4 Packing Hacks for a Streamlined Summer Trip

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The temperature is rising, the sun is out, and airlines are advertising seat sales with increasing regularity. That can only mean one thing: Summer vacation season is quickly approaching.

Summer trips abroad are a rite of passage. But too often, they can be awkward, clunky affairs. You end up juggling several bulky suitcases as you navigate a new destination in the punishing summer heat.

Luckily, there’s a better way to travel. In this post, let’s explore a few packing tips for a streamlined summer trip. What does “streamline” mean in this instance? The following packing hacks were designed to optimize your packing according to three metrics:

• Lightweight luggage: Let’s whittle those three bulky suitcases down to one carry-on bag for better agility and easier transportation.
• Cost-saving potential: Streamlining should free you from over-the-top expenses.
• Comfort and relaxation: Let’s ensure that your summer trip is as calm and comfortable as possible.

With those criteria in mind, here are the top four travel hacks for streamlined summer travel.

Merino Wool Is Your Best Friend

Avid travellers have known about merino for a while now. It’s a hot topic on travel message boards (like Reddit’s r/onebag), popular with minimalist world travellers and digital nomads.

Merino wool is –simply put – the ideal fabric for summer travel. It’s breathable and sweat-wicking, keeping you cool and dry in humid weather. And most importantly, merino wool is antimicrobial, which means that it stays fresh for days (even weeks!) without washing – no unseemly body odor smell.

Pack three pairs each of comfortable merino wool underwear and socks, a couple of shirts and a light sweatshirt. Those scant few clothing articles will last you for weeks in even the swampiest weather, allowing you to pack much lighter.

Choose Neutral and Monochrome Colors

Some people paint themselves into a corner, clothing-wise. They start packing brightly colored clothing. Then they need to pack even more clothing to complement that original clothing. Before long, they’ve packed their entire wardrobe.

It's better to pack neutral and monochrome colors – that way, everything article goes with every other article. It’s a simple, sophisticated way to ensure your bag stays trim and light.

Outsource Everything to Your Phone

You can save time, money and space by outsourcing (nearly) everything to your phone. Why pack an awkwardly shaped camera, heavy books, a laptop for entertainment and a travel guide when your slim phone possesses all of those things.

By consolidating everything to your phone, you can pack lighter, which will save you money on checked baggage fees and over-the-top travel items.

Travel with a Collapsible Water Bottle

Forget buying a plastic water bottle every time you get thirsty. Not only are single-use water bottles bad for the environment, but their costs add up over the course of a trip. Instead, pack a collapsible water bottle that neatly fits in your carry-on. Fill it each morning at the hotel. Or, if local tap water isn’t potable, ask the hotel front desk to fill it from their cooler.

With merino wool clothing, a collapsible water bottle, a phone full of apps and a monochrome wardrobe, you can save time, money and effort on your next summer trip.