# Traveling with underwear **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2017, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527 "2017-08-24T06:22:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/1 "2017-08-24T06:22:25Z")
A couple plans an overnight trip, and will be gone two days. In order to travel light, they decide not to pack underwear. They will just wear each other’s dirty undies the second day. What do you think of this idea? ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/2 "2017-08-24T06:35:31Z")
I don’t see why wearing someone else’s dirty undies is better than wearing your own for an extra day. A second pair of shreddies isn’t going to weigh anything worth worrying about, and can be stuffed in a pocket easily enough. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/3 "2017-08-24T06:52:10Z")
Crazy - underwear is the least bulkiest item you have. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/4 "2017-08-24T06:53:59Z")
Whatever floats their boat, I guess. (I chose other.) ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/5 "2017-08-24T07:45:47Z")
You can always find underwear in a dumpster. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/6 "2017-08-24T08:08:48Z")
So, on the second day the guy will be wearing the bra and panties? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/7 "2017-08-24T08:21:43Z")
I voted “other” because there wasn’t a choice for “what the hell?” Hey, if you and your partner want to swap underwear, I’m not judging you. Whatever works for the two of you. But I don’t see how anyone can see this as a hygiene plan. Pack some underwear for the trip. Go out and buy new underwear each day and throw out the old underwear. Wash your underwear in the sink each night. Wear your dirty underwear a couple days in a row. Don’t wear any underwear. Any of these would be more hygienic than wearing somebody else’s used underwear. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/8 "2017-08-24T08:49:57Z")
The couple should have no problem because one pair of underwear should last at least 4 days with the option mentioned to extend that period. Day 1. Put on underwear Day 2. Turn underwear around 180 degrees Day 3. Turn underwear inside out Day 4. Repeat day 2 Day 5. Switch underwear with a trusted friend (may extend usage another 4 days until you find another trusted friend). So, with enough friends, you may never have to buy or even wash underwear again! ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/9 "2017-08-24T09:28:24Z")
Wearing the same underwear for two days is not a health hazard, and won’t even smell if they’re people who don’t sweat much for the activities they’ll be doing. Swapping underwear _in lieu of changing to clean_ is simply baffling, unless they specifically like wearing underwear used by the other party … What’s your game here OP? This reads like the PG 13 version of some of the “feed my sexual fantasies”-threads weirdo’s have started here. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/10 "2017-08-24T13:23:23Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > A couple plans an overnight trip, and will be gone two days. In order to travel light, they decide not to pack underwear. They will just wear each other’s dirty undies the second day. What do you think of this idea? This idea tells me that you are still single. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/11 "2017-08-24T13:28:37Z")
Went with “Other” since nonsensical wasn’t an option. While gross, the “ew” factor didn’t even register through the “What the hell, but that makes no sense” portion of the theory. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/12 "2017-08-24T13:41:40Z")
Really. If one must travel with a single pair of undies, wear a pantyliner (even men), and hand wash the undies at night. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/13 "2017-08-24T13:44:00Z")
Yeah, I don’t understand why you would wear each other’s underwear the 2nd day instead of just wearing your own again. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/14 "2017-08-24T13:47:06Z")
I chose “Other” because there was no “what the hell is wrong with these hypothetical people?” option. Underwear is the _ **least bulky** _ item you pack. Also, swapping undies is gross. _E. coli_ is in dirty undies. I don’t want someone else’s \*E. coli \*by my skin. No. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/15 "2017-08-24T13:52:05Z")
Just wear swim trunks. They’re underwear _and_ outerwear. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/16 "2017-08-24T14:04:18Z")
Another idea; wear a second pair of underwear over the first pair. That way you avoid having to pack more underwear (although, as said, it’s not very bulky) and can wear a basically clean pair the second day. Or just buy a pair of underwear designed to dry quickly and rinse it out in the hotel room sink each night. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/17 "2017-08-24T14:06:16Z")
Ew. Undies and socks need at least one clean pair a day. More if possible - there’s few things as cosily satisfying as coming home from work and slipping into clean undies and socks. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/18 "2017-08-24T14:13:58Z")
Like everyone else, I have to agree that underwear is the LEAST of the problem when it comes to packing light. For many years, I kept a full set of underwear (briefs, undershirt, and socks) in the flat pocket of my laptop case. That means I would have it at my office desk every single day. I also kept a toothbrush and one day’s worth of my prescription medicines in the same pocket. In my experience, I could always count on being able to make my clothes look decent as long as I had access to an iron in a hotel room. I didn’t often have to take advantage of having these items, but it sure helped me out a couple times when I had to hit the road unexpectedly. TL;DR: Packing light is better if you just pack underwear. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/19 "2017-08-24T14:53:11Z")
I voted other, no f’en way. I would go commando before wearing mine or someone elses dirty underwear. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527/20 "2017-08-24T14:55:59Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In order to travel light, they decide not to pack underwear. First question: What kind of shit-for-brains fool thinks leaving out underwear has any practical value for packing light? > [@](#): > > They will just wear each other’s dirty undies the second day. Second question: **WHAT. THE. HELL. FOR?** This goes beyond shit-for brains in its stupidity, even for the 3% of couples where the other’s underwear would even fit them. > [@](#): > > What do you think of this idea? I think it sucks donkey dongs on multiple levels. Wassamatta you, boy? ETA: I didn’t vote because the poll didn’t offer “You gotta be shittin’ me!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-underwear/794527.md?page=2)