PACKING within a strict weight limit has often proved to be a difficult and costly challenge for some travellers but a little-known hack could help tourists.
A seven-day packing rule could help ensure people don’t take more than they need when jetting away.
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Travel advisor Kelly Tolliday shared several keys globetrotters can use to make sure they keep their bags as light as possible.
The expert recommended people bring no more than seven days worth of clothes with them.
This rule applies to any length of holiday, even as long as three weeks.
Other travel experts recommended hacks travellers can use to make a smaller set of clothes last even longer, according to Forbes.
Firstly, wearing Merino wool items can help reduce the smell that can be collected from re-worn or packed clothes, travel company founder Richard Campbell said.
He explained: “This stuff just doesn’t stink, so you can wear it for a few days between washes.”
Campbell also suggested people wash their clothes on their trips, rather than saving them for a large load when they get home.
He recommended always packing laundry detergent sheets to make this process easy.
Another important hack is to make sure a compact travel wardrobe is full of items you will actually like and wear.
Travellers should also be mindful of the types of clothes or items they bring away with them.
For example, people should only stick to essentials that can mix and match with other clothes and accessories, according to travel planning company founder Stefanie Lambert.
She said: “Similar to how most people only wear half of what is in their closet, it is not unusual to pack clothes that you never end up wearing.”
Stefanie also emphasised how shoes can easily be a huge issue when it comes to packing light.
The founder suggested bringing no more than two pairs, which should be a casual pair and a pair for walking or hiking.
Travel tips to avoid overpacking
- Pack Merino wool
- Wash clothes while on holiday
- Wear the same clothes
- Make sure you love your sized-down wardrobe
- Only pack essentials
- Only bring two pairs of shoes
- Use compression bags
- Bring a scarf
- Wear your heaviest items on your flight
- Write a packing list
- Never bring more than seven days’ worth of clothes
- Only pack essential liquids
- Pack smartly by rolling clothes or using packing cubes
- Bring neutral clothes
- Consider renting equipment at your location
- Use lightweight luggage
Source: Forbes
Another hack multiple travel experts have gotten behind is wearing your bulkiest or heaviest items on the plane rather than packing them.
This can include a weighty pair of shoes or winter coats.
Aside from clothes and shoes, globetrotters have also been told to keep an eye on their liquids.
Kelly Tolliday advised travellers to keep their skin and bodycare to the bare minimum to make sure they don’t overpack with heavy items.
She said: “I tend to bring liquids that I absolutely need or don’t think I’ll be able to find, and then I’ll go to a local store to pick up the rest.”
Another major tip to keeping the kilos low is using lightweight luggage and packing cubs to make the best use of space.