WanderlustNZ
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2012
We use this backpack and it's excellent
http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/packs-and-bags/day-packs/parker-pack-v2-light-blue.html
DH usually carries it and it's where we put our bigger camera, water bottles, sunscreen, tripod (which we don't always carry), and any souvenirs we've purchased. Plus we also put ponchos and a change of clothes for DS in to it if we think we might need them. It's also one of our carry-ons for the plane as it has a great compartment for a laptop and/or tablet.
I carry a cross-over handbag and if we're carrying any valuables, that is where they go.
I don't use any kind of packing cubes in my suitcase. I thought about buying some before my last trip, but decided that in my case it was a solution to a problem that didn't exist. I do have mornings where I have to ruffle through all 3 of our suitcases to try and find the clothing item I want, but it's never enough of a deal to compel me to become more organised.
My suitcase patterns aren't very exciting, but they are as follows:
If I am staying 5+ nights at a location, I always unpack my suitcase into drawers. Less than that, I can't be bother packing and repacking, so I live out of the suitcases.
I take one of those cheap dollar store pop-up laundry hampers with me and that's where all the dirty clothes go. I also carry half a dozen plastic bags, for repacking shoes and clothes that are extra dirty.
If we are moving around a lot via plane, I keep a mixture of all of our clothes in each suitcase. I figure that if the airline misplace one of out suitcases, we still all have at least one change of clothes in each of the others.
If we are travelling around by land where our suitcases are always with us, I do the opposite and pack a suitcase each.
If my suitcases are all full before I leave, I realise that I am over-packing and force myself to do a cull. I rarely wear everything I take.
And that's about as exciting as it gets.
http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/packs-and-bags/day-packs/parker-pack-v2-light-blue.html
DH usually carries it and it's where we put our bigger camera, water bottles, sunscreen, tripod (which we don't always carry), and any souvenirs we've purchased. Plus we also put ponchos and a change of clothes for DS in to it if we think we might need them. It's also one of our carry-ons for the plane as it has a great compartment for a laptop and/or tablet.
I carry a cross-over handbag and if we're carrying any valuables, that is where they go.
I don't use any kind of packing cubes in my suitcase. I thought about buying some before my last trip, but decided that in my case it was a solution to a problem that didn't exist. I do have mornings where I have to ruffle through all 3 of our suitcases to try and find the clothing item I want, but it's never enough of a deal to compel me to become more organised.
My suitcase patterns aren't very exciting, but they are as follows:
If I am staying 5+ nights at a location, I always unpack my suitcase into drawers. Less than that, I can't be bother packing and repacking, so I live out of the suitcases.
I take one of those cheap dollar store pop-up laundry hampers with me and that's where all the dirty clothes go. I also carry half a dozen plastic bags, for repacking shoes and clothes that are extra dirty.
If we are moving around a lot via plane, I keep a mixture of all of our clothes in each suitcase. I figure that if the airline misplace one of out suitcases, we still all have at least one change of clothes in each of the others.
If we are travelling around by land where our suitcases are always with us, I do the opposite and pack a suitcase each.
If my suitcases are all full before I leave, I realise that I am over-packing and force myself to do a cull. I rarely wear everything I take.
And that's about as exciting as it gets.
In the past sometimes when I've been lazy I have decided not to unpack into drawers and live out of the suitcase - never ends well. I always end up with everything jumbled and that way a lot of clothes get unworn. This is for longer trips (I agree if it's only 2/3 nights there is little point). 
It would definitely curb overpacking too.
Even if we're there for a week! In fact, quite the opposite, I always put everything back in my suitcase and lock it whenever we leave the hotel room. The closest I come to unpacking is leaving my toilet bag on the bathroom counter. But even then I keep everything in the bag and keep it zipped up!
