Sherman's Travel

I’m not privy to the contents of many suitcases other than my own, but I suspect that my strategy of packing minimal clothing, toiletries, and electronics into a single carry-on bag isn’t all that unique.

However, after a couple years of heavier-than-usual travel with the same cramped bag, my strategy has been failing in a key area: I leave little or no room for travel accessories. On several trips lately, I have found myself wishing that I had packed some item or other that I had rejected simply because I couldn’t be bothered to pack it, or find it in a convenient size.

In that spirit I made a list of those things that I’d rather not travel without, all ten of which are small enough to pack in almost any suitcase, personal bag, or jacket.

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Okay, men (we’ll get to the ladies in a moment) here’s a question:

If you’re only flying with one suitcase – say, your scuffed but trusty black wheelie bag that you always shove into the overhead bin – how many pairs of shoes do you think you ought to pack in it?

The answer: Zero. Ideally, the only shoes on that trip should be on your feet, especially if you’re one of those dudes with really large feet.

You’re welcome. But don’t thank me, thank Susan Foster. Author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler, Foster explained to me that the “profile” of a shoe makes a significant space difference – boots naturally take up more suitcase space than loafers, for instance – and by and large, “men’s shoes are larger in profile and take up more space than women’s shoes,” she says, “so some men must travel with only the pair on their feet. A pair of size 15 men’s shoes will fill a 22” carry-on bag, so a second pair of shoes forces many to check a larger bag.”

And since many of us refuse to check a bag for any reason, what’s the answer, especially if we don’t have that one perfect pair of all-purpose shoes in our closet?

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