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Nora Dunn is The Professional Hobo; a woman who sold everything (including a busy financial planning practice) in Canada in 2006 to embrace her dreams of long-term immersive travel. She has been on the road since 2007, and has perfected the art of full-time travel in a financially sustainable way.
She penned the book How to Get Free AccommoQ: What has been the most challenging part of downsizing your gear?dation Around the World, which is available on her site, along with a free e-course and all kinds of resources. Follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter!
The Packing Evolution of a Full Time Traveler
Q: How long have you been traveling?
I sold everything I owned in 2006, and hit the road in 2007. I’ve been traveling full-time in one incantation or another since then!
Q: What types of activities do you generally participate in on the road?
My mainstay for the last seven years has been one of free accommodation – and volunteering in various capacities in trade for it. There are lots of ways to do that, from volunteering (for example, I’ve milked goats, landscaped, designed marketing plans, painted murals, cooked, cleaned, and more), to house-sitting (taking care of homes/pets/plants around the world – a current favorite free accommodation modality for me), to hospitality exchanges (for example couch surfing), to even living for free on boats (which I did for three months in the Caribbean).
In fact, I recently wrote a book on How to Get Free Accommodation Around the World, parlaying these experiences – and more – into a resource to help people turn their next vacation or long-term trip into a highly affordable one.
Q: What has been your packing strategy as a long term traveler all these years?
My packing strategy has evolved dramatically since 2007. I started off with way too much stuff, which is how I learned that the weight of your luggage is directly proportionate to your misery on the road!
So over the years, I whittled down the contents of my pack, choosing highly versatile and lightweight objects and clothing.
Q: Why are you changing your packing strategy now?
In the last few years I’ve had a chance to leave my larger bag behind and travel – for months at a time – with carry-on only (here is my initial carry-on packing list). Not only did I find it so much nicer and easier to travel with carry-on only, but I realized that I didn’t really need whatever it was that I had left behind! Thus, the strategic transfer of everything I own to carry-on only. No more big bag for me!
Q: What has been the most challenging part of downsizing your gear?
Climate. Most of the times when I’ve traveled with carry-on only up to now I’ve been in steady climates, and largely warm ones at that. But having to pack for multiple climates and scenarios (and fit it all into a carry-on case) is a big challenge, and continues to be.
I’m on my way to Peru shortly where I’ll be living in the Sacred Valley for a few months. I’m going to have to pay more attention to sensible footwear (considering I’ll want to do some hiking), and I will probably need to buy some (temporary) extra layers in Peru to fend off the cool mountain air.
Q: What type of luggage do you recommend?
I started off with a backpack – which I hated for a variety of reasons – before discovering the wheeled backpack, which I swore by for years. That was okay as a checked bag, but given my recent switch to carry-on only, I don’t even need straps since my case is light enough to easily carry by the handle up and down stairs and during other times when I might have used the backpack straps.
So my current luggage of choice is the Pacsafe wheeled carry-on bag; it’s a great size, resistant to tamper and theft, it’s lightweight, and most importantly – it has wheels!
Q: Any tips for people that are trying to downsize their gear?
Everything in your bag should serve at least one purpose. For wardrobe choices, stick to three complimentary colours so everything matches, which gives you more options. I also love the Hoboroll, into which I can cram (and organize!) a ridiculous amount of stuff and compress it down in size.
Lastly, remember that in most places around the world, you can get what you need, so don’t worry about bringing extras of anything or trying to accommodate every possible scenario and climate.
Chances are, you’re packing too much, and won’t use all of it.
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I have a black version of the blue jacket and they are amazing. I do alot of backpacking in the Northeast and it gets cold at night even in summer. Also, you want to keep your pack as light as possible when hiking a long distance. This jacket (some called sweaters by some manufactures) weighs next to nothing and is extremely warm. They come in different loft ratings, mine is 800. Love, love, love it.
I love that blue jacket!!!
That blue jacket is one of my favourite pieces – from Anatomie of course! (A favourite designer travel clothing company of both Alex and me).
Which style is it?
Thanks for the great interview, Alex! Here’s to carry-on only! 🙂
Thank you Nora!