How to pack light for travel

Packing light isn’t just a skill, it’s also a mindset. Have you ever noticed it’s always the same people who take 2 suitcases and a duffle bag for their weekend holidays? Taking less with you on your travels means more freedom, less stress, a clearer mind(really), a lighter load and potentially less or no baggage fees. It opens the door to more spontaneous adventures and weekend trips without being as weighed down.

Learning how to travel light will transform the way you picture travel and will open up easier travel to you.

Why pack light?

Travelling without checked luggage saves you some money, prevents overpacking, makes moving between destinations far easier as well as making it easier to keep track of your belongings. When possible, travelling light is the best way to travel.

How to travel light

1. Lightweight luggage

Your bag is the foundation of packing light. If you are taking a suitcase, a heavy suitcase immediately eats into your allowance before you’ve even added anything. Pick a light suitcase, if you must bring a suitcase. A lightweight, cabin friendly case or bag is best.

2. Multi use clothing

A great secret to travelling light is versatility with your clothing.

Lightweight and re-usable layers like fleece pack down small and offer warmth when you need it without a lot of bulk.
Zip off trousers convert from trousers to shorts, ideal for changeable climates, which happens during airport travel, from the UK to Morocco for example.

3. Limit your footwear

Shoes are usually the bulkiest item in any bag, or at least the most awkward shape to pack. Stick to no more than three pairs at a push:

One pair of comfortable walking or hiking shoes
One pair of lightweight everyday shoes
One optional pair of sandals or evening shoes

5. Switch to solid toiletries

Liquid restrictions are often the first hurdle when travelling through an airport with carry on only. Though the rules are changing, it’s still best to swap to solid deodorant, shampoo bars, and soap bars. They can be lighter, normally last longer, wont spill in your bag and often reduce plastic waste as a bonus.

6. Stay organised - Packing cubes

Packing cubes are very convenient and really help you begin and stay organised.

Packing cubes will help you:

Separate your tops, bottoms, underwear, and toiletries
Compress clothing
Avoid rummaging through your bag
Include anti-odour technology which neutralises odour.

7. Wear your bulkiest clothes on the plane

If you’re travelling with boots, a fleece or hoodie, or a heavier jackets then wear them whilst you travel. This frees up a ton space in your bag and helps you avoid overweight luggage fees. Leave some space in the top of your bag to squeeze your fleece in if it gets too hot. Or tie it to the bag externally.

8. Do some laundry

One of the best ways to pack light is to wash as you go. Check your destination to see if they have any laundry facilities.

9. Leave extra room in your bag

When re-packing for the return trip it’s very easy to lose space. If you leave room in your bag you will have space for any souvenirs you may have picked up, and can conveniently pop in snacks, or your jackets and hoodies when you’re warm.

10. Know your destination

Packing light doesn’t mean packing unprepared. Spend time calculating what you’ll need each day. It’s all too easy to pack too much underwear. Whilst it’s good to bring extra, don’t over do it. Look at what events or excursions you’ll be on, what you’ll be doing in the evenings or if you’ll be using the pool. If you do use the pool, it might be worth asking, ‘do I need multiple sets of swimear?’.

It’s also well worth reviewing what the weather’s predicted to be as well as your environment too. For example:

Forests require layers and waterproofs.
Tropical destinations call for breathable, insect repellent clothing.
Cold climates demand insulating but lightweight layers.

11. Weigh your bag before you leave

Most airlines have strict cabin bag weight limits. If you’re close to the weight limit reconsider what’s in your case and if you could drop something. Or if you could wear an extra layer in the airport.

Learning how to pack light is a skill that improves every time you travel. It starts with being a little brave but with the right mindset, thought out clothing choices, and lightweight clothing, you can move freely and avoid stress. Finaly tip: you can always pick up anything you’ve forgotten at your destination or in the airport.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A DAY HIKE

With Autumn lurking in, we are entering the favourite hiking season! It’s time to breathe in the fresh mountain air and feel the absence of pavement underfoot.

But being unprepared when hiking can dampen spirits – not one of us likes to be caught out in the rain without a waterproof jacket or stuck walking miles with wet socks. To make sure you have the most enjoyable short or full-day hike, we’ve prepared a list of the equipment you’ll need to pack and take along with you – some essential, some optional.

And so, in this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive list of what to pack for a hike, along with some tips and advice on why. Bear in mind that every hike is different, so we’d invite you to keep an open mind and think about what, within this list, is suitable for your hike.

Hiking Checklist

What do you need to bring to a hike? There’s a long list of options depending on how long the hike is, how many days the hike is, what season it is, where you’re going, etc. What we’re going to include in our list is aimed at those shorter hikes, 12-hour hikes or less. Here is our hiking checklist:

Rucksack/Backpack – The size will vary depending on your hike length. For a short hike, a backpack should suffice.
Waterproof Jacket & Trousers – Don’t be fooled by the forecast, especially if you’re heading somewhere remote where the weather can change just like that. Over Trousers are an excellent choice if there’s only a risk of rain.
Footwear – Waterproof, a good fit, comfortable. Footwear is one of the most important pieces of gear for a hike.
Hat, gloves, scarf – These are essential any time of year, especially when heading to mountains or hills.
Walking Poles – Walking poles are great for hilly/mountainous environments. But otherwise, it is not necessary.
Torch/Headlamp – You’ll only need this for winter or late evening hikes, though I recommend bringing one regardless.
Spare clothes – These can be extra layers in cold conditions or a lifesaver if you’re caught in the rain.
Spare socks – We all know the unpleasantness of having wet socks. Which is magnified by having to walk in them for miles. Spare socks are a necessity.
Power Bank – This is particularly useful if you use a GPS tool like Google Maps, as these drain the power of your mobile rapidly.
Map & Compass – Make sure to plan your route before heading out. Take an up-to-date map of where you’re going and observe each fork in the road to determine the right path.
Food – Pack enough food for your usual meals plus a hearty snack in between each to increase your calorie intake.
Water – Don’t let yourself get dehydrated. Your body loses a lot of water on a hike, so be sure to replenish the loss.
First Aid – Bandages, scissors, blister plasters, pain killers, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergies.

Depending on the conditions and environment, you may also want to take a camera or sun cream.

How to Pack a Hiking Bag

Now that you know what to take with you, it’s time to move it all into your trusty backpack. Wondering how to pack a hiking bag in the most efficient way possible? There’s an art to maximising space and minimising time spent rummaging around for hard-to-reach accessories.

Follow these simple steps for packing a rucksack on a trek.

Line the inside of your rucksack with a dry bag for waterproof protection.
Start with packing the items you think you’re least likely to need. Put your spare clothes at the bottom of your bag – you shouldn’t need them, but they’re good for emergencies.
On top of your spare clothes, put in anything that you are likely to need but don’t need super-fast access to. This includes your snacks, optional accessories like your camera and first aid kit, and warm layers (including hat, gloves and scarf).
At the top of your bag, you’ll want anything you need quick access to. Your waterproofs should be on top – if the weather takes a nasty turn, it’s best to be prepared for quick protection.
If your rucksack has exterior pockets, use these for smaller accessories, such as your maps, sun cream, and any non-valuable personal items. Also, side pockets are a great place to keep your water bottles for easy access.

Top tip: A dry bag in your rucksack will protect your belongings from the rain and be a lifesaver if your bag falls into water. Pack your dry bag with all the belongings you need to protect, and your hiking essentials will stay dry, keeping you warm when the weather takes a turn. Check out our outdoor accessories range for hardy dry bags, rucksacks and more.

Tips For Packing A Backpack

If you think about packing a rucksack from the bottom up, you’ll be in great shape

Roll your spare clothes: it’s amazing how much space spare clothes can take up, so any way you can minimise this is a bonus.
Don’t waste space: don’t get weighed down with unnecessary accessories – only take them if you’ll use them!
Pack in the same way: once you get the knack for packing, don’t change it up, or you risk not being able to find what you’re looking for.

Happy hiking!