You might be heading out to the tropics for a month of sun and surf, but you don’t need to stuff a suitcase with a months worth of clothes and half a dozen hard-back autobiographies that you got for Christmas.
So here’s a guide on how to pack small for the big trip, saving you mucho cajero and also a lot of stress when you’re scrambling through arrivals and hopping on buses that barely stop to let you on.
1. Look before you book.
Know before you go. I’m talking baggage fees here. There are a lot of airlines that seem set out to skank you. Usually from American based companies and these can put a serious downer on a trip before you’ve even embarked. My favourite airline has to be SriLankan for sure, with a huge baggage allowance of 32kg, multiple boards allowed and very pleasant staff. The worst in my experience is United. They opened up my board bag at the desk and tried to charge me $150 PER BOARD. I had three with me and actually left one at left at the airport in a hissy fit.
2. Hand luggage
You’re probably traveling with a surfboard or three, so most of your weight allowance will be tied up right there. So get yourself a solid hand luggage bag as your carry-on companion. I’ve got a North Face duffel bag which is waterproof, drag along the floor proof, makes a great pillow and holds a healthy 42litres, which I fill with using the following technique:
3. Fold and roll
Lay your clothes down with the largest items on the bottom, pile them up, fold them once in half, then roll them into a tube. Fold and roll.
There’s no point in folding up your clothes as they will no doubt get creased, whilst taking up valuable space and That compact little tube of beaters and boardies should sit in one third of your hand luggage nicely.
4. Three is the magic number
Pretty much every culture around the world has figured out how to wash stuff and clean boxers are usually just a few hours away. So this is where we come to the universally agreed travellers trilogy of clothes: Three pairs of socks, three pairs of pants, three pairs of shorts (two boardies, one normal), three shirts. Wear one, wash one, dry one. If your clothes take up more than one-third of your bag, you’re taking too much and if you’re anything like me you will appreciate the lack of choice.
5. ‘Wearing is not carrying’
My good friend Will Jessup took this to the extreme and wore all of his underwear, two pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, a couple of vests, four tee shirts, two jumpers and a jacket on a flight to the Canaries once, as wearing is not carrying. However this guy took it a bit too far apparently and got booted off a BA flight. So sensibly stuff your pockets, wear your jacket, wear your stupid hat, rock your boots and pack your flip flops.
6. ‘Carry on plus one personal item’
Make use of this small personal item be it a camera bag (for your camera if you have one) or an old school laptop bag. It will be handy to have these things at hand either for the gram’ or entertaining yourself during layovers etc.
7. Duty-free doesn’t count
If you can’t fit it in your bag, buy something from duty free and put it in the duty-free bag. Or do what I tend to and buy all your ‘presents’ from duty free.
8. Handy hydration
Whilst traveling you must stay hydrated even more so than normal. The plane will suck every ounce of moisture from you, you will work up a sweat in transit and if you’re in a tropical country, you will be consuming more water than the locals at Fabric nightclub on a Friday night. So a convenient and cost effective way to keep on top of your hydration is to ALWAYS travel with a decent water bottle with a carabiner attached so you can clip it to your backpack. Most airports have water fountains these days so you can stay topped up, whilst saving money, and the environment.
9. Dress accordingly
It’s taken me a few years but I feel I’ve got this dialled now. Basically if you’re going somewhere tropical, you’re probably going to be leaving a colder climate. You may be tempted to wear your shorts from day one with all the excitement, but you will be coming back to much colder climes having spent time in the tropics, so wear comfortable bottoms, lightweight trainers, and a lightweight coat. All these things can be packed up small when you discard them in the plane toilet in the obligatory hour before landing wet wipe shower.
10. If in doubt, don’t
Seriously, if you doubt you need it, you definitely don’t. Pack lighter than you think because you can always buy or borrow it.
11. (bonus) Surfer’s pack list
I’ve assumed you’re going to a tropical trip throughout this blog, so here’s a list of pretty much exactly what I take on such trips:
- Jogging bottoms (with good pockets), shamefully trendy yet practical lightweight jacket and light, comfortable trainers to travel in. Converse are my normal choice as they are light enough to wear whilst away and the black Chuck Taylors tie any outfit together nicely.
- Passport in zipped jacket pocket
- 2 surfboards in double board bag: After years of experience, I’ve decided that a massive coffin board bag is actually a serious pain to travel with and for me two surfboards is more than enough. Don’t pack the board bag with too much as they are the most awkward things to carry in the world, but a towel, duct tape, fin key, wax, ding stuff and leashes will fit nicely without adding too much weight
- Backpack (as above)
- Clothes in the rule of threes (see above)
- Cap (obvs)
- Good sunglasses (obvs)
- Flip flops (I usually buy a cheap pair when away and leave them there, but they are essential)
- One set of sleeping clothes – I personally think it’s crucial for a good night’s sleep and obviously hygienic, to get into completely different clothes from what you’ve been wearing all day
- One set of yoga clothes
- Sleep kit: eye mask and ear plugs are a must for me
- Shower kit: Organic mosquito repellent soap, organic disposable toothbrush, aloe vera toothpaste, moisturiser, zinc and suncream
- Camera with spare batteries and cables
- Macbook in waterproof box
- iPhone – something I’ve tried to get rid of but maps, entertainment and the ability to contact whoever, whenever keeps me hooked
- Headphones
- Kindle
- Pad and pen
- Cards
- Basic first aid kit
That should just about cover you for any long haul tropical trip, but these are just some tips that I have learnt from my own personal surf travel tips. Obviously things differ for girls/ short haul flights/ cold climate trips. If you have any tips, please add in the comments section below.