10 Surprising Things You’ll Never Pack Again

Fly light without these items

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to packing for a vacation. Well, maybe just one: when in doubt, leave it out, you guys.

But knowing what not to pack can get a little tricky. After all, you don’t want to find yourself needing something that’s at home! No worries, we’ve done the research for you. You can head out for your next vacay minus these common (but unnecessary) items.

• Full-size toiletries

  We get it—we like our favorite styling products, too. And (of course!) you want your face, hair, and skin to look insta-worthy in your vacation pics.

  But bringing full-sized creams, serums, and liquids along for the ride will take up tons of room in luggage. Instead, buy leak-proof travel bottles (we like these) and bring just the right amount of product with you. 

• Blow dryer and other styling tools

  When’s the last time you went to a hotel that didn’t have a blow dryer? Yeah, we can’t remember, either.

  As for other styling tools, think twice before giving them room in your suitcase. Are you really going to straighten/curl/beach wave your hair every night of your vacation?

• Multiple pairs of jeans

  Jeans might be comfy, but they’re also heavy. And bulky. Neither of which makes them ideal in your suitcase.

  You don’t need a different pair every day on your trip. Just one casual pair for during the day and one darker wash (read: dressier) pair that you can dress up in the evening and you’re all set.

• Shoes that aren’t broken in

  All together now: ouch! And anything that causes pain is an automatic entry in our “what not to pack” list.

  Bring your favorite pair or two from home, the ones that you already know you can spend all day in. And if you can’t resist a new pair of kicks, wear them around the house for a few days to break them in before your trip.

• Workout gear

  Well, you can bring some workout gear. But before you pack bulky running shoes and too many dry-wick shirts, go over your itinerary carefully. Do you really have time to hit the hotel gym or go for a run? And are you even going to want to exercise if you have a full day of sightseeing ahead?

  Be realistic… a pair of sneakers and one workout outfit (that you can handwash) might be enough to get you through a quick getaway.

• Hardcover books

  There’s nothing like lounging on the book with the latest juicy mystery, right? Well, unless that heavy hardcover send your baggage fees sky-high with the extra weight!

  Bring a paperback or two, or maybe even a magazine. Even better? Invest in a Kindle or other e-reader, and bring as many books as you want on your vacay.

• Anything irreplaceable

  Don’t bring anything on vacation with you that can’t be replaced, either financially or emotionally.

  If you absolutely must bring an irreplaceable heirloom (or other valuable), make sure you bring it with you on the plane. And stash it safely in the hotel safe once you’ve checked in.

• Your entire medicine cabinet

  Unless you’re camping or out in the middle of nowhere, chances are you’ll be close to a pharmacy. So you can probably leave most of those first aid supplies at home.

  Of course, you should always bring anything prescribed by your doctor. And anything you might reasonably need: allergy medication, something for headaches, etc. You might even want band-aids if you ignored our advice above and brought brand-new shoes.

• Whatever your travel buddy is bringing

  If you’re traveling with friends, coordinate your packing so you don’t all end up bringing multiples of everything. Share toiletries and leave room for your other essentials.

  Especially for short trips—one bottle of sunscreen and one shampoo/conditioner set should be enough to get the crew through the weekend!

• Anything delicate

  That shirt you love but wrinkles if you even look at it? Nope. You don’t want to spend your vacation with an iron in your hand. Same goes for that cute straw hat. It may look great in Your beach pics, but keeping it from being crushed in your suitcase will be a nightmare.

  Leave those, and other delicates, at home.

Figuring out what not to pack is almost more confusing than deciding what to bring! Especially if you’re the “just in case” type. But stick to our list and you’ll be a savvier, lighter traveler.

Another way to be a savvy traveler? Ship your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. For less than the price of the average checked bag, we’ll get all of your stuff to your final destination. And when you’re strolling through the airport with nothing but a cell phone in your hand, you’ll truly be traveling light!