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I have a confession to make – I’m a chronic overpacker. What if I might need a fancy dress? Or if it gets hot during my fall trip? You name the situation, I’ve packed for it, and realized when I got home that I didn’t wear many of the items I brought.
But not so much these days—my luggage has been lost enough times that I don’t like checking it. I seem to pack the same amount of stuff for one week as I do for a long trip. What has changed?
You’re an adult – I’m not here to tell you to travel carry-on only (COO). Hopefully, these tips will help you stop overpacking—no matter how you choose to pack.
5 Helpful Tips to Avoid Overpacking
1. Pick your luggage carefully
This may sound counterintuitive, but hear me out. I fill up the space I have. If you’re like me, consider whether you want to check a bag (no judgment from me!).
Here’s what to consider:
- Material and Luggage Size
Does your specific airline have size restrictions? Weight limits? Is there an extra fee to check a bag?
Is a backpack a better option? Or a duffel? Do you prefer one big suitcase or a couple of small bags?
I’m a fan of the hard-sided suitcases, especially if they have an expandable option. Some people don’t like the clamshell opening, but I don’t mind it.
PRO TIP: If you expand your carry-on luggage, it no longer counts as a carry-on, and you will have to check your bag.
- Special Features
Spinner wheels are an absolute must. There is nothing more miserable than having to drag your bag through an airport or cobblestone street because the wheels don’t work well. Level8 luggage has the smoothest wheels I’ve experienced.
A TSA lock is a nice bonus since I always misplace my locks. Mesh panels inside the bag help keep my stuff from falling out when I open the clamshell suitcase. A few zippered pockets help keep things within easy reach.
Maximizing inner space means I opt for luggage like Level8’s Voyageur, with telescoping handles along the sides. A suitcase with an outside pocket cuts into your inner space – put items that are easily accessible in your personal item instead. And while charging ports are tempting, they can be a pain if you end up having to check the bag.
The right suitcase (or bag) will make your travel that more enjoyable. It means getting on and off trains is easy. And it adapts to your needs if you have an injury or get sick while traveling and can’t carry a bag.
2. Plan your activities
I love exploring cities by taking walking tours, so my most important item is a pair of comfortable walking shoes. I usually pack three pairs of shoes: a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of flats, and a pair of sandals. Depending on the destination, the sandals might be water shoes, or something I can wear in the hotel room, or a pair that looks cute with a dress.
Will you be hiking? Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure in Iceland in January? Soaking in the thermal baths in Budapest? Each activity requires you to pack things specific to the activity.
If you’re on a cruise or attending a wedding, is there a formal night to plan for? That clothing item is likely going to take up a lot of space, so you’ll have to adjust the rest of your clothes.
Don’t bring bulky items like beach towels—either your resort or your tour operator will have them, or you can buy them locally.
I’m not going to pay baggage fees to have items “just in case.” A lovely pair of pants will work well if you end up going to something fancy, like a last-minute decision to attend the ballet in Riga, Latvia.
3. Weather Woes
Since off-season travel is cheaper, that’s when I travel. Sure, you’ve added your destination to your weather app and have been monitoring it. You’ve looked at the historical temperature data for your city.
But you get there, and it rains nonstop. Or a heat wave hits Europe unexpectedly. You visit Iceland in January and discover that the inside spaces are overwhelmingly hot.
So while you don’t need to pack the kitchen sink, always add a windbreaker or rain jacket (so you don’t have to hold an umbrella) and a t-shirt. Pack layers to have the most versatile wardrobe.
If you’re traveling to a winter destination, your winter coat will feature in your photos, so don’t worry too much about whether you have the right outfit underneath.
4. Stick to your personal style
If you wear dresses all the time, packing separates will feel inauthentic. You should pack clothes that make you happy and comfortable. Whether you stick to a neutral color palette or pick wild color schemes, pack for yourself —not some packing list you found on the internet.
You’ll find lots of packing tips on the internet — using a capsule wardrobe, or a personal uniform, or a 3×3 packing method. But unless your personal style can fit those rules, you won’t be happy.
Since I love a monochromatic look, I can create different outfits from a couple of pairs of pants with matching tops.
5. Discover YOUR rules
Do you wear your bulkier items on travel days? Do you limit the pairs of shoes you bring? Many of us have these built-in rules without even realizing it.
Do you pack several pairs of underwear for each day? Or are you okay washing them in the sink at night? Are you alright wearing a shirt more than once? What will you do with your dirty laundry? If I travel for more than a week, I plan on staying somewhere with easy access to laundry facilities or an affordable laundry service.
Over the years, I’ve significantly reduced my tendency to overpack. I don’t wait until the last minute to pack, because I end up throwing things in without much thought. I use packing cubes at times, but not always. Practice filling your bag in different ways to find which method gives you the most extra space.
Do I still overpack?
Absolutely, especially on road trips when there are no restrictions other than what fits in my trunk. For me, this means violating my three-pairs-of-shoes rule.
I still struggle with packing toiletries. I stopped bringing an entire makeup bag. I tried replacing my liquid items with solids (like lotion) and absolutely hated it, so I went back to my favorites. I decant full-sized products into small containers, but I still pack too many small items.
Final Thoughts on Tips to Avoid Overpacking
Don’t overthink it! Consider luggage restrictions as an opportunity to abandon some of the habits that have led to overpacking. An overpacked suitcase tends to be heavy, and you don’t want to drag that around.
Here’s the truth about packing: if you’ve forgotten something, chances are that you can buy local products that will do the same thing. Leave unnecessary items at home.
I hope these tips have helped you rethink how to avoid, or at least reduce, overpacking for your next trip. Let me know!
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Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.