Pack Right and Travel Light!

Why do travelers overpack?

Traveling can be fun, and it can be testing too. The most intriguing fear of a traveler is being stranded in the middle of a journey because of some important article missed while packing. At times people fill in a lot more than required and end up with tough, staggering, extra-heavy luggage that makes the journey very tiring — as well as messy. People need to be more organized and proactive before packing their bags.

What should you consider before packing?

Weather and location. Consider the weather and environmental conditions before deciding to pack. For example:

• Umbrella or raincoat — an umbrella protects from heat as well as rain; a raincoat can double as a tarp to cover a backpack or food items when needed.
• Warm clothes — if the weather is cold or wet, carry a jacket or cardigan, a warm beanie, socks to keep your feet warm, and shoes that protect from cold and wetness.
• Work gloves — handy for dishwashing or clothes washing in a backpacker's hostel, camper van, or hotel; also useful for cleaning or repairing your travel vehicle.
• Unpredictable weather — places near the seashore or in hilly regions can have erratic weather; carry basic warm clothes like jackets as well as rainy-season clothing like raincoats.

What are the travel essentials?

• Basic clothing like vests and undergarments, so you can stay fresh and maintain hygiene while traveling.
• A tooth-cleaning kit and face/body products — especially if you're going somewhere far-flung where you may not find your preferred brand, or where available products may not suit your skin. Pack at least one of each essential product, and if possible buy small travel packs. Pack each item separately so that in case of spillage, they don't ruin each other's packaging. Carry a small hand towel and, for long trips, cleaning wipes.
• Not too many shoes, headwear, or cardigans — pack one of each, the most comfortable and of good quality, because that itself will be enough. People sometimes pack extra clothing in anticipation of photographs, but most of those things never come out of the backpack; people tend to wear the most comfortable items instead. While traveling, it is more important to enjoy the places you're visiting than to be burdened by cumbersome clothing and extra baggage. The most comfortable and right style of traveling is the one in which you carry light baggage.

How much should you pack for the trip length?

Pack according to the number of days you're going to travel. For a 72-hour or one-week journey, pack one jacket, one pair of shoes, and one set of warm woolens. For a four-week or longer journey, carry at least two jackets, more than one woolen piece, and warm innerwear if it's a cold destination. Wash the cottons you're carrying on a long holiday so you don't have to carry a lot. This is called smart packing.

What's the one thing every traveler should do before leaving?

Prepare a checklist before leaving home, so you don't forget important items — and tick them off only once they're in the backpack: passport, driving license, travel tickets, accommodation booking papers, credit/debit cards or cash, medicines, shoes, toiletries, sleeping pajamas, etc. Making a list of things to carry and places to cover while traveling will make you organized and efficient.

Keeping these guidelines in mind will not only make your journey light and smart, but will keep you happy throughout the travel for being so organized and efficient without forgetting the essentials in your backpack.