Anyone else REALLY bad for packing too much? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

canadianbabe · 05-21-2004, 05:34 PM

Whenever I go on a trip I always end up packing a whole bunch of shit that I don't end up using and just take up space.I end up packing like 22 shirts, 11 pairs of pants, 7 pairs of shoes

but when I try to cut back on taking so much and try to put stuff pack I always think I'm going to end up using or wearing all this stuff and I never do.

Any advice????
I'm planning on flying going down to South America where I will be living and working for around 4-6 months depending on how things go.For most airlines you can only check in 2 or 3 bags so it's going to be REALLY HARD for me to pack.Anything would be great.!!!!
*cheers**

**MaddIe****

**Diorama** · 05-22-2004, 06:01 AM

umm yeah you are really bad at packing!

heheI am not that bad at all. You can;'t pack with " you might need it " in mind. You have to pack only necessities. Remember they do have washing machines in south america. and they also have stores. so if ya decide that you need an extra shirt you can always buy one in south america. Challenge yourself to back onebag. Remember your going to have to lug it all around! goodluck

**joanofarc** · 05-26-2004, 09:20 AM

i travel strictly carry-on. you can still look great on even 1/3 the amount of clothing and shoes you mentioned. accessorize if you must. haha, i don't even own seven pairs of shoes.

ladaz · 05-26-2004, 04:09 PM

I've done both - overpacked and underpacked. If I overpacked I was ditching stuff along the way because I didn't want to haul it around anymore. If I underpacked I ended up buying something that I already had, but forgot/didn't bring.

I have found it better to underpack and save up some extra $ to buy what I need along the way. Much better, and then I end up with cool stuff from places I've visited, and didn't have to get rid of anything that I didn't want to part with. And I didn't have to haul it around with me the whole time.

**Blakeimus** · 05-27-2004, 08:27 AM

I over back ,im going to over back i cant help that fact that I over back, so ill just over back.

**Carisia** · 05-28-2004, 05:47 AM

Lay all the stuff out over the bed, get rid of 1/3 of all your clothing, of the ones left, take the ones that are more versatile (i.e. don't wrinkle easily, can get several wears, darker colors, enduring, etc.).

Of the non-clothing accessories, take only what you absolutely need everyday, don't take any of the "might need" items.

If that changes, S. A. is very cheap, you can buy there.

ladaz · 06-01-2004, 05:42 AM

So I just went to NYC for the weekend and I overpacked. Nothing worse than hauling a giant bag around for no reason.

My suggestion. Pack all the stuff you want to take, put it on your back and take a nice long walk (a few hours). Make sure that you stop by a small, crowded cafe to grab a cup of coffee and then maybe a cool little store with narrow aisle. By the time you get back, you will be ready to ditch at least half of the stuff you have packed.

Traveling means that you will be hauling all of your stuff around inbetween hostels/etc. When you are every few days or weeks, it gets really old dragging around a lot of stuff.

canadianbabe · 06-02-2004, 04:00 PM

Alright sounds good.Thanks.

I'm not planning on backpacking around South America.I have some friends up there so i'm planning on living up there and working for at least 4 or 5 months.The place i'm going Roatan(The biggest island off of Honduras) doesn't really have any places where I can buy clothing, so I can't really just buy my cloths when i get up there.

I'm taking a plane up there and I'm pretty sure you can have 2 check in bags and one carry on.I'm hoping on living in a furnished apartment but i'm still going to be taking more things besides cloths.

Do you think 1 check in bag of cloths would be too much to bring?Thanks.

*ChEers*