From Checking Bags to Carry On Only - All the stuff we decided to purge

We started our latest sabbatical with luggage that we had to check, but after almost ten months of travel decided to purge some stuff to fit into carry-on only bags. In this video we are showing you all of the stuff we decided to leave behind. Some of I'm sure we won't miss, some of it...I'm hoping we don't miss...
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This channel is for travelers. We are David and Robb, and have been traveling together for 30 years. We’ve been to over 85 countries and territories (so far) on trips that have ranged from a couple of weeks to a couple of years. We are currently taking a four year sabbatical and offer you an unconventional example of what is possible.
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[@gregneil612]

On our most recent trip, I’m proud to say that we used all of the clothes we took with us at least three times. The tour company we travelled with through Central Australia provided us with a flat first aid kit about 10cm square, which we used a lot. Apart from blister patches and band aids, the kit also had eye wash, antiseptic and water filtration tablets. The train company had warned us that the power fluctuated substantially, so we needed to bring a power board with a surge protector. This came in very handy as there were several instances where the power surged.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

That's great use of clothes! I say bring whatever you want, there isn't a right or wrong amount of stuff, this was just too much for us. And we also carry a surge protector. It is too big and we need to find a smaller one, but we had a laptop die after a surge in Mexico years ago so we are extra cautious on our expensive equipment.

[@dylinredling]

Allison and I are big proponents of carry on only with one roller suitcase and backpack each. With every big trip we do, we try to refine our packing list a bit. We use cubes, lightweight clothes in basic colors that dry easily on drying racks, convertible pants, etc. We have one little bag with all our electronics cords and accessories. Our heaviest items are probably our laptops and Kindles, but we use them a lot. Our problem is the little miscellaneous stuff that tends to multiply and add up, so we're trying to be better about that (Allison has a tendency to bring all the little freebies and snacks that you get on airplanes, Airbnbs, etc).

[@tendegreeswarmer]

The little bits and bobs absolutely multiply! We do a lot of similar things, with clothes that can be worn with anything else we have. We've never had to carry so many bits of electronics though, and we haven't quite figured that out yet. I know people travel with big DSLR cameras and drones and things, and I just can't see how I could manage that kind of bulk and weight, even as I wonder if those items could be in our future. One of these days I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get rid of my jeans, but today is not that day.

[@JoseeGill]

Great video, we prefer to not check our bags, travel light and carry on! After every trip we reassess what clothes and what stuff we carried with us and did not use. I carry too many shoes!! I prefer to buy a sweater or buy a pair of shoes in Spain or in France, sometimes even less expensive than if I would have bought it in the states and it is a beautiful souvenir.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

The Boy Scout in me likes to be prepared, but there is just a lot of freedom in having less stuff to carry with you. Luckily shoes aren't my problem, just have sneakers and my Teva's. Buying clothes can be a challenge in some places - they just don't always make things for tall people!

[@christinaboston1510]

Preparing for a month long Turkey/Greece trip right now and this Is helpful to me as I make edits to my packing the next few weeks.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You might make different choices depending on what is important to you, but we just decided we'd rather buy something we needed on the go than carry all this extra stuff "just in case".

[@ryansmith8657]

Great video - and what works for us so we don't forget things or leave them behind: I have a Google doc with our 'punch out list' of allllll of our check-in / check-out / packing list items.. Every stay I paste that into a new Google Task set x2 days before we check out.. I then update that and delete things as they get done until we are out the door. It's the only way that we pretend to stay organized and not forget things when we goto our next stay..!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

That's a great tip! Staying organized can be a challenge when you're changing destinations frequently, so having a plan can make all the difference. I'm not familiar with Google Task, I'll have to look that up

[@deborahcasper6120]

You have some neat stuff, but I admire your downsizing.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thanks for watching! Most of it was intended to serve a function at some point, but most of it just wasn't needed enough to warrant carrying it indefinitely anymore.

[@dawnturner8735]

I always carry a small headlamp when I travel. You just never know if you might need it, when the power goes out it’s nice to know you can see and have your hands free. It’s light and doesn’t take up much room.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

We carried a headlamp for years - and never once used it. 😂 You are correct they are small and light and that is why we carried it for so long. One of these days I'll actually need it and then I'll be sorry! lol

[@dawnturner8735]

@@tendegreeswarmer Lol, yep, that is usually how it works. Lol

[@snailtravelers]

Nice video! We have a similar travel style, lower budget, carry-on only, slow traveling about a month in each place, I even had that same belt with the zipper money compartment (that I also no longer use). We are newly subscribed to your channel and look forward to following your journeys.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thanks for saying hi! Most of the travelers we meet are working with higher budgets than us, so always nice to meet others with similar priorities. Looking forward to digging into your content!

[@lilac1941]

Great video! We also travel with Osprey bags. Thanks for all the tips on packing light.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Glad you found it helpful! I wish the Osprey bags had a few pockets, but I definitely appreciate the quality and comfort. Once we know what size is going to work I'll definitely look at the Osprey line to see what our options are.

[@MarshallandSabrina]

Great video! We recently downsized too and we are so happy to have less stuff to keep up with!!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Is it weird that I already think we kept too much? lol

[@MarshallandSabrina]

@@tendegreeswarmer 😂 just means you can make it lighter later!

[@stephaniec.2426]

Great video. I'm struggling to leave behind my Turkish towel. I like and use it but boy does it take up a bunch of space. I currently roll it and strap to the outside of my pack or wear it. We have just one small backpack each. We used to have the exact same osprey packs.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

We can definitely relate! I'm currently struggling with a small pillow that I carry. It takes up too much room, but I end up using it in probably half our stays. I'm a poor sleeper anyway, and with a bad pillow I'm just miserable. But it is so bulky! Sometimes it is hard managing competing desires. lol. Let us know when you make a decision on keeping or purging the towel!

[@omrouk]

I'm surprised by the decision to read on the phone/laptop screen vs the Kindle, from a purely eye health stand point. I have a Kobo and I will spare my eyes the strain of the laptop or the phone any chance I get and read on my Kobo.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I've never noticed any eye issues reading on the computer. I wouldn't want to read on my phone though, that would be so much scrolling I'd hurt my thumb. lol I'm a fan of the kindle, but we just weren't using it enough to warrant keeping it with us.

[@gregneil612]

Will your mum be carrying home all of your excess stuff? 😂

[@tendegreeswarmer]

We all made a quick stop home so it was a perfect time to do this. The real question will be going forward, will we need her to bring us stuff that we decide we needed after all! haha