Packing light is one of the best ways to ensure an enjoyable trip. Not only can it keep you from having to lug around heavy suitcases and backpacks during your trip, but it can save you from having to spend extra on extra luggage along the way. In this article, we will be going over some game-changing tips on how to pack lightly for your next trip.

1. Only Bring A Carry-On Size Bag

One of the best ways to ensure that you are able to pack lightly is by giving yourself no other choice. If you bring along a hefty bag that can carry your entire wardrobe, the chances of overpacking are high. Whereas, if you are limited in space to a carry-on sized bag, you will have no choice but to pack light.

2. Think About Material When Packing

One of the easiest ways to pack lighter is by thinking about the material weight of the clothing you are packing in the first place. By opting for clothes that weigh less, you should be able to pack more. While wool is a material that can certainly help keep you warm, it is going to be fairly heavy. Therefore, you can save a lot of weight by packing lighter materials like polyester and nylon. You can even find ultralight down jackets from retailers made up of nylon and down filling which will keep you warm in even some of the coldest conditions. Likewise, choosing materials that are quick-drying will allow you to find materials that you can wash on-the-go which can limit the total number of shirts you need to bring along with you. However, when packing socks, you might want to opt for material like merino-wool because it will allow you to wear your socks on consecutive days since wool has the ability to hide odor for much longer than other sock materials.

3. Packing Cubes and Compression Bags

One of the best ways to ensure that you pack light is by utilizing packing cubes. Packing cubes will help to limit what you bring by forcing you to think about what you are bringing. Having a much more organized suitcase will keep you from overpacking certain items that you don’t need. Also, they will help because you will be able to cram more of what you need in a smaller sized bag. This will allow you to take a full-sized bag worth of clothing and toiletries in a carry-on sized bag.

4. Use Travel Bottles

When you are packing your toiletries it would be wise to consider using smaller travel bottles. Whether you buy them straight from the manufacturer or you fill your own travel-sized bottles up, you can reduce the excess weight of taking your full-size toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, face lotion, and more. By taking advantage of travel bottles, you can bring all of your oral and skincare necessities without weighing yourself down. You might also consider only bringing a small amount and purchasing the non-essentials at your travel destination.

5. Lighter Shoes

Depending on your shoe size, you might find having an extra pair of shoes is weighing you down considerably. If so, you will want to consider bringing along lighter shoes with you. There are plenty of lightweight shoe options that offer comfort and versatility to choose from. Also, you should consider bringing along versatile and multi-use shoes rather than a pair of shoes that are only suitable for specific occasions.

Overall, traveling light is one of the best ways to save yourself the hassle of having to carry heavy suitcases and bags during your travels. It is also a good way to save yourself from having to pay oversized bag fees or pay for checked luggage. It can even save you the hassle of having to deal with lost luggage. By following the tips above, you should be able to travel lightly with no issue whatsoever.