PACK IT IN The unhelpful cult of traveling light.

PACK IT IN The unhelpful cult of traveling light.

Issue 48

, Starters

,
  • Words George Upton
  • Artwork: Nuvola, 2005 Gabriele Picco

Travel light, go far. Such is the mantra of the backpacker, the frequent flyer and Cesare Pavese, the celebrated Italian writer who first coined the phrase. There are, of course, few greater joys than skipping through airport security with a small carry-on and your liquids pre-packaged and then strolling straight off your flight and breezing past baggage claim. And as anyone who has ever hiked, biked or otherwise carried their luggage for extended periods can attest, it helps if you can leave your just-in-case outfit at home.

Yet as liberating as it can be, the trend of packing light—as popularized by travel influencers and “ultra-light” packing guides—has perhaps gone a little too far in its own way. Neglecting to take the right clothes for the climate or, for that matter, enou...

The full version of this story is only available for subscribers

Want to enjoy full access? Subscribe Now

Subscribe Discover unlimited access to Kinfolk

  • Four print issues of Kinfolk magazine per year, delivered to your door, with twelve-months’ access to the entire Kinfolk.com archive and all web exclusives.

  • Receive twelve-months of all access to the entire Kinfolk.com archive and all web exclusives.

Learn More

Already a Subscriber? Login

Your cart is empty

Your Cart (0)