hey fellow travellers, here are some packing tips. Hope this might be helpful for you!
21 Tips for Packing the Perfect Backpack
Roll your clothes
You’ll be surprised how much space you save – and it’s helps to avoid creasing!
Bring Gaffer Tape
The perfect tool for quickly fixing broken straps or holes in backpacks.
Pack some plastic bags
To keep wet cozzies and dirty shoes separate from the rest of your things.
Bring a lock
Keep unwanted hands out of our backpack. A local will deter would be thieves.
Save Weight
Don’t take an entire Boots store in your backpack. Take a few
essentials like suncream shampoo, toothpaste etc but remember you will
be able to buy these things in most of the world too – you’re not
falling off the end of the earth!
Don’t pack too many clothes
Here are 2 very good reasons why: 1) you will want to bring back
souvenirs and buy more clothes when you’re away anyway so you need to
make sure you have room and 2) you’ll probably end up wearing the same
few pieces the whole time anyway!
Don’t get a bag that’s too big
While it may seem tempting to buy a large one and fill it with things
you ‘might’ need, don’t forget you’ll spend a lot of time carrying your
backpack around. So the lighter it is, the better for you.
Stand out from the crowd
Add a tie/belt/strap/scarf to your suitcase/backpack so you can easily identify it at the luggage carousel.
Do things by halves
When preparing for your trip, do a packing trial run. Pack your bag
full of everything you think you’ll need, then unpack it all and half
it. You’ll be very glad you did later.
Think about your first night
Pack some essentials at the top of your bag so you don’t have to
unpack everything when you get to your destination, and you can just to
get to what you need at that time. For instance, if you’re arriving late
at night, put your PJ’s, tooth brush and toothpaste near the top so you
can get to them easily.
Be fresh
Keep a spare top in your hand luggage to change into upon landing if
you’re taking a long flight – you’ll instantly feel freshened up.
Dry bags
Organise your bag by separating out your clothes into categories
(shorts/t-shorts/leggings etc) and packing them in separate bags. It
will make things easier to find and will add another layer of
waterproofing.
Suitcase bag
If you prefer the ease of a suitcase but also the comfort of a
backpack, get a mix of both! It’s possible to get backpacks that unzip
like a suitcase so you can find things easier.
Get a water proof bag cover
Chances are you’ll meet all kinds of weather on the road, so a
waterproof cover will help to keep your backpack and its contents in tip
top condition.
Layer up!
Consider packing lots of layers instead of a big, thick coat. That
way you’re prepared for any type of weather and avoid taking up a lot of
valuable packing space with an item you may barely need.
Keep your important things with you.
Bags can get lost – it’s an unfortunate fact of life that we just
have to accept if we want to travel. So just in case, make sure anything
important/special to you gets packed in your hand luggage, just in
case.
Buddy Up
If you’re travelling in a group or a pair, talk to your travel buddy
about what you’re both packing so you don’t double up. For example,
girls, if you’re travelling with a mate and can’t live with out your
straighteners, maybe one of you can bring a hair drier and one of you
can bring the straighteners (although do consider going au natural –
it’s liberating!)
Make a list
Lists work for some and bring no benefit for others – personally I
can’t function with out them. Make a list before packing so you can
plainly see what you have, what you still need to get and what you have,
but don’t really need.
Keep your final list with you so you can quickly refer to it when
questioning whether you bought that thing you’re about to delve into
your over packed bag looking for… and then find that you didn’t even add
in the first place.
Ease the Strain
Pack heavy things in the middle of your rucksack, as close to your
back as possible. This will put less strain on your back when you carry
your rucksack. Roll up your clothes rather than folding, this should
give you more room and also, hopefully, make them less creased when you
want to wear them.
Buy the best backpack you can afford
During the weeks or months of your trip your rucksack is going to
have to see you through the rough and the smooth and take a battering en
route. Make sure you set off with a rucksack that is as sturdy as
possible. It is worth getting ‘fitted’ for your rucksack in a
specialist outdoor shop.
Ensure you’re insured
Sometimes however hard you try things can go wrong. Make sure you
get insurance so that you can replace those essential items in case they get lost or stolen when you are away.
