Unique digital nomad travel adventures from around the U.S.
What is the best travel first aid kit? The one you make yourself! Outlined below are simple steps to make your own mini travel first aid kit. I also provide free printables for both a travel first aid kit checklist and labels for your kit …
![Foldable Flats for Travel [Product Review]](https://i0.wp.com/janeseestheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_7141.jpg?resize=760%2C400&ssl=1)
I review three different pairs of foldable flats for travel. If you are a woman traveler and you have your eye on a pair of foldable flats for your next trip, this post is for you. Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if …
We’ve recently written posts about how to pack for trips to cold and medium climates. To round out the advice, this post will be how to pack for packing advice for hot climates. This might seem strange considering it is mid-January, but last year at this very time we were packing up for peak summer in Australia.
I’ve discussed how I really don’t like being hot, much less hot and humid. But here’s the thing: there are so many places in this world that are super rad that have super high temperatures. You just have to suck it up and do your best to stay cool. Clothing choices are pivotal in helping you survive the heat, so you have to make sure you pack well. If this sounds too doomsday, there is a plus side for packing for hot climates: summer clothes are usually pretty small so you can cram a lot more in your bag! Here’s the packing that we did a few Februarys ago when we took a nine-day trip to Hawaii.
*Again, I’m not going to include incidentals like undies and pjs since you’ll have to bring that for every trip anyway and everyone has their own preference for how much to pack.
Sandals, sandals, sandals. Done. Just kidding…it’s not that easy. For Hawaii, it made sense to have three pairs of shoes: my trusty hiking sandals, flip flops, and waterproof close-toe shoes.
In Hawaii, we knew we were going to do a lot of hiking, but hiking sandals are also great for non-hiking trips as they have great support, letting you walk long distances with them on without hurting your feet. On some of our trips we log over 30,000 steps in one day (I’m looking at you Warsaw), so you need to make sure your shoes are up to the test.
I actually didn’t pack a pair of these to take with me to Hawaii because I wanted a new pair and thought the selection would be better there than in ol’ frozen Idaho. Flippers are really useful for when you are going to be spending a lot of the time at the beach because they are so easy to slip on and off. They can also be real handy when you are in sketchy shower situations and because there’s nothing to them they don’t take up much space in your pack. What the heck, throw in a pair.
B grew up with horses, so whenever we have a chance to go horseback riding on vacations, we usually do. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to pack cowboy boots, but you will need to make sure your little feets are fully covered or sometimes they won’t let you on the horse. For Hawaii, I purchased a pair of shoes that would work for horses and also were capable of getting wet for some of our more adventurous snorkeling excursions. It would be a real bummer to kick a piece of coral and scratch up your toes!
For a weekish long trip, I pack one skirt, one pair of shorts and one pair of pants that can be rolled up when it gets too hot. We’ve discussed material in the other posts, and it plays a very important role when it comes to hot temperatures. My skirt and shorts are made of a lightweight synthetic material that wicks moisture off my skin and keeps me cooler. My pants are made of linen and are nice and breezy.
Skirts are a must in hot climates because you get a nice breeze all the way up your legs and cooling off all that real estate helps keep the rest of you cool. I have a black skirt that has seen many different countries. The black is a good choice because it hides dirt and can look dressier if you want to be fancy.
Since it is hot in Hawaii, I packed three t-shirts and two tank tops. The shirts are nice and thin so I could throw in a few more and not have to worry about it. You’ll want to make sure the material is something that is quick drying. One because you are going to get sweaty, and two, when you wash them out in your sink because they are smelly as all get out, you want them to dry in just a few hours while you sleep. I also packed a long-sleeve shirt for evenings. (A fleece also came with me, but that’s because we left Idaho in cold temperatures and I needed something to wear to the airport.) A scarf or pashmina could also work in place of a long-sleeve shirt.
Another option for a travel is a dress. In the heat, these are breezy like a skirt. The down side of a dress is that you don’t get as much use out of it because you can’t switch tops and bottoms to mix up your look, but if you are good with that then go for it. With a dress you never have to worry about your outfit coordinating!
You won’t need much in terms of outerwear for a hot climate. Just make sure to bring at least one long-sleeve shirt or scarf and a raincoat. Even if it is hot as a hellfire, it can still rain on you, resulting in you being hot and wet. Gross.
Swim gear is gonna be big in most hot climates. Since most hot places we go to are also tropical, that means it is also going to be pretty humid. Due to this, it is best to pack more than one swimsuit so you can alternate days and never have to put on a semi-dry swimmer. That is the worst! Heck, since suits are so small, you can even go crazy and pack three if you really feel like it.
For Hawaii, B tried out a new swim-related item: swim pants. These look just like tight, capri workout pants that are made of swimsuit material. They are great for adventures that including water (think paddle boarding). She recommended them so highly I picked myself up a pair and wore them in the Azores. I very much appreciated the extra sun protection they offered (sun-burnt upper thighs are no fun) and they made me feel like my cellulite wasn’t on display for the world to see. Even if you don’t get swim pants, you should definitely look into a rashguard. These are tight tops made of swimsuit material that keep you from burning or from getting a rash during surfing, etc. My sun-burning fair skin appreciates any extra protection against the sun in hot climates.
Some countries with crazy hot climates are also very religious and conservative: think Middle East and Northern Africa. In these countries, packing clothes is way more challenging because you can’t just throw on a skimpy tank top and mini skirt. Well, I suppose you could, but you really shouldn’t. For our trip to Morocco, we had to change up our normal hot climates go-tos for some more conservative options. We made sure our skirts were longer but still nice and airy. For tops, we picked very lightweight material that covered our shoulders and didn’t dip too low in the front. Material was VERY important for that trip.
If you want to see the world you are just going to have to come to terms with traveling in places that spike the thermometer. What you pack can make a real difference in your comfort level when you are soaking up the sun.
A few weeks ago, we wrote about packing for cold weather destinations. We thought we’d continue along those lines and write about packing for other climates, so this post will be number two of the series and discuss packing advice for Medium Climates. Medium = …
We’ve written about how B and I scored a great deal on a trip to Europe this Christmas. It’s going to be a fantastic winter trip…emphasis on winter. Since we will be taking a trip during cold weather, our packing list is going to be …
Travel-size toiletries usage can be tricky. But we tested them out and here is how long they really last.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How long do travel-size toiletries last? Those mini containers may be small, but they pack a big punch—big enough to get you through your vacation and then some (which is especially useful when you are looking for the tools and gear to pack light). I discovered this fact for myself by doing a little experiment. It is an experiment you can do yourself, although you might not want to (it got a little tedious). However, I was pleased with the knowledge I gained and the assurance that I will most likely never run out of product while on the road.
My travel-size toiletries usage experiment began with a late-night Target run. Although I went with a purpose, I found myself wandering and finding items I did not realize I needed until that moment (anyone else?). Anyway, when I found myself next to the travel-size toiletries, I had the thought that I should stock up on some before my next trip. That made me wonder what I might already have in stock. This led me to wonder how long those little bottles lasted anyway. I usually buy some new ones before I leave on a big trip. However, if I just use them for a weekend getaway, I am never sure how many more days I might have before they run out.
I decided it was time for an experiment to see how many uses I could get out of the travel-size toiletries I typically use. So I grabbed a few items and headed to checkout. Here is what I picked up:
My plan was simple: every time I used one of the products, I would make a check mark on a piece of paper. Although the plan was simple, because a little goes a long ways when it comes to travel-size toiletries, the process became quite tedious. I misplaced my paper several times and it seemed to take forever for certain products to run out. However, I stuck to it because I wanted to know the answer. Plus, I was invested at that point. Below are the results of my experiment:
(Disclaimer: I do not wash my hair every day and I have short hair.) My 1.5-ounce test shampoo lasted through 13 washes. If you consider that I wash my hair every other day, that is 26 days worth of good looking hair. A fair amount and more than I need for most trips.
Sun Bum makes a travel-sized shampoo that I really like. I have also been traveling a lot more with solid shampoo, which goes a lot further than liquid shampoo.
I felt like my body wash was the bottle that never ended. I should have picked up something smaller. Oh well. If you are going on adventures that get you really dirty, you may go through body wash a lot faster than I did. But it took me 44 washes before it ran out—and I was being really generous toward the end. If you are anything like me, you should not have to worry about buying a new body wash for every trip.
If you go through a lot of body wash, I recommend the cute bottles by Method. If you do not need that much, I recommend good old Dr. Bronner’s
Lotion was the product I used the most of in one sitting. My 1-ounce bottle of lotion lasted through eight uses. So I guess I need about one ounce for every week I am traveling—probably a little more if I am going somewhere really dry.
When it comes to travel-sized lotions, it doesn’t get much better than La Chatelaine.
Those little freebees you get from the dentist take forever to use up. My .85-ounce tube took 40 uses. Since I brush my teeth twice a day, that is 20 days worth! One small tube was not enough to last me a month in Australia. But for a two-week stint, or shorter, it will do just fine.
Update: I rarely travel with traditional toothpaste these days. I have made the move to toothpaste tabs. I simply count out the number I need for the whole trip and I don’t have to worry about running out. My favorites are the Toothy Tabs from Lush.
Shaving cream is not something I typically travel with but I figured I would try it out for the sake of this exercise. A 2-ounce can lasted through 10 shaves. Since I am not a shave-your-legs-everyday kind of girl, this was more than enough for a two-week trip or less.
For more information about shaving on the road, see our post on the best travel razor for women travelers.
This went a REALLY long way. I realize that a face is smaller real estate than say, a leg. But I was shocked at how far a tiny bottle of face moisturizer went. It lasted me 12 days! This travel-size toiletry gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Like a lot of people, I am kind of picky about what I put on my face. Whenever I travel, I stick to Kiehl’s or First Aid Beauty. I have heard good things about e.l.f.’s Jet Set Hydration Kit, but I have not tried it myself.
Facewash too goes a long ways. My 1-ounce bottle lasted through 31 washes—enough for a month-long trip, two two-week trips or many weekend trips. Again, I prefer First Aid Beauty.
About half way through my experiment, I thought of another way to measure: use a kitchen scale to weigh how much of a product you use each time. Then divide the total amount by that single-use amount, and you will know about how many uses you can expect from a particular travel-sized bottle. Note: this only works if you have a sensitive scale. Some do not measure smaller than an ounce.
I tested out my scale to see how accurate my check-mark method was. First, I tried out some toothpaste. I had to do a little math (which is not my strong suit), but I finally came up with 40.8 uses. Above, I mentioned that my check-mark method resulted in 40 uses. It appears that my calculations were right in line with my check marks. Awesome! Next, I measured some lotion. I came up with eight uses—which is exactly how many check marks I got out of my experiment. Although I am glad I followed through with the check mark method, I recommend you go with the scale method if possible.
Everyone uses different products and everyone uses products differently. R has a lot more hair than I do so she uses more shampoo per washing. As I mentioned earlier, I do not use conditioner at all. So that is one less product I have to worry about. However, I do have to pack pomade for my short locks. Since we are all a bit different in what we use and how we use it, no two people will get the same amount of uses out of a travel-sized toiletry. However, in general, I would say that unless you are traveling for more than a month, the TSA 3.4-ounce rule is going to be fine most of the time. In fact, you are probably going to come up with leftover product.
Rarely do I run out of anything on the last day of my trip. Most often, I come home with half-filled bottles that get shoved into a drawer with the rest of my travel accessories. The easy solution for left-over product (and one I need to do a better job at) is to simply use it up. Why not brush your teeth with your travel-size toothpaste until it runs out? I kind of like starting a trip with brand-new, travel-size toiletries, but I am not a big fan of wastefulness. Using up what you have left is one way to be more sustainable.
Another option is to consolidate. Save up those half-filled bottles of shampoo until you have enough to combine into one. This takes up a bit more room in that drawer and requires a bit of diligence, but it is a good option for certain products (toothpaste, not so much).
I would say that the best option, however, is to purchase some cute, reusable tubes. With this option, you use your usual brands while on the road and when you get home, it is super easy to use up the leftovers or refill for the next trip. Note: you will want to label your containers. Otherwise, you may end up putting something other than shampoo on your hair like R did.
I looooooove the capsules by Cadence. But they are a little pricey and not for everyone.
Knowing how long travel-size toiletries really last has been so helpful when it comes to packing light. The TSA limit of 3.4 ounces goes a long ways and unless you are traveling for a month or more, most travel-size toiletries are going to last through your whole trip. You are going to have more trouble figuring out what to do with the leftovers than anything else.
I encourage you to try out your own travel-size toiletries usage experiment and see how fast you go through those little bottles. And then come tell us all about it!
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I am currently in Kansas City for a week. The reason: work. Now, packing for business travel is very different than packing for a personal trip. In general, it requires more clothes. Luckily, I work for a very casual company and the dress code is …
Tips and tricks for a strong summer music festival preparation. The weather is getting hot, the flowers are in full bloom and if you are really lucky, you are listening to a sweet riff on an electric guitar. Summer is upon us, which means (in …
Without a good small item packing checklist, you may well forget something super useful on your next trip. When it comes to packing, I am not a big supporter of “just in case” or “what if.” That is the fastest way to over pack. Plus, you end up hauling around a bunch of stuff you do not need and/or want. There are stores all over the world and it is easy enough to pick up the things you have forgotten or the things you did not realize you would need. That said, there are a few exceptions.
Below is a list of 10 items that I take on nearly every trip. I do not always need them, but I am sure grateful I have them when I do. What makes them worthy of being hauled around on every major trip I go on? First, they are small and light. Critical components of things you put in your bag that you might not use. They are also things that might be harder to find in a foreign country. Or maybe they are easy to find, but you have to buy a lot of them. Finally, they are things that when you need them, you need them now! You have better things to do on your vacation than track down these miscellaneous items.
I have never regretted packing the following 10 items. In fact, more often than not, I am grateful I had them in my time of need. Below the following list is a free printable of my small item packing checklist to help you remember these useful items the next time you go on vacation.
Broken zipper? Lost button? Tear in your coat? There is a tiny but mighty solution for an array of wardrobe and gear malfunctions. In certain situations, a safety pin = lifesaver. They are small and weigh next to nothing. If you never use one, great! But if the need arises, man, you’ll be grateful for one of these little dudes. I have fixed more than one broken strap on a bag with a safety pin. I have even used one to keep the drapes in my hotel room closed (there is nothing worse than two inches of light shining on your face when you are trying to sleep). Grab a few, hook them together, and throw them in your bag.
I like to keep a couple plastic baggies of different sizes tucked away in my bag. They come in handy for repackaging food, holding a wet swimsuit or gathering beach glass. They lay flat so a back panel or pocket is the perfect place to tuck them. You can usually pick these up on the road from any grocery store, but you typically only need one or two and not the whole box.
R is especially good at packing wipes. Lately, she has been busting them out as soon as we sit down on the plane to wipe down our trays and such—which are particularly germ-ridden. However, there are countless situations on the road where a wipe can help you with a quick clean up and there is a particular wipe for almost every situation. Stain? Tide has you covered. Makeup remover? No problem. I am more of a general-use kind of girl, but packing a couple of different kinds of wipes is a good idea.
For example, there was this time in Australia when a bottle of purple nail polish broke in my toiletry bag. Not only was there purple nail polish all over everything in that bag, but I ended up with it all over my hands while trying to clean it up. It was a disaster. R busted out a little nail polish remover wipe and after just a couple of minutes, my hands and bag were in relatively good shape. That little wipe was a lifesaver.
Never, ever travel without earplugs. They are not foolproof, but they can certainly make an unpleasant experience more bearable. Trying to sleep on the plane is hard enough. Doing it without earplugs and with a crying baby behind you? Impossible. I use them on the plane, in hotels with thin walls, at concerts, on long bus rides, etc. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from, but they will all be small and lightweight. Most will be very affordable as well. Because they are so pack-friendly and crucial, it is a good idea to pack an extra pair.
This one might seem strange, but I cannot tell you the number of times having nail clippers in my bag has come in handy. Hangnails are a bother and can even be painful. Nail clippers take care of them in a jiffy. In a pinch, nail clippers can also work as scissors for cutting things like threads and price tags and opening packages. I have never regretted putting them on my small item packing checklist.
It never hurts to have a bill or two stashed somewhere in case of an emergency. This is separate from the cash you plan to spend on the trip. It does not need to be a lot. Just $20 or so in a pocket you rarely use or hidden within your toiletries could really come in handy.
A good friend of my dad tucks money into the owner’s manual of his car in case of an emergency. I like this idea a lot. So much so that I started doing the same thing. You just never know when a $20 bill will come in handy…assuming you remember you stashed it…and where you stashed it.
We have talked before about the types of medication you should pack for vacation. If that is not your thing, I recommend you carry some sort of pain reliever at the very least. There are small packages that do not take up much room and when you unexpectedly get that headache, sprained ankle or sunburn, you will be grateful for that small package of ibuprofen.
Too often, I over pack when it comes to snacks. I am not entirely sure why. Unless you are roughing it, there is really no need to weigh your bag down with all of your favorite treats. It is way more fun to find new, foreign treats anyway. However, it is a good idea to pack something in case of emergency like a granola bar, fruit leather or bag of nuts.
There was this time in Indonesia where the day just got away from us. We had good intentions to get some food, but one thing led to another and before we knew it, it was past dinnertime and we still had not stopped to eat. As we waited for a bus to take us back to town, I started to feel light-headed. I checked my bag and there in the bottom was a small bag of peanuts. I dug in and I must say, peanuts have never tasted so good! They were able to tide me over until we got a proper dinner later that night.
Tweezers are a lot like nail clippers—more of an afterthought. You may pack these anyway for some eyebrow maintenance. But if not, I suggest you start considering it. I have had a couple of sliver situations in which I was eternally grateful to have a pair handy. They can also untangle necklaces and tighten loose screws on glasses. Normal-sized tweezers do not take up a lot of room. However, there are mini, travel-sized tweezers on the market that take up even less room and are perfect for my small item packing checklist.
Do not pack an entire roll of duct tape (obvs). But a small amount can really come in handy the same way those safety pins do. In fact, between duct tape and safety pins, you should be able to fix just about anything…at least temporarily. I only recently replaced a fan that I like to take to warmer climates whose duct-tape fix has held up for years. You can buy small, travel-sized rolls or you can roll a bit of your own. (Unroll the desired amount and tear it off the roll. Then start at one end and tightly re-roll your strip.) How much you need really depends on how prone you are to breaking things. I find carrying around 10-12 inches adequate to handle most jobs. Anything bigger is going to necessitate a trip to the store for a whole roll.
Recently, R and I’s small stash of duct tape came in very handy. The doorknob to our place in Bruges, Belgium broke and the owner was unable to fix it until the next day. Duct tape provided a temporary solution. I am actually not sure what we would have done without it and I am so glad it is part of my small item packing checklist.
A collapsible bag is not necessarily something you should pack on every trip. However, I have found it to be more useful than not. More and more, I find myself not only packing one, but using it while on the road. A bag like the BAGGU reusable folding bag is a great option. It is good-sized and sturdy, but it folds up small and flat.
When packing for a trip, it can be easy to overlook the small things. But it is often the small things that help to make a pleasant journey. Luckily, the 10 (plus one bonus) items listed above can easily be packed without adding too much weight or bulk. And you will be grateful for your little lifesavers should an unfortunate travel situation arise.
Please enjoy a free printable of my small item packing checklist: Janes_Sees_the_World_Packing_Checklist_Small_Things
When choosing a backpack to travel the world with, there are many things to think about and take into consideration. My first backpack was a lesson in what not to buy. We went on a couple of good trips together, but I learned some important …