life

Ultra-light hand luggage

Since 2009, I have been traveling only with hand luggage regardless of how many days I have been away. Last year I went to Project Getaway for 6 weeks with only hand luggage, and had no problems whatsoever. This is usually what I bring if I’m going to a warm country:

Clothes
  • 5 t-shirts
  • 5 pair of boxers
  • 4 pair of socks
  • 2 pair of shorts
  • 1 pair of bathing shorts / training shorts
  • Flip-flops
  • Five fingers
  • Traveling in: jeans, t-shirt, pull-over, Nike Free shoes.
Other things
  • Passport
  • 2 creditcards
  • Miscellanies cards (driver’s licens, insurance, etc.)
  • Macbook air
  • Mouse (only if it’s a work-holiday)
  • 500gb HD (only if it’s a work-holiday)
  • iPhone 5
  • Garmin 310xt + HR monitor
  • Earphones
  • Sunglasses
  • Kindle Paperwhite
  • USB charger + cables for electronics
  • Deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

This adds up to around 7-8 kg including my laptop which is 1.3 kg.

So do I then walk around in the same clothes? Yes, but I wash it whenever I need. It takes 5-10 minutes to do yourself, or your traveling somewhere cheap (like Asia) you can use a washing service.

Here are some of the things that I love about traveling only with hand luggage:

  • You can check in from the web or the self-check in counter at the airport and go directly to the security check saving you the queuing.
  • You don’t have to be at the airport 2-3 hours before departure because of the above. I am usually there 75 minutes before departure and I have never missed a flight (until a few days ago, but that’s another story :))
  • When you arrive, you can flick-flack your way pass the families waiting in the baggage claim area.
  • The risk of losing your luggage during your journey is eliminated.
  • It takes less than a minute to unpack and repack (huge advantage if you aren’t staying the same place)
  • It’s much easier to walk around with a backpack rather than a big fat suitcase that gives up as soon as the road gets bumpy.
It’s really so much smoother – try it once, and you’ll never go back.

 

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