Business packing for backpackers (and others who take pride in minimalist packing)

Well, maybe not so minimalist. I've been experimenting with taking only a carry-on lately. Yes, bag fees are the bane of many the traveler's existence but carrying on does one more thing: it makes for a much less stressful packing experience all together. Thanks goes out to sites like onebag.com which makes the initial panic of, "Holy batman, what do I start with?" disappear.

My latest conference had me flying on an airline which ends in -an. Ladies and gents, these tickets are cheap for a reason. At this point, though, all the major US airlines are making their way towards Ryan Air status so it's not even worth complaining about anymore.

Regardless, the one thing this airline will do is allow you to gate check for free if you're the last poor fool boarding. Their carry on dimensions recently shrunk to child's backpack size. Unless you're carrying on a coat and nothing else, your bag will probably not fit at all. Be the last one on the plane, especially if you don't mind waiting for that free checked bag to make it's way to baggage claim. Save you $20 for an extra 15 minutes spent talking to strangers about their grandchildren or something.

Oh, I was making a list? Shall we?

One bag business trip list (for a seven day conference)

• Colors. Coordinate your colors. I chose black because I love irony. Really, though, any shades will do as long as they match. I've done browns, blacks and greys in the past as well and it worked wonderfully.

• 3 pants (business casual or strict business depending on the code at your ultimate destination). Chances are you're not going to cause a massive disaster on your pants via mustard. If they're black the mustard hides after a quick trip to the water fountain.

• 3-5 tops. All of which could be used for those, ahem, after hour meetings.

• Something to sleep in obviously. One set. Heck, want to save room? Sleep in your underthings. Just don't scare your potential roommate with your fantastic looking desk job body. (Note: this has happened to me. It's fun for you but not for the victim.)

• Underthings. Men and Women: Invest in some good travel underwear. Ladies: Pick one amazing bra and one sports bra.

• Shoes. I know, obvious right? You want one good pair you can wear for business and funsies. Make sure the next time you pick up a pair of work shoes that they can do double duty. Remember: If they're replacing two pairs of shoes, you might as well spend twice as much for a good pair which functions in multiple ways.

•  Forget toiletries. If you're going to a conference for work then you're most likely going to a hotel which carries all those "forgotten items" for free. Unless you need a specific product it's a waste of both space and time to carry any shampoo/conditioner/lotion/toothpaste. I've never been to a conference hotel which doesn't offer these replacements. 

If your conference and travel time is shorter than seven days adjust the amount of clothing as needed.

What's your ultimate business travel packing tip?

Is that a backpacker I smell?

UPDATED: What worked and what didn't.

Alright the two of you reading! It's time for a round up of the 21.3 pounds (9.9 Kilos) I'm hauling across Europe. My standard packing list for staying in one place has, not surprisingly, been altered a tad.

I still think I somehow ended up with too much stuff even though I packed and chucked half of it back in the closet. Most of the pack was eaten by cold weather clothes I have to haul to Iceland, and even though I plan on looking like an oompa loompa on the plane it still takes up some room. That and I have to bring a sleeping bag instead of just a liner.

I picked up this Eagle Creek packable day pack a while back. It's ridiculously tiny, ripstop nylon, and it still fits more then I probably should inside. I have room for my netbook, phone, camera, ipod touch, passport, and makeup. Not to mention, I can stuff my stupidly restricted, evil, dangerous, national security harming face wash and shampoo inside. Win/win? I think so.

Seeing as I barely wear any makeup on a daily basis, and I still want to feel like a girl, I brought the bare essentials for this expedition.

My "oh, crap" kit, as I'm so fond of calling it, is tiny but completely worth the bit of space it takes up. Included in my mini triage kit are band-aids, mini anti-bacterial ointment packets I picked up for free somewhere, bottle of random medications (pain reliever, Pepto, Imodium. I'm sure there's something else in there). Also included are alcohol swabs I've been completely, unintentionally collecting at school and work, and some Sudafed off brand decongestant because my sinuses and I are not ever on friendly terms.

This final bad boy of a packing list is all stuffed in two Eagle Creek compression bags.


The final tally (including the above):
2 sports bras
1 regular bra (wear on plane)
2 cami's (one on plane)
5 pair underwear (one on plane)
3 pair merino wool socks (one on plane)
1 quick dry t-shirt
3 t-shirts (cheap hanes tee. One on the plane and I may be ditching the older one.)
2 quick dry long sleeve shirts
2 quick dry long underwear/leggings Ended up using one and washing every two days .
2 pair zip off pants (only one made it home)
1 pair jeans (wear on plane)
1 pair sandals
1 pair flats
1 pair hiking/walking boots (wear on plane)
1 pair dress pants (Never wore them)
1 sweater (on plane)
1 light bolero/sweater (on plane)

1 one piece bathing suit

1 pair running/jogging shorts (Best Idea ever. Wore it under a leggings/long top in way too hot spain)

1 quick dry towel

Fantabulous Laundry kit

Locks and things

Of course, all of that is in my previously mentioned TETON pack.

I'm all packed, finally. Now, I just have to get through the next two days at work and I escape Sunday afternoon!

How much can I fit in 20KG of luggage?

So, this year's adventure will be a month abroad. I will be spending half of my time in the cold of Iceland and the other half in the unrelenting heat of southern and central Europe. Packing has become quite the challenge especially considering my native Florida heat loving roots. I know how to deal with humid and oppressive heat, it's the cold that's killing my attempts at packing light!

So far, I've picked up very little new clothes and more new "things" from amazon.com. I pieced together a warm weather wardrobe, now I just have to get it all in my pack under 20kg.

So tell me fellow travelers: What is your one absolutely necessary pack item?