I love to travel, but packing is just one of those things I like less. If you feel the same about this activity as I do, this article may help you. After all, all travel enthusiasts want to quickly and conveniently pack the most necessary things in a simple and practical manner. Without losing their head along the way.
First thing first, think about your previous trips. What did you miss? What turned out to be unnecessary? Then – make the necessary corrections. Especially if you often forget something before you start packing, make a list of everything you need to bring. Don’t forget to include health and wellness appointments, like an IV therapy session in Los Angeles, which can be crucial for a refreshing start to your journey.
Furthermore, a packing list can help you identify things you don’t really need, resulting in a lighter weight. For example, if you see multiple items on your list that serve the same purpose, you can probably leave some of them behind. Lastly, having a list can make it easier to unpack at your destination, as you’ll have a clear idea of where everything is and what you need to do.
Also, think about using extra large expandable suitcases if you plan on packing more or shopping during your trip. They provide the flexibility of additional storage space when you need it. This is particularly useful when you’re coming back from trips laden with souvenirs or additional items that weren’t on your initial packing list. The expandable feature of suitcases ensures that you’re prepared for such contingencies without having to lug around an overly bulky suitcase from the get-go.
Pick your luggage. Are you going to one or two specific places? A suitcase that will rest in your hotel room while you are sightseeing will then be a good choice. Take a backpack if you’re going to remote locations, planning to change your place of stay every few days, or you’re a backpacker counting on low prices.
Choose clothing and other items that can be worn or used in multiple ways and washed and dried quickly if necessary. Cutting down on the number of things not only saves you space and weight in your luggage. It allows you to get more use out of each item you bring. Instead of packing a separate outfit for every possible occasion, pick a few versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down and sported in different settings.
For example, you might get a few pairs of neutral-colored pants that can be easily dressed up with a button-down shirt or dressed down with a plain t-shirt. You could also pack a few lightweight tops that can be donned on their own or layered for warmth. By packing versatile items, you’ll have more options for creating different looks without bringing a lot of extra clothes.
Shoes can be quite heavy, especially if you’re bringing multiple pairs. Limiting yourself to just a few will help you save weight on your luggage. They also tend to be bulky and take up so much space. Restricting their number will help you make more room for other items like a scarf that will come in handy when it’s cold, on your head when the sun is shining, or on the beach, and a poncho or other compact waterproof jacket, a true travel essential.
You probably won’t need as many shoes as you think unless you have a specific reason for bringing multiple pairs (e.g. you need hiking boots for a trek and formal shoes for a wedding). Consider limiting yourself to just a few versatile ones that will work just as well in different circumstances.
One of the most efficient ways of packing clothes is to roll them instead of folding them. It allows you to fit more items into your luggage, enabling you to pack them more compactly. Instead of stacking your clothes on top of each other, which can take up a lot of space, you can roll them up tightly and place them next to each other, saving space in the process.
Rolling your clothes also helps reduce wrinkling because it prevents the clothes from being folded repeatedly, which can cause creases to form. If you’re traveling for an extended period of time and don’t have access to an iron, this can be particularly beneficial.
Make use of every inch of space you can find. When it comes to that, packing cubes can help you save room in your luggage because they allow you to pack your clothes more efficiently. Instead of just tossing everything into your suitcase or bag, you can use packing cubes to compress your clothes and make better use of the available space.
Furthermore, they are a great way to organize your clothes and other items in your luggage. They allow you to group similar items together (e.g. tops in one cube and bottoms in another), making it easier to find what you need on the road.
Finally, they can help protect your clothes from dirt, moisture, and other types of damage. This can be especially useful if you’re voyaging to a remote destination or there is a lot of outdoor activities in your schedule.
Only bringing the essentials helps you pack lighter and reduces the risk of forgetting something important. You’ll be able to cut down on the number of items you need to pack, which will save you space in your luggage. This will be specifically advantageous if you’re traveling with carry-on luggage and must be mindful of weight and size restrictions.
Packing lighter will also save you time because you won’t have to spend as much time deciding what to bring and trying to fit everything into your luggage. Finally, when you only bring the essentials, you’ll be less likely to forget something vital because you’ll have a clear idea of what you need and why. This is especially important if you’re journeying for longer and won’t have easy access to stores where you can buy things you may have forgotten.
