How to Pack Light When Traveling
Understandably, you want to pack along everything you need for your trip but overpacking can be a hassle. You’re responsible for lugging around your bags from place to place and on and off of trains, planes, and buses. It can be exhausting! You may also run into issues with weight limits and costs for checked bags. So how do you know what to bring?
5 Tips for Packing Light
1. Consider what the weather will be like where you are going
It’s easy to overpack because we think we need to prepare for any weather situation that might come our way. But consider if it’s really necessary that you bring rain gear and warm layers when traveling somewhere seasonal in the summertime? The same goes for packing sweaters and winter coats during springtime in tropical regions. Do some research on the climate so you don’t waste precious bag space with things you won’t end up using.
2. Bring as little as possible- make a list beforehand
In this video I am showing you how to pack light for a short trip!
You can easily fit all your belongings into a backpack if you pack correctly.
If you do not pack correctly, or do not bring the right things, you could be stuck packing too much.
In order to avoid this, follow these easy steps.
First, bring only a backpack and one carry on bag.
This will keep you from overpacking and make sure you have everything ready to go when it comes time to leave.
Next, use the bag that has the most space as your luggage and fit all of your clothing in there.
This will help keep your other carry on bag lighter and easier to pack.
The best clothing item to pack is a t-shirt with jeans or shorts.
Shoes can take up a lot of space so if possible just bring one pair of sneakers or sandals that can be used for anything.
For example, if you are going on vacation somewhere warm like Cancun, then bring sneakers that will also work as sandals when you hit the beach!
Now that you have your clothes packed it is time to fill up the other carry on bag with miscellaneous items such as toiletries, makeup or jewelry.
Packing light is a skill that takes time to master and one that many travelers will never achieve. I firmly believe that the key to packing light has less to do with what you pack, and more to do with how you pack it.
Here are my tips for packing light:
1. Choose a Carry On Size Bag: A standard carry on has an allowance of 56x36x23cm including wheels and handles, or 40x20x25cm just for the bag. If you can manage this size then great, but if you need a little extra space then try picking one in the 45-50 litre range – this will give you the little bit of extra room that you need.
2. Choose the Right Material: There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to travel bags, backpacks and suitcases but only a few materials are truly worth investing in. Nylon is a great choice as it is lightweight, durable and can handle being tossed around at airports or dragged through mud if needs be. Leather is another great choice but try to avoid canvas as it does not hold up well against weather or rough handling.
3. Use Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are super simple and yet they make packing effectively so much
I am going to let you in on a little secret that many people don’t realize when they travel. You can pack lightly and not sacrifice the amount of clothes you bring. I know it sounds crazy, but I promise it’s true! If you are planning an upcoming trip and dread packing (like myself) then this post is for you. Here are some tips on how to pack lightly and what essentials to bring on your trip.
1. Limit the amount of shoes you bring
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I am the worst when it comes to shoes, but with limited space in a suitcase, you can only bring so many. Stick with shoes that go with everything such as black/nude flats and a pair of sneakers if necessary. I love my TOMS wedges because they go with everything and I love wearing them for walks around town when we travel because they are so comfortable! For more information on all of the different types of shoes you should be packing, check out my post called 7 Types of Shoes Every Woman Should Pack When Traveling!
2. Bring clothes that can be mixed and matched
First things first…roll your clothes instead of folding them so that they don’
When I started traveling light I just took a carry on, but as soon as I figured out the way to travel and realized that you could travel even lighter than that, I didn’t look back. Now all of my trips are with a backpack that doesn’t weigh more than 10kg (22lb).
I have gotten so used to packing light, that when I got asked to pack for three weeks in South America, it actually took me less time to pack than if it was just a weekend trip.
So without further ado here is my guide on how to pack light whether you’re just going away for the weekend, or you’re planning a long backpacking trip.
Packing light is one of the best ways to travel. It’s also one of the most difficult habits to learn. But once you learn to pack light, you’ll never look back.
We’ve all seen those people at the airport with their monster-sized duffels that take up half their body mass, and we’ve probably all been that person at some point in our lives. And while the thought of bringing everything you might need may seem comforting, it will only end up causing more problems down the road.
Instead, pack your bag with only what you need for your upcoming trip. Invest in multipurpose clothing that can be used over and over again, so you don’t have to bring a new outfit every day. Bring along a small toiletry bag filled with travel-sized essentials that can be used for many days before needing a refill. Avoid packing any electronic devices or chargers unless necessary – anything that can be left at home should stay there!
The best way to pack light is to bring only the essentials. Cramming a bunch of stuff into your suitcase will mean you can’t fit everything, and thus you’ll have to re-pack in a rush before leaving.
In an attempt to help everyone with packing, I compiled this list of what exactly you should be bringing on your vacation. The list includes obvious items (that we often forget), as well as some off-the-beaten path choices that will help you save space and travel lightly.
Top 5 Essentials:
1) Toothbrush / Toothpaste
2) Sunscreen – Don’t want those sun burns!
3) Phone charger – You wouldn’t want your phone dying when you’re trying to post a selfie!
4) Shampoo / Conditioner – It is probably the most important thing we all forget!
5) Camera / GoPro – To capture all the memories!