Packing is the part of traveling that people are least likely going to look forward to. Since it’s such a chore to do, people tend to be careless with it. In fact, they put it off as much as possible.
This explains why a lot of people don’t get to travel light as much as they’d like to. However, if you know some smart packing tips, then it will be much easier to learn how to travel light.
Traveling light is very convenient because you won’t be walking around carrying a heavy load behind you, tiring you out. Plus, you won’t have to worry about having to pay for additional baggage fees.
On that note, below are some smart packing tips that every traveler should know:
Choose the Best Luggage
The first thing you need to do is to choose to best luggage that will make it easier for you to pack light. This doesn’t mean that you have to get the biggest bag ever. In fact, you need to go a little bit on the opposite track of that.
What you need to do is to choose a bag or suitcase that is small enough that it won’t push you to bring as much with you as possible. However, you want it to be big enough to fit all of your essentials in it. Maybe some space for souvenirs as well.
The best luggage should also be durable but not too much that the bag itself is the reason it’s heavy.
Make a Packing List
It can be difficult to keep track of all the things that you need to do when you want to travel. You’re figuring out itinerary, coordinating with your travel buddies. Plus, you have to pack every important thing since you can’t go back and just get them anytime.
One way to make it easy for you to pack all the essentials is by creating a packing list. Categorize the list based on the use or subsections of each item — for example, your toiletries, your clothes, your electronics, and so on.
Make sure that you put in essentials first so that these aren’t the ones that you forget about after all that packing.
Pack Versatile Clothing
Most of the time, the reason your luggage is heavy is because of all the clothes you have to bring.
As much as you can, try and reduce the number of clothes that you bring with you. There are plenty of ways you can reduce the number of clothes that you lug around with you.
One way to do that is by packing versatile clothing. Clothes that you can pair with anything or clothes that can double up as something else are ideal clothes to pack for travel. Dresses and jumpsuits are versatile clothing that doesn’t need separate tops and bottoms.
Your fashion basics will be the best clothes to pack because you don’t have to worry about which matches with which. After all, they all can go well with whatever you pair with them.
Roll Your Clothes, Don’t Fold
Folding is how people have always packed away their clothes. But we have now known that there are more efficient ways to pack.
Instead of folding your clothes, which will fill-up your luggage fast, try and roll your clothes into cylindrical shapes instead. There are plenty of video tutorials and step-by-step instructions available online that will help you.
By rolling your clothes, you will be surprised to see that it won’t be as wrinkled as it would have you folded it. Plus, it’s easier to organize and identify clothes in the pack if they’re only rolled.
If you have a small bag and can’t fit much in it, then rolling your clothes is the best option for you.
Wear it On
If there are clothing items that you want to bring with you but are just too bulky to carry around, then why don’t you wear them instead?
Instead of keeping them inside your baggage, it’s better that you wear your heaviest clothes to the airport. That way, it won’t affect the overall weight of your luggage. Plus, it won’t take up a lot of space in your suitcase.
This also applies not only to your clothes but also to your footwear. The heavier footwear like boots should be worn instead of packed away when you’re traveling.
You can even wear sweaters around your waist like a belt if you’re running out of space to put it in.
Don’t Pack Full-Sized Toiletries
When packing some toiletries with you, you shouldn’t bring the full bottles that they usually come in. Instead, purchase the travel-sized bottles available anywhere and fill these up with your toiletries so that you aren’t adding unnecessary weight to your bag.
Aside from helping you pack light, repackaging, or filling up smaller bottles with your toiletries will help you avoid the hassle of spilled shampoo all inside your pack. Make sure you label them, so it’s clear which one’s which.
Better yet, buy your toiletries at your destination. That way, you really don’t need to bring unnecessary items with you.
Be Selective About Footwear
When you’re going on a trip, it’s important that you know what sort of activities you’re going to be getting yourself into. That way, you know what clothes to pack as well as narrow down the footwear that you should bring with you.
Shoes can be quite heavy, and they add up in baggage weight. Thus, you should reduce the number of footwear you bring with you. At most, you should bring two to three pairs. Also, as mentioned before, try and wear your heaviest footwear when you’re going to the airport. That way, your luggage isn’t heavy once it’s weighed.
Don’t Bring a Full-Sized Suitcase
As mentioned before, when choosing the best luggage for you to pack light, it’s important that you set limits to yourself through your suitcase. Thus, you should bring a suitcase that isn’t full-sized so that you aren’t tempted to pack outside of your means.
Besides, full-sized suitcases usually are heavy in themselves, so they’re just adding onto the weight that you have to carry with you. Instead, bring suitcases made up of lightweight material. Try them out and check how hefty they are if you’re buying new ones.
Have Some Extra Space
Packing light is a challenge in itself, but packing while leaving some space left inside is an additional challenge. On your trip, you are surely going to want to bring some knick-knacks and souvenirs back with you, which is why you need the extra space.
If you pack your suitcase to its fullest, you’re going to not only need to buy a piece of new baggage, but you’ll also have to pay an excess baggage fee. Avoid this by taking into account the souvenirs beforehand when you’re packing, and you should be pretty good.
Final Thoughts
Traveling light is definitely a challenge that not a lot of people practice this There are several reasons as to why that might be, but it’s much easier to achieve as long as you plan to do it beforehand.
If you vow to pack light on your next travel destination, you will have a much easier time during the commute. Plus, you will spend less time worrying about your luggage and more time enjoying your travels.
