Rewind to when we were packing for Europe. The temperatures ranged from super cold and rainy to super hot and sunny with a bit of normal comfortable temperatures everywhere else. Consequently, we had to pack for several climates.
Fast forward to last year–we had to pack for cold temperatures in the Andes and Lake Titicaca, and scorching hot temperatures in Mexico City . We also decided it would be wise to take sleeping bags which turned out to be a good decision.
This trip will be hot weather. Warm to Extremely Hot weather only. There will be no winter jackets, no thermals, no puffy vests, no sleeping bags, not a mitten in sight. So, we’ve decided to downsize.
Jon’s new pack is a 28L Osprey Kestrel. My new pack is a 30L Deuter Futura SL. This is half the size of the packs we’re currently using. Is this an upgrade or a downgrade? Depends on how you look at it…
I think the pros are outweighing the cons in this situation. We’ll have less room to pack so we’ll be carrying less weight. And, because the bags are smaller we’ll be able to take them as carry-on, which means less waiting around the airport for the baggage carousel, AND, less chance that our bags will be lost on any connecting flights because they’ll be with us. The only other con I can think of also involves less space–less space for liquids like sun screen and bug spray. I’m sure I’ll find something in mini-size here to fit into the zip lock. Let’s hope I don’t regret this decision.
What do you think about carry-on only?
~j
Update–I absolutely love the decision to go with carry-on only, and honestly don’t know if I could ever go back to checked luggage!