How to Pack your bag? Packing Hacks Tips and Tricks
Whether you're heading out for a long weekend getaway or a short business trip, packing light doesn’t mean compromising on essentials. In fact, smart and minimalist packing gives you freedom — less to carry, less to stress, and more room for focusing on new things
coming your way. Here's how to pack your travel backpack efficiently for 2 to 5 days with every needed item and all within airline weight and size limits usually around 7-10kg and 45x36x20cm for many European carriers.
Choose a Backpack of the right type:
For short trips carry a backpack of 20-30L capacity with multiple compartments weighing less than 1.5kg, waterproof and antitheft locking system, padded straps and additional options of USB C type charging ports and headphones holes. These days we are using straps pockets for cards, tickets, boarding passes and even mobile phones - to pull out instantly and avoid putting in pockets especially in hot and humid temperatures.
Size and Weight Compliance
The second important thing is the packed size and weight of the backpack or travel bag.
Airlines often have weight limits for carry-on bags, which can range from 7kg (11lbs) to 10kg (22lbs) and size for Cabin bag 55x30x23cm to 56x40x25cm and one small bag within the weight above sizing 40x30x15cm. Please check before for your airline for the exact number, dimensions and weight.
How to pack a travel backpack?
The third most important thing is knowing the efficient and smart ways to pack the backpack and utilize less space for more optimal use. Here are some tips which we have learnt over the period of time.
Packing hack for clothes
Instead of stacking in layers, pack by rolling method which would be more tight no need of iron when you will pull them out for use on journey.
Pack and roll your one day outfit together like, jeans, shirt, underwear and socks, that will make it simple pick and wear during travel everyday.
Clothing checklist:
- 2–3 T-shirts or tops
- 1 button-up or smart shirt (optional)
- 1–2 bottoms (jeans + light joggers or shorts)
- 1 travel hoodie or lightweight jacket
- 4 pairs of underwear + socks
- Sleepwear
- 1 pair of comfy travel shoes (wear your bulkiest)
- 1 swimsuit (optional)
Pack your Tech Items for work and leisure travel
Smartphone: communication, payments, navigation, photography and entertainment.
Laptop : Put in the padded sleeve or in the laptop compartment.
Earbuds: keep with noise cancellation function for inflight, commuting or for work calls and meetings.
Power bank: minimum 10000mah power bank fitted in bag with USB charging, to charge on the go.
Charger and Cable: Keep a universal adapter along because different countries have different socket standards.
Smart Watch: if you use for fitness tracking
iPad/Kindle: If you are an avid reader
Travel Hygiene Kit:
-try to keep 20ml of liquid in perfumes, lotions etc.
-Keep mini tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo etc.
-Use multipurpose things like shampoo plus conditioner.
-Keep in a toiletry kit to avoid leaks and spillovers.
Micro Medical Kit:
Keep a compact medical kit which should contain your daily prescribed medicines and some over the counter medicines for pain, anti-diarrheal, Antacids or cold flu. Keep in mind your sensitivities and accordingly keep medicines.
Efficiency and Ease of Access:
Do not make clutter at the airport finding a charger- and get stares! Keep everything in the compartment, categorize and tuck in different sub kits or pouches. It would make it easy and quick to reach and pull out the essential items.
Choose backpacks with side zip access to the main compartment for mid-journey item swaps.
Security of Valuables
Your passport, ID, Credit Cards, Wallet are the most important items, keep them in hidden pockets which now come under the physiological back in a zipper pocket. Shift them to your pockets if you are losing attention or away for a while.
Remember to wear your heaviest clothing items be it your heaviest hiking shoes and jacket on travel days. Do not stuff your just in case items, you will not be in the wilderness, you can buy them if needed anytime.
Last but not least, a lot of time and effort has been put in to gather these guidelines for you to prevent you from any awkward situation. If you think its useful like it and share it with your friends who might be planning a trip. Safe travels!
Relevant Blogs:
Which Backpack? Travel or Daily Use: Always Pick with Purpose I Right Time Right Bag