Can anyone recommend a good scale I can use to weigh even light objects as I try to identify the weight of everything I pack to see what I need to take out. I have a scale that's good for weighing the total suitcase once it's packed, but wasn't sure if there was a digital (or, I suppose, a non-digital) scale that can measure things that weigh just a few ounces. Thanks much.

How about a food scale? They are also known as dieters scales or kitchen scales. These items ususally go up to about 5 pounds, and are marked off in grams or ounces. Most come with a cup that rides on top of the scale, which means you don't have to worry about tiny items rolling off.

Food scales come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and all price ranges. They are available as manual or digital models.

> How about a food scale?

That's what I use. At the end just add all the different items up.

Do you really need to go to that level?

I'd think you can work down to a minimal packing list, and look at individual items on that "must have" list to see if there's a lighter option for each item (nylon pants vs. cotton chinos, etc).

It seems strange, but the little things actually do add up to quite a bit! I remember that one toilet kit weighed about 1/2 pound more than the other one when I weighed it! I had guessed it already but the scale confirmed it. It may seem obvious but when you start weighing items you get that "aha!" moment where you finally figure out why your bag is so heavy.

Ultralight backpackers use postal scales. I'm not sure where they get them, though. I just use my kitchen scale for values within an ounce.

Do you mean the handheld ones with a clip? Kitchen scales are far more convenient.

And Cindy makes the right point, things add up. If you end up flying on an airline with a strict max hand luggage weight, you'll be glad you weighted it all beforehand.

I use my kitchen scale for individual items. It has a capacity of 11 lb / 5 kg and weighs +/- 2 grams. A little overkill, but things do add up. This last trip I left my iGo charger home in favor of the stock Lenovo plus a USB cable for my Ipod - saved 4 ounces there.

I have a digital shipping scale I bought off Ebay that goes up to 30 lbs, more than enough for a full bag.

I used to use bathroom scales which were useless so I bought a hand held from Magallens
http://www.magellans.com/store/Luggage_Scales___Locks___Luggage_ScalesKT689?Args=

It has stood me in good stead on several trips now and I just keep it in my pocket whilst in transit.

Brad....they weren't selling digital scales when I bought mine......go figure, they always come out with better models AFTER I purchased something.
I've been eyeing up the digitals, I've got a feeling one will be in my grubby little hands by my next trip! LOL!

Easy question, easy answer. The fantastic MyWeigh 7001DX here
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-7001dx.aspx

It is a kitchen and postage scale, exact to the gram. It will convert on the fly between grams, kg, lbs and ounces. The LCD is backlit which makes it even easier to read. The numbers stay on even after you take the weighed object off for those times when you weigh something so big it covers the display. It has a tare and a reset option and it is very accurate.

I have been on the same set of AA batteries for 3+ years but you can use a wallwart. Just bought one for my best friend, too. It comes with a bowl and two postage devices; one for envelopes and one for poster rolls, so they don't roll off.

I use it a lot and it's never given me grief. The seller is also very reliable and the price is right.

Forgot to say but this thing goes up to 7kg (15.5lbs) so you can actually way a good amount of flour or even your Airboss luggage.

I have a $50 Salter food scale, very easy to use, can be set to oz., lb., grams or kilograms, handles various small to medium-sized articles, not sure of the capacity, but easily up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) For a loaded bag, I have the $25 Balanzza digital scale, similarly handles English or metric measure, light enough to take with one on a trip, if there might be some issue about needing to make sure that bags are legal for the return. Capacity 44 kg (100 lbs.), way more than any current legal bag weight! this has a strap with buckle that goes around the bag handle. I can't imagine that one would need more than these two items, with the Balanzza likely being more useful for most people, save for those like myself, who use the Salter to weigh the Balanzza....