Maximize minimal space to prepare for the ultimate adventure.
Can you feel that? It’s the time of year when wanderlust sets in and adrenaline rushes with thoughts of adventure. You won’t be alone in shaking off those winter blues and hitting the road. Despite inflation-induced turbulence, the US Travel Foundation predicts an increase in travel spending from last year.
To make your trip great, invest some of that increased spending into time and gear. Wondering where to start? Here’s our vacation packing guide with helpful tips and items to plan for a stress-free journey.
Pre-Trip Tips
Vacation Packing Guide
Travelpro Crew: Why risk broken handles and busted zippers? Travelpro Crew is the luggage airline professionals prefer. With industry-grade dependability and durability, many pieces provide packing flexibility with customized interiors and garment organizers. When selecting the perfect piece, Deb Ayers, with Ayers Leather Shop, recommends a soft body over a hard case. “One good blow will break a hard case. It’s a physics thing. A soft-body suitcase can absorb a hit, while the frame protects everything inside.” Ayers likes the Travelpro VersaPack with the Carry-On Deluxe Tote. The piggy-back design makes for efficient packing and easy movement throughout your travels.
Travelpro Crew luggage is available at Ayers Leather Shop, 17 W. North St., Greenville, 864.232.9413.
Jon Hart Design: Move over Vera Bradley, Jon Hart is capturing the hearts of stylish high-end travelers. Artisans in Texas have been hand-cutting and sewing the leather and canvas bags for more than 45 years. Today, the company has expanded to offer 100 products through 600 retailers, including The Pink Monogram in Greenville. Every year, owner Monica Smith gives family members a new Jon Hart bag, in designer colors like French blue, saddle, and slate. “They’re lifetime pieces,” she explains. “In 20 or 30 years, they look as good as they did the day you got them, even better—because the leather ages so well, and they come with a lifetime warranty.”
The big 360 Wheels suitcases can anchor any collection, with the Medium Square Duffle and Weekender all-around, go-to bags. A monogrammed make-up case or dopp kit is the perfect starter piece to build a collection.
Jon Hart Designs are available at The Pink Monogram, 6 Aberdeen Dr., Greenville, 864.271.3587.
Iconic Boat & Tote: A new generation is discovering L.L. Bean’s 78-year-old staple. The heavy-weight canvas bags were originally designed to haul ice from cars to boats but morphed into the perfect carry-all. Today, thanks to social media, traditional monograms have given way to cheeky (sometimes snarky) embroidery that includes “Unhinged,” “Hangry,” and “Prada.”
L.L. Bean totes are available at llBean.com.
Vacation Packing Accessories
Motion Detector Night Lights: More travelers are packing these miniature lights with safety in mind. They not only illuminate a hotel room if you get up in the dark, but they’ll alert occupants if someone enters the room uninvited.
Sleeping Bag Liner: Worried about what’s on those hotel sheets? The travel sleeping bag liner is made from polyester pongee, adding a protective layer between bed sheets while holding a pillow in place.
Silicone Travel Bottles: Nothing’s worse than having to leave your favorite flavor of toothpaste behind because it doesn’t come in a travel-size tube. Simply transfer the toothpaste to a small silicone bottle. With wide necks yet small openings, these malleable containers make for easy loading and dispensing of personal care products. (Various brands, including Amazon.)
Packing Cubes: These small inset containers help keep suitcases organized while protecting possessions. Use cubes to pack items by occasion, day, or need. Once on the road, separate damp and dirty outfits from the rest of your belongings. Cubes come in a variety of sizes and price points. Travel & Leisure ranks Gonex, Shacke and Veken as their favorites.
Luggage Trackers: Anyone travel on Southwest Airlines over Christmas, or to Europe last summer? Hundreds of thousands of bags were unaccounted for, scattered across the globe. It’s estimated that almost 700,000 bags are lost during a “good” year. Keep track of yours on your phone, with tags that use GPS. Good Housekeeping ranks Apple Air Tags, Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker, and LandAirSea GPS Tracker among the top three.
Luggage Drink/Phone Holder: Spend enough time in airports, and you realize how helpful a clean, safe space to set your drink, phone, and other small items can be. Free up your hands with these holders that attach across your suitcase handle with Velcro. Holders usually include drink, phone, and passport pockets. (Various brands, including Herculean Merch on Amazon.)
Smooth Trip lights, liners, bottles, and more are available at Ayers Leather Shop, 17 W. North St., Greenville, 864.232.9413.
Photography by Jen Jefferson
