Top 10 Packing Tips for Travel

Packing for a trip can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure where to start. But with a little planning and preparation, you can make the process a lot easier.

 

We make travel bags, luggage tags, and travel wallets, which we have designed to suit a variety of packing needs, using our own team’s traveling habits as the framework to incorporate convenient and useful features. Through our intensely thoughtful design process, we have discovered some insightful travel tips for different packing styles.

Meet the 5 Most Common Kinds of Packers

The Overpacker

A typical overpacker will always feel like you can never bring too many outfits or every item becomes a travel essential on a trip. You take being prepared to the next level. However, trying to fit everything you own into one piece of luggage, repeated bouncing on your suitcase to zip it closed, and the nerve-wracking weigh-in at the airport counter can get old after a while. Smart tips include ways to downsize and simplify your packing.

 

The Underpacker

As an underpacker, you will always arrive at your destination and realize with dawning dread that you forgot something important. Helpful tips cover ways to remember the packing essentials and keep you from searching souvenir shops for overpriced toothpaste and sunscreen.

 

The Last-Minute Packer

The last-minute packer knows the stress of racing to the airport with your clothes jumbled into an unfolded pile and possibly falling out of your luggage. Preparation and keeping accessories like our travel pouches packed for an easy grab-and-go moment are the most helpful tools. The best tips aim to make the most of the time you have to pack efficiently and quickly.

 

The Packing Perfectionist

If you're a packing perfectionist, you know the importance of packing in a way that is both efficient and stylish. Maintain the order you love and strive for in the most effective ways possible with the tips and tools below.

 

The Tech-Savvy Packer

If you’re a tech-savvy traveler, you have specific requirements to protect your most sensitive and fragile devices. Your devices need to be packed securely so there are no broken pieces or tangled cords when you arrive at your destination. The following tips will help you protect and organize your electronic devices.

Tips for Every Packing Style

Tip #1: Create a Packing Checklist. The best tip you can use, no matter what type of packer, is to create a packing checklist. This list should keep you organized and on track with your selections. A visual packing guide or template can be helpful to see how much space your clothes will take up and make sure you don't overpack.

 

Alternatively, if you find yourself thinking, “Oh, I won’t need this,” you can use your list to confirm or deny the importance of an item.

 

Any checklist should also consider potential scenarios and activities you’ll be participating in on your trip. For example, if you are going hiking, don’t leave your hiking boots behind or if you know you will be relaxing on the beach, pack a swimsuit to avoid borrowing someone’s spare.

 

Consider using a pre-printed checklist to remind you to bring essential items that may not always stay packed like your passport, prescription medications, and specialty or larger toiletries.

 

If you already own an item, pack it and don’t plan to buy another. While on vacation, never expect to always find a store offering exactly what you need at a reasonable price.

 

Tip #2: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 Rule. This clothing countdown packing hack means you only pack five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, and one hat for a weeklong trip. You can adjust the numbers based on the length of your trip and your personal needs.

 

You can modify the rule slightly to account for different activities, like a warm coat or exercise clothing. Women might want to include a dress and a light jacket or cardigan while men might want to bring a button-down shirt or a blazer for more formal occasions.

 

The 5-4-3-2-1 rule may seem harsh to overpackers and a gift to last-minute or underpackers, but you can plan outfits in advance and choose a theme of colors to turn your vacation wardrobe into a capsule collection. That way you will only bring clothes you know you will actually wear.

Tip #3: Use Packing Cubes or Compression Bags. These can help to save space and keep your clothes and your family’s clothes organized when sharing a suitcase or on a longer vacation. Packing cubes, like the ones from Coverstore, with color-coded labels will remind you to pack the right item categories for your trip, especially if you pack one cube at time.

 

Tip #4: Weigh Your Bags Before You Travel. Keep a digital scale nearby to check the weight of your luggage and avoid any surprises at the ticket counter. Remember, anything over 50 pounds will most likely be charged as overweight luggage and is probably too heavy for you to pull around.

 

Tip #5: Choose Smaller Luggage Than Your Instincts Say. This will force you to be more selective about what you pack. The bonus point of using a smaller travel bag is you can take a trip with carry-on luggage and skip those checked bag and overweight fees.

 

Tip #6: Pre-pack Your Essential Travel Items to Save Time. Try to keep a travel toiletry bag packed with your essentials. For example, if you always leave your toothbrush at home, buy a spare and keep it packed. Our compact Small Train Case or Small Double Zip Toiletry Bag have enough pockets to bring everything you need, including one non-toiletry item you should never leave home without: a universal power adapter.

Tip #7: Buy Dedicated Travel Toiletries and Containers. If you buy travel-size toiletries and containers dedicated to traveling only, those products can stay packed all the time so you can just grab them and go. Styles like our Top Zip Toiletry Bag or a travel cosmetic bag like our Large Accessories Pouch are slim and spacious enough to create an always-ready travel essentials bag that stays inside your suitcase.

Invest in reusable travel-sized containers for toiletries. Not only will you have color-coordinated containers but a multi-compartment travel makeup bag like our XL Train Case for women or Multi Pocket Toiletry Bag for men with their many pockets will allow you to organize to your heart’s content.

Tip #8: Create Space to Pack. Optimize your packing process with a designated area. Choose a cleared area in your home where you can pack. Even if your packing space is the surface of your bed, this will help you stay organized and avoid losing track of your belongings.

 

Tip #9: Use Cable Organizers and Pouches for Your Tech Accessories. For a tangle-free trip, a tech-savvy packer will use cable organizers and electronic travel pouches like our magnetic Cord Wraps or Medium Tech Organizer with elastic loops to hold your cords in place. This will help to keep your cables and devices organized and prevent them from getting damaged.

Tip #10: Save Your Important Info in a Safe Place. Finally, back up important data and files in a separate storage device or software that you can leave at home or restrict access to. This is especially important if you're traveling with a laptop, tablet, or anything with private information on it.

Bonus: 5 Recommended Packing Tools for Any Packing Style

Tool #1: A Portable Steamer. Since last-minute packers are typically packing in a hurry, consider bringing a portable garment steamer to ease any wrinkles from haphazard folding.

 

Tool #2: Travel Folding Board. In addition to space-saving packing cubes and compression bags, packing perfectionists might want to try bringing a travel-sized garment folding board or drawstring bag for separating dirty laundry to aid your organization and peace of mind.

 

Tool #3: Travel Insurance. While it’s not a physical item, check if your travel insurance covers your tech devices. Many travel policies won’t cover if you drop a device. However, coverage is offered for stolen or lost devices. 

 

Tool #4: Waterproof Tech Cases. To protect your device when your insurance policy won’t, choose shockproof and water-resistant cases for your laptop, camera, or phone.

 

Tool #5: Power Bank. A portable power bank for charging on the go becomes an all-important and must-have item when traveling. It’s even better to pack a power bank with multiple USB ports for charging options. You can stay connected even when there is no outlet in sight.

 

No matter what your packing style is, there are always a few extra steps you can take to make the process easier. By following these personalized packing tips, you can pack efficiently and ensure you have everything you need to make your next trip go smoothly.