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Welcome to Day 5 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag.
Now that you have your trip style defined, your itinerary set, your luggage picked out, and packing goals written down, choosing what to add to your packing list will be so much easier.
We’ve written about nearly every packing list under the sun, from Finnish Lapland and Mount Kilimanjaro to scuba diving and traveling with kids. But for you to become your own packing expert, you’ll need to weed out what you don’t need from our lists and create one to suit you.
You’ll want to look for items that can adapt to any trip; those that can overlap in their use from one season (and situation) to the next.
Remember, a streamlined packing list means streamlined luggage (and easier travels).
The point of today’s exercise is to go through the motions of creating an “if-I-could-take-everything” list and then reviewing and minimizing it. Over the course of the 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag series, this list will get better and better, and so will your packing.
The Benefits of a Packing List
At HPL, we love a packing list, and there are so many benefits to using one.
- Organization and Efficiency: By creating a packing list and doing all the hard work beforehand, the actual packing process will be quick and easy. You’ll know exactly what you need and won’t have to stress about forgetting anything.
- Prevent Overpacking: Prioritize your essentials and leave the unnecessary items at home. Without a packing list, you may be tempted to add those extra, bulky items just in case, but your packing list will help keep you on track.
- Save Money: You’ll know exactly what you have and what you need so you can prevent panic buying the night before your trip and only buy what you really need.
- Peace of Mind: With a packing list, you know you’ve packed everything you need so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
- Reference for Future Trips: Each time you go on a trip you can learn more about what works and what doesn’t work for you while you travel. Use this information to refine your packing list when you get home so that you can create your perfect packing list.
Start with the Basics
Clothing: Take our advice here, you need less than you think you do. Prioritize items that can be worn more than once and make sure most of your pieces match so you can create multiple outfits from fewer items.
Don’t forget, you can hand wash your clothes while you travel. Here are a few basics to get you started.
A note about seasons: You may have to alter your packing list slightly if you are going to extreme weather destinations or if you’re doing certain activities. Research the weather of your destination before you go and pack according to what activities you’ll be participating in.
Cold Weather
- Coat, preferably a light one that can layer
- Hat
- Gloves
- Thermal Underwear
Warm Weather
Delicates: Several types of travel-specific underwear sit on the market today, but how many pairs (and what type) you will need to bring is up to your specific trip and travel style. We recommend 2-3 bras and 4 pairs of underwear (we’re partial to ExOfficio) to re-wash and wear.
- 2-3 bras, one black and one nude, one sports bra
- 4 pairs of underwear
- Basic camisole
Toiletries: What you bring is entirely up to you and your needs.
You may decide to leave the shampoo and conditioner at home in favor of buying it when you get there or using the free product provided at hotels (if hotels are in your trip style). You may not have any prescriptions to bring, or you may leave many of these items at home so you can go carry-on only.
We’ll be discussing this section in greater detail in future chapters, so don’t worry if you still feel overwhelmed!
Add Shoes and Versatile Accessories
Shoes: Packing shoes is one of the most difficult decisions when it comes time to create your packing list. Be realistic about what you’ll need and bring shoes that are versatile enough to go from day to night and useful for both walking around and wearing out.
We’ll be doing shoes in more detail in Day 8: Choose Your Travel Shoes.
Accessories: It’s not just the basic clothing items that make an outfit. We all know that it’s the accessories that have the power to change and emphasize a look in a pinch. This is definitely one of our secrets to staying stylish while traveling.
Tech and Gear
Tech: We rely so much on tech in our everyday lives that you may be tempted to pack it all when you go on your travels. Trust us here, pack only what you need. You don’t want to worry about keeping multiple expensive tech items safe and secure during your trip.
- Smartphone
- Camera (most smartphones take amazing photos these days so this is not a necessity unless photography is something you are passionate about)
- E-Reader, like a Kindle
- Batteries and chargers
- Flashlight or headlamps, which are more useful than you might think
- Laptop or tablet if you need it for work
Activities: Whether you’re whitewater rafting, hiking through the Alps, or taking a bike tour, pack what you need for your chosen activities.
We suggest having a read through these packing list posts for more ideas: Inca Trail, jungle trekking in Asia, trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp trek, hitchhiking Europe, Outback camping tours in Australia, trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
The Best of the Rest
Organization: A smart packer doesn’t just let everything float around in the middle of her bag. You have to pack a few organizational pieces, such as packing cubes and pouches, to put several items into one space.
Everything Else: Whatever else you add should be something that’s going to improve your trip. As you’ve seen from our One Little Thing series, it could be anything! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Take Action: Prepare Your Packing List
Now that you have all these ideas flowing through your brain, it’s time to write out your packing list. Don’t worry if this list looks obscene in size – we just want all the ideas of what you think you need to be down on paper.
Make a special section for each of the big activities you plan to partake in during the trip (hiking, climbing, scuba diving, beach lounging, camping, working out, etc.), and list out all the clothing and accessories you need for each.
Finally, find where items can overlap in purpose from each of these sections and cross off the extras. Also, be realistic regarding your packing goals (personal item only, carry-on only, 1 checked bag only, etc.) and cross off anything that seems excessive.
You have now created a more streamlined packing list, but keep this for future reference. It’s going to get even better!
What items are you crossing off your packing list? Let us know in the comments below.
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