Packing is a fine art. No one wants to lug heavy bags around transport hubs or arrive at the other end to a chaotically stuffed bag full of creased clothes. But we all have our “essentials” to cram in. For some, that’ll be a full skincare routine or a semblance of a wardrobe; for others, it’ll be sports equipment (though you really should leave the weights at home). So whether you’re flying on an airline offering ever-dwindling luggage limits, trying to cram a car for the whole crew, or rushing between trains with a backpack, it really does pay to travel light.
But what are the secrets to lightening the load without compromising? To find out, we’ve asked world travellers for all their best hacks and buys. Whether it’s the travel writer who’s been solo backpacking for more than 20 years or the hotel designer who has to dress smartly while zipping to locations across Europe, our globe-trotters shared their tips for everything from the ultimate wear-everywhere shoes to the best tech cheats.
Ziplock bags
Ziploc variety pack (347 bags)
£25.38 at eBay
£25.15 at Amazon
Rather than packing cubes, I use large ziplock bags; they are cheap and flexible. There are many sizes, so you can pick the right one for the job. Plus, they adapt to what you are packing: they can be rolled, squished and used inside one another to save space in your suitcase or bag. Ruby Hammer, makeup artist and founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty
Waterproof tote
Drift 35-litre bag
£110 at Finisterre
I swear by my Drift waterproof tote bag from Finisterre. It’s an essential part of my surf kit, though I also use it as my bag for cafe laptop sessions and as a catch-all for my beach gear. It fits everything I need, keeps it dry and works as hand luggage if I’m flying, too. Lindsey Holland, founder of surf retreat company Marnie Rays
A packable yoga mat
Travel yoga mat
£55 at Yoga Design Lab
£54 at Amazon
This packable yoga mat by Yoga Design Lab is a gamechanger. It has revolutionised my routine when I’m travelling because I hate borrowing the gym studio mats. It’s made from recycled bottles and is completely foldable, like a towel. It reacts to slight moisture, so if you are travelling to hot places the sweat on your hands makes the mat more sticky – which is great! Tamara Lohan, co-founder of Mr & Mrs Smith
Thin layers
Houdini jacket
£100 at Patagonia
From £60 at Cotswold Outdoor
Fitz Roy down hoodie
£240 at Patagonia
I pack only a week’s worth of clothes, even if I’m away for a month. Laundry can happen at the hotel. During the cold season, lightweight, technical coats and jackets cut out bulk: the best ones either pack into a tiny built-in bag or are made from down, which flattens and is super lightweight, taking up minimal space. I recommend Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Down and Houdini jackets – I wear them while travelling to save room in my carry-on. The Fitz Roy is so warm you don’t need to pack layers – just a T-shirt. Chuck George, founder of Chuck’s restaurants
Roll your clothes – and use a backpack
Nevis Extreme 65 + 15 litre rucksack
£99.99 at Mountain Warehouse
£99.99 at Debenhams
As someone who’s on the road more often than not, packing light and for different weather is essential. For ease of jumping on and off public transport, I travel with backpacks. I like the selection at Mountain Warehouse because they’re affordable and durable, which is important as they get chucked around on local buses. And as simple as it sounds, rolling and separating clothing (dresses, tops, bottoms) into fabric tote bags is my biggest space-saving hack. Why buy packing cubes when tote bags do the same job but roll up even neater? Rolling your clothes condenses them, so you can fit more in, and also keeps creases at bay. Lydia Swinscoe, solo travel writer, @lydiaswinscoe
Colour code your clothes
I pack colours and tones that pair well together, allowing me to mix and match while sometimes wearing the same pair of shorts or jeans on multiple occasions. I stick to packing the following: a cashmere jumper, a jumpsuit, a dress, four tops and jeans or shorts – depending on the weather. And I buy toiletries at my destination. I once moved to Palermo for six months, to research a cookbook and do travel writing, and just took a holdall using this technique. Anastasia Miari, of @MatriarchEats and author of Yiayia: Time-perfected Recipes from Greece’s Grandmothers
Wear sports gear on the plane
If you’re off on a ski weekend and don’t want to pay extra for checked luggage, it’s possible to pack what you’ll need within your cabin allowance. Free up space and weight by wearing your ski jacket and beanie. Take a pair of waterproof shoes with a good grip for walking around the resort, and wear these on the flight, too. Hire your skis and boots instead of bringing them, and clip your helmet to your bag, so it hangs from it. I’ve never had an issue flying with mine on display with British Airways. Alexander Blunt, co-founder of Heidi, the ski holiday planners
Travel-sized beauty
Muji travel accessories
From £1.50 at Muji
after newsletter promotion
To maximise space in my suitcase, I streamline my toiletries, opting for products that double up. I also skip some makeup products altogether, such as blush and concealer – when travelling to hot destinations, I wear less makeup anyway. Alternatively, I decant as much of my skincare into reusable 100ml bottles that I can bring onboard with me in my hand luggage, freeing up valuable space in my suitcase. Muji’s are best for clever packing, as they come in lots of shapes and sizes. Gina Jackon, author of An Opinionated Guide to London Hotels and travel writer, @ginagoesto
For more, read our guide to the best refillable beauty
Tech for the whole tribe
Anker Prime charger
£79.99 at Anker
£64.99 at Amazon
Although there aren’t baggage limitations on trains, I like to pack light. I usually travel with my husband and two daughters and we always take just one multi-adaptor and multi-charger that the whole family can use. We like Anker and we always pack them in our rucksacks so we can use them on the train. Cat Jones, founder and CEO of Byway, the flight-free travel company
Clothes that look good crinkled
Minako dyed linen trousers
£140 at Toast
Birkenstock Boston clog
Men’s, £140 at Schuh
Women’s, £140 at Schuh
I’ve finally cracked the capsule travel wardrobe: linen separates. A shirt and trousers in the same colour are lightweight, pack well, and can be styled in multiple ways. Pair them with classic foundational pieces – a tee, white shirt, jeans, Birkenstock clogs and a cardigan – and you’re set for the whole trip. Rosie McKissock, brand director of Toast
The wear-everywhere shoe
Keen Uneek sneaker
£60 at Office
£110 at Keen
It’s easy to overdo shoes when you go away, but I’ve realised that a single comfortable, neutral pair fulfils all my needs, and saves a lot of space. On a recent retreat in Ghana, I took a versatile sandal that was closed at the front, open with a strap at the back, and had a high-grip sole, making them perfect for pretty much every occasion. I also plan my outfits ahead of time, looking back at photos from previous holidays to see what I actually wore to help me pack smarter. Rebekah Jade, founder of Pana yoga and retreats
Travel-friendly formal wear
Traveller shirts
From £79 at Suit Supply
I love travelling with my foldable Roav sunglasses – a space-saving gamechanger. They fit into a credit card-sized pouch rather than a bulky case. I also pack travel-friendly shirts from Suit Supply (they’re made from a special type of high-twist pima cotton that is stretch- and wrinkle-resistant), packed with wire hangers to help maintain their shape. And remember: some items, such as toiletries, are best bought at the destination. Jacu Strauss, designer and creative director of Lore Group hotels
Small and mighty makeup buys
Bob Beauté correction sticks
£25 at Bob Beauté
Violette_Fr Bisou balm
£30 at Violette_Fr
I travel with a few multifunctional beauty products that do it all. Makeup-wise, I like the Bob Beauté sticks – tiny pencils that work as a beauty balm, which is lighter than a foundation, and is buildable, so you can increase the coverage. Violette_Fr’s lip balm is also a double lip moisturiser and colour in one. Inge Theron, founder of FaceGym
Hayley Spencer is a journalist and editor with 15 years of experience in writing on topics spanning style, beauty and wellness
