Planning a 12-day Europe tour - Synapse 19 Visual Packing List

[Cristina]

I simply cannot stand the look or feel of stuff dangling off my bags. I am high-speed low-drag, I guess, except without the tacticool.



No, but I may actually pick one up soon with the 12-100/f4. I have the E-M10, which sadly lacks the sealing, but is nice and compact and still has the wonderful twin dials. I am really struggling over the 14-150 II - I like the size and weight much better but as a non tripod user the OIS and constant aperture of the 12-100 feels like the choice one lens to rule them all. That and a bright prime, of course!



Wow @conversa thank you so much for the feedback. It's good to hear that someone else was successful at doing what I'm planning on doing.

I first worried a lot about not having flip flops since it seems like a universal travel item. But I think I can do without! I normally go barefoot at home and occasionally around the office (we are a sports/athleisure kind of company) so I am not troubled about not having extra footwear.

I just got a new windbreaker that is trenchcoat length. It takes up only twice the space as my Houdini windbreaker but the extra warmth and pockets may be welcome. I think I will take it and the umbrella. I briefly considered carrying a proper, stylish rain coat but the bulk is too much even if it could be worn all the time -- I wouldn't be able to pack it away if it's a nice day and too warm for a coat.

The base layer recommendation is an interesting one that didn't even cross my mind. What time of year did you travel? I feel like the Bluffworks travel pants on their own are more than sufficient for a two week trip with a wash in the middle, so I could ditch the second pair of pants (again) and instead carry leggings and an undershirt in case I am feeling very cold. The two base layers would be smaller too and of course better for layering. I don't normally layer up with base layers for urban adventures because they are hard to shed if you get hot, but they would be a lot more comfortable to hang out in.

I have to take a scarf instead of one of my many Buffs. My SO threatened to leave me behind in France if I chose a Buff over a scarf. Apparently Europeans are really big on scarves, and I must have one to fit in. My initial thought was that I could buy a scarf on the journey, but I found what might be the perfect travel scarf and now don't want to scramble for the perfect one along the way.

I don't normally wear socks at all with the Allbirds, so one pair of socks would be my spare pair of socks, I think, either if it is cold or if I go somewhere that it would be weird to have bare ankles. I think if I am really hurting for socks I will have to buy a pair there.

The real tricky part of the packing list is that we are aiming to be light, compact, and stylish. The stylish part is hard. Sharp-looking clothes don't usually pack small. If I could pack like I do for wilderness trips it would be one wool t-shirt, a pair of running shorts and leggings, a fleece, and a windbreaker, of which the unworn gear would probably all fit in a fanny pack.

Yes agreed you cannot wear a buff in Paris! Even here in England it would really mark you out. I'm curious about the perfect travel scarf you've found. Please tell us more!

[imperator]

I once carried shears instead of a dive knife for an extended dive trip where I packed carry-on only. I thought I'd only carry it for the dives, but I ended up using them so frequently it made a permanent appearance in my travel kit. They are short and blunt-tipped and very lightweight, however they zip through packaging like a dream. I may trade them for a pair of kid's scissors, though.

I would think scissors would be something worth buying a cheap pair there if you need them and leaving behind. Getting back is always where I have trouble with things that would ordinarily be no issue at a US airport. My 3-1-1 bag used to get lots of scrutiny flying home, but no one gave a second glance here. Not sure if flying within the EU is as easy as domestic US.

[BWeaves]

What's a buff?

I always thought buff meant nekkid.

[sturbridge]

What's a buff?

Its a tubular piece of stretchy fabric used for wearing on the head.

[carrot]

What's a buff? [...]

Its a tubular piece of stretchy fabric used for wearing on the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSvRm4CHmvE

[Kelly S]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSvRm4CHmvE

Also makes a great eye mask if you're someone that likes it really dark when you sleep.

[BWeaves]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSvRm4CHmvE

OMG that's 80's-tastic. Let's get physical, physical. Must put on my leotard, leotard. Don't forget my legwarmers, legwarmers.

Yeah, I'd ban my husband from wearing that anywhere.

P.S. I was going to post the Let's get physical video with Olivia Newton John and then I watched it. Nope.

[Cristina]

OMG that's 80's-tastic. Let's get physical, physical. Must put on my leotard, leotard. Don't forget my legwarmers, legwarmers.

Yeah, I'd ban my husband from wearing that anywhere.

P.S. I was going to post the Let's get physical video with Olivia Newton John and then I watched it. Nope.

Yes, totally looks like exercisewear to me too. My part of England is hardly fashionable (and I am not either) but I can't imagine anyone wearing that unless they were actually jogging.

[Traveltech]

They are great for the beach though!

[carrot]

They are great for the beach though!

And a hiker's best friend!

[3rdCoastHighlander]

I'm going to also vote for a rain jacket, there are plenty of shops to pick up a cheap umbrella if you feel the need while you are over there. I imagine finding a good rain jacket will be more tricky. I was in Paris and Belgium last month, and the extra shoes and another pair of socks might be a good choice. Things took quite a bit of time to dry while I was there, and only having wool running shoes would make me a bit nervous.

Also, make sure to visit Ghent and Bruges if you are able to. They are short train rides from Brussels, and absolutely beautiful.

Totally agree. I was in Dublin, London and Paris last June for 14 days. I needed that rain jacket in Dublin (3 days of rain) and in Paris (2 days of rain). The trip was absolutely perfect because I had a rain jacket. One day in Paris, the rain came down in buckets. If you're dry, you'll be happy. I wore my rain jacket (with lots of pockets) through the airport, TSA/Customs, and kept my tech, glasses, phone, and whatever else I could fit in pockets. This freed up space in my S19.

[common raven]

Totally agree. I was in Dublin, London and Paris last June for 14 days. I needed that rain jacket in Dublin (3 days of rain) and in Paris (2 days of rain). The trip was absolutely perfect because I had a rain jacket. One day in Paris, the rain came down in buckets. If you're dry, you'll be happy. I wore my rain jacket (with lots of pockets) through the airport, TSA/Customs, and kept my tech, glasses, phone, and whatever else I could fit in pockets. This freed up space in my S19.

Highlander, did find you needed a rain cover for the S19?

[gqb]

Highlander, did find you needed a rain cover for the S19?

Jumping in here to say I've used my S19 in a torrential downpour in a thunderstorm and everything inside was totally dry, so imo no rain cover needed.
I tend to avoid any backpack that *has* a rain cover bc it's basically admitting the bag leaks like a sieve.....

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[Cristina]

They are great for the beach though!

Wait, how? The beach in winter?

[gqb]

Wait, how? The beach in winter?

The UK has some of the windiest weather in Europe, so I view a buff as essential if I am to keep my hair out of my eyes. Especially at the beach when it is frequently windy enough to blow a regular hat clean off your head..... visiting the beach is more of a bracing walk in the fresh air and an excuse for an ice cream than about sunbathing. I go every year on my birthday (in January) to blow away the cobwebs

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