The Marie Kondo craze doesn’t have to be limited to your living space—your packing list deserves a spring cleaning, too. We believe that not only should you travel more efficiently this season, but that what you take with you should spark as much joy as possible when you’re away from home.
Here, our editors divulge their favorite spring packing hacks, essential items, and what makes them the happiest when they travel.
How to Make More Space in Your Luggage
Throw Out Your Old Socks & Underwear
My ultimate travel hack: Pack underwear and socks that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, then throw them out as you wear them, creating extra packing space for goods and mementos as you travel. —Annie Werner; Managing Editor, Digital
Jackets Are For Wearing Not Packing
I don’t pack a jacket in my carry-on. I wear it in the airport and on the plane. This is fine as I’ll be prepared for cooler temperatures when I land, and airplanes tend to be cold anyway so *shrug* —Dave Casey; Senior Production Designer
On-Site Laundry is Your Friend
I’m a light packer and it’s because I usually go somewhere with built-in laundry, so no matter the trip length I pack only for five days worth of clothes. —DC
Tips for Pack Efficiently
The Packing Cube Hack
I find it helpful to bring one extra packing cube—for shopping. If you don’t have a ton of extra space, an empty packing cube can help compress the extra goods you buy in your carry-on. I also find it helps me estimate the amount I should and should not bring back with me. A little bit of wallet control never hurts. —AW
Find Shoes That Do It All
My Dr. Martens combat boots have doubled as my everyday shoe and hiking boot on several occasions, trekking everywhere from the mountains of Peru to the forests of Uganda. The fewer shoes I need to bring on a trip the better! —Emma Glassman-Hughes; Senior Associate Editor, Print
Choose a Palette
If I’m traveling anywhere but the beach in summer, I pack black. Wearing black is a great way to pack light: nobody remembers the individual items, they all look great together, and black is the uniform of the stylish around the world (in black, you’re less likely to look like a tourist). Then I lean on accessories, which are huge space savers relative to actual clothes, to make my outfits distinct. —Chloe Scheffe; Editorial Designer
What You Should Prioritize When Packing
Your Gut
It only took one fateful bout of food poisoning early in my Here Mag career to make charcoal pills a mainstay on my every packing list. Nothing ruins a trip faster than stomach issues, and with these activated charcoal supplements, any and all issues are kept at bay. Call it spring cleaning for your gut. —Ally Betker; Editorial Director
Comfort & Warmth
A big, comfy sweatshirt! I’ve found that when I pack, no matter where I’m going, the first thing I always sacrifice is an extra layer of warmth—and it’s always the first thing I regret when I land. Though they take up an inhibiting amount of space, you’ll never not wish you could wrap yourself up in something cozy and familiar late at night in your hotel room. Worth the squish. —EGH
Hydration
Bring your own water bottle and fill up at a water fountain after security, or buy a big bottle from a terminal store. –DC
Healthy Snacks
For me, nothing is worse than when hunger strikes. It’s so easy to put a dent in your mood (and your wallet) and whether you’re on the road or in the skies, your choices can be super limited or overpriced. Packing snacks has helped me avoid laps around the airport and long checkout lines, so Stasher bags are always on my packing list. They’re reusable silicone bags that save you from bulky Tupperware in your suitcase and from the guilt of throwing out plastic. —Eunice Cancino; Associate Manager, Social Media
How to “Spark Joy” When Packing
Bring A Notebook
I never leave home without a notebook, currently from Shinola, though I am also a fan of these from Muji. Nothing sparks more joy in me than an early morning journal session somewhere far away from home. —AB
Why Reading Materials Matter
I travel with two books, usually one fiction and one nonfiction or memoir. It’s my goal to spend as little time on my phone as possible, especially during flights, and having options on hand from the beginning is the best way to curb my digital habit. I avoid hardcovers to save on space and weight. Bonus: The trip will become attached to the book! I love being able to revisit the memory of a place just by perusing my bookshelf. –CS
The Dress Up Hack
It only took one trip over multiple canals in Venice with 50-pound bags to learn to travel as light as possible. I found red lipstick is the best way to elevate your look without worrying about extra layers or accessories. My tried and true favorite is Beso from Stila, and it now sparks extra joy knowing fellow Latina AOC wears the same color while making moves in uncharted territory. —EC