How to Pack Light For Winter Travel

Unless your visiting Florida for the Holidays, traveling light during the winter months isn't the easiest of tasks. So, if sitting on your suitcase still doesn't get the zipper closed around those bulky sweaters, coats, gloves, scarves and hats, here are a few tips to help get you packed and out the door with as little fuss and possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Luggage
• Clothing
• Adequate folding/rolling skills

1. Keep it down to the necessities. Evaluate how long you will be traveling for and try to keep your selections down to one or two major outfits per day. Pack things that you can mix and match or pack using a color scheme so everything and anything can be worn together.
2. Check the weather and pack accordingly. I.e don't pack shorts if you're visiting Colorado in late December even if you quote, think you might need them.
3. Roll the small things. T-shirts, vests, scarves and other less bulky items can be packed much easier and take up much less room this way. Simply lay the item down on a flat surface, tuck in the extraneous bits and then roll up tightly like a little travel tortilla.
4. Don't pack three black sweaters. (Or any other duplicates for that matter). Instead, pack an extra scarf, broach or other accessory. Chances are, if you're traveling to a cold or snowy climate, you'll have your coat on most of the time anyway and when you do need to wear that black sweater again, throw a different scarf on over it or tack on that heirloom broach.
5. If you are packing a lot of bulky items, consider picking up a Space Saver type bag. Most drugstores and Target type establishments carry them and they are also available online. They retail anywhere from about $5-$9. A large bag holds about 10 sweaters and once you vacuum remove the air you're left with about half the mass you started with. Pack this at the bottom of your luggage.
6. Utilize outer pockets and compartments for socks and undergarments. Or, if you have no outer storage, wait until you've gotten most of your clothes packed and then tuck these items in between your clothes wherever you find a little bit of give.
7. Leave the large things for the top of the heap. Once you've got all your small things rolled up and tucked in you can lay that fluffy wool cardigan on top of everything just before closing up your luggage. (this will also help to keep everything in place).

Tips & Warnings

• If you're going to be staying with family or staying at a particular place for an extending period of time, consider parcel posting coats, shoes and/or gifts to your destination. These things can not only be heavy, but awkward to pack into standard travel sized luggage.