Everyone knows the feeling… You’re all prepped for your next vacation, tickets are bought, reservations made, and bags are stuffed full with everything you could possibly need. There’s one problem though. You’re never going to use that inflatable pool floaty, wear those running shoes, or even bother with the super cool drone you just bought. Tired of wasted space, extra weight, and baggage charges? We’re here to help. Follow along for 10 Packing Tips that will make your next trip so much more enjoyable!
We feel your pain. When we visited Iceland, we had to cram all of our belongings into one 13” x 10” x 8” backpack. Somehow, we managed to declutter, fill it with enough warm clothes to survive, and even had room leftover to sneak some snacks onto the plane. If you follow our favorite packing tips, you’ll be surprised how easy packing for a vacation can be. You may even have enough room for that souvenir you wanted 😉
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Keep it Fresh
Maybe its just me, but my duffle smells like a mix of wet dog, moldy cheese, and a pig farm. One of the best ways I’ve found to combat the ethereal stench are plain old dryer sheets. You can pick up a pack of these almost anywhere and they work wonders! I’d recommend throwing one in each shoe and then two or three scattered around the bag.
Fill the Dead Spaces
Child psychologists speak on the idea of object permanence being a key stage in any child’s development. The idea is that even if they can no longer see the object it still exists. Oftentimes, even as adults we forget about objects outside of plain site. For instance, who has packed inside their shoes? That “dead space” is the exact same concept. Think outside the bow and use the space given!
Roll, Don’t Fold
This was the only way we were able to pack for our trip to Iceland. Rolling saves space, limits awkward wrinkles and rumples, and makes snagging the day’s outfit a breeze. That’s right no more rummaging to find your one blue shirt, instead you’ll be able to slide it right out. I’ve found it helps to fold your clothing in half before rolling (pants one leg over the other, shirts folded in on each side meeting in the middle). It makes the rolls much more similar in size and makes packing even easier, how about that packing tip!
If you’d like to read more about our trip to Iceland, check out:
Free Things to Do in Reykjavik Iceland!
What No One Tells You About the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Go Light and Moldable
I know how nice wheels can be on any long trek through the airport. I’ve learned to sacrifice the convenience for the adaptability of a cloth bag. They’re tough, lightweight, and mold to whatever I need to fit them in or in them. Now that’s a packing tips tongue twister! 😉 Seriously, my duffle has allowed me to bring home a skim board, has been tossed around and still comes back for more.
Layer Up
Just like we talked about in our Definitive Winter Hiking Guide, layering is essential. This is actually my favorite of all ten packing tips just because it helps so much. As you begin to think about what you’ll need on a trip try not to limit clothes to one use only. If you’re going somewhere cold you don’t need to take: a jacket, a raincoat, a cold-weather jacket, two fleeces, and a sweatshirt. Instead, look at how you could layer a couple items to eliminate others. Like pairing a fleece and a jacket and ditching the extra poofy cold weather jacket.
Additionally, try to think about outfits as layers you can swap interchangeably. This will allow you to reuse certain parts of your outfit with others. Instead of packing six pairs of pants and six shirts, you can pack two pairs of pants that go well with all four shirts. If you struggle identifying colors that work well together plan on wearing more earth tones. You can be confident whichever colors you pair will work together!
Know Your Limits
This is an extremely simple tip that will save you time, money and hassle. Baggage policies vary by airline, where you’re flying, and year. It would be impossible for us to keep up with the policies so we’ll let the airlines tell you themselves. We’ve included links to several major airline’s baggage policies below. Speaking of flights, if you’re looking for a way to save hundreds on airfare, sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you our exclusive guide to finding cheap flights!
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Avoid Stains
I can’t imagine how bummed I would be to show up, unpack, and realize that all my clothes had shoes prints on them. There are a couple packing tips we use to avoid stains on our clothes. First, think about how you pack. Put the shoes in the bottom of the bag face down. Second, roll any lightly colored clothing inside out. This helps to cover up small stains that are bound to happen anyway. Lastly, use a shower cap or grocery sack and tie it around your footwear. This keeps all that nasty gunk in the bag and off your clothing!
Cut it in Half
One of the best packing tips I’ve ever read was to pack everything you think you might need and then get rid of half of it. It’s amazing how much you think you need on a trip compared to what you actually use. This tip just helps you to evaluate what you actually need to bring and what can afford to stay home.
Be Ready to Separate
Whether you use packing cubes, grocery bags, or laundry baskets is up to you. Either way, be sure to find some way to separate clothes as you pack and repack throughout the trip. That way you can keep clean and dirty clothes separate, wet clothes away from dry, and save time as you look for a fresh pair of socks every morning.
Make a List (or Use Ours!)
One of my least favorite parts of packing is creating and sticking to a list. What if I forget something? What if I leave something off and need it? What if, heaven forbid, I pack without one? Packing is so much easier and stress free with a nice checklist. Follow it, check it off, write notes, do whatever you need to make it work for you.
Packing for your vacation shouldn’t be so stressful. It should be quick, easy, and dare we say it, fun! Yes, fun! Thinking of all the adventures you’ll take and what you need on your next vacation should never be a drag. That’s why we put together our Top 10 Packing Tips. We want to make your next vacation easier and more enjoyable.