Over the years, the goal of packing a lighter suitcase continues to challenge me. However, I have collected a number of helpful and efficient ideas. Carrying a lighter load is always a good idea. On a car trip space might be more flexible, but enjoying more room in the vehicle and less to pack and unpack will be welcomed.
Packing lights involves stratigically reducing bulk, focusing on multipurpose items while practicing space-saving techniques like rolling clothes, using packing cubes and limiting bulk. When you are more mobile, the trip is so much more enjoyable.
First, consider the “why” behind packing a lighter suitcase. Yes, this is the greatest motivator. Clearly, moving less lessons stress, costs less and improves your mobility. Plan to carry and manipulate the suitcases and bags that you pack. Out of kindness for yourself and others, don’t cram your bag especially if you are planning air travel which continues to dictate smaller and smaller carry ons and personal items. Consider the reason. If you have flown recently, you know that all carry-ons must fit in an overhead compartment. The required dimensions honestly reflect the potential space. As you are packing, remember that you must lift your bag over your head several times as you store it in the overhead bin. If you decide on a checked bag, extra charges for each flight can add up quickly. In some cases your overall bag charges rival the cost of your flight. Traveling internationally the vehicles are often much smaller. Even the smaller suitcases and backpacks challenge the economy of space.
Next, let’s “unpack” how to pack lighter. Larger suitcases used to be the normal. In fact, overpacking is not unique to any age group. One of our family members regularly hauled a suitcase that was large enough to carry a sibling. No kidding. Upon discussion this often occurred because he was packing too quickly without much thought to the needs of the visit. Another family member routinely followed the restrictions of packing directed to each of the children. Since we were traveling together with 6-7 people in a conversion van, natural space limits encouraged personal luggage size. Routinely, this young person would sneak back to the vehicle after it was packed for an early morning departure. Numerous extra bags would be squirreled into available pockets of space. In air travel situations this child regularly needed a bag strap around the suitcase to keep it from exploding. You get the picture.
So, let’s get to the real helpful ideas on lighter packing:
- Start early. When anticipating a trip, begin to lay things in an area such as your closet or the wall in your bedroom. Making decisions over a period of time eliminates last minute chaos and the likelihood of forgotten items.
- Pack a day ahead like you are done. The next day, take out 3-4 items.
- Pack in categories. Here are the main groups to consider: Personal items, toiletries, outfits, 2-3 pairs of shoes, jacket, medications, electronics, miscellaneous (passport, adapter plug, first aid kit, etc)
- Extra plastic bags for anything wet or dirty
- Dirty clothes bag. This could be anything from a plastic garbage bag to a fabric bag. Keeping your dirty clothes separate is very helpful. Quickly placing your dirty clothes in the laundry room when you arrive home is efficient.
- Roll your clothes.
- Don’t start packing your suitcase or backpack until everything is ready to go in your bag. It is amazing how much more goes into your back when you have the advantage of putting the heavy things in first or just seeing where extra space is located.
- Consider packing cubes. Although I am new to this practice, it is brilliant. It becomes especially handy when you have to do many hotel hops or you are going to visit more than one type of weather. On our recent trip to Italy and Austria, I packed one large cube with items for the Italy portion while using my other large cube for the Austria portion. One of my daughters started using earlier with her children. This system of cubes keeps order so that you don’t have to keep folding and refolding or resorting. It works brilliantly when helping children navigate the duffle bag or suitcase.
- Try the 1-2-3-4-5-6 method when traveling for six days. Adjust your plan if you are traveling more or less than six days. Pack 1 hat, 2 shoes, 3 bottoms 4 tops 5 socks 6 underwear.
- A variation of this idea is to pack two pairs of shoes, two tops for every bottom and an extra 2-3 underwear beyond the days on the trip.
- Choose light, quick-drying items.
- Layer. Most days start off with a different temperature that comes throughout the day.
- Neutral clothing or just bright items near face. Sometimes 1 or 2 lightweight scarves offer just the color you need while being light to pack.
- Multi purpose footwear. Most trips dictate a solid pair of walking shoes as a primary shoe. Based on your needs the second pair might be sandals or slip ons.
- Leave full size toiletries at home. For example, bring several travel size toothpastes instead of one big one. This lightens the load as you travel.
- Very minimal makeup and other toiletries. My morning bag and nighttime bags are each quart size. This takes some doing, but it is so worth it. I collect small size items and keep them in a travel box near my suitcases. As I prepare for a trip, I just gather the travel size items I need and pack my quart size bag.
- Consider quality suitcases with wheels. My current favorite is the Travel Platinum Elite 21″ Spinner. According to Travel Pro “carry-on luggage size provides travelers with freedom and mobility. When you pack everything you need into carry-on luggage, you can avoid crowded baggage carousels and travel straight to your destination when you disembark. With no checked luggage to slow you down, you can easily navigate airports, train stations, and hotel lobbies.” Selecting a spinner with 4 wheels is a game changer. Although it took me some consideration to spend the extra money, I wish we had these suitcases even sooner.
- Add an Airtag or something similar. Prepare for a lost bag. Always keep valuables, passport, wallet, ID, money, jewelry, toiletry bag and a few personal items in your personal bag. Sometimes they will check your carry-on. Be prepared.
- Pack a light weight collapsible bag to use for shopping, a beach trip or just to make the movement on your trip easier.
- Consider washing clothes while traveling. Pay attention to which hotel or rental offers laundry. Carry laundry soap sheets. Aim to find a washer and dryer, but if you are washing in the sink allow time for items to air dry before you need to pack and move.
- Wash larger items in the shower when you shower. Rinsing is easier.
- Hand washing clothing is also a great option. When you don’t have proper laundry soap, don’t snub hand soap.
- Wear your bulkiest clothing on the airplane.
- Collect travel friendly clothing. Wear it anytime, but keep it in mind for minimal packing. Popular items are merino wool pieces, layering and non wrinkle items.
- When you arrive home, empty everything that you used. Notice what items were not used. These were the things that you just carried on your trip. Keep that in mind as you begin to pack for your next adventure.
Here are a few ideas expanded:
As clothing is clearly your largest category, let’s think through the other groups first. As we discuss packing lighter, let’s assume that air travel dictates the most condensed version of packing. So, let’s work from that perspective knowing that you can expand some in car trips. Often when I start to think about packing, I decide on my shoes. Determine to pack 2-3 pairs of shoes. Select shoes based on the needs of your trip. In my experience, I normally pack walking shoes, flats that straddle practical and can dress up some. Socks and underwear need to be changed daily, but some of my bottoms such as jeans or shorts can be worn more than once. Usually, I pack two tops for every one bottom. A helpful rule is to wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane if if you are doing air travel. A clever idea is to attach them with a carabiner clip to the outside of your backpack if you feel pressed with storage inside your suitcase. Pack your shoes in plastic bags as you don’t want the germs from your shoes on everything else in your possessions. Recently, I bought packing cubes which came with a shoe bag. The handy loop on the top fastened nicely to one of my carabiners on my backpack.
Toiletries potentially consume large portions of your bags, so it is wise to be thoughtful. In my closet I keep a basket for travel items. Two key small bags collect my morning makeup and my evening routine items. All are minimal in size. These two bags measure 10″x 4″ x 1″. Ranging from small containers for my shampoo and body wash, this basket also collects other needed items in condensed forms. Some of my favorites include Lysol wipes, hand cleaner, and miniatures of everyday bathroom needs. My medical pouch includes bandaids, tweezers, single usage Neosporin, aspirin, headache medicines, a steroid packet, hydration packs and a few other useful items. A waterproof pouch for my camera and personal items is needed for trips when a water adventure is anticipated. Consider your personal needs and the anticipated trip as you pack. Each trip presents its own unique needs.
Locating quality suitcases, backpacks and travel helps over time improves your overall adventure experiences.
Overall, this packing lighter journey is just practice. Keep working at it. Packing less means doing just that…packing less. Keeping up with less stuff means time for more experiences. The benefits of packing lighter include freer movement, less back strain and more joy.
Please share your favorite packing light idea in the comments or by communicating with me on the contact tab.
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