Smart Packing for Today's Traveler

I discovered Rick Steves back in the late 80's and he was already espousing the concept of taking only one bag while traveling, and doing some laundry in hotel rooms (or visiting a local laundromat) during one's trip. That was a little harder then, when there weren't anywhere near as many options when it came to quick drying fabrics. Also, most luggage made then was meant to be checked - think bags that had only one handle, basically only good for lifting the case from trunk to sidewalk...off the retrieval carousel....and back into a car trunk. If you wanted a different option, you were limited to either a duffel or a backpack, which made you almost scream "student tourist". So while the basic idea of just one bag has been around for a while, when it started, it wasn't actually very easy to put into practice if you didn't want to look like a tourist and didn't want to lug around bags, dangling painfully from the end of your arm. Or if you wanted a more feasible style of luggage, it was usually insanely expensive. Then wheeled luggage came out, and that made things easier for sure, but still made you stand out as a traveler. This is not particularly useful if you want to try to pass a a local in most places. Then divided duffels - that weren't made for outback-style travel and had some modicum of urban style - showed up. In short, luggage just kept getting better and better....and so the concept of just one bag has become truly practicable at last. Problem was, too many people were still PACKING these bags in the old way: big bulky clothes and appliances, etc. I know because my dear husband is one of them. When we would travel, I'd be using just one bag...he'd be lugging around two or three (granted, one of those was a slightly smaller version, what could today be called a daypack or man's bag, but he still wasn't using it properly, IMO - he still carried his change and wallet and other misc. items in his pant pockets). So in a desperate attempt to show him that just one bag CAN be done, I showed him the website of same name (justonebag.com), but he still wasn't sold. That website lists several books, including this one, so I ordered it from Amazon, and now...I have finally convinced him!!! Thanks to this book (and one other one with similar tips and advice), I just bought us each a new bag: a Tumi for me with three compartments and shoulder strap...and a Victorinox with three compartments, shoulder strap, and hidden backpack straps for him. Both have a garment sleeve for one or two hanging garments, and both are 45 linear inches or less. This book is what made that possible. I've now gotten him to agree to all kinds of wonderful things: - sharing our clothes between bags if necessary (why not put his suit jacket in the garment sleeve of my bag if that's where it will best fit?) - packing cubes - mini versions of appliances (with dual voltage built in) - small packets of toiletries instead of bottles or factory packaging - doing laundry here and there - new travel clothes made to dry quickly - and many, many other ideas This book is what made that possible! First you have to convert 'em, after all! I'm still working on getting him to agree to a daypack or man's bag concept....I've at least gotten him to agree to use such a thing for going through security lines, so I don't have to stand there while he empties his pockets every time and then collects all his stuff at the other side of the screening point, while other people squeeze around him grabbing their bags. Again, this book is what made that small victory possible! While I knew most of the concepts and tips in this book already, a lot of them were eye-openers for my beloved, and yes, I got some new ideas from this, too...and also learned ways to finesse things I'd already been doing. So if you're trying to get someone to believe that this just one bag thing really CAN be done....and/or if you're looking for ways to hone your own packing skills....GET THIS BOOK. It really is almost worth it's weight (which is minimal, btw) in gold. Now I get to sell or donate our old luggage at long last!: - the set of four matching bags my parents gave me years ago (small tote and three wheeled rollies in sizes of Huge for entire four person family for two weeks...Giant for three people for two weeks...and SANE size...the only legit carryon size in the bunch, but only good for one person) - his wheeled garment bag (in Giant size) - his duffel (in a size I always considered good for two people for two weeks, but that he would completely fill for just one week) - his other various bags that he's kept around even though he doesn't use them We've already gained storage space back due to putting all these other bags in my mother-in-law's basement until I either sell or donate them (we live in a 725 sq ft one bedroom condo, and have only one small storage locker for overflow...this was another victory for me the whole getting-him-to-downsize thing - but that's another story). Now our two new bags both fit, stacked, on the top shelf of our (only) walk-in closet, and once we build the new bed platform, with storage in the platform base and move the bags to there, we'll gain back even MORE useful storage space (after all, isn't the bedroom where you WANT the luggage for easy retrieval, right where you're gonna pack the things?) The "just one bag" concept not only makes traveling easier - easier to keep track of your things while on the go, easier to manage in crowded areas, helps you look more like you're just a local on a short weekend trip instead of a typical American - it also makes storing the luggage a lot easier too. If you are also hesitant at traveling with just one bag, or if you (like me) have a hard-core on your hands that you have to almost OVER prove things to just to get them to be willing to just give something a try...GET THIS BOOK. It will make your job of convincing them SO much easier! And you'll almost certainly benefit from some new tips yourself :-) 5/13/11 UPDATE At the end of March, Hubby had a four day business trip to Miami. He took the Tumi (with just the shoulder straps, not the backpack straps). I admit that I did the packing for him, mostly to get the folding of his jacket, etc., correct to reduce wrinkles, and to ensure that all the liquid carryons were in the required Ziploc bag. He HAD been intending to take the suitcase PLUS his briefcase PLUS carry his usual daily items in his pants pockets, but after I got everything packed (using the tips and instructions in this book, natch!), I was able to show him that he had all the exterior pockets for carrying all his files and papers, as well as the stuff he had planned to put into his pants pockets (I did mention that he's hard-core stubborn about new ways of doing things, didn't I?). It took a bit of wheedling, but I got him to agree to just use this ONE bag (literally!) for *everything*. He took the El to O'Hare, carried the bag on the plane, took the bus at Miami airport to his hotel, and then just reversed it all coming home. Here's the VICTORY FOR ME - when he got home, he admitted that his entire trip (the traveling part) was the smoothest, easiest, and most seamless trip he'd EVER DONE. He kept marveling at how easy taking the El and bus, and walking through the airport was, and how FAST he got through the security lines :-) He told me that he was now completely sold on this way of traveling! Now, I don't expect that this REALLY settles the issue; I expect that the next trip, I'll have to do the packing and there'll be some more discussion about how he doesn't *need* anything more than one bag. I'll have to remind him of this trip and how happy he was. But hey, this last trip was the first step, so the next step will be easier, and the third step will be easier than that, and eventually, I DO expect that this will stop being an issue altogether. Then I'll get to teach him how to pack his own bag, while I pack mine...but that's another story (and battle ;-) So: PROOF. Believe me, if I can win MY stubborn-as-a-mule husband over, you can win your argument with your spouse (or other family member). Just get the books, read them all the way through, mention and read aloud some of the tips, show a couple of the diagrams...then take what you've read and put it into action the next time you're traveling. The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes, but once you prove this by action and experience, you're on your way to getting your hard-core down to just one bag, too! :-)

I travel quite a bit and found some of Foster's tips to be valuable. Many of her ideas are just common sense. The most valuable part of the book is choosing and packing a suitcase. With airlines cracking down on sizes of carry on bags, packing efficiently becomes more important. The book was written in 2008, so fashions and technology have changed in the past 6 years. Hopefully there is an update on the horizon.

Great book! I am getting so much wonderful information! Tops any of the other 'How To" books. I just wish I had her DVD! Would love to see her in action. Get this book if you are even THINKING of traveling or buying new luggage, or before buying your travel wardrobe.

I've gotten a number of packing-for-travel books in the past. This book is one of the best ones I have read, and I wish I would have gotten it sooner. I used a number of the packing suggestions for a business trip to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago. The advice and suggestions given in this book are true gems, and this book is definitely going to help me immensely for a longer trip I am taking in July.

I read this book before our trip to Ireland. The tour company requested that we bring one suitcase for the 10-day trip. I take 1 suitcase for 4 days in CA on business! So I read about staying with one main color and limiting the number of slacks. It gave some pretty practical ideas for packing our usual smaller items too. This was a useful book for me.

I looked at the table of contents and knew it would be super easy to find what I needed about smart packing...before I even read the whole book! Susan Foster gives you concrete examples, there is no guessing! I haven't travelled in years, and I am now getting the opportunity to do so. I needed this book just to initially deal with today's current rules and regulations. But this book is so much more, and it helps you plan ahead better than you think you should.

Sent this to my mother as she was preparing for a trip to Italy. She learned a lot of helpful tips and felt more prepared for her trip. Quick shipping - Great little reference book, especially if someone's not a seasoned traveler.

Very good guide. Doesn't mention tips for more tech like notes and numbers using smart phone.

Having travelled for over 30 years, both for business and vacation, I thought I knew how to pack. After reading this book I found that there were gaps in my planning, thinking, and packing. The book is full of worthwhile ideas and tips. Well worth the cost.

Fantastic book for an unseasoned packer! I lent the book out and was completely lost without it...This is my second copy.