4 Travel Items That Save Space

Packing light has become a mantra for many a budget traveler. Unfortunately, it can take a lot of practice to learn to pare down your items until you can take just one carry-on per person. (Eric and) I have perfected it enough to take one large carry-on and one small one that fits under the seat, but it hasn’t always been a smooth road to where we are now. Luckily, I love packing and am willing to pack, unpack and repack a bunch of times before I go anywhere to make the most of the space I’ve got. I may bring a pack-flat extra bag for goodies I acquire along the way, but I make sure that I have some extra space in my bag as well, because having a carry-on that’s bursting at the seams is nothing you want to start with.

So, what are some ways to get your packing under control? Multi-purpose items are important in saving space and getting you closer to being a carry-on-only traveler.

Kindle or iPad

I am a reader and I love using my time on the plane or relaxing before bed reading a good book. I find that I can get a lot of reading done just in my down time, unlike when I’m at home and have many other things to think about. If you’re like me, you may find that you are either in the middle of a book when you leave and then want to start on another during your trip. Instead of packing two or more books or a stack of magazines, download your desired reading material to your Kindle or iPad (you can even do it on your mobile phone, though it can drain your battery fairly quickly) and save quite a bit of space in your bag, plus you won’t have the problem of wrinkled covers or torn pages from floating around with everything else in there. And, for the most part, you can now use your Kindle and iPad for music and movies, too.

iGo multi-charger

I don’t know about you, but I hate, hate, hate having 400 different chargers in my bag, or the drawer at home for such things. Somehow, they are all nice and organized and once you close and open the bag, even if it’s two seconds later, they have turned into a big jumble of wires, like ever year’s Christmas lights. What the hell? Well, I have a solution to this – Not your Christmas lights. Those are still a mystery. I carry around an iGo multi-charger. One adapter (or two if you bring one for the car), small charging tips for each device and a splitter to charge more than one at a time. We have been able to pare down our electrical devices over the years, so this works perfectly for us. I also have a small iGo USB charging plug, which can be used on our netbook or the small power strip we also take, because hotel rooms never have enough available outlets.

Packable rain jacket

It never fails. Everywhere we go, it rains when it’s not supposed to. I mean, there was a hurricane in London. I kid you not. I think it might be us, but it’s always good to be prepared. I never bring an umbrella anymore. They just take up space and if you are in crazy downpours, they don’t help anyway. Umbrellas do nothing against sideways rain and it’s hard to do other stuff when one of your hands is occupied and everyone needs to have their own. A packable rain jacket takes up less space, even if you have to pack one per person, and can be used in the event of a change in weather or it’s just a bit chilly. I get cold pretty much everywhere I go, so I probably get more use out of this than anyone…except for the fact that we end up in monsoon rains everywhere, so it’s almost a guarantee we will use ours. If you are traveling during the winter and already taking a coat with a hood, you can probably omit this one.

Sarong

Not just for the beach anymore! A sarong can double as a billion different items, besides a bathing suit cover-up: a skirt, a top, a wrap, a headscarf (for those really conservative churches), a picnic blanket, a towel, a tote bag. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. A sarong packs down to almost nothing, is easy to carry around in your day bag or pocket and can be super-duper handy in many situations. You never know what might go wrong or when you want to have a picnic in the park and not get grass stains on your khakis!

What are some of your favorite items that save space in your travel bag?

Don't be an "Ugly American"

Do you find it hard to adjust when you travel and find yourself trying to stick to some of your normal routines? It can be hard to touch down and just go with the flow sometimes, especially when things at your destination are so different from at home, but it helps if you've done your homework before you get there. Learning about the language, customs and just how to blend in a bit in general can really help you have a better time and not stick out like a sore thumb, making the locals hate tourists. While this infographic specifies Americans, it is not just Americans who make these same mistakes. 

Have you accidentally (or knowingly) done any of these or found tourists in your hometown acting the same way?

10 Great Sites to Find Travel Clothing

I know other websites suggest bringing your favorite pieces with you when you travel, so you know that you'll wear what you take, but when travel I love to buy new things for my trip. I count it as part of my travel budget and purchase items throughout the year when I find them on sale. This is not to say that I don't take things I already own. I do. Especially when I know they are comfortable and going to be a great addition to my travel bag. The reason I buy other items is that I do laundry at my destination and even though some of my normal clothes are quick-drying, they aren't really fantastic at being breathable or moisture-wicking or suitcase-friendly. They might be too bulky or wrinkle way too easily. 

Having travel-friendly clothes are convenient in a lot of ways: lightweight, packable, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant. The list can go on, but these are my basic needs in a travel wardrobe. So, though I have some pieces I wear everyday that are perfect for vacationing – because they are that comfortable, like my stretchy Hudson jeans – it helps to have more than a few items that are travel-ready...and it's also fun to have something new. This is why I have a list of go-to merchants to pick up those necessary pieces I don't own or need to be replaced.

REI

Lucky me, I am close to an REI store. I love going in and browsing their racks and racks of fun outdoor clothes, accessories and goodies. This is one of a few places where you can find all the top brands and some you may not have heard of yet. I go there looking for Patagonia, Lolë and Arc'teryx, but have often come away with many other gems. If you don't live near an REI, shop online. They have even better discounts on sale items online, so you can save more. Or buy more. Another thing I like to do is shop online and then have it ship – for free! – to the store nearest you for you to pick up at your convenience. You can use Ebates this way and get your cash back. Double bonus!

Columbia Sportswear

I am also lucky to live in Portland, home of Columbia Sportswear. We have the flagship store right downtown, several outlet stores nearby and, my favorite, the employee store. You have to know someone who works at Columbia to be able to shop there, but if you have someone like that in your life, they can take you or give you a pass and you can go hog wild. with everything 50% off. Columbia is a great place to pick up lightweight (and attractive) sweaters and amazing jackets. Again, you can shop online. Once you know your size in tops and pants, this is super easy, as they are very rarely off. Plus, you can shop the outlet section for deep discounts. Sign up for Greater Rewards – for free! – and get free shipping on everything + exclusive membership discounts throughout the year. Again, use Ebates for cash back.

Backcountry & Department of Goods

Though I don't shop there often, this is genuinely one of my favorite online merchants. Backcountry has all the outdoor brands in one place. This site has ah-mazing discounts, al ot times you can get free shipping and an extra percent off. Before, you used to have to go between BC and Department of Goods (their outlet website) in order to snap of deals on discontinued items and colors, but now they pull them all into the regular site to make shopping easier. You can find clothing, shoes, camping and hiking gear here for the whole family. Save even more with Ebates.

Athleta

This is only for the ladies. They are an offshoot of Old Navy and Gap and they feature feminine activewear pieces that are great for travel to the beach or to the city or if you want to just wear them to yoga. All the items very well made and flattering for your curves. You can save more by using Ebates here as well.

Lucy

This one is also just for ladies. At one point, I had more Lucy clothes in my closet than anything else. They are comfortable and sporty and are the ideal place to get shorts, capris and tanks. No matter how much you buy, you always pay a flat rate for shipping, which is a bonus, since the difference in weight of $100 worth of clothing and accessories and $300 worth is not that much. Of course, if you sign up for their newsletter, you can be notified of sales first, and Ebates can also get you more discounts with cash back and promo codes.

Bluff Works 

Only for men, so far, they sell amazingly flattering travel pants that don't look like travel pants. In fact, they can be worn to the office one day and then rock climbing the next. You can see my review of their pants here – well, Eric's review.

Magellan's

You probably don't like to look like a tourist when you travel. I mean, who does? Unless you're off in the jungle, you don't need zip-off pants and similar clothing pieces. Magellan's has both attractive and functional clothing that you can wear everyday as well as on vacation, for both men and women. I have done a few reviews for them here and here. Ebates can help you out here, too.

ExOfficio

This is one of the first "outdoor" clothing sites I purchased from. Eric has had many of their shirts and they last for years, even with regular wear. I've purchased many of their sweaters and button-up shirts for travel and they make Eric's favorite boxer briefs. they aren't cheap, but they are comfy and last forever – you can take just a few on a trip and they pack small, resist odors, wick moisture and dry super-fast. They are a favorite among many travelers. 

Anatomie

This is another one just for the ladies. They sell luxury travel clothing, that look awesome and feel just as good. They are perfect for finding what can be considered resort wear, but they have lightweight pieces that work for all sorts of travel situations and help you blend in as a local. You can view a previous review of their clothing here.

Fresh Produce

I'm still trying to get this company to send me some pieces for review. They are more affordable than some other travel clothing sites and they have some on-trend items in between classic and more offbeat pieces. I feel like they offer something for all age ranges and sizes, so it might be a place you'll want to check out when hunting for new travel duds.

Need to know more about Ebates? You can learn about it on this post. Do you have a favorite travel clothing shop or online merchant?