17 Vacation Items You'll Regret Bringing

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Are you tempted to pack everything “just in case” when preparing for a vacation? The American Automobile Association, AAA, reports that 70% of travelers usually overpack, meaning they face baggage fees or logistical hassles.

While it may be necessary to plan what to pack, some items will be more detrimental than helpful. Here are 17 vacation items you’re better off leaving behind.

Excessive Clothing

Vacation Items You'll Regret Bringing — Image Credits: belchonock /123RF

Packing “outfit options” for every occasion often leaves you with a suitcase full of unworn clothes. According to a TripAdvisor survey, 77 percent pack more than half the clothes they wear. Stick to versatile, mix-and-match staples to save space and simplify your luggage.

Books and Magazines

Although it’s nice to think about catching up on your reading, big books and magazines push out your other items and add extra weight.

However, you can also reduce the weight by using e-readers such as Kindle or apps such as Libby that let you access any book you need from your mobile device.

Full-Size Toiletries

Hotels usually come with complimentary toiletries. Most airlines limit liquids to 3.4 ounces. Packing full-size shampoo or lotion bottles is guaranteed to spill and waste space. Instead, pick travel-size containers or buy them when you get there.

Unnecessary Gadgets

Items like portable speakers, extra cameras, or multiple power banks can overfill your bag. Fortunately, multifunctional devices are available to help you out.

For instance, modern power banks can support various charges with a single compact design, while most smartphone upgrades include high-quality cameras.

Your Entire Shoe Collection

Shoes are the bulkiest items packed in luggage. You can quickly fill a suitcase space with more than two or three versatile pairs.

According to experts, the best plan is to pack one pair of easy walk-around shoes and at least one or two for casual and formal outings.

Expensive Jewelry

While luxury accessories can enhance your evening outfit, they make you a prime target for thieves. The U.S. Department of State reports that tourists with expensive portable items are easier targets for pickpockets.

When traveling, leave valuable jewelry and celebrity clothes back home; those can be replaced easily, so take some stylish and affordable alternatives.

Paper Maps

Paper maps are outdated because, with GPS and navigation apps (like Google Maps) that give real-time directions and offline capabilities, you don’t need to lug around the paper.

Secondly, they can become cumbersome and easily be damaged to the point of being defeated by their original purpose.

“Just in Case” Items

Overpacking “just in case” makes managing your luggage heavier and more complex. You will get these things from workout gear you end up not using, such as extra outfits for events that don’t happen. Pack only the essentials, but trust your itinerary.

Hair Styling Tools

Curling irons or hair straighteners are bulky, take up valuable luggage space, and don’t fit international power outlets. A hairdryer is available in many hotels; small travel items do the trick for a quick touch-up job.

Bulky Travel Guides

While travel guides can be essential, they may be impracticable to take along on your holiday. You can also pick the lighter, digital versions—or look up places in advance and save the essential pieces to your phone.

Plastic Water Bottles

Reusable water bottles are light and more practical but also environmentally friendly. Single-use plastic bottles take up a lot of space.

Too Many Snacks

When you bring too many snacks, they’ll weigh down your luggage. Local grocery stores can be found almost everywhere and can be relied on if you need to stock up.

Fancy Evening Wear

Official wear, such as suits and evening attire, is almost untouched in the wardrobe for most casual holidays. Opt for one or two of the most essential dress codes with accessories.

Travel Itineraries and Tickets, including Copies

The existence of such physical copies of flight tickets and travel itineraries only adds clutter. Digital versions on your phone are also allowed on most airlines and travel companies, saving you space and noise and eliminating paper use.

Multiple Towels

It’s not practical, as bringing towels is often unnecessary. Dropping into just about any hotel, Airbnb, etc., they will all likely give you the necessary towels. If you must bring one, get a lightweight, compact microfiber strand towel.

Pillow or Bedding

Travel pillows and blankets are a typical case of overpacking. With most flights offering at least some sort of bedding on long-haul trips and hotels providing more than enough, it shouldn’t be a problem. But if neck support is an essential order of business, an inflatable, compact pillow is the more intelligent choice.

Specialized Gear for Unlikely Scenarios

Snorkel gear, full hiking gear, or even sports equipment that you feel essential you need can usually be rented at your travel destination. Further, renting these items can make your luggage light and more economical.

Knowing how to pack innovatively and smartly will save you space, money, time, and unnecessary stress while making room for memories and souvenirs. Next time you fill your suitcase, think critically about every item to ensure you travel light and efficiently. By ditching or downsizing these 17 items, you’re already one step closer to hassle-free design. Safe packing!