What Do 66 Inches and 54 Pounds Have In Common? - Light Packing Tips for Travelers
- Charles Jordan
- Feb 25, 2024
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Checked Bag and Overweight Bag Fees
I mostly fly American Airlines. They recently updated their fee structure for overweight and oversized bags. According to the Google search I just did (2/21/2024) led me to an article in the USA Today published the day before. The article states "American announced Tuesday it is raising the price of a first checked bag to $40 on most flights – or $35 if you pay before you get to the airport. It’s the first time American has raised the fee since 2018. The airline previously charged $30 for a first checked bag on most flights." The article goes on to state "In addition to the higher bag check price, American announced a new fee structure for oversized and overweight bags. Overweight bags between 50 and 53 pounds will be charged a $30 fee instead of the full $100-$200. Similarly, luggage up to three linear inches over the 62-inch limit will be charged $30 instead of $150-$200." If they haven't already, you can expect other airlines to follow suit. So, this potentially impacts all of us at some point.{https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/02/20/american-airlines-bag-fees-mileage-earning/72669245007/}
Flights can cost quite a bit. While this might not matter to some, many leisure travelers look for ways to save on the cost of their travel. This is quite evident when you consider that there is a whole industry around how to earn and use airline, hotel, and credit card points to help you reduce your travel spend (we subscribe to the Points Guy emails and we even read them on occasion). Years ago we signed up for the American Airlines Aviator Master Card and we earn a point for every dollar we spend, double for American Airlines purchases. we're sure there are better travel points cards. But this works for us, especially since we also use our American Express card and we pay off our balances every month.
Oops... we digressed slightly. The point is that we often forget that we can control what we pack and reduce or even eliminate extra luggage-related fees while also making our lives easier at the airport, the train station, and even finding suitable ground transportation.
Luggage Packing Tips
Packing for any trip, especially a long vacation to a place you've never visited before, requires careful consideration. Whether you are going on a relaxing beach vacation or visiting the castles, temples and museums of a far-away country, you will have various types of activities on the agenda. So you want to have the right clothing options for each. And weather can be a complicating factor. Regardless, odds are you will have limited space. So you might have to get creative.
Carry On Luggage Only?
We know of tour operators who require clients to bring only carryon luggage. These travelers must have well thought out packing strategies. Honestly, I think the carryon only requirement is a very good approach and one that we should all consider. Aside from avoiding potentially hundreds of dollars in bag fees, several considerations come to mind.
How Much Luggage Will Fit In the...
Taxi?
Cars are smaller in some destinations, so getting a taxi or rideshare with enough space for several travelers and all of their luggage can be challenging; especially if the bags are large. Last year there were three of us traveling together and we all had large roller bags. Getting to the train station from the center of town meant finding the taxi stand (a struggle with our massive bags) and taking the next available one. Well, the next two in line were both smaller sedans. So, we had to take two cabs. This was not really a big deal for us, but sometimes you want to keep the group together. Then, because we were traveling by train, there was limited space in the luggage compartment. Getting to our train and finding a place for our bags would have been much easier if they had been smaller. And I haven't even mentioned rental car and airport logistics.
Rental Car?
Later in the trip we rented a car. The car we reserved appeared to be sufficiently large when we booked it online (tip, avoid the mystery car, LOL). But when the agent spied what we needed to fit in the car she said (in Spanish) that will never fit in the car you reserved. Fortunately she was able to find a larger vehicle for us and we were on our way.
We were in great shape now. Not! Our destination was Granada where we had reserved a lovely hotel near the cathedral. The hotel had a parking garage that was accessed via an elevator. We had done this several times before, but in smaller cars. Getting the car into the elevator was a tight fit. And then the parking spots had all been designed for smaller vehicles. We managed. But, let's just say we were glad to have purchased the full insurance coverage. Did I mention that having smaller suitcases would have allowed us to rent the smaller car?
Rental Car Shuttle?
The next leg of the trip was a flight to Madrid. Travel between Granada and Madrid is more convenient on the weekend. So, a flight was necessary. It was a short flight. But we were barely able to fit our luggage into the smallish rental car shuttle. Whew! Then in Madrid we had another challenge at the airport. We all know that moving your luggage from the baggage carousel to your ground transportation and then into your hotel is much more challenging with large suitcases. This proved to be the case for us.
Rideshare Vehicle?
We managed just fine getting to the rideshare spot. But we had to order a large Uber and hope that we would all fit with our extensive wardrobe carrying equipment. Fortunately we fit. But the next day we were heading home, which meant another taxi or Uber trip to the airport. The hotel ordered a taxi for us that night and it was there waiting for us in the morning; right on time. The luggage fit, but barely. In short, we had a lot of luck. Had we not, our plans might have been derailed. So, this post is the first of what might become a series on what to pack.
Clothing and Footwear Recommendations
Today we'll share some recommendations on footwear and other clothing (not sponsored, just some things we like that might interest you). Shoes take up a lot of space in your luggage. And they are probably among the heavier items in you bag. We've made the mistake of checking a bag that was many pounds overweight. Shoes were the culprit. We want to have comfortable shoes, maybe some flip-flops for the beach, maybe something appropriate for dinner out, and you want to have choices, right? We think you can get by with just a few pairs in most situations.
By now, some of you are probably thinking, this writer is obviously a guy... what is he smoking? Ha ha, don't ask. It's really the wrong question, LOL. I think most people can sacrifice a mild fashion faux pas in exchange for a more enjoyable trip free of the challenges caused by overpacking. Honestly, on my last trip I took a pair of boots and a pair of running shoes neither of which came out of my bag in 10 days. And I thought I was packing light. Hindsight being 20/20, I know that wasn't the case. But it could have been worse. Following are some tips that should serve you well.
We think Chelsea boots are an awesome choice for the leisure traveler, and it's easy to find a comfortable pair. These are smart boots that are worn by all genders. They can be dressed up or dressed down. They can work in most weather situations. And, what's more, they don't have laces, making airport security a little less annoying. They might be somewhat heavier than other options so plan to wear them on your flight and pack your lighter shoes. Then try to limit the other pairs to just one or two that are lightweight and compact.
Keeping Things Clean
You might be thinking that a pair of leather boots worn frequently during a two-week vacation might be looking a little shabby by the end of the trip. Not to worry. We keep leather care wipes on hand (or you can just use a moistened washcloth from your hotel room). We buy a canister of leather wipes and just bring a few in a small plastic storage bag. But there are many options to choose from. Some leather wipes come in much smaller packages that will fit nicely in an unused corner of your suitcase. After a day or so of touring, you can wipe away the dust and your boots are ready for a couple more days.
If you are going on a beach vacation, you might want to bring flip-flops. This is not a big deal because they are basically flat and light weight and you might be able to get away with wearing them around town depending on your destination. There are so many to choose from and range from basic to designer styles. We know of some designer brands for women that could also be worn as dressier sandals. Birkenstock has comfy, fashionable women's sandals too, not to mention their wide selection of foot-friendly products for just about anyone. Word on the street is that Viconic Sereno Wedges are a comfortable, versatile option for women too.
Comfy Shoes for Traipsing Around and Seeing the Sights
I did a pre-Covid trip to Madrid and only took a carryon bag and a small backpack. It was summer, so the Chelsea boots were not going to be the best choice. I chose to pack Allbirds (the original runner version) with a pair of orthotic inserts (because I have very special feet that require them). Mine were great because they were a dark charcoal color with outsoles of the same color. So, while not super fashionable or trendy, they were comfortable and breathable and versatile enough for most of my activities. At the end of the day my feet felt just fine. And Madrid is a walking city. Believe me when I say I covered a lot of ground on foot. These shoes are comfortable, light weight, can work with a variety of outfits, and they pack relatively flat in your luggage. If these aren't for you, you can find similar sneaker-type footwear that might meet your needs. Personally, I also like my Adidas sneakers. But, although light weight, they take up a little more space. The great thing about sneakers is that, depending on your outfit, you can wear them with no-shows or crew socks or anything in between.
Socks
Speaking of socks, they are a very important consideration. The wrong pair of socks can make you suffer. One afternoon I had been traipsing around London for several hours. I had not chosen my socks wisely. I developed a blister and it went down hill from there. Had I chosen better socks, my feet would have been happier and the rest of the afternoon would have been much more enjoyable. When shopping for socks, we now look for lighter weight, cushioned, moisture-wicking varieties. Bombas socks are great, especially their merino wool blend socks. Their no-show socks are super comfortable and don't slip. And they take up very little space. You can get them for the whole family and they last a long time. There are other moisture wicking materials like bamboo, for example, that would also be suitable options. There are many brands and varieties of moisture wicking socks to choose from that can fit your budget. Oh, and we pack our socks inside our shoes to save space.
Men's Clothing
When it comes to mens clothing, there are a lot of options available these days that are made with light-weight, water-repelling, wrinkle-free, stretchy fabrics. I recently bought a couple of pairs of Jack Archer Jetsetter pants (pictured, not my butt, lol). They are very comfortable and look great on. Plus they weigh 25% less than my cotton chinos and occupy about 1/3 of the space. The back pockets have hidden zippers and there is a zipper pocket inside the right front pocket. We all know that pickpockets are prevalent in certain touristy areas of cities. So, these provide a bit of peace of mind when you need it. I also bought a pair of Travis Matthew Open to Close pants. They are made of a similar light-weight fabric and they are styled more like a pair of jeans. So, they look pretty cool and are very comfortable. A few pairs of slacks like these will save you a pound of weight and a lot of space in your suitcase. I know guys who swear by the Lululemon ABC pants that come in slim and traditional cuts. The other brands fit me better. So, maybe try some of these brands and find what works best for you.
When it comes to mens shirts, there are really great options made of technical fabric too. I recently bought some Fair Harbor Midway Polo shirts. They look and fit great and take up very little space compared to traditional cotton polo shirts. And they come in attractive colors and patterns that you'll love. I also have a technical hoodie from Lululemon that has pockets in the front with zippers. It is a lot less bulky than the other hoodies I have and it still keeps me warm, and looking great. I know this will be a great option for traveling in the springtime when the weather can vary greatly from the morning to the evening. Jack Archer has tee shirts that are supposedly great for traveling, made of material that doesn't wrinkle and resists odor. I plan to check those out soon. Honestly, my tee shirt drawer is overflowing... so, this is not at the top of the list for me.
Lululemon also has great options for women that have similar fabric qualities as the ones I've just mentioned and are very fashionable. The women (and men) in our family love their clothing because it's high-quality and can be casual or elevated with other accessories. And don't forget to pack a scarf in cashmere, merino, or silk depending on the weather, to instantly change your look. My wife always travels with a lightweight cashmere, one-size fits all, poncho that she swears by. She uses it as a wrap/blanket on the plane and also wears it to elevate any look. Alashan is the brand that she loves and they can be found in every color of the rainbow on the Alashan website or even on Amazon for those of you who want one-stop shopping with quick delivery. A simple, khaki trench coat is another one of her go-to's for travel. She likes that it's not too heavy but can easily be worn with layers underneath and can pull together most looks.
To wrap up, we know there are many benefits to packing light and doing so doesn't have to be a sacrifice. Taking the time to choose what you bring and how you manage it will help you fit what you need into a smaller, lighter, more travel-friendly bag.
Do you have a favorite tip for packing light? We're always looking for suggestions. Leave a comment to let us know!
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