Have I mentioned how much I love to train when travelling? It makes work travel more exciting, is a fun break when travelling on vacation, and is an oft-times necessary escape when visiting my family for the holidays. Tommy and I both take advantage of every trip out of town to visit a new academy, or re-visit old favorites in cities we visit regularly.
See How to Train When You're On the Road for more details on how to find and train at an academy away from home.
This article focuses on WHAT and HOW TO PACK. If you know me, you know I try to bring the fewest articles of clothing possible for a trip. I'm an extreme light packer. For a two week trip, I just need a few t-shirts, a couple pairs of trousers, maybe a skirt that can double as a dress or vice-versa? In a carry-on suitcase there was always a lot of room.
So when I started training jiujitsu, and I figured out that I could train wherever in the world I was, it was confounding that the gi took up over half of the luggage space.... no matter how I folded, rolled, smooshed it. I'd find myself debating - can I make it through the week with just one pair of shoes? (which for a work trip, just having a pair of trainers doesn't really fly, even if your company is on the casual side). Or, what if I just wear the same trousers for 5 days?
Much to my chagrin, I sometimes had to bring a bigger suitcase.
I researched quite a few lighter gis, but then I found BJJ Globetrotters and their travel gi is absolutely perfect. I'll write up a more detailed review soon, but suffice to say, it's become one of my favourite gis to wear on the road or training at home. And it's saved my packing. It still does take up room, but it's SO MUCH LESS SO! And it's so very light! And I do really love wearing it. I bought one for Tommy for his birthday and he's fallen in love with it too. For Tommy I also purchased the BJJ Globetrotters stuff sack, which has worked great.
I'm typically a "roller" of clothes in the suitcase. But, I found the stuff sack allowed me to get the gi even smaller than when I rolled it and it stayed. For myself, I now use a simple medium-sized Eagle Creek compression cube, but you can just roll, fold, or whatever your preference.
When packing do also remember:
belt
rashguard
leggings/spats
training shorts (some gyms require mma pr board shorts to be worn over leggings or spats)
mouthguard
water bottle
And please.. call ahead to any academy you're interested in visiting. It will save you a lot of time in the end to know and understand their expectations AND ensure they'll actually be open. You can't always trust that a website class schedule is completely up to date or that there aren't special holiday closings that aren't posted anywhere. See more about this and visitor etiquette in How to Train When You're On the Road...
Feel free to let us know in the comments how you balance training with work or vacation travel. Or email us if you're headed somewhere and want some advice... Happy Packing!
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