Five Things Not To Pack On Your International Adventures

We are getting excited for a big adventure through northern India and Bhutan that’s coming up soon, which means I’m already considering what to pack and what to leave behind. There is nothing worse than overpacking for international travel (I didn’t trust my own instincts and lugged around WAY too much stuff on our most recent Patagonia trip!), but on the flip side, not having essential gear can lead to buying overpriced things you already own, shivering your way through chilly nights, and having to wear your pajama pants in public on laundry day.

As an avid traveler who meticulously documents what I bring and what I didn’t actually need or use on each trip, here’s my evidence-based take on some things you can leave behind to help lighten up on your next multi-week, overseas adventure.

I long ago ditched the classic carry-on roller suitcase for a duffel instead, and I have never looked back. Your typical roller suitcase weighs in at 7.5 – 8 lbs, versus a feathery 2lbs 10 oz for my 55L Patagonia Black Hole duffel. The duffel is durable, spacious, and squishes to fit into those tight overhead compartments or into the back of a small bush plane. I don’t have to worry about a wheel breaking when I’m in the middle of nowhere, rendering it useless, and since people are handling my bag for me most of the time, I don’t mind not having wheels. The one time you’re not going to have help with your bag is when you have to put it in the overhead compartment on the plane, and I’d way rather lift my duffel than that clunker wheeled suitcase any day.

Further, most countries outside the USA neither lock up nor charge for baggage trolleys in airports, so they are typically free and plentiful. If you simply must have wheels, be sure to ask us if your itinerary has dimension requirements or soft-bag requirements; small planes in places like Botswana can only accommodate bags that can be squished in the under-cabin compartment. Small, light, portable luggage trolleys are one solution, or bags with only one hard side can also sometimes work.

Clothing is the most difficult item to decide on when packing and the easiest thing to overpack, and while any one particular item of clothing may not weigh that much, it really does add up and weigh you down. People seem to forget that laundry service is available nearly everywhere in the world, even in a luxury safari camp in India or the Amazon rainforest. I’ve found that the simplest solution to avoid overpacking clothes is to just set the following limits: five tops (combo of short and long sleeve); four pairs of undies and socks (plus a spare bra); three bottoms; two pairs of shoes (lighter is better!); and one hat. My only other add-ons would be one to two jackets if the weather warrants them (rain and warmth); a swimsuit for certain trips; a pajama top and bottom; and a long skirt that I can pair with one of my existing tops when I need to dress up (and my sandals double as dress shoes in the realm of adventure travel). Choosing lightweight, breathable, quick-dry fabrics is ideal for comfort and saving weight, and a travel wardrobe of neutral colors goes a long way.

Toiletries are another item that most people tend to overpack, and in addition to weighing you down and bulking up your luggage, they also run the risk of exploding and leaking everywhere. Essentials like toothpaste, moisturizers, and sunscreen are available in any city in the world if you need to resupply (even sunscreen – you may have to go to a pharmacy, but they will have it!). With liquids and creams, I prevent overpacking by buying travel-size toiletries or repacking them into lightweight squeeze tubes. I also limit my toiletries by having a small toiletry bag (I LOVE this lightweight, durable bag by Sea to Summit) and insisting that all my toiletries must fit into it. Limit prescriptions to what you need for the trip, plus just a bit more as a backup.

Tech is another place where it’s easy to bring too many non-essentials that add up to heavy bags and checked luggage (goodbye, luggage! Hopefully we’ll meet again!). Camera gear can be tricky for photographers, and I have left my good camera behind in favor of the phone and regretted it, so I’d say bring the good camera but limit yourself to one body and two lenses, max. I have NEVER needed a battery bank, and that’s a definite thing to leave behind, as long as you have a spare battery and stay on top of your charging. Leave the laptop behind on a shorter trip, and if it’s a long one, a tablet can be a more travel-friendly option that allows you to do more than your phone without the weight and bulk of a laptop. Finally, I only bring binos on a wildlife-focused trip like an African safari or Antarctica cruise – if there is only a day or two of wildlife viewing on the itinerary, to me it’s not worth the weight to lug binos around for weeks when you only use them once or twice (and your guide will likely have some they can share). Many guests have a CPAP, so it’s worth looking into smaller, lightweight travel versions that will eat up less space in your luggage.

I love to read and I also love to read local, place-based books while traveling, as this enhances my understanding of the destination, plus the book comes to life so much more when you are actually visiting the place it’s describing. I used to think that I would get a lot of reading done while traveling, but the reality is that never happens, because I’m either too tired to read or I’m just way busier than I thought. I’m old school, and I really like reading physical books, so I limit myself to bringing just one that I’m willing to part with when finished. Many camps, hotels, and lodges have “take a book, leave a book” libraries if you do finish your book and need a new one. Better yet, be less of a Luddite than I am and rely on e-books or audiobooks to get you through your journey.

My final advice when it comes time to packing is to strictly limit yourself to having just a carry-on and a small daypack – it’s very doable, even for month-long trips! Packing light will help you breeze through airports, avoid baggage fees, and stay organized, unencumbered, and stress-free while on your journey.

When you are ready to plan your next adventure, or if you have questions about gear and packing, reach out! We are always ready to share our expertise while helping you plan and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.

Your adventure aficionado,

Alexis Alloway