Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, packing efficiently can enhance your travel experience. I have broken this section down into 2 categories:
- Luggage – Backpack or suitcase? What should you look for to suit your travel needs?
- Clothing is normally the largest consumer of space. Knowing what to bring, the type of clothing to bring, and how to efficiently pack it will help you travel small and light for many days.
- Other items to consider when packing is the type of luggage, what toiletries to bring, how to optimize electronics, and what to include in your travel first aid kit.
The tips and tricks in the links above enabled me to fit 2 weeks of camping gear into a single backpack. I leveraged my Iceland packing list to determine what to include since the weather was showing temperature ranges from 28 degrees at night to 85 degrees during the day.
Here is the pre-pack. My 3 – 1/2 size Eagle Creek packing cubes and clothing stacked above is what I have included in each.
Here is the post-pack – Everything placed in a cube or pocket (if it is a jacket). Next camping trip I am going to downsize to my smaller backpack since I had so much room.
Review and Refine – After each trip, review your packing habits and identify areas for improvement. What items did you not use and should you reconsider them for your next travel adventure? What items did you wish you had on your trip?
- For example, when we go on our dive trips, we always travel with “S” hooks. They were added to our packing list after we went on a few dive trips and wished we had them to hang some of our dive gear which does not easily fit on a clothes hanger.
- The other update to make is the quantity of something you used. For example, if you planned for 2 ounces of sanitizer and only needed 1 ounce; or, if you really needed 5 sets of underwear and only brought 4.
While it is fresh in your mind, make sure to note any changes or adjustments to your packing list because you will most likely forget before you start preparing for your next trip.
Parting Packing Particulars – Traveling light is a skill that requires planning, organization, and a willingness to prioritize essentials. By choosing the right luggage, packing strategically, and embracing minimalist principles, you can have an enjoyable travel experience without losing the comforts of home. It is optimizing your resources to make the most of your journey. I hope some of my learnings and experiences will help you in shifting to traveling small and efficiently by packing smart, traveling light, and exploring the world with ease and confidence. Safe travels!
One final note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my website! – Lori