I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving acrosscountry. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had onezero pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just eight pounds in her carry-on bag. This was notshort trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Travel Simplicity

Why travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on our way torestaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was safely with us, not onroof or inhold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled downstreet with three heavy bags, we had our hands free and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.

Light Travel Issues

There arecouple minor problems when you travel light. First, expectextra question or two fromcustoms officials atairport (Six weeks with only this?). Second,small bag will not work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you can still go light. Just plan to buysecond bag at some point duringtrip, to carry your acquisitions. As forseemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes and other things all in one or two small bags, I'll explain below why that is not as bigproblem as you may think.

How To Travel Light

Silk shirts weigh three ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less thanounce, and they are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh five ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh nine ounces, and are sufficient forfine restaurant orwalk inwoods. All of these weigh less than half oftypical travel choices, and take less space, yet functionsame. There is no sacrifice involved here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to go shopping for new clothes.

You do not have to buy new clothes, however. You do not have to buyscale and count ounces to travel light. Just chooselighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity isgoal, not more complicated planning.

More Ways To Travel Light

Money replaces weight, especially inform ofdebit or credit card. Why carry two pounds of your favorite shampoo when you can simply buy small bottles as you travel. It really will not cost much more to buy things wherever you go, instead of carrying your bathroom and wardrobe with you. Also, you really do not know exactly what you'll need, particularly onoverseas trip. Buy what you need as you need it, and you will not havepile of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used duringtrip?

Takelesson from long-trail hikers (backpackers who traveltrail for months). They send things, such as new shoes, topost office on their route, ahead of time, so they'll be waiting for them. They also send home things they no longer need, such aswinter coat. The latter may beuseful practice for other travelers. If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them inmail.

A Light Travel Example

What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:

• eight pairs of thin nylon socks (less thanounce per pair)
• two silk shirts for restaurants and discos (three ounces each)
• four poly/cotton blend t-shirts (five-six ounces each)
• five pair of light underwear (two-three ounces each)
• one extra pair of lightweight slacks (nine ounces)
• Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (two ounces)
• Thin gloves (one ounce)
• Thin hat (one ounce - honestly)
• Thin wool sweater (oneone ounces)
• Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (onefour ounces forset)
• Light plastic camera (three ounces)
• Sunglasses (one ounce)
• Small chess set (three ounces)
• Bathroom kit (five ounces)
• Maps, notebook and various small things (three or four pounds)

My pack weighed ten pounds, and my wife's weighed eight pounds. We never felt deprived. I am not suggesting that you start countingounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Without spending money or thinking about it too much, you can just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., so you can travel light on your next vacation.

About The Author

Steve Gillman first hitroad on his own when at sixteen, and traveled alone acrossUnited States and Mexico at oneseven. Now fourzero, he continues to travel and backpack with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. Many of his stories, plus tips and information on travel and lightweight backpacking, can be found on his websites, http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com, and http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com.