Packing light has become kind of an artform for me. It feels so good to walk off a flight with everything we need right there with us. It can be a pain at times, and it definitely takes work. But the pleasure I get from walking right by all those poor suckers waiting for their bags at the baggage claim is worth every minute of our pre-planning.😝 And if that shallow reason isn’t enough to convince you to nix the checked bags, think about this: An estimated 25 million bags are lost by airlines each year. There are few things that can ruin a fun family vacation faster then lost luggage. Plus, less luggage equals less things to keep up with and equals less stress. Here are my top 5 tips for packing light:
1. Cinch, Cinch, Cinch
Your luggage matters. You need luggage that allows you to cinch down your cloths as tightly as possible. And not just your carry-on suitcase. Invest in a travel backpack. We love the Osprey Farpoints. When it was just the two of us, we got by with only two of these bad boys and no suitcases at all. I used the 40 and Jason carried the 55 with the detachable day-pack. Now that we always have one back covered in a diaper bag, we only take the 40. These packs aren’t like your typical hiking backpack. They open like a suitcase, making finding things so much easier. And yeah, they cinch, boy do they cinch. I’m always impressed with how much extra souvenirs we end up finding space for while still being able to cinch down to a reasonable size for carry-on.
Osprey Packs Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack, Volcanic Grey, Medium/Large
Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack
2.Discover the miracle of packing cubes
Using packing cubes may go against your instincts. I get that. If you are trying to pack light, you should avoid packing any extra stuff, right? Not this time. If you want to follow tip #1, you need to be able to keep everything together, or cinching becomes a little useless. Plus, packing cubes keep you extra organized. You can organize each family member’s cloths in different cubes. Or if you are extra A-type, organize them by day. It’s a pro move for sure.
eBags Classic Packing Cubes for Travel
3. Wash clothes on the go
This tip definitely takes a little effort. But for us, it has always been worth it. To get the best clean, find laundry mats on the go. Or if a semi clean is ok to get you through a handful of wears, hand wash your clothes yourself in the sink or tub in your hotel. We always bring a travel clothesline, a plug for the sink, and packs of laundry detergent with us. If you plan on trying this, make sure you choose your clothing wisely. Quick dry items are best.
4. Buy on the go
This tip is especially useful for travelling with children. We always buy diapers, wipes, baby food, and snacks on the go. Here I am buying diapers in a alley market in Casablanca.
I love to shop when I travel. So, I also under pack clothes knowing that I will be buying new clothes on the go. Occasionally, I will leave clothes behind to make room for the new, but I haven’t had to do that very often.
5. Bring multi use clothing
It takes a little research, forethought, and sacrifice. But you can gain a lot by finding items of clothing you love that can cover many different situations. I have a few dresses that I easily pair with accessories for a nice dinner out while still wearing them all day in the hot sun. My favorite example of this tip, is my favorite pair of travel sandals, Ipanemas. They are made from a recyclable rubber like material making them super easy to wash off. I can wear these super comfortable sandals all day…in water, in mud, and even out to a night club. Yeah, I have to leave my favorite cute wedges at home, but they always end up killing my feet anyways. And with less shoes in my carry-on, I have more space for shopping.😉
Ipanema Stardust Women’s Sandals, Beige/Beige (8 US)
What are some of your best travel light tips? Let me know in the comments below!
