How to Decide What to Pack

Packing for a trip can be daunting, often because it feels like you’re making 100 tiny decisions every time you travel.

How many pairs of shoes should I take?

Will this jacket be warm enough?

Should I pack an umbrella?

And so on.

Here are some tips to help you decide what to pack. It’s basically how I go through the process for myself.

Woman kneeling on a wood floor next to a partly open suitcase that is too full to close. She has her hand on her head like she is stressed about how she is going to manage to get her suitcase closed.

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What kind of trip are you taking?

Start by thinking through the basics of what kind of trip you’re taking. These questions will automatically help you narrow down your packing choices as you, of course, won’t take heavy outerwear with you on a beach trip, for instance.

Are you exploring cities or venturing out into nature? Maybe a little of both? Are you going on a cruise? Camping?
Where will you be staying? In a hotel, a rental (like Vrbo), or with family or friends (meaning, perhaps you could borrow things if needed)?
What is the overall climate at your destination at the time of year you’ll be traveling there?
Are you traveling for a major holiday or event?
How long will you be traveling?

This is generally not the point when I’m thinking through the specifics of my packing list yet. This is just the rough shape of things. Once I start creating my packing list, then I’ll start getting more into the weeds about the details of the trip activities.

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Your luggage

Your packing decisions will be influenced, at least somewhat, by your luggage choices. If you pack a large suitcase, you’ll have the space to take more options. On the other hand, if you travel with just a pack, you’ll have very few options.

When we fly, we travel with the same size suitcase regardless of the length of the trip, but on longer trips, we plan to do laundry. We bring enough clothing for about a week, then wash and rewear items. Pack laundry detergent sheets for easy cleaning on the go (or buy a little detergent at your destination).

See my tips for avoiding overpacking and maximizing the space in your suitcase if you are prone to getting hit with overweight luggage fees.

I encourage you to consider traveling carry-on only at least occasionally or for shorter trips. Going carry-on only saves money, makes you more mobile when you travel, saves time, and builds your packing skills. (I understand that this is not possible for everyone or for every type of trip.)

For more about carry-on only travel, see

Ready to try carry-on packing, but not sure how to go about it? In The Carry-on Packing Playbook, I teach you the exact approach I followed to work my way up to traveling carry-on only. That was 9 years ago…and I haven’t looked back.

Weather

When building my packing list, I like to start weather planning well in advance. Look for average highs and lows, typical temperature ranges, and the average number of rainy days in the month during which you’re going to be traveling to your destination. This is just to give you a big picture idea of what the weather there is typically like.

Once you’re within about 10-14 days of your departure date, start watching the actual forecast and make adjustments to your packing list if needed. I find that this two-phase approach helps me prevent overpacking, as well as last-minute packing panic.

Building your packing list

Okay, it’s time to create your packing list, which means that it’s time to start thinking about the specifics of your trip.

Reviewing your daily planned itinerary is a great place to start when building a fresh packing list.

List the things you’ll need for each day.
Cross out any duplicates.
Resist the urge to add extras once your list is set.

Make sure to research local customs and dress codes for your destination. In some places, modest clothing is expected, especially when visiting religious sites. Remember to research any specific dress requirements for upscale restaurants.

I also recommend choosing garments that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This strategy not only maximizes your clothing options but also minimizes the amount of clothing you need to bring.

I begin by packing neutral-colored pants and then add variety with colorful tops.

Prioritizing your items if you need to make cuts

So, you’ve chosen your luggage, researched the weather, made your packing list, and now you’re packing your suitcase. But maybe things are a little tight, and you’re not sure it’s all going to fit. What do you do? How do you prioritize if you need to make cuts?

Here is what I would do. I would take everything out of my suitcase except those things that answer these questions:

What things do you need for your life, health, and hygiene (e.g., medical devices, prescription medications, etc.)?
What clothing do you need for non-negotiable activities? These are the things you can’t or won’t cancel (special gear or clothing for expensive excursions, major events, etc.).
What are you reasonably certain you need for the weather forecast/climate?

These are the things that should stay.

From there, you can start negotiating with yourself as you add things back into your suitcase. Here are some things you can likely cut (don’t hate me).

Third or fourth pairs of shoes
Extra sweaters
Bulky hooded sweatshirts
Backup jackets
Extra accessories (like multiple necklaces, bracelets, hats, etc.)
Second or third tubes of lipstick or lip gloss
Eye shadow palettes
Umbrella (if you’ve already packed a waterproof coat/jacket with a hood)
Multiple handbag options
Multiple hairstyling tools
Paper books (especially hardcover)
You get the idea…

Additional tips and thoughts

Don’t pass on making out a packing list because you think you have it all in your head. It will be easier to overpack or forget an essential like a phone charger, prescription medication, or your passport.
You can’t pack for every scenario. Trust your decisions and understand that packing emergencies are rarely true emergencies (just don’t forget your medications or medical devices!).
Save your packing list and use it as a base for your next trip’s list to help you pack more quickly the next time you travel. I teach this method step-by-step (with provided templates) in my $9 Quick Copy Packing toolkit.
Stay flexible. It’s impossible to pack for every scenario, and that’s okay.