Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A S P R I N G | 2 0 1 5 2 0 Gal GeT A bACKPACK ThAT fITS YOuR bODY If you're going to pack right, you fi rst need the right backpack. Don't listen to anyone who insists you need a massive backpack just because you'll be traveling for a long time. Most women are not built to carry massive backpacks, and I found this out the hard way. Go see the experts at REI to get fi t for your pack. The most important rule: don't let the length of your trip de- termine your pack size; rather, let your body size and strength be the determin- ing factors. ONLY PACK AbOuT 80% fuLL This means two things: don't overpack and only bring what fi ts. The best way to do this is to pack versatile and interchangeable outfi ts. The more outfi ts you can create out of just a few tops and bottoms, the better. And allow space for buying fun things overseas (scarves, accessories, art). One way to ensure you will have extra space is to pack any new items you buy in their entire packaging. For example, if you buy tampons and they come in a big box, pack the box to take up space; you can ditch it once you get overseas and make the tampons fi t in the nooks and crannies of your pack. Bottom line—you never actually need as much as you think you do. YOu ONLY NeeD ThRee PAIRS Of ShOeS Flip fl ops, even if you're not headed to the beach, you'll need these for showers. Comfortable walking shoes, these can be hard to fi nd. I swear by my Skech- ers Bikers-Step-Up Mary Janes if you need a recommendation. Option for warm weather: fl ats or gladiator sandals that pack easily and can be dressed up or not. Option for cold weather: comfortable pair of fl at- bottomed boots that can be dressed up or not (wear these on the plane so you don't have to pack them). If you must account for an extra activity that requires specifi c shoes, then bring shoes for that activity, otherwise resist the temptation to bring too many pairs of shoes! See my Web site post on "The 3 Best Travel Shoes for Women" PACKING TIPS fOR TRAveLING WOMeN LeT'S fACe IT, We ALL hAve TO PACK OuR bAGS WheN We TRAveL, AND ThIS CAN be QuITe A DIffICuLT TASK fOR WOMeN WITh TheIR MANY ChOICeS. Packing is an art in itself; packing light is a ninja skill. Finding my inner packing ninja has been a welcomed challenge time and time again, and I've mastered it. Here are fi ve tips to start you on your way to becoming a pack- ing ninja yourself. Y O u S h O u L D K N O W ! 5 f I v e T h I N G S MY GO-TO PACKS ARe 30L AND 50L, I NeveR NeeD MORe ThAN I CAN fIT IN TheSe PACKS 1 2 3 By Jackie Laulainen How to choose the perfect backpack: www.distinctlymontana.com/backpack152 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Bonus Tip: bRING A PL ASTIC GRO CeRY bAG fOR DIRT Y/MuDDY ShOeS TO KeeP The "ShOe-NeSS" Off YOuR CLOThING.

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