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How to Pack a Better Bag in 30 Days

how to pack a better bag in 30 days roundup

Welcome to the 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag round-up.

Unless you are the most experienced packer, chances are, you can pack your bag a bit better. Good thing you found us because at Her Packing List, we specialize in how to pack a better bag!

Now, not everyone’s goals are the same, and that’s okay. Some people may want to start traveling ultralight and going personal item only, while others may simply want to avoid the overweight baggage fees they can’t seem to shake.

Whatever your reason is for wanting to pack a better bag, we can show you how.

Your journey to packing a better bag in just 30 days starts now!

What You'll Learn hide
How to Pack a Better Bag in 30 Days

Get the Companion Workbook!

This workbook is your dedicated space to work out each day of the 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag series. It’s available as both an editable and printable PDF as well as a Google Doc version.

How to Pack a Better Bag in 30 Days

With these 30 posts, we are going to show you how to pack a better bag. Each post covers one issue that may be preventing you from packing a better bag and is filled with actionable tips and an easy task at the end.

How to pack a better bag in 30 days
You in 30 days… or, you could be traveling with even less!

There’s no need to be intimidated, simply take it one day at a time.

Day 1: Define What Packing Better Means to You

define packing better

It’s time to set your goals! Do you want to travel carry-on only? Maybe you want to downsize your toiletries?

Whatever your goal is we can make it happen… but only if you define it first.


Day 2: Define Your Trip Style

day 2: define trip style as well as budget and itinerary

Your trip style factors into everything you do, from your travel budget to your itinerary. Are you a culture vulture, adrenaline junkie, or list checker?

Knowing your travel style will make planning your trip and packing your bag so much easier.


Day 3: Research Airlines So You Can Pack Correctly for Your Trip

day 3: research airlines, baggage restrictions and fees.

Airlines are getting increasingly strict about enforcing their baggage policies and every airline has its own rules about what you can bring (and how much it costs).

Research these before you book your ticket so you can get the best possible deal!


Day 4: How to Choose Your Luggage

day 4: choose your luggage wisely

It’s time to choose your luggage! Suitcase vs. backpack. Checked vs. carry-on vs. personal item only.

There are many factors to take into consideration and we’re addressing them all.


Day 5: Prepare Your Packing List

day 5: prepare your packing list

A packing list is essential for any trip. First, you create one with everything you think you could need and then you streamline it.

We’re showing you how.


Day 6: Choose Travel Clothing in Versatile Layers

Day 6: Choose your travel clothing wisely. Go with layers.

Not only will layers help you stay warm without the bulk, but you can also use them to create multiple looks from a minimal wardrobe.

It’s easier than you think.


Day 7: Choose Technical Travel Clothing

day 7: research technical clothing options and benefits.

We’re talking about clothing designed to do more for travel.

Whether that’s fabric that dries quickly and keeps you warm or clothing that offers travel-friendly features like multiple pockets or being convertible.


Day 8: How to Choose Your Travel Shoes

how to choose your travel shoes

Narrowing down your travel shoes doesn’t need to be a stressful decision.

We’re sharing our shoe packing strategy.


Day 9: Our Biggest Packing Tip Inside

day 9: how to travel with less thanks to our biggest packing tip.

You don’t need as much clothing as you think you do! We’re showing you how to travel with less clothing and sharing our biggest packing tip.

Trust us, it’s a game-changer!


Day 10: Accessorize, Mix & Match: Making the Most of a Minimal Wardrobe

Day 10: How to make the most of a minimal wardrobe.

Traveling light does not mean you have to wear the same outfit every day.

There are so many possibilities that exist within a minimal travel wardrobe.


Day 11: Why You Should Compartmentalize into Cubes, Sacks & Bags

Day 11: Compartmentalize into cubes, sacks and bags.

These tools make you a more efficient packer and optimize your space.

We’re breaking down the different options so you can make the most informed choice.


Day 12: Add Multipurpose, Stuffable and Foldable Items

Day 12: Add multipurpose, stuffable & foldable items. The magical Dr. Bronner's Soap can be used in place of shampoo, laundry wash, toothpaste, mouthwash and body soap. One items serving multiple purposes.

Replacing five items with one multipurpose item? Yes, please.

We’re also covering how you can save space in your bag with stuffable and foldable items.


Day 13: Rolling vs. Folding: Which Saves More Space?

day 13: does rolling clothes save space?

It all comes down to your packing goals, trip style, and personal preference.

We’re breaking both options down in this post. 


Day 14: How to Prevent Wrinkles When Packing

Day 14: How to Prevent Wrinkles When Packing

A few wrinkles never hurt anybody, but if you do need your clothes to be wrinkle-free (say you’re at a destination wedding or traveling for business), we’ve got you covered.


Day 15: Explore Travel Size Hair Products

Explore Travel Size Hair Products

You do not, we repeat, DO NOT need to bring full size hair products with you no matter how long your trip is.

We’ve got some alternatives.


Day 16: How to Pack Liquid Toiletries

how to pack liquid toiletries

The more liquids you have, the greater the chance of a leakage disaster.

And if you’re traveling carry-on only, you can only bring so many. 


Day 17: The Essential Travel Toiletries Kit

Day 17: The essential toiletries kit.

Don’t let your toiletries be the reason you don’t reach your packing goals. Bring only the essentials.

Plus, we’ve got some tips for packing them all up.


Day 18: The Essential Travel Beauty Kit (for light packers)

day 18 - the essential travel beauty kit

You don’t have to sacrifice the things that make you feel your best when packing light, but… you may have to get creative.


Day 19: The Essential Travel Medical Kit

day 19 - essential travel medical kit

While this isn’t the most exciting thing to pack, you do not want to forget it!

Especially if you’re traveling somewhere more remote or where medicine is less easily available.


Day 20: Health and Hygiene Packing Considerations

Day 20: Consider your travel hygiene options.

“That time of the month” always seems to appear the week you go traveling! We’ve researched all the options you can pack to deal with it.

We’re also discussing other health and hygiene packing considerations like washing materials and sanitation.


Day 21: How to Pack and Protect Electronics

Day 21: How to Pack and Protect Electronics

In this day and age, you’re bound to travel with electronics.

Pack only what you need and make sure what you do pack is protected.


Day 22: Extra Travel Tools and Other Unnecessarily Necessary Gear

day 22: extra travel tools

While these travel tools aren’t 100% necessary, they can make your life a whole lot easier. 


Day 23: How to Pack a Suitcase Step by Step

Day 23: How to Pack a Suitcase

If you chose a suitcase as your travel bag, you’re going to want to take a look at this post.

There’s no exact way to pack a suitcase but we have some tips and tricks that can help.


Day 24: How to Pack a Backpack Step by Step

Day 24: How to Pack a Backpack

The most important part of packing a backpack is proper weight distribution.

We’re showing you just what that means.


Day 25: The Perfect Carry-on (Packing List)

Day 25: Packing the Perfect Carry-on

You’re going to need some essentials to get you through the next 10 to 20 hours of flying. 


Day 26: How to Secure Your Travel Belongings

Day 26: How to secure your belongings.

There’s no use spending all this time packing your perfect bag if you haven’t secured any of your travel belongings.

We’re showing you how.


Day 27: Why You Should Leave Extra Space in Your Luggage

Day 27: Leave extra space in your luggage.

No, this is not just for souvenirs.

There are so many reasons to leave a bit of wiggle room in your luggage, from taking off layers in transit to storing snacks.


Day 28: The Art of Repacking on the Road

Day 28: The art of repacking on the road.

You don’t just pack your bag once, you pack it between every destination on your trip.

We have a few tips to make this as easy as possible and ensure that nothing gets left behind.


Day 29: Your Essential Day-Before Travel Checklist

Day 29 - Your Essential Day Before Travel Checklist

It’s the day before your trip, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous.

Take control of those butterflies with our day-before travel checklist.


Day 30: You’re Packed! Get It to the Airport

day 30 - Getting to the airport - It's travel day!

Your ticket is booked, your bag is packed, and you’re almost ready for your adventure. All that’s left now is getting to the airport!

We’ve got some tips to make this as seamless as possible.


Keep Us Updated on Your Journey to Packing a Better Bag

We can’t wait to see your update on this 30 day packing better journey. There’s nothing that makes us happier than people reaching their packing goals. 

Tag us on social media and show us your progress. You can find us @herpackinglist on Instagram. We’ll be sure to cheer you on.

If you have any questions during your journey, leave a comment under the post you’re working through and we’ll be sure to get back to you.

If you want to fast-track your bag transformation and learn how to pack ultralight – we’re talking traveling personal item only for a week or more – then you might want to check out Baggage Freedom Express.

Is this the start of your packing a better bag journey? Let us know in the comments below!

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HPL Resources

Signature Class

Baggage Freedom Express – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary 5-day packing class by HPL founder, Brooke.


Freebies

What size bag is perfect for you? (QUIZ) – I’ve put together a fun quiz to help you understand what size bag you could be packing in. Warning: The results may surprise you.

HPL’s Editable Printable Packing Checklist Template – A simple tool for more organized packing.

My 8L Bag’s Minimal Wardrobe Visual Guide – See the exact clothing items I packed when I traveled with a tiny 8L bag – along with the outfit combinations and swaps.

3 Steps to Packing Everything You Need & Nothing More – A guide that helps you see how easy it can be as long as you approach it with the right mindset.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie says

    How to pack a better bag in 30 days is such a great resource! I am leaving for my first solo intercontinental trip today (yay!) and I used it to inspire my packing list. As a plus-size lady travelling in the winter, it wasn’t easy to keep thing minimal, but I am proud to say my bags are well within the confines of KLM’s carry-on allowances and I have space for a few souvenirs, which was my goal. I am quite confident I have everything I need to face most challenges on the road and I am looking forward to my trip. Thank you for your great work!

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