"If you are unable to carry your stuff, you are probably unable to do the kind of trip that we are talking about doing . . ." This kind of honesty is something that I imagine you have worked hard to verbalize precisely, that you felt strongly that your viewers needed to hear, and one of the many reasons that I love watching your videos. Watching the two of you together is watching truly amazing teamwork. Amazing!
Thanks for the kind words and so glad you are enjoying our channel. We have learned so much about ourselves, each other and the world on this journey, and hopefully we are just getting started. So much to share. Thanks for following along with us. Many blessings and safe travels in 2024. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
1 to wear, 1 to spare, and 1 to wash....that is all we pack!!! So 3 tops, 3 bottoms, no dresses for her, 4 pair of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shoes each!!! No washes no makeup. Extreme, extreme minimalist!!!!😊
I had my very first try with exactly what you suggested for my little trip from the west coast of France to Cologne, Germany. I took the long underground walking in the metro to change railway station. That was so easy, so light. People I stayed with were very astonished about my little luggage on my back for a week 🤣😂
Hi the travelers. Greetings from the French Atlantic coast! I just discovered your channel and admire what you are living. Unfortunately my husband turned having Lewy Body Dementia when he retired, so this period of our wonderful time together turned in a really different trip. He passed away last August at only 72. I’m not yet ready for a trip around the world all on my own, just being able to declutter our little cottage and recover from 10 years as a caregiver. Thanks so much for letting me dream. Veronika ❤
Our hearts go out to you and so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and perhaps you can do a small trip and build from there. Keep dreaming, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I'm so sorry about your husband. I understand you need time to recover and regroup. But just in case something crops up unexpectedly in your health or situation, why not plan for a trip sooner rather than later? Best of luck.
@@linkatzenstein8010 thank you for your support Lin. I’m just back from a little trip by train to Cologne, Germany, to meet my husband’s family.I had a wonderful time and lots of love and joy 🤩 .by the side, I traveled with a mini luggage. ❤️😂
You might want to mention how to pack your backpack as well. The heaviest stuff should go closest to your back not towards the bottom or front of your pack. It makes it much easier to carry
1 rain jacket + 1 sweater beats carrying 1 puffer jacket. You can eliminate puffer jacket and have a lot more room left over. I also recommend a large scarf - it can double as beach coverup, a scarf, a skirt, and a head cover for when you need to sleep on a plane and it's too bright. Always pack clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk - they are breathable, won't make you sweaty, dry fast, and don't cling to your body making static, they also don't shed micro plastic into the water when washed as polyester/acrylic clothes do.
Merino wool is he way to go! Cotton and linen wrinklle like crazy and don't squish small enough. Puffy is great if it is the kind that squishes into one handful. Statoc is eliminate by placing a couple safety pins on the seams.
We share our 5 packing principles on how to pack light for a long trip. We have made many packing mistakes and hope to share our lessons learned so you don’t make the same ones. Happy packing and travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Excellent advice! Over packing is so easy to do. Getting into your head that laundry is an option is a game changer! Also, getting over the hangup of wearing the same outfits. Wearing something on repeat does not impact your experience other than to simplify it.
If I were a Buddhist monk no one would question wearing orange robes each and every day. Minimize, simplify and enrich yourself with experiences and good deeds.
I've invested in merino wool shirts and socks; not only is merino superior insulation in heat or cold (and not itchy), but it wicks and dries so fast that the inevitable skin bacteria dry out and don't have a chance to "make a stink"-so you can wear it over and over! That brought my shirt count down to 1 long sleeve and 2 short sleeve, 2-3 pairs of socks and an extra pair of "Heat Holder" thermal socks if cold is anticipated (they also make nice "slippers"). You do have to hand-wash merino with gentle soap, like Eucalan (liquid), but they dry overnight: use the dry bag, load it up with clothes, soap and water, roll it around a bit on the floor of the shower, let soak 15 minutes, roll around some more, open and squeeze out the water by standing on the dry bag (Eucalan requires no rinsing), roll up the clothing in a bath towel and let it soak up the water for 10-15 minutes, then hang to dry overnight. Currently researching laundry sheets safe enough for merino...if anyone happens to know, reply! :-)
Merino isn’t great in the tropics. Try Columbia tamiami 2 PFG shirts and Patagonia lightweight capilene shirts. Use running style shorts with liners. 4” length is great for all uses.
While traveling in Europe I intentionally took clothes I had intended to Donate to goodwill in USA. I wore an outfit for two days then left in hotel rooms for housekeepers. I’d let them know I was leaving the clothes for them. They were always grateful.
It seems strange to me to assume house keepers in European countries are poor or curious enough to be interested in my run down clothes or find them fitting. I would think they politely say thank you and toss it in the trash instead. A good alternative: There are Red Cross and Goodwill like donation spots on every other corner in a whole lot of towns, even rural.
The bags that have the 2 skate board style wheels are much easier to use in uneven surfaces and extremely durable. I have bounced one down many hard sets of steps with no problems. Their only real downside is that they do not always stand upright when waiting in airports. I have used this style and a 50 L backpack in various travels. Many travelers just cannot carry a backpack. Also, many travelers have special needs in shoes, medicals, etc. In SE Asia I am often soaked in sweat and change clothes 2-3 times a day, hence more underwear! But, like you, my camera/electronics takes up most of space.
Thanks for sharing. We agree that everyone has their own special needs/wants, it is just so easy to overpack. We have done it and try to share our bad experiences from others doing the same thing. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I love how you guys share the space together on your videos. There seems to be a lot of love and respect for each other as well as buckets of enthusiasm for the subject matter. As I contemplate more retirement journeys with the world opening up again, Im very grateful for the wealth of experience you guys are sharing from your travels. Clearly though, Im going to have to give up that roller suitcase!
Great advice, we carry even less as 3 pairs underwear and socks is easy to wash and wear. Also most countries have thrift or charity shops so if you want a change after a few weeks you can easily swap clothes. We also don't take specific toiletries as easy to get when you arrive somewhere,
I admire that you dropped from 70 to 35 pounds, and enjoy your content. I have been travelling the world off and on since 1985, visiting 120 countries. My current set up weighs 10 pounds, and includes winter wear- down jacket, hat, gloves, a laptop, noise cancelling headphones, first aid, compact umbrella, toiletries, 2 phones, chargers, battery bank, clothing and a waterproof back pack. Everything is very lightweight and compact. Try watching videos on thru hikers- these guys have low weight down to an artform. Some trips I add a sleeping bag, tent and inflatable sleep pad which adds an additional 5 pounds- still carry on. Less is more- the ability to hop onto any bus, subway, taxi and stick your bag at your feet makes travelling easy. All the best on your travels!!
Thank you for mentioning you also carry a tote bag on the airplane and that John carries a smaller 2nd backpack with your tech gear! I was totally trying to figure out how your vlogging kit was fitting in your regular bags!
Thanks. We are trying to downsize further this year and get everything in our 55L pack with included day pack. Wish us luck. 😃 Hope you can follow along on our journey. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
I'm a new follower and I rarely comment on videos but I just had to tell you guys to keep up the awesome work! My husband and I are in our mid thirties with four children and we so desire to travel like you one day. We travel as much as we can now with our small children, homeschooling and living a minimalist lifestyle has greatly helped with that. My husband and I often joke that when our kids move out, we're hitting the road! Ha! Just wanted to give you both some encouragement. Keep traveling, keep living life to the absolute fullest and keep sharing your experiences! God bless! -Leah
Wow, this made our day. Thanks for the kind words. We will be cheering for you. Thanks for following along on our journey. Many blessings to you. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Wow even with 30 yrs of extensive travel experience you can teach an old dog (ME) new tricks. I stayed away from backpacks vs rolling because when I used them years ago they never seemed to fit in the overhead so I had to check them all the time. Looks like Osprey finally made a 40L and 55L which is 40+15 that match the size requirement. Also looks like the 55L daypack does not have to be zippered onto the main backpack which used to be a pain. I just purchased the Osprey 55L and will give it a try on my upcoming 3 month trip from Canada to Europe to Asia. I am excited I do not have to roll the bags all over the place. Also I had purchased cubes years ago and did not like them but they were so basic. The compression cubes sound like a much better solution so purchased them and will try to utilize cubes for travel again. Laundry detergent that is non-liquid - looks like wipes. Geez never heard of this but right now I pack 4-5 liquid pods in a zip lock. Love your idea so much better and will get the "wipes" instead. Most of my other packing and stuff is spot on and I love easy to clean, dry and non-wrinkle clothes. Also one pair of shoes is key and once I gave up my camera gear and lenses and stuff I am down to an iPhone and my one extra item "I can not do without" is my MacBook air. I tried an iPad and I just like the small laptop better. Anyway awesome video and thanks for sharing.
@@RetirementTravelers Hello I have a question? What do you use for WATER FILTER? Drinking clean water 💦 Thanks in advance New sub here I like your videos. Thank you for this info videos. I very much appreciate it. ❤️💕🌺👍
@@faviolaandaya1079 We started off a couple of years ago with a filter, but we just weren't using it. Bottled water has been available in all 74 countries we have visited. Thanks for the sub and glad you are enjoying our videos. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I’m using these laundry sheets at home. Unreal the amount of space in the laundry room cabinet it saves. The real reason I switched at home is the environmental impact of the plastic containers.
Very good advice. I too am a fan of Osprey packs. I currently use a combo backpack/roller. The roller component is nice for short distance like airports, hotel lobbies etc. One thing I learned on my first long term trip was that I packed jeans for long pants. Now, I pack pants made of thinner, lightweight material that take up less space.
I’m 75 years old now and in good health but most of my friends or not and I would still love to do a lot of traveling do you recommend a woman my age traveling alone and where a good places to go by oneself especially as a female?
I love my carryon hard shell roller suitcase. It keeps things neater and easier to access. I hate weight on my body. I was so glad to have it when it turned out one of the apartments I was staying in had bedbugs! And it’s a big YES to those True Earth laundry strips.
Love this! I had to laugh because I actually use my husband’s old spice deodorant. Now I buy it for me too. They have amazing new fragrances, and they’re aluminum free. Thanks for the great videos!
We are also full timers and used to travel with two suitcases, two backpacks (40 litre Osprey) and a personal bag each. No more. Your advice is just what we have paired down to. The only difference is we will use Monos Carry On Pros. I'm almost 70 and my wife is 5'1 and 66 so we're done with the backpacks. The carry on size rollers are a compromise. Your 7 day rule and and consistency packing your compression cubes are the best ideas. I no longer carry camera gear but fully understand why you do. I now just use a good phone but still carry a light weight laptop because editing on a phone screen is hard on my eyes. It appears we will be carrying even less than you folks do because we tend not to go places with lower temperatures. If we do, we buy a cheap coats and sweaters, then leave them hanging in a closet when we leave, as you guys have pointed out. Thanks for a great vid. It is a reminder that less is always better.
Thanks so much and sounds like we have similar packing styles. We are also warmer weather travelers and love your idea for the clothes. Safe travels and stay in touch. John and Bev
Love this! I would only add to buy "Good Time" shampoo, condtioner & shower soap in small bars. Like your laundry strips, these are concentrated, nontoxic & plastic-free. So convenient!
For my last month-long trip, I made a new list of things I must have and things not to take. Put a copy in both bags. To avoid packing pressure, I remember there are only seven things you MUST have. Passport, ticket/boarding pass, credit card, about $300 cash, change of clothes, phone/charger, toothbrush/paste. Everything else you can buy if needed. As long as I stick to my minimalist list and your "pack for one week" idea, I'm set!
Instead of a single backpack, consider dividing your gear between a smaller pack and an under seat roller. I traveled for 2 months in Europe this way and it worked well. It limits the weight that you need to carry and lift.
Thnx for the video. I love the itemized lists.. Reminds me of the Army LOL... I see the Mavic 2 on the list... I would love to hear about your experiences flying abroad.. assuming Recreational... I have a Mavic Air 2S and love it.. Thnx for taking the time.. Happy Holidays!!
You are welcome. Glad you are enjoying our channel. Enjoy your drone, they are fun. Happy trails and many blessings in 2024. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you so much for this! I've just bought my first Osprey 40L which is so exciting. After the embarrassing noise of wheeling my suitcase down the endless cobbled streets of Bruges earlier this year, I know it's the way forward for me! 'Only your shoes touch the ground' - best advice ever!
I travel with a cake of shampoo, no spillage, all natural ingredients, it comes from Lush with a small metal container. The cake lasts me for over a year. The diameter is 2 and a half inches, height 1 and a quarter inch. You produce very useful videos thanks.
great video! I just checked out the Farpoint 55 at REI today, great pack! I currently have a Porter 46. I am guessing you guys are checking luggage in? Have you tried passing off the Farpoint 55's day pack as a personal item and doing the main pack as your carry on? However with 35 lbs of weight I think many international airlines will require you to check it in. I started out at 40 lbs but cut out a lot of stuff and now down to around 27 lbs (12 kg), ideally I would like to stay under 25 lbs which is 17% of my body weight.
Good stuff. We want to get our total pack weight down. Congrats on getting down to 27 pounds. Because of the 7 kg restrictions on many airlines, we have to check. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for these tips. I had my eye on the Osprey backpack for a while and your recommendation helped me finalize the decision. I used your Amazon link. Next month I'm going to invest in those packing cubes.
Hello from Ouray, Colorado! This is another awesome video! Thank you so much for your tips and perspectives! Being a retired ground pounder from the army, I am used to having too much weight. We used the say “100 lbs of the newest, high speed, low drag equipment is still 100lbs”. It can get obscene as to how much we carried; and it really can jeopardize what condition we arrive to a target. So….your points are eagerly taken! QUESTION: with regard to the 55 liter Osprey, I see its dimensions are bigger than the carry on dimensions allowed for airlines. I also see if the day pack is separated, it is within the carry on limits. Does that mean you need to separate the day pack and bring it on the plane, as if it is your purse carry on? Also, does the day pack come with the 55 liter pack……or does it need to be purchased separately? I travel for my job. My wife and I are mid 50s currently. So, we hope to retire in maybe 2ish years and begin what I saw on your other video-- flex expatting. In the interim, I can see value in actually packing like this for my current work travels and practicing the load out. Fortunately, for my job, I can mostly wear whatever I want! Safe travels!
The latest update on the men's 55L is more compact and we have not had trouble with carry on. We also always keep the day pack separate and is our personal item. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
As much as I like your T-shirts I wouldn’t want to wear the same thing every single day and white too! Good advice though. Bev reminds me of Dame Julie Andrews 😁
Thanks. The shirts have been great conversation starters, but understand your point. Love ❤️ the Julie Andrews reference. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Merino wool is the newest thing. No smell, breathable, no sweat, no wrinkles.. I personally love my roller bags, but they are small and I pack light. Very practical info. You make a good team.
Ultra light backpacking is great training for this. Make sure you walk up a few mountains with your backpack. Also, get one that is waterproof or very water resistant. Downpours happen. Merino wool rocks.
Great tips! I would add that it also depends on the type of travel you are doing and the activities. When we went to Nepal to trek the EBC, we had to take a lot of gear to be prepared for the changing weather conditions. There weren't very many opportunities to buy something we may have needed along the way. We went with a trekking company and they provided us a list of gear to bring, which was very helpful.
We discussed that in our Travel School video. Here it is. Glad you are enjoying our channel. th-cam.com/video/LY9S7zhdDVg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Uyb8BdMYnh7eqqLn John and Bev
Speaking of Panama, were you there last year around this time? I think my cousin and I met you on the Sinta Costera. You were very kind and friendly and were heading to Columbia I believe. My cousin and I were impressed by your humbleness and that you took time to converse with us about Panama which we were visiting for the first time. From that conversation, I've done research on Panama and will pursue residency; I retired last month. If I could watch only one you tube channel, it would be yours. Pleased to meet you. Cheers. 😊
Thanks for the kind words. We walked or ran every morning there and we were headed to Colombia, so very possible. Safe travels and many blessings, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Great tips! Hey, I was a pro photographer for over 20 years. I'm now shooting the very same quality with my iPhone 14 Pro that I did with my heavy gear. Scott Kelby has some videos on here for doing just that, that you might find helpful so you can leave the heavy gear behind. We'll be hiking in the Alps this June and I'm 60. Really don't wanna lug 15 lbs of gear on my back :) Safe travels! Thank you for a great video! minimal is always the way to go!
Thanks for the tips and feedback. We have been super pleased with the Iphone 14 and really like your suggestion. No fun packing heavy stuff. Enjoy the Alps and safe travels. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Great video guys but I have to disagree. I love my roller bag! We can, and do, travel like you. We catch public transport and walk a few kms with bags sometimes. When necessary, I can carry my bag up and down stairs (or my husband helps) or over cobblestones (but my bag is pretty good on cobblestones), however my bodgy back can’t sustain carrying my bag every day for long distances. We do move around often, sometimes every day but usually every 3 or 4 days, and this gives my back a bit of a breather. We also travel on long trips, usually 2-3 months at a time, and you have some great trips here. We share our toiletries (yes, even deodorant), use packing cubes, roll our clothes and wash them all over the world. And as you say, they have laundromats all over the world. I have downsized my clothes over the years and agree with completely: you really don’t need all that stuff! I love the concept of a junk drawer, and we all carry a little pouch of emergency extras like bandaids, Panadol etc, so I might rename mine. Depending on the trip we’re taking, sometimes I take a large bag, and every time we do, I hate it from day 1. I hate being that person struggling with the big bag. But I love my carryon bag and wherever possible it’s carryon only for me. From Australia that’s no mean feat either, as our carryon bags are limited to a maximum weight of 7 kgs. I also take a small daypack (which holds my toiletries, iPad, glasses, electric toothbrush, headset- which I need or I can’t hear movies on planes, my hearing aids and batteries and usually a magazine or two) and a small Hedgren crossbody bag which fits in my backpack if necessary. Love your insights to travelling the globe! We have a spare room in Canberra, Australia if you ever make it here. Keep on travelling!
Thanks for the great comments and we understand completely. We would love to get our packs under the 7kg, but haven't been able to do it with some of our extras for video production. Thanks for kind offer and we do hope to make to Canberra one of these days. Happy trails and many blessings in 2024, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Airlines seem to be making carry on size limits smaller these days. Do you have to check your backpacks on international flights, or are you still able to carry them on and put in the overhead bins? Thanks for such great information!
We are carrying 55L packs with detachable day packs. We’ve been pretty successful with carry-on, but several smaller/budget airlines have had to check. We are heading to Asia this year, so we’ll see. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I just found your channel and wow, so inspirational. First, I love the way you two interact, how you have a healthy, beautiful, back and forth. The way you look at, listen to, one another and have equal, shared input, neither taking the spotlight, but both shining brighter because the other is supporting, is lovely. I am a single mom, who is very isolated, and dream of travel, and had dropped the dream of a partnership like the one you two present...but it renews hope. You are so lucky to live such a life, and with a person to be part of and bear witness to each other. I am debt free and am hoping to one day travel the world. Thank you for sharing all you do. May you stay well and be blessed 💫
Thanks for the kind words. We feel very fortunate to have each other and get to live this lifestyle. Great job on being debt free and hope you have many adventures in your future. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Agree with most of your concepts. We tend to avoid a lot of cotton clothes, due to the drying problem. I love Nike Dri Fit t-shirts(especially their long sleeve versions) good in hot and cold. Also less volume and weight. Same with pants and shorts. Also agree with the Osprey packs. We do have small roller bags with bigger wheels that can handle rough surfaces, (from Osprey)and work in most places we go. We just don’t like to have the big back packs unless no choice. It does take its toll. So we are a little less minimalist. When we take a city focused trip we occasionally will take a larger roll-on or even a hard shell spinner that is not too heavy. Other issue is weather. We like shoulder season travel, and even winter travel. When in cold places we need a little more, although end up wearing more so not a huge difference in packing. I do commend you for your attitude.
Thanks so much and hope you can follow along on our journey around the world. Enjoy your travels and stay in touch. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Thank you for the video. Lots of great information in there. You two are awesome. Have you considered a carry-on suitcase and a day pack for your luggage?
We haven’t been called yet. I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. We believe in civic duty, so hopefully we can ask for a deferral. We shall see. John & Bev
When you fly, I assume you "carry on" your backpacks, and "check" nothing? I know you pack light but please consider getting a couple lavalier mics. Your voices have a little hollow/echo sound that can easily be eliminated. Your audience is of the age that we don't hear as well as we used to :) Thanks. I Enjoy your vids!
You must have ESP!!! 🤣 We JUST ordered lavalier mics today for the next leg of our trip. Too funny. Another video or so and we will be making the switch. Thanks for that feedback. Also, we carry on most of the time, except for the airlines (mostly Asian) that have 7 kg limits. We are about 10 kg and don't make that limit. Glad you are enjoying our videos, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Love all the tips. Thanks! Just wondering though id John’s pack is 50 lbs how do you get past the 10kg carryon limit on lots of airlines? Do you divide it for air travel?
Thanks. We don't have any problems carrying on in the US. In Asia, many of the airlines have 7kg limits, and we just check out big packs. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
This was really great. It even helped me to rethink what I need for an upcoming 4 week trip to Washington state and Canada. I do a good job when I'm backpacking, but not so much on a holiday and really I come home wearing less than half the clothing for the most part.
Thanks and so glad it helped. We have done that many times returning home and not touching half the suitcase. Enjoy Washington state and Canada. John and Bev
Thanks and great job! Good luck with your ultimate goal. Hope you can follow along on our journey around the world for inspiration. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
We been able to find replacements or something similar in most cases. We recently lost a couple of our GoPro batteries and found replacements in Belfast. In one case, we had something overnighted to a hotel we were staying at in Canada, so it can be done. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Question: where do you keep your important documents? I’m surprised at what I need to bring in order to get my Real ID in California. I don’t even have utility bills with my address on them, eg.
Couldn’t find the dry sack link. Is it possible to repost? All the links connecting to your website. I am not sure if you sell on your website. Please post. Thank you
Sorry about this. We have a website with everything on it. retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products Let us know if you have any other questions! Thanks for using our links! John & Bev
I love your channel! I love your bravery, and your t-shirts!! I’m watching to go backpacking myself also for some months. I’m 50 and rocking it. Moving to Europe at the end of the year and finding lots of good info on your travels. Thanks for posting 🌻💃🏾🎉🎊🍷🌞🎼🌞🌻
Thanks and great job. You will love Europe. We spent 9 months there last year and heading to northern Europe later this year. Thanks for following along on our journey with us and love your emojis. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
You have talked about carry on not check in bags only. Your backpacks are great but aren't carry on size or weight for any carrier I have flown with. Wondering who you use?
Great video, one thing I learned is change t-shirts, socks, underwear and tights daily, but wear pants, skirts, and dresses for three days in a row. Also, I learned that one pair of shoes could work. Also, it's just as important to pack dirty clothes (on moving day) in an organized way with compression cubes, as you do your clean clothes. I chose a roller bag and a small backpack which works for my style. I can lift the roller bag so problem. I just have to be sure to keep the weight down.
Thanks for that feedback and following along with us. This video is from last year and we've removed the individual product links and replaced with a link to our website. That may have been the problem. Here is the link to our travel store on our website. Most all of the products should be active because we check these on a regular basis. retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products John and Bev
Very informative and good advice. We've always packed light with one carry-on each when traveling especially by air. Others said they like options but I agree with you. My mother needed a 30ft camper.
The clips of you guys trying to travel with rolling suitcases are hilarious. We're in our mid-40s and sometimes feel like our backpacking years are behind us. But we love being agile when we travel and suitcases just don't cut it. Thanks for another great video!
Thank you so much for your detailed insights on packing. Plus all your travel videos. I've already downsized everything, home free, car free. I'm getting ready to travel the world indefinitely but my plan is to live in places for 1 to 3 months at a time. The comments from so many others are extremely helpful as well. Since I'm planning to live in places for a time, and different environments e.g. hiking in mountains needing hiking shoes, cold climates, warm climates, the whole range, it seems more challenging.
Glad you are enjoying our channel. We tend to chase warm weather, so it helps us with packing. Good luck with your plan and enjoy the world. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
We usually carry our liquids in a ziplock bag inside our dry sack in case we have to pull them out. If we think we'll go through a country that might give us a problem, we pull them out. If we're in the US, with pre-check, we don't have to remove them. Our kit has several different over the counter drugs that we have a hard time finding on the road. We don't carry a lot, but we especially like the way cold and flu meds are sold in the US, and the equivalent is hard to find abroad. We can always get cough drops but we can't get the rest. Otherwise we carry nausea meds, bandaids, a couple of Z-packs, things like that. It's not a big kit because we know we can get a what we need abroad. Thanks for the question! John & Bev
I know I have another question what if one of you got really sick and had to be put in the hospital and you're in the another country what happens then
Really depends on the illness and the country. We have been pleased with medical care in Colombia and Greece. It is so much lower cost than the US. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Great info! I noticed from your list of items that you have quite a bit of electronic devices, i.e., cameras, drone, laptop etc. Do you carry all of that in your backpack in a certain compartment, or do you have a separate carrier or something for that stuff? I would be afraid of it breaking if it were in a soft pack vs a hard shell, so just curious how you manage that kind of stuff. Enjoy!
Thanks. We don’t carry the camera equipment in the backpacks. John has a front pack and Bev has a tote. She also is usually carrying a camera. John and Bev
Some good advice. I would add that I never wear a fanny pack/bum bag, because it just says, I'm a tourist, come rob me, I take a micro backpack instead. I also like to keep it to carry-on weight, 10 kg. You implied, but did not say, there is almost nothing when traveling that you cannot buy if you need it, so leave behind the "just in case" stuff. Exception, if you have to take meds, take more than you will need, you might get stranded for a day or two.
Re fanny packs I think it depends on the style of the bag and the attitude of the wearer - there are some pretty classy ones out there right now and they ARE handy. I'm looking at a classy sling at the moment and it can be worn so it looks like a mini crossbody Re the medications - I think this depends on whether you travel full time. If you travel full time like they do there is no packing extra till you get back - get back to where? Also depends on how packed your schedule is going to be - if you get stuck somewhere then presumably you have time to go out and find what you use. I think it's more a matter of doing your research ahead of time - many countries don't require prescriptions or a pharmacist can write prescriptions so if you carry a script with you they can source an equivalent
Yep, 9 months one three of everything clothes wise. One wearing one dry to put on+one washed+drying. If needs be ‘wear it dry’ Lightweight camping towel waterproof top/bottoms gloves+hat. Washed in water only. Toothpaste+brush. Although merino didn’t exist then, I’d now use merino as you can wear it for weeks without smelling+would take armwarmers and no long sleeves as they can turn short sleeve into long sleeve. Was a cycle trip/camping trip so I did have camping clobber. My luxury items was a pair of running shoes for that+hiking. A Walkman cassette player, buy+swap along the way, a small notebook for journal which got sent home each time one was full(we’re pre email+pre mp3 players and mobiles here😂)+my preferred toothpaste.
We have a website with a store that has most of our gear, along travel and retirement gifts. Here is the link: retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products Safe travels, John and Bev
Another great video guys 😊 Was just wondering about your footwear Bev. You mentioned packing a pair of flats but what about walking / hiking? Would you share what your main footwear is? And how do you cope with muddy trails etc. Any insights appreciated. Sorry if I missed that part in the video. I really only want to take one pair of walking type shoes but I’m torn between hiking boots (v heavy and not my fav) & trainers / trail runners. 🤔
Rick Steves has great packing list templates for packing light that we used as our guide; I would recommend starting there. And I would for sure recommend at least one packing test run to see how heavy your backpack is before you have to bring it on your trip! Walk around and up and down a flight (or more!) of stairs. We did two test runs before our final pack. We packed as light as we could during our 2019 trip to Italy; we each had a large backpack and a small day-bag as our personal item. We used packing cubes and plastic compression bags where you can manually roll the air out of them. We travelled throughout Italy for 7 days and then did laundry at a local laundromat before we hopped on a 9-day Mediterranean cruise. We met so many people doing the same thing at the laundromat; people from all over the world. As strange as it sounds, the laundromat stop ended up being one of the highlights of our trip that we look back on fondly. 😊
My recommendation with a backpack (which I do recommend), is go to one of those outdoor stores. If you live near an REI store go there or to a similar one. They will assist you in testing backpacks, how to put it on, setting up the straps, etc. I realize places like REI are expensive, but buying a backpack that doesn't fit you or that won't lay right for you on your back will cost you way more money. I've gone there and gotten my backpack for backpacking and my pack ends up weighing about 60lbs and I have to tell you that when you have a backpack that actually sits correctly it won't hurt your back and it won't feel like you are a mule.
This video was really helpful. My boyfriend and I have just moved to canada after selling our house in the UK, and similar to your story we had a large suitcase each plus a third for extra bits we thought we needed. Yesterday we bought a 50L Osprey bag each and have almost gotten rid of most of what we brought. It makes life so much easier! This video was so useful it makes me want to declutter more of my items. Thank you! 😊
Glad it was helpful and hope you enjoy our channel. Packing light is the way to go. You might also enjoy our video called "A Life Without Stuff". We have enjoyed our extreme downsizing. Safe travels, John and Bev th-cam.com/video/v-kCNCMvchc/w-d-xo.html
This question has nothing to do with this specific video, but something I thought while I've been watching your other videos: have you made arrangements for the time when you are no longer able to travel (medical, mobility issues, etc.)? Just curious, because you have planned everything else so carefully.😊
Yep, I learned long ago that if you can pack for a week you can pack for indefinite travel. They sell clothes and wash clothes all over the world; life goes on outside of your home country. lol
We like to think of ourselves as 29 year olds trapped in 60 year old bodies. 🤣. Here's another more recent packing video we did that might interest you. Thanks for watching. John and Bev th-cam.com/video/zNRP9Eo1hWI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BtaSe5vM29wcs9KI
I am now traveling for 3,5 months and I definitely overpacked but what I've learned is that I only need: 3 black vests, one pair of short jeans, one pair of long jeans (bought them few days ago as I came to wintery Australia), one sweatshirt, one pair of leggings, rain jacket, trainers, sandals, flip flops, swim suit, 7 pairs of black socks and black panties, 2 black sports bra. I have to remember this when I will be going on next adventure :)
Used my Osprey 40L with packing cubes for a month in Italy and it really worked great, loved that I was able to distribute the load easily with the various compartments, and it fits most carry one requirements. Then used it again for a 3 month stay in a snowy region followed by a month stay in Arizona.
Great job. Sounds like some fun trips. Osprey packs are definitely the way to go in our opinion, but as we travel we still see mostly all BIG suitcases.😳 John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
My wife and I travel with only a small roller carryon bag and a small daypack each. Never check in the carryon, checked bags get lost, checked bags often don’t make connecting flights and checked bags take forever to get off the carousel after landing. We take our own utensils on the plane because we can’t stand the taste of the wooden tongue depressor utensils used on flights today. I take very few clothes because what I take are lightweight, quick dry clothes that I can rinse each night and let dry the next day while I’m wearing other clothes. I only take the lightweight hikers that I wear all the time. My wife takes two pairs of shoes, wearing one and packing the other. I spent years backpacking and overlanding around the world and I took far too much. If you can afford it, take less stuff and a little more money. We have been caught once or twice where the weather wasn’t what we expected and had to buy a sweater or sweatshirt. Years ago, travelling for 6 months or a year at a time I had more clothes for all seasons but generally now on shorter trips the weather isn’t going to change much. I used to carry a ton of camera equipment, 2 camera bodies, multiple lenses, a tripod and so many rolls of slide film. Thank god for digital and I only take a high end point and shoot now. Most people just use their phones but I still like the creativity that I can get with a proper camera. Travel light, travel well.
It’s so funny I was trying to justify with my daughter this past week. why I needed suitcases and that I needed three! Now, after watching your video, it is very clear that should NOT do this! 😂😂Thank you so much. Your videos have been a lifesaver, and I am already subscribed to your newsletter. Which I think is amazing!
"If you are unable to carry your stuff, you are probably unable to do the kind of trip that we are talking about doing . . ." This kind of honesty is something that I imagine you have worked hard to verbalize precisely, that you felt strongly that your viewers needed to hear, and one of the many reasons that I love watching your videos. Watching the two of you together is watching truly amazing teamwork. Amazing!
Thanks for the kind words and so glad you are enjoying our channel. We have learned so much about ourselves, each other and the world on this journey, and hopefully we are just getting started. So much to share. Thanks for following along with us.
Many blessings and safe travels in 2024.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
1 to wear, 1 to spare, and 1 to wash....that is all we pack!!! So 3 tops, 3 bottoms, no dresses for her, 4 pair of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shoes each!!! No washes no makeup. Extreme, extreme minimalist!!!!😊
Great job!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I had my very first try with exactly what you suggested for my little trip from the west coast of France to Cologne, Germany. I took the long underground walking in the metro to change railway station. That was so easy, so light. People I stayed with were very astonished about my little luggage on my back for a week 🤣😂
Yay for no dresses or skirts. And... no makeup? Wow, never thought of that.
Yes, I appreciated this vid v much, but I think I’d take 4-5 shirts and underwear, max, maybe less if merino.
We are looking at further reductions. Thanks.
John and Bev
Hi the travelers. Greetings from the French Atlantic coast! I just discovered your channel and admire what you are living. Unfortunately my husband turned having Lewy Body Dementia when he retired, so this period of our wonderful time together turned in a really different trip. He passed away last August at only 72. I’m not yet ready for a trip around the world all on my own, just being able to declutter our little cottage and recover from 10 years as a caregiver. Thanks so much for letting me dream. Veronika ❤
Our hearts go out to you and so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and perhaps you can do a small trip and build from there.
Keep dreaming,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
@@RetirementTravelers 💓
I'm so sorry about your husband. I understand you need time to recover and regroup. But just in case something crops up unexpectedly in your health or situation, why not plan for a trip sooner rather than later? Best of luck.
@@linkatzenstein8010 thank you for your support Lin. I’m just back from a little trip by train to Cologne, Germany, to meet my husband’s family.I had a wonderful time and lots of love and joy 🤩 .by the side, I traveled with a mini luggage. ❤️😂
Sending you love ❤ Take your time, start your dreams in mind and get out into nature and live them when you can … she will take care of you xx
You might want to mention how to pack your backpack as well. The heaviest stuff should go closest to your back not towards the bottom or front of your pack. It makes it much easier to carry
Great suggestion. Thanks so much.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I just got reminded of how my spouse gave backpack instructions to our son before he left - our beautiful 18 yo boy enlisted with the Marines.
1 rain jacket + 1 sweater beats carrying 1 puffer jacket. You can eliminate puffer jacket and have a lot more room left over. I also recommend a large scarf - it can double as beach coverup, a scarf, a skirt, and a head cover for when you need to sleep on a plane and it's too bright. Always pack clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk - they are breathable, won't make you sweaty, dry fast, and don't cling to your body making static, they also don't shed micro plastic into the water when washed as polyester/acrylic clothes do.
Thanks for the feedback on the rain jacket and sweater. Layering is always a good option.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
However, cotton DOES take a long time to dry, especially seams, waistbands, etc where the fabric is layered
Instead of a puffer jacket, I use only packable down jackets and a thin wool jersey underneath.
Merino wool is he way to go! Cotton and linen wrinklle like crazy and don't squish small enough. Puffy is great if it is the kind that squishes into one handful. Statoc is eliminate by placing a couple safety pins on the seams.
We share our 5 packing principles on how to pack light for a long trip. We have made many packing mistakes and hope to share our lessons learned so you don’t make the same ones. Happy packing and travels, John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Excellent advice! Over packing is so easy to do. Getting into your head that laundry is an option is a game changer! Also, getting over the hangup of wearing the same outfits. Wearing something on repeat does not impact your experience other than to simplify it.
Wearing the same clothes doesn’t get boring when you change cities each week. 😊 John and Bev
@@RetirementTravelers I love it! Change cities, not clothes!!!
If I were a Buddhist monk no one would question wearing orange robes each and every day. Minimize, simplify and enrich yourself with experiences and good deeds.
Great information! We’ve traveled with nothing but backpacks for twenty years now and limit it to 15 pounds. Never regret it.
Thanks. 15 pounds is awesome. Great job. John and Bev
I've invested in merino wool shirts and socks; not only is merino superior insulation in heat or cold (and not itchy), but it wicks and dries so fast that the inevitable skin bacteria dry out and don't have a chance to "make a stink"-so you can wear it over and over! That brought my shirt count down to 1 long sleeve and 2 short sleeve, 2-3 pairs of socks and an extra pair of "Heat Holder" thermal socks if cold is anticipated (they also make nice "slippers"). You do have to hand-wash merino with gentle soap, like Eucalan (liquid), but they dry overnight: use the dry bag, load it up with clothes, soap and water, roll it around a bit on the floor of the shower, let soak 15 minutes, roll around some more, open and squeeze out the water by standing on the dry bag (Eucalan requires no rinsing), roll up the clothing in a bath towel and let it soak up the water for 10-15 minutes, then hang to dry overnight. Currently researching laundry sheets safe enough for merino...if anyone happens to know, reply! :-)
Thanks for sharing your insights.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Merino isn’t great in the tropics. Try Columbia tamiami 2 PFG shirts and Patagonia lightweight capilene shirts.
Use running style shorts with liners. 4” length is great for all uses.
While traveling in Europe I intentionally took clothes I had intended to Donate to goodwill in USA. I wore an outfit for two days then left in hotel rooms for housekeepers. I’d let them know I was leaving the clothes for them. They were always grateful.
Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
It seems strange to me to assume house keepers in European countries are poor or curious enough to be interested in my run down clothes or find them fitting. I would think they politely say thank you and toss it in the trash instead. A good alternative: There are Red Cross and Goodwill like donation spots on every other corner in a whole lot of towns, even rural.
The bags that have the 2 skate board style wheels are much easier to use in uneven surfaces and extremely durable. I have bounced one down many hard sets of steps with no problems. Their only real downside is that they do not always stand upright when waiting in airports. I have used this style and a 50 L backpack in various travels. Many travelers just cannot carry a backpack. Also, many travelers have special needs in shoes, medicals, etc. In SE Asia I am often soaked in sweat and change clothes 2-3 times a day, hence more underwear! But, like you, my camera/electronics takes up most of space.
Thanks for sharing. We agree that everyone has their own special needs/wants, it is just so easy to overpack. We have done it and try to share our bad experiences from others doing the same thing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I use a backpack with 2 wheels to be checked in. And a day backpack.
Yes I cant carry any weight as asthmatic and need to take huge stock of meds.. and all I own as have no home...❤
I love how you guys share the space together on your videos. There seems to be a lot of love and respect for each other as well as buckets of enthusiasm for the subject matter. As I contemplate more retirement journeys with the world opening up again, Im very grateful for the wealth of experience you guys are sharing from your travels. Clearly though, Im going to have to give up that roller suitcase!
Thanks so much for the kind words and hope you can follow along on our journey. Safe travels and stay in touch. John and Bev
Great advice, we carry even less as 3 pairs underwear and socks is easy to wash and wear. Also most countries have thrift or charity shops so if you want a change after a few weeks you can easily swap clothes. We also don't take specific toiletries as easy to get when you arrive somewhere,
That’s amazing. Less is definitely better when it comes to packing! John and Bev
me and my girlfriend are so inspired by this, we will travel the world one day
Thanks. Best of luck with your world travels. You will love it.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I admire that you dropped from 70 to 35 pounds, and enjoy your content. I have been travelling the world off and on since 1985, visiting 120 countries. My current set up weighs 10 pounds, and includes winter wear- down jacket, hat, gloves, a laptop, noise cancelling headphones, first aid, compact umbrella, toiletries, 2 phones, chargers, battery bank, clothing and a waterproof back pack. Everything is very lightweight and compact. Try watching videos on thru hikers- these guys have low weight down to an artform. Some trips I add a sleeping bag, tent and inflatable sleep pad which adds an additional 5 pounds- still carry on. Less is more- the ability to hop onto any bus, subway, taxi and stick your bag at your feet makes travelling easy. All the best on your travels!!
Thanks. You are our hero. We are always learning and striving to reduce some weight in our packs! John and Bev
Thank you .helps a lot.could you telll the brand of your bag?
Thank you for mentioning you also carry a tote bag on the airplane and that John carries a smaller 2nd backpack with your tech gear! I was totally trying to figure out how your vlogging kit was fitting in your regular bags!
Thanks. We are trying to downsize further this year and get everything in our 55L pack with included day pack. Wish us luck. 😃 Hope you can follow along on our journey.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Packing for 52 1 week trips, is such a good suggestion.
Thanks. It has sure worked well for us. 😊
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I'm a new follower and I rarely comment on videos but I just had to tell you guys to keep up the awesome work! My husband and I are in our mid thirties with four children and we so desire to travel like you one day. We travel as much as we can now with our small children, homeschooling and living a minimalist lifestyle has greatly helped with that. My husband and I often joke that when our kids move out, we're hitting the road! Ha! Just wanted to give you both some encouragement. Keep traveling, keep living life to the absolute fullest and keep sharing your experiences! God bless!
-Leah
Wow, this made our day. Thanks for the kind words. We will be cheering for you. Thanks for following along on our journey. Many blessings to you.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wow even with 30 yrs of extensive travel experience you can teach an old dog (ME) new tricks. I stayed away from backpacks vs rolling because when I used them years ago they never seemed to fit in the overhead so I had to check them all the time.
Looks like Osprey finally made a 40L and 55L which is 40+15 that match the size requirement. Also looks like the 55L daypack does not have to be zippered onto the main backpack which used to be a pain. I just purchased the Osprey 55L and will give it a try on my upcoming 3 month trip from Canada to Europe to Asia. I am excited I do not have to roll the bags all over the place.
Also I had purchased cubes years ago and did not like them but they were so basic. The compression cubes sound like a much better solution so purchased them and will try to utilize cubes for travel again.
Laundry detergent that is non-liquid - looks like wipes. Geez never heard of this but right now I pack 4-5 liquid pods in a zip lock. Love your idea so much better and will get the "wipes" instead.
Most of my other packing and stuff is spot on and I love easy to clean, dry and non-wrinkle clothes. Also one pair of shoes is key and once I gave up my camera gear and lenses and stuff I am down to an iPhone and my one extra item "I can not do without" is my MacBook air. I tried an iPad and I just like the small laptop better.
Anyway awesome video and thanks for sharing.
Thanks. We appreciate the feedback from an experienced traveler.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
@@RetirementTravelers
Hello
I have a question?
What do you use for WATER FILTER?
Drinking clean water 💦
Thanks in advance
New sub here I like your videos.
Thank you for this info videos.
I very much appreciate it. ❤️💕🌺👍
@@faviolaandaya1079 We started off a couple of years ago with a filter, but we just weren't using it. Bottled water has been available in all 74 countries we have visited. Thanks for the sub and glad you are enjoying our videos.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I’m using these laundry sheets at home. Unreal the amount of space in the laundry room cabinet it saves. The real reason I switched at home is the environmental impact of the plastic containers.
Very good advice. I too am a fan of Osprey packs. I currently use a combo backpack/roller. The roller component is nice for short distance like airports, hotel lobbies etc. One thing I learned on my first long term trip was that I packed jeans for long pants. Now, I pack pants made of thinner, lightweight material that take up less space.
Thanks. We learned the same thing about blue jeans. Lightweight and quick dry is very important.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Do you like the osprey sojourner?
Yes, jeans are simply not suitable for travel, especially when you end up having to wash things in the sink.
I’m 75 years old now and in good health but most of my friends or not and I would still love to do a lot of traveling do you recommend a woman my age traveling alone and where a good places to go by oneself especially as a female?
I love my carryon hard shell roller suitcase. It keeps things neater and easier to access. I hate weight on my body. I was so glad to have it when it turned out one of the apartments I was staying in had bedbugs! And it’s a big YES to those True Earth laundry strips.
Those laundry strips have been great.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Very useful and informative video. We especially love the one week packing concept! Thanks for sharing your packing experience with us.
Thanks and so glad you found it helpful. John and Bev
Love this! I had to laugh because I actually use my husband’s old spice deodorant. Now I buy it for me too. They have amazing new fragrances, and they’re aluminum free. Thanks for the great videos!
That’s funny 🤣 Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
We are also full timers and used to travel with two suitcases, two backpacks (40 litre Osprey) and a personal bag each. No more. Your advice is just what we have paired down to. The only difference is we will use Monos Carry On Pros. I'm almost 70 and my wife is 5'1 and 66 so we're done with the backpacks. The carry on size rollers are a compromise. Your 7 day rule and and consistency packing your compression cubes are the best ideas. I no longer carry camera gear but fully understand why you do. I now just use a good phone but still carry a light weight laptop because editing on a phone screen is hard on my eyes.
It appears we will be carrying even less than you folks do because we tend not to go places with lower temperatures. If we do, we buy a cheap coats and sweaters, then leave them hanging in a closet when we leave, as you guys have pointed out.
Thanks for a great vid. It is a reminder that less is always better.
Thanks so much and sounds like we have similar packing styles. We are also warmer weather travelers and love your idea for the clothes. Safe travels and stay in touch. John and Bev
Love this! I would only add to buy "Good Time" shampoo, condtioner & shower soap in small bars. Like your laundry strips, these are concentrated, nontoxic & plastic-free. So convenient!
Thanks so much for the suggestion. We will check out that product.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
For my last month-long trip, I made a new list of things I must have and things not to take. Put a copy in both bags. To avoid packing pressure, I remember there are only seven things you MUST have. Passport, ticket/boarding pass, credit card, about $300 cash, change of clothes, phone/charger, toothbrush/paste. Everything else you can buy if needed. As long as I stick to my minimalist list and your "pack for one week" idea, I'm set!
Thanks for the tips.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
And prescription meds!!!
Bev, how many L ( liter) is your backpack ?
Thanks for this! I wrote it down. (And a pen.)
@@anna_m59 Hi Anna, in the video they said she carries a 40L pack. It’s right around the 8:30 min mark. Hope this helps!
Instead of a single backpack, consider dividing your gear between a smaller pack and an under seat roller. I traveled for 2 months in Europe this way and it worked well. It limits the weight that you need to carry and lift.
Thanks for sharing your suggestion and glad it worked well for you.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thnx for the video. I love the itemized lists.. Reminds me of the Army LOL... I see the Mavic 2 on the list... I would love to hear about your experiences flying abroad.. assuming Recreational... I have a Mavic Air 2S and love it.. Thnx for taking the time.. Happy Holidays!!
You are welcome. Glad you are enjoying our channel. Enjoy your drone, they are fun.
Happy trails and many blessings in 2024.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I get the packing cubes but how do you handle the dirty laundry
We each have an extra packing cube that we transfer dirty laundry to until we can wash.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you so much for this! I've just bought my first Osprey 40L which is so exciting. After the embarrassing noise of wheeling my suitcase down the endless cobbled streets of Bruges earlier this year, I know it's the way forward for me! 'Only your shoes touch the ground' - best advice ever!
Thanks. Glad you made the switch and are enjoying our channel. Safe travels, John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Excellent tips! I love the mindset of pack for one week!!! Great video guys! ~Cara 😊
Thanks and glad you found it helpful. John and Bev
I travel with a cake of shampoo, no spillage, all natural ingredients, it comes from Lush with a small metal container. The cake lasts me for over a year. The diameter is 2 and a half inches, height 1 and a quarter inch. You produce very useful videos thanks.
Thanks for sharing. We have considered Lush products.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
great video! I just checked out the Farpoint 55 at REI today, great pack! I currently have a Porter 46. I am guessing you guys are checking luggage in? Have you tried passing off the Farpoint 55's day pack as a personal item and doing the main pack as your carry on? However with 35 lbs of weight I think many international airlines will require you to check it in.
I started out at 40 lbs but cut out a lot of stuff and now down to around 27 lbs (12 kg), ideally I would like to stay under 25 lbs which is 17% of my body weight.
Good stuff. We want to get our total pack weight down. Congrats on getting down to 27 pounds. Because of the 7 kg restrictions on many airlines, we have to check.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
No PJ’s? Are you sleeping naked? 🤣
That's OUR secret. 🤣 🤣 Actually just shorts and a t-shirt.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for these tips. I had my eye on the Osprey backpack for a while and your recommendation helped me finalize the decision. I used your Amazon link. Next month I'm going to invest in those packing cubes.
Thanks so much. This comment really made us both smile 😊 Safe travels and stay in touch.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Hello from Ouray, Colorado! This is another awesome video! Thank you so much for your tips and perspectives! Being a retired ground pounder from the army, I am used to having too much weight. We used the say “100 lbs of the newest, high speed, low drag equipment is still 100lbs”. It can get obscene as to how much we carried; and it really can jeopardize what condition we arrive to a target. So….your points are eagerly taken!
QUESTION: with regard to the 55 liter Osprey, I see its dimensions are bigger than the carry on dimensions allowed for airlines. I also see if the day pack is separated, it is within the carry on limits. Does that mean you need to separate the day pack and bring it on the plane, as if it is your purse carry on? Also, does the day pack come with the 55 liter pack……or does it need to be purchased separately?
I travel for my job. My wife and I are mid 50s currently. So, we hope to retire in maybe 2ish years and begin what I saw on your other video-- flex expatting. In the interim, I can see value in actually packing like this for my current work travels and practicing the load out. Fortunately, for my job, I can mostly wear whatever I want!
Safe travels!
The latest update on the men's 55L is more compact and we have not had trouble with carry on. We also always keep the day pack separate and is our personal item.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
As much as I like your T-shirts I wouldn’t want to wear the same thing every single day and white too! Good advice though. Bev reminds me of Dame Julie Andrews 😁
Thanks. The shirts have been great conversation starters, but understand your point. Love ❤️ the Julie Andrews reference.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Merino wool is the newest thing. No smell, breathable, no sweat, no wrinkles.. I personally love my roller bags, but they are small and I pack light. Very practical info. You make a good team.
Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Ultra light backpacking is great training for this. Make sure you walk up a few mountains with your backpack. Also, get one that is waterproof or very water resistant. Downpours happen. Merino wool rocks.
Thanks for tips. We've been pretty lucky so far, but sure we will get stuck in a downpour at some point.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great tips! I would add that it also depends on the type of travel you are doing and the activities. When we went to Nepal to trek the EBC, we had to take a lot of gear to be prepared for the changing weather conditions. There weren't very many opportunities to buy something we may have needed along the way. We went with a trekking company and they provided us a list of gear to bring, which was very helpful.
Great points and tips. Thanks for sharing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Really enjoying and gleaning so much info from you guys! Thank you! I am curious what is the high weight for Bev’s backpack? Thanks!!!
We discussed that in our Travel School video. Here it is. Glad you are enjoying our channel.
th-cam.com/video/LY9S7zhdDVg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Uyb8BdMYnh7eqqLn
John and Bev
Thank you for the great tips and videos. My wife and I want to travel when we retire like you and have been gaining knowledge through your videos!
Our pleasure! You can do it. Thanks for following along with us.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Speaking of Panama, were you there last year around this time? I think my cousin and I met you on the Sinta Costera. You were very kind and friendly and were heading to Columbia I believe. My cousin and I were impressed by your humbleness and that you took time to converse with us about Panama which we were visiting for the first time. From that conversation, I've done research on Panama and will pursue residency; I retired last month. If I could watch only one you tube channel, it would be yours. Pleased to meet you. Cheers. 😊
Thanks for the kind words. We walked or ran every morning there and we were headed to Colombia, so very possible.
Safe travels and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great tips! Hey, I was a pro photographer for over 20 years. I'm now shooting the very same quality with my iPhone 14 Pro that I did with my heavy gear. Scott Kelby has some videos on here for doing just that, that you might find helpful so you can leave the heavy gear behind. We'll be hiking in the Alps this June and I'm 60. Really don't wanna lug 15 lbs of gear on my back :) Safe travels! Thank you for a great video! minimal is always the way to go!
Thanks for the tips and feedback. We have been super pleased with the Iphone 14 and really like your suggestion. No fun packing heavy stuff. Enjoy the Alps and safe travels.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video guys but I have to disagree. I love my roller bag! We can, and do, travel like you. We catch public transport and walk a few kms with bags sometimes. When necessary, I can carry my bag up and down stairs (or my husband helps) or over cobblestones (but my bag is pretty good on cobblestones), however my bodgy back can’t sustain carrying my bag every day for long distances. We do move around often, sometimes every day but usually every 3 or 4 days, and this gives my back a bit of a breather. We also travel on long trips, usually 2-3 months at a time, and you have some great trips here. We share our toiletries (yes, even deodorant), use packing cubes, roll our clothes and wash them all over the world. And as you say, they have laundromats all over the world. I have downsized my clothes over the years and agree with completely: you really don’t need all that stuff! I love the concept of a junk drawer, and we all carry a little pouch of emergency extras like bandaids, Panadol etc, so I might rename mine. Depending on the trip we’re taking, sometimes I take a large bag, and every time we do, I hate it from day 1. I hate being that person struggling with the big bag. But I love my carryon bag and wherever possible it’s carryon only for me. From Australia that’s no mean feat either, as our carryon bags are limited to a maximum weight of 7 kgs. I also take a small daypack (which holds my toiletries, iPad, glasses, electric toothbrush, headset- which I need or I can’t hear movies on planes, my hearing aids and batteries and usually a magazine or two) and a small Hedgren crossbody bag which fits in my backpack if necessary. Love your insights to travelling the globe! We have a spare room in Canberra, Australia if you ever make it here. Keep on travelling!
Thanks for the great comments and we understand completely. We would love to get our packs under the 7kg, but haven't been able to do it with some of our extras for video production. Thanks for kind offer and we do hope to make to Canberra one of these days.
Happy trails and many blessings in 2024,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Airlines seem to be making carry on size limits smaller these days. Do you have to check your backpacks on international flights, or are you still able to carry them on and put in the overhead bins? Thanks for such great information!
We are carrying 55L packs with detachable day packs. We’ve been pretty successful with carry-on, but several smaller/budget airlines have had to check. We are heading to Asia this year, so we’ll see.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I just found your channel and wow, so inspirational.
First, I love the way you two interact, how you have a healthy, beautiful, back and forth. The way you look at, listen to, one another and have equal, shared input, neither taking the spotlight, but both shining brighter because the other is supporting, is lovely.
I am a single mom, who is very isolated, and dream of travel, and had dropped the dream of a partnership like the one you two present...but it renews hope.
You are so lucky to live such a life, and with a person to be part of and bear witness to each other.
I am debt free and am hoping to one day travel the world. Thank you for sharing all you do.
May you stay well and be blessed 💫
Thanks for the kind words. We feel very fortunate to have each other and get to live this lifestyle. Great job on being debt free and hope you have many adventures in your future.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Agree with most of your concepts. We tend to avoid a lot of cotton clothes, due to the drying problem. I love Nike Dri Fit t-shirts(especially their long sleeve versions) good in hot and cold. Also less volume and weight. Same with pants and shorts.
Also agree with the Osprey packs. We do have small roller bags with bigger wheels that can handle rough surfaces, (from Osprey)and work in most places we go. We just don’t like to have the big back packs unless no choice. It does take its toll. So we are a little less minimalist. When we take a city focused trip we occasionally will take a larger roll-on or even a hard shell spinner that is not too heavy.
Other issue is weather. We like shoulder season travel, and even winter travel. When in cold places we need a little more, although end up wearing more so not a huge difference in packing.
I do commend you for your attitude.
Thanks for commenting. We also love shoulder season, but it does add some complexity to packing. Glad you liked the video. John and Bev
Wow, well done! Agree with all your points. We are retired travelers as well and can relate to all your comments!
Thanks so much and hope you can follow along on our journey around the world. Enjoy your travels and stay in touch.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Thank you for the video. Lots of great information in there. You two are awesome. Have you considered a carry-on suitcase and a day pack for your luggage?
Not yet, but we are always looking for the best options depending on the type of trip.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What do you do when called for jury duty?
We haven’t been called yet. I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. We believe in civic duty, so hopefully we can ask for a deferral. We shall see. John & Bev
When you fly, I assume you "carry on" your backpacks, and "check" nothing?
I know you pack light but please consider getting a couple lavalier mics. Your voices have a little hollow/echo sound that can easily be eliminated. Your audience is of the age that we don't hear as well as we used to :)
Thanks. I Enjoy your vids!
You must have ESP!!! 🤣 We JUST ordered lavalier mics today for the next leg of our trip. Too funny. Another video or so and we will be making the switch. Thanks for that feedback. Also, we carry on most of the time, except for the airlines (mostly Asian) that have 7 kg limits. We are about 10 kg and don't make that limit.
Glad you are enjoying our videos,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love all the tips. Thanks! Just wondering though id John’s pack is 50 lbs how do you get past the 10kg carryon limit on lots of airlines? Do you divide it for air travel?
Thanks. We don't have any problems carrying on in the US. In Asia, many of the airlines have 7kg limits, and we just check out big packs.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This was really great. It even helped me to rethink what I need for an upcoming 4 week trip to Washington state and Canada. I do a good job when I'm backpacking, but not so much on a holiday and really I come home wearing less than half the clothing for the most part.
Thanks and so glad it helped. We have done that many times returning home and not touching half the suitcase. Enjoy Washington state and Canada. John and Bev
Welcome to China travel,you’ll find everything is suitable for you .
We look forward to returning.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You guys are my heroes! This is my ultimate goal in 5 years. I’m already a light packer. Starting to get rid of the rest now. Thank you!
Thanks and great job! Good luck with your ultimate goal. Hope you can follow along on our journey around the world for inspiration.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Quick question, if you have something you travel with and it fails on you or stops working. What do you do? Since you're traveling overseas.
We been able to find replacements or something similar in most cases. We recently lost a couple of our GoPro batteries and found replacements in Belfast. In one case, we had something overnighted to a hotel we were staying at in Canada, so it can be done.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Question: where do you keep your important documents? I’m surprised at what I need to bring in order to get my Real ID in California. I don’t even have utility bills with my address on them, eg.
We don't have many of those documents, but the one's we do have are in a safe with a family member.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Couldn’t find the dry sack link. Is it possible to repost? All the links connecting to your website. I am not sure if you sell on your website. Please post. Thank you
Sorry about this. We have a website with everything on it. retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products Let us know if you have any other questions! Thanks for using our links! John & Bev
I love your channel! I love your bravery, and your t-shirts!! I’m watching to go backpacking myself also for some months. I’m 50 and rocking it. Moving to Europe at the end of the year and finding lots of good info on your travels. Thanks for posting 🌻💃🏾🎉🎊🍷🌞🎼🌞🌻
Thanks and great job. You will love Europe. We spent 9 months there last year and heading to northern Europe later this year. Thanks for following along on our journey with us and love your emojis.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I saw girls in Budapest with huge suitcases, cleaning dog poop off the wheels.
We are so thankful we ditched the big suitcases!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You have talked about carry on not check in bags only. Your backpacks are great but aren't carry on size or weight for any carrier I have flown with. Wondering who you use?
We have carried on these packs on Easy Jet, Delta, WestJet, Southwest, Saudi Air, etc just to name a few.
John and Bev
Great video, one thing I learned is change t-shirts, socks, underwear and tights daily, but wear pants, skirts, and dresses for three days in a row. Also, I learned that one pair of shoes could work. Also, it's just as important to pack dirty clothes (on moving day) in an organized way with compression cubes, as you do your clean clothes. I chose a roller bag and a small backpack which works for my style. I can lift the roller bag so problem. I just have to be sure to keep the weight down.
Thanks and glad you found it helpful. Great suggestion on the dirty clothes.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Be great if the links to the amazon products actually found the products.
Thanks for that feedback and following along with us. This video is from last year and we've removed the individual product links and replaced with a link to our website. That may have been the problem. Here is the link to our travel store on our website. Most all of the products should be active because we check these on a regular basis.
retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products
John and Bev
16:58 you mention a ‘small front pack’. I dont see that listed below? Can u share what that is exactly?
Thank you😊
-usa
Very informative and good advice. We've always packed light with one carry-on each when traveling especially by air. Others said they like options but I agree with you. My mother needed a 30ft camper.
Thanks. Packing light has truly change our travel experience. Less is more!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You still have a lot of clothes. If you switched the type of material, you could easily cut both of your lists in half.
Thanks. Still a work in progress to cut back even further.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You mentioned that you carry an Osprey 55 liter pack. Can you carry that on an airplane?
Yes, most of the time. The only time we can't is when the airlines have a 7 kg weight limit.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Your sharing is so much more useful than most travel advise on youtube even without much pictures, thank you and enjoy your retirement travel!
Thanks so much! Glad you found it useful and hope you can follow along on our journey around the world.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
The clips of you guys trying to travel with rolling suitcases are hilarious. We're in our mid-40s and sometimes feel like our backpacking years are behind us. But we love being agile when we travel and suitcases just don't cut it. Thanks for another great video!
It was a disaster. 🤣🤣 But at least we learned our lesson. Only packs for us.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Your logo on your shirts need to have a global instead of a bridge. Since your world traveling
Thanks for the suggestion.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you so much for your detailed insights on packing. Plus all your travel videos. I've already downsized everything, home free, car free. I'm getting ready to travel the world indefinitely but my plan is to live in places for 1 to 3 months at a time. The comments from so many others are extremely helpful as well. Since I'm planning to live in places for a time, and different environments e.g. hiking in mountains needing hiking shoes, cold climates, warm climates, the whole range, it seems more challenging.
Glad you are enjoying our channel. We tend to chase warm weather, so it helps us with packing. Good luck with your plan and enjoy the world.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I’m a solo 80yr traveler and I go with a day pack
Great job!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What do y’all include in your emergency kit ? How does the dry sack work going through the airport security screening? Thanks
We usually carry our liquids in a ziplock bag inside our dry sack in case we have to pull them out. If we think we'll go through a country that might give us a problem, we pull them out. If we're in the US, with pre-check, we don't have to remove them. Our kit has several different over the counter drugs that we have a hard time finding on the road. We don't carry a lot, but we especially like the way cold and flu meds are sold in the US, and the equivalent is hard to find abroad. We can always get cough drops but we can't get the rest. Otherwise we carry nausea meds, bandaids, a couple of Z-packs, things like that. It's not a big kit because we know we can get a what we need abroad. Thanks for the question! John & Bev
@@RetirementTravelers Thanks for the very complete answer. I don’t know how y’all accomplish so much !
I know I have another question what if one of you got really sick and had to be put in the hospital and you're in the another country what happens then
Really depends on the illness and the country. We have been pleased with medical care in Colombia and Greece. It is so much lower cost than the US.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great info! I noticed from your list of items that you have quite a bit of electronic devices, i.e., cameras, drone, laptop etc. Do you carry all of that in your backpack in a certain compartment, or do you have a separate carrier or something for that stuff? I would be afraid of it breaking if it were in a soft pack vs a hard shell, so just curious how you manage that kind of stuff. Enjoy!
Thanks. We don’t carry the camera equipment in the backpacks. John has a front pack and Bev has a tote. She also is usually carrying a camera. John and Bev
Thank you so much for a great video - it has really made me think of what I am packing and following your tips will help me improve. 🥰
Glad it was helpful! We believe in packing light!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wonderful video .it wld be great if u actually showed some of ur stuff
Thanks for the feedback.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Some good advice. I would add that I never wear a fanny pack/bum bag, because it just says, I'm a tourist, come rob me, I take a micro backpack instead. I also like to keep it to carry-on weight, 10 kg. You implied, but did not say, there is almost nothing when traveling that you cannot buy if you need it, so leave behind the "just in case" stuff. Exception, if you have to take meds, take more than you will need, you might get stranded for a day or two.
Some great advice. Thanks, John and Bev
Re fanny packs I think it depends on the style of the bag and the attitude of the wearer - there are some pretty classy ones out there right now and they ARE handy. I'm looking at a classy sling at the moment and it can be worn so it looks like a mini crossbody
Re the medications - I think this depends on whether you travel full time. If you travel full time like they do there is no packing extra till you get back - get back to where? Also depends on how packed your schedule is going to be - if you get stuck somewhere then presumably you have time to go out and find what you use. I think it's more a matter of doing your research ahead of time - many countries don't require prescriptions or a pharmacist can write prescriptions so if you carry a script with you they can source an equivalent
Yep, 9 months one three of everything clothes wise. One wearing one dry to put on+one washed+drying. If needs be ‘wear it dry’ Lightweight camping towel waterproof top/bottoms gloves+hat. Washed in water only. Toothpaste+brush. Although merino didn’t exist then, I’d now use merino as you can wear it for weeks without smelling+would take armwarmers and no long sleeves as they can turn short sleeve into long sleeve. Was a cycle trip/camping trip so I did have camping clobber. My luxury items was a pair of running shoes for that+hiking. A Walkman cassette player, buy+swap along the way, a small notebook for journal which got sent home each time one was full(we’re pre email+pre mp3 players and mobiles here😂)+my preferred toothpaste.
Thanks. Love the tip with the sleeves and arm warmers! Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Do you list your suggested merchandise in your description?
We have a website with a store that has most of our gear, along travel and retirement gifts. Here is the link:
retirementtravelers.com/retirement-travelers-store-best-travel-products
Safe travels,
John and Bev
Thank you for the tips. I would say that is the best video I saw so far about packing. Enjoy your journey 🙂
Thanks so much. Glad you found it helpful and hope you can join us on our journey. John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Another great video guys 😊
Was just wondering about your footwear Bev. You mentioned packing a pair of flats but what about walking / hiking? Would you share what your main footwear is? And how do you cope with muddy trails etc. Any insights appreciated. Sorry if I missed that part in the video. I really only want to take one pair of walking type shoes but I’m torn between hiking boots (v heavy and not my fav) & trainers / trail runners. 🤔
One pair of Hoka running shoes for comfort most of the time. Also a pair of Allbirds.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
This is a great tips! I love travelling so much and it really helps. Thank you for this.
Thanks and you are welcome. Glad you found it helpful. John and Bev
Rick Steves has great packing list templates for packing light that we used as our guide; I would recommend starting there. And I would for sure recommend at least one packing test run to see how heavy your backpack is before you have to bring it on your trip! Walk around and up and down a flight (or more!) of stairs. We did two test runs before our final pack.
We packed as light as we could during our 2019 trip to Italy; we each had a large backpack and a small day-bag as our personal item. We used packing cubes and plastic compression bags where you can manually roll the air out of them. We travelled throughout Italy for 7 days and then did laundry at a local laundromat before we hopped on a 9-day Mediterranean cruise. We met so many people doing the same thing at the laundromat; people from all over the world. As strange as it sounds, the laundromat stop ended up being one of the highlights of our trip that we look back on fondly. 😊
Thanks for the tips and insights. We also met interesting people at the laundromat.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
My recommendation with a backpack (which I do recommend), is go to one of those outdoor stores. If you live near an REI store go there or to a similar one. They will assist you in testing backpacks, how to put it on, setting up the straps, etc.
I realize places like REI are expensive, but buying a backpack that doesn't fit you or that won't lay right for you on your back will cost you way more money. I've gone there and gotten my backpack for backpacking and my pack ends up weighing about 60lbs and I have to tell you that when you have a backpack that actually sits correctly it won't hurt your back and it won't feel like you are a mule.
Good advice. Thanks for sharing. A proper fitting backpack is really important.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I see you listed the things you wear except your shirts. What are they? Quick dry I assume? Where did you get them??
Quick dry. We buy them from a graphics shop near our old home in Florida.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
This video was really helpful. My boyfriend and I have just moved to canada after selling our house in the UK, and similar to your story we had a large suitcase each plus a third for extra bits we thought we needed. Yesterday we bought a 50L Osprey bag each and have almost gotten rid of most of what we brought. It makes life so much easier! This video was so useful it makes me want to declutter more of my items. Thank you! 😊
Glad it was helpful and hope you enjoy our channel. Packing light is the way to go. You might also enjoy our video called "A Life Without Stuff". We have enjoyed our extreme downsizing.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
th-cam.com/video/v-kCNCMvchc/w-d-xo.html
This question has nothing to do with this specific video, but something I thought while I've been watching your other videos: have you made arrangements for the time when you are no longer able to travel (medical, mobility issues, etc.)? Just curious, because you have planned everything else so carefully.😊
Great question. We are actually working on a video to address that question.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Yep, I learned long ago that if you can pack for a week you can pack for indefinite travel. They sell clothes and wash clothes all over the world; life goes on outside of your home country. lol
It sure is nice not having to lug around all the stuff you barely use! 😊. Safe travels, John and Bev
Who would’ve guessed, older folks have really good advice!😂 Thanks guys! Just found your channel and it’s really great!
We like to think of ourselves as 29 year olds trapped in 60 year old bodies. 🤣. Here's another more recent packing video we did that might interest you. Thanks for watching.
John and Bev
th-cam.com/video/zNRP9Eo1hWI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BtaSe5vM29wcs9KI
I am now traveling for 3,5 months and I definitely overpacked but what I've learned is that I only need: 3 black vests, one pair of short jeans, one pair of long jeans (bought them few days ago as I came to wintery Australia), one sweatshirt, one pair of leggings, rain jacket, trainers, sandals, flip flops, swim suit, 7 pairs of black socks and black panties, 2 black sports bra. I have to remember this when I will be going on next adventure :)
Thanks for the suggestions. Hope you have safe and wonderful travels.
John and Bev
Used my Osprey 40L with packing cubes for a month in Italy and it really worked great, loved that I was able to distribute the load easily with the various compartments, and it fits most carry one requirements. Then used it again for a 3 month stay in a snowy region followed by a month stay in Arizona.
Great job. Sounds like some fun trips. Osprey packs are definitely the way to go in our opinion, but as we travel we still see mostly all BIG suitcases.😳
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
With age comes wisdom😉👍🙏👏🏻✌️🤙
You are so right!!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
"Next trip is gonna be Old Spice"...😂😂
Such a good, funny and informative video.
Thank you for sharing 🙏
Thanks and glad we made you smile. 😊
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hi John and Bev! That was very useful advice, indeed. Thanks for this video.
Our pleasure! Glad it was helpful.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
My wife and I travel with only a small roller carryon bag and a small daypack each. Never check in the carryon, checked bags get lost, checked bags often don’t make connecting flights and checked bags take forever to get off the carousel after landing. We take our own utensils on the plane because we can’t stand the taste of the wooden tongue depressor utensils used on flights today. I take very few clothes because what I take are lightweight, quick dry clothes that I can rinse each night and let dry the next day while I’m wearing other clothes. I only take the lightweight hikers that I wear all the time. My wife takes two pairs of shoes, wearing one and packing the other. I spent years backpacking and overlanding around the world and I took far too much. If you can afford it, take less stuff and a little more money. We have been caught once or twice where the weather wasn’t what we expected and had to buy a sweater or sweatshirt. Years ago, travelling for 6 months or a year at a time I had more clothes for all seasons but generally now on shorter trips the weather isn’t going to change much. I used to carry a ton of camera equipment, 2 camera bodies, multiple lenses, a tripod and so many rolls of slide film. Thank god for digital and I only take a high end point and shoot now. Most people just use their phones but I still like the creativity that I can get with a proper camera. Travel light, travel well.
probably the most practical and useful tips. highly recommended!
Thanks so much. Glad you found it helpful. John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Keep going guys, quality content and you are great on camera. Your channel will do well
Thanks so much for the kind words. Hope you like our website as well.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
It’s so funny I was trying to justify with my daughter this past week. why I needed suitcases and that I needed three! Now, after watching your video, it is very clear that should NOT do this! 😂😂Thank you so much. Your videos have been a lifesaver, and I am already subscribed to your newsletter. Which I think is amazing!
Thanks so much for following along. Downsizing our packing has completely changed our travel for the better.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com