It happened again! I went away for a week and I seriously overpacked. It’s happened to me before (numerous times, actually!) and I know I’m not the only one. It always seems like a good idea to bring that sixth pair of shoes, third sweater and five bathing suits at the time… you know, just in case! But then you’re stuck lugging around a heavy suitcase with items you’ll never use. Normally I avoid overpacking, but not this time.
So what went wrong? I didn’t follow my own packing tips. Maybe I need to pack what I preach… (see what I did there!?)
Here are 10 Tips to Avoid Overpacking that you can use on your next trip, and I’ll definitely be sticking to these in future!
Check the weather
I always start with checking the weather of the destination I’m travelling to – before I even book the trip! There are many sites that store historical weather details and can tell you the average temperature of your destination the month you visit. A week before I leave (usually when I start packing) I check the Weather Network to see what their 14 days ahead looks like and pack accordingly.
Make a list
I always make a list of everything I want to pack. After checking the weather predictions I usually make a few edits to the list. This will help you from overpacking or underpacking for your trip.
Pick the right suitcase
Choosing the right suitcase is very important. If you’re going somewhere cold, it might be difficult to pack in a carry-on (but surely, not impossible!) so a mid-size or larger suitcase might be needed. Once you pick your size you can reference your list again to see if you need to cut anything else to save space.
Keep accessories small
Try to limit the amount of accessories you bring by packing neutral items that will go with many outfits. Avoid bulky jewelry, don’t bring extra purses, limit yourself to only a few small accessories that you can mix and match.
Mix & Match
Speaking of mix and matching, pack clothing items that coordinate to create more looks. This will help save you space and make it easier to put together your outfits. It will also help you to avoid overpacking!
Leave room in your suitcase
This one is a no-brainer, but when you see that extra space, it’s only natural to want to fill it with more stuff. Try to keep 1/4 of your suitcase lightly packed or empty to save room for extra items you buy on your travels, mementos, souvenirs, duty free alcohol… you know, important things.
Pack travel sized items
When packing your toiletries remember that many hotels and resorts provide shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, bodywash and even shower caps. Try to pack in reusable travel-sized containers to save space and only bring what you need for the time you’re away. Although, if it makes sense to bring a full-sized bottle of something – do it! You can always save space another way.
Get critical
Once you’ve identified everything you want to bring, evaluate everything on your list/in your pile and make some cuts to avoid overpacking. Unless you know you will wear it/need it/be completely lost without don’t pack it! Make sure you have the right style so you don’t waste precious space lugging fancy heels to a casual resort (I might be speaking from experience).
Use packing cubes
Ever since purchasing my packing cubes, I will never travel without them. These are the most useful packing items that I own. Not only does it make packing easier, but they also save space, help you coordinate as you pack, and they double as dirty laundry bags as you travel. Don’t worry, most of these can also be washed.
Weigh your luggage
Finally, before locking up your suitcase, weigh it with an at-home luggage scale. If you are overpacked you can remove a few items from your suitcase before you leave for the airport saving yourself the cost of an overweight suitcase.
Summary
There you have my 10 Tips to Avoid Overpacking for your next vacation. I wish I took my own advice! But I will for future travels. Check out my Mexico packing list from my last trip.
Do you have any tips of your own to avoid overpacking your luggage? Share them in the comment section below.
17 comments
Great tips!
I usually travel with a regular backpack for trips up to 8 days in summer, 5 in winter. I don’t own any practical middle-size luggage or carry-on. That alone forces me to pack light! But I agree with everything you say. I’ve learnt to be honest with myself (“no dear, you don’t need that extra pair of jeans”).
Wow! Only a backpack is really serious. I couldn’t pack that lightly if I tried…
I totally need this, I overpack myself every single time when I travel. Nice that I found this, I will try to follow it next time when I pack.
Hopefully these tips are useful for you on your next trip!
I’ve been traveling for years and I always do the same mistake: overpacking! These are all great tips, especially making a list and leaving room in your suitcase. I never think about it and then I have never room for my souvenirs or the amazing local products that I want to buy while traveling.
Well hopefully these help the next time you need to pack!
I think that I need to print this out and tape it to my husband’s head! LOL! He is the worst for this. I am so curious about getting packing cubes. They seem like such a smart thing to use for packing and keeping things organized.
Packing cubes are fantastic. I didn’t think I’d like them at first, but now I never pack without them!
Very helpful post. Recently I came back from Iceland and I realized I had over packed. I have bought small travel pouches to keep things in place in my suitcase plus this blog. Hope I can pack better and more efficiently the next time.
Well, practice makes perfect. Now you have an excuse to travel more 🙂
I really like the idea of packing cubes and need to get some. I also try and make a list so I don’t overpack. Checking the weather is always a good idea!
Packing cubes changed how I pack – I couldn’t imagine packing without them.
My packing is always centered around my DSLR and lenses 🙂 They are the heaviest items and I always have to think whether I need to take certain lens.
Yes – it can be a hard choice to pick the right lens. I didn’t bring my camera on this trip so I was “free” in that sense.
YESSS! I always overpack, because I’m so worried about the change in the weather or if an unexpected activity came up. I will use your post as a guide next time I pack.
Awesome! Hope it’s helpful for you 🙂
Yes, you are not the only one who is guilty of overpacking. Almost in all my trips, at the end of the trip, I find I have not even worn a few clothes. Then just to justify bringing them along I often think of wearing one dress in the morning and another in the evening.
To pack right is so important. Thanks for the tips to avoid overpacking. I would like to try packing cubes in the next trip.