Packing is rarely an easy task. Sure, it may become slightly less stressful the more often you do it, but figuring out what you need and how everything fits in the allotted space demands forethought and deliberate decisions. Even as a travel writer who packs a bag several times a month, I still have to think through the different factors that will influence my packing list—weather forecast, airline luggage policies, trip length, and activities with specific clothing requirements.
Because I travel so often, I do make a concerted effort to streamline the packing process. I’ve spent years figuring out how to eliminate as many of the minor hassles as possible (stocking up on TSA-approved toiletry bottles, creating a capsule wardrobe, identifying the roomiest suitcases), and I’ve found there are several packing essentials that exponentially increase my overall efficiency—and they’re each under $30 on Amazon.
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Drawer organizers
Believe it or not, my first packing essential doesn’t actually leave my house. An organized closet and dresser is the key to seamless packing but, unfortunately, this has never been one of my strong suits. To achieve any semblance of order in my dresser at home, I need some assistance. Enter the SimpleHouseware organizer and drawer divider set. I purchased the four-bin set last year after spending too much time digging through my clothes ahead of trips. It instantly decreased the amount of time I spent packing. I use the $14 organizers to separate my clothes into categories of pieces I always need to pack; socks, underwear, bras, T-shirts, tanks, and leggings all have their assigned bins, making it easy to grab my favorites when it’s time to prepare for a trip.
Luggage scales
Reaching the 50-pound checked luggage limit always comes quicker than you think, especially if you’re packing thick winter clothes or multiple pairs of shoes. Before I purchased a handheld luggage scale a couple of years ago, I would do one of two things to attempt to avoid the overweight bag fee: 1) Try to calculate the weight by holding my suitcase on a bathroom scale, or 2) Hope for the best. Neither strategy was very effective. Now I just hook the scale to my luggage handle, weigh the bag, and receive reassurance that I haven’t overpacked. It’s also small enough to bring with me; if I pick up anything at my destination, I can reweigh my bag and make any necessary adjustments.
If you aren’t sure you need one, think of it this way: Overweight luggage fees can run anywhere from $75 to $400, depending on the airline, and my go-to luggage scale is $12. In just one use, it pays for itself.
Packing cubes
If there’s one thing I’ll never travel without again, it’s a set of packing cubes. They’ve had a positive ripple effect on my packing (and unpacking) process. Sorting clothing and accessories into cubes not only encourages me to stay organized while on the road, but it also streamlines the unpacking process. I always bring an extra one to hold dirty laundry, and I’ll empty its contents directly into my washing machine upon return. While packing for an extended trip to England in 2021, I realized I needed more cubes—at the last minute, I ordered an eight-piece Bagail set. They are lightweight and durable, and the mesh top panel allows me to see what’s inside without unzipping the cube.
Beauty product organizers
If there’s one part of the packing I (used to) find most tiresome, it’s getting all of my toiletries together. Not only am I adamant about keeping my beauty routine while on the road, but I’m also very thorough. Everything from face moisturizer to leave-in conditioner must accompany me—even if they travel in more compact containers. To combat this size issue, I started to collect smaller versions of beauty and skincare products. The free perfume samples you get with an online Sephora order? The mini body lotions and travel-sized toothpaste tubes you find in hotels? Those will eventually make their way into my makeup bag, especially if I’m only traveling with a carry-on. Instead of tossing them all in my cabinets (where I’d forget about them), I now keep them in an organizer in my bathroom.
Mini bars of soap are in the bottom drawer, followed by tiny bottles of cleanser, anti-aging products, and sunscreen; the top sections are reserved for the aforementioned perfume samples, body lotions, and miscellaneous travel-sized products. Now when it’s time for this part of the packing process, I simply pick and choose from this organized collection of products that all meet TSA requirements.
Toiletry bags and pouches
Even though I stick to a rigid skincare routine, the exact contents of my toiletry bag tend to change; some trips require more or fewer products. If I’m skiing in Jackson Hole, for example, I’ll bring extra Aquaphor. If I’m headed somewhere tropical, I up the ante on sunscreen. As my product roster shifts, it’s possible my toiletry bag lineup does, too. That said, I’ve amassed a few different types of Dopp kits and pouches over the years in order to ensure I pack efficiently and in an organized manner.
