4 Ways to Lighten up Your Getaway

We’re about to turn the calendar to August, so you’ve still got time to squeeze out every last drop of summer fun with a few days away from it all. How to make getting away as easy as possible? Seasoned travelers say to pack half of what you think you need. Sounds good, especially given weight limits on air carriers. In the spirit of less, here are a few ideas to lighten up.

1. Check it off your list. TravelSmith provides a customizable, printable checklist to help you remember vital items to pack but par down to essentials. If you travel regularly for different reasons, make separate lists for each and keep them ready to go with bags.

2. Pocket your gadgets and carry-ons. Travel companies like Scottevest take pockets to the extreme in clothing more sleek than the safari vests of old. Their 22-pocket vest  practically doubles as a carry-on, even stowing earbud wires. Stuff it full of travel docs, gadgets, keys, and overnight basics, and send it through the x-ray machine without dumping it out. You can now find packable clothing designed to carry ipads; shorts with 8 pockets; even hoodies with 14. Other choices? Cargo pants are great, although styles are now skinny, they’re still bulging with useful pockets.

Don’t forget – stash some pockets full of E6 Energy Strips, perfect for travel and coping with the unexpected.

3. Protect your head 12 ways. Buff Headware is great for anyone who wants versatile protection in one thin, tiny garment. Available with UV protection (great if you hate sunscreen), this can be a wicking headband, neckerchief, sunguard, balaclava, pirate cap, face mask, scrunchy, and more. Serious runners rave about them, and the designs are endless, for any season.

4. Choose it to use it. There’s a world of functional travel clothing out there, in the high-tech fabrics targeted to specific uses. We’ll check out more soon – if you have a fave, please comment. We are seeing good reviews for the Ex Officio quick-dry fabrics and for microfiber travel towels, which pack down to nothing.

So be light, think small, and have a blast while summer lasts. Have pocket, have e6, will travel!

Pssst! Check out these road-tested digital cameras!

Photos: Buff Headware