Five travel experts agree that holidaymakers should avoid packing a 'just in case' wardrobe. The consensus emerged after more than a dozen travel gurus were consulted for their essential picks and items to skip when heading abroad.
The must-have list included items such as a sarong, a fully charged battery pack, cereal bars and 'your favourite comb'. However, there was considerably more agreement on what holidaymakers should steer clear of packing.
Experts on Overpacking
Natasha Inglis, client experience director at Good Business Travel, said many travellers regret taking too many 'just in case' outfits which take up valuable space in luggage. She advised asking whether an item will genuinely be worn and whether it works with at least two other items in the suitcase. If the answer is no, it probably does not need to come. She recommended packing versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, with a simple colour palette so everything works together.
Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, shared this view. He explained: "What I leave at home is the 'just in case' wardrobe. After years of living out of a suitcase in places as different as Tokyo and Buenos Aires, I have learned that you never wear the extra pair of shoes and the extra jacket. Laundry is easy to find nearly everywhere, and anything I truly forget I can buy on arrival, often for less than the cost of checking a heavier bag."
Packing Light Strategies
Jim Webber, a retired teacher who runs the travel blog Travelwidstom, commented: "I leave as many clothes at home as possible when I travel. So, my strategy focuses on packing light and doing laundry on extended trips. For example, my wife and I travelled for 17 days out west. We each had a carry-on and a personal item backpack. We were able to wash our clothes a few times on the trip at the hotels we stayed at."
Aman Thakran, founder of BharatFare, argued that the 'just in case' items were for occasions "that never happen". He said: "I travel with clothes that all go together, so everything mixes and matches and nothing extra comes along. It saves weight, and often means you can skip the checked bag altogether."
Safari-Specific Advice
Vummy Kihaule, founder of Tanzania Safaris, highlighted that excessive clothing is especially unnecessary when embarking on safari. "Most hotels and lodges wash your clothes every day and return them to you the same evening. So three shirts will last you 10 days. Ask your hotel if they do washes every day and you'll be able to cut half of your clothes from your bag. Weight is also a huge issue with small aircraft on regional routes, and most have a 15kg maximum weight including your hand luggage," Vummy explained.
