Overpacking is a common issue for many travellers. It may be tempting to bring everything you need for your trip, but lugging around a heavy suitcase can be inconvenient and even prevent you from fully enjoying your vacation.
Here are 10 tips from our travel community on how to stop overpacking to keep in mind when planning for your next trip:
- Plan your outfits
- Coordinate with your travel partner
- Do laundry when you travel
- Pack multipurpose shoes
- Stock up on anti-odour clothing
- Reduce the number of electronics
- Buy local when necessary
- Wear your bulkiest items on the plane
- Travel size everything
- Take your time to pack
Why you should stop overpacking
There are several reasons why you should stop overpacking. To begin with, carrying a heavy suitcase is inconvenient, especially if you are taking public transportation or walking to your hotel. Overpacking can also be costly, as many airlines charge fees for checked bags. You can save money on these fees and avoid the risk of lost luggage by packing less.
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Overpacking can also be restrictive, as you may have to leave some of your belongings in your hotel room while you go exploring. This can be inconvenient and frustrating. Packing less gives you more freedom to go out and do things without being burdened by your belongings.
Finally, overpacking is bad for the environment because it contributes to waste and consumption. You can reduce your environmental impact by packing only what you need.
You can avoid overpacking and travel more efficiently and comfortably by following these tips and being mindful of the amount of stuff you bring on your trip.
10 tips on how to stop overpacking
Plan your outfits
Plan your outfits in advance. Before packing, think about the activities you will be doing on your trip and plan out your outfits accordingly. This will help you pack only the clothes and accessories you need, and avoid overpacking items that you won’t end up wearing.
Because the weather at your destination may change unexpectedly, bring a few layers that can be added or removed as needed. A lightweight jacket or cardigan, a scarf, or a pair of leggings may be appropriate.
You should also plan your clothes and colour scheme, this can help you mix and match your clothes in order to maximize your options.
Coordinate with your travel partner
When travelling with a friend or partner, it’s critical to plan ahead of time and coordinate what each person will bring. This can assist you in avoiding overpacking and ensuring that you have everything you need for your trip.
Toiletries are one area where coordination is especially beneficial. Some items, such as toothpaste and sunscreen, are necessary for any trip, but bringing multiple copies can take up a lot of space in your luggage. Instead of each of you packing your own belongings, decide ahead of time who will bring which items. This will save space in your suitcase and keep you from buying duplicates of items you don’t really need.
Doing laundry can stop overpacking
If you’re planning a trip and looking to save space in your suitcase, consider booking a vacation rental with laundry facilities. This will allow you to do a quick wash halfway through your trip, so you can pack fewer clothes and make more room for souvenirs. Just be sure to check the listing before you book to confirm that the rental has laundry facilities.
If you don’t mind doing some hand-washing to save space in your suitcase, it’s a good idea to pack a small travel clothesline and a packet of laundry detergent. This will make it easier to wash a few items as needed during your trip. Some laundry detergent options that are easy to pack and won’t cause any issues with airport security include laundry soap sheets, which are solid and won’t spill or leak.
Alternatively, you can consider using a hotel laundry service, especially if you are travelling to a country where the exchange rate is favourable or the cost of living is low. This can be a convenient and affordable option that allows you to get your laundry washed and folded without having to do any work yourself.Do laundry when you travel.
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Pack multipurpose shoes
Packing multipurpose shoes is an excellent way to reduce overpacking and save suitcase space. Rather than packing multiple pairs of shoes for various occasions, choose shoes that can be worn in a variety of settings. This allows you to create multiple outfits with only a few pairs of shoes, rather than bringing one pair for each possible activity or event.
I like all-purpose sneakers that work for both long walks and even as a casual sneaker for evenings or mornings.
Stock up on anti-odour clothing
Look for Merino Wool, Polygiene, or silver-woven fabrics, which are all designed to inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria. This allows you to reuse clothing without having to do laundry or worry about odour.
Anti-stink clothing is made to resist odours and keep you fresh for longer periods of time. These kinds of clothes are especially useful for travellers because they allow you to pack fewer clothes and avoid doing laundry as frequently.
Reduce the number of electronics
Is it really necessary to bring your laptop, tablet, digital camera, and smartphone on your trip? These days, so many gadgets multitask that one or two should suffice. If you’re taking your laptop on a business trip, you might want to leave the tablet at home and watch movies or read e-books on your laptop. Smartphones can connect to Wi-Fi and function as laptops for Internet browsing and email—and a flexible keyboard allows you to type as if you were on a real computer.
Transfer your music to your phone and abandon your iPod. These gadgets may not appear to take up much space, but when you factor in all the various cords, they can add up.
Buy local products when you can
The well-known adage “pack less, bring more money” almost always applies. Unless you’re an expert at bartering, cash is far more useful and adaptable than physical belongings on a trip.
Have you forgotten to pack something? No need to worry; simply purchase the local version!
Shopping in new places and trying local products is an important part of the experience. With a few exceptions, you’ll often find the same items cheaper in Asia.
Wear your bulkiest items on the plane
Stiff jackets and large boots can take up a lot of luggage space, so wear them on the plane! To reduce the number of items in my carry-on, I usually wear a few layers on the plane, including a big jacket and my favourite hat.
I tend to wear my long pants and most formal shoes on the plane to make sure my suitcase has everything else I need and I can always wear my pants and shoes after I land.
Only pack travel-sized items
Why fill travel-sized bottles if you’re only staying for a week or two? Nobody says you have to fill bottles—or anything else—to the brim.
Get into the habit of only taking what you need for the duration of the trip. If you run out of something, buy some more.
Take your time to pack
Packing at the last minute ensures that you take too much. After you’ve finished packing, leave your luggage alone—preferably overnight. After the second or third packing pass, you’ll probably wonder why you thought you needed that particular item in the first place!
Stage everything on the bed or floor first before putting it in your luggage. Not only will this allow you to remove unnecessary items from your bags, but it will also provide you with a clear mental image of what you brought with you.
Did we forget anything to stop overpacking?
Is there anything in our list on how to stop overpacking that you don’t agree with or want to include in one of your tips? Leave a comment and we’ll be sure to include it in our next list.
