It's become a game, a challenge, a competition even, to see just how little we can take for a two-week trip. Each year we trim back even more and, not to brag (much), I’m thinking we’re at pretty respectable "bare minimum".
Packing light for two weeks of hiking (and eating).
The possibility of constant rain. Of cold. Of working up a sweat while hiking. What you need are shoes that can get wet as well as soothe and protect while walking eight hours or so a day. Clothes to layer so you can add or subtract easily. All in one bag that isn't too big to carry on as who wants to be slowed down at baggage claims. We finetune things each year as needed because we're smart like that.
Outerwear
The only thing you can be certain about the weather in the UK is that it will change. Especially on the coast. Often several times a day. We've been lucky over the years and have had only a handful of truly bad weather. (See the Lynmouth to Massive Storm post for an example.) We've learned to pack our raincoats in our backpacks every day. They don't weigh much and the raincoat doubles as an extra layer of warmth.
The half-zip pullover keeps you dry when you sweat, warm when you're cold, and dries overnight (for the most part). That, my friend, is a travel clothes.
The half-zip pullover keeps you dry when you sweat, warm when you're cold, and dries overnight (for the most part). That, my friend, is a travel clothes.
A word about cotton
I like cotton. Pure 100% oh-so-soft cotton. But, cotton has its downsides for travel. First, it's not a good layer next to your skin when it's cold, or when you're sweating. And second, it takes forever to dry and then wrinkles something awful when you air dry it. So I came to a decision after our first year: no cotton. It makes me sad but there you have it. Practicality rules when it comes to travel clothes.
Clothes
In May 2022 I took three short-sleeve Lululemon shirts. This spring I am taking two, one of which I will wear. These dry overnight so two is plenty.
As far as hiking pants, LLBean makes the best hiking/travel pants in the world. The world. The Comfort Trail Pants are lightweight and breathable for year-round wear and made of a nylon blend that's soft yet durable (this lingo is straight from their website). But it's the pockets that I really like. There are plenty, one of which is big enough to hold a phone charger.
My nightgown is cotton because I hate sleeping in synthetics. And although this means it requires a clothes dryer or hot radiator after washing, so be it: one needs cozy sleepwear at the end of the cliff walking day.
As far as hiking pants, LLBean makes the best hiking/travel pants in the world. The world. The Comfort Trail Pants are lightweight and breathable for year-round wear and made of a nylon blend that's soft yet durable (this lingo is straight from their website). But it's the pockets that I really like. There are plenty, one of which is big enough to hold a phone charger.
My nightgown is cotton because I hate sleeping in synthetics. And although this means it requires a clothes dryer or hot radiator after washing, so be it: one needs cozy sleepwear at the end of the cliff walking day.
Underwear: spend the damn money
Ten years ago we came up with the bright idea to save up ratty underwear for our trip. We'd pack six pairs, wash them all halfway through the journey, then toss them out daily the last six days. It worked in theory. But that year, when we finally found a washer & dryer (they didn't have them in our guest house), we set out to do the halfway-through-the-trip load of laundry and it wasn't easy. First I had to get change. Then I had to spend ten minutes figuring out how the damn machines worked, and I still got it wrong. Then it took forever for the cotton shirts and underwear to dry. I was tired but had to keep running back and forth to the laundry room to see if they were done. And they never were.
As I was spreading everything out across the spare bed and over the chairs and off the doors to dry so I could go to bed, I swore that on the next trip we would buy the damn travel underwear ("dries in hours") that I had come so close to purchasing before the trip. Unfortunately, in a fit of frugalness, I had stuffed the packages back on the shelf and walked away. At the time I felt virtuous: After all, at $18 a pop—-and we'd need two each—-I had saved us a small bundle. The night of laundry hell convinced me to spend the damn money. Which we did.
As I was spreading everything out across the spare bed and over the chairs and off the doors to dry so I could go to bed, I swore that on the next trip we would buy the damn travel underwear ("dries in hours") that I had come so close to purchasing before the trip. Unfortunately, in a fit of frugalness, I had stuffed the packages back on the shelf and walked away. At the time I felt virtuous: After all, at $18 a pop—-and we'd need two each—-I had saved us a small bundle. The night of laundry hell convinced me to spend the damn money. Which we did.
Misc
Lightweight backpack, minimal toiletries, a few bandaids, water bottle, walking poles, guidebooks for the paths we're doing, and phone cords, chargers, etc.
On the plane
We almost always carry on our luggage. In May, 2022 we didn't feel like shlepping them around the airports so we checked them. Never again. Our flight to Ohio was delayed in Newark and even though our luggage was RIGHT THERE in the airport (thank you Airtag), we couldn't get to them. Neither could 1000+ other people. Hotels all booked. No car rentals. We ended up sleeping at the airport. (In the meditation room if you must know, which was, yes we know, against all rules.)
Only using half the suitcase so far. (Not to brag.)
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Walking poles, amazingly, fit!
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