6 Travel Packing Tips to Beat Airline Luggage Weight Restrictions

Of all the things you need to do to prepare for your trip, packing your luggage can be the most challenging one. Since airline companies give each passenger a baggage weight limit, you need to make sure that your luggage doesn’t go over the limit imposed by your chosen airline. If it does, you’ll have to pay excess baggage fees or transfer some of the items in your checked-in luggage to your carry-on. To avoid these situations, always make it a point to travel light. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Invest in a Durable and Light Luggage

The type of luggage you’ll bring can contribute to the overall weight of your baggage. If your suitcase is old or made from leather or aluminum, then expect it to have some heft to it. Generally speaking, older types of luggage don’t have the lightweight features many of the modern travel bags have. You want your luggage to be light so that you can pack more items without the risk of going over the airline baggage weight limit. Thus, for added weight savings, look for luggage constructed from lightweight yet durable materials such as polycarbonate, ABS, nylon, or canvas.

Bring Clothes Made From Lightweight Materials

Ideally, you want the majority of the clothes you’ll bring to be made from fabrics like cotton, linen, polyester, and denim. These types of garments are lightweight, allowing you to bring more outfits without exceeding your weight allowance. They’re also comfortable to wear so that you won’t feel restricted when you’re exploring your destination.

When you shop leggings, tops, dresses, and other clothing items made from light materials, ensure that you’re buying them from a reputable brand. Garments made by trusted clothing companies are often durable and long-lasting. By choosing good quality pieces, you’ll get more wears out of them, which means you’ll still be wearing them in your future travels. Moreover, investing in high-quality clothes gives you peace of mind, since you don’t have to worry about your clothes getting easily damaged during your trip.

Stick to Fashion Items That are Easy to Mix and Match

An effective strategy to keep your luggage under the airline’s maximum weight limit is to stick to fashion items that are easy to mix and match. Even if you have a smaller selection of items to choose from, clothes that coordinate well with one another will allow you to create multiple outfits without hassle.

Pack clothes that are easy to style together like jeans, dressy shorts, plain T-shirts, and wrinkle-resistant tops. You should also choose garments that come in neutral colors, like black, white, and gray, since they tend to complement a wide range of colors and patterns.

Fold and Roll Your Clothes Properly

Properly folding and rolling your clothes is a packing technique that can save both space and weight. Start by neatly folding your garments to prevent wrinkles, and then roll them tightly to maximize the use of available space in your suitcase. Rolling also minimizes the formation of air pockets within your luggage, which can make your bag more compact. Additionally, this technique can make items more accessible and visible when you unpack, saving you the hassle of digging through layers of folded clothing.

Consider Buying Toiletries at Your Destination

Toiletries can contribute significantly to the weight of your luggage. That’s why instead of packing large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other personal care products, consider purchasing these items at your destination. Most hotels and some local stores offer a variety of toiletries and you should be able to get whatever you need when you arrive. If you do need to bring some toiletries from home, however, look for travel-sized containers or consider transferring products into smaller, lightweight bottles to save space and weight.

Wear Heavy Items on the Plane

A handy trick to lighten your checked baggage is to wear your heaviest and bulkiest clothing items on the plane. For example, if you’re bringing a thick winter coat and heavy boots, wear them during your flight. Not only does this strategy keep your checked luggage lighter, but it also ensures that you stay warm and comfortable while in transit. Remember to layer your clothing for easy adjustment if the plane’s temperature varies during your journey.

It can be frustrating to pack your luggage if the airline company you’ve chosen has strict luggage weight restrictions. That said, following the tips above has several benefits. For one thing, packing light will prevent you from paying for extra luggage fees. It also ensures that you can bring your luggage around with you with ease. Moreover, taking less luggage with you gives you more space for souvenirs, snacks, and other things that will remind you about your amazing trip.