2 people + 4 months = 1 Checked Bag?

The fun of backpacking is staying in different places, moving around and seeing the sights. In the past when we have decided we no longer want or need or if something needs replacing we would toss it or give it to the Hostel workers/owners they would use it or find someone who would.

Ryan and I have been travelling together for a while now and enjoy spending four months together aboard over the winter months. In the past we both took an 80L backpack and a carry-on backpack and our checked 80L backpacks have always been underweight (checked weight limit internationally is normally 15KG) and half full. This has come with experience, I can honestly say that our first trip together and even the second I did over pack. All the flights we book usually included one checked bag each and one carry-on bag, so why would we decide to ditch a checked bag?

This year we decided to return to Vietnam with intentions of staying in Da Nang and crossing a few things off our bucket lists. For Ryan, one of these being riding a motorcycle down the coast from Ha Noi to Da Nang, with this trip in mind we had to consider what we were taking with us. Two people with small day bag backpacks, easy on a motorcycle. Two people with two 80L backpacks AND two day bag backpacks, this could be a challenge.

The next question came, could we pack both of us into one 80L backpack for four months? We know laundry is cheap (20,000 vnd or $1.34 CAD a KG) and easy to do anywhere throughout SouthEast Asia, drop it off in the morning and get it back that night, washed, dried and folded. If we need any clothes or forget something it's cheap to buy new stuff at the markets or malls.

We did end up successfully packing both of us into one 80L backpack and each having our day backpacks as well. Honestly while we were packing, I was very doubtful this was possible and I strongly believed we were going to be overweight.

Photo Credit: V.Gray

So what did we pack?

Ryan's items in the 80L backpack included:

• 3 pairs of shorts

• 4 T-shirt

• 5 pairs of socks

• 1 bathing suit

• 1 raincoat

• 5 pairs of underwear

• 1 pair of jeans

• Mirco fibre towel

• sandals

• 1 toiletry bag

Photo Credit: V.Gray

My items in the 80L backpack included:

• 4 shorts

• 1 sports bra

• 1 bra

• 3 tank tops

• 3 shirts

• 3 bathing suits

• 4 socks

• 6 pairs of underwear

• 1 pair of jeans

• sandals

• 1 hat

• Microfiber towel

• 1 medicine bag of feminine products Photo Credit: V.Gray

• 1 toiletry bag

Shared items in the 80L backpack:

• dive log books & dive socks

• Go Pro

• Shampoo & conditioner

• Bluetooth speaker

• Miscellaneous items - bottle opener, zip lock baggies, deck of cards & sewering it

Photo Credit: V.Gray

Our day backpacks included our laptops, Ipad, all charging cords and plug adapters, solar charging bank, hair straightener, flashlights, vitamins, medicine and a few snacks. I also wore my raincoat and sweater on the flights, it tends to get a little chilly sometimes so I like to wear layers.

What did our checked bag weigh in the end? 13 KG. Yes, two people with four months worth of stuff in one 80L checked bag came out to 13 KG. I was surprised and impressed that we did it.

Now once we landed in Ha Noi, Vietnam we ended up changing our minds on riding from the North to Central Vietnam. It was going to be a long ride, we had just landed and were pretty jet lagged and we were both so excited to be in Vietnam that we wanted to get Central fast and find an apartment. We ended up taking a quick flight to Da Nang.

We still rode a motorbike up the coast on Christmas from Da Nang to Hue (2 - 3 hours), then continued onto Phong Nha National park (6 - 7 hours). This trip hit the coast and mountains, which did not disappoint at all. It was stunning until we reached Phong Nha and it started raining, but that was only the last 45 minutes of the trip.

We answered our question, could we pack both of us into one 80L backpack for four months aboard? Yes, we can and we can be underweight too! We still have room to pick up some things on our travels around SouthEast Asia.

Cheers!

**Please note that all opinions and views expressed in this post are my own, from my own experiences. If you would like to see more pictures follow me on Instagram vikki.gray **