10 Smart Packing Hacks: A Total Game-Changer For Your Next Trip (Traveling)

Packing can be exhausting for some of us ─from picking the right outfits for the trip to fitting all into one bag and yet traveling seamlessly. But I tell you today, packing doesn't have to be a battle between you and your suitcase. With a few tricks and a little planning, you can save space, time and your sanity.

Have read loads of travel hacks that suggest putting your socks in your shoes and many others. After numerous trips, overstuffed bags and one too many zipper battles, I bring to you the best, tested, tried and approved packing/traveling hacks that deserve a spot in your suitcase strategy.

1. Start with a packing list

   This helps keep you organize. Before touching your suitcase, make a list of all you need. You can categorize them, like clothes, shoes, accessories. This is the hack that beats all "oh no I forgot to pack my charger and my..."

   

2. Roll, Don't Fold

   Roll your clothes don't fold them. Rolling save space and keeps your clothes wrinkle free. Just don't roll stiff clothes, fold them neatly.

   

   
   

   Tops, try out all your clothes with accessory.

   
   

3. Packing cubes

   Life is sorted with packing cubes. You can keep same outfits in each packing cubes e.g. trousers together and keep dirty clothes from clean ones and avoid suitcase chaos. PS it saves space and compression cubes saves even more space.

   

4. Wear your heaviest items

   Wear your heaviest item on the bus, plane or boat which ever trip travel means you choose. This frees up precious luggage space. Wear those boots, jackets, chunky sweater, planes are cold anyways.

   
   

5. Stick to a color palette

   Choose 2-3 neutral colors (black, white and beige) so everything mixes and matches. Boom-fewer clothes more outfits. There you have your capsule wardrobe.

   

   
   

6. Use shoes as storage

   Stuff socks, jewelry pouches, chargers and other small clothes in your shoes. Then put each shoe in a shower cap or a bag to avoid dirtying your clothes. Another space hack

   
   

7. Mini Everything

   Take out a bit of your shampoo, cream, make-up and the likes in a smaller container, just enough for the trip. This not only safe space but also the 100ml rule drama at airport security.

   

   
   

8. Pack in Ziplock bags

   Use different sizes to pack meds, charger, organize toiletries. This saves space, easy access to items and no more leaky shampoo. Remove as much air as possible before sealing to maximize compression

   
   

9. The Rule of Three

   You only need three pairs of shoes: casual, comfy (for walking) and something dressy. Anything more is an overkill.

   
   

10. Check in with the list

    Take a minute before leaving for the airport or park to check everything on the suitcase with your list (1) to ensure you have all you need. No more forgotten items.

    

    
    
    
    

Bonus: Drop the "what if mentality" over packing usually stems from the fear of "what if it rains?", "what if I stay longer than expected?", "what if there is a surprise dinner?", what if....?. Drop all because most of these scenarios will not happen and if they do you can buy or borrow what you need or even work with what you have.

There, I have given you smart travel packing and stress-free packing hacks I swear by. With this guide, you can avoid over packing, have enough space and no longer sit on your suitcase to zip it shut and most importantly travel smart and travel light.

Let me know on the comments which is your favorite and share any travel packing hacks you have that wasn't mentioned and of course share to that friend or family member who over do it with packing.

Authored by Favour Fineman