Friday OT - Pack Rats

[coolerifyoudid]

I have a couple trips planned for the year and I've come to realize that my wife and I have vastly different packing goals.

She'll make a list far in advance. She'll pack a pharmacy. She'll pack at least 1.5X more clothes than needed most times. She'd pack our mattress if she could.

I'll usually pack at the last minute and have the mindset that I can get something wherever we go if I forget something.

What's your packing vibe? Does it correlate with your significant other or is there a noticeable contrast in approaches?

 

[KnappShack]

Back in the day I'd grab a toothbrush and head to Vegas.

With kids a trip across town has more gear than Napoleon needed to conquer the Italian peninsula

 

[cytor]

I pack light, and last minute.

 

[Angie]

I have a couple trips planned for the year and I've come to realize that my wife and I have vastly different packing goals.

She'll make a list far in advance. She'll pack a pharmacy. She'll pack at least 1.5X more clothes than needed most times. She'd pack our mattress if she could.

I'll usually pack at the last minute and have the mindset that I can get something wherever we go if I forget something.

What's your packing vibe? Does it correlate with your significant other or is there a noticeable contrast in approaches?

I pack like your wife, except just use a mental list. I also start the physical packing several days in advance, and one of my few practical skills in this world is that I can Tetris the **** out of packing a suitcase.

This is an important skill, since I like to be prepared for any eventuality. Dry eyes? I have travel eye droppers. Someone gets stomach issues? I will pack travel Imodium, Miralax, Rolaids, and Tums. I have Bandaids on me all of the time anyway as a mom, but pack more medical gear (including heel protectors for if shoes rub). You ALWAYS have to have extra pairs of underwear and socks in case you get stranded, and always bring a jacket.

 

[Cy Hard]

Back in the day I'd grab a toothbrush and head to Vegas.

With kids a trip across town has more gear than Napoleon needed to conquer the Italian peninsula

Admit it, you never really grabbed that toothbrush.

 

[KnappShack]

Side note:

What's with kids and ******* water? They need a goddam water bottle with them at all times.

Kid in karate last night wanted to stop the class multiple times for ******* water. They all have a jug with them constantly. Like a minute of thirst is a brush with death

Bullshiz!

Signed 80s kid who's football coach didn't have water breaks to "toughen us up"

 

[JM4CY]

I have a couple trips planned for the year and I've come to realize that my wife and I have vastly different packing goals.

She'll make a list far in advance. She'll pack a pharmacy. She'll pack at least 1.5X more clothes than needed most times. She'd pack our mattress if she could.

I'll usually pack at the last minute and have the mindset that I can get something wherever we go if I forget something.

What's your packing vibe? Does it correlate with your significant other or is there a noticeable contrast in approaches?

Pack essentials but for every weather condition in the forecast so whatever that entails. I'm a middle aged man god damn it, personal temperature comfort is a premium I will always be willing to pay.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Guilty of overpacking, but getting better on our last couple of trips. Finally figured out it's OK to wear a pair of khaki shorts more than one day. Why pack a ton of T shirts when you are going to purchase some on vacation, just wear them.

 

[Cyientist]

Last minute here. I'm getting better about throwing a few things out now, since I overpack due to procrastination.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Full disclosure, I did forget to pack dress pants to my nephews wedding a few years ago, so my method has its flaws. I tried to convince my wife that shirt, tie, swim trunks and oxfords was chic, but she went all fashion police on me and we had to hit the mall on our way to the church.

Fortunately, that will never happen again since my wife has an impeccable memory is always there to remind me repeatedly about how I did that one thing one time.

 

[cytor]

Back in the day I'd grab a toothbrush and head to Vegas.

With kids a trip across town has more gear than Napoleon needed to conquer the Italian peninsula

Are you Jack Reacher by chance?

 

[Clonefan32]

Side note:

What's with kids and ******* water? They need a goddam water bottle with them at all times.

Kid in karate last night wanted to stop the class multiple times for ******* water. They all have a jug with them constantly. Like a minute of thirst is a brush with death

Bullshiz!

Signed 80s kid who's football coach didn't have water breaks to "toughen us up"

During football season I was trying to explain to my son the hose fed into a PVC pipe that someone drilled a bunch of holes in as our source of water in high school.

 

[Al_4_State]

I generally pack a day before and keep it light. If I forget something (I almost always do) I can usually just get by or purchase it wherever I'm going.

My wife takes more **** than she needs and it always ends up causing some kind of problem.

 

[Al_4_State]

During football season I was trying to explain to my son the hose fed into a PVC pipe that someone drilled a bunch of holes in as our source of water in high school.

Water has never tasted better than when it's coming out of one those on a 95 degree August day and you just did up downs.

 

[CyDegen]

Always been a underpacker.

Rule of thumb: If you forgot it, you probably didn't need it that much anyway

 

[Cyclonepride]

I pack pretty much the day of (unless we're leaving very early). Otherwise I end up packing something that I am going to need. I can be packed up in about 15 minutes, so it's not a big deal. I do keep a mental checklist of the things I especially need to remember.

 

[jcyclonee]

I'm sort of in-between. I used to overpack but have changed in that regard. I do tend to pack a day or two before so that I can get it done and add anything that I forgot to pack before we leave. It also helps me to know how much I can add to my suitcase when my wife's suitcase is over the weight limit.

 

[madguy30]

Airlines price gauging for baggage and back/yakpacking taught me to minimize what I bring.

Basically one extra pair of general clothes and then extra unders and socks, and basics like deordarent and tooth brush.

If the general clothes get dirty or whatever from heat etc I use a washing machine or find a laundromat if it's to a hotel or whatever.

Maybe running/hiking attire but minimal for that too.

Packing more than that kind of stresses me out.