Backpack with comfort (Part II): Travel stress free

Packing is crucial. An item missed or forgotten will leave you disappointed and scrambling to reach out to the nearest store in your destination. On the flipside, too much of baggage will look clumsy and disorganized. Add to that, extra airline fee to pay for the heavy bags.

It’s best you have a look at the most elementary packing strategies that you as a traveler must know.

1. Roll your clothes, don't fold them

Rolling your clothes is better than folding as that may help you to carry months of stuff in a bag the size of a wine box.
Rolled clothes are less likely to have deep wrinkles that folded ones.

2. Create a travel packing list

Pack your bags days or even weeks ahead of your departure date. Doing so will gives you time to make a complete list. Moreover, you can buy additional stuffs that may need during the trip.
A packing list is a foolproof way to never, ever forget to carry important items.

3. Be smart about air baggage-fee policy

Figure out in advance about your carrier’s baggage-fee policy as its difficult to understand the rules for a lay person.
Most airlines allow travelers to carry at least one bag on international flights, whereas the majority of U.S. carriers levy huge fees for bags carried on domestic flights.

4. Follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule

If you ignore the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 3-1-1 rule for carry-on luggage, then the TSA will have your stuff confiscated. Besides, harassing you up in the process. For example: A large bottle of shampoo or gel deodorant is a strict no-no. Become familiar with the TSA's rules: All liquids must be in 3.4-ounce bottles or smaller and must be carried in a single, transparent, quart-size zip-top bag.
Find out which items are considered liquids or gels by the TSA and thus, would be subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Example: Packaged food items like peanut butter, pudding, mashed potatoes, and icing are classified as gels. Besides that, mascara, lip gloss, and aerosol items are regarded as liquids or gels as well. However, liquid prescription medication is exempted as per the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.

5. Make wise use of your personal items

Each traveler is allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard planes. This personal item must be of a certain size (as stipulated by the concerned airline). In this case, items like a purse, laptop bag, or backpack are usually accepted.
Instead of wasting your personal-item allowance with a tiny purse, you can bring in a larger tote bag that can be stashed under the seat while still giving you an extra storage space. It’d be handy to keep all your items within your arm’s reach during the flight.

Do you know how to get a comfortable seat in an airline without having to pay much?

6. Wash your soiled clothes on the road

If you know your vacation home accommodation will provide you free laundry facilities, then you've struck gold. You can comfortably wash and wear just a handful of your clothes, even if you’re on extended long trips.
On the other hand, if you've booked a room in a hotel, then you may call in advance to check out if laundry services are available and the cost for such a service. Make sure to carry a small packet of laundry detergent as well as a sink stopper to wash your clothes during the trip. You can also carry a portable laundry-drying line that could be attached to showers using suction cups.

7. Add dual-purpose wearables

Dual-purpose wearable items, for example, pants can be turned into shorts. The same torn pant can later on be used as a travel pillow.

Always keep your valuable and other essential items in your carry-on bag and never in the checked luggage. Essentials such as your passport, identification, money, credit cards, jewelry, electronics, and other valuables must be with you while traveling.

We’ve already covered some interesting travel packing hacks in first part of this series. To check that click here.

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