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Packing light on summer trips is relatively easy. All you need are a few underwear essentials and little else in the way of clothing (t-shirts, shorts, a hat, etc.). With some quick Tetris-ing, everything can fit neatly within the confines of a backpack or carry-on suitcase.
Winter and fall, on the other hand, are different stories. Fall features notoriously fickle weather, ranging from sweat-inducing heats to bone-chilling lows. And winter is reliably cold, necessitating – at the very least – a light coat. These bulkier items can easily overrun a suitcase or bag.
Luckily, you can still pack light for fall and winter tips with a few quick tips and tricks. Here’s how to fit your entire vacation into one bag.
Choose an Insulating, Antibacterial Material
Merino wool is a godsend for fall and winter trips. As a base layer, it provides insulation during cold spells and breathability and ventilation on those odd hot fall days. It resists wrinkles, so you can stuff it tightly in a bag without worrying about looking shabby on the other end. And it dries quickly, sparing you the discomfort of soaking in an autumn rainfall.
But what truly sets merino wool apart – and what makes it ideal for light packing – is that it’s antibacterial. You might ask: what do bacteria have to do with packing light? Well, bacteria are the main culprit behind body odour. And because merino wool resists bacteria, it stays fresh for extended periods (some travellers wear their merino clothes for weeks on end). You only need to pack a couple of garments to last you an entire trip.
For fall and winter vacations, pack a base layer of merino underwear and socks, and supplement with an Unbound Merino hoodie or sweatshirt.
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Wear Your Jackets in Transit
Even with your reduced load of merino wool clothes, you’ll still need a jacket or coat. Rather than try to stuff your bulky outer layer into your bag, wear it while in transit. When you get on the plane or train, simply take the outer layer off and stow it in the luggage compartment alongside your bag.
If you are moving between transit stops (say the hotel to the airport) and your coat is too warm to wear, you can rest it over your forearm.
Use Compression Bags
Compression bags work wonders to take a bulky item and reduce its surface area. If you plan on travelling with extra middle layers, like sweatshirts or sweaters, and can’t wear them in transit, put them in a compression bag and remove the air. You can apply the same treatment to accessories like scarves, hats and gloves. What you’re left with is a dense, tightly pressed bag a fraction of the original size of the garment.
To recap: antibacterial merino wool allows you to pack fewer garments; compression bags lower the surface area of your packed middle and outer layer items; and wearing the rest during transit frees up space in your bag. With those three simple hacks, you can pack a minimalist bag throughout the shoulder and low seasons.
