Packing tips: how to travel light

[marose17]

Please share tips on how to travel light.

First off, I want to know if packing cubes (such as the ones by Spacepak) are really helpful.  Do they really work?

[mooncake and leaves]

i want to know too if those space cubes work. but i travel light because i hate checking in bags. on our last vacation, this is what i did:

1. thought of how many items i wanted to bring and slashed the number by half. and i really only wore half of what i brought.
2. also, i didn't bring a lot of heavy clothes anymore like jeans or cardigans and brought dresses instead.
3. wore my heaviest shoes and clothes during the flight.
4. only packed TSA-compliant toiletry kit. i only bought a refill of the sunblock but everything else, i didn't need to anymore.

[little_princess]

I'm guilty of overpacking! But when I go on long haul trips (1 month+), I limit the number of tops and jeans I bring. Usually 14 tops and 3 pairs of jeans and just wash and re-wear them. I would bring neutral colors and avoid prints so that I can still mix and match. I also try to bring just 2 pairs of shoes - sneakers and ballet flats.

[FOURever]

Sinusuot ko na yung jeans ko sa trip, and cardigan/jacket. Rubber shoes ko rin suot ko na. Then shorts na dala ko, o kaya leggings, saka dress na di ganun kakapal. At foldable shoes. Sa undies ako medyo nahihirapan kasi i usually bring a lot kesa sa kulangin. Siguro i need to invest on good bras na hindi bulky/foamy walang underwire.

Then, i don't bring my tablet basta i have camera and smartphone. Medyo mabigat kasi tablet

[dulcette]

from experience lumaki lalo luggage ko when i used packing cubes and travel organizers

what i do is i wear na my jeans and jacket sa flight -- i travel like a guy hehe hangga't di pa madumi pwede pa i-re wear ang jeans and jacket -- also isusuot ko na yung biggest shoes.

then from what i learned from my dad (a seasoned traveler for 30 years) roll yung mga clothes -- and yung mga tops na dinadala ko [textspeak!] ok lang na lukot.

usually my formula is
underwear x2 per day
bras 1x day
shirts 1x day
shorts 1x day, minus 1 (yung jeans nalang para tipid sa return flight)
jeans 1x
jacket x1
swimwear x1 (if needed)
sunglasses x1
no toiletries or towels, i just buy pagdating, yung maliliit lang
makeup, minimal
sleepwear - 1 pair per night
bag for walking around (i put my clothes inside then the bag inside my hand carry backpack)
cameras
chargers
passport organizer with all my travel docs

yun lang -- basic rule ko is if hindi na kasya sa isang backpack, magbawas ng hindi essential, pwede naman bumili sa destination.

[sosychill]

buti na lang i havent bought packing cubes yet..

dress na lang dinadala ko instead of shorts, jeans, tshirts,
i bought small containers for lotions, shower essentials etc..
i dont bring towels
makeup, must haves lang like sunblock and lipstick
no bulky wallets
for shoes, just summer shoes and slippers

[aquacharly]

For a person who travels a lot -- it is worth getting a Rimowa.  The clothes remain neatly packed & accessible.  The mesh cover with partitions neatly holds small items like underwear, make-up, etc. 

I bring samples of my skincare products, or repack in leakproof small containers.
For other daily-use items, instead of 1 medium bottle - I bring the equivalent in several small-sized bottles.  So, instead of say 1 big bottle of mouthwash. I bring 4 small versions of mouthwash.   I throw away as consumed, so I don't carry useless packaging  around.  (Same for sunblock, alcohol, mga ganon).

I nail down my clothes to 3 interchangeable sets, the LBD/pants-suit, 2 super big scarves, or 2 long mufflers -- jacket, a coat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bras, 4 panties, 3 undershirt tanks, 4 socks, pair of leggings, a hat.  2 short nightgowns.   All fit into the biggest sized carry-on.

So, for Warm Weather Destinations:  a mini skirt, jeans, shorts with 3 tops & LBD & Uniqlo's  Airish tanks -  all washable in the shower, dry & wear. 
A cotton Givenchy super big scarf (double duties as a skirt over shorts/mini for attire-strict places). An Hermes silk very large scarf to dress up my attire for chichi restos/dinners.  I wear my Lanvin sneakers everywhere, & have dressy flats to alternate.  Big floppy hat to stick in bag. 

For Chilly/Cold Weather Destinations:  2 jeans, 1 slacks & 3 tops.  Uniqlo thermal tanks & leggings.  A dressy suit top with matching pants.  My Moncler jacket & coat. Add:  cashmere cardigan, cashmere pull-over, leather gloves.  Long wool mufflers, instead of scarves.  A furry hat.
Ankle boots or rubber shoes (depends on itinerary, or if with kids) & knee high boots. Definitely, broken-in boots.

Do not scatter your other stuff in your hubby's/kids' suitcases --   You may be traveling with unnecessary stuff if you don't discipline yourself to your own suitcase. 

[ohcmon]

- Don't bring an extra set of footwear if you could help it, or kung kailangan talaga, isa lang then wear the heavier pair on your flight. Shoes take up a lot of space.

- Plan your outfits in advance so you don't overpack. If needed, have your clothes laundried or do the washing yourself. 'Yung mga extra extra clothes and undies that we bring, usually hindi naman talaga nagagamit 'yan. Dresses are also better to bring as these are more lightweight, plus isang piraso lang then you're good to go.

- I don't pack towels and toiletries with me since these can be bought anywhere, or the hotel provides them for you.

- I always think of the shopping I'll be doing in my destination so I won't be tempted to overpack.

I went on a 10-day trip sa Vis-Min and survived with just a big duffel bag. This saved me a lot of time sa pagkuha pa lang ng luggage sa carousel etc.,  plus I didn't need to pay for checked baggage. I'm a cheapskate haha.

[marose17]

For my week-long trip in Bali, I got the shoe bags and packing cubes from Beabi.  It worked!  Mas organized ang luggage ko.

Now, I really want to get those Spacepak packing cubes.

[artegirl]

for me, packing cubes are a must as it keeps my luggage organized.  I am also able to maximize space

1 thing I learned, pag long vacation, I only pack clothes enough for 1 week.  Self service laundry na lang sa destination.  I also bring travel clothesline, para I can wash my underwear sa hotel bathroom

the shampoo and conditioner, I only bring sachets not the full size bottle. 

I also bring vacuum packs.  good for packing bulky items like down jacket.  also pag pauwi na, I vacuum pack my dirty clothes, para I can have extra luggage space for purchases

[lonelymiss28]

I pack light when I travel. What I do is make sure na to check out muna yung pupuntahan naming lugar like may washer/dryer etc so I could wash my clothes every other day so that I know ilang dadalhin kong damit. Depende rin sa pupuntahan mong lugar like pag mainit ang lugar bring mga tank top and shorts, and lots of bikini. pag malamig naman isuot mo na or hand carry mo na yung coat mo, cardigan etc. about toiletries naman bring yung lang gagamitin mo agad-agad like toothbrush/toothpast, yung mga lotion, shampoo, conditioner etc bilhin mo na lang sa pupuntahan mo not unless may special brand kang ginagamit na mahirap hanapin sa pupuntahan mo.