There are tons of packing methods out there and some are quite helpful, especially if you aren’t a frequent traveler. These common techniques can give you a good place to start.
However, not every method will work for every person. And the more we’ve traveled, the more we’ve learned not only about what works and what doesn’t in regards to packing but also about ourselves. Like with most things, experience is the best teacher. The more trips you take, the more you realize what works best for you and what items you actually use when you’re on the road.
With that said, we thought we would share some things we’ve learned over the past 15 years.
Making a packing list is very helpful.
We’ve said this in previous posts where we talked about packing, but making a packing list has really helped take some of the stress out of packing. You can make a list on your phone, computer or just on a piece of paper. If you start making the list a week to a month in advance (depending on the complexity of your trip) then it won’t seem as overwhelming when it is actually time to pack. And make sure to consult the list while you’re packing!
Mal- I like to separate my packing list into categories such as clothes, toiletries & electronics. This makes it easier to notice if something is missing.
You don’t have to pack carry-on only to pack “light”.
We cannot tell you how many videos we’ve seen about packing carry-on only. And in most of these videos, the focus is on minimalist packing. They seem to imply that the only way to keep from overpacking is to pack a small bag. And while there are benefits to carry-on only, there is a happy medium between a capsule wardrobe and overpacking. Packing “light” doesn’t look the same for every person. Also remember that the weight of your suitcase matters, even for a carry-on. It doesn’t necessarily matter if everything technically fits in your carry-on. If your bag weighs too much, they might make you check it anyway. This especially applies to European airlines.
Don’t feel like a failure if you can’t (or don’t want to) pack everything in a carry-on suitcase or backpack. Checking a bag is usually no more than $30 per flight and the chance of the airline losing your luggage is small. Honestly, we rarely pack carry-on only because it feels like adding an extra level of stress trying to make everything fit.
We recently did an entire post on choosing the right luggage type for you. If you’re interested in reading the entire post, you can check it out here. But basically, if you can answer these 5 questions you will have a pretty good idea on not only what you should pack, but what size luggage you will need. Where are you going? When are you going? How long are you going to be gone? How are you getting there? What will you be doing when you get there?
Don’t be discouraged if your packing method isn’t working.
Don’t feel like you need to make the inside of your suitcase look Instagram perfect, and don’t fret if what works for some doesn’t work for you. Some packing methods just don’t work for everyone. For example, one popular method is the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. This involves packing 5 shirts, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 outerwear items, and 1 of everything else (aside from socks and undies). The idea is pretty solid but keep in mind that not all clothing, despite the number of pieces you have, fits the same way in a suitcase. Bikinis and crop tops, for example, do not pack the same as tankinis and Bermuda shorts. All bodies are different and so are the clothes we prefer to wear.
If at first you don’t succeed, or you’re not happy with how things are going, try something else. Give those packing cubes a go or try a new folding technique. (Courtney prefers the rolling method for her clothes, while Mallory usually goes with a more KonMari-esque fold.) Don’t hold tight to one method if it’s just not working for you. And if you need ideas, there are plenty of blogs and vlogs out there.
You don’t have to have expensive luggage or a plethora of travel gadgets.
Let’s be real, a lot of travel blogs and vlogs are run by those who make a career out of travel. They either travel full time or spend a good portion of the year on this or that trip. But most people do not. Most of us only travel once or twice a year as a vacation, not a job. It makes sense for full time travelers to have nicer luggage and the latest and greatest travel accessories. And we’d be lying if we said we haven’t bought into some of the trends. But we’re also here to tell you that you don’t need any of those things to have a good trip. You can find good quality affordable luggage. Be on the lookout, especially around the holidays, if you have a trip planned and need luggage. You can find great deals on individual pieces and luggage sets. And make sure to always check out customer reviews.
Mal- I’ve been tempted many times by those fancy smart luggage brands, though I’ve yet to give in and actually buy any. I just can’t bring myself to spend $500 on a suitcase. My current luggage came from Walmart & Belk and none cost more than $70. I’ve taken my 24″ suitcase on many trips, plus lent it to others to take on trips, and it has held up for over 10 years. I think I paid $40 for it on Black Friday.
And as for accessories, I think we’ve all been talked into buying “must haves” that aren’t really.
Mal- I bought a travel size straightener for my hair and have used it on one trip. I usually take my regular one because it works better. And lest we talk about the travel razor (that takes up more room than a normal razor), the small rolling case I never use and the 7 day pill cases that are frankly unnecessary because I only need one.
Packing cubes are handy, but not strictly necessary. We have been using packing cubes for years now and do like them, but we’ve also learned that they are not always needed. If you like to organize your clothes by category (shirts, pants, etc.), they can be very helpful. Plus, if you purchase the compression cubes, they can help you save space. However, we’ve found that sometimes we’re better off simply folding our clothes into our suitcase, especially when using two sided luggage because one side zips up anyway. It has largely depended on what we are packing and in what bag are we packing it.
The same applies for shoe bags. These are great to keep your shoes from touching everything else in your suitcase, but a grocery bag or large Ziploc bag would work just as well.
You know you best.
We can tell you what you should or shouldn’t pack all day (we have in a couple of blogs) but, at the end of the day, you know yourself best. You know what you use when you travel and what you don’t. If you want to take hair tools, take hair tools. If you always use that workout gear, take that workout gear. By the same token, if you never do your hair on vacation or never hit the gym or the trails, save your space and leave those unused things at home. Don’t get bogged down by ‘just in case’ items. Allow yourself one or two, but don’t expect to suddenly become a new person on vacation.
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