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Packing for a trip can be a tricky task – no one wants to drag around heavy bags or unpack a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes.
But we all have our must-haves, whether it’s a skincare routine, sports gear, handy gadgets or a wardrobe that covers all the bases.
Whether you’re flying with restrictive luggage limits, cramming a car full of gear for the family, or running between trains with just a backpack, packing light is key.
But how do you lighten the load without sacrificing what you need? Luckily, seasoned travellers have shared their best tips and top products so you can efficiently pack for your trip.
From Ziploc bags to six-port charging ports, using these 12 clever hacks and high-quality travel gear can help you stay organised and be prepared ahead of your travels, all while reducing your load.
For public transport commuters and those hopping between flights, a versatile backpack is a game-changer.
The Klostain Cabin Backpack, which measures 40x20x25cm, is designed to fit within Ryanair’s stringent carry-on regulations, ensuring it’s compliant with most major airlines like British Airways, EasyJet, and Wizz Air.
Available in a variety of colours, this 20L bag comes with a handy wet pocket, a secure anti-theft back pocket, and four side buckle stripes for stability, making it a convenient and reliable choice for light, hands-free travel.
One of the most frequently recommended items by seasoned travelers is the Ziploc 347-piece variety pack.
These flexible, clear plastic bags come in various sizes, ideal for different items.
From 52-gallon storage bags to small snack bags, they provide a simple way to organise your luggage.
In a TikTok video, user @amellionmoves demonstrated her attempt at a viral hack that involves packing clothes into a Ziploc bag and ‘vacuum sealing’ it by pressing the air out of it by forcing one’s body weight onto it, before zipping it up.
The attempt appeared to be successful as the bag became almost totally flattened, allowing for more space to pack other items in her luggage.
Made from polyester peach skin, this water-resistant cosmetics bag features four separate compartments with zippers, a 360 degree swivel non-slip metal hook for versatile hanging, and an open back pocket for additional storage.
Its main compartments are equipped with elastic straps to keep bottles upright, while the transparent sides give you a clear view of the contents.
The bag, which measures 28x19x8 cm when open and 28×76 cm when rolled, is available in a range of stylish, neutral colours, including sage green, pink and camel.
These TSA-approved locks allow airport security to inspect your luggage without damaging the lock.
The locks are designed with a 4″ hardened steel cable with plastic cover, which is flexible enough to thread through all standard-sized zippers and lock holes, making it ideal for luggage, backpacks, and more.
Additionally, the locks offer 1,000 possible combination settings, ensuring enhanced security and protecting your belongings during your travels.
For those who enjoy staying active while travelling, a foldable yoga mat is a great space-saving option.
This portable mat folds up to a compact size (35cm with a thickness of 7cm) and can easily be stored in your suitcase or backpack.
Whether you’re stretching in a hotel gym or practicing yoga outdoors, the Avoalre mat ensures you never miss a workout on the go.
For the best experience, users are advised to unfold and air out their mat for two to three days before use.
One person on TikTok, @yamunavasu_official, demonstrated in a video the ease of unfolding her own portable yoga mat and performing various poses and stretches in her hotel gym, before folding it back up.
Whether you’re heading to the mountains or just need something for cooler evenings, these light layers offer the perfect balance of comfort and convenience whilst fitting snugly into your luggage.
This Outdoor Ventures women’s puffer jacket has no single storage bag, but can be packed into its own left pocket and turns into a zippered bag.
The hooded, quilted jacket features high-tech DuPont Sorona insulation quilted at the nylon panel to insulate cold air and retain warmth.
This lightweight, waterproof, hooded Outdoor Ventures rain jacket is intelligently designed to allow minimal space occupation.
It features an adjustable drawcord hood to prevent yourself from being wet, elastic cuffs prevent the rain drops to the cuffs and the hem contains elastic rope for warmth and keep you dry.
It supports high quality waterproof function, as it can keep you dry in whole day, not like others just by hours.
A waterproof tote bag is an essential addition when preparing for wet weather during a trip or when visiting a beach.
The Homespon Waterproof Tote is perfect for carrying all your essentials, from your laptop to beach gear, while keeping everything dry and organised.
Made of waterproof and sand proof fabric, the bag features inside and outside zipper pockets to hold glasses, medicine, wipes, hand sanitizer and 2 side mesh pockets for water bottle or umbrella
It’s spacious enough for everything you need but can be folded down to a small size for easy storage when not in use.
These airport-approved liquid bags meet TSA and EU security requirements, allowing for smooth and quick passage through security checks.
Made of waterproof EVA material, they feature triple ziplock closures to prevent spills.
Conveniently sized and equipped with a detachable hand rope for easy carrying, these reusable bags are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags and perfect for storing toiletries and liquids during travel.
For active travelers, a good pair of waterproof hiking boots is a must.
The Decathlon Waterproof Hiking Boots offer excellent grip and support, perfect for hiking trails or walking through wet weather.
They feature a high, flexible upper, 6 eyelet lacing with hooks for support, TPR soles with 3.5mm studs, heel cushioning with a 6mm EVA pad adapted to natural footpaths, and they include a removable insole so you can add orthopedic insoles
For those looking to take their favorite skincare or haircare products without exceeding liquid limits, the Alink Travel Size Container Set is an excellent choice.
Made of high-quality non-toxic BPA-free PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) material, this set is lightweight and break-resistant.
This TSA-approved set includes 16 bottles, jars, and a funnel of various sizes, all designed to hold just the right amount of your essential toiletries while keeping them safe and leak-proof during travel.
For both families and tech-savvy travelers, the Anker six-port charging station is indispensable.
Capable of charging up to six devices at once, including boosting the power of two 14″ Macbook Pros to 50% in just 28 minutes, this compact and powerful charger ensures you’ll never run out of battery while on the go.
The USB-C port device is perfect for families or business travelers who need to charge phones, laptops, and tablets simultaneously.
Packing a wrinkle-free shirt can make all the difference when you’re headed to an overseas conference or out for an evening event on holiday.
Charles Tyrwhitt’s non-iron stretch shirt ensures you arrive without the hassle of ironing.
Crafted from pure cotton with a breathable weave, the shirt comes in a variety of neutral colours and designs, and it’s both comfortable and stylish – ideal for any professional or semi-formal occasion.
