Packing and Gear

Last month, I presented the first batch of the On-the-Road Travel Tips (and my own comments, where appropriate) from readers responding to a request in my January 2020 column. In the spirit of continued sharing of travel wisdom, I invite you to keep them coming.

Applying to anything that makes your travel experience work better for you while actually traveling, your travel tip (in 125 words or fewer) can involve luggage, clothing, electronic devices, transportation, accommodation, dining, etc. See my email or address at the end of this column.

In my January 2020 column, I invited readers to send me their favorite On-the-Road Travel Tips, applying to anything that makes your travel experience work better for you while actually traveling.

The response has been excellent, and the first selection of tips is presented below (with my own comments added where appropriate). Hopefully, you will find some of the offerings in this series to be applicable to your own travels.

It’s easy to forget something when you’re packing for a trip. Checking a master list of essential items can save a lot of hassle later.

It’s easy to forget something when you’re packing for a trip. Checking a master list of essential items can save a lot of hassle later.

It’s easy to forget something when you’re packing for a trip. Checking a master list of essential items can save a lot of hassle later.

In late 2019, ITN subscriber Tressie Alvernaz of Lakeside, California, wrote, “There are three articles with very helpful packing tips that were printed in ITN way back in 2002 and which I have kept all these years.

“They are 'The Ultimate Packing List' (Aug. '02, pg. 77), 'Packing Light — the Bare Necessities of Travel' (Sept. '02, pg. 60) and 'The Ultimate Pre-trip “To Do” List' (Oct. '02, pg. 58).

I enjoyed reading the letters from people who travel with a minimum of high-tech equipment (Sept. ’19, pg. 29). My husband and I have been using “dumb” flip phones. I do have a tablet that I use for email, since friends at home like to read my daily trip reports, plus I have my books loaded on it. But something happened on our last trip that made me rethink not having a smartphone. 

My wife, Sue, and I travel often, and we only use carry-ons. We each own a Briggs & Riley (www.briggs-riley.com) International Carry-On Expandable [$569 for 2-wheeled or $599 for 4-wheeled] and one backpack or laptop-size roller bag. 

The B&R is unique in that the handle is mounted on the outside, so the interior space is completely available for storage.