However, for those who aren’t naturally light packers, switching to a streamlined pack could be a difficult transition. CTVNews.ca spoke with travel expert Jennifer Weatherhead, who says she hasn’t checked a bag at an airport in 12 years, for her tips on how to pack less for your vacation and still be prepared for anything .
KNOW YOUR FLIGHT’S BAGGAGE CARRIAGE RULES
The rules for hand luggage are not universal and depending on the flight you are taking, you may be asked to check your bag if you do not meet the airline’s rules. For example, Air Canada allows travelers to carry on carry-on luggage along with a “personal item” which can include a backpack, duffel bag, purse or shopping bag. Most airlines have measurement requirements that both carry-ons must meet. Some airlines, such as Flair, require passengers to pay to carry hand luggage, while a smaller personal item that can fit under a seat is free.
BOARD YOUR FLIGHT FIRST
Travelers should make an effort to buy tickets in sections of the plane closer to the front if they want to place their bags faster, according to Weatherhead, although those can be more expensive. Due to the limited space for hand luggage, there has been an increase in the number of cases where passengers have been asked to check their luggage. According to Weatherhead, the easiest approach to avoid this is to board the plane earlier.
YOU DON’T NEED AS MANY SHOES AS YOU THINK
Weatherhead says the number one item passengers always overpack in their luggage is shoes. Along with oversized toiletries and extra clothing that travelers will never wear. “(Shoes) don’t fit well in your suitcase and you can’t really cram things around them … so if you’re going to pack an extra pair, make sure it’s worth it,” she says. Weatherhead recommends planning each day of your trip to make sure you don’t pack clothes or products you don’t need. It’s also helpful, he says, to pack a backpack first and see if you can fit everything in there before moving on to packing.
“CUBE” YOUR ITEMS WHEN PACKING
Increasingly, the most logical way to pack seems to be to cut or “cube” your items, says Weatherhead. This could mean rolling and adding your clothes to a small cloth bag before putting them in your suitcase, or adding all your essentials to sealed reusable bags before adding them to your backpack. The idea is that this will “compress” all your items and take up less space, according to Weatherhead, and lead to a more compact packing system.
CHECK IF YOU WILL HAVE LAUNDRY SERVICES DURING YOUR TRIP
Many Airbnbs have washers and dryers, and many hotels offer or are often close to laundry services. Weatherhead recommends packing clothes that can be easily washed and reused, and keeping heavy and fancy clothing to a minimum. Choose breathable fabrics that will dry faster than cotton and take up less space in your suitcase, he says.
BREAK YOUR EVERYDAY PRODUCTS FOR MORE SPECIFIC
Toiletries always end up taking up a lot of space in your bag, and quite often, oversized bottles aren’t really necessary for any trip shorter than two weeks, says Weatherhead. Not to mention, most flights don’t allow containers that hold 100ml or more. Weatherhead recommends trying out toiletries and removing the ones you don’t use every day, along with makeup, and making sure everything can fit into a single vanity. “I think once you go in the arm, you can’t go back. You’ll just feel a lot better about having all your stuff with you,” she says. “And the more you try it, the better you’ll get at it.”
