea - any recommendations that don’t smell bad?
We used Febreze fabric refresher and it was a minimal to no smell (and I’m sensitive). https://www.amazon.com/Febreze-Fabric-Refresher-Travel-3-Pack/dp/B01H2HL0W0/ref=asc_df_B01H2HL0W0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309763807560&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3375213451373026486&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009919&hvtargid=pla-570062216331&mcid=e92bd781780534beb57e50d6e87cad4c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-suZ1Pe_gwMV3wWtBh2rFgW0EAQYBCABEgJAX_D_BwE&th=1
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Okay, sorry I didn’t understand the first time.
Wear your heaviest biggest pair of shoes on the flight. Sounds like those will be your hiking shoes. Not sure if you are planning on bike shoes as well, but if you can keep your shoes choices down to 3 tops with your heaviest worn on plane - you will be in good shape.
I would probably pack
6 pairs of underwear (as long as they are quick wash/dry type)
4 bras (2 sport/2 regular)
6 pairs of socks (wool) - at least two pairs of compression type socks for any travel/exercise swelling
2 pair compression leggings
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of long pants
2 thin tank tops
2 thin wool t-shirts
2 long sleeved wool t-shirts or button down t-shirts - your choice
1 sweater
1 waterproof layering jacket
1 scarf
1 dress (just in case) that works with one of the pairs of shoes you’ve chosen
Unless you really love denim jeans - wouldn’t recommend bringing a pair at all. Heavy, don’t dry quickly and not terribly versatile (imo) on a trip as you’ve described.
Plane outfit:
Lightweight long sleeved top
Additional Sweater if you like having two layering sweater choices
Scarf
Long pants or leggings depending on personal choice
Compression socks
Hiking boots
Jacket
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I appreciate any suggestions/ input. Just trying to clarify.
Thanks
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The South Island especially can have wildly different weather depending on where you are on it!
As you’re going up to the glacier, think hard about your sunblock situation; I got one of the worst sunburns of my life up there, a combination of the high altitude and reflected sun and my overly casual attitude about it. There’s something also, about not feeling “hot” when you’re at altitude and on snow and so it doesn’t “feel like” you’re getting too much exposure. But you are.
For the entirety of the trip, it’s not that you’ll need a vast quantity of clothing, but you will need clothing that is not made up of one-off items. At least 85% of what you’re bringing should be able to be layered over or under the other items to provide warmth, rain protection, and cooling as needed. It is summer, so lots of thin layers, but a puffer vest at night and a light rain jacket would still be important.
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Thanks. I am a serious sunscreen person, even in the cold. Learned the hard way when my kids didn’t want to put sunscreen on while skiing, and their faces were badly burned where they didn’t have goggles.
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Your items don’t all need to fit with you on the bike, right? That would be tough.
Don’t forget hat and gloves. That can quickly make a difference. I like a think silky headband under bike helmet.
Correct - we do not have to carry all of our stuff on our bikes.
Unrelated, but - we did meet a couple from Australia in Williamsburg this year who were riding across the US, with only what was on their bikes. They didn’t have a lot, just panniers on the front and back, and they were carrying a tent and stuff to sleep on with them. We are NOT those people.
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A couple random ideas - though I have no experience with biking or New Zealand!
If there will be warm times (summer like) a Nuu Muu athletic dress can pull double and triple duty. Worn alone or with a light too for a warm dinner, with bike shorts or leggings for biking (people run, bike, swim in them) and can be layered with leggings, and a top and a jacket. They wash in a sink and dry Uber fast.
This version also has a back pocket that can old a phone, small wallet, keys, snack (not all those but one or two!)
It would super versatile Calliope Ruu-Muu - Nuu-Muu
Many patterns on that page.
The other thing is a Natural Life full boho bandeau - fold it and use it as a headband for sweating on a bike or unfold and it will cover nearly all your head and ears for cold or rain or snow! Also washes in sink, retains its shape and dries super quick. I’ll post a link
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Also a chronic overpacker. NYT recommended this compression bag, though, which sounds great (we already are sold on packing cubes, those work) but I can see totally squeezing together squishy items (or dirty laundry at the end of a trip) to fit into luggage. I’m a Chronic Overpacker. This Compression Sack Helps Me (Literally) Squeeze More Into My Luggage. | Wirecutter
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I like Arctic Cool breathable tops (lots of brands have similar). Have not tried their bottoms, but I am tempted.
When I run in coolish temperatures, a combo I like is sleeveless top (usually zip neck sleeveless bike jersey or triathlon top) plus a long sleeved arctic cool V-neck. Once I warm up, it’s an option to tie the V-neck around my waist.
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I get cold and really love Omniheat items by Columbia. I find the fleece vest very versatile and keeps me cozy in cold temps while not overheating me as it warms up.
https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-outdoor-tracks-vest-2016001.html?dwvar_2016001_color=010
I agree that ex officio makes great washable panties and if you catch a sale the prices aren’t too bad. I’d also pack a braided elastic clothesline that doesn’t need pins like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Braided-Clothes-Adjustable-Clothesline-anywhere/dp/B07ZRJLWCN#:~:text=clips%20or%20pins.-,Braided%20elastic%20eliminates%20need%20for%20clothes%20pin%2C%20simply%20hang%20clothes,you%20can%20install%20it%20Anywhere.
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