Summer is here, which means you're probably excited about vacations in sunny beach locales.
Maybe you're planning an overseas excursion, heading out on a camping
trip or looking forward to a relaxing cruise. In all of these
situations, you are going to have to be smart about packing.
Overhead
bins are getting smaller, leg room is practically non-existent on
flights, and baggage claim seems to take forever once your flight
actually lands. What's more, after you arrive at your destination, you
might have to carry your luggage on public transportation or in a rental
car, which requires even more effort.
One easy way to alleviate
these travel headaches? Pack light. If you need some insight on how to
make the most of your suitcase space, read below for some excellent
tips:
It All Starts With the Luggage Itself
If
you haven't yet, invest in a multi-pocketed, lightweight, sleek
carry-on bag with wheels. These are easy to handle, fit into overhead
bins effortlessly, and have loads of interior space that can fit
clothes, toiletries, travel essentials and tech gadgets in one secure
spot.
One bag is much easier to keep track of than two (or more).
Airports
are busy, bustling, cramped, and fast-paced. Having a huge bag weighing
you down is going to make you exhausted once you land. A light carry-on
that is multi-functional can allow you to zip through the terminal and
make it to your destination without any major problems.
Assess Your Shoe Situation
Footwear
can take up a lot of space in a suitcase, much more so than other
wardrobe items. Oftentimes, travelers will toss six or seven pairs into
their luggage, only to realize that they only wore two or three pairs
during the trip. Before you head out, really think about what shoes
you're going to need. This can vary depending on your vacation
activities.
For instance, sturdy walking shoes will make more
sense if you plan on touring European cities on foot this summer. A pair
of amazing heels might make more sense if you are planning on hitting
the clubs in Miami or Las Vegas, while a couple pairs of sandals work
perfectly for coastal destinations full of beaches.
Pack Heavier Things First
Another
major obstacle that heavy packers face is actually lugging suitcases
through the city. Imagine hauling a 50-pound bag (even with rollers) up
the steep hills of San Francisco or through the windy, cobblestone side streets in Paris or the fast-paced streets of NYC, London, or Tokyo-- doesn't sound like much fun, huh?
Many
times, your heaviest items are going to be toiletries. Thankfully,
there are travel-size portions you can buy that also keep up with TSA
carry-on regulations. Tech gear like laptops or tablets can also become
quite heavy, so be sure to account for things like this when you're
traveling.
If you plan on working while on the road, bringing a
computer might make sense. But if you're traveling for fun, many of the
tasks and features you do on a laptop for travel (such as booking a
dinner reservation, reserving a cab, looking up public transport
options, or reading Yelp reviews) can be easily done from a smartphone.
Be Smart About Packing Clothes
Be
sure to pack clothing items that can pull double duty and be worn
several times, such as neutral tanks and tees or cardigans. One or two
pairs of well-made jeans can usually help you last throughout your trip
as well. Bringing along things that mix and match easily helps keep your
suitcase that much lighter.
While you're at it, you should make
sure to roll every clothing item in your suitcase. This way, you can
easily fit all of the essentials you need in a carry-on bag, even for up
to a week-long trip. Who has time to sit and waste precious vacation
minutes at baggage claim anyway?
There you have it! With all of these tips, you can lighten your load during summer vacation.
