Packing is the biggest challenge that you first need to overcome before you get to travel and see the world.

You need to overcome many travel issues, all revolving around the items that you pack with you. From avoiding overpacking to dealing with portability, how you pack has a significant effect on how you travel.

If you’re always frustrated with how you pack when you travel, know that you’re not alone.

A lot of people find it difficult and frustrating to deal with packing their things before going anywhere. So if you want to change the way that you pack, you should try out these 12 packing hacks for your next travel.

 

1. Create a checklist

Creating a checklist for all the items that you need to pack with you for your trip will make it a lot easier to organize your items. You can create your packing checklist weeks in advance of your trip. That way, you’re able to double-check whether your list covers every vital thing you need.

If you’re traveling with your family, you should also create a checklist for them. That way, they won’t have the difficulty of figuring out what to pack.

Your kids can also help out with packing by giving them a list and making them a whole activity that you can bond over. You can even consult your kids on which items they should include in their checklist.

Of course, on the day of your packing, make sure that you consult the checklist. Be stringent when it comes to what you pack. Don’t give yourself too much leeway and make sure that you stick to the list only.

 

2. Lay everything out first

When you’re packing your items, make sure that you lay everything out on a surface before putting them in your bag.

You want to be able to double-check whether or not you do have your items with you. Otherwise, consulting your packing checklist will make it a lot challenging.

Other benefits to laying out your items before you put them in your luggage are that it allows you to have a better picture of how you will put them. You’re going to be able to group the items in their categories and then figure out where you want to place them in your luggage.

 

3. Use packing cubes

 

A lot of luggage doesn’t have barriers or ways to organize them efficiently and effectively. It’s challenging to look for items that you need when you’re on the go if they’re buried somewhere in your luggage.

Instead of having to shuffle through your things, you might want to get packing cubes to help you get a semblance of organization.

When you’re traveling with kids, you’re going to love the organization that packing cubes provide. Since you know which item is in which cube, it’s much easier to find your kid’s needs without having to dig through their bag.

Although you have to buy enough packing cubes, it’s still a nifty thing that helps you organize your luggage.

 

4. Roll pack clothes

The biggest reason why you think your luggage is full already is because of the number of clothes that you have to bring with you.

One way you can create more space inside your luggage when you’re packing would be to roll your clothes instead of folding them. This folding technique was borrowed from military practices because it’s efficient.

Aside from creating more space in your luggage, rolling your clothes also reduces the case of wrinkling. It’s also a lot easier to find the clothes that you need without unfolding them.

 

5. Wear the heaviest apparel

When people are packing, one of their common concerns is the luggage’s weight.

You don’t want to go over the weight limit unless you don’t mind the baggage fee. Plus, heavy bags are a lot more challenging to travel with because they’re difficult to maneuver.

If you need to bring coats and boots with you, it’s recommended that you wear them to the airport instead. Wearing your heaviest apparel will reduce your luggage weight while still being able to bring bulky items.

If you’re traveling to somewhere cold, another advice would be to layer up. Not only will you be warm, but you also don’t have to pack a lot of clothes in your luggage.

 

6. Use shoes as storage

Footwear is one of the most challenging items to pack. They are bulky, and they are oddly shaped. Aside from that, they can dirty up the other things inside your luggage if you do not pack them correctly.

Although packing shoes have a lot of challenges, they also have a benefit to them. You can use the space inside your shoes as extra storage for any items that you have.

For example, you can use your boots to store your socks. Storing socks inside your shoes will save space, but they will also maintain the shape of your footwear.

 

7. Plan your outfits

Planning your outfit for each day of your trip will make it easier for you to pack the clothes that you need.

Base your outfits on your itinerary, so you do not have to overpack. If the nature of certain activities during the trip is similar, consider packing items that you can mix and match. For instance, a top that would work well with a skirt and a pair of jeans. Or slacks that you can wear, whether in a casual or format occasion.

That way, you do not need to bring a lot. Meanwhile, it will not look like repeating an entire outfit.

Planning your outfits ahead of time will also save you time when you are on your trip. You don’t have to worry about what to wear, and instead enjoy your trip.

 

8. Slip belt in your collar

When it comes to packing clothes for a professional work trip, the biggest challenge would be maintaining the quality of your business attire.

One of the problems that you might encounter when traveling for work would be that your shirt collars get smashed by the items in your luggage. Plus, from the handling during travel.

If you want your shirt collars to remain stiff, you can slip a belt in it. By moving a belt in your collar, you’re also giving more space in your luggage while maintaining your shirt collar’s uprightness.

 

9. Bring travel-sized toiletries

Another issue you don’t want to deal with at the airport would be your toiletries.

As a rule of thumb, you should get into the habit of bringing travel-sized toiletries when going on a trip. Having travel-sized toiletries will decrease your luggage weight while also preventing spills from happening in your bags.

You might even want to invest or buy soap and conditioner bars so that you don’t have to worry about liquids.

If you want to save space, you might also choose not to bring toiletries with you. After all, your destination likely has shampoos, conditioners, and other toiletries available for purchase anyway.

 

10. Bring multipurpose items

One way you can save more space in your luggage is by bringing multipurpose items with you.

For example, you might want to bring clothes that can turn into another piece of clothing, depending on how you fold and unfold it.

Another good example would be to pack multipurpose toiletries with you. They can serve as your shampoo, conditioner, and even body wash.

 

11. Choose the right luggage

Choosing the right luggage will depend on your travel style.

If you’re a solo backpacker, the best bags for you might be a backpack. If you’re getting luggage for the whole family, you might want to consider buying luggage sets to save more money.

You should also ensure that your luggage fits the standard sizes that the airlines provide. It can differ from each airline, so you need to double-check every time you book a flight. That way, you’re not scrambling around when you’re at the airport.

If you want to pack fewer items with you because you have a habit of overpacking things, you should get yourself a smaller bag on purpose. That way, you won’t have any space to stash any “what-if” items in your panic packing.

 

12. Save some space for souvenirs

If you find that your luggage, after packing everything you need, still has some space in it, don’t be tempted to fill it.

You might encounter some trinkets and treats that catch your attention at your destination. If you fill up your bags completely, then you won’t have space for souvenirs to bring with you back home.

Saving some space for souvenirs is excellent foresight on your part. That way, you won’t have to be at the airport scrambling for more space and reducing the weight of your luggage.

 

Conclusion of Packing Hacks

The packing hacks we’ve listed above will help you change how you pack your items for travel.

By applying these techniques, you will be more efficient in packing what you need for your trip.

Next time you’re organizing your trip, remember these hacks before you start preparing for your journey. They’ll make your life a lot easier, and you have more time to look forward to your upcoming trip.