June 17, 2009 The Ultralight Alternative, part 2
I’m using the matrix of the Ultralight Manifesto to assess the results of my 13-day/13-pound Euro trip:
NEAR THE END OF THE TRIP, READY TO BOARD THE TGVUltralight travel does not mean the traveler must look, smell, or feel bad (#4). This much is true. While I can look rumpled in freshly-pressed suit, I don’t think I embarrassed anyone on this trip. Indeed, my clothing more closely approximated “business casual” than “grimy hiker”. You can travel in clothes that don’t make you stand out as a tourist or leave you with a nagging self-consciousness. Though blending in as a local is impossible for most of us, standing out like a sore thumb is not necessary. And courtesy to the locals (in my mind) demands that a traveler not blow in looking like a skateboarder or beach bum, however stylish that may be in your own postal code.
Ultralight travel does not mean the traveler must look, smell, or feel bad (#4). Some of my fellow travelers, upon learning of how little clothing I had in my bag, joked that they would be engaging in olfactory oversight of my person. This proved unnecessary. A combination of the right clothes and a clothing care regimen that included sink washing with my Stinkfighter formula, airing out of lightly worn clothes, and a a little Febreze kept everything fresh. My wife would have tolerated no less.
Ultralight travel does not mean the traveler must look, smell, or feel bad (#4). Discomfort need not be part of the equation. I will readily admit that poly clothing - especially shirts - can be a little uncomfortable in warm and humid conditions (southern Europe in June). My ExOfficio shirts dried very quickly though, even while being worn. I did dispense with undershirts for a couple of days, which helped. Cotton would have gotten wet more slowly but would have stayed that way much longer.
This was my warmest extended trip yet. That being said, I’m glad I had the poly shirts, technical undershirts, and treated cotton Orvis sport coat since the first two and last two days of the trip (Switzerland and Paris) were quite chilly. I’d rather err on the side of clothes with slight insulating properties. I fear being cold more than being hot.
More to come…
Reader Comments (2)
Just out of curiosity, does washing travel clothing in laundry detergent not get the stink out?
Esther, the Stinkfighter formula (composed of antibacterial soap & antimicrobial Febreze) is meant to provide anti-odor properties for poly clothing. It does work. The slight residue of the formula that remains after a mild sinkwashing makes a cheapo poly garment resist odor like an expensive performance fabric does. It's of no benefit to those who can wear any old thing on the hottest day of the year and have no odor problem at the end of the day (my wife is like this). By its very nature sinkwashing (with any detergent) will not remove stains and soiling like a machine wash, hence the stain pen. For anyone who fears the "chemicals" - I have very sensitive skin - have to use "free" detergent at home - and I have no problems with the Stinkfighter formula. Apparently clear antibacterial hand soap and a smidge of Febreze are pretty mild.