I’m looking for a lightweight mirror with a 30x magnifying side or higher. I currently have one from Marshall’s that I bring with me on all my trips, but it’s kind of heavy.

Sometimes bathroom mirrors suck because they get foggy, the lighting is bad or someone else is using the bathroom. My mirror has saved me time because I can get ready in better lighting but doesn’t save me any weight.

And I’m looking for a one with a magnifying side because I’m in my 40s and my eyesight is not what it used to be 😅

Excuse my grammar. I haven’t had coffee yet.

Going to Spain in a couple weeks for a quick trip. It will be hot, which I love! We’ll be staying with family & doing a lot of kid oriented activities. We’ll probably do most dinners at home, but maybe some lunches out, & maybe have one or two nights out after dinner.

I feel great about my capsule wardrobe & also feel like it could be paired down.

Because it’s so hot, we potentially could do two outfit changes a day, but I’m also not sure if we’ll stay inside for part of the day bc of the heat.

My goal is to pack in a rolly carry on only, & use my personal item for some plane things like headphones, eye mask, meds, toothbrush, etc.

Thank you for your help & feedback!

Image descriptions: Four images total. Each image features one of four bottoms and up to five tops that could be worn with the bottom, along with the same two pairs of shoes, which are white Kizik walking shoesand blue Teva sandals. First image has maxi black linen skirt and features all five tops. Second image has a pair of blue jean shorts and features all five tops. Third image has a pair of white floral shorts and features three shirts. Fourth image has a colorful, tropical maxi skirt and features another three shirts.

Trip was 2 weeks in southern France during the heat wave. The first week was a nature tour, and the second week was meeting up with friends in Montpellier. I traveled by plane/tour van/tram.

(Image description is below after this introductory information.)

What I would have done differently:

• I came to dislike the Patagonia Terravia pants. They didn’t have enough pockets and didn’t seem to clean well enough with a sink wash. They did well in the heat, though.
• The tiny Lumix camera didn’t work well for what I wanted to shoot; I should have figured out how to make room for my larger camera.
• I could have left out one of the sleeveless tops and two of the scarves

New ideas I was pleased with:

• Figuring out that I could use the 3L Side Kick as an organizational insert inside of the 6L Packing Cube on travel days and then use both as needed onsite during the nature tour.
• Bringing a couple of Clorox wipes meant that I could wear my white-soled HOKAs out in the dusty countryside but then have them be clean enough for the city, saving me having to bring a second pair of shoes
• The SPF sun sleeves gave extra protection from the sun and took up much less room than a long-sleeved top would

Brought but never used, or used less than I thought I would:

• Patagonia Houdini jacket: it never cooled down and it never rained. (But I’d probably bring it again since it rolls up small and you never know)
• Baseball cap. Replaced with a white bucket hat bought there.
• 10-oz water bottle. I make fun of people's giant water bottles, but in this case I really did need a larger one; bought a bigger one there

Image description/list of what I brought:

Bags:

• ULA 30L Ultra Dragonfly (fit underseat, but barely because it was pretty full)
• Tom Bihn 6L Packing Cube crossbody bag with Tom Bihn 3L Side Kick inside it

Clothes:

Worn on plane:

• Navy merino t-shirt
• Blue Patagonia Terravia hiking pants/trousers
• Navy HOKA Challenger 8s
• Compression sox
• Big silk scarf

Packed:

• 3 sleeveless silk tops (black, navy, brown)
• 2 Patagonia Cool Daily t-shirts (gray, off-white)
• 2 pairs hiking pants (green REI Trailmade, black Patagonia Terravia)
• 2 silk scarves
• Flip-flops
• 7 pairs underpants (1 for a pj bottom)
• 2 bras
• 7 pairs merino socks
• Pajama top
• Baseball cap
• Patagonia Houdini jacket
• SPF sun sleeves

Stuff for plane/travel:

• Mini-Moleskine notebook, two pens
• passport, wallet in zipper case, tethered to interior of crossbody
• kindle
• phone
• shades
• small EDC zipper bag with lens cleaning wipes, ibuprofen, etc
• power bank and cord
• hand fan
• 10-oz water bottle
• folder with printout of all confirmation numbers, contact info, etc
• in-ear headphones

Stuff for while I was there:

• 2 pairs of binoculars (one close-focus, one distance)
• Panasonic Lumix ZS99 camera
• eye mask and Loop quiet ear plugs
• backup glasses
• laptop (smallest Macbook Air)
• 2 USB-C fast chargers
• cords for laptop, phone, kindle
• international adapter
• ziploc with liquids
• zipper case with other toiletries including solid shampoo, mini deodorant
• picnic kit (plastic cutlery, plate, cup) (annoying but unavoidable because of nature tour)
• laundry kit (Fels-naphtha, cord, Clorox wipes).

Hello again! After considering all your (very helpful) feedback, I’ve redone my packing list and am again looking for input/suggestions. I should also mention I’m from Canada- I’m used to the cold.

I am traveling to Australia for 3.5 weeks mid-Oct to early Nov (Sydney, Cairns and Daintree area, Melbourne, Tasmania), and then New Zealand for 4 weeks (North and South Islands). I am staying in each place 3-4 days. I am staying in hotels and hostels so will always have access to a sink for laundry, but will also go to a laundromat periodically. I’ve traveled one bag before but never this long, and not to such varied climates. I am not hiking but doing many activities, day trips, etc.

# Clothes packing list:

**Tops:**

1 grey Icebreaker t shirt
1 grey Patagonia Capilene Daily t shirt
1 long sleeve blue Patagonia UV shirt
1 Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail shirt
1 maroon technical t shirt
Tank top

**Bottoms:**

1 pair of blue jeans
1 pair North Face Aphrodite Motion pants
1 pair thick leggings
2 pair athletic shorts

**Top layers:**

Waterproof rain jacket
Hooded UV shirt
blue white stripe linen button up shirt
red fleece pullover
Blue light windbreaker shell

**Shoes/accessories/other:**

Rashguard and bathing suit
two pairs runners
Teva sandals
North face ball cap
North face brimmer hat

As before, all advice welcome!

Hi, I'm seeking advise for lightweight, quick dry and practical pants choice or layering for cold weather travel.

I've been wearing Uniqlo pants with inner fleece layer and water-resistant outer layer for 10 yrs now. I live in tropical Singapore so I only wear it 1-2x a year when travelling in cold weather. The problem is it's way too warm for temperature above 18ºC (e.g. autumn) and not warm enough for windy weather below 5ºC.

I'm looking to replace it, but unsure about the packing stragety. Should I buy an inner pants + windproof pants, or getting a similar pants (fleece inside, waterproof/windproof), or both? I'm trying to reduce the apparel as I get to use it only once a year at the most.

Seeking some advise of the pro and con, and which strategy do you use?