How to pack light and smart

First thing’s first, are you packing for style or comfort and convenience? I know it’s possible to pack light while looking stylish on your trip but I believe that has more to do with fashion than actual packing. This guide is catered for those travellers striving for comfort and convenience instead of being a fashion traveller.

I have a checklist template that I use before trips which is modified depending on the destination’s climate and purpose. It shows me what I need to bring and also what I might need to buy before my trip. This could be a cost saving measure too. For example toiletries can be bought for cheaper at personal care stores than at airports or overseas.

Lay out everything on the floor before packing them in your bag. This provides an overview of everything you’re bringing. One look and you might think that you’re unnecessarily packing too much.

When you’re frantically packing at the last minute, you tend to overpack by throwing in unnecessary items.

Carry travel-sized toiletries or transfer liquids into smaller bottles – you can reuse old hotel shampoo/soap bottles or purchase a few from Muji or Daiso.

Use non-electric toothbrushes and shavers instead of their electric counterparts, as they’re smaller and require no cables and chargers!

Request from department stores’ cosmetic beauty halls for free/trial samples of perfumes, sunblock and creams.

Pack heavier items at the bottom of the bag. It would help lower the centre of gravity of the bag, making it more stable.

Roll clothes instead of folding. Unless it’s formalwear.

Use travel cubes and garment folders to compartmentalise your belongings, it would keep the bag organised and you can locate items easily.

Be picky on shoes – don’t bring too many. Bring comfortable sneakers for walking, presentable shoes for restaurants or clubs and flip-flops. Wear the bulkiest pair to the plane and pack flip-flops in hand-carry to change into inflight.

Stuff shoes with smaller articles of clothing such as undergarments, belts and socks to reduce the need of space.

Pack bulkier clothes into vacuum bags to remove air.

Bring a few pieces of thermal innerwear that you can wear throughout the trip so you can wear thinner layers over instead of many heavier coats/jackets.

Layer your clothes so you can mix-and-match and come up with new outfits with the same clothes.

Electronics – If you’re planning to work on the go, ensure that your laptop and tablets are accessible during security screenings.

Instead of a multi-power adapter, bring a multi-usb adapter if there are multiple handheld devices to be charged. Reduces the number of annoying two/three pin plug heads!

Bring a foldable/collapsable bag as most airlines allow one hand-carry and personal bag each. Good for laundry/souvenirs on your return trip.

Source Kenneth Lee - Thetravelintern.com