Traveling around the world can be fun and exciting. You get to see many beautiful and exotic places, meet all sorts of people, and experience other cultures. Today traveling can be considered a luxury for some and if you want to enjoy every minute of your vacation, you have to learn how to focus on one factor that a lot of people tend to overlook: their luggage. Packing light can make or break your vacation, since carrying a heavy bag can be a bit of a conundrum. One thing you should know about packing light is that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Oftentimes people think that packing light means only bringing very basic items of clothing. This doesn’t have to be the case.
The Secrets About Packing Light
The Basics
Before choosing which outfits to wear when you go on a European tour, you must first own luggage that is ultralight in terms of its weight. Try checking out brands that offer such luggage that also have compartments and pockets so you can fit in as many items as you can without going over the airline’s luggage requirements. For your clothes, always go for lighter fabrics. Fleece and wool are not only heavy but also take up precious space. Outerwear like jackets can also be bulky and heavy so look for brands that offer lightweight styles without compromising protection against harsh weather conditions. Shoes can be challenging since you want to bring a pair that is not only stylish but will also endure hours of walking. Sandals and ballet flats are both light but don’t provide the kind of support you need when you go on that walking tour. If you must bring a heavy-duty pair, it is advisable to use it while you travel so that the lighter pairs of shoes are in your luggage. You get plus points if you can go on vacation with just one pair of shoes!
Take Advantage of Every Bit of Space
Instead of taking books, invest in an e-book. Forego items that you feel like you can buy wherever you are going. Try to fill every corner and empty space of your luggage with whatever you can like rolled-up shirts, underwear, socks, and even toiletries.
Take Advantage Of Every Bit Of Space
A Few Days Worth of Clothing is Enough
If you intend to stay for more than a week, plan to do laundry. Buy a dryer sheet and toss in sweaty clothing. You’ll see that you won’t reach for a bottle of perfume. For a wrinkle-free outfit, bring a small bottle of wrinkle eraser product.
Mix and Match
Another secret to packing light is mix and matching outfits. For example, bring a pair of pants that will go well with any number of tops. You will find that this is a practical idea whenever you travel. If you want to bring an item of clothing but doesn’t match with others, it is best to leave it at home.
Staying Organized
One thing most seasoned travelers know is that traveling light means expert-level organization. Simply dumping your things inside a luggage bag would be foolish. Learn how to fold, roll and compress all your items in luggage and you’ll find that you can fit more items than you could ever imagine. Buy some packing cubes; these are small bags that you can fit clothes into. What’s nice about these packing cubes is that your items are grouped into similar categories — all shirts in one, all socks in one, etc.
Remember that traveling is an enriching experience and your luggage shouldn’t be an issue you need to worry about.