Travel Light: Packing Tips For Holiday Adventures

Packing light for a holiday can be a challenge, but it's a skill worth mastering. Travelling with less luggage means more freedom, less hassle, and lower costs. Here are some tips to help you pack light for your next holiday:

- Plan ahead: Make a packing checklist and cut it in half. Only bring what you truly need, and consider if some items can be purchased at your destination.

- Choose versatile items: Select clothing that can be worn in multiple ways and for different occasions. For example, a sarong can be used as a towel, a skirt, or a picnic blanket.

- Pack light fabrics: Opt for lightweight, quick-drying fabrics such as silk, linen, or synthetic materials. These take up less space and are easier to wash and dry.

- Limit clothing: Aim for a week's worth of clothing and plan to do laundry during your trip. Choose items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

- Minimize toiletries: Buy toiletries at your destination or opt for solid or travel-sized versions. Only bring what you need, and remember that most hotels provide basic toiletries.

- Select the right luggage: Choose a bag that is small and light. A carry-on bag ensures your luggage stays with you, and it encourages you to pack only what you need.

- Use packing organizers: Packing cubes, compression bags, and stuff sacks help maximize space and keep your belongings organized.

- Wear bulky items: On travel days, wear your heaviest and bulkiest items, such as coats, boots, and thick jumpers.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane

Wearing your bulkiest items on the plane is a great way to save space in your luggage. This could include a winter jacket, big hiking boots, or a heavy fleece. If you're travelling to a cold climate, you can also wear multiple layers of clothing on the plane, such as a jumper, a coat, or a hat. This will help you stay warm during your flight and save space in your luggage.

Wearing your bulkiest items on the plane is especially useful if you're taking a long-haul flight or travelling during the winter months. It's also a good idea to wear comfortable clothing and shoes when flying, as this will make your journey more pleasant.

If you're travelling with hand luggage only, wearing your bulkiest items on the plane can help you comply with airline weight restrictions. Many airlines charge fees for bags that exceed certain size or weight limits, so packing light can save you money. It will also make it easier to manoeuvre through crowded spaces, speed up your journey through baggage claim, and give you more freedom to make last-minute plans.

When deciding what to wear on the plane, consider the climate of your destination and the activities you plan to do during your trip. For example, if you're going hiking, you might want to wear your hiking boots on the plane to save space in your luggage. If you're travelling to a cold climate, you could wear a down jacket or a woollen jumper.

In addition to wearing your bulkiest items on the plane, there are several other strategies you can use to pack light. These include:

• Packing versatile items that can be used for multiple purposes or in different climates.
• Limiting the number of shoes you take and wearing one pair on the plane.
• Using compression bags or packing cubes to maximise space in your luggage.
• Doing laundry during your trip instead of packing lots of changes of clothes.
• Packing neutral-coloured items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.
• Limiting the number of toiletries you take and using solid shampoo and conditioner bars instead of liquid products.

Pack versatile items

Packing versatile items is a great way to save space and travel light. Here are some tips to help you pack versatile items for your holiday:

• Plan your outfits: Try to bring clothes that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Pack neutral-coloured items and classic pieces that can be dressed up or down. This will give you more options and help you save space.
• Layer your clothes: Instead of packing a bulky sweater or jacket, layer a short-sleeve shirt with a long-sleeve top. This will give you more outfit options without adding too much weight or volume to your luggage.
• Choose lightweight and quick-drying fabrics: Look for clothes made from lightweight and breathable fabrics such as silk, nylon, polyester, cotton, linen, or merino wool. These fabrics are easier to pack and will help keep you comfortable in different climates.
• Go for versatile footwear: Bring one or two pairs of comfortable and versatile shoes that can be used for multiple activities, such as running, walking, and hiking. Wear the heaviest pair of shoes on the plane to save space in your luggage.
• Use packing cubes: Packing cubes, compression bags, or stuff sacks can help you maximise space and keep your clothes organised. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save even more space.
• Wear your bulkiest items: On travel days, wear your bulkiest items, such as a heavy coat, boots, or a chunky jumper. This will help reduce the weight and volume of your luggage.

Choose light fabrics

When packing for a holiday, choosing light fabrics is essential to ensure your luggage remains lightweight and manageable. Opting for lightweight fabrics not only makes your luggage easier to carry, but it also provides comfort and breathability during your travels. Here are some tips to help you choose the right light fabrics for your holiday:

• Go for performance fabrics: Select fabrics that are breathable, moisture-wicking, and easy to care for. Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are excellent choices as they are lightweight, durable, and quick-drying.
• Neutral colours: Neutral colours like brown, black, and khaki are versatile and can be mixed and matched easily, allowing you to pack less.
• Wrinkle resistance: Look for fabrics that are wrinkle-resistant or wrinkle-free to avoid looking creased during your travels. Fabrics like nylon, polyester, and merino wool tend to wrinkle less.
• Sun protection: If you're travelling to a sunny destination, consider fabrics with ultraviolet protection (UPF) ratings. Fabrics with a UPF of 50 block 98% of UV rays.
• Insect protection: If you're travelling to areas with insects, consider clothing treated with insecticides like permethrin. This will protect your skin from mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.
• Quick-drying fabrics: Fabrics like silk, polyester, and merino wool are quick-drying, making them ideal for travel, especially if you plan to wash your clothes during your trip.
• Wrinkle-resistant fabrics: To avoid the hassle of ironing, choose fabrics that are wrinkle-resistant, such as polyester, nylon, Lycra, and denim.
• Fabrics for warm climates: For warm and humid climates, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics like rayon, paperweight cotton, and linen. These fabrics absorb moisture and keep you cool.
• Fabrics for cold climates: For cold climates, choose insulating and moisture-wicking fabrics. Merino wool is an excellent choice as it keeps you warm and dries quickly. Synthetic fabrics like fleece and Thinsulate are also good options.

Plan to do laundry

Planning to do laundry while travelling is a great way to save space in your luggage. Here are some tips for planning to do laundry while travelling:

• Book accommodation with laundry facilities: If you're staying in a hotel, check if they offer laundry services. If you're staying in a hostel or Airbnb, check if they have laundry facilities on-site.
• Hand wash your clothes: If you're travelling with quick-drying clothes, you can hand wash them in the sink or bath. You can also buy a portable washing machine, like a Scrubba wash bag, to make hand washing easier.
• Use laundry services: If you're short on time, you can use a local laundry service or the laundry service offered by your accommodation. However, this is usually the most expensive option.
• Plan your outfits: Pack clothes that are versatile and can be worn multiple times. This will reduce the amount of laundry you need to do.
• Use packing cubes: Packing cubes can help keep your luggage organised and maximise space.

Pick the right luggage

Picking the right luggage is a key part of travelling light. The right luggage will depend on the type of travel you're doing and what you'll be doing there. If you're exploring multiple destinations or spending a lot of time on trains, buses and between hostels or hotels, a travel pack with shoulder straps is your best bet for mobility and versatility. Many travel-specific backpacks have nice compartments and features, but a traditional backpack works just as well.

If you're going on a safari or bike tour where a guiding company will be schlepping your gear, then duffel bags make good choices because they're durable and affordable. Families with young kids or travellers who won't be moving around a lot may want to consider wheeled backpacks for versatility and convenience.

When choosing luggage, think small and light. Aim for one carry-on bag if possible. That may not always be practical but challenge yourself to start small and make it fit. Resist the urge to use a bag larger than needed or you'll be tempted to fill it.

If you're carrying a travel backpack, you may find that stuff sacks fit better than rectangular packing cubes.

Before you leave, pack your bag and practice carrying it around and lifting it up and down. Too heavy? It's easier to ditch things at home. Some airlines have limits on size and weight; check specific airlines for rules and restrictions. For adventure travel where you're hiking for days, aim for about 10 per cent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, that means a 15-pound pack or less).

Frequently asked questions