Packing very light

[quarkuud]

I just figured out that I made a kind of stupid mistake booking my flights, and I am limited to one bag weighing 20 kg/44 lbs on one of them. Are there any special tricks for getting your bag down to that weight?

I'll be gone about two weeks, but I'll probably plan on doing laundry once while I'm gone. My bag itself is about 8 lbs, pretty light, and I plan on taking the batteries out of my lights and buying new ones once I get there. I'm obviously carrying on my regs (though I'll also have a laptop and two cameras, so my carry-on will not be light).

Any advice for getting the weight down? I'm particularly concerned about the return when everything is damp.

[Charles R]

The one option is carry as much on as possibe remember most airlines allow 1 carry one and 1 personal item such as a Backpack or breifcase. so Pack as much in your carryon and get a laptop Backpack and stuff as much as you can in that. for comming home there is always the option to ship items home rather than drag them on a plane!

[picxie]

I'm in a similar situation. Going away in a few weeks and only have 20kg for my main bag, 5kg for my carry on. My dive gear alone is 16-17kg. However I am leaving my wetsuit at home and hiring one over there, and that should cut out 2-3kg. It's going to be hard but depending on how strict they are, I've just come to the conclusion I'll pay over weight costs. I'll aim to keep below 25kg though. Some airlines will give you extra baggage allowance for a sporting holiday - would pay to check with the airline.

[coralcrazed]

ha... I know what you guys are saying. Afew short weeks ago I started looking for equipment like a reg., bc, ect. I really want a weight integrated bc. BUT... that would add like 20lbs right there and the max is 50 per bag. man forget about a tank of your own. so I started looking at travel light equipment. but man do you have to give some features up.

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by quarkuud

I just figured out that I made a kind of stupid mistake booking my flights, and I am limited to one bag weighing 20 kg/44 lbs on one of them. Are there any special tricks for getting your bag down to that weight?

I'll be gone about two weeks, but I'll probably plan on doing laundry once while I'm gone. My bag itself is about 8 lbs, pretty light, and I plan on taking the batteries out of my lights and buying new ones once I get there. I'm obviously carrying on my regs (though I'll also have a laptop and two cameras, so my carry-on will not be light).

Any advice for getting the weight down? I'm particularly concerned about the return when everything is damp.

The best thing I've found to do is if bringing any lights - put those in the carry on (will they allow that these days?!).

Really... they normally just charge about 25 bucks if you're over - so I normally just pay it and not worry too much.... It's more than 25 dollars worth of hassle to try to get it that light!

[fire diver]

Why not just pack gear?

When you get to your destination go buy a bunch of cheap t-shirts and shorts, and toiletries. When you leave, throw them away. And mementos can be shipped home.

FD

[quarkuud]

Really... they normally just charge about 25 bucks if you're over - so I normally just pay it and not worry too much.... It's more than 25 dollars worth of hassle to try to get it that light!

Unfortunately, this is a prop plane and they can (and have) refuse people to fly overweight. Overhead space is very limited too, though I think the weight restriction is 8kg rather than 5 (that's killer, picxie!).

When you get to your destination go buy a bunch of cheap t-shirts and shorts, and toiletries. When you leave, throw them away. And mementos can be shipped home.

Thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind when I'm actually packing. And I'll try to include my lights in my carry-on too.

Afew short weeks ago I started looking for equipment like a reg., bc, ect. I really want a weight integrated bc. BUT... that would add like 20lbs right there

You don't have to bring the weights. Just rent weights and tanks, it's cheap, sizing isn't an issue, and with weights you don't have to worry about whether they've been maintained! I have a Brigade (weight integrated), and it weighs about 6 - 6.5 lbs dry, according to my bathroom scale.

[chinacat46]

I'm in a similar boat on one of my flights in Oz as well. I usually bring a wheeled bag and for this trip I got a lightweight duffel from eagle creek that comes in at about 3 lbs. My wheeled bag was 10-11lbs. I was usually right around 50lbs so by saving 7-8lbs on the bag I should be able to get down to 44lbs or 20kg. I'm not sure my carry on will be under the 7kg limit though. I'll have laptop, reg, dive computers, camera and underwater case, plus some clothes in the carry on.

[Zenagirl]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

ha... I know what you guys are saying. Afew short weeks ago I started looking for equipment like a reg., bc, ect. I really want a weight integrated bc. BUT... that would add like 20lbs right there and the max is 50 per bag. man forget about a tank of your own. so I started looking at travel light equipment. but man do you have to give some features up.

I was a little puzzled by why a weight integrated BC would add 20 pounds, then realized you're talking about bringing weights along with your BC. When you travel you don't bring weights, just the BC. You rent weight and tanks at your destination.

My Zena is about 4 pounds dry and it's weight integrated.

[dallasdivergirl]

on the clothing issue, shoes are bulky & can be heavy. I take only keens or tevas or flip flops. Any clothing that could be quick dry or multi use would be a good idea too. I have many pairs of women's board shorts in solid colors that can work for diving or regular clothes. they are fairly stain resistant & can be washed in a sink.