When it comes to packing, some of us are too careless, and end up running out of essentials, or forgetting important items that we need to buy for an inflated price while on vacation. On the other hand, some of us take the concept too far in the other direction, shoving everything but the kitchen sinks into our luggage.
While there are some obvious necessities that you should take on just about every trip, such as RFID protection sleeves, and worldwide plug adapters, there are also items that you can easily leave at home. Following, we’ve put together a list of the most common unnecessary things people take on vacation, so you can discover how to pack smart for your next adventure.
1. Toiletries
When it comes to figuring out how to pack smart, hygiene products are a good place to start. We’re all guilty of this one – bringing piles of our favorite toiletries with us on vacation when we’re well aware that the essentials are almost always provided for us in neat little bundles on the bathroom sink.
Must-have lotions and potions like face wash, after sun, and sun lotion are fine to take with you, but you can reduce the amount of space they take up by decanting them into 100ml travel containers. This is particularly beneficial if you’re flying, because it means that you can leave the pointless excess liquid weight behind.
2. Valuables
Read any article on how to pack smart and the chances are that you’ll find advice about storing your valuables in the hotel safe before you head out on the town. However, you can take this concept a step further by neglecting to bring those valuables with you in the first place. Even if your hotel room has twenty-four-hour security, there’s always a chance that you could lose your most treasured possessions, and put a huge dampener on your vacation experience.
As glamorous as sparkly necklaces and earrings might make you feel, or as sophisticated as you seem in those suave cufflinks – bringing them with you simply isn’t worth the hassle.
3. Towels
If you’re staying in a hotel room of a certain standard – basically anything above a hostel – the chances are that they’ll provide towels for you. While a dilemma might present itself in the form of beach towels, smaller travel towels can be a perfect way to tackle this issue. These micro-fiber options absorb water quickly and dry impressively fast, so you can take them with you on the move. What’s more, they’re designed to be as compact as possible, so you don’t end up searching for extra room in your already-cramped suitcase.
4. Numerous Outfits
While it might be tempting to take every new outfit you’ve just bought with you on vacation, the chances are that you won’t end up wearing them all, and instead you’ll just give yourself extra weight to contend with in your luggage. Be reasonable with your clothing choices, and maybe take one spare outfit just in case, but remember that you don’t need three different looks for every day.
