Packing mistakes

The only thing worse than dragging your luggage through the airport is packing it! Whether you pack days in advance or wait until the last minute, packing your bags isn’t exactly the most enjoyable thing in the world. In fact, it can be quite stress-inducing as you worry about everything you may have forgotten to include.

And while we can’t ensure you remember your toothpaste and socks, we can help you avoid some of the biggest packing mistakes travelers make.

5 Packing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Overpacking

We know, we know…overpacking is one of the most obvious packing mistakes! When it’s time to start packing your luggage for your trip, consider a few things to avoid overpacking. Firstly, plan out your outfits for each day. Not only will this limit unnecessary clothing being packed, but it will also make getting ready a whole lot easier when you’re finally at your destination. Secondly, if you’re extra-limited on suitcase room, pack neutral colors. In other words, pack clothing that can be paired in several combinations. Yes, this may mean re-wearing a shirt here or a pair of pants there. But, doing so could save you several hundred dollars in overweight baggage fees.

2. Limit the backups

If you’re like us, you pack extra outfits to account for any possible disaster, whether it’s a red wine spill, falling in a puddle – you name it! But in all likelihood, accidents like these are probably not going to happen, despite your packing brain telling you otherwise. Consider limiting your backup outfits to one or two – rather than a backup outfit for each day of your weeklong getaway.

3. Leave the shoes at home

Stick. To. Basics. We can’t say it enough, especially when it comes time to pick out your shoes. Depending on the temperature at your destination, one pair of sandals, one pair of tennis shoes, and one pair of dressier shoes are typically the only three you’ll need on your trip.

4. Pack liquids securely

Just because you’re limited to small amounts of shampoo and conditioner when flying doesn’t mean they can’t still damage your clothing! Even the smallest leak in your travel bottles can ruin the clothing inside. Ensure all of your bottles are securely closed and consider putting them in plastic bags as an added safety precaution.

5. Don’t forget the smaller items

Socks, toothbrushes, undergarments, hair ties, phone chargers – there are so many smaller items that are necessary for your trip but very easy to forget, too. To make sure nothing you need is left behind, start writing a packing list about a week before you depart for your trip. Go ahead and write down everything you need and you’ll be surprised at everything else you remember to add throughout the week. So, when it’s finally time to pack, your packing list will include everything you need to bring.