First, make a packing list. Why? This will do away with panic on last-minute packing. It can also be a guide when repacking after your trip. In the unfortunate event that your luggage gets lost, you can also use this list for claims or additional identity papers.

When making a list, check on the events you are going to and make a list of clothes for each event. Choose items that compliment one another as much as possible. This allows you to use a single item for multiple outfits. Although I am not a fan of black clothing, darker colors such as black, navy blue, and gray are very versatile.

After doing your packing list, lay out the things you intend to bring and check them again against your list. Separate those you intend to bring and make sure they are clean and ready to go.

To help pack lighter, consider using an all-purpose lotion, rather than using a different lotion for hands, face and body. If you typically use an electric razor or toothbrush at home, pack their smaller non-electric counterparts instead.

To further save space, buy the small travel-sized versions of toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, and body wash. Or, if you want to use the same toiletries from home while traveling, you can buy small travel bottles to fill up instead of bringing a large shampoo bottle.

Leave behind all the jewelry you wouldn’t want to lose, including the flashy pieces that attract thieves. Don’t forget to bring a small first aid kit with aspirins and other emergency supplies.

Label every thing with your name and phone number. Do not use your address on any of your luggage. In the event your address is required, use your business address. Remove old claims tickets to avoid any confusion.

Before folding your clothes, button all buttons and zip all zippers. T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats can all be rolled up and carefully placed inside. Make sure to pack everything tightly as possible. The insides of shoes are perfect for underwear and socks.

I have found that using packing cubes makes it substantially easier to both pack, and then unpack. By grouping all your socks or underwear, or jeans in a single cube, it allows you to quickly find what you need without unfolding other clothes unnecessarily (read packing cubes review).

If traveling for business or pleasure, it is important to take note of digital accessories that help make your journey painless as possible. Below are examples of gadgets you need to bring when traveling either by plane, train, or automobile.

The art of efficient packing means having everything you need, nothing you don’t need, and the perfect accessories to help you organize it all. Whether traveling business or pleasure, the right gear can make all the difference between a successful trip and a dud.

Accessories need not be just for looks. They can be more. Like useful. In more than a few ways. To make life a little easier. Or a lot easier. Find out why these luggage accessories made our top 6.

This Frotech Bluetooth NUT Tracker has ultra-low power consumption so you won’t have to worry about charging it often. It’s light, thin and smaller than many trackers on the market.

A really handy feature is the two-way Anti-lost smart system which means when the phone and Nut mini are left behind and out of safety range, they will both beep to alarm you. It also has a location record so the Nut App will show you the location where and when Nut got disconnected on the map. The one touch find allows you to press the “Beep” button on Nut App, and Nut will beep for you to find it. 

It’s equipped with a convenient pendant cord so you can easily fasten to the bag, or slide it into a safe spot.

• Bluetooth/GPS
• Small & light
• Easy to use app

Packing cubes are an excellent way to keep luggage organized without adding bulk or a lot of extra weight. There are a lot of packing cube options on the market right, but we’ve found this set from Gonex to be one of the most quality potions for an affordable price.

This set includes: 1 large (15.4x15x3.54 inches), medium (11.8×9.1×3.54 inches), and small (9.8×7.5×3.54 inches). Because of the various sizes they’re good for a variety of items, even the little things like jewelry and belts.

Made from soft and smooth nylon fabric with a ventilate mesh cloth. The material expandable, tear-resistant, and waterproof. These are especially useful for separating dirty laundry from the rest of your bags contents.

• Light weight flexible material
• Set of 3 packing cubes
• Durable

These luggage straps can be easily spotted in a busy airport because of their unique colorful pattern. Not only that, they also work well to keep your bags contents safe with a TSA approved combination lock. This belt can keep your luggage not burst open during transit.

Made from high quality nylon, the straps and ID card does not snap when bent inward or outward. The width is approximately 2 inches, vertical max length approximately 87 inch, horizontal max length approximately 75 inches to fit a 20″-32″ suitcase. It also can be separated into two straps for independent use. Users report these straps are very sturdy and the lock is very easy to setup.

• TSA approved lock
• Bright colors and patterns
• Sturdy durable nylon

This attractive looking modern bag is more than just a pretty face. Well crafted from waterproof materials it’s durable for the long-haul. But what makes this backpack special is it’s tried and true, it’s got over 400 reviews on Amazon and comes in at 4.6 stars.

This backpack applies anti-theft technology. The zipper of the main pocket is fully hidden in the back of this bag. It’s also equipped with a secret pocket which is behind the bag. Charge your devices on the go with the convenient USB charging cable.

• Built in USB
• Waterproof & durable
• Highly recommended

Have you ever left behind your book, tablet, or worst yet passport in the seat pocket on a plane? I have… Not to mention I feel like I can almost see the germs congregating on those trays. So, this nifty high altitude flight bag by Genius Pack is really genius.

It’s smartly designed to wrap around an airplane tray and has a rear trolley slit to attach onto luggage. There are designated pockets for a tablet, documents/magazines, writing utensils, headphones, business cards and your passport. The rear compartment fits up to 6 magazines, so it’s pretty roomy too. An audio port is provided to feed headphones to device inside the bag. This bag is convenient and user friendly.

• Fastens on airplane tray
• Designated pockets
• Convenient design

Now we’ve every luggage accessory you could want, all built in with this Bluesmart smart luggage carry-on. It is also the world’s first Smart Luggage. Founded by two guys who got tired of losing luggage, this bag has an internal battery charger, GPS tracker, remote locking via app, an internal scale, and more!

If you travel often, then the built-in battery charger will be your best friend. You never have to worry about leaving your battery pack at home. GPS tracking will give you peace of mind. You will impress your friends with the remote locking feature via your smart phone. And you will catch people’s attention with it’s stylish and unique look.

To learn more, see our in-depth review on the Bluesmart Smart Luggage.

• GPS tracker
• USB port
• Remote locking via app

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed searching for luggage to meet your specific important needs? Or maybe you’ve gone a little deeper than that. And now you feel like there is an endless void of options, a bottomless pit of decisions, and you’ve fallen in only to emerge with nothing to show for it. Take a deep breath. Look no further. We got you. This article is a simple straight forward look at different luggage styles along with some well rated reliable recommendations. 

Tote bags are generally a smaller carry-on piece of luggage. They usually can be tucked right under your seat. They serve a multitude of purposes for all types of travels. These all-purpose bags are typically lightweight, while still being durable and spacious. They come in variety of affordable fabrics like cotton, canvas and nylon. For a more luxury tote some prefer to invest in a tote crafted from leather or suede. Tote bags are advantageous for travelers that have multiple items that they that need to be easily accessed at all times. Interior and exterior compartments will keep contents tidy so you can stay organized as you travel. For easily maneuverability there are many tote bags now equipped with wheels and a retractable handle. We love this practical yet lovely Delsey Underseat Tote.

Suitcase are usually a larger rectangular piece of luggage that open like a book with a zipper closure. They have a long history as travel companions for carrying a variety of personal items. They come in a variety of practical sizes from 18″ to 32″. If you’re going to take a longer trip, you will probably need a good suitcase. Thanks to technology there are many suitcases on the market now that offer excellent security, convenience and practical functionality. Depending of how much you want to spend, you can find basic suitcase which are basically an empty to shell with a zipper and wheels, up to a smart suitcase with a built in GPS, phone charger and Bluetooth. Another great thing about suitcases is that they often come in sets. Sets are advantageous for families or individuals with need for multiple luggage pieces and want them all to coordinate. We love this Samsonite Omni Luggage Set which comes in multiple colors and can be purchased as individual pieces as well.

Duffel bags are perfect when you just want to throw all your stuff into one big bag and go. A classic duffel may remind you of a gym bag, or the bags military persons use. A downside to traditional duffels is that they become painful to carry within a few minutes. Thankfully though, companies have more recently introduced “travel duffels”. These are basically a duffel bag on wheels. As far as capacity and packing, the possibilities are practically endless. You really can fit a lot of gear into these because they are usually very durable and large. They are especially functional when a equipped with quality zippers and heavily-stitched handles and straps that can handle the weight of the bag even when packed full. While most duffels or more casual looking there are some more luxury duffels on the market now. You can even find some crafted from quality leather.

If you’re traveling for a wedding, formal party, or business and your wardrobe consists of a few well-chosen more dressy outfits a garment bag may be the only piece of luggage you really need for a trip. A garment bag is a container of flexible material, usually used to ease transporting suits, jackets or clothing in general. Garment bags are available in a number of styles to keep your clothes clean and wrinkle free. Many are now conveniently equipped with pockets and compartments which can hold a variety of items, from clothing and shoes to chargers and laptops. Some garment bags even come the a retractable top handle and even have wheels. If you’re a business person a garment bag is a necessary investment. We recommend this Delsey Chatillon Wheeled Garment Bag which is made with a soft durable fabric and comes with several practical features.

These is an endless debate in the luggage world. At the end of the day, it’s really up to preference. Here is some information to help you weigh your options of Hardside vs Softside luggage.

First, hardside luggage. It’s usually made from strong polycarbonate & aluminum materials which is stain resistant, waterproof, and lightweight. Because the hard shell, it well hard, is also can protect fragile belongings and helps to absorb shock from airport handling. This also makes them easier to clean. Many hardside have reliable built in TSA approved locks to keep your goods safe. In addition because hardside are available in printed patterns and solid colors, there is really a look for everyone. Not all hardside cases are created equailly though. Read reviews carefully. Users report cases scuffing, scratching and even cracking, which you would never worry about with a softside case. Here is one of our favorite Harside cases- Samsonite Inova Carry-On.

Softside luggage is made from durable synthetic fabric materials, or natural materials like leather. Depending on the fabric they can be lightweight. A perk of softside cases is that usually have external pockets which are more more convenient than having to open the whole case. Most all softside luggage is flexible and expandable which makes it easier to pack lots of clothing, over over pack… Even though they are more difficult to clean because the soft material is more absorbent, they often show less wear and tear than their rival hardside’s material. They too come in a variety of colors and patterns, though perhaps not as many a the hardside do. This softside Travelpro Crew 10 21″ Carry-On is a reliable and durable soft piece.

Here there is not so much of a debate, most would tell you spinner wheels over roller are better. With our spinner wheels we get 360 degree maneuverability and you can push your luggage alongside, behind, push in front, or pull behind. These lead to easy maneuverability in tight aisles and crowded airports. Because spinners are usually four wheels, they are balanced so duffels, totes, purses and other small luggage can be easily stacked on top. The one downside to these spinner wheels is you better keep an eye on them, because they glide so easy, they may glide away if you are at an incline! Here is one of our favorite carry-on’s with spinner wheels- Delsey Chatelet.

Roller wheels usually mean 2-wheeled which means only 2-way push/pull systems. This can really be a pain especially if you are rolling multiple bags at a time. We will say they do oven have great stability over bumpy or uneven surfaces, which is an advantage. The biggest frustration with roller wheels though, is the tipping factor. Be careful not to load anything on top a of a roller bag and take your hand of it. If it’s closer to the ground, like wheeled tote perhaps, it’s not so much of an issue. They have their place for sure, but in general most prefer the spinning wheels. Here is an exceptional roller carry-on we love!  Timbuk2 Copilot Carry-On

Wheeled Totes: These are ideal pieces for people who are looking for a small, wheeled luggage to carry onto the plane. Most wheeled totes will fit under the seat, and are small enough to easily lift in and out of the overhead storage bins. Wheeled totes can hold a single change of clothes, books, magazines, and any other small items you would like to take with you on the plane.

18″ – 20″ Carry-On Luggage: These are considered the International carry-on sizes, as they are allowed as a carry-on for most International flights. They are ideal for trips of 1-2 days, as they have packing space for a few outfits, a pair of shoes, and toiletries.

21″ – 22″ Carry-on Luggage: These are the most popular sizes of carry-on luggage for U.S. domestic flights. Most U.S. airlines have carry on restrictions of 22″ x 14″ x 9″, or 45 linear inches. These are the ideal sizes for business travelers or weekend trips, as most pieces have sufficient packing space for a few outfits, a couple pairs of shoes, and toiletries.

23″ – 24″ Small Checked Luggage: These sizes are popular for travelers looking for a smaller, lighter option of luggage to check. There is room for 2 to 3 outfits, a couple pair of shoes, and toiletry kits.

25″ – 27″ Checked Luggage: These sizes are the most popular size of luggage to check. They are ideal for trips of 5 to 7 days, or longer, depending on how you pack. They have a large capacity for multiple outfits, shoes, and toiletries. 

28″ – 32″ Suitcase: These are very large suitcases meant for trips exceeding a week. Due to their large size, when fully packed they can be difficult to maneuver and may exceed the 50 lbs. weight restrictions that most U.S. airlines enforce. Along with the weight restrictions, most U.S. airlines have a size restriction of 62″ linear inches and these sizes may exceed that size, especially when expanded.