Part of having an easy travel experience on vacations is how you pack your belongings. Here are mistakes with packing to avoid for your next vacation.
Going on vacation means facing the great responsibility known as packing. We know that packing can be stressful, whether planning out what you need or worrying if you forgot something. These mistakes with packing can all go away, however, if you think smart, plan, and chill out.
If you want your vacation to be stress-free from the get-go, you’ll want to read ahead. Down below, we have several common packing mistakes we’re sure you’ll avoid. Start planning for your next best vacation with the knowledge below.
1. Overpacking
While it’s good to have a backup and pack an extra shirt or two for emergencies. Something like a three-day trip doesn’t require your entire closet. There’s no need to be packing for every situation you think might happen.
Stick to packing travel essentials and plan for what you need. Try and make a list of what you have to bring and schedule what you’re going to wear every day. Have a checklist and bring things you can wear more than once.
Stick to a basic color palette so you can easily pair and match multiple items. Three tops for every bottom is a good rule to follow. If you’re bringing jackets, pick something that matches every outfit and something light like a cardigan in case it’s hot.
2. Using the Wrong Bag
Depending on where you’re going, your bag should match the situation. The last thing you want is to be lugging around a suitcase during a hiking trip. Your container should also vary depending on what you bring.
If you’re bringing along fragile things, a hard and molded suitcase will protect whatever is inside. If you plan to bring a lot of clothes for a long trip, a fabric suitcase has more flexibility.
Bringing two bags? Don’t bring two of the same type of bag.
Carrying a backpack on both sides of your body or rolling two suitcases from each hand can be difficult. Bring a rolling suitcase for the majority of your stuff and something like a backpack or duffel bag as your carry on.
3. Not Checking the Weather
An important deciding factor of what you’re bringing to a vacation is the weather. Of course, you’ll want to bring what you like wearing. Showing up to your destination while it’s raining with a bag full of crop tops and dresses isn’t ideal, however.
Check online the predicted weather for your stay and research on the overall climate of the place. If they have high levels of humidity, you’ll want to bring things that are lighter and thinner. If there are chances of rain or snow, you’ll want to bring at least one coat with you.
If your wardrobe is completely different from what people normally wear in your destination. It might be a good idea to shop for some new, more appropriate items. This beats buying what you need there and realizing at the end of your trip that your new stuff doesn’t fit in your bags.
4. Folding Instead of Rolling
You probably know all about the roll not fold rule. With items like shirts, bottoms, light dresses, and shorts, this can save you a lot of space. It lets you fit in more items and helps you organize your things better.
However, for thicker items like sweaters and jackets, folding them is the way to go. Rolling thicker items of clothing might make them take up more space.
Fold all your big jackets and place them at the bottom of your suitcase. Then roll all the rest of your clothes and place them on top. Rolling most of your clothes also prevents folding creases and wrinkles to keep everything looking neat.
5. Waiting Until the Last Minute
As much as possible, don’t leave packing to a few hours before your trip. This not only gives you a ton more stress, but it also makes you more likely to forget something important. You also won’t have as much time to plan out what you need and might make you grab the first things you see if you’re in a rush.
Start thinking of what you want to bring ahead of time.
The shoes you’re going to pack, or the miscellaneous travel items you need are not afterthoughts when packing. Waiting till the last minute might also make you miss your flight. This is especially true considering the possibility of unexpected events happening on the way to the airport.
It’s better to be ready and relaxed when you leave your home. Have the foresight to avoid one of the biggest mistakes with packing.
6. Not Putting Your Shoes In a Bag
Shoe bags keep your branded shoes safe and snug. If you can’t bring them, a plastic bag or anything else that works will suffice. They protect the rest of your items in the bag from the dirt gathered under your shoes.
Even if your shoes are new or recently washed and cleaned, it’s still important to bring one for when you’re coming back home from the trip.
7. Bringing Large Containers of Liquids
Make sure to check the TSA guidelines in your airport for the right amount of liquids you’re allowed to bring. You don’t want to reach the airport and have them keep your favorite perfume or bottle of shampoo.
Check that they’re under 3.4 ounces or 100mL, if they aren’t, get a smaller bottle and repackage them there. It’s also a good idea to put any liquids in a plastic bag and place them into your checked bag.
8. Forgetting a Laundry Bag
Coming back from a trip, you’re bound to have some dirty clothes in your luggage. Bring a laundry bag that lets you separate these and prevent your clean clothes from getting dirty.
Choose something that can close or seal easily like a drawstring or velcro backing. Unpacking your bag when you get home also becomes easier. You can throw the dirty clothes in the washer and put away the clean ones without having to sift through them.
Avoid These Mistakes With Packing
Packing for a trip can be a stressful and frustrating process. This is especially so if you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing. We hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of mistakes with packing and how to avoid them.
If you enjoyed this article and found it helpful, don’t hesitate to read more of our guides.