Reader “The Foot” has submitted a new packing list for a three day business trip:
Here’s a pack list from a summer business trip. This was a 3-day, 3-night business trip where business casual attire was acceptable. Travel was on direct flights, in the summer, from the East Coast to the Mid-West. The itinerary had me flying early morning and going straight to the office on day one. The return flight was early morning the fourth day.
This was before I added the Tom Bihn Western Flyer to my quiver, so the only bag carried was the Eagle Creek Dane. It’s a convertible laptop bag measuring 17” x 12.5” x 6”. Due to its structure and padded laptop pocket, it’s a tight fit. I didn’t weigh the bag this time, but from past experience, I’d estimate it was apx. 14lbs. For business trips, I usually use TB’s Absolute Strap. I misplaced it prior to packing. So, I just hand carried, and used the backpack straps on the return trip.
My clothes for this trip were from my standard wardrobe for this sort of thing. The shirts were J.Crew button-ups (cotton Super 120 or 80) folded in the packing cube. The creases came out simply by hanging overnight. The trousers I usually pack shed wrinkles nicely overnight, as well (They’re the Banana Republic Signature line made of fine wool or wool/silk fabrics). I’ve tried sox from Icebreaker, Smartwool and REI, and have settled on the Smartwool hiking liners. They are thin black sox that wash and dry in a snap. They look good in a business casual outfit, and are slightly less refined than something I would wear with a suit. For briefs I prefer the C9 performance-whatever from Target. I do think the ExOfficio fabric is great, but the cut is pretty bad for me. The C9s perform very well and are only slightly less durable. The REI Power Dry t-shirts have been in my kit for a couple years. Not only are they a plain white quick dry shirt (difficult to find), but I find them quite comfortable.
I’m a washer. I don’t have a problem spending a little time each evening washing clothes while on trips like this. Unless there is an unusual travel requirement, I will carry a max of 3 dress shirts, and have them laundered as needed. I would send my shirts out at home, as well. Therefore, I see the premium the hotel charges for laundry as a small upcharge for keeping my bag lighter, smaller, and never out of my sight. I have tried this with only 2 dress shirts, but the risk of not getting a shirt back in time is too great.
So, there’s the itinerary, the bag, the clothes, and my thoughts on washing. Below is the specific packing list for this trip, and it fairly representative of similar trips. Regardless of length, the packing list would only adjust slightly to accommodate different weather or activities.
-> TECH and OFFICE
iPhone
Earbud headset
Access tokens
Power brick
iPhone cable
Broadband aircard
Computer (HP 2560p, 12.5”)
White board marker
Pen (or two, or three)
Notebook (mini soft cover)
House keys
Etymotic hf3 earphones
iPod Classic
Airplane adapter
-> PERSONAL CARE
Toothbrush
Beard Trimmer (Wahl 9854-600)
Tissues
Deodorant crystal
Nail clippers (small)
Tweezers (small)
Floss
Neosporin
Imodium pills
Benadryl pills
Ibuprofen pills
Tums
-> CLOTHING
Complete List:
Base Layer (2 of each, wash nightly)
Sox (Smartwool Hiking Liners)
Briefs (ExOffico or C9)
Undershirts (white REI Power Dry)
1 T-shirt
1 Polo shirt
3 Button up shirts
1pr Chinos
1pr wool trousers
1pr Shoes (Loafers)
1 Belt
Rain Jacket (Marmot Aegis)
Running Shorts
I’ve also posted it in our packing list section.