Gear Yourself

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAVEL BAG FOR YOUR TRIP

Before you even begin deciding what to pack, it’s important to find a travel bag that’s as versatile as you need it to be, while also fitting all your stuff and being easy to carry. Consider the length of your trip, as well as if it’s an international vacation, if you’ll be using budget airlines, and your primary activities—all of these considerations impact which bag is best for your trip.

Wherever you’re planning to go, pick luggage that is versatile, lightweight, and big enough to hold all your travel essentials. The most important decision you’ll make is (as far as luggage is concerned) is buying a bag that has an awesome warranty. Traveling with a piece of luggage with a broken wheel, handle, or zipper is the absolute worst! Brands that back their gear with stand-up warranties build that promised durability into their gear.

●      Rolling Luggage: Let’s face it. Wheels are nice. There’s no need to carry all your gear on your back or via a duffle bag if you know you’re going to be traveling in a city where there are paved roads and sidewalks. You may also want to consider a bag with off-road wheels, making them extra durable for trips even when there isn’t a smooth path.    

●      4-Wheels: As you fill up your wheeled luggage, weight can become a bit restrictive—especially if you have to walk long distances. Consider 4-wheels to keep the weight off your wrist and effortlessly roll your bag by your side.

●      Duffel Bag: These are simple, lightweight, and Eagle Creek’s duffel bags are crazy durable. Sling it over your shoulder, or put some wheels on it and get on your way. These are the most versatile travel solutions you can get, with everything from classic duffels to convertible backpacks, wheels, and more.    

●      Wheeled Backpack: If you’ll be going through different types of terrain, or switching from airports to cobblestones, having a bag with the option to roll it or carry it like a backpack or duffel is really handy.

●      Travel Backpack: If you know you don’t want the extra weight of wheels, traveling with a travel pack is going to mean hands-free mobility and ultimate versatility.

●      Carry-On: Whenever possible, travel with carry on luggage. It means you can save time at the airport, save on check-in fees, guarantee the airlines won’t lose your bag, have everything you need with you at all times, ensure you don’t have to wait at baggage claim…the list goes on and on.

STEP 2: ORGANIZE YOUR TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

If you plan to do lots of different types of activities on your vacation, you’ll have a fair amount of gear you need to pack into your suitcase. Keeping everything organized can be a challenge. One of the best things you can do when you’re packing for any trip—especially one that requires packing lots of layers—is to use packing organizers.

Its all about keeping your suitcase organized with packing organizers so that you know exactly where everything is, and so your clothing can be arranged and compressed, easily allowing you to fit more in your bag. Why spend your time packing and unpacking when you can quickly unpack by sliding your organizers directly into hotel drawers, and pack up quickly, getting seamlessly from one place to the next without having to rearrange your entire bag every time?

Wondering how to use packing cubes ? Basically, keep your clothing organized in compartments based on outfit type or activity type. Zippered packing cubes come in all shapes and sizes, making it easy to keep your bag neat and provide quick access to all the different things you’ll need during your trip. You can use compression sacs or cubes to reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 80%—his is especially convenient for bulky items such as sweaters and jackets. And folders are great for keeping dress clothing nice, neat, and folded.

Another way to use packing cubes is to organize your travel packing list by item type. Keep all of your shirts together, all of your pants together, all of your underwear together, and all of your jackets together. If what you’re going to do each day is still up in the air, or you like to pick out your clothes the day of rather than having your outfits planned ahead of time, you’ll know exactly where to find each item of clothing.

Start with this clothing packing list:

THE BASICS

●      Lightweight clothing that can be layered

●      Long-sleeved shirts

●      Sweaters or fleece jacket

●      T-shirts and tank tops (be respectful of the culture you are visiting)

●      Pants and/or shorts

●      Belt

●      Socks (wool socks are best for hiking and camping)

●      Comfortable walking shoes

●      Rain jacket, windbreaker or umbrella

●      Pajamas/sleepwear

●      Underwear

●      Sunglasses and glasses case

●      Dresses and/or skirts

●      Jewelry (organize in a small cube or sac)

●      Hat or sun visor

●      Scarf or bandana

●      Swimsuit or swim trunks (consider a clean/dirty organizer)

●      Cell phone and charger

●      Travel speakers

●      Travel pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs

●      Electric converters and adapters

●      Travel apps that will help with language, directions, money conversion, and digital journaling

You’ll want to pack smart (not lots of) clothing options if your trip will take you to a variety of places, or conversely if you will be navigating off the beaten path. Having a packing list with several options doesn’t mean you’ll need to over-pack. (And in fact, you shouldn’t.) Just pack smart. Include clothing that can be worn on your daily adventures and then dressed up slightly with a different pair of shoes and a scarf. Maybe a dress that becomes a skirt, or comfortable travel pants that can be dressed up for a day at the market. Also consider clothing with SPF or mosquito repellent if you’ll be in environments where that would be beneficial.

STEP 3: PACK YOUR TOILETRY BAG

If you’re carrying on, keep your toiletry bag light and TSA-compliant. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule makes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container, and they must be stored in one quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Here’s a complete packing list of travel essentials for your toiletry case:

THE TOILETRY BAG BASICS

●      Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash

●      Hair brush or comb, hair ties, barrettes/bobby pins

●      Deodorant

●      Shampoo and conditioner

●      Sunscreen and face lotion with SPF

●      Make up packed in a washable sac

●      Face wash and/or makeup remover wipes and Q-tips

●      Night time moisturizer/lotion

●      Lip balm with SPF and lipstick or lip gloss

●      Personal hygiene items

●      Feminine hygiene products

●      Extra contacts, solution, and contact case

●      Glasses and prescription sunglasses

●      Prescription medication with the label/script so that you can refill if needed and not be questioned by TSA.

TOILETRY BAG EXTRAS

●      Cologne/perfume

●      Personal mini mirror

●      Hair products like hairspray, hair gel, and beard oil

●      Clothesline and detergent

●      Shaving kit and extra razors

●      Sewing kit/clothing care kit, stain remover

●      Facial tissues and/or toilet paper

●      Travel Towel

●      Nail clippers and tweezers (optionally, scissors, which must be in checked luggage)

TRAVEL HEALTH

As soon as you decide to travel internationally, check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for comprehensive information on travel vaccines, medicines, and local travel advice. Whether you decide to get vaccinated or not is your decision, but many vaccinations require administration two months before travel begins. So get informed! And if an emergency does happen, here’s everything you should know about travel clinics and handling medical emergencies abroad.

Although you can buy pre-made travel health kits online, it’s just as easy to use small, water-resistant packing sacs as the container for your kit, then construct one from your medicine cabinet at home, only securing those items you may not already have on hand.

●      First aid kit (bandages, gauze, adhesives, etc.)

●      Personal prescriptions (copies of scripts)

●      Pain and fever relievers (also children’s strength if you are traveling with kids)

●      Thermometer

●      Cold medicines and throat lozenges

●      Diarrhea/laxative medicines

●      Oral re-hydration salts

●      Allergy medicines

●      Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment

●      Multivitamins

●      Sunburn relief

●      Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever

●      Motion sickness pills or bands

●      Altitude sickness pills (if you are planning to hike in higher altitudes)

●      Eye drops

●      Moleskin

●      Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity

ADDITIONAL HEALTH ITEMS

●      Hand sanitizer or wet wipes

●      Prescriptions in original packaging (you’ll want to make sure you have these in your carry-on bag just in case something were to happen to your checked luggage)

●      Sleeping medicines

●      Glasses and glasses case (email yourself a copy of your prescription, just in case)

STEP 4: PREPARE YOUR PERSONAL ITEM CARRY-ON BAG

The next thing you’ll want to do is prepare a packing list especially for your personal item carry-on bag with anything that you’ll want with you on the flight. It’s always a good idea to make sure you have an outfit (or two) and a few essential toiletries in your personal item just in case your luggage is lost.

If you’ll be traveling around to multiple destinations, make sure this small bag has items to keep you comfortable on any train, boat or bus rides. It’s always nice to have a bag that’s easy to access so you don’t have to get into your luggage each time you need your eye mask. But remember, you’ll be carrying all of this, so keep it light.

We recommend you consider using a small daypack, shoulder bag , or waist pack as your personal carry-on item. Here are some good things to include in your carry-on bag packing list:

TECHNOLOGY

●      Mobile device and charger

●      Laptop, iPad, or E-reader and charger(s)

●      Headphones (consider noise-reducing headphones if you’re sensitive to sound)

●      Camera and GoPro/video camera, memory card, and chargers

●      Electrical converters and adapters

TRAVEL COMFORT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND INFORMATION

●      Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs

●      Travel journal and pen (it’s awful when you forget your pen!)

●      Books and magazines

●      Deck of cards and travel games

●      Chapstick and lotion (it’s dry up there)

●      Water bottle (you’ll need to fill it up once you get through TSA)

●      Guide books, travel guides, maps, language guides, etc. (if you will need any of these upon arrival at your destination, put it in your carry-on)

STEP 5: COLLECT IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, CASH, AND CREDIT CARDS

Start by collecting all of your important documents in a travel document organizer. By bringing all your important information together, this will help ensure you have everything you need to get from one place to the next.

Not sure what you need? Here’s your international travel checklist, document-wise:

●      Passport/visa(s) (not sure if you need a travel visa? Check here.)

●      Personal ID/Student ID card 

●      Frequent flyer card(s) and other loyalty program card numbers (ex: hotel chains and AAA)

●      Cash and credit card(s) (call your credit card companies before you travel to inform them of your travel,otherwise they might turn them off to prevent perceived fraud. Also consider how travel hacking can save you money on the road!)

●      Health insurance cards/document(s)

●      Travel insurance information

●      Reservations and itineraries (print them and save them electronically for easy access)

●      Hotel and/or tour contact information

●      Transportation tickets (plane, train, bus, car, etc.)

●      Emergency contacts and important addresses

●      Copies of all these things in case you lose your wallet

●      Guide books and maps

STEP 6: CONSIDER TRAVEL SECURITY

In most large cities, travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpockets. The easiest way to keep your belongings safe is to keep them hidden and close to you. One way to do this is to stash your valuables underneath your clothing. Another way is by locking your bags closed and using reflective accents to help folks see you at nighttime.

Consider this list of safety travel essentials:

●      Money belt or hidden pocket

●      Neck wallet

●      Undercover Bra Stash for credit cards and cash only

●      Leg wallet

●      Incognito All Terrain Money Belt which looks like a real belt!

●      Luggage Travel Lock

●      Reflective clothing and luggage accessories

●      Bring a headlamp or mini flashlight, better to be safe than unprepared

Wearing a money belt or neck wallet lets you keep your valuables close to your body and away from prying hands. You may also want to choose an option with RFID protection. RFID protection keeps all passports with an RFID chip (issued after 2006) and credit cards/debit cards safe while travelling. How? It’s simple. Identity theft can occur when someone is able to “read” through your purse or pocket via the microchip, which has personal information stored on it. By using an RFID blocking technology, your personal information is protected.

STEP 7: PREPARE YOUR HOME

If you’re going on an extended trip, it’s essential to get your home in order before you go. Here are some simple tasks to think through before you head to the airport. (And yes, this travel checklist also includes thinking through home care.)

●      Have the post office hold your mail

●      Stop newspaper delivery

●      Set up an email autoresponse (unless you plan to be connected)

●      Arrange for the care of pets, lawn, and plants

●      Pre-pay your bills

●      Prearrange school absences for children and get any home study assignments required

●      Empty refrigerator of this that will expire

●      Unplug appliances

●      Turn off heater/air conditioner

●      Turn down water heater

●      Turn off washing machine taps

●      Lock all doors and windows

●      Set up timed light system

●      Store valuables in a safe place

●      Leave house key and trip itinerary with a trusted friend

●      Leave flight and hotel itineraries with a relative

●      Reconfirm/check-in online with airline before you Uber, train, or shuttle to the airport

Wherever you are headed, you’re going to have a great time! Just make sure you think through your list of activities beforehand so that you’re able to bring everything you need and pick the right luggage. And pack light if you can using this ultimate packing checklist. It always helps with mobility. And remember, you’re a traveler: Respect the people and places you go to visit.Respect their customs, tip accordingly, try and learn their language, and truly immerse yourself in the culture. Travel changes us to be better than we were by opening our eyes and giving us newfound respect.