After taking a handful of trips recently, I’ve been learning a thing or two about what to pack for different places and how to stay organized! Here are my top tips on travel gear that will make your trip more comfortable and relaxed.

BUY A HANDBAG WITH POCKETS

Giving up my huge backpack bag for a cute little cross body handbag has been one of the best travel decisions I’ve made. Not only does it look adorable, but it also keeps me organized. I love wearing it as a backpack when hiking and other outdoorsy activities, so that I can have one free hand to hold my camera (or a beer). I’m also obsessed with this Rilakkuma crossbody bag from J-Subculture .

HANG YOUR SKIRTS ON A HANGER

That’s right! I’m talking about pants hangers. You can hang your shirts on the hangers in order to save space (and keep them wrinkle-free), and it’s also super cute.’

PACK LIGHT

I know it sounds like a cliché to pack too much, but packing light is really important when traveling. The less you have to lug around, the more time you’ll have to focus on yourself rather than your luggage. I always travel with a small backpack (which you can see above) that holds everything I need for my trip + a few extras, plus my toiletry bag (which is also really small).

BRING A SQUEEZABLE BOTTLE FOR WATER

Packing a water bottle is a given, but if you’re looking for an alternative to the heavy glass bottles, I recommend a squeezable plastic bottle. Not only is it light and easy to squeeze, but you can also measure out how much water you want before your flight/bus ride without having to wait for an airport bathroom.

BRING A SMALL LUGGAGE SCALE

If you’re on a budget and you don’t want/can’t check your luggage, be sure to weigh it before checking it in. I’ve found that most airlines round up to the next weight class (usually from 25kg to 32kg), so if your bag is just over the weight limit, wearing a couple of layers for the flight might save you $50.

I hope my tips will help you pack light and travel hassle free. If you are looking for other travel essentials, check out my previous post: The best travel accessories to bring on a trip.