How to Pack Lighter
Packing light has many advantages such as allowing you to save money and time. Once you’ve mastered packing light, you will enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with traveling without checked baggage. Skipping the baggage check lines and the baggage claim carousel gets your trip off to a great start. Unfortunately, saying you want to pack light is easier than actually getting everything you think you need for your trip into a small suitcase. Many of us hope to be able to pack light but when we start making a pile of everything we think we need to take with us on a trip, we quickly realize that there is no way it will all fit into one small carry-on.
If you’re not convinced that packing light is for you, I recommend reading Ten Reasons to Pack Light and How to Do it. Once you’ve decided that you want to enjoy the benefits of packing light, you will need to make some decisions about specifically what to pack. Each and every item you add to your suitcase increases the weight and takes up space. Successfully packing light requires strict discipline and overcoming the natural urge to pack something “just in case” you might need it. Be ruthless with eliminating items until you only have what is essential and only what will comfortably fit into your small carry-on. Don’t overstuff your suitcase when packing to leave home; it will be a hassle to repack at the end of your trip, and if you do buy some souvenirs, it will be difficult to fit them in. Follow the guidelines below to select what you should bring with you to help accomplish your goal of packing light.
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Clothing Choices for Packing Light
The type and amount of clothes you choose to pack for travel can make a difference in the size of a suitcase or backpack you need to carry around on your trip.
Undergarments
Let’s start with the basics – underwear. Most people feel it is a necessity. Even if you choose to go commando in your daily life, you might want to consider wearing underwear while traveling, especially if you are hoping to wear the same pair of pants for more than one day. A fresh pair of underpants for each day of travel is hygenic. Comfortable, moisture-wicking underwear is essential for long, active days on the road. To keep your suitcase as light and small as possible bring only two or three pairs of quick drying underwear. Every other evening, before bed, quickly wash two pairs of underpants in the sink. Hang to dry and repeat as needed throughout your trip. I especially like lightweight, quick-dry underwear for this purpose. Look for quick-drying underwear that can be washed and dried overnight in your hotel room – sorry, but 100% cotton does not fit the bill here; it takes too long to dry. We were recently offered a chance to try Shinesty brand underwear. The bold, fun prints come in matching his/ her combinations. Sizes range from XS to XXL.
We were happy with the performance of the Shinesty underpants; they were lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, stretchy, and quite comfortable. The women’s underwear is a seamless, laser-cut, raw edge style resulting in no VPL. The men’s boxers are made of silky soft Micromodal for moisture-wicking all-day comfort. Best of all, on a recent trip, they both quickly dried when washed and hung to dry, making these a great choice for travel. Check out the fun print and color options from Shinesty. Use the code 10OFFTHEPRIME for 10% off your first order.
For women: Wear one bra and pack one bra. For hot, humid destinations, consider packing lightweight bra liners to keep your bra fresh for several days of wear. The bra liners take up less space than a full brassiere and can be quickly washed in the sink and hung to dry.
These are my favorite: Wick ‘em moisture wicking bra liner.
Outfits
Now that you’ve got your foundation garments in place, choose your clothing for the trip around a coordinating color grouping theme. Packing with a simple color palette in mind will allow you to mix and match tops and bottoms to create different outfits for each day of your trip without bringing your entire closet. If something cannot be worn in at least two different outfits, it does not make the cut and would most likely be a waste of space. Packing in a color-coordinated way also helps you keep the shoes to a minimum. I often pack with a black/white/grey color scheme. Black pants, black and white or grey tops, and a few different lightweight scarves to add a pop of color. If I’m not feeling the black theme, I often go with a shades-of-blue theme. Blue jeans, tops of various blues and greys and a scarf with blues and whites will complete my packing and ensure that I have outfit choices that are flexible and can last the length of my trip.
I’d heard a lot of good things about 100% merino wool shirts but I had a hard time believing they would not be itchy – I was pleasantly surprised. A high-quality 100% merino wool shirt is soft, smooth, and not itchy at all. These shirts can be worn several times before washing because the naturally antimicrobial wool fibers resist odors. They are easy to hand wash and dry quickly in a hotel room. But, best of all, they take up less space when packing. Take a look at this photo. On the left is a Woolx 100% merino wool v-neck t-shirt. On the right is a 100% cotton v-neck t-shirt. The wool t-shirt rolls much more compactly needing less space in your suitcase. Tip: these shirts do run small. If you like a looser fit, I suggest sizing up when ordering.
Outerwear
The best way to bring a jacket is to wear it on the plane. If you do not want to do that, be sure you are not packing a big bulky coat that takes up all the room in your small suitcase. Over the last year, we’ve each added a compressible down jacket to our travel wardrobe. It packs down into a small pouch about the size of a Chipotle burrito; it is warm in cold temperatures and stays warm even if wet. We chose the Eddie Bauer Storm Down jackets, they came in handy when we went on a sunrise hot air balloon flight last year.
Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm 2.0 StormDown Jacket
For Spring and Summer travel I’ve recently invested in a lightweight, packable raincoat that served me well on my recent trip to Seattle. This jacket also packs down into a small pouch making it easy to pack and is also easy to toss into a day bag when you are not sure what the weather will be like for your day of sightseeing.
Shoes and socks
Nothing weighs down and fills up a suitcase quicker than footwear. Rule number one: wear your bulkiest shoes/boots on the plane. Pack one additional pair of shoes. Unless you are traveling for an occasion that requires specific footwear, be sure all shoes you pack can work with several outfits. Pro-tip: If your footwear needs socks, pack your tightly rolled socks inside the shoes that you are putting in the suitcase. This will utilize the empty space in the shoes, and the socks will help keep the shoes from being crushed.
Toiletries
Keep your toiletries minimal. Small travel sizes work for short trips. For longer trips, consider buying or borrowing what you will need at your destination. Most upscale hotels have all the basics, and some even offer an “in case you forgot it” selection of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, etc. If you have a favorite cream or lotion that you really cannot live without don’t pack the full-size bottle. Invest in small, travel-sized tubes and jars to transfer a small amount for your trip. Remember, if you are flying, your liquids and gels need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) and fit in one quart-sized clear bag.
Electronics
I recommend packing your electronics into your one personal item carry-on and not your carry-on suitcase just in case your airplane is full and you are required to gate check your bag at the last minute. Read more tips on What to Pack in Your Extra Carry-on Bag and suggestions for keeping it all organized. To keep your packed electronics as light as possible, take as few chargers/charging cables as you can. A multi-purpose charging cable that has a connected adapter for both micro-USB and lightning cable can serve double-duty by charging both your micro-USB devices and your Apple products. This allows me to use the same cord to charge both my iPhone and my portable power block that uses a micro-USB cable. This cable also works for charging my Kindle as well as my iPad – very efficient little cable.
Choosing Your Suitcase
The weight of your empty suitcase will make a difference – the lighter the better. Read How to Choose the Best Carry-on Suitcase. If you need a great carry-on sized suitcase, I love the Minima by Chester. Visit their website and use the code EXPLORE during checkout for a 10% discount on your order. You don’t have to take my word for it, Chester offers a 100-day trial policy on their suitcases!
Packing Your Suitcase
Once you’ve decided what to pack, read this post for tips on how to efficiently pack your clothing in your suitcase to maximize the amount of clothing you can fit into one small carry-on. Spoiler alert: roll your clothes and use packing cubes. Choose a set of packing cubes that fit your chosen carry-on perfectly to maximize space usage.
If you need a list to help you remember what to pack, subscribe to my blog and I will send you a free printable, packing list!
What are your favorite items of clothing you always pack for travel?
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49 Comments
Nitin Singhal
Great packing tips. I always struggle to pack light even when I go on less than a week trip. I will try some of these tips for my next vacation
Sheila
Good luck, Nitin. It gets easier with practice.
Dawnmarie
We almost always overpack. I pack a bunch of just in case items. Thankfully, we drive most places, so space is not an issue.
Sheila
Those just in case items can really start to pile up! I do admit when we travel by car I tend to pack more.
Natasha
Minimalist packing is so important! I wrote a guide to minimalist packing on my blog too! Less is more.
Sheila
Yes, it makes the trip easier with less to drag around. I keep working to go smaller and lighter in all my packing. Thanks for reading!
Jennifer |Me and My Traveling Hat
Great suggestions. Every time I see people roll their clothes I think of my mom, she taught us this many years ago when we’d pack for trips.
Sheila
Sounds like your mom had good advice! Once I started rolling my clothes I was amazed at how much I could fit in the suitcase.
April Key C. Rode
What a great read and you are so right about this. I used this method during our 3 Asian trips last 2014. It works that way, and it allows me to buy some clothes in the country I am visiting and a souvenir. I washed the clothes and dried them right after I used them. The panty I brought 2 total in the case have a problem with water. Lol, I enjoyed reading them, Sheila.
Sheila
Thanks for reading, April. Sounds like you have packing light all worked out. I agree, if you don’t bring as much with you then you have some wiggle room for doing some fun shopping along the way.
The Holidaymaker
I can definitely learn a couple of tricks from this post as I am not the most efficient packer. I have recently done the same colour scheme, as you have suggested so that you have mix and match options.
Sheila
Two options: Baby step it and start taking less and less with each trip or cold turkey and only bring what you can fit into your small carry-on suitcase or backpack on your next trip. You might be surprised how much you like traveling without so much luggage. Happy travels!
anshul
I Always carry a bunch of t shirt, jeans and anything necessary and arrange them in such a way that they don’t take much space. But thanks for your tips, it was really helpful
Sheila
Glad you have a system that works well for you!
Sarah
Great packing tips! We love using packing cubes as not only does it save on space they are so great for keeping clothes organised. Definitely agree with packable down jackets too as they pack down great but keep you so warm!
Louise
I always pack too much. Always! But I keep I trying. Packing cubes are awesome but I’d never heard of bra liners before. That’s a great idea for hot countries. Will have to give them a go 😊
Sheila
Give the liners a try, for those hot, humid places they can be a game changer!
Pam
Very good tips! I’m a pretty good packer but I have to admit it’s much easier to pack lightly in the summer versus winter. Summer clothes and shoes are much smaller!
Sheila
Excellent point Pam. I think I do most of my traveling either during the summer or to warmer destinations so other than the packable down jacket I don’t need to bring much heavy clothing. Winter travel would definitely be more of a challenge with heavy sweaters and more long pants or boots.
jen
This was a fun breakdown! Well done! Those undergarments cracked me up!!!
Sheila
Did you check out their website!? They have some really wild prints. The orange and teal striped pairs that they sent us as samples was the most tame option!
Tricia Snow
I really need these packing tips! I just can’t seem to get it together. I feel like I will never have enough options! Thanks!
Sheila
Good luck! I think it helps that I am not too fashion conscious. If you are someone who really likes to dress up it is probably more difficult to travel with fewer clothing choices.
Lisa
Good tips!
Sheila
Thanks!
Lee Anne
Love this! I am a happy, light packer as well! The packing cubes were a game changer for me. This is all wonderful advice!! Thanks for sharing.
Sheila
I love how the packing cubes help me stay organized at my destinations as well. It is so easy to take a packing cube out of the suitcase and right into the dresser drawer at the hotel. At night I choose an outfit for the next day and hang it in the hotel closet – generally any wrinkling is gone by the morning.
Kristin
Thanks for the tips!
Sheila
Thanks for reading
Sarah
Great packing tips! We love using packing cubes as not only does it save on space they are so great for keeping clothes organised. Definitely agree with packable down jackets too as they pack down great but keep you so warm!
Sheila
I was surprised at how often the packable down jackets come in handy. Coming from Arizona, we often think the weather is cold when we arrive in different places and we’ve been thankful to have our down coats.
kmf
Always love good packing tips as I have packing anxiety. Will definitely try some of these recommended products. To help avoid taking too many shoes or boots, I tend to pack only one color of clothes (eg, black).
Sheila
I agree, packing with one color scheme can help cut down on the number of pairs of shoes and boots needed.
Linda
Very good packing tips. I’ll try some for my next trip.
Sheila
Happy travels! Hope the tips are helpful to you.
Hera
Love my Chester bag! Great tips about packing lighter. I enjoyed not checking in bags our last trip. Any tips help, thanks!
Sheila
Thanks for reading Hera. Isn’t a Chester suitcase the best! I love how easily it rolls.
Lori Nielsen
I pack pretty light, but I have never tried a wool shirt. Amazing how small it is!
Sheila
I was pleasantly surprised by the wool shirts-for some reason when I heard wool I always thought of scratchy sweaters. Incredible that high-quality merino wool has a soft, cotton-like feel.
Keagan
Some great ideas on packing light have to try them out.
Sheila
Hope the tips help you pack light.
Julie Gazdecki
The rolling clothes is a great tip!! I did this and fit so much more in this past summer!
Sheila
I honestly don’t understand why rolling allows more to fit than packing folded clothes but it certainly does.
Stacey Billingsley
Great tips! I want to try the wool shirt. It sounds so comfortable. I’ve gotten a little better at packing light, but I also want to be prepared for anything at the same time. It’s a hard habit to break!
Sheila
I agree it is a hard habit to break. I always like to “be prepared” so it is easy for me to fall into the trap of bringing a lot of just in case items. The way I broke that habit was to tell myself I can probably buy anything I absolutely need if I didn’t pack it. 99% of the time I end up not needing the just in case items and if I do need some thing it is a good excuse to go shopping!
Missy
I like to pack a swimsuit. It comes in handy when camping and you want to shower off in a stream. 🙂
Sheila
Good idea!
Jen
Once you go lighter, you never want to go back to any other way. Thanks for the tips and the message =)
Sheila
So true!