ALL ABOUT LUGGAGE
So this is my first post really related to Austria. It's a bit more stuff-focused than most will be. Perhaps this can serve as a resource for others planning on moving cross-continent for a year. We'll see.
The first time I went to Austria, I
was pretty unprepared, weather-wise and packing wise. Back in 2008,
it was not as necessary to be a savvy packer. One could fly
to Europe with two checked bags, a carry-on and a personal item for
no extra charge. With airline fees becoming gradually more
commonplace since then, all I can take for no charge is one suitcase,
one carry-on, and on personal item. Bringing a second checked bag now costs $100, so pack light or prepare your wallet accordingly.
MAIN BAG
I am bringing one piece of checked
luggage. I bought this suitcase specifically for the trip. It's
nothing fancy and measures 28” by 18” by 9”. If I could do it
again, I would have gone for a slightly larger size, but hopefully
this will help me de-clutter.
However, this suitcase is still large
enough to comfortably fit a collapsable hula hoop, so for me it's big
enough!
One reason I bought new luggage is that
now most luggage is MUCH lighter than even five or ten years ago. Not surprising since modern luggage, with wheels and a bar to drag the suitcase is mere decades old. Not
to mention, it has "spinners". Spinners are four wheels on the bottom of
luggage instead of two. These wheels can rotate freely, which
makes dragging the suitcase through the airport or onto a train a
breeze.
I plan on fitting most of my clothes,
including winter wear, into this piece. Rolling up clothes instead of
folding them is also a technique I am using to save space.
BACKPACK.
For this trip I also decided to splurge
on a “fancy” hiking backpack. I never owned a backpack beyond a
basic one designed for school books, so this will be a nice upgrade
to use as my piece of carry-on.
If I go on short trips during my year, it is much smaller and more manageable than lugging around a suitcase. I plan on trying to get into better shape, so, with any luck, I'll also use it on actual hiking trips.
If I go on short trips during my year, it is much smaller and more manageable than lugging around a suitcase. I plan on trying to get into better shape, so, with any luck, I'll also use it on actual hiking trips.
The pack I chose to get was an Osprey
Sirrus 24
The pack holds up to 24 Liters worth of
stuff, and full up it measures 21” by 13” by 10.5”
What sold me on this pack was that it
was specifically designed for a female-bodied frame AND came in
different sizes. As someone whose 5 foot tall AND has a
proportionally small torso, it seemed like it would actually be designed to fit. I am still waiting for it to ship, so I'll have to see when it arrives.
It also has fancy pockets, hip straps, a frame to redistribute the weight, and other nifty things. It's kind of a whole new world for me, and I hope it will last me for many, many years.
It also has fancy pockets, hip straps, a frame to redistribute the weight, and other nifty things. It's kind of a whole new world for me, and I hope it will last me for many, many years.
Originally I was between this pack and
the larger pack in the series, the Osprey Sirrus 36. The Sirrus 36
holds 36 liters—substantially more—and I could probably get the
bag on the plane to Austria I decided to go with the larger pack.
This is because it is technically larger than carry-on size, and many
discount airlines in Europe are much stricter about bags being to
size.
PERSONAL ITEM
My personal item is a simple large
purse. I plan on putting my electronics, important items, toiletries, fresh
underwear and socks, and activities for the long plane ride over in
here. Here's to hoping knitting needles get through security okay! (I am
flying on September 11th , after all).
Stay tuned for a post on attempting to
winter.
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