By: Skye Sherman

The plight of the overpacker creates more than just stress--it costs more, weighs more, and generally detracts from the travel experience. And so when my husband and I crammed everything into storage, moved out of our apartment, and jetted off to parts unknown, we knew we wanted to consolidate everything we'd bring into just a carry-on and a small backpack. After all, the previous year, we had backpacked Europe for 5 weeks with only a small backpack!

When we boarded our one-way flight out of West Palm Beach, we had all of our possessions within reach, packed into one small carry-on and one small backpack each. Our backpacks contained our toiletries (for easy access to our Ziploc of liquids in airport security lines) plus work/fun items: laptop, charger, phone cord, small notepad and pens, passport and other important documents, and maybe a book or two for me. Our carry-ons held our clothes, shoes, and any toiletries that weren't liquid (hairbrush, toothbrush, etc).

After traveling for so long with so little, I learned a thing or two about packing correctly (read: lightly). In fact, the most common question I was asked during our trip was how we managed to live on the road for months on end without ever checking a bag! In partnership with Genius Pack, I've finally sat down to put my best packing tips and tricks on paper. Here's what I packed, how I packed it, and some tried-and-true packing advice for short- or long-term travel.

What to Pack

Pictured is almost exactly what I traveled with, minus personal items like bras, underwear, and toiletries. In list form, starting at the left of the photo:

• 3 pairs of shorts
• 1 set of workout clothes (1 sports bra, 1 dry-fit top, 1 pair of runner's shorts)
• 1 pair of capri leggings
• 3 dresses
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1 pair of closed-toe walking shoes (TOMS are my go-to!)
• 2 pairs of sandals (1 with straps; 1 pair of flip flops)
• 2 sets of pajamas (2 t-shirts plus 1 flannel pant and 1 pair of shorts)
• 3 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of jeans (1 black, 1 blue)
• 2 capri pants (1 khaki, 1 jean)
• 4 shirts
• 3 tank tops
• 1 light/thin jacket
• 1 heavier jacket
• 1 bathing suit
• 1 beach/bathing suit cover-up

Of course, packing also depends greatly upon what you like to do when you travel. You know your lifestyle; if you're very outdoorsy and plan to hike and exercise a lot, you'll want a couple more items of athletic wear than I packed. If you stick to cold places, you'll want a few more layers than I had available. If you tend toward more upscale destinations, you'll want a couple pieces that allow you to dress to impress (and maybe a pair of heels too). We do a little bit of everything but spend a good bit of time working then walking around and exploring the city, maybe eating at a local favorite restaurant, and we're always up for the occasional out-of-the-ordinary excursion... So that's the kind of versatility we packed for.

How to Pack

Regarding packing method, the great debate--folding vs rolling -rages on, and I refuse to pick a side. My method is a little bit of both; I roll and compress bulkier pieces of clothing while minimally folding thinner, lighter items. I place the largest/least flexible items (shoes and heavier items) in first, lining the sides and bottom of the suitcase, then fill in the spaces around them (and inside them) with everything else. In my opinion, the way you pack isn't as important as what you pack and how you pack it. At the end of the day, no clothes-rolling technique is going to help you if you've simply overloaded yourself with too much stuff!

 

Packing Advice

• Don't pack anything that doesn't serve a double purpose. I had dresses that could double as beach cover-ups, a simple black t-shirt that I usually wore to bed but could wear out if I needed to, items to layer if the weather was cold... Anything that makes it into your suitcase should be able to serve double duty.
• Pack neutral items that can be combined into many different outfits. Almost every item of clothing I packed could be paired with anything else in my suitcase. These certainly weren’t the cutest outfits I've ever worn, but they clothed me for 6 months of adventures! I hate to say it, but the world is not your runway, and traveling is not the time to bring all your statement pieces.
• Mail things home as you go. Not wearing that jacket as much as you expected to? If you can't part with it entirely, just ship it home. Pick the cheapest shipping option, throw in a couple souvenirs you’ve collected along the way, and everything will (hopefully) be there for you when you get back.
• You only need 1 of (almost) everything. I promise you can get by--easily--with just 1 pair of pajama pants, 1 pair of blue jeans, 1 bathing suit, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 purse, etc. Packing more than one of the same item takes up a lot of unnecessary space, and the only benefit is appeasing your fashion sense.
• Pack a small washcloth or hand towel. You have no idea how often this will come in handy—I washed and dried my face with a paper towel in an airport bathroom far too many times before finally learning this lesson! It's also handy for spills, cuts, scrubbing, and countless other unexpected use cases you'll encounter along the way.
• Only pack 1 styling tool (if you must). Many places you stay will have a hair dryer available, so don't bother packing one. Pack a straightener or curling iron if you feel like you have to have something, and just know that you can always let your hair air dry or wear it in a bun. Traveling is not the time to be preoccupied with perfecting your style.
• Pack less than what you think you'll need. Then cut that in half. This is borderline painful to do during the packing process, but what helped me get through it was to remember that if there was something I found myself lacking and truly had to have, it could be bought wherever I was going. I mean, duh: the USA isn't the only place you can buy hairspray or neck pillows or nail polish or whatever other random things you feel like you'll need (but really won't). Stick to the absolute bare minimum you need to survive and remain happy (and clean).
• Sit on your suitcase. This probably doesn't need to be said, but you'd be surprised at the things you can zip in to your suitcase if you apply a little pressure! A large Internet router, for example. Don't ask.
• Most importantly: keep your priorities straight. You're not going to care about having an extra pair of jeans when it comes time to choose between those and a tin of macarons from Paris or a jar of olive oil from Tuscany and there's only room for one. The memory of my weariness of wearing the same pairs of shorts for six months straight fades away when I look at the collection of art from around the world we've now hung on our walls. Leave room for the things you'll collect as you go; these things will mean way more to you and will hold much more meaningful memories than additional shoe options.

From now on, my extended stints on the road will be much more organized and packable thanks to my Genius Pack carry-on! As you can see in the video, everything I mentioned fit into my carry-on and there was even room left over for more. Its compact size somehow manages to fit all the essentials, yet remains within the size limitations for overhead compartments in planes around the world! The pockets and thoughtful design of the suitcase take the headache out of packing and traveling, so get going—and spend those saved “checked bag” fees on a nice resort in Southeast Asia  because, yes, they’re an equivalent price.

Carry on, wanderlusters.

 

 

 

About the Writer:

Skye Sherman is a globetrotting travel writer who enjoys jetting off on adventures with her husband. She has traveled to over 25 countries without checking a bag and has mastered the art of traveling light! When she's not on the road, she's soaking up the sun at home in South Florida. Follow along with her adventures on Instagram and Facebook.