In this Lightweight Travel Tip we discuss incliment weather like wind and rain. As an outdoors person I always take something for wind and rain and, even though I didn't expect much rain on a trip to Mexico, I still had to take some rain protection. If I'm expecting rain, of course I'd take something more suitable. However, these dollar store ponchos work very well - totally waterproof and windproof. However, they're not very durable and you'll sweat inside them.
True story: a friend of mine on a multi-day group hike was literally saved by these disposable ponchos. After days of heavy rain their expensive gortex jackets started letting in the moisture. Being wet and cold is a recipe for hypothermia, but thankfully they had dollar store ponchos with them.
Lightweight Travel Tips is a series of short videos where I showcase the lightweight travel philosophy by discussing specific situations. The individual tips are gateways to the lightweight travel mindset.
I can recall my first trip overseas with overweight suitcases full of things I never used. Even though I have larger baggage allowances than ever, I take less. Less luggage makes it easier to move around, and I'm less likely to lose an item because I have fewer items to track. It's easier to move through crowds and over imperfect ground.
Lightweight travel tips combine my experience in travel and the outdoors to examine what I carry and if I could do without it. I'm not an ultra-light backpacking gram weeny - my outdoors philosophy is more informed by bushcraft, where I learned to make the most out of whatever I carry while keeping necessities and local conditions in mind. So, lightweight travel is a mindset of efficiency - that each item must be helpful or it should be left behind.
At the core of my philosophy is: Passport, Credit card, Phone - everything else is a solvable problem or a luxury item.
This isn't to say you shouldn't carry anything - decide what balances weight, size, convenience and comfort for yourself and where you're going! Figure out what is available where you're going - both free at your accommodation or what you can easily buy.
How do I start thinking through a pack list? First, learn about the trip: what about the weather when I am there? What activities do I expect to do? What can I obtain at the destination if I need it? What equipment must I take? These questions are the genesis of thinking through what to bring.
And the biggest tip: Start with a small bag. If you can't make your load-out fit, it's easier to get a larger bag rather than the other way around. People tend to think in terms of bag size: it's the airlines that make us weigh everything!
Do you have some lightweight travel tips of your own? Please share in the comments.
Until next time.
▶️ 3Speak
A poncho is a good choice. I've seen smaller ones as well where it can fold and fit inside a small pouch. Those might be thinner and more lightweight as well.
I have quite a collection of different poncho - the lightest are these, then various options right up to about 2kg. Heh!
Oh wow, there's a 2kg one? Is it for exercising and losing weight?
Yep, larger size and thicker materials. Heavy duty poncho.
Lightweight travel is really key. That is what I practiced often time when I travel
What's the biggest mistake you think people make?
I'd it when travelling. I think taking unnecessary loads when travelling
Yea Pancho! 😎🤜 I bought a pack of em for each of my family when we went to disneyland/legoland/sea world one trip a few years ago. I ended up butting mine on, but AFTER i got splashed at some water show (seals maybe) :P and it turns out i didn't ever need it again..
I live in a high rainfall area so, I always carry rain protection if I'm more than a few minutes from shelter. For my HiveFest trip to Mexico, it was more a security blanket. I tried to leave it behind, but always felt like I'd missed something from my packing.
That's a good tip! I also prefer traveling lightweight, 1 carry-on luggage is enough even for a 3-5 days overseas trip :)
My longest trip with carry-on only was 3 weeks. We moved around a lot, and it's just much more convenient! Once you get to 3 weeks, there's little no difference with going for longer - you have to figure out laundry locally and resupply for consumables.
ponchos are really useful for outdoor adventures!!
Of course, this thing is very special. When a person goes on a trip, a person must have an umbrella because neither the weather knows, it may rain sometimes.
Umbrella has another function - portable shade!
Yeah you are right.