Essential Travel Accessories For Packing Your Luggage

There are many travel tips and accessories that will help the travelers get there with less. Less to carry and lower added airline charges.

The Plan

Before packing, travelers should make a plan for each day of travel–the things you will be doing and the weather you will likely encounter. Then create a clothing list for that plan. Not a list of the actual items to take, but the types of items you will want. Once you have the list together, look for items you already have that will fill double duty, such as items that can be worn more than once within similar color schemes so that they can be mixed and matched. Try to eliminate the things you normally pack because you might need them. Twenty five percent of the items taken on a trip are actually never used. Try to keep this in mind.

Consider purchasing space-saving items like compressor bags, zippered packing cubes, shoe sleeves and packing folders. Designed to organize and reduce the size of clothing and other necessities, these items are reasonably priced and helpful for short or lengthy trips. Use the packing cubes to separate materials. Separating soft lighter materials from heavier ones like denim jeans and tee shirts will prevent wrinkles in transit. Also use them to organize like things together so that you are not ripping through the entire suitcase looking for things as you progress on your trip. Speaking of wrinkles, items packed in a full but not overstuffed bag will wrinkle less. Try some of the wrinkle releasing products on the market. Some of these come in travel sizes also. Compression bags are great for saving space and keeping your cloths dry if you are traveling into areas where your baggage may not always be protected from the elements. Even a freezer zip-lock bag will do in a pinch.

Consider travel appliances vs the ones you use at home. They are usually more compact and may already be wired to handle the electrical requirements of your destination eliminating the need for a transformer/converter. Go to the web and find out what the electric requirements are for each country you will be visiting as well as the type of plug used. Make sure you have these before you leave.

Look for travel size versions of all the soaps, lotions, shampoos, etc. that you will be taking. If you can’t find one then make one using any one of the 311 size travel kits available these days. Make and extra set to carry on just in case you lose a bag in transit.

Find a lightweight packable duffel or shoulder bag to through in either your carry-on or a suitcase. When you pack for your return trip you will probably find that a few extra items have made their way into your plans and this item will save the day.

When security is a concern, there are many travel accessories that allow adventurers to carry important items safely. Security wallets, worn around the neck and underneath clothing, are effective ways to transport money and important travel documents. Personal identification and boarding pass carriers allow travelers to pass through security with their hands free, and clip-on wallets slip securely onto a belt or waistband.

Waist packs are another accessory that allows for hands-free storage of boarding passes, wallets, small cameras and cell phones.  Leather waist packs provide on-the-go storage for cash, passports and other small items. Jansport’s Coltrane waist pack includes dual water-bottle holders, a headphone pocket and a key clip, as well.

Now for the Packing

Lay out everything you will be bringing. Try to match the amount to be packed with the bags that will best fit it. If traveling with someone try to split up at least one complete outfit between your bags so that you will survive when one bag is missing in transit for the first day or two. Also pack as one not separately. Wasted space in multiple bags can multiply your surcharges.

Distribute the weight in packing cases evenly with a little extra weight at the wheeled end to prevent tipping. If packing a backpack, put the majority of the weight at the bottom, it will be easier on your back and more natural to carry. If packing in a wheeled duffel, again place heavier items towards the wheeled end to make it easier to pull around and to place less strain on your arms and hands.

Watch your total weight in any one bag. A luggage scale will pay for itself in your first trip. You want to maximize the contents of each bag without going over any weight limit. You may have to pick the lesser of two evils when choosing between that extra bag or an overweight charge but at least you will know in advance of the ticket counter.

It is a good idea to print out the baggage limits and rules from the carriers web site and have it handy. (Especially if you are carrying any specialty items like skis or fishing equipment where multiple items are treated as one bag.) Many of the check-in personnel are not airline employees anymore and are not up on the latest rules. This print-out will save an argument or the hassle of contacting the airline for a credit after the fact. If you find a stubborn clerk, don’t be shy about asking to speak with a supervisor who has the authority to make a decision.

Throw in a couple kitchen garbage bags. They come in handy for a lot of things including keeping dirty or wet things away from the rest of your clothes.

Make sure the first things you will need upon arrival are the last things packed.

We sell Travel and Security Accessories for Business and Leisure

Outfitting business and leisure excursionists since 1920, we carries leather business accessories, carry-on luggage and large rolling duffels for guaranteed low prices. Offering free shipping on orders over $100, the online retailer stocks more than a dozen quality name brands. Visit the site to peruse Briggs and Riley, Samsonite and collections.