10 essential travel hacks for packing light as a digital nomad
When you’re traveling, every inch of space in your luggage matters. I know what it’s like to pack as light as possible and still make sure you have everything you need. I also know how frustrating it can be when one bag isn’t enough and you have to buy another one at the airport or pay extra for two checked bags just because your packing job was so terrible. That's why I've put together this list of ten essential travel hacks that will help save space and make your trip easier—and hopefully cheaper!
1. Roll your clothes instead of folding them
It's a fact: rolling your clothes instead of folding them saves space.
Folding is great for the occasional trip, but if you're going to be living out of a suitcase for longer than a week or two, it's better to roll your clothes and pack them tightly in your bag. Rolling helps prevent wrinkles and makes everything fit better in luggage (or even just a backpack). It also allows you to use every inch of space efficiently--you can get more clothes into one bag this way than with folding alone!
There are several methods for rolling clothes: some people prefer to fold their pants vertically lengthwise down the middle; others will do so horizontally across their bodies as though they were wearing them; still others may choose to roll up items like shorts or shirts into long tubes before tucking them into their socks or underwear (if this sounds confusing--it really isn't). The important thing here is that whatever method works best for YOU should be used consistently throughout all packing scenarios so that when on-the-go time comes around again later on down the line, there won't be any confusion about how best go about getting everything back into its place without wasting precious minutes trying different styles until something clicks into place...which often happens anyway because everyone knows how frustrating trying new things can sometimes be!
2. Buy a packing cube
Packing cubes are a handy way to organize your clothes and keep them tidy. They're also a great way to save space in your backpack or suitcase. The best packing cubes come in different sizes, so you can choose the size that works best for your needs (or buy multiple sizes). Some people prefer nylon or polyester, while others prefer mesh.
3. Get rid of your heavy coat
If you're traveling to a warm destination, don't bring a heavy coat. If you live in a cold climate and need one anyway, consider getting rid of it for your travels. They are bulky and take up way too much space in your bag or suitcase.
Instead of packing up an entire wardrobe (and then having to wash all those clothes when they get dirty), simply pack the basics: jeans, shirts, shorts/pants/skirt(es). Pack items that can easily be layered together if necessary--for example: two thin sweaters rather than one thick one; two light jackets instead of one heavy coat; three pairs of pants instead of six shorts--you get the idea!
4. Pack in layers instead of one bulky piece
If you're going to a hot climate, this is especially important. You can always take off layers if you get too hot and add them back on as needed. This is preferable to wearing one bulky item that will be uncomfortable in the heat or humidity.
You can use the same piece of clothing in different ways: as an undershirt, vest top or scarf; as a skirt or shorts; as a dress over leggings (if wearing shorts).
5. Stuff a plastic bag into your shoes to save space and make sure they don't take up too much room
If you're going to be traveling for a while, the last thing you want is to bring along shoes that take up too much space and weigh down your bag. One of the best ways to keep them compact is by stuffing them with plastic bags. The bags help keep the shoe from getting crushed while in transit, which means they'll look better when they arrive at their final destination. They also help prevent odors from building up inside the shoes (which can happen if they're packed tightly). The best part? You can easily remove these plastic bags before wearing them again!
6. Use packing cubes to organize your electronics and other accessories
Packing cubes are the best way to organize your electronics and other accessories. They're also great for keeping toiletries and clothing organized, but we'll get into that later.
The best part about packing cubes is that you can use them for anything! You can use them for organizing your chargers, headphones, adapters and other accessories; or you could use them as extra space in your bag if needed.
They're definitely one of my favorite travel hacks because they make it easy to find what I need when I need it--and they help me stay organized while on the road.
7. Pack a compression sack to save space in your luggage
You'll want to use a compression sack for your clothing, especially if you're trying to pack light. A compression sack helps you save space in your luggage by squeezing out extra air from the bag and compressing it.
It's important that you choose the right size for your needs: if it's too big, it won't be as effective; if it's too small, then all that extra material will just take up more room in your bag and weigh down on other items--not ideal! Also keep an eye out for what kind of material is used in making these products (e.g., nylon vs cotton). The type of fabric can affect how well they work or whether they're worth buying at all! Below are some tips on how best pack one such product:
8. Shrink-wrap clothing that doesn't wrinkle easily, like jeans and long-sleeved shirts
Shrink-wrap clothing that doesn't wrinkle easily, like jeans and long-sleeved shirts
If you want to keep your clothes looking fresh while traveling, try shrink-wrapping them. This is an easy trick that will save space in your suitcase while also keeping wrinkles at bay.
Use a hair dryer on low heat to shrink wrap clothing: First, wrap the garment in a towel or other protective material (like an old t-shirt), then hold it closed with one hand as you blow hot air from the hair dryer onto the outer layer of fabric until it tightens around the item being wrapped. You can also use this method on shoes!
9. Use packing cubes for liquids so you don't have to mess with bottles or zip-lock bags on the plane or at the airport security checkpoint
If you're packing liquids for travel, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you're flying with a checked bag, it's important to know what liquids can be brought onto the plane and how they must be stored. For example, if your shampoo or conditioner comes in an aerosol canister that's over 3oz (100ml), then it's not allowed on board because those containers are considered hazardous materials by TSA agents at security checkpoints. The same goes for toiletries like toothpaste or shaving cream--if they come in larger-than-standard sizes (like 6oz), they won't make it through security either!
What if I'm only carrying my backpack? And what do I do with all these bottles now? Well first off: don't worry too much; most likely everything will work out just fine when you get there! But if not...you could always buy new ones once inside the country where we're headed :).
10. Bring a portable battery pack for charging electronics on the go.
A portable battery pack is a must-have item for any digital nomad.
These little devices can recharge your phone, laptop and camera on the go. They come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to know what you need before buying one.
Here are some tips:
The size of your device will dictate what type of battery pack you need (a smaller one will fit in your pocket; larger ones need to be kept in a bag).
As with anything else, there are tradeoffs between price and quality--you get what you pay for! So make sure that even if something seems expensive at first glance, there aren't cheaper options out there that perform just as well (or better).
By following these tips, you can pack light and still look good. It doesn't matter if you're traveling for business or pleasure--these hacks will help you look sharp even when your suitcase is overflowing with clothes that don't wrinkle easily or have been rolled instead of folded!
