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20 Travel Packing Hacks Smart Travelers Do Differently

20 Travel Packing Hacks Smart Travelers Do Differently

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There’s no sugar-coating it.

Packing is a pain in the nuts.

You go over the list in your head a jillion times, but it always feels like you’re forgetting something.

You remembered your extra GoPro battery, right? Your waterproof backpack cover? Your contact solution?

After all, some things are impossible to find in other countries.

And remembering everything is only half the battle. Then there’s deciding how much (or how little) to take.

Will you freeze without that jacket? Look like a dingus wearing hiking boots to a nice restaurant? And what’s the protocol for spare undies? (Hint: better safe than sorry).

Pack too much, and you’ll be stuck hauling around a spine-crushing bag full of items you never use. Not fun.

Me carrying four large suitcases

And if that weren’t enough, you’ve still got security to worry about. How can you protect your valuables from being damaged, lost, or *gasp* stolen?

No wonder people toss and turn the night before a big trip.

I’d be lying if I said experienced travelers are immune to all this. They’re not. However, they do have some tricks for streamlining the process.

So, whether this is your first trip or your tenth, do yourself a favor. Read over these travel packing hacks, soak up the wisdom, and save yourself from having to learn the hard way.

Let’s get started…

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The Four Ingredients to Stress-Free Packing

#1 – Buy a BIGGER backpack (ignore what they say)

Some travel packing hacks you read online are rubbish. One that comes to mind is buying a small backpack that forces you to only carry the essentials.

Bad idea.

It sucks having to jigsaw your stuff into a tiny minimalist backpack day after day, bodyslamming it shut to smush everything down, hoping your zipper doesn’t snap. Talk about stress (especially when you’re in a hurry).

I hated my small bag so much I gave it away and bought a bigger one. Best decision I ever made. With my new spacious bag, packing became a breeze. There’s only one caveat.

You need self-discipline. You must resist the urge to fill up that extra space with non-essential clothes and knick-knacks.

So, enjoy your big bag—but pack as if it were small. Your spine will thank you for it.

#2 – Never travel without packing cubes

If you don’t use packing cubes, what are you doing with your life? I literally cringe when I see people digging through a backpack full of loose clothes. Do yourself (and your sanity) a favor—buy some cubes!

Travel packing done wrong—clothes dumped all over bed
Just looking at this picture stresses me out. Can you guess what I bought for her birthday?

For extra credit, use different colored cubes for each type of clothes. Need a shirt? Grab the blue cube. Shorts? The black cube. Undie-grundies? Silver one.

Isn’t organization great?

#3 – Ditch the top-loader

Top-loading backpacks are for hiking, not traveling. Imagine having to dump everything out of your bag multiple times each day because the one thing you need always seems to fall to the bottom. Uncool.

Believe it or not, packing/unpacking can actually be enjoyable —IF you have a backpack that completely unzips so you can see everything at once. (Here’s the trusty bag I use. I call her Delilah. She’s amazing.)

#4 – Double Triple check your bags for banned paraphernalia

Before your flight, triple check the airline’s restricted items list. Then triple check to make sure you remembered to remove said items from your bags. You wouldn’t want to lose a precious heirloom swiss army knife with enormous sentimental value like I did (luckily, the airport saved it for me and I went back later to recover it).

While organizing your bags, make sure carry-on essentials and high-value items are in your carry-on bag. That way, if your checked bag is lost or stolen, you’ll have your most important items with you.

Unusual Items You Don’t Realize You’ll Need…Until You Do

#5 – Axe body spray (or female equivalent)

Ever been forced to sit by someone whose foul odor you could literally taste? Those times when you try to discreetly plug your nose, but can somehow still smell it through your mouth?

Dumb and dumber gagging GIF

Yeah, I get it. On some trips, showers are scarce. You may have to re-use dirty clothes. It’s understandable. But for heaven’s sake, cover that rank with some spray!

(Note: Speaking of spray, get yourself some potent bug spray before leaving home. Skeeters suck.)

#6 – Multipurpose hairbands

I have no hair, but always make sure to pack a handful of hairbands when traveling. Why? These unbreakable rubber bands take up zero space and have many handy uses. My favorite: closing bags of food.

#7 – Travel-friendly snacks

Speaking of food, NEVER EVER hit the road without some travel-friendly snacks. It’s a recipe for disaster.

If you’re smart, you’ll even pack double snacks. Here’s why…

One weary night, I took a bus ride from Cali, Colombia down to Ecuador. It was meant to take 10 hours. Little did I know, the recent rainfall had caused a rockslide blocking the highway. I sat in that friggin bus for TWENTY-TWO hours, stuck in the middle of nowhere, somehow surviving off two measly granola bars.

Don’t be like me.

#8 – Mandatory medicine

Wanna know what’s not fun to have when there’s no bathroom nearby? Diarrhea.

And when you’re out tasting all the exotic local cuisine, it’s not a matter of if, but when. It’ll hit you when you least expect it. And trust me—you’re gonna want those anti-diarrhea pills in your daypack.

It’s also wise to always have motion sickness pills on hand (which conveniently double as sleep aids for long bus/plane/boat rides).

#9 – Carabiners

Clip ‘em to the outside of your bag. Great for carrying dirty footwear or anything else you don’t want (or can’t fit) inside your bag.

#10 – Duct tape

Another “not if, but when you’ll need it” item. Unexpected rip in your bag? Duct tape it. Cuts and blisters on a long trek? Tape ‘em up. Brother comes to visit, finds a hot Tinder date, but realizes he forgot his belt? You guessed it—duct tape to the rescue!

Using duct tape to create a makeshift belt. Always having duct tape is one of the best travel packing hacks.
Extra tip: To save space, don’t take the whole roll. Just wrap some layers around your deodorant stick.

#11 – Warm-ish clothes

No matter how hot of climate you’re going to, you’d be wise to pack one long-sleeve shirt and pants.

Here’s why:

Sun, bugs, and teeth-chatteringly cold buses.

#12 – Bottle/wine opener

I’m embarrassed to admit the number of times I’ve forgotten to pack a travel wine/bottle opener. However, it has made for some exciting bottle opening adventures. (My favorite: Put wine bottle inside a shoe, smack against the wall, and pray it doesn’t shatter—it works!).

#13 – Plastic baggies

Don’t forget these. From trash bags to grocery bags to the holy grail—the ziplock bag.

Trash bags double as waterproof backpack covers. Grocery bags are great for carrying things (I know, right?). Ziplocks have a plethora of uses: protect food, isolate gross clothes, waterproof your electronics, protect liquids from spillage, keep emergency toilet paper dry…the list goes on.

Add these to your packing list.

Secrets to Packing Exactly the Right Amount

#14 – Don’t overcomplicate things

Don’t stress yourself to death debating whether or not you’ve packed enough clothes. Just pack a little less than you think you need. If you run out, simply buy more on your trip. You’ll not only avoid overpacking, but you’ll also have an excuse (and the space) to buy a guilt-free souvenir if needed.

#15 – Be efficient AF

A wise man named Mitch once said:

Me in hammock saying "When in doubt, open your bag and take it the [beep] out."
Might wanna write that one down.
[socialpug_tweet tweet=”When in doubt, open your bag and take it the *beep* out. #travel #traveltips #hacks” display_tweet=”When in doubt, open your bag and take it the *beep* out”]

Here are his favorite travel packing hacks to save space:

  • Everything matches with everything. Get used to the same few boring solid colors.
  • Choose clothes that serve multiple purposes (comfortable for excursions, but formal enough for going out)
  • Dark clothes—they show less dirt and stains
  • Microfiber travel towel—More compact than a normal towel, dries faster, and won’t smell like wet dog
  • Books—No physical books. They’re big, heavy, and hard to find while traveling. Invest in a Kindle and you won’t regret it (For bargain hunters, I bought my used Kindle on eBay for over 50% off). The ONLY physical book allowed in your backpack should be a travel journal (here’s how to journal like a boss). All other travel books should be digital.

#16 – Don’t weigh your bags

Why? It means you packed too much. If there’s any doubt in your mind you could be over the limit, downsize.

That snorkel, mask, and flippers you might use somewhere someday? Dump ’em. Don’t be the guy who lugs everything around for 6 months, finally finds a snorkel spot, then realizes his mask cracked while traveling (Spoiler: that guy was me).

That said, if you get to the luggage counter and realize you are overweight, don’t panic. Just layer up your clothes and fill your pockets and carry-on bag with heavy stuff (I’ve never had my carry-on weighed).

Ideal, no. Effective, yes.

Note: If you’re just going on a short trip, go ahead and ignore this one. Many of these packing hacks are geared at long-term trips.

Packing Hacks T0 Keep Your Gear More Secure Than Fort Knox

#17 – Personalize your pack

A lot of travelers have the same backpacks. By modifying your bag to make it unique, you’ll avoid mix-ups. A clever way to do this is sewing on little flag patches of the countries you’ve visited. If someone tells you it’s tacky, ignore them. (Haters gonna hate.)

#18 – Load up on locks

Backpack with various locks to keep valuables safe
Tip: Buy a few extras. Bag locks tend to disappear and can be hard to find while traveling.

When living on the road, locks are your best friend (especially if you work while traveling and carry expensive gear in your portable office setup). I recommend carrying 4 types:

Zip ties

Not an actual lock, per se. But I recommend using them (instead of luggage locks) to close your zippers when flying.

Luggage locks

The benefits of using “TSA-approved” locks to secure checked bags is debatable. Supposedly, TSA personnel have special keys to open these locks to search your bag. In reality, they’ll probably just rip it off (along with your zipper). You’re better off using zip ties.

However, these small combination locks are essential for locking lockers and securing compartments of your bag (when not flying).

Keep in mind: While they do help prevent opportunity theft, they also may give aggressive thieves the impression you’re carrying something worth stealing.

Cable lock

Maybe you’re at the beach and want to take a dip. A luggage lock isn’t gonna stop someone from snatching your pack while you’re rinsing the sand from your nether-regions. Enter the cable lock. Simply secure it to something sturdy, and enjoy the water.

The Pacsafe travel safe

This is the most important (yet least used) tool you should have in your security arsenal. The Pacsafe is an impenetrable drawstring bag used to lock up your valuables. You may think it’s unnecessary since most accommodation has lockers. But it just takes one time without a locker for it to be worth it.

Travel long enough, and there will come a day when you don’t have anywhere to secure your travel laptop, camera, or other valuables. Will you leave it unprotected, hoping nobody takes it? Or will you haul everything around with you in your daypack?

With the Pacsafe, you don’t have to choose. You have security wherever you go. For me, that security is worth the price.

#19 – Secret hiding spots

One of my favorite travel packing hacks. Locks aren’t the only way to protect your goods. Smart travelers have several stashes of emergency cash hidden throughout their bags.

My favorite hiding spots are inside emptied out chapstick tubes, deodorant sticks, and Tylenol bottles—nobody’s gonna steal those. I also have secret zipper pockets sewn into the ankles of my pants. (To all you thieves reading this: I’m totally kidding, that’s definitely not where I hide my goods.)

Paranoid? Perhaps. But I rest easy knowing I have a backup stash no matter what.

Secret pants pocket for hiding valuables while traveling

#20 – Don’t travel with all valuables in your daypack (despite what they say)

On travel days, many recommend keeping all valuables in your daypack—while leaving replaceable, less important stuff in your main bag. That way, if your main bag gets lost or stolen in transit, you’ll have all your important stuff with you. It makes sense. It’s not bad advice. But there’s one caveat.

What if your daypack gets stolen?

It’s less likely, but it happens (either by force or from being careless). Now everything of value is gone. Money, credit cards, passport, phone, laptop…everything. Yikes. How’re you gonna survive?

You’re much better off leaving a spare credit card, ID, and extra cash in your main bag (Hint: in the deodorant stick)—just enough to get by in case your daypack falls into the wrong hands.

Travel Packing Hacks for the Ultimate Peace of Mind

To be honest, it’s impossible to be 100% prepared for every situation when traveling. No matter how much you plan for your trip, there’s always an element of unknown. (That’s what makes it exciting!)

However, there are quick tweaks you can make to cover your bases and minimize potential problems.

They’re really quite simple.

But the peace of mind they bring?

Outstanding.

So, if you start feeling anxious before your next adventure, you know the drill.

Don’t just throw everything in your bag and hope for the best.

Instead, review these travel packing hacks. Check them off one by one.

You’ll feel confident, calm and relaxed as your big travel day draws near.

And instead of tossing and turning the night before…

You’ll sleep like a baby.

baby falling asleep

***How’d you like the travel packing hacks post? These take me an embarrassingly long time to write (thanks, ADD). So it’d be SUPER if you clicked the buttons below to share on social media. Gracias! 🤗***


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Don't be a noob. Check out these travel packing tips to learn how to pack your bags like a pro.
19 Packing Hacks Smart Travelers Do Differently (Title Image)

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Amy

Thursday 9th of July 2020

I'm still resisting the travel cubes, but I'm a suitcase traveler, not a backpacker, so I think I can hold out for longer.

Mitch

Thursday 9th of July 2020

I can see how suitcase packing without cubes might not be quite as bad as a backpack. But I still like them because you can take them out of your suitcase and still stay organized. That way if you have other stuff in your suitcase you need to rummage around to get to, you won't even mess up your clothes. The other day I even saw some cubes that connect together and turn into a hanging close - so cool!

Mike | Hobo with a Laptop

Thursday 7th of February 2019

Another great post, good stuff Mitch.

And great calves. Working out on the road is tough, if you're into calisthenics you should write about that as well 💪

Mitch

Thursday 7th of February 2019

Haha, thanks Mike! Is it weird that I'm blushing right now? Travel fitness is definitely on my list of ideas for the future. So many things to write about, so little time!

Rosemary

Thursday 7th of February 2019

Great article! I really recommend the tip about putting everything into bags inside your luggage. I've collected a whole range of sizes over the years from a whole load of different sources: eg - from hotels that do laundry bags (the sort of cloth ones - not just a plastic bag), - when you buy a handbag or shoes/boots, sometimes they come with a soft cloth bag - household items that have come in some sort of bag - we recently acquired a biggish one when we bought a dehumidifier. It's essential to have a spare one for dirty washing. If you ever need to get something out of your luggage at the airport, you're not displaying all your dirty washing to the rest of the queue. Plus you can quickly empty your backpack/luggage to find the thing you need which is of course at the bottom, and just as quickly repack. It's particularly useful having a bag in which you keep all your spare electrical bits, like adapters for plugging in your charger, the spare batteries.

Great tips about the ways to lock stuff up Mitch!

Mitch

Thursday 7th of February 2019

Wow, Rosemary! Those are some pro tips right there! I'm sure using those cloth bags is better for the environment as well 🌳

I know on Amazon they sell a lot of wet/dry bags specifically for those purposes. I haven't tried them out yet though and didn't want to recommend anything I haven't actually used. Have you used them?

Ryan K Biddulph

Friday 1st of February 2019

I am all for #1 Mitch. This way, you are prepared to travel and need not squeeze too much into a small bag. Burned thru enough bags to learn this lesson.

Mitch

Friday 1st of February 2019

Totally! Hopefully new travelers will read this and take our word for it. Big bags for the win!

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