✈ Don’t forget to grab my Long Flight Essentials Cheatsheet for free: bit.ly/40GFPdc 🎒 And here are those compression cubes to help you fit more in your luggage: shoptripped.com/ProjectUntethered-Summer24
Unfortunately the gate agents are on to the neck pillow thing and increasingly are telling folks it's a separate personal item and they have to fit it in their carry on. Too many bloggers blabbed about it on the interverse.
@@brimstone33oh no! This hack was going to save me! My adult child just started working at an airport so I’m going to find out about this. I travel for 3 months at a time and I could use the extra space!
Probably my best travel hack or tip deals with being broke, brilliant and personal hygiene necessitates. Pick up a package of regular old sponges and ziplock bags at the dollar store and head home. Place any liquid hygiene products like shampoo, body wash, dish soap, aloe, laundry detergent, etc you need to bring on the trip with you on a counter workspace. Line your sponges up (on top of baggie) and using one sponge per hygiene product pour a small amount of the liquid directly onto it. Allow that to fully absorb into the sponge and then repeat the process until either the sponge is full or you have enough of the needed product for the duration of your trip. Place sponge into the baggie and only seal the bag halfway at most. Let them sit out overnight so the liquid dries inside the sponge. Either cut the sponge into cubes for daily use or leave in one piece to cut once you’ve reached your destination. Make sure the baggies are fully sealed before packing them. Now all you need is a bit of water to “reactivate the sponge soaked product. Doing this saves an amazing amount of space and weight. Thank you and I really hope this helps. ❤ from Shannon in Canada 🇨🇦 PS there are countless other items you can do this with and definitely don’t need to be hygiene related.
For decades I use large plastic freezer bags rolling up the garment(s) towards the opening squeezing out the air. It can remain rolled or flat. Don’t have to buy cubes or compression/valves bags.
For the tape hack, parent edition: painters tape is good for tapping up cords, covering outlets, distracting toddlers, making "roads" for toy cars, etc.
I use painter’s tape to cover small light sources in my hotel room so I can get the room darker. The tip to wrap tape around something instead of bringing the whole roll is great!
I am impressed with how little new fancy items we were told we had to buy to travel in a thrifty, minimalist way. This is so much more continuous with how a lot of us live, rather than just an exercise in accumulating high-end stuff.
I do the same! On occasion I even fill them with some basic allergy medicine or Tylenol. The trick is remembering which contact lenses case has actual contacts in it as opposed to all the other stuff.
Travelling/backpacking internationally solo for many years now I’ve been figuring out what works best for me. Compression packing cubes are great sometimes, but packing only a few tops, bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes max and shower flip flops for hostels is best. Pack items that are quicker dry/light weight and neutral so it’s easy to pick anything in the morning to wear. A clear toiletries bag off Amazon- sturdier than a ziplock, works great. Use shampoo bars for less weight and liquid. Bring detergent if you’ll be in a place long enough to hand wash small items like underwear/socks or shirt depending how long you’re gone for.
Laundry sheets are better than trying to bring detergent for laundering clothes. Little sheets of paper that are ready to dissolve into your next clothes wash. Tear off 1/2 a sheet if hand washing, even less than that if you are only washing one item in a sink. No need to bring liquids anymore!
I was on vacation and on my last night while packing the zipper on the suitcase broke. It was 10 pm in Mazatlán no stores open. I got my duct take and taped my suitcase. Believe me it looked horrible but made the trip back to California. Customs did not even bother to ask me any questions. 😂
I love compression cubes. I put each day's outfit in a separate compression cube. I recently discovered, though, that I can do the same thing with large zip-lock bags.
I agree! I pack each outfit in one ziplock and squeeze out the air as I zip it. I like to see what’s inside and it makes getting ready easier. (I tried compression cubes but like the clear Ziplocks better)
I was a die-hard ziplock fan for 25+ years until I broke down and purchased packable cubes from Amazon a few months ago. One thing I like about the cubes is that they don't slide around on each other like the ziplocs, so I can stuff more things into my carry on, like socks and such on the sides of the compression cubes. I also like the color-coded cubes as I will have a different color for each of us, so we just grab our cubes and toss into the drawers. I used to do this with ziplocks too but would need to label each with masking tape and sharpie, no biggie. I did a side by side comparison with ziplocs vs packing cubes with the same amount of clothing, weird thing I noticed was more space with the cubes, it could have been the way the cubes held their shape and didn't collapse like the ziplocks, which I had to put clothing in flat rather than rolled up. I still love ziplocks of all sizes and take them on every trip.
I use extra hotel soaps that I've received at past stays that I like and break them into smaller pieces for the number of days I'm staying at each future place. For example, bigger for a 2 day stay versus a one day stay. I keep them in a baggie until I need to use them and throw them away if any is left after use. I figure this is easier than worrying about making sure it's dry enough. I have an allergy to mold so this method works for me better.
@@pilarq7886 cheap hostels where you share bathroom with other people? AirBnB - where you rent room in someones flat and don't want to use their soap. Also: if you are staying for few days you may run out of provided soap
I have been using contact lenses cases for decades! It’s amazing what you can fit in those little sections. If you’re using the quart size baggie you can fit a lot of them in that bag! I’ve also thrown in a few of the lense cases into my purse and no one has ever questioned why they’re in there!
Make soap shavings using a potato peeler. Place the shavings into a zip lock baggie and bring that. Less bulky than a bar and you just use what you need to not wet mess.
If my 40-year-old 35mm film canister repair kit ever breaks I'll try an Rx bottle. Although a Prince Albert tobacco can is nice too because it packs flat. Here's a tip: get a hot glue stick, cut it in half then in half lengthwise. It's good for fixing lots of things but particularly a loose shoe sole. Light it with a lighter like a candle. A mini Bic lighter will fit nicely in your kit.
I always have in my bag/purse my "multi-purpose" "was i a scout in a previous life ?" pouch. I've been doing the altoid/metal can trick forever, I even have a needle and thread in there for any misshaps! Contents of the pouch inclued: Mini nail clippers and file Hair tie Tinny pot of body lotion Dental floss Lip balm The altoid/metal can Comb Gum Feminine hygiene products (tampon and everyday pads) Mirror Toothbrush and toothpaste Multi-function credit card sized tool (with scissors, small knife, twizzers, inches/cms ruler, tinny light, bottle openner, screwdriver, pen) I'm the 'what you need? I have it" friend!
I use his pocket method and cargo pants to pack my heavy items, like cell phone chargers, cell phones, etc. But unlike he said about removing them from your pockets after Secuity, you have to keep the items in your pockets until you are seated on the plane. They will now stop you at the gate for too many items in addition to your carry on case and personal item (purse, computer bag), including if you have a neck pillow or pillow. They didn’t used to.
That's my experience too. In fact, they totally don't care at the security how many bags you have. They often don't even know, considering putting things out on the tray anyway. You can put half a dozen small bags and they won't care. For instance, I often have so packed backpack/personal item, that I can't fit my cosmetics anymore. Same with a sweater, jacket, scarf, etc. I only need to stuff it somehow somewhere for going through the gate, only then I out all that stuff (usually clothes) in a light grocery bag or something.
I just get a bag (or ask for the largest bag if I purchase something) from one of the duty-free or shops in the airport, make a beeline for the closest private spot, unload pockets. No one has ever asked to look into the bags. I’ve been doing this for 30 years! I even pack a duty free bag if I’ve already gotten one previously at that particular airport. That way it’s almost like I get a totally free extra bag.
Travel tips: Take a low dose aspirin before your fight to prevent blood clots. Clean out your sock drawer before you pack and take “one way socks.” Throw them away as you wear them on the trip. No smelly socks to worry about and more room in your suitcase as the trip progresses. Clorox wipes in a ziplock to clean the plane’s tray table and seatbelt. Email a picture of your passport and IDs to yourself.
Aspirin does not prevent DVT when flying. It was thought to possibly reduce the risk in the past, but this is no longer the case, and the CDC, NHS et al do not recommend it's use.
Not in favor of throwing away socks……instead, wash them each night in your hotel bathroom sink. Why throw away your dirty socks in another city, or country? We, Americans, have to stop trashing the world!
There is a TH-camr who gives travel tips and she can fit up to 25 items in a large packing cube. She folds her clothes the exact shape of the PC and smooths out every wrinkle, taking up every inch of space.
Love SCOTTeVEST. I have 3 of their jackets. Used one on a recent flight as my purse. Since it was a jacket it didn't count as my personal item. And the jacket held even more than my travel purse could. My travel purse was packed flat in the suitcase, so I could use it at my destination.
I have a vest from Eddie Bauer that has six pockets that I bought on sale ($30 CDN). I wear it on the flight or train for things I want to have accessible.
I love travel hacks to reduce luggage as I only travel with personal items, even internationally. I put duct tape on a pen (instead of a deo), as I keep pens, tape, safety pins etc in the same container. I have been doing the neck support as a packing hack for about 15 years, it's a game changer. I sometimes use a teddy and put clothes in it. It doubles as a pillow. I use small microfiber towels instead of towels to dry off, they save so much space. To reduce luggage, I do 'wash, wear and spare'. I've never had a problem of not having anything to wear. I save samples of face cream, perfume samples etc to reduce the amount of products I need to bring.
Such good tips! In our last trip, I switched out my big microfiber towel for a tiny one, and it saves so much space. The big one was nice when we used to stay in hostels because I could use it as a privacy curtain on my bed, but my hostel days are over for the most part.
@@ProjectUntethered it's really nice to see a minimal packing video on yt. Most videos I've seen are definitely not minimalist, glad yours is. Great tips. ❤️
My best soap trick is to use a small ziplock bag, you can find them in the beading section at Hobby Lobby. I put my wet soap in the ziplock, but do not seal it completely so that the water can evaporate allowing the soap to dry. I cut a small piece of the soap off to travel with so I'm not wasting space with a large bar of soap. I agree carabiner hooks are the best, I always carry a small one in my purse. In addition to what you mentioned that can be used to secure a zipper (even on a purse) to prevent pick pockets.
Yeah I think the ziplock bag wears out pretty quickly on longer trips. I got one of those Matador bags, and I put my soap and conditioner bars in the same bag, each in a small mesh pouch. I also keep teeny tiny suction hooks in there to hang the bags on the shower wall. The Matador bags are stupid expensive, I'm pretty sure you could make something similar with a tiny piece of Tyvek house wrap material taped into a bag. That house wrap stuff is supposed to be vapor permeable.
@@katyb2793 There are tiny, "S" shaped, double-sided "locking" carabiners that will fit some zipper pulls." Nite-Ize" is a well-known maker of some of those.
@@brimstone33 oh I see, thank you! I was so confused how the big ones would be useful lol Although attaching one to your bag and belt would definitely stop a bag snatcher.
Yeah those small plastic ziplock bags are so handy. I have one that holds ear plugs, small hotel sewing kit, small emery board, nail clippers, folding scissors, bandaids, a mint, eraser, little magnifying glass, safety pins, hair tie, tiny screw driver for my glasses, a folding lint brush, and a couple of alcohol wipes. There’s been times airport security wanted to see it and as they can see the contents they’ve waved it through. I also pack extra ones but so far the original one has held up to a year’s worth of intense travel.
The last time I flew Southwest, we were told that travel pillows were considered one of the two pieces of carry-on we were allowed. The gate agent warned us all that only two things can be carried, so everything else you had in your hands had to fit INSIDE one of those two items. Not clipped on, because that makes the carry-on larger than the allowed size. You were spot-on, though, with the travel jacket idea. That is indeed the third item that passengers can bring aboard, since it's considered clothing and not luggage.
The flatpak has worked out great on all my trips over the last year so far. I've thrown my soap in there straight after a shower and packed it up with no issues of leakage yet.
I have that soap bag also! You put your soap in a mesh soap saver sack. You can wash with it in that. Then you can hang that up to dry. My bar is combo soap and shampoo 😊
Ranger rolling is too cumbersome and time consuming. Better to roll stuff and secure with rubber bands, better yet hair bands. Better still do a Marie Kondo flat fold, it takes up less space than rolling. Oh and I was a Ranger 🙃
I like that you always list the cheap diy version (except for packing cubes - I don't have, use small delicates bags instead and just stuff to the max - that way I always have delicates bags when I need them with no extra bulk)
Although I love the carabiner and extra packing bag idea for those extra layers, probably wouldn't work for the budget airlines I use in Europe, as they can check at the gate, and my tiny allowable carry on bag is already packed full. What I've been doing is buying something I need at the airport (sometimes it's just water and snacks) but get a bigger airport bag, and then put my extra layer things in there, usually under any purchases. They are required to allow an airport purchase bag on so I haven't had any problems with this, plus I have legitimate purchases in the bag.
@@dan-nutu I put my 17" mac book in the back of my fishing jacket, wear another thin voluminous coat/thin raincoat over the top. Tho I'd like to a band that pulls that back area to my body (like an elastic pull in strap), would stop the contents of the huge back pocket leaning outwards and showing through the oversized raincoat.
Looks could be even more bizarre than frumpy... The current 10-day forecast for the local weather here ranges between 33°C/92°F and 36°C/97°F, and as recently as two weeks ago the temperatures broke 42°C/108°F. Imagine showing up dressed like that at the check-in counter!
Don’t forget the safety pins with the duct tape. Ranger rolling is great, learnt this in the 1980’s and used it since. Big cheap ziplock bags (ikea) are a good substitution for compression cubes, just fill n roll out the air. 👍🏽
a full ranger roll tutorial would be awesome! and i would love to see more on personal item only packing as i've been doing that for all flights recently including 10 day trips from US to 3 countries in Europe!
I guess updates from the airlines say your head pillow does NOT count as a personal item on the flight. Filling a headrest pillow with T-shirts/clothing is a great idea, but I can’t imagine it’s super comfortable… Thanks for the many great ideas, including Breath mint tins to use as mini first aid kits. I tend to use reusable “Ziploc bags“ for first aid items because they are flat, waterproof, reusable, & you can see through it to get to what you need. Btw, duct tape does come in cheap flat packs.
OH man, the videos i usually come across about packing tricks are just useless tricks copied from another video, but yours are truly helpful. Damn that "stuffable pillow" trick what an invention :DD
That is what I thought. I tend to get to the maximize weight my checked bag, so not really needing compression. However, great idea for carry on luggage.
@@ihadtosayit10Works until they have a weight limit on carryon luggage. Several years ago had 12 kilo limit on items carried on, but was allowed to move some into checked bags. It was a small commuter flight.
Now its 7kgs only for carry on plus a personal bag item. Jeezuz what can you bring for a 7kgs. The bag itself weighs already 1-1.5kgs, if hard shell luggage probably 2kgs.
Yes I agree. Last trip was 7weeks long & I went with cubes organizing my bag. Next trip is maybe only 1 cube if I have to - too many cubes for this & that, all adds up to another shirt you could pack & take. And yes - you can definitely survive with 7kg's for 7 weeks by being smart!
I use a zip lock bag for soap. I just leave it open on the desk overnight so it's mostly dry, zip in the morning and drop in my bag. That sliminess is just, you guessed it, soap!
Instead of the microfiber cloth, I would recommend a Korean scrub mitt to hold one's soap-- no need to cut or sew, and can scrub away dirt on those off-the-beaten path trips. They also dry quickly.
That extra stuff unload in a bag with a carabiner only works if upon boarding you don't get a wishy washy attendant. I have experience with being asked to check in or re-weigh upon boarding 😮
That's why you get the vest with pockets or the jacket with pockets. You can put anything you like into clothing pockets. Not counted as carry on luggage. That's why photographers have their vests with lots of heavy lenses in them.
One thing I notice is that your clothing is all nylon. I think the packing cube works well for wrinkle free, synthetic clothing. Show us a video where you use cotton clothing. Thank you. Regarding charging cords or headsets, I just roll mine around my hand and secure with a twist ties wrapped several times around in a spiral, those go into a designated sandwich bag that I can see through, and the air can be pushed out
Try merino t shirts. They are available in VERY light fabrics, don't get smelly for days, look great, and last for years. Dry quickly, are warm/cool as needed, more breathable than synthetics. I have some which are 10 years old, worn lots, just starting to wear out. Up front cost seems a lot until you look at how long they last.
But if TSA sees you have personal items in your Medical Bag with your CPAP, they will make you remove them from there and put them in your carry on/personal item or toss them. This happened to a friend. She moved her medications into the Medical Bag to make room for the personal items in her personal item bag.
Excellent tips! Because I wear eyeglasses, I carry around a spare and sunglasses in a hard clamshell case. Even with two pairs in there, there is plenty of extra space to stow away some cash.
Parchment bags have worked wonders for me with soap bars. You can throw a wet brick in there and the soap will still dry just fine and the bag will stay in tact. I'll still throw it in plastic zip bag to keep it all contained. It's a win win for me with me using my favorite soap anywhere I am, and it's not wasting any space in my luggage.
If you're trying to keep to 7kg's, soap = extra weight. Just like soap-infused sponges in snap-clip bags = extra weight. They sell soaps at your destination & it's all part of the holiday experience to try another country's products. Makes your favorite products more enjoyable when you get home :)
@@RosERosE-123many people have sensitivities or allergies so they can only use certain brands of personal hygiene so trying out new items on a trip can be very uncomfortable, it’s better to take your trusted items with you
The microfiber washcloth around the soap is also good for gym bags. I have a pocket on the end I use for soap, shampoo, and deodorant. I keep one small washcloth in the bottom and wrap one around soap. I use the “dry” one to wipe off the bottles, then put it on the bottom and put all my stuff in. I wring out the wet washcloth well, wrap up the soap with it, and cram it in with the rest. Works great. sometimes the soap sticks meaning that I need to shower with it stuck until it loosens so I use it faster, but soapy will not bankrupt me - I can get more soap if I run out.
Ooh, the contact lens cases work GREAT for small amounts of gooey stuff. They don’t leak! Hair gel, Neosporin, face lotion, acne spot treatment, etc. saves room in the tsa ziplock for things that have more girth.
My best hack is a chamois like divers use. It absorbs so much fluid, use to get most water off after swim or shower. Wrap wet washed clothes squeezes out so much more water and stuff can dry overnight. Some hotel rooms keep aircon on so high it’s hard to get undies etc dry.
A hack I used for my soap is to wrap it in toilet paper. It keeps it dry, and although a bit messy, when you need to use it again, just unwrap some of the paper and the rest comes off the soap with water while you wash your hands.
Can carry a couple of those cheap tablecloth clips in case the curtains in accommodation gape. I bring a Nightlight and a very mini flashlight since I’ve been lost in the dark unfamiliar hotel room looking for the bathroom. I use two super light lidded plastic containers for part of my packing, these double as lunch kits for sandwiches or snacks with a couple plastic spoons and forks. I take a few baggies if I have room and a small garbage bag for laundry, soap sheets for handwashing, and tiny compressed facecloths since in Europe they don’t provide. I have mini travel toothbrushes that come with a spot of toothpaste for a freshen up after a long flight but I don’t use the airplane water!
they now include options to choose a hand pump or a small rechargeable pump--I used the rechargeable on my business trip last week and it was great, plus it fit into a small corner of my suitcase.
Keep the little soap from hotels to take with on shorter trips. When you're done using it in the shower, lean it on end so it gets dry faster and doesn't getting mushy. Just dry off, then pack in a ziploc or toss out when done with the trip. 👍
Those 7-day pill containers work great for jewelry and earrings. If you get one that can fit into a quart-size bag, you can also fill them with lotions or cosmetics.
But less weight will be those little gauze drawstring bags to put them in, then into the bottom of your bag in a pocket.... Or wearing the things you want to take instead of packing them.
great tips. I actually do almost all of those things except the compression cube (I've tried them). Since I travel with a custom carry on bag that has compression straps on the outside, and my bag is already full, it naturally compresses the clothes. I do travel with a plastic compression bag though in case I need extra compression. I not only have carabiners on the handles but also down by the backpack straps and on the straps themselves. a pro tip, if you use the fishermans vest, you have to cover it with another jacket. They can and will deny boarding if you're obviously performing this hack (remember ryan air denied boarding to the guy that wore multiple jackets and shirts). One big mistake that your video has is unpacking prior to the check in gate. Many budget airlines (europe and asia) are re-checking bag size and weight at the gate while you're in line. Also, I have a feeling they might outlaw the pillow hack soon as some are tagging small fanny packs or wrist bags as carry on items!
We also get soap strips. You have to tear out one strip and rub it in between your wet hands and then dispose the underlying paper on which the soap was coated into the bin. While traveling, I carry shampoo and conditioner single use sachets instead of a bottle or tube. They hardly occupy any space at all.
Are there really airlines that weigh carry on bags? I usually fly 40-50 flights a year and have never had a carry on weighed or even size checked. Mostly American, Southwest, and Delta.
@@JustinLisenbyacross Europe it is common to have to put carryon bags into a luggage sizer at the gate to ensure that they are compliant with airlines max dimensions
The only thing about the packing cube is that many airlines now will consider the backpack a carry-on and the packing cube a personal item, so if you have those two PLUS a regular carry-on they may make you check your bag, so I would say le`ave the stuff in your pockets and keep your layers on UNTIL you get on the plane, then unload it into the packing cube. Taht way once your bag is in the overhead bin (your actual carry-on) they can't do much and you can probably slip the filled packing cube along with your backpack under the seat.
Yeah that would be the way to go if you want to be extra safe. I haven't had a problem at the boarding gate so far, but I don't fly in the US very often, so YMMV.
A small compression cube slips into outer pockets of carry-ons or backpacks really nicely because they are slippery and have a hand loop to recover them for use.
@@ProjectUntethered I’m allergic to feathers in hotel bedding, so I carry a satin bed liner folded very tightly in a ~6”x10”compression bag placed in the fuzzy laptop compartment of my personal item bag. Can’t travel without this combo.
I use an old Rx bottle as an emergency kit. Bandaids, Alcohol wipe, large and small safety pins, etc. I wrap the outside of it with about a yard of duck tape, also a couple of yards of Paracord. The tape and cord I've used a million times. Tape repairs anything and I've improvised clotheslines and belts, even a leash out of the Paracord. Useful stuff.
Last month I was surprised to have my carry on weighed. Really thought I was doomed but somehow passed. You have actually given me some good little hacks. Eg, lens case and Mentos container. Filling up a pillow is looking tempting too. Thank you. Bit of a giggle at the tape up the baggy pants story.
I use packing cubes my husband and i fit all of our clothes in one carry on suitcase. When we went to iceland we used the carryon and one backpack for both of us. So definitely a packing cube is a most
You should have seen the look on the hotel Porter's face recently when I told him there were no bags. It was a four day work event including a semi formal awards dinner. I absolutely did not want to check any luggage. So I rolled and tucked, and took only a carry-on acceptable backpack. I got everything in there including dress shoes, make up, bath products, and hair styling tools! When I got out of the taxi, he came running to grab my pack, and said he'd get my bags out of the trunk for me. He was so shocked, double checked I was with the awards group, then called a couple of the other guys to see that I'd only brought the one backpack. I guess other women arrived with much more. 🤷
I also always travel light. We recently traveled with friends and he asked where were the other bags. Was shocked I only had one suitcase because his wife had three LARGE suitcases. One was shoes and purses 😂 I only use a small purse across my body for phone, passport and cards/money, a pair of walking boots and a pair of sandals.
@@KgrK13 I smoothed an rolled the outfits tightly, wore booties with dressy clothes so tucked stuff in those, I hung up the formal outfit as soon as I got to the room and it didn't even need to be steamed.
Place a bar of soap into the toe of one "knee high" panty hose. Tie a knot next to the soap so it stays in one place. Make a loop at the other end of the knee high panty hose and hang around shower head. Rub wet washcloth or shower poof across soap to build up lather. Soap won't fall onto the floor of the shower, and it will air dry as it hangs. Don't forget your soap when you check out! You can store it in a ziploc bag between destinations if it's still a little damp.
Growing up poor. Buy when on sale. No carrying over charges on credit cards. Use rewards programs whenever available. Cheaper can be better; but not very often. Use thrift stores for things that will be used for less than a year. Buy fruit and vegetable from farmers market and in season. Add anything to mashed potatoes for a filling meal.
On my trip I just went one. Some said they use the vacuumed sealed storage bags for packing. But caution bag is still weighted so watch it's not overweight. But give alot of room in your bag.
Great video as usual. I always enjoy them. Plus one for the matador flatpak. It's great for carrying soap. It allows the soap to dry while keeping everything else from getting wet and folds down smaller as the soap gets used up.
*Better than carabiner* - I use nylon snap dog collars. They can work like a carabiner, but have other uses: Can also use as short straps to attach items outside packs such a compressing fluffy items. Can attach carry on or 2nd check in bag to top of wheeled check in so you can pull with 1 hand. *First aid kit* should contain: Moleskin if you're hiking. It is super sticky, can seal up a deep cut to get you back to civilization (will hurt coming off). I am not saying you should order Amoxicillin through the mail (but you can), but it is a powerful antibiotic (like penicillin) - even if you have a virus which it doesn't counter, it helps prevent other infections while your body fights the virus. *Jacket with big pockets* is a good idea even if you don't need the space. Twice I was stopped because my carry-on or personal item was a little oversized or overweight. I began placed items in my jacket pockets 1 at a time and kept rechecking (to annoy the attendant) saying I will just move them back to my pack later. I didn't have to finish before they gave up and let me through. *Smoking hack* - White cloud has a phantom line of electronic cigarettes with a colorless and odorless vapor (no cloud). I put a pen cap over the end and it looks just like a pen. I wasn't being cautious once and didn't notice a steward walking up until he spoke "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you had an electronic cigarette, but you're just chewing on your pen." I held it out in front of me for plain view, smiled, and replied "No problem." *Clear top micro-Case* - Pelican and others make a clear top micro case. I use this in my personal items to carry all of my batteries - rather than pulling them out individually at the scanner, I pull out the 1 case. The inside has a cushion lining to protect items like cameras. Get the waterproof one for additional usage. *Washcloth* can have a lot of uses. Mine is white. If I use it while travelling, I swap it out at the hotel for a fresh clean washcloth.
I discovered the pillow thing by myself a few years ago after purchasing a silk travel pillow cover, which incidentally looks exactly like the one in the video, just silk. Works a charm
I roll red duct tape around itself. Used it to identify a new suitcase after my old one broke on a trip. I keep it in a tiny zipper bag in my personal item with other useful travel stuff (a dose of meds for headache, stomach, etc), safety pin, zipper pull repair, 2 each bandaid, 2 blister patches, & butterfly bandages. antiseptic wipes & other fixes while away from home. It goes in my daily carry when not on plane/train/etc.
Very smart! You could kill 2 birds with one stone if you have a plastic handle on your suitcase - you could add the emergency duct tape which doubles as a unique identifier for your luggage. I love how the comments sections always has amazing ideas I'd never thought of!
Ok, these are ACTUALLY useful packing hacks, thank you! Definitely adding duct tape to my kit and rethinking my travel pillow (I don't carry one now because it's annoying on the rest of the trip.)
Those zipped mesh wash bags for delicates are my so versatile. Good for wet soap, separating clothes that have another wear in them but aren’t dirty, and much more.
For soap, shampoo, and the like. We travel Europe and found it way easier to hit the local pharmacy to purchase soap and shampoo once we arrived if you're going to squat for a week or so. We used until we left, and paid it forward to the next folks, who may not know these are not provided. Also, in some places linens, towels and TP have to be provided by the tenant. You can go to the local charity shop and buy linens and towels, the local grocery for TP. When you leave, you can donate them back to the charity shop or leave them as a pay it forward gesture for folks who didn't know you had to provide these. A lot of travelers to other countries have no idea that they need to provide these. Also, to lighten your load on the way home, take what you can of the items you are willing to donate and give them to charity shops when you're at the end of your trip. That way, you've made room for souvenirs so that you can pack them in the same carry on you started with. On our second trip to Ireland with our kids, that's what we did. A few souvenirs, room for all of their electronics, and an easy pass through customs. We pack one backpack per person per trip and perhaps a personal bag that we fill with things we're going to get rid of. We've only checked baggage once and we will never do so again. If flights ask you to check your carry on, just don't. If it doesn't fit in a carry-on, you don't need it. Ladies, take your skincare routine items, but leave the makeup at home. No one cares and you'll likely never see any of those folks again. Air dry your hair and take a brush, clips, pins, and rubber bands. Get over yourself. No one cares.
Here’s a travel tip: I bought a Cpap bag and put clothes in it. Worked well when I travel on spirit airlines since they only allow personal items and charged extra for a carry on. The airlines lets you carry on a medical device without it counting as your carry on or personal item. You can easily pack 3-4 extra days worth a clothes in it.
@@trudyzireif you’re talking about TSA, they don’t care and most airlines don’t have an X-ray machine at the gate. I have literally done it a dozen times and never got caught
The silicon drinks covers they sell at the dollar tree make an amazing travel plug to let you wash clothing in the sink or turn a deep shower tray into a bath for little children
Rather than compression cubes … compression sacks which are common for trekking and backpacking. They come in multiple sizes and can do much tighter compression than the cubes. I travel with two, one clean and one for dirty. Only downside is they are cylinderical which is great for backpacks but not so great for suitcases.
I don't get the compression cube hype for carry on only travel - the problem is weight, not volume, and compression doesn't help at all. Hence the need to travel LIGHT.
Absolutely agree on this. As a petite elderly woman I find it very difficult to put my carry on in the overhead compartment. So nowadays my carry on is not only small, but also ultralight. I do check in the rest of my luggage though.
I always take wired earbuds so that I have fewer things to charge and less drain on my phone battery. I use a small hair clip for wire management, which has worked better than anything else I've ever tried. And since my laptop & phone use different plugs for my earbuds, I also bring small converter cord instead of carrying two types of earbuds.
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🎒 And here are those compression cubes to help you fit more in your luggage: shoptripped.com/ProjectUntethered-Summer24
I almost purchased a packable neck pillow and then went to look at my neck pillow and saw it had a zipped removable cover. Score!!
Unfortunately the gate agents are on to the neck pillow thing and increasingly are telling folks it's a separate personal item and they have to fit it in their carry on. Too many bloggers blabbed about it on the interverse.
@brimstone33 darn. Still a great hack.
Wow thx
@@brimstone33😮😮
@@brimstone33oh no! This hack was going to save me! My adult child just started working at an airport so I’m going to find out about this. I travel for 3 months at a time and I could use the extra space!
Probably my best travel hack or tip deals with being broke, brilliant and personal hygiene necessitates. Pick up a package of regular old sponges and ziplock bags at the dollar store and head home. Place any liquid hygiene products like shampoo, body wash, dish soap, aloe, laundry detergent, etc you need to bring on the trip with you on a counter workspace. Line your sponges up (on top of baggie) and using one sponge per hygiene product pour a small amount of the liquid directly onto it. Allow that to fully absorb into the sponge and then repeat the process until either the sponge is full or you have enough of the needed product for the duration of your trip. Place sponge into the baggie and only seal the bag halfway at most. Let them sit out overnight so the liquid dries inside the sponge. Either cut the sponge into cubes for daily use or leave in one piece to cut once you’ve reached your destination. Make sure the baggies are fully sealed before packing them. Now all you need is a bit of water to “reactivate the sponge soaked product. Doing this saves an amazing amount of space and weight.
Thank you and I really hope this helps.
❤ from Shannon in Canada 🇨🇦
PS there are countless other items you can do this with and definitely don’t need to be hygiene related.
Some countries have plastic restrictions.
Spongy Lady!
Pure genius!!!
this is so brilliant
Bath or hair products are cheap. Even if you're broke. (You're not broke enough if you can afford an holiday)😅
For decades I use large plastic freezer bags rolling up the garment(s) towards the opening squeezing out the air. It can remain rolled or flat. Don’t have to buy cubes or compression/valves bags.
And you have a waterproof bag if you need one.
For the tape hack, parent edition: painters tape is good for tapping up cords, covering outlets, distracting toddlers, making "roads" for toy cars, etc.
I love these uses!
I use painter’s tape to cover small light sources in my hotel room so I can get the room darker. The tip to wrap tape around something instead of bringing the whole roll is great!
I am impressed with how little new fancy items we were told we had to buy to travel in a thrifty, minimalist way. This is so much more continuous with how a lot of us live, rather than just an exercise in accumulating high-end stuff.
I use contact lens cases for small amounts of moisturizer, make up, hydrocortisone cream, etc
I do the same! On occasion I even fill them with some basic allergy medicine or Tylenol. The trick is remembering which contact lenses case has actual contacts in it as opposed to all the other stuff.
Me too, works great
I have never thought of this and my daughter has tons of unused contact lens cases!! Great idea!! Thanks!😊
Travelling/backpacking internationally solo for many years now I’ve been figuring out what works best for me.
Compression packing cubes are great sometimes, but packing only a few tops, bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes max and shower flip flops for hostels is best. Pack items that are quicker dry/light weight and neutral so it’s easy to pick anything in the morning to wear. A clear toiletries bag off Amazon- sturdier than a ziplock, works great. Use shampoo bars for less weight and liquid. Bring detergent if you’ll be in a place long enough to hand wash small items like underwear/socks or shirt depending how long you’re gone for.
Laundry sheets are better than trying to bring detergent for laundering clothes. Little sheets of paper that are ready to dissolve into your next clothes wash. Tear off 1/2 a sheet if hand washing, even less than that if you are only washing one item in a sink. No need to bring liquids anymore!
I was on vacation and on my last night while packing the zipper on the suitcase broke. It was 10 pm in Mazatlán no stores open. I got my duct take and taped my suitcase. Believe me it looked horrible but made the trip back to California. Customs did not even bother to ask me any questions. 😂
Thank goodness for duct tape! Crisis averted 😎
Perfect
I used dental floss to sew up the area of my suitcase where my zipper broke.
I love compression cubes. I put each day's outfit in a separate compression cube. I recently discovered, though, that I can do the same thing with large zip-lock bags.
For a while.
The cubes discourage mold/mildew
definitely works in a hurry/pinch but the ziplocks wear out faster so the cubes are more cost effective over time.
I agree! I pack each outfit in one ziplock and squeeze out the air as I zip it. I like to see what’s inside and it makes getting ready easier. (I tried compression cubes but like the clear Ziplocks better)
I was a die-hard ziplock fan for 25+ years until I broke down and purchased packable cubes from Amazon a few months ago. One thing I like about the cubes is that they don't slide around on each other like the ziplocs, so I can stuff more things into my carry on, like socks and such on the sides of the compression cubes. I also like the color-coded cubes as I will have a different color for each of us, so we just grab our cubes and toss into the drawers. I used to do this with ziplocks too but would need to label each with masking tape and sharpie, no biggie. I did a side by side comparison with ziplocs vs packing cubes with the same amount of clothing, weird thing I noticed was more space with the cubes, it could have been the way the cubes held their shape and didn't collapse like the ziplocks, which I had to put clothing in flat rather than rolled up. I still love ziplocks of all sizes and take them on every trip.
I use extra hotel soaps that I've received at past stays that I like and break them into smaller pieces for the number of days I'm staying at each future place. For example, bigger for a 2 day stay versus a one day stay. I keep them in a baggie until I need to use them and throw them away if any is left after use. I figure this is easier than worrying about making sure it's dry enough. I have an allergy to mold so this method works for me better.
What kind of hotel doesn't provide soap
@@pilarq7886 cheap hostels where you share bathroom with other people? AirBnB - where you rent room in someones flat and don't want to use their soap. Also: if you are staying for few days you may run out of provided soap
I cut my bar soaps at home too and only keep a small portion in the shower. I went to bar soap to reduce the big plastic bottles I had to recycle.
I have been using contact lenses cases for decades! It’s amazing what you can fit in those little sections. If you’re using the quart size baggie you can fit a lot of them in that bag! I’ve also thrown in a few of the lense cases into my purse and no one has ever questioned why they’re in there!
I've recently started using it for toothpaste and it's a game changer. At least 8 days worth will fit.
You can use the hotel hairdryer to dry out the soap before packing
I keep my bar soap in a sock/footie
Why didn’t he just go out and buy a pair of pants? 😂 2:23
Make soap shavings using a potato peeler. Place the shavings into a zip lock baggie and bring that. Less bulky than a bar and you just use what you need to not wet mess.
I take an old prescription bottle and put a small tube of super glue, some safety pins, some twist ties, and wrap it in duct tape.
If my 40-year-old 35mm film canister repair kit ever breaks I'll try an Rx bottle. Although a Prince Albert tobacco can is nice too because it packs flat. Here's a tip: get a hot glue stick, cut it in half then in half lengthwise. It's good for fixing lots of things but particularly a loose shoe sole. Light it with a lighter like a candle. A mini Bic lighter will fit nicely in your kit.
@@brimstone33 thank for the tips!!
?
@@joyceadamothralls4858 do you have a question?
@@joyceadamothralls4858 did you have a question?
I always have in my bag/purse my "multi-purpose" "was i a scout in a previous life ?" pouch. I've been doing the altoid/metal can trick forever, I even have a needle and thread in there for any misshaps!
Contents of the pouch inclued:
Mini nail clippers and file
Hair tie
Tinny pot of body lotion
Dental floss
Lip balm
The altoid/metal can
Comb
Gum
Feminine hygiene products (tampon and everyday pads)
Mirror
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Multi-function credit card sized tool (with scissors, small knife, twizzers, inches/cms ruler, tinny light, bottle openner, screwdriver, pen)
I'm the 'what you need? I have it" friend!
Love those ideas!
The pouch with all the answers. I am impressed ! 😊
@@mariegarside8830 thank you! Forgot to mention medicine: ibuprofene, anti-heartburn, throat relief cough drops, anti-anxiety SOS pills..
Best ideas and video i've seen. Thank you
Thank you! I’m gonna use this list on my next trip!
I use his pocket method and cargo pants to pack my heavy items, like cell phone chargers, cell phones, etc. But unlike he said about removing them from your pockets after Secuity, you have to keep the items in your pockets until you are seated on the plane. They will now stop you at the gate for too many items in addition to your carry on case and personal item (purse, computer bag), including if you have a neck pillow or pillow. They didn’t used to.
That's my experience too. In fact, they totally don't care at the security how many bags you have. They often don't even know, considering putting things out on the tray anyway. You can put half a dozen small bags and they won't care.
For instance, I often have so packed backpack/personal item, that I can't fit my cosmetics anymore. Same with a sweater, jacket, scarf, etc. I only need to stuff it somehow somewhere for going through the gate, only then I out all that stuff (usually clothes) in a light grocery bag or something.
I just get a bag (or ask for the largest bag if I purchase something) from one of the duty-free or shops in the airport, make a beeline for the closest private spot, unload pockets. No one has ever asked to look into the bags. I’ve been doing this for 30 years! I even pack a duty free bag if I’ve already gotten one previously at that particular airport. That way it’s almost like I get a totally free extra bag.
Travel tips: Take a low dose aspirin before your fight to prevent blood clots. Clean out your sock drawer before you pack and take “one way socks.” Throw them away as you wear them on the trip. No smelly socks to worry about and more room in your suitcase as the trip progresses. Clorox wipes in a ziplock to clean the plane’s tray table and seatbelt. Email a picture of your passport and IDs to yourself.
Aspirin does not prevent DVT when flying. It was thought to possibly reduce the risk in the past, but this is no longer the case, and the CDC, NHS et al do not recommend it's use.
Not in favor of throwing away socks……instead, wash them each night in your hotel bathroom sink. Why throw away your dirty socks in another city, or country? We, Americans, have to stop trashing the world!
@@malihagarden7062 This.
Or just save it in Draft.
There is a TH-camr who gives travel tips and she can fit up to 25 items in a large packing cube. She folds her clothes the exact shape of the PC and smooths out every wrinkle, taking up every inch of space.
Love SCOTTeVEST. I have 3 of their jackets. Used one on a recent flight as my purse. Since it was a jacket it didn't count as my personal item. And the jacket held even more than my travel purse could. My travel purse was packed flat in the suitcase, so I could use it at my destination.
They're so cool, I love them too!
I have a vest from Eddie Bauer that has six pockets that I bought on sale ($30 CDN). I wear it on the flight or train for things I want to have accessible.
I love travel hacks to reduce luggage as I only travel with personal items, even internationally. I put duct tape on a pen (instead of a deo), as I keep pens, tape, safety pins etc in the same container.
I have been doing the neck support as a packing hack for about 15 years, it's a game changer. I sometimes use a teddy and put clothes in it. It doubles as a pillow. I use small microfiber towels instead of towels to dry off, they save so much space.
To reduce luggage, I do 'wash, wear and spare'. I've never had a problem of not having anything to wear.
I save samples of face cream, perfume samples etc to reduce the amount of products I need to bring.
Such good tips! In our last trip, I switched out my big microfiber towel for a tiny one, and it saves so much space. The big one was nice when we used to stay in hostels because I could use it as a privacy curtain on my bed, but my hostel days are over for the most part.
@@ProjectUntethered it's really nice to see a minimal packing video on yt. Most videos I've seen are definitely not minimalist, glad yours is. Great tips. ❤️
Empty and clean deodorant container out, can put duct tape around it still but can put extra cash, first aid all kinds of stuff in
@@TigOlBitties69-69great idea.
My best soap trick is to use a small ziplock bag, you can find them in the beading section at Hobby Lobby. I put my wet soap in the ziplock, but do not seal it completely so that the water can evaporate allowing the soap to dry. I cut a small piece of the soap off to travel with so I'm not wasting space with a large bar of soap.
I agree carabiner hooks are the best, I always carry a small one in my purse. In addition to what you mentioned that can be used to secure a zipper (even on a purse) to prevent pick pockets.
Yeah I think the ziplock bag wears out pretty quickly on longer trips. I got one of those Matador bags, and I put my soap and conditioner bars in the same bag, each in a small mesh pouch. I also keep teeny tiny suction hooks in there to hang the bags on the shower wall. The Matador bags are stupid expensive, I'm pretty sure you could make something similar with a tiny piece of Tyvek house wrap material taped into a bag. That house wrap stuff is supposed to be vapor permeable.
How does a carabiner hook prevent pick pockets? Do you hook it on to yourself from the zip? Or to another part of the bag?
@@katyb2793 There are tiny, "S" shaped, double-sided "locking" carabiners that will fit some zipper pulls." Nite-Ize" is a well-known maker of some of those.
@@brimstone33 oh I see, thank you! I was so confused how the big ones would be useful lol
Although attaching one to your bag and belt would definitely stop a bag snatcher.
Yeah those small plastic ziplock bags are so handy. I have one that holds ear plugs, small hotel sewing kit, small emery board, nail clippers, folding scissors, bandaids, a mint, eraser, little magnifying glass, safety pins, hair tie, tiny screw driver for my glasses, a folding lint brush, and a couple of alcohol wipes. There’s been times airport security wanted to see it and as they can see the contents they’ve waved it through. I also pack extra ones but so far the original one has held up to a year’s worth of intense travel.
The microfiber towel hack: genius!!!
Wrapping cords around an old card? Genius again!
The last time I flew Southwest, we were told that travel pillows were considered one of the two pieces of carry-on we were allowed. The gate agent warned us all that only two things can be carried, so everything else you had in your hands had to fit INSIDE one of those two items. Not clipped on, because that makes the carry-on larger than the allowed size.
You were spot-on, though, with the travel jacket idea. That is indeed the third item that passengers can bring aboard, since it's considered clothing and not luggage.
It is getting ridiculous. Soon we will be charged extra if we wear glasses!!
Of you take any regular lined jacket to the local tailor you can get pockets added inside. I have one for my iPad inside my sport coat.
How do you proceed with it in security
@@pilarq7886 you take the coat off at security and place the computer separately in the tray.
Great idea
The flatpak has worked out great on all my trips over the last year so far. I've thrown my soap in there straight after a shower and packed it up with no issues of leakage yet.
Yeah it's so simple, yet so effective!
I have that soap bag also! You put your soap in a mesh soap saver sack. You can wash with it in that. Then you can hang that up to dry. My bar is combo soap and shampoo 😊
Freezer bags
I’d love to see a full video about ranger rolling different types of clothes!
Ranger rolling is too cumbersome and time consuming. Better to roll stuff and secure with rubber bands, better yet hair bands. Better still do a Marie Kondo flat fold, it takes up less space than rolling. Oh and I was a Ranger 🙃
With several different types of bra.
I like that you always list the cheap diy version (except for packing cubes - I don't have, use small delicates bags instead and just stuff to the max - that way I always have delicates bags when I need them with no extra bulk)
Although I love the carabiner and extra packing bag idea for those extra layers, probably wouldn't work for the budget airlines I use in Europe, as they can check at the gate, and my tiny allowable carry on bag is already packed full. What I've been doing is buying something I need at the airport (sometimes it's just water and snacks) but get a bigger airport bag, and then put my extra layer things in there, usually under any purchases. They are required to allow an airport purchase bag on so I haven't had any problems with this, plus I have legitimate purchases in the bag.
You are a seasoned traveler. If I stick my iPad into my waistband & Clíp my phone to my belt loop I can shave off 1/2 kilo.
I'd really like to see that hoodie with a pocket that could take the 4kg desktop replacement laptop I have to fly with!
@@dan-nutu I have the Scottvest jacket and vest and it really does fit by Mac. I look frumpy and lopsided, but it works!
@@dan-nutu I put my 17" mac book in the back of my fishing jacket, wear another thin voluminous coat/thin raincoat over the top. Tho I'd like to a band that pulls that back area to my body (like an elastic pull in strap), would stop the contents of the huge back pocket leaning outwards and showing through the oversized raincoat.
Looks could be even more bizarre than frumpy... The current 10-day forecast for the local weather here ranges between 33°C/92°F and 36°C/97°F, and as recently as two weeks ago the temperatures broke 42°C/108°F. Imagine showing up dressed like that at the check-in counter!
Don’t forget the safety pins with the duct tape. Ranger rolling is great, learnt this in the 1980’s and used it since. Big cheap ziplock bags (ikea) are a good substitution for compression cubes, just fill n roll out the air. 👍🏽
Love it!
a full ranger roll tutorial would be awesome! and i would love to see more on personal item only packing as i've been doing that for all flights recently including 10 day trips from US to 3 countries in Europe!
I guess updates from the airlines say your head pillow does NOT count as a personal item on the flight. Filling a headrest pillow with T-shirts/clothing is a great idea, but I can’t imagine it’s super comfortable… Thanks for the many great ideas, including Breath mint tins to use as mini first aid kits. I tend to use reusable “Ziploc bags“ for first aid items because they are flat, waterproof, reusable, & you can see through it to get to what you need. Btw, duct tape does come in cheap flat packs.
You can pack it with the fluffy, soft clothes for added comfort. You always need a sweater with you.
It depends on the airline.
OH man, the videos i usually come across about packing tricks are just useless tricks copied from another video, but yours are truly helpful. Damn that "stuffable pillow" trick what an invention :DD
So glad you found them helpful!! 🤗
agreed! Not the same old, same old
Compression cubes let you take more clothes but they still weigh the same so you still need to be wary of weight limits.
That is what I thought. I tend to get to the maximize weight my checked bag, so not really needing compression. However, great idea for carry on luggage.
@@ihadtosayit10Works until they have a weight limit on carryon luggage. Several years ago had 12 kilo limit on items carried on, but was allowed to move some into checked bags. It was a small commuter flight.
Now its 7kgs only for carry on plus a personal bag item. Jeezuz what can you bring for a 7kgs. The bag itself weighs already 1-1.5kgs, if hard shell luggage probably 2kgs.
Yes I agree. Last trip was 7weeks long & I went with cubes organizing my bag. Next trip is maybe only 1 cube if I have to - too many cubes for this & that, all adds up to another shirt you could pack & take. And yes - you can definitely survive with 7kg's for 7 weeks by being smart!
I use a zip lock bag for soap. I just leave it open on the desk overnight so it's mostly dry, zip in the morning and drop in my bag. That sliminess is just, you guessed it, soap!
Cheap and effective, i like it!
Instead of the microfiber cloth, I would recommend a Korean scrub mitt to hold one's soap-- no need to cut or sew, and can scrub away dirt on those off-the-beaten path trips. They also dry quickly.
That extra stuff unload in a bag with a carabiner only works if upon boarding you don't get a wishy washy attendant. I have experience with being asked to check in or re-weigh upon boarding 😮
Or gate agent.
Yeah, I've had some stickler gate agents 😢 @brimstone33
They freaking charge you as their life depends on it! Chill! You are a minimum wage worker!
That's why you get the vest with pockets or the jacket with pockets. You can put anything you like into clothing pockets. Not counted as carry on luggage. That's why photographers have their vests with lots of heavy lenses in them.
Love these!!! ⭐️A teacher taught me the belt trick😄 - tethering two neighboring belt loops can work too. 💖
oooo that's genius!
or a couple of caribeaners between loops.
@@anniesshenanigans3815 😄💖💖 yes
@@ProjectUntethered 💖💖
One thing I notice is that your clothing is all nylon. I think the packing cube works well for wrinkle free, synthetic clothing. Show us a video where you use cotton clothing. Thank you. Regarding charging cords or headsets, I just roll mine around my hand and secure with a twist ties wrapped several times around in a spiral, those go into a designated sandwich bag that I can see through, and the air can be pushed out
That's a great tip! Yeah I'm not a big cotton fan for travel clothes, you gotta be more careful if you don't want wrinkles - but it's still possible!
Try merino t shirts. They are available in VERY light fabrics, don't get smelly for days, look great, and last for years. Dry quickly, are warm/cool as needed, more breathable than synthetics. I have some which are 10 years old, worn lots, just starting to wear out. Up front cost seems a lot until you look at how long they last.
@@indy.b unfortunately they are very expensive. Good to buy one every year.
If you have to use a c-pap machine, extra items can be crammed into the carrying case (since a medical device isn’t counted as a “personal item”)
But if TSA sees you have personal items in your Medical Bag with your CPAP, they will make you remove them from there and put them in your carry on/personal item or toss them. This happened to a friend. She moved her medications into the Medical Bag to make room for the personal items in her personal item bag.
@ how sad that they are so picky!
Excellent tips!
Because I wear eyeglasses, I carry around a spare and sunglasses in a hard clamshell case. Even with two pairs in there, there is plenty of extra space to stow away some cash.
Parchment bags have worked wonders for me with soap bars. You can throw a wet brick in there and the soap will still dry just fine and the bag will stay in tact. I'll still throw it in plastic zip bag to keep it all contained. It's a win win for me with me using my favorite soap anywhere I am, and it's not wasting any space in my luggage.
If you're trying to keep to 7kg's, soap = extra weight. Just like soap-infused sponges in snap-clip bags = extra weight. They sell soaps at your destination & it's all part of the holiday experience to try another country's products. Makes your favorite products more enjoyable when you get home :)
@@RosERosE-123many people have sensitivities or allergies so they can only use certain brands of personal hygiene so trying out new items on a trip can be very uncomfortable, it’s better to take your trusted items with you
Thanks to everyone who mentioned using contact lens containers to store lotion and creams! Great tip!
The microfiber washcloth around the soap is also good for gym bags.
I have a pocket on the end I use for soap, shampoo, and deodorant. I keep one small washcloth in the bottom and wrap one around soap. I use the “dry” one to wipe off the bottles, then put it on the bottom and put all my stuff in. I wring out the wet washcloth well, wrap up the soap with it, and cram it in with the rest. Works great.
sometimes the soap sticks meaning that I need to shower with it stuck until it loosens so I use it faster, but soapy will not bankrupt me - I can get more soap if I run out.
Ooh, the contact lens cases work GREAT for small amounts of gooey stuff. They don’t leak! Hair gel, Neosporin, face lotion, acne spot treatment, etc. saves room in the tsa ziplock for things that have more girth.
My best hack is a chamois like divers use. It absorbs so much fluid, use to get most water off after swim or shower. Wrap wet washed clothes squeezes out so much more water and stuff can dry overnight. Some hotel rooms keep aircon on so high it’s hard to get undies etc dry.
I just realised you could also use those little model or paint by number fliptop paint containers for tiny amounts of potions and lotions.
I love how you re-purposed everyday items to make packing easier!
A hack I used for my soap is to wrap it in toilet paper. It keeps it dry, and although a bit messy, when you need to use it again, just unwrap some of the paper and the rest comes off the soap with water while you wash your hands.
I've been rolling t-shirts for many years, but you just took me to a new level with the "ranger roll." Thank you very much! 😃😃
Hahaha happy rolling! 👕
Can carry a couple of those cheap tablecloth clips in case the curtains in accommodation gape. I bring a Nightlight and a very mini flashlight since I’ve been lost in the dark unfamiliar hotel room looking for the bathroom. I use two super light lidded plastic containers for part of my packing, these double as lunch kits for sandwiches or snacks with a couple plastic spoons and forks. I take a few baggies if I have room and a small garbage bag for laundry, soap sheets for handwashing, and tiny compressed facecloths since in Europe they don’t provide. I have mini travel toothbrushes that come with a spot of toothpaste for a freshen up after a long flight but I don’t use the airplane water!
love the straw tip and the travel pillow filled with clothes
The compression cubes are such a great substitute to those vacuum bags for which you actually do need a vacuum
Totally agree!
they now include options to choose a hand pump or a small rechargeable pump--I used the rechargeable on my business trip last week and it was great, plus it fit into a small corner of my suitcase.
@@stacymcintyre1796oh wow! That sounds so convenient! Where can I find those, and, is it compact enough you are able to pack it in your carry-on?
First aid tip for cuts is super glue. it's amazing
We use packing cubes when we travel with our camper. Love them it’s so easy to store our cloths. Husband and I have different colors.
Keep the little soap from hotels to take with on shorter trips. When you're done using it in the shower, lean it on end so it gets dry faster and doesn't getting mushy. Just dry off, then pack in a ziploc or toss out when done with the trip. 👍
Those 7-day pill containers work great for jewelry and earrings. If you get one that can fit into a quart-size bag, you can also fill them with lotions or cosmetics.
But less weight will be those little gauze drawstring bags to put them in, then into the bottom of your bag in a pocket.... Or wearing the things you want to take instead of packing them.
"Silence is golden, duct tape is silver." Put soap in a small plastic bag, free. Very good ideas, thanks, also for my bikers luggage.
Would love to see a video that demonstrates how to ranger roll a variety of different kinds of clothes.
great tips. I actually do almost all of those things except the compression cube (I've tried them). Since I travel with a custom carry on bag that has compression straps on the outside, and my bag is already full, it naturally compresses the clothes. I do travel with a plastic compression bag though in case I need extra compression. I not only have carabiners on the handles but also down by the backpack straps and on the straps themselves. a pro tip, if you use the fishermans vest, you have to cover it with another jacket. They can and will deny boarding if you're obviously performing this hack (remember ryan air denied boarding to the guy that wore multiple jackets and shirts). One big mistake that your video has is unpacking prior to the check in gate. Many budget airlines (europe and asia) are re-checking bag size and weight at the gate while you're in line. Also, I have a feeling they might outlaw the pillow hack soon as some are tagging small fanny packs or wrist bags as carry on items!
Love your thinking outside the box! Great ideas 💡
Omg, you saved me and my travel blanket! I’ll put it in a compression sack and attach to my backpack.
We also get soap strips. You have to tear out one strip and rub it in between your wet hands and then dispose the underlying paper on which the soap was coated into the bin.
While traveling, I carry shampoo and conditioner single use sachets instead of a bottle or tube. They hardly occupy any space at all.
No matter how much you can jam into your packing cubes, many airlines have weight restrictions for carry-ons and personal items.
Are there really airlines that weigh carry on bags? I usually fly 40-50 flights a year and have never had a carry on weighed or even size checked. Mostly American, Southwest, and Delta.
@@JustinLisenbyacross Europe it is common to have to put carryon bags into a luggage sizer at the gate to ensure that they are compliant with airlines max dimensions
@@JustinLisenbyvery common in Asia and on cheap European carriers
Emirates have a one cabin bag policy ie no personal item bag. Strict max weight of 7kg plus max dimensions.
Air Austria did when we were on a connecting flight through Vienna.
Binder Clips can work in a pinch for a lot of stuff too.
A jacket with 21 pockets, imagine coming home from the pub & trying to find your keys🤣
Great tips! I use the contact cases for liquid makeup and coconut oil (for night eye cream
You rock! I am On my way to visit family and friends for 6 weeks on Spirit with just my backpack! Great ideas! Thank you
Sounds like fun! What's been your biggest tip for traveling light?
The only thing about the packing cube is that many airlines now will consider the backpack a carry-on and the packing cube a personal item, so if you have those two PLUS a regular carry-on they may make you check your bag, so I would say le`ave the stuff in your pockets and keep your layers on UNTIL you get on the plane, then unload it into the packing cube. Taht way once your bag is in the overhead bin (your actual carry-on) they can't do much and you can probably slip the filled packing cube along with your backpack under the seat.
Yeah that would be the way to go if you want to be extra safe. I haven't had a problem at the boarding gate so far, but I don't fly in the US very often, so YMMV.
A small compression cube slips into outer pockets of carry-ons or backpacks really nicely because they are slippery and have a hand loop to recover them for use.
That’s a good point!
@@ProjectUntethered I’m allergic to feathers in hotel bedding, so I carry a satin bed liner folded very tightly in a ~6”x10”compression bag placed in the fuzzy laptop compartment of my personal item bag. Can’t travel without this combo.
I love the duck tape trick and will use it on my upcoming trip to India and Asia
I use an old Rx bottle as an emergency kit. Bandaids, Alcohol wipe, large and small safety pins, etc. I wrap the outside of it with about a yard of duck tape, also a couple of yards of Paracord. The tape and cord I've used a million times. Tape repairs anything and I've improvised clotheslines and belts, even a leash out of the Paracord. Useful stuff.
Some countries Brazil, requires meds in original container.only country like that so far
Last month I was surprised to have my carry on weighed.
Really thought I was doomed but somehow passed.
You have actually given me some good little hacks. Eg, lens case and Mentos container. Filling up a pillow is looking tempting too.
Thank you.
Bit of a giggle at the tape up the baggy pants story.
I was so proud of myself watching lil bro talking to that girl, knowing that he had duct tape holding up his pants 😂
@@LeanneWilcox Check your airline. I believe one of my flights says specifically that neck pillows are counted in total weight allowed.
I use packing cubes my husband and i fit all of our clothes in one carry on suitcase. When we went to iceland we used the carryon and one backpack for both of us. So definitely a packing cube is a most
You should have seen the look on the hotel Porter's face recently when I told him there were no bags. It was a four day work event including a semi formal awards dinner. I absolutely did not want to check any luggage. So I rolled and tucked, and took only a carry-on acceptable backpack. I got everything in there including dress shoes, make up, bath products, and hair styling tools! When I got out of the taxi, he came running to grab my pack, and said he'd get my bags out of the trunk for me. He was so shocked, double checked I was with the awards group, then called a couple of the other guys to see that I'd only brought the one backpack. I guess other women arrived with much more. 🤷
I also always travel light. We recently traveled with friends and he asked where were the other bags. Was shocked I only had one suitcase because his wife had three LARGE suitcases. One was shoes and purses 😂 I only use a small purse across my body for phone, passport and cards/money, a pair of walking boots and a pair of sandals.
Good to know you were able to include dressy clothes in just a backpack. I’m definitely trying this for my next conference!
@@KgrK13 I smoothed an rolled the outfits tightly, wore booties with dressy clothes so tucked stuff in those, I hung up the formal outfit as soon as I got to the room and it didn't even need to be steamed.
Smart woman. You probably looked the best as well😊Congratulations 🎉
Place a bar of soap into the toe of one "knee high" panty hose. Tie a knot next to the soap so it stays in one place. Make a loop at the other end of the knee high panty hose and hang around shower head. Rub wet washcloth or shower poof across soap to build up lather. Soap won't fall onto the floor of the shower, and it will air dry as it hangs. Don't forget your soap when you check out! You can store it in a ziploc bag between destinations if it's still a little damp.
Awesome! Thanks for being quick and concise!
Priceless. Liked and subscribed. ❤
This is good. Actually has some legit new ideas.
Use the swedish cloths for wrapping wet soap. They dry fast.
Cellulose dish cloths, diskduker in Swedish.
Throw soap in a storage bag or freezer bag. I use freezer bags for protein powder, electrolytes powder. I travel intl every month
Growing up poor. Buy when on sale. No carrying over charges on credit cards. Use rewards programs whenever available. Cheaper can be better; but not very often. Use thrift stores for things that will be used for less than a year. Buy fruit and vegetable from farmers market and in season. Add anything to mashed potatoes for a filling meal.
On my trip I just went one. Some said they use the vacuumed sealed storage bags for packing. But caution bag is still weighted so watch it's not overweight. But give alot of room in your bag.
Great video as usual. I always enjoy them. Plus one for the matador flatpak. It's great for carrying soap. It allows the soap to dry while keeping everything else from getting wet and folds down smaller as the soap gets used up.
Yeah I totally agree! I've been using it ever since I recorded this video and love it!
Storage bag or freezer bags. I use them for everything
*Better than carabiner* - I use nylon snap dog collars. They can work like a carabiner, but have other uses: Can also use as short straps to attach items outside packs such a compressing fluffy items. Can attach carry on or 2nd check in bag to top of wheeled check in so you can pull with 1 hand. *First aid kit* should contain: Moleskin if you're hiking. It is super sticky, can seal up a deep cut to get you back to civilization (will hurt coming off). I am not saying you should order Amoxicillin through the mail (but you can), but it is a powerful antibiotic (like penicillin) - even if you have a virus which it doesn't counter, it helps prevent other infections while your body fights the virus.
*Jacket with big pockets* is a good idea even if you don't need the space. Twice I was stopped because my carry-on or personal item was a little oversized or overweight. I began placed items in my jacket pockets 1 at a time and kept rechecking (to annoy the attendant) saying I will just move them back to my pack later. I didn't have to finish before they gave up and let me through.
*Smoking hack* - White cloud has a phantom line of electronic cigarettes with a colorless and odorless vapor (no cloud). I put a pen cap over the end and it looks just like a pen. I wasn't being cautious once and didn't notice a steward walking up until he spoke "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you had an electronic cigarette, but you're just chewing on your pen." I held it out in front of me for plain view, smiled, and replied "No problem."
*Clear top micro-Case* - Pelican and others make a clear top micro case. I use this in my personal items to carry all of my batteries - rather than pulling them out individually at the scanner, I pull out the 1 case. The inside has a cushion lining to protect items like cameras. Get the waterproof one for additional usage.
*Washcloth* can have a lot of uses. Mine is white. If I use it while travelling, I swap it out at the hotel for a fresh clean washcloth.
I discovered the pillow thing by myself a few years ago after purchasing a silk travel pillow cover, which incidentally looks exactly like the one in the video, just silk. Works a charm
That's so awesome! I was shocked how much stuff you can fit in there.
For bar soap, grate the bar with a cheese grater. Only bring a pinch of soap into the shower with you. Store in a ziplock bag.
I line the inside of my suitcase flap with duct tape!! It still works when I need it to!!!
That's so awesome - great minds think alike! 🤓
I roll red duct tape around itself. Used it to identify a new suitcase after my old one broke on a trip. I keep it in a tiny zipper bag in my personal item with other useful travel stuff (a dose of meds for headache, stomach, etc), safety pin, zipper pull repair, 2 each bandaid, 2 blister patches, & butterfly bandages. antiseptic wipes & other fixes while away from home. It goes in my daily carry when not on plane/train/etc.
Very smart! You could kill 2 birds with one stone if you have a plastic handle on your suitcase - you could add the emergency duct tape which doubles as a unique identifier for your luggage. I love how the comments sections always has amazing ideas I'd never thought of!
Ok, these are ACTUALLY useful packing hacks, thank you! Definitely adding duct tape to my kit and rethinking my travel pillow (I don't carry one now because it's annoying on the rest of the trip.)
Those zipped mesh wash bags for delicates are my so versatile.
Good for wet soap, separating clothes that have another wear in them but aren’t dirty, and much more.
Doing this since decades❤😊
Sheets for washing. Walmart sells them. I use them to wash out socks and undies in my hotel room
The shampoo I use weekly is a shampoo bar! It works great and lathers like CRAZY!!😝
Love the Duck Tape hack! And the compression packing bags!!
The next four years are going to be amazing - Congrats legend!
For soap, shampoo, and the like. We travel Europe and found it way easier to hit the local pharmacy to purchase soap and shampoo once we arrived if you're going to squat for a week or so. We used until we left, and paid it forward to the next folks, who may not know these are not provided. Also, in some places linens, towels and TP have to be provided by the tenant. You can go to the local charity shop and buy linens and towels, the local grocery for TP. When you leave, you can donate them back to the charity shop or leave them as a pay it forward gesture for folks who didn't know you had to provide these. A lot of travelers to other countries have no idea that they need to provide these.
Also, to lighten your load on the way home, take what you can of the items you are willing to donate and give them to charity shops when you're at the end of your trip. That way, you've made room for souvenirs so that you can pack them in the same carry on you started with. On our second trip to Ireland with our kids, that's what we did. A few souvenirs, room for all of their electronics, and an easy pass through customs.
We pack one backpack per person per trip and perhaps a personal bag that we fill with things we're going to get rid of. We've only checked baggage once and we will never do so again. If flights ask you to check your carry on, just don't. If it doesn't fit in a carry-on, you don't need it. Ladies, take your skincare routine items, but leave the makeup at home. No one cares and you'll likely never see any of those folks again. Air dry your hair and take a brush, clips, pins, and rubber bands. Get over yourself. No one cares.
Matador soap holder is like crazy magic ❤️❤️
Another use for compression cubes! Awesome video on packing hacks!
Compression cubes for the win!
Compression bags make the suitcase too heavy. Gotta pay more money if your airline weighs suitcase. Iberia weighed my suitcase.
The straw tip alone is worth watching this video. 👍🏾
Here’s a travel tip: I bought a Cpap bag and put clothes in it. Worked well when I travel on spirit airlines since they only allow personal items and charged extra for a carry on. The airlines lets you carry on a medical device without it counting as your carry on or personal item. You can easily pack 3-4 extra days worth a clothes in it.
Most airlines will put that bag through their xray machine and you will be caught.
@@trudyzireif you’re talking about TSA, they don’t care and most airlines don’t have an X-ray machine at the gate. I have literally done it a dozen times and never got caught
The silicon drinks covers they sell at the dollar tree make an amazing travel plug to let you wash clothing in the sink or turn a deep shower tray into a bath for little children
Yesss please do a video on the rollin hack.
Great tips. New subscriber
Rather than compression cubes … compression sacks which are common for trekking and backpacking. They come in multiple sizes and can do much tighter compression than the cubes. I travel with two, one clean and one for dirty. Only downside is they are cylinderical which is great for backpacks but not so great for suitcases.
I don't get the compression cube hype for carry on only travel - the problem is weight, not volume, and compression doesn't help at all. Hence the need to travel LIGHT.
That's a really good point. If you overstuff, you need to then use other strategies to avoid overweight fees.
Some airlines have a size restriction but not a carry on weight restriction, like westjet
Absolutely agree on this. As a petite elderly woman I find it very difficult to put my carry on in the overhead compartment. So nowadays my carry on is not only small, but also ultralight. I do check in the rest of my luggage though.
I always take wired earbuds so that I have fewer things to charge and less drain on my phone battery. I use a small hair clip for wire management, which has worked better than anything else I've ever tried. And since my laptop & phone use different plugs for my earbuds, I also bring small converter cord instead of carrying two types of earbuds.
Very smart!!
You, Sir, are a genius!!! The contact lens case solution for foundation and the like = awesome!!!!