How To Travel Light and Pack Smart

Once you’ve finally pulled the trigger on the trip of a lifetime, it’s easy to start daydreaming about upcoming excursions and reservations at raved-about restaurants. But before you begin picturing yourself at a beach bar with a beverage in hand, take a second to consider what must-have items you’ll need for your next adventure. 

With the right amount of planning, you can travel with just one carry-on bag without sacrificing style and comfortability. Here are our best-kept secrets for packing light:

If It’s Bulky, Put It On Your Body

Boarding your flight looking like an overstuffed marshmallow might not seem ideal, but wearing as many layers as possible is a surefire way to free up suitcase space. Dress in your bulkiest boots, chunkiest sweater, and puffiest coat if you’re traveling somewhere cold.

Choose Your Shoes With Care

As tempting as it is to pack shoe options from stilettos to snow boots, choosing footwear with care is an easy way to lighten the load of your luggage. Reach for versatile kicks that can be dressed up or down like The Barton for a fun weekend by the beach or The Legacy for a week of exploring. SUAVS are lightweight, packable, and designed to be worn with or without socks, making them the perfect shoes for all things adventurous.

Pick a Smart Suitcase

Great suitcases are like clown cars. They may look small, but they can fit a lot more stuff inside than meets the eye. Look into your airline or railway’s carry-on size and weight guidelines when shopping for your bag, and be sure to choose one with lots of storage compartments. 

Looking for the perfect bag? We recommend Tortuga’s Outbreaker Backpack. It combines the must-have elements of a travel backpack and a suitcase, giving you the best of both worlds. This extra-large backpack is the exact size required for carry-on during domestic flights.

Focus on Coordinated Clothing 

If all of your clothes match each other, you’ll never run out of outfit ideas! Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or jetting off to your dream vacation destination, sticking to a color palette is one of the easiest ways to pack light without sacrificing your personal style. When packing clothes, make sure you have plenty of layering pieces in neutral shades like black, white, tan, olive, and grey. 

Stick To Your Packing List

Draw up a packing list a few days before your trip, and stick to it. If you can’t figure out what to pack because you’re uncertain of what the trip may require, seek out a packing list online. Searching for terms such as “what to pack for X destination” will bring out a wealth of information, and perhaps some necessary items you hadn’t considered.

Already have your next trip planned? We hope these simple packing secrets make planning and preparations a breeze. Have any other ideas for lightening your luggage? Leave them in the comments below!