Packing Like a Nomad

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A few weeks back, the good folks at The Economist’s Gulliver travel blog wrote an amusing piece about packing like a journalist. Lately, that is more likely to mean dumping your desk into a box and heading for the unemployment line than filling a suitcase (sad to say). Nonetheless there are excellent tips in the column as well as in the reader comments section.

I thought I’d add some tips of my own:

My suitcase of choice is an expanding Hartmann roller. The telescoping handle seems to take up less space in the inner compartment than in other models and I can carry on sufficient gear to travel on business for a week without expanding it (that handy feature is generally used to haul home some fine wine — up to six bottles at a time have made it home safely). I’ve dragged it across North America, Asia, and Europe for several years and it has held up well. For overnights, a smaller roller by TravelPro — about the size of a large computer case — has enough room for a spare shirt, tie, underwear, socks, toiletries, laptop, and a couple of files.

The case is the easy part. I used to work at Mark Cross, the storied manufacturer and retailer of fine leather goods including travel gear (it has since been sucked up into a conglomerate and vaporized). There I learned a number of critical packing tips: First, take less — you always can get by with less than you think. Make a commitment to one color and make sure that everything goes with everything else to give yourself more possible combinations. Use accessories like ties and scarves that are light and take up minimal space to spice things up. Keep paring down until you have the bare minimum. That will make the CEO of Spirit Airlines smile.   If you get bored with what you brought, shop (see expanding roller above). Second, use plastic dry cleaner bags over your pressed garments to keep them from wrinkling. It really works. Roll or weave garments together to avoid creases where you don’t want them. Third, gentlemen, bring a blazer or sport coat that can work with dress pants or jeans — think multi-functional.

Now for those little tricks that can make a big difference. Stain removing wipes can save the day after you’ve dripped puttanesca sauce on your pants. Keep a couple on hand. Similarly, moist towelettes can clean up your face and hands in a hurry. New disposable teeth cleaners (see the Wisp in the photo) are invaluable if you need to freshen and don’t have access to your toiletries. I find that the scissors in the Victorinox TravelCard come in handy though the nail file was confiscated by the TSA; I guess there had been threats of offering manicures as a way to get access to the cockpit. If not traveling by air, a pocket knife with a corkscrew will inevitably be in my bag so as to be ready for any wine and cheese that might cross my path. A notebook — never travel without a notebook that can fit easily into a jacket pocket so that you can take — or pass — notes without firing up your computer or looking like you are e-mailing on your PDA. Finally, I invested in an after-market charger that can handle both my laptop and Blackberry at the same time. It is lighter and smaller than the original that came with the computer and lets me leave the PDA charger in the office.

So you are packed. You’ve made it to the airport. You’re set. Not quite: with the increase in airport delays, I suggest that you pick up an analog publication or two, some chocolate, perhaps some crackers in case you get stuck on the tarmac. You’ll be able to be productive and nourished — and can smirk at the Kindle lovers who aren’t allowed to turn on their precious babies. Offer a copy of The Economist or a bite of 64% cocoa Ghiradelli to strike up a conversation with the charming passenger you’ve had the luck to find next to you. Business travel, after all, can still be an adventure.