Whether you are packing for a quick weekend getaway or a month-long vacation, these 10 easy travel packing hacks will help you stay organized on any travel adventure. We have all been there, having to pack and re-pack for a trip to make sure everything fits in that carry-on suitcase. I have been there quite a few times, whether it was my travel backpack, checked luggage, or planning for my location-independent lifestyle, I have spent several hours packing and unpacking. That experience has helped me to identify several easy travel packing hacks. These 10 easy travel packing hacks are sure to help you pack easier and smarter for all of your future travels!
1. Learn to layer.
This one seems a little more like common sense, but layers are your best friend when trying to be strategic about your travel packing. For example, a tank top that can be worn on its own and also double as an undershirt or a zip-up hoodie that can be fashionably worn under your jean jacket and on its own for a cozy night in are both great ways to layer up and use one item of clothing for multiple outings.
TIP: Always, always check the weather forecast several times before you go on your trip, to ensure the layers you intent to bring correspond to the current climate of the location you are traveling to.
2. Choose travel friendly fabrics.
Travel-friendly fabrics, like merino wool, can be used for multiple different climates. Other than being soft and breathable, merino wool is also odor absorbent. This means you can wear your clothes for longer periods of time without worrying about body odor or smell. This type of fabric is specifically helpful for long backpacking trips or backcountry camping. Do not let the name fool you, merino wool is not itchy or bulky like other wool fabrics. It is lightweight and packs beautifully! For women’s merino basics I like Woolly and for men Unbound Merino. Ice Breaker is a little higher-end, but they have some great fashion pieces!
3. Multi-use toiletries.
This life hack for travel packing is something that took me a while to learn, but now that I have cleansed myself of unnecessary travel toiletries I will never go back. This is one travel packing tip that will certainly help you get through TSA without worrying that your bag will be pulled aside for going over the 3.4 oz. law. Ask yourself what can you make multi-use and what can you get rid of? For example, I use Kiss My Face bar soap when I travel. This natural soap contains only 3 ingredients oil, water, and salt so it is excellent for sensitive skin. No need to pack a body wash and a face wash, this soap can serve as both! I also love Dr. Bronner’s Castile liquid soap. This soap can be used for your face, body, hair, laundry, and Dishes. This soap is also safe for pets if you are traveling with your pup.
Bonus Tip*
Bring a travel journal or download an app on your phone. This is one this I refuse to go digital on. I always bring 1 if not two travel journals. One for thoughts while on the road or writing down anything really and then one that comes with me everywhere I go. The trick is to get a journal that isn’t too bulky, but not too small either which can be hard. I actually made one for this very reason. You can find it here.
4. Invest in some packing cubes.
Packing cubes, packing cubes, packing cubes. The day I discovered these useful pouches my pack hacking life was never the same. Packing cubes are great for keeping all of your clothes organized. Especially when you are living the backpacker lifestyle or camping. Things can easily get very jumbled up and unorganized in a pack if you are not careful and it can be very frustrating if you are trying to find something in a hurry. Packing cubes are useful in carry-on suitcases or checked bags as well. The sizes of packing cubes range from XS to XL. I generally use the small ones for socks and undergarments and the larger ones for dresses and sweaters. There are also several different types of packing cubes. There are water-resistant packing cubes, lightweight packing cubes, and compression packing cubes, just to name a few. I personally like the compression packing cubes best. There are several great brands from Eagle Creek to Osprey, but my personal favorite is Gonex Compression Packing Cubes. I have used them for years and have never had an issue.
TIP: If using compression packing cubes, be careful not to over pack them as they might make your backpack or luggage heavier which can be harder to carry around and can also lead to having to check your bag at the airport.
5. Pack versatile clothes.
This one might take a bit of planning, but packing travel clothes that can be used for different situations can be very helpful in saving space. For example, packing pajamas that can also be used to lounge in or work out in is a great way to save space. I often pack a few comfortable tank tops and shorts or leggings that I could sleep or workout in and use them for both instances. I also pack a lot of earthy tones and that way all of my clothes can mix and match for different looks and outfits without overpacking. For women, a lightweight, long sarong can be used as a dress, a top, a skirt, or even a beach towel!
TIP: One item I never skimp on is underwear. This seems to be an item you can never have enough of. For women and men, we like Woolly
6. If you can, wash your clothes.
If you are staying at an Airbnb or with a friend, often times they will have a place that you can wash your clothes. It is helpful to bring a thin, small bag of some sort to put your dirty clothes in as well as a little bit of laundry soap. Sometimes I will even wash my clothes in the shower and hang them to dry. After all that is how clothes were washed before the washer and dryer were invented, right? Just old fashioned soap and warm water should do the trick.
7. Don’t overthink or overpack accessories.
I am not a big accessory person so this one is easy for me. However, if you are a big jewelry, hat, sunglass or bag person try not to over pack these items. While they may look fashionable, they are not essential. Pick out a staple hat or necklace for your trip and make sure that they go with all of your outfit options. If you do not have room in your luggage for your accessories, do not fret, often times these items are smaller and can fit in your small personal bag.
8. Roll, don’t fold.
When packing your clothes roll them instead of folding them. This easy travel packing hack will save you space in your luggage and will also keep your clothes from getting wrinkled.
TIP: If you are concerned about wrinkles and are not staying in a place with an iron or ironing board try Grandma’s Secret Wrinkle Release Spray to get rid of wrinkles on your clothes.
9. Use your shoes.
Another easy travel packing hack is to use the space in your shoes. As a general rule of thumb, I try not to pack too many shoes since they are often the most bulky items. However, the space inside your shoes is valuable real estate and should not be left unused. I tend to pack accessories, toiletries or small foldable backpacks in my shoes to utilize the space.
10. Traveling with others ? – talk about who will carry what.
If you are travelling with a friend or in a group, talk to each other ahead of time about carrying different bulky items. When I travel with my friends one of us will bring a hair dryer and another will bring a hair straightener. We never end up needing them at the same time so it works out perfectly.
TIP: There are travel-size appliances, like hair dryers. Look into these as an option if you are traveling alone and need to bring multiple appliances. I like the Conair compact hair dryer, it is not too expensive and gets the job done.
EXTRA TIP: Save space and download digital versions of your books! I put this as an extra tip only because, I will always have a paperback or hard copy of my book on hand, but for those of you that prefer digital versions this is a great way to save space!
