We've added this section because several people have asked
specifically about it.
| Reasons to take MORE clothes: |
 |
1. You don't have to do laundry as frequently
2. You have a more versatile wardrobe for various weather
conditions
3. You don't always have to look like you work for the
Crocodile Hunter
4. You don't get *completely* tired of your outfits
quite so soon |
|
| Reasons to take LESS clothes: |
|
1. You don't have to carry them
2. You don't have to spend time deciding what to wear;
you have no choice
3. You don't have to carry them
4. You can buy some clothes on-route without feeling
guilty for having too many
5. And the biggest reason of all, you don't have to
carry them |
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| As you can easily see, there are 4 reasons
to take more clothes, but 5 reasons to take less clothes,
so we tried to take less. Here's what we carry: |
|
| Susan: |
|
wind-proof, rain-resistant jacket (1)
light, zip-up hoody (1)
long pants (2: jeans, light quick-dry cotton pants)
shorts (1)
skirts (2: one for beach and one for city/night)
t-shirts (4)
long-sleeve shirts (1: very light cotton, for sun &
bug protection, beach cover-up)
long-sleeve button-down (1: for hiking, bug-resistant,
beach cover-up)
lounge/sleep pants (1: GAP body - my "luxury"
packing item and it's worth it)
lounge/sleep shirts (2: GAP body again, almost weightless)
socks (3 pairs)
underwear & bras (one week's worth - none of your
business)
bathing suit (2: bikini, active)
hats (2: one small bucket for city, one larger for sun/hiking)
scarf (1: mosquito protection & mosques & other
things that begin with "mosqu")
flip-flops (1: Chacos)
tennis shoes (1: New Balance all-terrains)
city walking shoes (1: Born, black leather) |
|
| Grace: |
|
wind-proof, rain-resistant jacket (1)
long pants (2: convertible [to shorts], light pants)
shorts(2)
t-shirts (3)
short-sleeve button-down (1 - for out at night in the
cities)
long-sleeve button-down (1: for hiking, bug protection)
thermals (very light silk pants & shirt)
pajama pants (1)
sleep t-shirt
socks (4 pairs)
underwear (5)
bathing suit (1)
hat (1)
sandals (1: Ecco Receptors)
tennis shoes (1: New Ballance all-terrains) |
|
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| Items we had for only part of the trip: |
|
|
- Heavier hiking shoes (In a state of exhaustion,
we left them in the back of the Land Cruiser after our
gorilla trek - they were drying out. We ended up buying
lighter tennis shoes as replacements. Obviously, this
decision depends on how much hiking you do.) |
|
|
- Cheap $5 plastic ponchos (We gave these away after
we left rainy areas. That meant buying a $3 umbrella
in Tokyo, but it was probably better than the fashion-disaster
of wearing ponchos anyway.) |
|
|
- Heavier jackets, hats and gloves (purchased in Taiwan,
worn through Japan, then given away) |
|
|
- Grace's heavy fleece (we call 'em fuzzies, ditched
for the second half) |
|
|
- Heavier long-sleeve thermals (needed them for the
beginning, then sent home) |
|
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| Of extra-special note (things we really
love): |
|
|
- Ex-Officio underwear and t-shirts (it dries super
fast and stays less smelly longer) |
|
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- Gap Body light t-shirts and long pants (*very* soft
and weighs almost nothing) |
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| Other random tips: |
|
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- Research the weather in your various destinations.
Pack for this weather specifically rather than trying
to pack for every possible scenario. |
|
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- It's better to buy one thing on-route than carry
three things just in case. |
|
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- Try to make sure that everything matches most everthing
else so that you have the maximum flexibility for the
long-haul in outfit versatility. |
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- If you don't need something anymore (or you just
brought too much stuff), don't hesitate to give it away
or send it home. |
