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I’ve been on the road for almost a decade, seeing every corner of the globe. From tropical islands to the Arctic Circle, I’ve seen every temperature and ecosystem conceivable.
There is, however, one item that I *still* fear before each journey. Putting things away.
There are a lot of factors to consider while packing for a vacation, including as the destination, the expected weather, and any cultural or formal dress codes that you may need to adhere to. Plus, before you travel, double-check that your bags won’t weigh you down to the limit!
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My thoughts and feelings around packing…
The packing process is something I’ve seen and done it all. Trust me when I say that. I departed for New Zealand with two enormous luggage and a handful of carry-ons when I studied abroad for five months in college. As a graduate student, I traversed Southeast Asia and Europe with little more than a 45-liter bag.
From duffel bags to rolling bags, checked baggage to just carrying on, I’ve done it all. Many things, including your travel style and destination, determine what you should bring on a trip, therefore I don’t think there’s a one “correct” way to pack.
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I won’t bore you with the details of how to pack or the kind of bags you should use (but I will share my favorite bags with you). Not to mention that you may discover packing lists elsewhere.
This is more of a “what not to bring” list, consisting of items that I really believe are unnecessary for the majority of journeys.
What to leave at home while traveling
I don’t think you need to bring these twelve items.
1. Quite a few denim pairings
If you’ve ever had to wash denim while traveling, you know that it’s heavy, thick, and takes forever to dry. I would advise carrying no more than one or two pairs of jeans on a vacation and bringing along a variety of trousers and bottoms that aren’t denim.
Even though I usually only bring two pairs of trousers that look like jeans on vacation (I choose Dream Jeggings by American Eagle or Rock Star Jeggings by Old Navy), I still never go without at least one pair of pants like that.
Why? Reason being, I can get more use out of a single pair before cleaning them, yet they still take up more room than, say, a dress or a pair of (comfortable) leggings.
2. Shoe studs
Traveling in Europe, known for its uneven cobblestones, may not be the best time for women to have high heels. You generally won’t need high heels more than twice on a vacation unless you’re a renowned person attending a red carpet event; alternatively, you may get away with flats, sandals, or another multipurpose shoe.
When I travel, I normally only bring two or three pairs of shoes, and heels are seldom an absolute must.
High heels may not be necessary for your trips, even if you do not find them unpleasant.
3. Shoes that have not been broken in
And because we are discussing items that might cause foot pain… I also wouldn’t suggest just grabbing a pair of sneakers and throwing them in your bag without breaking a sweat.
Break in your new shoes at home before you go on a vacation (because, really, who among us hasn’t done it?). In this manner, you may avoid being unprepared in the event that anything rubs or slides. On your ideal vacation, the last thing you want is to struggle with blisters.
I now have a variety of “travel shoes” at home that are reliable, adaptable, and comfortable enough to be worn on a frequent basis. A pair of fancy flats, a pair of casual walking shoes, and a pair of walking sandals are the shoes that I often bring on travels when the weather is warm. When it gets chilly, I ditch the sandals for a pair of short boots.
4. Exercise equipment in case you don’t have time to exercise at home on a daily basis.
I know, I know: You get all pumped up when you see pictures of the hotel’s great fitness center or read about all the things to do at your vacation spot.
But, come on? You will not, under any circumstances, find the inspiration to hit the gym or go for a run while on vacation if you are someone who does not exercise consistently at home.
If working out is not already a regular part of your day at home, there’s no need to bring running shoes and a variety of exercise clothes.
You can probably get away with simply bringing one active suit and shoes that you can use for different portions of your vacation if you have any active activities planned, like going kayaking or horseback riding.
5. Items that could have a single use
If you’re not a frequent runner, but still want to bring running shoes, you should… do not bring any more “just in case” stuff with you.
You generally don’t need to bring an item that you may only wear once, such as a dress shirt or hiking boots. There are several instances when I have packed an extra swimsuit or quick-dry towel in my bag with the hope that I may find a romantic hot spring, or brought an expensive clothing that I had no intention of wearing, only to later regret it.
You shouldn’t bring anything “just in case” unless you’re going to use it.
These puddle boots? I brought them to Ireland, but I wore them only once. Do not bother. What about the raincoat, though? Definitely worthwhile.
If you’re traveling to a place that *may* be rainy and/or chilly, you may want to bring an extra layer of clothing, such as a raincoat (my fave) or a warmer coat.
Bring at least one warm layer in case you experience any chilly weather, even if it’s only for a short period of time. I have an Eddie Bauer down jacket, and it’s perfect for traveling since it’s lightweight and compact.
6. Changing into a new ensemble daily
As a nice jab at my mom, I present to you: There is absolutely no need to bring a whole new wardrobe for each day of your trip!
Many adventurers advocate what they call the “capsule wardrobe” approach, in which all of your clothing pieces are interchangeable. Not to go overboard, but I do try to reduce the amount of stuff I bring on vacation.
As a general guideline, I prefer to have four pairs of pants, seven or eight shirts, two layers (such as cardigans), and three or four dresses. That quantity of clothes may be transformed into many looks with the addition of a scarf and other accessories! This is basically what I do whenever I travel, whether it’s for a week or two months.
No one will even notice if you wear the same clothing twice while you’re on the road. Guess what? Things won’t become nasty if you’re worried about it. It is very possible to wash laundry while traveling!
7. A clothesline
There are a few options for doing laundry while traveling: using the washing machine in your hotel room, visiting a nearby laundromat, or using a laundry service.
When I first started out as a budget traveler, I thought I would have to wash all of my clothes by hand because of all the hostels I stayed at. This is why I traveled throughout Asia and Europe with a portable washing line and a plethora of clothespins. Still, you won’t believe it. Totally useless to me!
When I’m on a shorter vacation and just have time to wash a few items by hand in the sink, I simply hang them out to dry in the bathroom overnight. I’ve even seen hotels with built-in clotheslines in the shower!
Additionally, I strategically schedule my longer vacations so that I may stay in an Airbnb or other rental with laundry facilities at a moment when I know I’ll have to do some decent laundry. Also, I’ve done my laundry at the local laundromat and sent it out to be done abroad; the latter is a common and inexpensive option in Asia and North Africa, among other places.
