How to Travel with 20 lbs or Less

So I was inspired by Tim Ferriss's excellent post on how to travel with 10 lbs or less. However, he was just headed to Maui for a few days, not a few weeks/months. So I stole the good, and then added my own. Here it is for your packing enjoyment.

Note: This is an interactive photo. If you click on it you can then see notes for every item.

First, I have to confess that I am a gear addict. From spending hours online or in magazines reading reviews, to hours in outdoor stores, the stuff just fascinates me. It's incredible how small and more efficient things get. Needless to say it can become a never ending quest to have the smallest and lightest pack. For my first foray into the unknown, I think I've done pretty well. But only time will tell.

But back on my less is more philosophy, there are a ton of reasons why it's better to pack less. Obviously, it's a hell of a lot easier to walk longer and farther, or to avoid a hernia when lifting your bag into the trunk of a cab when you bring less stuff. Not only that, you will have less to worry about losing, and you will have more space to bring goodies home. One of the best perks in my opinion is not having to check luggage at the airport. I can not tell you how many times my bags have been lost or delayed. Plus you can avoid having to camp out at the baggage carousel post flight...it's a win-win situation.

It's also just a freeing experience in general to have less stuff. Fewer things to clean, maintain, and worry about. And this couldn't be more true when traveling abroad. An old rule of thumb for traveling is to layout what you need, cut it in half, and double the cash you bring. You are bound to buy a few things anyways, and then anything that you really need you can buy on the road (and for much less than you would back home in a lot of cases). So what am I bringing along?

This is what is in the photo (if you click on the photo it will take you to an interactive version):

• 3 shirts
  
• 1 pair of pants
  
• 3 shorts - 1 swim, 1 regular, 1 running.
  
• 3 briefs
• 1 polo
• 1 Patagonia Sun Hoody - The website describes it best under "Ideal Uses" - Boat travel in Fiji, Baja Dirt Naps, Hunting Down Empanadas in Playas Del Coco, Hot-Weather Activities, Finding Kurtz.
  
• 1 Patagonia Houdini Jacket - This thing is absolutely incredible. I feel like a king being robed in velvet every time I put it on. It is the lightest (4.3 oz) rain jacket I have ever seen, and it folds up into the palm of your hand. Genius.
• 1 Lightweight Fleece - Yes, you do need a warm layer even in the tropics. Apparently the air con buses are frigid!
• REI Flash 18 - Daypack that doubles as a stuff sack...the more uses the better I say.
• 1 Large MSR Packtowl - This thing soaks up nine times its weight in water and dries incredibly fast. I think I'll start using these at home!
• 1 REI MultiTowel Lite - Same as above just smaller.
  
• 2 pairs lightweight socks - Probably won't need these much as I'll be wearing flipflops!
• 1 Toiletry Pack
• 1 pair flip flops
• 1 pair Vibram FiveFingers - I have been running in these for over a year now and absolutely love them. They are as close to being barefoot as you can get, with only slight rubber padding on the bottom for grip and glass protection. There's nothing better than running along the ocean and doing some beach sprints!
  
• Dr. Bronner's Soap - A must for any traveler/backpacker. You can use it for anything from showers to laundry. And it's organic and fair trade certified of course :)
• Small First Aid Kit - Picked this up at REI. Probably unnecessary as anywhere I go there should be access to relatively cheap good medical supplies. But you never know.
• Roll of TP - Like the first aid kit, you just never know!
  
• Money Belt
• Sleep mask w/ ear plugs - For planes, trains, buses, and crappy accomodations.
• Cable w/ lock - To secure my bag in rooms and in transit.
• 8GB iPhone - Using it more like an iPod touch due to insane international roaming charges. Just for music, movies, podcasts, and to make skype calls over wifi.
• Canon IS700 - This is the best point and shoot I have ever owned, period.
• Waterproof case for camera - This is just cool as I can take shots and movies underwater!
• Acer Aspire One - I know it's not a Mac, and I feel a little guilty. But at a mere 1 kg (2.2 lbs) it even beats out my Air. To make the OS tolerable, I installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix...very cool.
• Cordless Mouse
• 2 USB flashdrives
  
• Stuff sack - To separate dirty clothes.
• Clothesline
• Sleep sheet - For those less than ideal rooms.
• Ziploc bag with Passport, Visa, Credit Cards, Money, etc.
• Moleskin journal - I've used these for a few years and love them. After all, van Gogh and Picasso couldn't have been wrong!
• Thailand guidebook
• Bangkok map
• Bali guide - I got this off of Anthony Anderson's website, as I do plan to go to Bali afterwards.
• The Garden of Eden - I'm hot off of Old Man and the Sea and found this in my apartment's library.

So that's it. Twenty pounds, probably too much. I can always ditch stuff over there or mail stuff home. I'll let you know how it goes.