How to Pack Lightly For a Long Trip

Packing light for a long trip can be a herculean challenge, especially if you're the kind of person who takes everything and the kitchen sink with them when they travel. However, traveling light is possible and totally worth it.

With less to lug around, your journey will be more comfortable and enjoyable. Just consider some of the benefits:

1) You won't have to worry about paying baggage fees

2) Your back won't hurt

3) You’ll be able to weave through foot traffic with ease

4) You can easily keep tabs on your belongings.

So how do you do it? By bringing very little.

Whether you are traveling for two weeks or two months, the following tips will take the weight off your shoulders and lighten the load.

Make a List

If you are committed to traveling lightly, you have to be ruthless. You can't just open your wardrobe and drawers and empty their contents into your suitcase. Think long and hard about what you want to take. The more items you carry with you, the harder your journey will be. To help you plan what you should pack, ask yourself the following questions: What activities will I be doing? What is the climate where I'm heading?

Let your answers guide your packing. Making a list is an excellent way to ensure you're not filling your case with anything inessential. Only take the items you need, the must-haves and not the nice-to-haves. And only pack one week's worth of clothing. It is a lot easier to wash your clothes at your destination than carry a lot of luggage with you.

To ensure everything will fit in, roll your clothes or use packing cubes. These also help to keep everything from getting wrinkled.

Choose the Right Suitcase

Traveling light starts with the right suitcase. Choose a larger one, and you'll end up filling it. Avoid this problem by packing everything into a small, lightweight bag. This will force you to prioritize. Some suitcases are so heavy and bulky they eat up a lot of the baggage allowance and can even weigh more than the contents. Opt for a sturdy but light suitcase that contains a few compartments/pockets so you can keep organized.

Only Pack Essential Toiletries

Why bring a month's worth of supplies of deodorants, soaps and razors when you can buy them in just about every supermarket? It can be tempting to bring your entire bathroom cabinet with you, but the more stuff you have, the heavier your baggage will be. Be strong. Only pack what is really necessary. Most likely, you will be able to purchase soaps, shampoos, and conditioners at your destination. If you are bringing toiletries, leave the big bottles at home. Instead, squeeze their contents into smaller travel-sized containers and tubes.

Try to Pack Your Lightest Clothes

If you're off somewhere chilly, the tendency will be to pack wooly jumpers and heavyweight fleeces. However, you can stay just as warm by wearing layers of clothes made of thinner materials like nylon and polyester. If you can, avoid packing heavy garments and wear them on the plane instead.

Use Every Inch of Space

The best way to fit everything into one suitcase is to ensure you're making use of all the available space. For example, fill your shoes with socks, belts, underwear, swimsuits and lay the footwear heel to toe. Also, put them in a bag to protect clothes from dirt.

Limit Yourself to Three Pairs of Shoes

Yes, it is nice to have shoes for every occasion, but they take up a lot of bag space. Therefore, limit yourself to a maximum of three pairs of shoes. Bring a comfortable pair for everyday use, a nice pair for going out and a sturdy set of walking shoes/boots if hiking is a part of your holiday adventure. Save suitcase room by wearing the bulkiest shoes while you're traveling.

Leave Heavy Gadgets at Home

Think! Do you really need your laptop, tablet and camera? Can you get away with just taking your phone and a small e-reader? These days, most smartphones have just about everything you need to keep you connected and entertained, such as internet access and a high-quality camera.

A Minimalist Approach to Packing

Following a few simple and savvy tips can save you a lot of space and weight. The freedom you'll enjoy is awesome.