Do you travel a lot, whether for work or fun? Are you tired of dragging huge, heavy bags around with you only to use a fraction of what you packed? Read on for some great tips on how to pack light for an easier, more pleasant travel experience!

You only need one pair of shoes

Okay, this may not be strictly true for everyone. If you are traveling for business and are expected to dress formally at your company’s meetings or events, you might want to pack a pair of formal shoes and wear a more comfortable pair on your journey. For everyone else, though, there really is no need to take up lots of space in your suitcase by stuffing shoes into it. Just get yourself some comfortable, hardwearing, waterproof footwear and wear it both on your journey and throughout the time you’re away. If you get water in your shoes, you can always stuff some newspaper inside them—unless you’re off somewhere really damp, they’ll be dry by the next morning!

Buy travel-sized toiletries at your destination

Travel-sized toiletries are, without a doubt, a great invention. After all, who needs a huge bottle of shampoo for a three-day trip? What you might not have thought of, however, is that you can buy your essential travel-sized toiletries once you get to your destination, rather than using up suitcase space beforehand. As soon as you get to your accommodation, find the nearest supermarket or pharmacy and get yourself a small tube of toothpaste and a small bottle of shower gel and shampoo combo. By the time your trip is over, they will have run out, and you will have saved yourself some precious space in your travel bag. The only exception to this rule is if you have a condition that requires you to apply a particular product, such as eczema, and you are traveling to a country where you might face language barriers. In that case, take a bottle of your trusted product with you to avoid buying the wrong thing at your destination.

Choose your travel bags carefully

Packing a minimalist suitcase or backpack starts with the travel bags themselves. You want to choose a travel bag that provides you not only with lots of space but also with lots of options on how to use it. For instance, many designer travel bags can be worn as a backpack, across your body, on one shoulder, or just hold them in your hand, and also fold away when you are not using them. One of those might be the perfect thing to pack in your suitcase if you think you are going to need a bag while at your destination but only want to be carrying a suitcase on your actual journey.

Wear your bulkiest piece of clothing rather than packing it

Finally, if both your place of departure and your destination is cold, wear your coat while traveling rather than taking up lots of space in your travel bag by packing it. You can always forego a sweater and just wear your coat over a T-shirt if you’re worried about being too warm!