Packing light for vacation is just a good habit to get into.
It can save you money on baggage fees. It’s also a lot lighter to carry around with you (leading to less injuries!).
There’s also less risk of forgetting belongings and losing things during your trip. But the best reason of all for packing light!? You have room to bring back travel souvenirs!
So, without further ado, these are my top travel gadgets I use for packing light on vacations.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Top 10 Travel Gadgets For Packing Light
1. Laundry Detergent Sheets
One of the easiest ways to pack light on vacation is bring less and wash your clothes while you’re away.
Of course, this is easier said than done… that’s until the laundry detergent sheets came around.
I think it’s meant to be used in the washing machine, but I actually ripe off a small piece and wash one item in the sink when I need to.
It really saves you when you’re in a pinch!
P.S. You can combine it with a Scrubba Wash Bag (see it on Amazon here) as your portable and personal washing bag.
You might also be interested in…
My digital and printable packing guide on Etsy. Filled with packing planning prompts for your next trip!
2. Invest In Light & Quick-Dry Clothes (Even Your Socks!)
Stay away from cotton when travelling!
The best clothes you can travel with are light materials like nylon, polyester, merino wool or a blend of them all.
As a general rule of thumb, you can look at exercise clothing. I love Lululemon for trendy quick drying travel outfits, Lole, or even the MEC.
Not only do they pack up really small, but you can get a few wears out of them, and they’re usually quick drying (making them easy great for washing on the go!).
And yes, you’ll want to get everything in these materials, even down to your socks (Seriously! I love these merino wool socks from MEC).
3. Swap Your Laptop For A Mini Tablet – Travel Electronics
Stop bringing your laptop with you when you travel (if you don’t need to!).
Although laptops these days a lot smaller and lighter than they used to be, they still add quite a bit of weight and space to your bag. Plus, how much are you actually using it…or want to be using it while you’re away!?
Instead bring a mini tablet with a keyboard as your all in one travel electronic.
You can use it as a mini computer if you need to. And it also doubles as an e-reader (or book) and movie player. Pre-download all your books and movies on it to use it offline!
My tablet of choice is the IPad Mini with the Logitech keyboard (I don’t think they make this keyboard anymore though, but there are similar ones on Amazon here…).
4. Scrubba Air Sleeve – Accessories For Travel Tech
I love when you can get two items in one. And that’s exactly what the Scrubba Air Sleeve does.
It’s a laptop (or tablet) case 90% of the time. But, it inflates to doubles as a pillow when you need it to.
Now you don’t have to pack an extra neck pillow for travel. You just automatically have one with you at all time!
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5. Down Filled Puffer Jacket
If there’s one travel gear to rule them all it’s a down filled puffer jacket (like this one on Amazon).
This automatically comes with my on every trip for it’s ability to pack up super small.
You can end up with a cold front even when you least expect it. It’s always good to have jacket in your back pocket.
A puffer jacket packs up into itself, and you could even use it as a pillow.
It’s really a no brainer to bring it everywhere with you!
6. Transfer Liquids (& Pills) To Smaller Containers
This is must have packing light accessory – leak proof liquid tubes (like these on Amazon).
I never travel with full bottles, that is a huge waste of space and leaking hazard!
I’ll transfer most liquids that I travel with, like my face wash, shampoo, conditioner… etc.
I’ve also started transferring my pills to one container.
Depending on how long you’re travelling for, you might be able to get away with a small container like his one on Amazon. Or you might have to transfer to something larger (but it’s still smaller than a bunch of pill containers!)
7. Buy Travel Size Toiletries – Travel Gear
You can’t always transfer everything to smaller containers, but you might just be able to buy the travel size version instead.
Tiny travel size toiletries are a HUGE space safer when I’m trying to packing light.
I have everything from mini deodorant, hair brush, toothpaste, mouthwash…etc.
If it exists in a smaller format, I buy it!
8. A Collapsible Water Bottle To Travel Light
Packable water bottles are where it’s at for travelling light!
There’s no denying that water bottles are a necessary travel gear these days.
You have to stay hydrated on the go!
But water bottles are also heavy, and take up a lot of space when they aren’t being used.
That’s why I travel with a collapsible water bottle!
I had the Nomader collapsible water bottle, it’s lightweight and collapses when not in use!
You might also be interested in reading…
Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle Review: Is It Good For Travel?
9. Pack Less In A Carry On Suitcase
The easiest way to packing light on vacation is to pack in a smaller bag – like a carryon suitcase.
Packing in a carryon will limit how much you can bring.
You’ll be amazed by how much less you actually need and it will become easier and easier to pack less over time.
My carryon of choice is the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rollaboard.
You might also be interested in reading…
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Review: Why Travelpro Is The Best Suitcase Brand
10. Pack More In Less: Compression Packing Cubes
I won’t lie, it’s hard to fit everything in a smaller space.
So to help, invest in some compression packing cubes. These will compress all your clothes to be much smaller and more compact.
I try to have one packing cube per category. So I’ll only have one packing cube for shirts, one for bottoms… etc.
You can also get a compression sack for your dirty laundry, this way it’s separate but still compressed. See them on Amazon here.
Have A Safety Net: Packable Duffel Bag For Packing Light
And just in case I can’t fit everything on the way back, I always pack a packable duffel bag.
You can start your trip packing way less, but then if you happen to buy one too many souvenirs, no problem! You have an extra bag for it!
I use the Osprey ultralight stuff duffel but they don’t make it anymore.
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Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API