[tpxvs]

iv just packed my bag and it weighs about 2x as much as id like it to :/ I know having a heavy backpack will only make me less adventurous as il not want to carry it to go anywhere lol so i WILL make it light before i go. i was hoping some of you guys would have tips on how to pack lightly?

• iv just got rid of a couple summer dresses to replace with summery tunics - can be worn leggings and trainers to hike as well as just by itself and dolly shoes on a night out/to the pub.
• halfed the bras/knickers by deciding to wear bikinis as underwear on days we're likely to be near a beach/swimming pool (hostel)
• flipflops - that can be used both in dirty hostel showers as well as on the beach/ days out without the big backpack
• two in one shampoo + conditioner

any other ideas?

[.Scout.]

I got a solid shampoo and conditioner bar from Lush which was a lot better then carrying around bulky bottles. It smelt amazing, was cheap, left my hair feeling squeaky clean and was obviously super light. The bar was amazing and lasted months and months. I couldn't recommend this enough.

I backpacked for a month and regretted the amount of clothes I took. Its better to pack light and have to wash stuff whilst you are out there (the majority of hostels that I stayed in had washing facilities) then to overpack and struggle carrying your bag.

Travel towels are also good as they are super small yet still absorbant.

[tpxvs]

(Original post by .Scout.)
I got a solid shampoo and conditioner bar from Lush which was a lot better then carrying around bulky bottles. It smelt amazing, was cheap, left my hair feeling squeaky clean and was obviously super light. The bar was amazing and lasted months and months. I couldn't recommend this enough.

I backpacked for a month and regretted the amount of clothes I took. Its better to pack light and have to wash stuff whilst you are out there (the majority of hostels that I stayed in had washing facilities) then to overpack and struggle carrying your bag.

Travel towels are also good as they are super small yet still absorbant.

Hey.. thanks for those tips! The Lush bar sounds great! unfortunately i cant get hold of it in my little town and dont have enough time to make a shopping trip before i leave now..

I too am backpacking for a month, where did you go? What do you recommend to pack? Im finding it hard to cut down on the weight.. but if i could lose about 5kg that would be great! How much did you backpack weigh?

Yep, iv got myself one of those microfibre towels (really cheap too from wilkinsons! £5)

[monk_keys]

What's in the bag atm and how much does it weigh?

[.Scout.]

(Original post by tpxvs)
Hey.. thanks for those tips! The Lush bar sounds great! unfortunately i cant get hold of it in my little town and dont have enough time to make a shopping trip before i leave now..

I too am backpacking for a month, where did you go? What do you recommend to pack? Im finding it hard to cut down on the weight.. but if i could lose about 5kg that would be great! How much did you backpack weigh?

Yep, iv got myself one of those microfibre towels (really cheap too from wilkinsons! £5)

If you have time, you can buy a shampoo bar online!

I went around Europe for a month last summer.
I took 2 pairs of shorts, about 8 tops, 3 dresses, 2 cardigans, a rain coat (that folded up really small) and a warm hoody for cold days. The hoody was also good as I could roll it up and use it as a makeshift pillow on long train journies. And then obviously I took underwear/pjs/bikini. This doesn't sound like a lot for a month but it was plenty, I just washed stuff as I went along.

Shoe wise, I wore Converse pretty much everyday and then I had dolly shoes for nights out/days I wore dresses and then flip flops for wearing around hostels.

I then had a small bag of toothpaste/soap/shampoo bar/SUNCREAM etc. I was careful not to take bottles of stuff as I was concious of weight plus as I was using my backpack as hand luggage on the flights out there and back home, I obv couldnt have large quantities of liquid.

I then packed my ipod charger, notebook, reading book, camera and charger, a padlock (essential for hostel lockers).

My backpack was quite light. I'm a petite gal and didn't struggle once with my bag. I met people along the way who hag HUGE bags and seriously regretted the amount they took! Also save sme space in your bag as you will undoubtably want to buy stuff as you go along.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

[tpxvs]

(Original post by monk_keys)
What's in the bag atm and how much does it weigh?

1 x towel.
3 x short shorts
3 x light mini skirts
2 x long length trousers (1 sporty type, 1 white linen/beachy type)
underwear (2 x bikini, 1 x sports bra, 2 x normal bras, 4 x knickers)
3 or 4 tops
1 x dress
2 x leggings
1 x hoody
footwear - walking/running shoes, flipflops, flat dolly shoes
toiletries bag
first aid kit
umbrella
torch
plate, spork
face wipes,toilet roll
contact lens solution
silky sleeping bag/sheet
notepad, documents + money
tiny cross body bag for day trips when i leave the backpack in a hostel
phone, ipod, camera + chargers + 1 travel adapter

how do i make it lighter!

[monk_keys]

Too many clothes, lose, 1x short shorts, 1x mini skirt, 1x pair of shoes, umbrella, plate, spork...

You can do 1 month with 10kg easy.

[officiallyTania]

just pack light and only take what you will need and what you will wear

[tpxvs]

(Original post by .Scout.)
If you have time, you can buy a shampoo bar online!

I went around Europe for a month last summer.
I took 2 pairs of shorts, about 8 tops, 3 dresses, 2 cardigans, a rain coat (that folded up really small) and a warm hoody for cold days. The hoody was also good as I could roll it up and use it as a makeshift pillow on long train journies. And then obviously I took underwear/pjs/bikini. This doesn't sound like a lot for a month but it was plenty, I just washed stuff as I went along.

Shoe wise, I wore Converse pretty much everyday and then I had dolly shoes for nights out/days I wore dresses and then flip flops for wearing around hostels.

I then had a small bag of toothpaste/soap/shampoo bar/SUNCREAM etc. I was careful not to take bottles of stuff as I was concious of weight plus as I was using my backpack as hand luggage on the flights out there and back home, I obv couldnt have large quantities of liquid.

I then packed my ipod charger, notebook, reading book, camera and charger, a padlock (essential for hostel lockers).

My backpack was quite light. I'm a petite gal and didn't struggle once with my bag. I met people along the way who hag HUGE bags and seriously regretted the amount they took! Also save sme space in your bag as you will undoubtably want to buy stuff as you go along.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

Thankyou!

I leave in a couple days - cant buy anything online :/ I too am going to europe for a month! Iv just typed out in the post below yours what im taking.. would you recommend a waterproof jacket that folds up small over a umbrella? Im starting to think taking both will be a little pointless - excess weight!

Do you think a pair of bulky(ish) running shoes would be a little too ridiculous? Im aware it doesnt look too great with most outfits unless im wearing a sports bra/gym pants for a day of intense hiking.. but say with a pair of denim shorts/top? Im relying one one pair of grey/black dolly flats for any nights out/meals/days i wear skirts or dresses.. and flipflops for showers in the hostel/beachy days. does this sound ok?

ahh i went for bottles of stuff :/ like shampoo, sunscreen, moisturiser.. i thought of it like if i buy it here i wont need to buy it again and save on money! lol but its not massive bottles but i guess each one does add up :/

I also feel like my big fat hoody is taking up too much space as well as adding to the weight! Im having second thoughts about this too.. is it really necessary? Im not sure which hoody to take either one thats basically a top with a hood (from newlook) or a bulky hoody that keeps you warm... if i take one i think i want to do it properly and take me oversized republic warm hoodie.. i dont like tight hoodies, i like them to be spacious.

Im also a very petite girl at 5'3 with a small frame! Im travelling with someone who is of the same physique as me.. somehow shes got her pack a lot lighter! lol.

Any tips?

[tpxvs]

(Original post by monk_keys)
Too many clothes, lose, 1x short shorts, 1x mini skirt, 1x pair of shoes, umbrella, plate, spork...

You can do 1 month with 10kg easy.

What? how do you plan on eating? lol
I suppose the umbrella i can get rid. Skirt is so tiny and light i may aswell keep.. and im relying on shorts as what il wear most whether its hiking/day trips/pub/nights out/beach etc.. and shoes: i cant take any less than 3?! flipflops for showers, flats for skirts/dresses/nights out/days without backpack.. and then trainers for heavy walking days..

I think i probably could cut down to about 10kg, but ideally i want to be around 8kg for my size!

[hvh]

Theres no point in taking a hoody if it's not going to keep you warm! Take the big hoody.

Lose the umberella! Get one of those fold up rain macs that are light and small.

Cut down on the clothes! I'd take two skirts, two shorts, 8 tops.

Lose the white long length trousers - you wont wear the if it's hot you'll wear shorts, if it's not, you'll wear trackies.

Take one bra, that will go underneath your going out dress. the rest of the time wear a bikini top or a sports bra.

Also, if your friends bag is much lighter, ask her what she's packed!

[.Scout.]

(Original post by tpxvs)
Thankyou!

I leave in a couple days - cant buy anything online :/ I too am going to europe for a month! Iv just typed out in the post below yours what im taking.. would you recommend a waterproof jacket that folds up small over a umbrella? Im starting to think taking both will be a little pointless - excess weight!

Do you think a pair of bulky(ish) running shoes would be a little too ridiculous? Im aware it doesnt look too great with most outfits unless im wearing a sports bra/gym pants for a day of intense hiking.. but say with a pair of denim shorts/top? Im relying one one pair of grey/black dolly flats for any nights out/meals/days i wear skirts or dresses.. and flipflops for showers in the hostel/beachy days. does this sound ok?

ahh i went for bottles of stuff :/ like shampoo, sunscreen, moisturiser.. i thought of it like if i buy it here i wont need to buy it again and save on money! lol but its not massive bottles but i guess each one does add up :/

I also feel like my big fat hoody is taking up too much space as well as adding to the weight! Im having second thoughts about this too.. is it really necessary? Im not sure which hoody to take either one thats basically a top with a hood (from newlook) or a bulky hoody that keeps you warm... if i take one i think i want to do it properly and take me oversized republic warm hoodie.. i dont like tight hoodies, i like them to be spacious.

Im also a very petite girl at 5'3 with a small frame! Im travelling with someone who is of the same physique as me.. somehow shes got her pack a lot lighter! lol.

Any tips?

I'd 100% say raincoat over umbrella.

I didn't regret taking my hoody one bit. Despite going travelling in July, I got quite a lot of wear out of it...we had quite a lot of cold rainy days so having something warm to wear was needed. I think I would've been miserable if I was freezing cold, tired and wet! I also found that many trains were cold due to excessive air con and even some hostels were quiet chilly as some only provided a sheet instead of a bigger blanket/duvet. My hoody was a cheap (yet super warm!) one from Primark so I thought that if i didn't use it, it wouldn't matter too much if I ditched it half way through my trip.

Running shoes would be fine! Just take whatever you would be comfiest in. You will be doing a hell of a lot of walking so you need shoes that you know wont cause you any issues. Don't worry about the shoes not looking good with shorts/skirts, I met plenty of people that wore this combo and no one said anything. Comfort> style!

[tpxvs]

(Original post by hvh)
Theres no point in taking a hoody if it's not going to keep you warm! Take the big hoody.

Lose the umberella! Get one of those fold up rain macs that are light and small.

Cut down on the clothes! I'd take two skirts, two shorts, 8 tops.

Lose the white long length trousers - you wont wear the if it's hot you'll wear shorts, if it's not, you'll wear trackies.

Take one bra, that will go underneath your going out dress. the rest of the time wear a bikini top or a sports bra.

Also, if your friends bag is much lighter, ask her what she's packed!

youre right, iv just packed the massive hoody! and a cardi for days when its not hot..
umbrellas ditched. some clothes have also been ditched. hmm.. can you wear trackies outdoors? i dont generally dress like this so iv no idea.. but im thinking double it up as a pyjama bottoms/lounge wear as well as for days its colder and were going out? theyre not made out of synthethic material.. its super soft and baggy but goes tight around the ankles.. im hoping this is ok to wear in the day sometimes? (that way i can rid the summer white trousers)

ok, im thinking pack one nice bra, 1 bikini top (that can double up as sports bra as its not underwired?) and wear one..

right i took everything out, repacked including the hoodie and walking shoes etc.. and its 12kg :/ id like it around 8.. but definitely no more than 10.. what can i do now?! lol

[tpxvs]

(Original post by .Scout.)
I'd 100% say raincoat over umbrella.

I didn't regret taking my hoody one bit. Despite going travelling in July, I got quite a lot of wear out of it...we had quite a lot of cold rainy days so having something warm to wear was needed. I think I would've been miserable if I was freezing cold, tired and wet! I also found that many trains were cold due to excessive air con and even some hostels were quiet chilly as some only provided a sheet instead of a bigger blanket/duvet. My hoody was a cheap (yet super warm!) one from Primark so I thought that if i didn't use it, it wouldn't matter too much if I ditched it half way through my trip.

Running shoes would be fine! Just take whatever you would be comfiest in. You will be doing a hell of a lot of walking so you need shoes that you know wont cause you any issues. Don't worry about the shoes not looking good with shorts/skirts, I met plenty of people that wore this combo and no one said anything. Comfort> style!

Ok, iv got rid of the brolly and packed the hoody! yeah i guess your right its probably wise to have 1 piece of proper warm clothing thats comfortable so you can throw it on over anything

Ahh im really glad youve said that! As shallow as it is it makes me feel better knowing other girls are forced to wear bulky shoes with nice clothes too haha yep definitely agree comfort >style!

Im still wanting to rid of 2-4kg.. not sure how il manage this!! :/

[.Scout.]

(Original post by tpxvs)
youre right, iv just packed the massive hoody! and a cardi for days when its not hot..
umbrellas ditched. some clothes have also been ditched. hmm.. can you wear trackies outdoors? i dont generally dress like this so iv no idea.. but im thinking double it up as a pyjama bottoms/lounge wear as well as for days its colder and were going out? theyre not made out of synthethic material.. its super soft and baggy but goes tight around the ankles.. im hoping this is ok to wear in the day sometimes? (that way i can rid the summer white trousers)

ok, im thinking pack one nice bra, 1 bikini top (that can double up as sports bra as its not underwired?) and wear one..

right i took everything out, repacked including the hoodie and walking shoes etc.. and its 12kg :/ id like it around 8.. but definitely no more than 10.. what can i do now?! lol

Do you really need trackies? On colder days I just wore tights with my shorts. I didn't take any trousers at all (but then again I didn't do any intense hiking or sporty) and even at night, I just wore short cotton shorts and a tshirt.

[usernonapplicable]

Get rid of the sleeping bag - typically bulky/heavy so you can lose 2Kg and gain 3+ litres of bag space.

Also, too many clothes/shoes etc.

[tpxvs]

(Original post by usernonapplicable)
Get rid of the sleeping bag - typically bulky/heavy so you can lose 2Kg and gain 3+ litres of bag space.

Also, too many clothes/shoes etc.

there is no sleeping bag, its a silk liner which fold up to the size of an apple. thats the bare minimum footwear required for a month :/ clothes, i suppose i could cut down.. i just dont know what?!

[Antifazian]

Take enough clothes only for one week and then wash them as you go along, in sinks if need be. I went backpacking for 6 months and only took that many clothes, it works fine and you can always buy more when you're travelling if you need to.

Also thin travel towels, no sleeping bag (most hostels provide bedding), halve the amount of shoes you think you'll need, the solid shampoo and conditioner bars that Lush among other places do save space and weigh less than bottles.

Unless you're actually going mountain climbing, you don't need walking shoes or other hiking equipment like waterproofs etc. Just take a thin mac you can put over normal clothes.

[hollo]

I wouldn't bother with the running shoes, they take up so much room and they'll get really warm if you wear them to travel in (I speak from painful experience!). I'd just take a pair of converse which can fold up much smaller and a pair of sandals/flats which can be worn day or night. If you're wanting flip flops to wear in hostel showers just take one pair between yous or wait and buy some when you get there. You never want to rely on spending extra money when you're away but realistically it's better to take less than you think you'll need and know that if you discover you can't live without something you can easily pick it up.

[TruetoMyself]

OP where are you going and for how long? The reason I ask a dude I met packed literally hand luggage while backpacking around certain parts of asia for 3 months! Depending on where, its cheap enough to buy things as you go along and once out of use give them to the locals.