Bathroom Kit in the U.K.
Planning for a trip to England
How to pack everything you need for a U.K. vacation into a carry-on sized bag
Gear & clothing links- REI.com - Since 1938, one of the best all-around outdoors, camping, and adventure travel outfitter, with just about everything you need, whether you're a novice or a hard-core enthusiast. Lots of high-tech clothing designed for heavy-duty wear, tear, travel, and sport, plus everything from packs to personal mosquito nets to biodegradable detergent—and of course, all the basic gear for camping, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing, canoeing and kayaking. It's actually run as a co-op, so if you become a member ($15 to join for life), you get 8% cash back on your purchases at the store at the end of the year (10% back if you use the no-fee, free credit card they give you, which also generates 1% back on non-REI purchases). They also have a special clearance-sale section.Partner
- Travelsmith.com - One of the best catalogues out there for travelers (not so much outdoorsy stuff), with high-quality clothing and luggage (and some gadgets) carefully selected or adapted to be perfect for traveling—durable, versatile, wrinkle-resistant, lots of hidden pockets, and sometimes even stylish. My wardrobe's full of stuff with their label on it—though in recent years, they seem to have become increasingly concerned with offering more and more fashion clothing than their old focus on true travel gear. Sad. Also, I should note that some women (my mom and my wife, to be precise) report that the women's clothing is a bit more hit-or-miss—usually excellent, but sometime a big let-down in terms of quality or looks.
- eBags.com - The name really says it all, doesn't it? This is the single best online outlet to compare every concievable type of bag, suitcase, pack, purse, backpack, shoulder bag, duffel, and every other conceivable form of carrying-your-stuff travel container out there—along with related accessories. Good prices, too.Partner
- LLBean.com - This Maine camping clothier and catalogue legend was selling flannel shirts long before Seattle produced its first garage band, and decades before J. Crew and Banana Republic co-opted the outdoorsy look and made it Yuppie. Their travel specialty gear is, as with most of their stock, head and shoulders above anyone else for durability, quality, and utility (if not always style). Best of all: "We guarantee all items for the useful life of the product." That statement is what has hooked people on this storied outfitter since it sold its first pair of boots in 1912. (Its original bricks-and-mortar store in Freeport, Maine became such a site of pilgrimage for vacationing fans of its catalog that it single handedly created the town's now world-famous outlet store industry.)
- Magellans.com - Clothing, luggage, and lots of travel gadgets—some exceedingly useful, others merely ridiculous exercises in technology (seriously, who needs a portable oxygen mask, or a silver case that automatically dispenses credit cards?). Their prices could be lower, but they do carry some prime merchandise difficult to find elsewhere and Magellan's really is the place to go when you're seeking some obscure but useful travel gadget (and I don't mean the collapsible Lexan wine glasses).
- Amazon.com - An obvious one, but a good resource to remember. Everybody's favorite one-stop shopping site on the Internet carries just about anything you could think of.Partner
Bathroom kit links
- Waterproof bathroom bag - Carry all toiletires in a waterproof bathroom bag (and, inside, individually bag anything spillable/sqeeuzable in resealable baggies).
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Small soap - Bring the soap sliver from your bathtub to start; filch more from hotels as you go.
- Small shampoo - Save space by packing liquid camp soap, which doubles as clothes detergent (most hotels provide shampoo anyway).
- Towel - H2G2 fans don't need to be told this, but a shammy-style camping towel or even small terrycloth towel is a lifesaver when confronted with Europe’s nonabsorbent, waffle-pressed jobbers.
- Razor - Small battery-op shavers are also OK (just not the kind you have to plug in to recharge).
- Shaving cream - Avoid pressureized cannisters (foam) in favor of gel or cream to avoid airplane pressurization issues.
- Medicines - Prescriptions should be written in generic, chemical form (not brand name) so any chemist in any country can fill them. Travel pill organizers are handy.
- First-aid kit - Take at least: a few Band-Aids, antiseptic ointment, moleskin (for blisters), aspirin, Dramamine or motion-sickness wristbands (I swear by Relief Bands worth the outrageous price) hand lotion and lip balm (traveling promotes chapping), sunscreen, Pepto-Bismol (for indigestion and diarrhea; chewable, not liquid), and decongestant and antihistamines (for colds and unexpected allergies to local allergens).
- Laundry kit - To do a bit of laundry in your bathroom sink some nights (so you can pack lighter and avoid laundromats) you need travel soap (biodegradable), a braided clothesline (the twists act as clothespins), and I suggest the truly remarkable stain eraser (perhaps I'm a slob, but I need them at least once per trip).
- Extra glasses - Or contacts. Count on losing them. Also, bring a hard glasses case.
- Comb - or flat travel brush.
- Feminine hygiene products - You can buy these abroad, but take what you need with you, especially if you’re brand-loyal.
- Condoms - Domestic brands are reliable—plus, its good to be prepared.
Planning for a trip to England
How to pack everything you need for a U.K. vacation into a carry-on sized bag
Gear & clothing links
- REI.com - Since 1938, one of the best all-around outdoors, camping, and adventure travel outfitter, with just about everything you need, whether you're a novice or a hard-core enthusiast. Lots of high-tech clothing designed for heavy-duty wear, tear, travel, and sport, plus everything from packs to personal mosquito nets to biodegradable detergent—and of course, all the basic gear for camping, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing, canoeing and kayaking. It's actually run as a co-op, so if you become a member ($15 to join for life), you get 8% cash back on your purchases at the store at the end of the year (10% back if you use the no-fee, free credit card they give you, which also generates 1% back on non-REI purchases). They also have a special clearance-sale section.Partner
- Travelsmith.com - One of the best catalogues out there for travelers (not so much outdoorsy stuff), with high-quality clothing and luggage (and some gadgets) carefully selected or adapted to be perfect for traveling—durable, versatile, wrinkle-resistant, lots of hidden pockets, and sometimes even stylish. My wardrobe's full of stuff with their label on it—though in recent years, they seem to have become increasingly concerned with offering more and more fashion clothing than their old focus on true travel gear. Sad. Also, I should note that some women (my mom and my wife, to be precise) report that the women's clothing is a bit more hit-or-miss—usually excellent, but sometime a big let-down in terms of quality or looks.
- eBags.com - The name really says it all, doesn't it? This is the single best online outlet to compare every concievable type of bag, suitcase, pack, purse, backpack, shoulder bag, duffel, and every other conceivable form of carrying-your-stuff travel container out there—along with related accessories. Good prices, too.Partner
- LLBean.com - This Maine camping clothier and catalogue legend was selling flannel shirts long before Seattle produced its first garage band, and decades before J. Crew and Banana Republic co-opted the outdoorsy look and made it Yuppie. Their travel specialty gear is, as with most of their stock, head and shoulders above anyone else for durability, quality, and utility (if not always style). Best of all: "We guarantee all items for the useful life of the product." That statement is what has hooked people on this storied outfitter since it sold its first pair of boots in 1912. (Its original bricks-and-mortar store in Freeport, Maine became such a site of pilgrimage for vacationing fans of its catalog that it single handedly created the town's now world-famous outlet store industry.)
- Magellans.com - Clothing, luggage, and lots of travel gadgets—some exceedingly useful, others merely ridiculous exercises in technology (seriously, who needs a portable oxygen mask, or a silver case that automatically dispenses credit cards?). Their prices could be lower, but they do carry some prime merchandise difficult to find elsewhere and Magellan's really is the place to go when you're seeking some obscure but useful travel gadget (and I don't mean the collapsible Lexan wine glasses).
- Amazon.com - An obvious one, but a good resource to remember. Everybody's favorite one-stop shopping site on the Internet carries just about anything you could think of.Partner
Bathroom kit links
- Waterproof bathroom bag - Carry all toiletires in a waterproof bathroom bag (and, inside, individually bag anything spillable/sqeeuzable in resealable baggies).
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Small soap - Bring the soap sliver from your bathtub to start; filch more from hotels as you go.
- Small shampoo - Save space by packing liquid camp soap, which doubles as clothes detergent (most hotels provide shampoo anyway).
- Towel - H2G2 fans don't need to be told this, but a shammy-style camping towel or even small terrycloth towel is a lifesaver when confronted with Europe’s nonabsorbent, waffle-pressed jobbers.
- Razor - Small battery-op shavers are also OK (just not the kind you have to plug in to recharge).
- Shaving cream - Avoid pressureized cannisters (foam) in favor of gel or cream to avoid airplane pressurization issues.
- Medicines - Prescriptions should be written in generic, chemical form (not brand name) so any chemist in any country can fill them. Travel pill organizers are handy.
- First-aid kit - Take at least: a few Band-Aids, antiseptic ointment, moleskin (for blisters), aspirin, Dramamine or motion-sickness wristbands (I swear by Relief Bands worth the outrageous price) hand lotion and lip balm (traveling promotes chapping), sunscreen, Pepto-Bismol (for indigestion and diarrhea; chewable, not liquid), and decongestant and antihistamines (for colds and unexpected allergies to local allergens).
- Laundry kit - To do a bit of laundry in your bathroom sink some nights (so you can pack lighter and avoid laundromats) you need travel soap (biodegradable), a braided clothesline (the twists act as clothespins), and I suggest the truly remarkable stain eraser (perhaps I'm a slob, but I need them at least once per trip).
- Extra glasses - Or contacts. Count on losing them. Also, bring a hard glasses case.
- Comb - or flat travel brush.
- Feminine hygiene products - You can buy these abroad, but take what you need with you, especially if you’re brand-loyal.
- Condoms - Domestic brands are reliable—plus, its good to be prepared.
