Traveling ultralight
by Volker Weber
4.3 kg (or 9.5 lb) was the weight of my 'luggage' on my New York trip. That includes all the gear, toothbrush, toothpaste, a clean shirt every morning, underwear and the bag itself.
No need to leave anything behind at the bell hop when you check out. No wheels, just a messenger bag thrown over your shoulder.
The weather was hot, so I did not need a jacket, just a big Kufiya, courtesy of Herr and Frau Lampe, to fend of the sun outdoors or the icy air conditioning indoors.
Comments
Nice scale :-)
Glad it's of some use!
Indeed, it is. Thank you Theo. ;-)
How long was this trip? Were you staying in hotel(s) or someone's house (wondering about laundering)...
Good question, Amy. Monday to Thursday. Staying in hotel. Did not need laundering. This would be the trick for extended travel with ultralight luggage. I have done that before with 13.5 pounds in the winter. Wash your clothes every day with hotel shampoo in the sink. Then you need materials that dry overnight.
So to save waiting 10 minutes on the luggage at the airport, you use 10 minutes every night to wash clothes in the sink?
Why this obsession with travelling ultra light?
I have not checked bags in years. But you can carry a lot more before you have to check baggage. And no, I did not have to wash stuff. That was only four days. I would have to wash if I stayed longer.
I am pretty sure I will be able to travel without any luggage at all. Toothbrush and toothpaste can be bought, Passport and wallet fit in my pockets, so do phone and charger.
How did I get this idea? When I walk the dog, I have to bring lots of things. The dog just leaves the house.
Please don't follow the bird when you see it fly from one building to the next without any things. :-)
The dog just leaves the house. With you!
You carry the things your dog needs: Keys to get back into home for example. :)
Huge advantage if you ever have to change flights - delays might happen and with luggage it is a pain.
I never get away with as little as Volker does (and never will), but I try to avoid checking in luggage at any cost. Ähem.... except when traveling with my family, but that is not that often by plane.
@Armin I can remember at least one time when we (three) landed from US in Frankfurt with delay on a Saturday and then could change the plane immediately as we did not have any checked luggage. Number 3 had to wait for ages for the flight to Paderborn :)
@Bernd, I remember that well. And as much as I enjoyed the home delivery of my luggage by Lufthansa when it did not make the connection in Frankfurt a few times, the more I like to stay in control over my stuff at all times. Coming home is not a big deal, losing your stuff when flying out is a pain.
