Travel Tricks: 7 Clever Products For Easier Packing

Packing for a trip can be a stressful proposition, sometimes giving the sense that it’s you against the world (or the airlines, at least). So maximise efficiency while minimising weight and space by adding these clever products to your travel repertoire.

Compression Packing Cubes

You’ve likely heard it once, and you’ll hear it again: compression packing cubes are the single most useful travel item on the planet. Not only can they reduce your clothing to about half its volume, allowing you to pack more (or more effectively), they’re also handy at facilitating organisation on the go. If you pack each cube by clothing type (undergarments, athletic gear, T-shirts, etc.) or according to the outfits you’ve planned, you’ll save yourself the time and frustration of having to constantly dig through your suitcase or hotel dresser to find what you need – and then stuff it all back in when it’s time to check out. They can also keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones, and help organise a shared suitcase by allocating cubes for each traveller, which is especially convenient if you’re packing for one or more mini travel companions.

There’s an overwhelming number of packing cubes on the market, so when shopping for a set, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First, if you’re looking to create more space in your bag – not just organise it – make sure you’re shopping for compression cubes rather than regular packing cubes: compression cubes feature an extra zipper that squeezes out excess air and flattens the cube, often to about half its original size. This action of course puts strain on the zipper and outer fabric, so it generally pays to invest in high-quality compression cubes made of durable materials that will withstand years of packing and overstuffing – because, let’s be honest, we all do it. Bonus points for ones with mesh windows that make it easy to see the contents of the cube. We like Gomatic, with its ultra-strong compression zippers, REI Co-op for its lightweight, waterproof nylon construction, and Eagle Creek for an eco-friendly option made from 100% ocean-recycled fabrics.

[Photo: REI Co-op]

Toiletry Organiser

Speaking of keeping things tidy: ditch that bottomless toiletry bag for an intelligently designed organiser that will keep your lotions and potions orderly and easy to find. Opt for one with several different pockets and zippered compartments that allow you to arrange your items in a way that makes sense to you. An integrated hook is also key, so that it can be hung in the shower for easy access to soaps and shampoos, or on a towel rack to free up limited sink space. Water-resistance is non-negotiable. Try this cute and convenient Space Saver bag from Bagsmart, or the Benson Toiletry Kit from State.

[Photo: Bagsmart]

Solids, Not Liquids

Anyone who’s taken a commercial flight in the past couple of years will know that air travel is now a weight game. Luggage weight allowances are dwindling fast, especially for carry-on bags, and it’s imperative these days to shed excess grams wherever possible.

One clever way to avoid unnecessary heft is to reach for solid versions of conventionally liquid personal hygiene products. Shampoo bars are a now-ubiquitous example, but conditioner, face wash, moisturiser, mouthwash, bug repellent and toothpaste (as a powder or in tablets) are also available and ready to replace their viscous counterparts. Need to do a load of sink laundry? Pack some liquid-less detergent sheets, too. Not only will you be saving space and weight in your suitcase, but solid products generally require less plastic packaging than liquid alternatives, so you’ll be saving the planet, too.

[Photo: Bogdan Kurylo/iStock]

Collapsible Containers

We don’t need to tell you, savvy traveller and eco-conscious consumer, that packing a reusable water bottle prevents you from paying a small fortune for hydration after security, while also cutting down on plastic waste as you travel. But at the same time, lugging a bulky bottle around the world is a real pain. Enter: collapsible containers. Options abound, from the compressible Hydaway to the roll-up silicone Hydrapak Stow and the flat-packing LifeStraw with an integrated filter. And for those who can’t skip their cup of joe on the go, Stojo makes a heat-proof silicone coffee cup that collapses down into a barely-there height of 5.1 centimetres.

[Photo: Andrii Atanov/iStock]

Universal Travel Adapter

Gone are the days of buying a power adapter for every country on your itinerary – and then packing the wrong one. This Universal Power Adapter, weighing about 150 grams, fits sockets in more than 200 countries including the UK, US, Australia, China, Canada, Korea and most of Europe. It also features two USB-A and three USB-C charging ports, the latter of which provide 35W MAX output for super-fast charging.

[Photo: Tessan]

E-Reader

While the heated debate between e-book fans and paper page devotees rages on, for serious travellers, the answer is clear. Not only does an e-reader weigh a fraction of a regular book, it also allows you to carry a near-infinite amount of reading material wherever you go. Never again will you find yourself settling for a lacklustre novel from a hotel’s cast-off library.

For the least disruptive, most ‘real book’-like experience, a Kindle Paperwhite is your best bet. It’s one of the pricier options out there, but worth it for the many bells and whistles, including adjustable lighting, an anti-glare display, 10 weeks of battery life, waterproofing and audio capabilities, so you can keep your audio and text-based books in one place. And if your library offers e-book lending, you can get your next read free. And the next one, and the next….

Luggage Scale

It might seem slightly ludicrous and a bit overly consumerist to buy a scale solely for weighing luggage, but hear us out: if you fly a lot, a simple handheld luggage scale will more than justify the 10 quid and minimal junk drawer space it will cost you. There’s no need to get fancy here; a no-frills scale that’s lightweight and accurate is all you need. Models from Amazon Basics, Samsonite and Travel Inspira all come highly recommended. Your back can thank us later.

[Photo At Top: martin-dm/iStock]