When it comes to packing your suitcase or bag for a trip, are you one of the people that feels stressed out? Don’t worry you’re not the only one. There are many who pack their bag weeks in advance and even lose plenty of sleep over it.
‘Have I taken too much?’, ‘Should I bring that extra thing that I might just need, even though I never use it at home?’, ‘Should I take my hair straighteners?’, ‘Do I really need 12 pairs of shorts?’, ‘My case won’t even shut!’ Sound familiar?
To try and answer a few of these frequently asked questions, we’ve done our best to compile 22 packing tips to help you pack light and to make your packing experience and trip a little easier.
Our 22 favourite packing hacks
1. First thing’s first: don’t get a bag or case that’s too big
It may seem very tempting to buy a large one and fill it with things you ‘might’ need, don’t forget you’ll spend a lot of time carrying this around. So the lighter, the better. I have actually avoided very long backpacks and thick shell suitcases for weight saving purposes too.
2. Pack half
When preparing for your trip, do a packing trial run. Pack your bag full of everything you ‘think’ you’ll need, then unpack it all and then just pack half of it keeping to essential items. You’ll be very glad you did later.
3. Roll your clothes
The classic packing hack – fold and roll clothing or towels into a nice, tight tube shape. You’ll be surprised how much space you save when you pack them tightly in your bag – and it helps to avoid creasing your statement T-shirts.
4. Bring gaffer tape
A little roll of gaffer tape is the perfect tool for quickly fixing broken straps or holes in backpacks or suitcases. And a million other things that may crop up the longer you spend away from home.
5. Pack some plastic bags
To keep wet swimwear, dirty shoes and leaky shower gels separate from the rest of your belongings. If you’re taking hand luggage abroad it also helps to pack your liquids (100ml or less) into a plastic bag before you get to the airport so that you have it ready to drop on the security trays. That ensures you avoid any further queues or and frantically separating things later on.
If you want to take organisation to the next level you can use larger clear plastic bags, you’ll be able to separate out your clothes into categories (shorts/t-shirts/underwear etc) in separate bags. It will make things easier to find and will add another layer of waterproofing.
6. Bring a lock
This one applies more so if you’re leaving your bag in places unattended for longer amounts of time e.g. while backpacking. It keeps unwanted hands out of your bag. A lock will deter would-be thieves. I do believe a suitcase is in fairly safe hands at the airport but if you need that extra peace of mind there’s no harm in taking away a worry with a suitcase lock.
7. Save weight
Don’t take a giant pile of toiletries in your bag; they add up quickly in weight. Take a few essentials like suncream, shampoo and toothpaste, but remember pack light as you will be able to buy these things around most of the world too – you’re not falling off the end of the earth!
8. Don’t pack too many clothes
Here are 2 very good reasons why: 1) you will want to bring back souvenirs and buy more different clothes when you’re away anyway so you need to make sure you have room and 2) you’ll probably end up wearing the same few pieces the whole time anyway! I once backpacked to Australia for a year and gave away half of the clothes in my backpack after week 2.
9. Make your bag stand out from the crowd
Add a tie/belt/strap/scarf to your suitcase or backpack so you can easily identify it at the luggage carousel or the coach luggage hold pile.
10. Think about your first night
Pack some essentials at the top of your bag so you don’t have to unpack everything when you get to your destination, then you can just to get to what you need at that time. For instance, if you’re arriving late at night, put your PJ’s, tooth brush and toothpaste near the top and you won’t empty your whole bag on the floor.
11. Stay fresh
For long journeys or flights, pack a spare top and your toothbrush at easy access, perhaps some baby wipes. You’ll feel instantly refreshed.
12. Suitcase bag
If you prefer the ease of a suitcase but also the comfort of a backpack on longer trips away then why not get a mix of both! It’s possible to get a suitcase backpack that unzips like a suitcase so you can find things more easily. There’s a lot of convenience in lying something down and opening it all up in clear view to take out what you need.
13. Get a waterproof bag cover
Chances are you’ll meet all kinds of weather on the road, so a waterproof cover will help to keep your backpack or fabric suitcase and its contents nice and dry. This isn’t a concern if you have a hard shell suitcase.
14. Layer up
Consider packing lots of layers instead of a big, thick coat which can take up to one third of a bag. That way you’re prepared for any type of weather and avoid taking up a lot of valuable packing space with an item you may barely need.
15. Keep your important things with you.
Bags can get lost – it’s an unfortunate fact of life that we just have to accept if we want to travel. So just in case, make sure anything important/special to you gets packed in your hand luggage or is kept on you, just in case.
16. Buddy up and talk
If you’re travelling in a group or a pair, talk to whoever you’re travelling with about what you’re packing so you don’t double up. For example, girls, if you’re travelling with a mate and can’t live without your straighteners, maybe one of you can bring a hair drier and one of you can bring the straighteners but going au-natural might be more liberating.
17. Make a checklist
Lists work for some people but they offer no benefit for others – personally, I’m not a list person. I made a checklist when I first ever went backpacking and it helped at the time as I’d never been away for so long. Now I mentally know what I need in advance.
If it helps, make a list before packing so you can plainly see what you have, what you still need to get and what you have, but don’t really need. Be brutal in crossing off what you don’t need.
18. Ease the strain
If you’re using a backpack then pack heavy things in the middle of your bag, as close to your back as possible. This tip will put less strain on your back when you carry your bag. If the weight is low down it will pull your back downwards.
For suitcases it’s fine to keep heavy things at the bottom. Remember where things will sit in a suitcase once they’re tipped upright in walking mode or you may find your well organised case becomes a squashed pile upon reopening it.
19. Buy the best bag you can afford
During your trip your suitcase or backpack is going to have to see you through the rough and the smooth and it will likely take a battering along the way. Make sure you set off with a bag that is as sturdy as possible. I would always check some reviews of a bag you’re interested in. Do some testing on a suitcase before buying it and for backpacks it is worth getting ‘fitted’ for your rucksack in a specialist outdoor shop.
20. Wear your heaviest clothes on the flight
To save the most space on your travel a good packing tip is to simply wear the the heaviest items you own on your body. You can store these above your head or under your seat on the flight anyway. Think about your coat, shoes or jumpers if travelling from or to a colder country
21. Use the pockets
I would often opt for bags and cases with a number of pockets or compartments as it helps to keep things separate, organised and easy to grab. Running to the bathroom before bed? Keeping your toiletries in one pocket is good for easy access and less messing about rooting through a bag. Looking for headphones or other cables? Keeping them in another pocket or little zip lock bag saves you from pulling your whole bag apart on a plane or coach.
22. Ensure you’re insured
Sometimes whatever you do to prevent any mishaps things can still go wrong. Alongside these packing tips make sure you get travel insurance so that you can replace those essential items in case they get lost or stolen when you are away.
If you find these packing tips useful you can bookmark the page before you gather your bits together for your next trip.
If you want my advice on a good backpack I went for the Mardingtop 75 litre backpack.
When I was looking at suitcases I opted for lightweight, good value for money and sturdy so I went with an IT Luggage Duo tone suitcase and it hasn’t failed me since. These bags have both lasted a few years of good wear and tear so far.