TRAVEL ADVICE: Packing Light

The importance of packing light on a long trip cannot be overemphasized, and although this may seem easy, it can be surprisingly difficult to pack effectively. Use this short post as a guide on your next long trip. 

The first time I travelled internationally, I found the whole "packing" thing very confusing. Figuring out what to bring on a trip was a complete nightmare.

Me packing on a trip to Maui: 
Let’s start with the bare essentials: iPod, toothbrush, a couple of extra pairs of shoes, my WiFi modem, a glue stick in case I need to glue stuff, the surfboard can go carry on, some cutlery in case it’s not provided, and my dishwasher to wash the cutlery. Oh and clothes. And a swimsuit. And toothpaste because what use is a toothbrush without toothpaste. Of course I gotta fit in with the locals so I should bring my flower lei. Made from good quality plastic flowers! This is getting to be a lot of stuff. So I go onto one of those travel advice forums. “Pack items for every situation.” Well, done that. “Consider any unexpected locations or conditions.” Hmm. Maybe the laundry machine should come along too... 

Luckily, I've gotten a little better at packing (and also a little less random). Here are some tips for travelling light that you might find useful on your next trip. Some of it's pretty obvious, but I hope it at least helps a little.

Hand-to-makeup-bag comparison
(or at least how big it should be).

1) Never check your baggage. A good limit is 20 pounds in a 9" x 22" x 14" carry-on-size bag (it'll fit in your airplane's overhead bin). For many people who haven't travelled much, this is a radical concept: "What? That's the size of my makeup bag!" But besides being more expensive, checking baggage will make it more likely to get broken, lost or stolen. With a smaller bag, last-minute changes in hotel and flight plans become simpler. You can have access to your bag at all times, and when you arrive you can charge past all the annoyed people waiting for their checked bag...that may have just got put on the wrong plane to Mongolia. 

This is what I mean by
"small day bag".

2) Packing light isn't just about saving time or money-- it's also about your travelling lifestyle. Too much luggage marks you as a typical tourist, and you'll walk with it more than you think. Before flying to Europe, give yourself a test. Pack up completely, go into the city you live in, and practice being a tourist for an hour. If you didn't enjoy your experience, stagger home and thin out your luggage.

Corral your cables in a small pouch
so they won't strangle your speakers.

3) Bring one bag; a small day bag is optional. A large backpack or duffel bag is great because you can compress it into a small space, unlike a hard suitcase. They can fit more than you think! A very small purse or shoulder bag can be a good idea if you're going on day trips and need space for a water bottle, money, phone for selfies, etc. but this should only hold a few essentials. Don't make it into a second large bag, and only bring this if you have to. The more you bring, the more stuff you have to keep track of.

Hopefully that helped you with what bags to bring.. However, I haven't actually given you any tips on packing effectively. (This is my personal experience, so don't trust it too much.) Here we go: 

Absolutely NO hardcover books
(use eBooks when travelling).

1) Wearing is not carrying. Stuff your pockets, have on layers and a jacket. Pack your flip-flops and wear your boots. 

Rolled (top); folded (middle)
and crunched (bottom)

2) Black holes are so compact that light cannot escape their gravity. Your bag should function on a similar principle. Folded is smaller than stuffed. Folded and rolled: smaller still.
3) The value of each item increases exponentially with each function. For example, a frisbee can be strategically packed on the outside of your bag to protect breakables in addition to its international friend-making potential.  It can also be used as a cutting board, plate, bowl, fan, and a dry place to sit. A towel could be used as a changing room, a bag, a sunshade, a blanket, or even a giraffe excluder (roll lengthwise and stuff under door). 

One accessory can be great,
but notice I said one.

4) Magic of three. Three pairs of socks. Three shirts. Wash one, wear one, dry one. Choose quick-dry cotton-poly blends that handle wrinkles well. (Note: You won't need as many pants as shirts because they don't need to be washed as often. For example, if you pack 3 shirts, only bring 2 pairs of pants.)

Ditch the jewellery and hair
flowers when travelling
 (especially if you're a guy).

5) Bring clothes that work easily with your other clothes, instead of packing a different outfit for each day. It's surprising how much space you can save this way. (And when I say clothes that match, I don't mean a neon pink shirt with orange zebra stripes.)
6) Be logical. Really consider each item. Don't just ask yourself "Will I use this?" but instead, "Will I use these fins enough to feel good about hauling them over the Swiss Alps?" Think in terms of what items you can do without-- not what will be handy on your trip. 

Don't bring random clothing
that doesn't work with your
other articles, as shown above. 

7) If all else fails, buy your way out. Rather than carry a whole trip's supply of toiletries, take enough to get started and look forward to running out of toothpaste in Bulgaria. Then you have the perfect excuse to go into a Bulgarian department store, shop around, and pick up something you think might be toothpaste. And if you still can't find the item you need, ask yourself how half a billion Europeans can live without it.

Buy your way out!

Well, I hope these tips help you with packing for your next trip. Just remember that in the end, you can't travel heavy, happy and cheap. Pick two.


And don't forget to leave room for souvenirs! :)