Packing for Your Next Adventure
We are OFTEN asked how we pack so light when traveling for as long as we do. Packing for your next trip doesn’t need to be overwhelming! Below are a few tips to help you pack properly for your travels.
Step 1 - Plan Ahead
Planning is the biggest key to packing properly. Have a rough idea of what you plan to do each day so you pack appropriate items for the activities you plan to participate in. We create a Google Doc for every single adventure and list our daily activities. One of us (*cough Frances cough*) lives for a Google Doc and literally goes day-by-day with what they want to wear. As crazy as it seems, you begin to notice a handful of items that you’re only planning to wear for one day and it severely streamlines your luggage.
Step 2: Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are one of the greatest travel inventions! They’re lightweight zippered bags that allow you to keep clothing and accessories separate and organized. By limiting yourself to the size of a packing cube, you automatically eliminate excess as it just doesn’t fit. We have a set of 5 each, in various sizes, and swear by them. Brand doesn’t really matter here so we’ve listed a few options on Amazon for you convenience. You can also score these at discount stores like Marshall’s or TJ Maxx.
Step 3: Leave the Non-Essentials at Home
Non-Essentials means something different to everyone but once you start traveling, you realize how unnecessary some items are to carry with you. For us, those items are:
Shampoo/Conditioner - almost everywhere we go provides these items and if not, we support a local shop by picking some up
Hair Dryer/Curling Iron/Straightener - most hotels & rental homes provide a hair dryer and styling products usually don’t work outside of your country anyways so it’s best to leave those at home and master a hairstyle that works au natural.
Heavy Liquids - I have been washing my face with Burt’s Bees Exfoliating Scrub Wipes for as long as I can remember and they’re very easy to pack. I highly discourage the use of a multi-step regimen for face/hair/etc. when traveling as it’s just going to take up valuable packing space.
More Than 2 Pairs of Shoes - You really only need 2 pairs when traveling; a pair for your feet and a pair as a backup. Anything more than that just adds weight and space.
Your essential items should always be packed first. These are the items that are absolutely vital to being away from home and may include:
Medications
Camera & Batteries
Phone Charger
Passport/Visas
Step 4: Embrace Laundry
Growing up, the idea of doing laundry when traveling seemed excessive and expensive. Fast forward to today and you’ll find us constantly doing laundry on the road! This doesn’t mean sending your laundry for express same-day service at a hotel. For us, it’s usually washing items in the sink with small packages of powdered detergent. We’ve been very surprised at how many rental homes include laundry so always ask if it’s an option. Laundry can usually be done for about $10 per bag and that’s worth it to avoid lugging around extra clothes for weeks at at time.
More Packing Tips
@CHASINGEXTINCTION
