I received a Mac in a Sac packable waterproof for Christmas. It has a really good waterproof rating, higher than most of my previous bulkier waterproofs.
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Hi @Myhnabird , I am now considering getting a Surface Pro, especially after reading about how much you like yours. Can I ask what model you have? And any other specs? Have you traveled with it yet?
I have a very lightweight Marmot Precip Jacket which I wore on the Camino. It was pricey but itās lightweight and was excellent. I bought it big enough to wear a warm hoody underneath it as well. I always take it to the UK with me now because it hardly ever rains where I live so I donāt wear it much here.
The hood rolls up into the collar. It has velcro straps at the cuffs to loosen or tighten as needed. It also works as a windbreaker.
Erik has the same jacket but in blue. Youāll have to imagine it without the backpack straps. 
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Found a better pic here.
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Thanks @Kelownagurl ! Love the pic of both of you modeling your jackets. I first checked out the Mac in a Sac that @Debbie suggested, but it wasnāt easy to get here in the US so Iāve ordered a few different sizes of the Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap rain jacket. If one of them doesnāt work for me, Iāll check out your Marmot.
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Some people say it can tear because itās lightweight, but I havenāt had any trouble with mine. (Unless you are very rough with your clothes or tend to walk thru places with a lot of branches scratching at you.)
Iām sure theyāre easily found in US stores (REI maybe?) so you can see it in person.
According to my packing list, it weighs 265 grams. 
Hi Mars - mine is an older Surface 3. I canāt bear the thought of breaking an expensive computer (or phone) so always buy secondhand. And, of course, I did break it between my last post and this one and am now struggling with a tablet. But when we return to England, I will almost certainly buy another Surface.
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Very good advice here. I am a newbie sitter and on my first sit my check in luggage was 20kg and my carry on nearly 10kg (max should be 7kg). I think like a tourist, different outfits for different days 
as I love to take photos of my journey. Definitely crazy (but fun).
I am planning for house sits in UK in a rather haphazard way going up down all around (because I did not read enough from this forum). I am really thinking hard to change the way I travel, the clothes I bring (I still carry a handbag) my skincare and make-up and from hardcase to backpack. I know from experience I may need to climb up steep stairs a lot in UK.
Hi @Anne.323 good luck with graduating from āPacking Lightlyā collegeā¦
Iāve been trying that for years (I still pack heels) even during my 6 years of full time sitting without a home. I couldnāt get my face/body&hair in a backpack 
Let me know how you do ā¦
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Hi @Anne.323 we are just starting out on our āpack lightā journey as Iām a chronic over packer. Capsule wardrobes are the way to go and I just recently tried this on a 9 day sit in Tasmania, a colder place to where I live in Queensland. I had success! Everything fitted in to a carry on size bag. We are heading away tomorrow for 2 weeks as tourists this time and I will be honing my pack light skills, the challenge this time I wonāt have access to a washing machine. This is an ongoing project/learning experience that Iām determined to get right before we get to the UK in December for several months. Good luck with your journey.
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@Angela_L @Crookie I hope between now and July when I start my UK sits, I would come to some sense. Between vanity and sensibility. Looking into light weight synthetic jackets that folds into minuscule purses and going through youtube for packing and backpack reviews. May opt for bare faced with essential skincare too.
I am challenging my comfort zone. No heels but one handbag (crossover) please 
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@Anne.323 , Just got the Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap rain jacket that folds into a pocket and road tested it this weekend. Iām pleased. I also got a Mountain Hardware Kor Preshell hoody to layer for a little extra warmth. It also folds up small into a pocket. For colder weather I have an LLBean packable down jacket that folds into a pocket but itās not that warm on itās own, although with the the preshell and silk long underwear it may be.
I have a question for the backpackers. Do you use compression (or vacuum) bags in your backpack?
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Compression bags are awesome! Just donāt lose the zip closing thing in random places 
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I shall be in the UK from mid July to end of October. Should I just pack summer gears? Being 60 and long time overweight I am uncomfortable showing a lot of skin. Perhaps I can get by buying from thrift shops if the weather gets too cold during the later months. Are hiking boots (waterproof but heavy) essential or can I get by with a sandal?
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Wow Hand luggage only. Iām trying to work on that for a trip to the States. Any tips for me ? Iāll be away 30+ days
cheers
F.
I donāt take a ton of stuff with us, but Iāve never seen the point of doing hand luggage only. I get that you save a bit of money for a suitcase but it limits me so much on what I can bring (like my French knife and some of my liquids) and space for extra running shoes etc. I carry a small backpack on the plane with a change of clothes and any meds etc and the rest can get checked in my suitcase. Plus I donāt have to drag it around the airport and on/off the plane.
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Hello Fyfie,
Well itās summer so itās not too hard to cover a couple of months with just hand luggage. We only see the owners twice (beginning and end) and the pets tell me they donāt mind if I wear the same thing every couple of days. And the beauty of housesitting is a washing machine on site. 
We wear our big boots, jeans, wrap and puffer jackets on the plane (Puffer rolls up as a pillow -which is handy). I have two other pairs of very light weight trousers, including a smart meet-the-owner-pair and a mid calf pair. Then itās three T-shirts, a linen shirt and one or two light weight wash and wear dresses. A couple of long sleeved T-shirts (one is light wool) and a second pair or third of shoes. All of these things can be worn in layers so colour selection is key. I go for shades of blue, white and sand so that everything works with the jeans.
I donāt use many toiletries so thatās easy. Socks and undies take no space at all.
The main issue is shoes which take up space and are heavy so might have to only take sandals this time.
We also carry a light weight collapsible dog water bowl for taking on walks. RAT tests and masks donated weigh much either.
I weigh everything and if itās under I might add a hair dryer, but itās not essential.
Everything else we need can be bought at an op shop / thrift shop and donated back afterwards.
So we do rely in the owners providing towels and sheets etc. but I think thatās pretty standard.
Oh yes, and in my handbag is anything electrical (usually heavy) including my phone and iPad which has books and entertainment.
After 24 + hours of flying great to walk off the plane and not have to wait for luggage.
Enjoy your trip. 
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@fyfie , take a look at this topic:
https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/luggage-preferences-and-packing-light/
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Oh man, this is a fabulous forum thread.
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Iām looking for recommendations for wheeled carry-on luggage that is durable enough to handle cobblestones, including brands, type of wheels, hard- or soft-sided or anything else you can think of. Thanks.