Packing Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making (And How to Fix Them)

It sounds easy to pack. You pack your bags with clothes and maybe a couple of chargers, and you’re ready to go… until you get halfway there and realize you forgot something important or packed things you won’t need.

A lot of people think they’re “pretty good” at packing, but you could be missing small mistakes that cost you time, space, and money in the process. It’s important to know how to fix the most common ones, so let’s go over them.

1. Bringing too much “Just in Case”

It’s something we’ve all done: packed extra clothes, shoes, and toiletries because “you never know.” What’s wrong? You’ll never take most of those things out of your bag. It costs more to check bags when you overpack, and your bag will be heavy with less room for things you need.

Fix: Lay out what you want to bring, then take away a third of it. Pick clothes that you can mix and match to make different looks. Things that can’t be used in different ways stay at home.

2. Not caring about the weather

It’s a rookie mistake to pack for the wrong weather. If you think it will be sunny where you’re going in the tropics, you might get caught in a storm without a jacket. Or you bring sweaters to a place that is supposed to be cold, but it turns out to be mild.

The Fix: Look at the specific weather report for where you’re going and when, not just the general weather. Include one “weather surprise” item, like a small rain jacket or light sweater, in your pack that fits the weather you’ll be facing.

3. Forgetting important adapters and chargers

You remember having your phone with you, but did you bring enough power? Or the plug adapter for plugs in a different country? It’s easy to forget these little things, and it can be expensive or even hard to get new ones when you’re abroad.

Fix: Make a list of the tech you’ll need for your trip, like a charger for your phone or laptop, a battery for your camera, a portable power bank, and the right cables. They will never get lost if you put them all in a small tech pouch.

5. Folding clothes instead of rolling them up

It may feel normal to fold, but it takes up more room and makes the wrinkles worse. When you roll up your clothes, they fit better and keep things cleaner.

The Fix: To keep your clothes in order, roll them up and put them in packing bags. You won’t have to dig through your whole bag to find things this way.

5. Not Leaving Enough Room for Gifts

Where will you put the things you buy along the way if your bag is already full when you leave? That means you have to either pay extra for an extra bag or pack too much in your trunk.

Fix: Don’t put anything in your bag for at least 20% of the time. For extra space on the way back, you can also bring a bag or backpack that you can fold up.

6. Putting heavy things on top

When you put big things near the top of your suitcase, they move around and crush everything below them. The bag is also harder to roll up or move.

The Fix: Put heavy things near the wheels at the bottom, like shoes, books, or tools. You can carry your bag more easily and keep it balanced this way.

7. If You Bring Too Many Shoes

Shoes are big, heavy, and take up a lot more room than they need to. A lot of people who travel bring a lot more pairs than they wear.

The Fix: Don’t wear more than two or three pairs at a time. One pair should be casual, one should be dressy (if necessary), and one should be for hikes or running. To save room, wear your biggest pair on the plane.

8. Not having a small first aid kit with you

A bad headache, rash, or stomachache can ruin a trip day. You can usually buy drugs where you’re going, but it can be hard to find, especially if you don’t speak the language.

The Fix: Bring a small kit with you that has bandages, painkillers, motion sickness drugs, and any other medicines you need. It doesn’t take up much room, but it can save you a lot of trouble.

9. Not keeping liquids separate

A shampoo bottle that leaks is the fastest way to ruin your clothes. This can happen if people don’t properly seal liquids or pack them with clothes.

The Fix: Put all of your beverages in a plastic bag or toiletry pouch that you can seal. Take off the caps, cover the hole with plastic wrap, and then screw them back on. Keep them away from clothes at all times.

10. Not Making a Plan for Laundry

You’ll need to either wash your clothes or pack twice as many clothes if you’re going on a trip that lasts more than a week. A lot of tourists forget this and have to pay a lot of money for an expensive hotel laundry.

The Fix: Bring a small pack of laundry soap sheets or powder and a laundry bag that you can fold up. Before you leave, make sure that your lodging has a laundry room.

11. Not Using a List to Pack

Most mistakes in packing happen when you rely on your memory. Before you get on the plane, you think you remember everything, but then you realize you forgot your headphones.

The Fix: Write down everything you need to pack and use it every time. You can save a main list on your phone and change it for each trip.

12. Not Thinking About Limits on Carry-On Bags

Carry-on bags can be a certain size and weight, but each carrier has its own rules. If you pack too much, you might have to pay extra fees or check your bag at the last minute.

The Fix: Before you pack, check your airline’s rules on luggage. You can weigh your bag and measure its size at home if you need to.

13. Getting ready for “what if” situations that will never happen

Planning is a good thing, but carrying camping stuff “just in case” you decide to sleep in the woods is not in the same league. Over-preparing adds weight that isn’t needed.

The Fix: Pack for the things you want to do. You can usually rent or buy what you need close to home in case something comes up.

Last Thoughts

It takes skill to pack, not just putting clothes in a bag. If you do things the wrong way, even the best trip can become more stressful. The right way saves you money, time, and stress.

If you don’t do these common things, forgetting important things, overpacking, and not paying attention to the weather, you’ll travel lighter, stay more organized, and have more room for the things that matter.

It’s not smart to bring everything you might need; it’s smart to bring only what you will need. Like that, you’ll be ready for your trip better from beginning to end.