Who doesn’t love to be prepared? Last week we talked about our essential gear for van camping and backpacking trips. Today we’re back with a double feature (did you catch Katie’s carry-on essentials this morning?) focused on our respective carry-on strategies.
I would say I’m a bit of a traveler. I’ve been to over 15 countries and with all those flights I’ve learned a thing or two about packing a carry on bag. Just like Katie, I don’t want to be weighed down by my luggage, but I do want to make sure it has everything I need to:
- Keep me warm and cozy while traveling
- Entertain me in the airport and during the flight
- Keep me fresh, healthy, hydrated and happy
- Keep my equipment safe and sound
Depending on where I’m headed and how long I’m staying, I’ll either pack a small rolling suitcase or my osprey pack. I always pack my camera equipment in my carry on, which can become quite heavy after awhile. If I’m traveling to a convenient and stable environment (house, hotel, or somewhere where I’ll be renting a car) then I’ll gladly pack a rolling suitcase. If I’m going on an adventure where I anticipate moving around a lot, taking all types of transportation and general craziness (ie: big cities, boats, buses and unknown environments) then I’ll take my pack. It’s a little more work, but it makes things a whole lot easier when all my gear is on my back while I’m strolling down crowded sidewalks, boarding busy trains or wading through waters to catch a ferry. That being said, I like to analyze everything that goes into my bag to avoid toting around any extra weight. While traveling, it’s not uncommon to haul your bags around from hostel, to ferry, to bus, to train. Usually I stack my stuff under my seat and fall asleep.
