I hate packing for a trip. Or, rather, I hate having to think about packing for a trip. Thus, I’ve standardized my approach. When it’s time to pack for a trip, I know exactly what has to happen.
My bag
First, the bag. I use a large TUMI duffel for checked baggage. It’s big enough to hold everything I need but also folds down and squeezes into crevasses and tight spaces if required.
Clothing
In order of importance, I pack underwear first, then workout clothes (shorts and tanks), then everyday tees/polos, then everyday shorts, then a few pairs of slacks, and finally a few pairs of dress(y) shirts. One reversible belt. That’s my clothing for any trip. I never overpack clothes; I know what I like and I bring only that. If I need to change throughout the trip, I can just wash and re-wear what I have.
Shoes
Next, the shoes. I only pack Peluvas. I never wear anything else anymore. My feet won’t tolerate “normal” shoes. They were pretty wide before from barefooting but they’ve gotten even wider now that I can wear toe-splaying minimalist footwear all the time.
- Black leather Napas for going to fancy places in dark slacks.
- White or black Strands for gyms and "clean" hikes/walks
- Grey or camo Strands for dirty hikes or wet work
- White Miamis for casual walking around in summer shorts
- Desert Boot for travel and with khaki pants or jeans.
All shoes pack easily, as they are quite collapsible.
Toiletries
Toiletries in a TUMI dopp kit: toothbrush, Marvis toothpaste, floss, Gillette razor and cream, Old Spice deodorant, Tom Ford cologne, Elta MD tinted face sunscreen/moisturizer, ChapStick. I know I’ll probably hear it from you guys about using conventional products like Gillette and Old Spice, but I stick with what works. I’m a creature of habit and these have worked for me for decades. What can I say?
As for the Elta MD sunscreen, I get a lot of sun wherever I go. Whether it’s at home in Miami, in LA, or abroad, I’m usually outside as much as possible. There’s nothing wrong with using a physical mineral (zinc oxide) sunblock for those times when you simply get too much sun and can’t find shade or wear a hat. This one also happens to moisturize which is nice.
Resistance band
For exercise, I bring one lightweight resistance band and that’s it. If I want more resistance, I can double it up. Besides, I’m not focused on training hard when I’m traveling. I use the band to hit some mobility and keep things moving, walk/hike/play as much as possible outside, and use hotel gyms whenever I feel the need for something harder. Books
Thick paperback book(s) to last the trip. I can’t get into eBooks, so this is the biggest extravagance. I’ll take 1, 2, 3, or sometimes even 4 thick fiction books for pleasure reading. They’ll often weigh as much as anything else I bring and take up about as much space. Would my life be easier if I just read on the Kindle? Sure, but that doesn’t feel like “reading” to me. It simply isn’t the same.
Productivity
The work gear goes in a TUMI ballistic backpack: computer and computer stuff, wires, headphone jacks, passports, notebooks and pencils, etc. I always keep a laptop or phone and a notebook on me just so I can keep track of ideas when they come to me.
Trips of less than 5 days, all the packed stuff above fits in a carry-on.
How do you pack for a trip?
