I have always loved to travel. I have always been obsessed with organization. Overpacking has definitely been something I am known for but trying to improve. I do feel like I am getting better with each trip. Road trips are pretty much mastered, but since I have gotten into hiking and camping I feel like a rookie again. Here are packing tips that I have found useful and hopefully your next trip will be easier.
Packing List
When I am planning a trip, I use Google Sheets for an itinerary. I create different sheets for things I’ll need for the trip. Each day is listed across the top, and each column has what I want to wear each day. I like to have my clothes laid out and planned for each day. My goal is to be organized and prepared for the trip. I am all about making the least amount of decisions in a day, so this helps me on my trip to know what I am wearing each day.
As I was researching for this post, I found that there are apps that have templates already made for hiking, camping, or weekend trips. I shouldn’t be shocked by this because there is an app for everything. I haven’t used these but I’ll be looking into them for sure. Here are some of the apps that include PackPoint, Packing Pro, and PackTeo. Let me know if this packing tip is helpful for you.
Bundle Outfits
Before the trip, I like to have everything planned and ready to go so I can be in the moment. I know this is something that I struggle with so having everything laid out ahead of time works best for me. This packing tip has helped me not to overpack. Several people have this packing tip says you should roll your clothes, but I think that takes up more space compared to laying them flat in the packing cubes. The one time I rolled outfits was when my grandpa was going on a trip with my aunts, and I bundled each day into a roll and rubberbanded the outfit. That way they could just grab the day’s outfit and get dressed. They said it worked great!
Some say to use a color scheme with packing so things can be used for multiple purposes. I think most people do this already but it popped up a lot when I researched for upcoming trips. I feel like most people know what color looks good on them. Capsule wardrobes are my favorite and I’m currently working towards creating mine for each season. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Packing Cubes
I take packing cubes on every trip because it makes it the easiest to stay organized. For trips under 4 days, I put every day in its own bag. For trips longer than 4 days, I put items together because I’ll most likely unpack when I get there. I still have my list of what I’ll wear every day, but unpacking-wise has helped and been more time efficient. If I have several things planned for the day, I’ll grab the bags and put them in my backpack to take with me. I have found bags and packing cubes make my life much easier.
Backpack
I take my backpack with me on every trip. I hate having to hold things so taking a backpack on trips makes it so much easier. When I went to Vegas for a week for a family vacation, I had my backpack and would put everything in there throughout the day. I know that I get cold easily so I would bring a sweatshirt or long sleeve with me. This way I didn’t have to buy something along the way.
Reusable Water Bottle
My preferred water bottle is Hydroflask because it keeps my drinks the coldest. When I drink water, it has to be super cold. I also like it because I know I have to drink 2 of them per day to reach my water quote. On a recent trip to Florida, I had my water bottle with me and filled it up throughout the day. It saved money on having to buy water. At most places, we ate offered to fill my bottle with ice and water for me.
Toiletries
There is so much contradiction among travelers on this one. Some say don’t bring them because most places will provide them, others say pack solid toiletries, buy when you get there (which I think can be a little expensive), or pack liquids separate from everything else. I say do what works for you. I have tried it all BUT I love having my own stuff with me. If you haven’t noticed, I am obsessed with bags and organization so everything goes its own bag. I have a bag specifically for all my makeup stuff. Another bag for my morning routine and shower. I recently got these bags from Amazon that I love for my shampoo/conditioner/body wash. Really anything liquid would work.
I have seen some people that keep a to-go bag always ready with travel-size items. I have done this before but I am currently working on downsizing things so it doesn’t make sense to have double of things. It did work really well because I knew I could grab the bag and go. I didn’t have to think about anything else.
Review
Remember what is essential to me may not be essential to you. I know I can get caught up in someone bringing this on a trip so I need to. Some things work for me that I know may not work for you. I know I am a very type-A, planner, a control freak who likes order but many of my friends are not that way so remember we all have our preferences. Either is right or wrong.
Packing for me has been a lot of trial and error. I have recently gotten into car camping and hiking and I feel like a rookie all over again with what to bring. I learn on every trip something that I could have done differently or what could have been better.
