How to Avoid Overpacking: My Go-To Packing List

How to Avoid Overpacking: My Go-To Packing List

Let’s face it we all have done it. We’ve come home from a vacation and unpacked things or clothes that we did not use once. Every time I start packing for a trip, I’m tempted to throw in “just one more thing”—and that’s how I end up lugging around an overstuffed backpack full of things I don’t actually use. Sound familiar? Over the years, I’ve learned how to pack smarter, not more, and I want to share my favorite tips and my personal packing list to help you travel lighter and smarter too.

I am also big on the I want to be prepared for everything kind of team. But lets be honest most of the time we will not be somewhere without any stores where we could buy this emergency thing if we need it. Also overpacking can get quite costly with airline fees. So here is my tips how I avoid overpacking and here you can download my exact packing list if you like to tik of everything.

✈️ How to avoid overpacking

• Plan Around the Weather and Itinerary
  This one should be quite clear. Before anything goes in your Suitcase or Backpack you need to check the weather and know what you will be doing. Beach days? Hiking? City exploring? A quick review will stop you from packing “just in case” items that never get worn.. But for me my one tip is always bring a sweater. On Airplane or in Buses it can get quite chilly even if its hot outside.

• Stick to a Color Scheme
  For me this one is quite easy. I love black clothes and own a lot of it. So when I’m Backpacking I almost only bring black clothes and can mix and match quite easily. I would say stick to 1 to 2 base colors and through in some color if you want. This way you can mix and match everything. Or what I also do sometimes is just to plan outfits ahead.

• Embrace Versatile Pieces
  Think a scarf that can also be a little blanket Or a top that can be dressed up for dinner or dressed down for sightseeing. I like to go hiking but when I’m backpacking I don’t want to bring my proper hiking boots so my game changer where some really pretty looking Trekking shoes that are good for hiking and look good when you are doing some city sightseeing.

• Use Packing Cubes
  This was a game changer for me. Before I used backing cubes everything was a chaos. Know I will pack different cubes for different purposes. Like a tops cube, a pants cube and one for my underwear. They really help you stay organized during you r trip and because they are so compact you can slip a top more in there. I personally use this one from Amazon.
  
• Limit “Just in Case” Items
  These are usually the things that take up space and never get used. Be honest about what you really need. Worst case? You can buy something small on the road. But of course we all have this one item. For me most of the time it’s a sundress that I just want to take in case we goes to a nicer dinner. But in the end I wore it 1 or 2 but I don’t want to not have it. Just limit these kind of items and as I said with the packing cubes one of those can slip by.

🧳 My Go-To Packing List

This is the list I start with and adjust based on the trip length and destination: I also have a Packing list that you can check of everything just click here.

👕 Clothing

• 5-7 tops (mix of tees, tanks, or blouses)
• 2 pairs of lightweight pants
• 1–2 pairs of shorts
• 1 dress/skirt (optional, for nice dinners)
• 1 lightweight jacket or sweater
• Rain jacket (if needed)
• 1 set of PJs
• 7–10 pairs of underwear
• 1-2 workout outfit (if I’ll use it)
• swimsuit (as many as you need)
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1-2 pair of sandals or flats
• 1 hat (don’t get a heat stroke)

🧼 Toiletries (in a TSA-approved pouch)

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap/body wash
• After Sun
• Deodorant
• Razor and shaving cream
• Nail clippers
• Hairbrush or comb
• Small microfiber towel
• Minimal makeup kit (optional)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with SPF
• Basic first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, motion sickness pills)
• Prescribed medications (bring enough for the trip!)

💻 Tech & Misc.

• Passport + visa copies
• Travel insurance documents
• Flight tickets (paper/digital)
• Wallet (with multiple cards and backup cash)
• Phone and charger
• International SIM card or eSIM setup (if you need or want to)
• Travel adapter + power strip (universal plug)
• Small day backpack
• Dry Bag (if you will have beach days)
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Lightweight travel towel
• Combination locks for bags
• Smartphone
• E-reader or tablet (for books/movies)
• Camera + spare memory cards (optional)
• Laptop (only if necessary)
• Headphones (noise-canceling if possible)
• Portable charger/power bank