Do you know how to pack light for a trip or how to pack lighter? Whether you plan to go backpacking for months or just fly somewhere for a weeklong vacation, packing light can reduce your stress and save you some baggage fees while traveling. While the idea of packing light can be intimidating, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take small luxuries like an extra shirt or anti-aging skincare products. Instead, packing light is all about paring your luggage down to just the essentials so you have room for the things that really matter and possibly some extra space to bring back souvenirs. If you are new to packing light, below are some tips to help you get started. We hope that this A Traveler's Guide To Packing Light post inspires you.
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Packing full-size toiletries ensures you have to take a checked bag. For that reason, we recommend getting a skincare travel kit with TSA-friendly containers to make it simple to bring all the essentials with you on a plane. If you don’t mind the hassle, you can also get your travel-size containers and decant your anti-aging creams into them on your own. If you have a very extensive beauty routine, we recommend taking a hard look at your hair, skincare, and makeup products to figure out which ones are essential and which ones can be left behind on your trip to lighten up your bag.
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If you want to pack light, you need to select the right piece of luggage for the job. Many people swear by hard-sided carry-on suitcases, but these can be quite heavy and bulky, making them an inconvenient option if you plan to move locations a lot. If you anticipate moving between different hotels and taking a lot of public transportation with your bag, then a soft-sided duffel or a backpack you can carry on your back might be a better choice. These lightweight suitcases are easier to carry and can be stuffed into nooks and crannies on planes and public transportation.
If you’re worried about space in a carry-on or personal item, you can fit quite a bit of clothing in these smaller suitcases if you know how to pack them correctly. Rolling your clothing items as tight as possible will pack them down smaller than just folding them the normal way. We also recommend getting a set of packing cubes to keep things organized and make the most of your space. If you need to pack a lot of clothing in a small bag, compression bags that remove excess air can make a big difference.
Even if you don’t use a capsule wardrobe in your day-to-day life, we recommend creating one for your trip. When packing light for travel, you should make sure all of your separates match with each other. So, for instance, each top you bring should match each pair of bottoms, and your jacket should go with all of the outfit combinations you plan to wear. Don’t bring a clothing item or an accessory that only goes with one other item or outfit. Choose neutral colors that are easy to mix and match. You should also plan to layer your clothing instead of packing separate outfits for hot and cold weather.
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If you wear each piece of clothing only once while traveling, then you will end up packing very heavily even for a short trip. For that reason, we recommend re-wearing your clothing as often as possible, until it becomes too smelly or gets sweaty and stained. Socks and underwear will need to be changed every single day, but many people can get a couple of days out of shirts as long as they’re not sweating too much. Pants, shorts, and other bottoms can often be worn multiple days in a row before needing to be switched out.
If you’re worried about other people noticing you’re re-wearing clothing, choosing neutral colors or very subtle patterns will make it less obvious than bright distinctive colors or patterns.
If you can wash your clothing during your trip, it will go a long way toward helping you pack light. Before packing for your trip, you will need to consider the climate as well as the short-term weather forecast. Clothing takes longer to dry in cold and or humid weather, so it might not be ready to wear very quickly after washing. But if you’re going to a hot or dry climate, then your clothes will almost certainly dry overnight.
Choosing lightweight and quick-dry fabrics will also speed up the drying process and make it easier to wash your clothing on the go. While you can try to find laundry facilities at your destination, most people just hand wash their clothing in the bathroom using detergent strips and then hang it up to dry in their hotel room or hostel.
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Shoes are one of the heaviest and bulkiest items you can pack while traveling, which is why many people recommend only taking one pair you wear on the plane. However, taking only one pair of shoes isn’t always feasible if you are doing lots of different activities or switching between different locations and climates. If you must take more than one pair of shoes, we recommend wearing the most bulky ones while you are traveling to free up as much space and weight in your luggage as possible. If you plan on using communal showers, don’t forget to bring a pair of flip-flops or shower shoes to protect your feet.
Now that you know how to pack light for a trip, you are ready to go. We’ve only just scratched the surface when it comes to tips for packing light, and we love to hear your other tried and true advice for taking only a carry-on. What else do you do to fit everything you need for a trip into one small bag? Let us know in the comments below!
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