Smart Travel Backpack
Before you get on the road check out these tips for safe, smart travel and allowing you the best adventure possible.
Travel Safety
While uncertainties surrounding travel continue, there will likely be a new norm moving forward where travel safety is concerned. Planes will continue to be held at a higher standard of cleanliness. Hand washing will no longer be an afterthought. And people will think twice about traveling when they’re feeling ill. Other steps can be taken to keep things clean while on the road. As we look forward to getting a little bit back to normal, here are some tips for traveling smarter.
The Keys to Smart Travel
Packing efficiently is your first step to smart travel. Taking the right amount of clothing is the difference between being caught off-guard without a “night out” outfit and lugging around an over-packed suitcase (or three). There are a few questions you should ask yourself when you’re packing for smart travel.
What to Pack
First, will you have access to a washing machine? If so, everything just got a lot easier (and lighter) for you. Knowing you’ll be able to reuse items allows you to downsize your suitcase size – or bring that extra pair of shoes. And if you’re worried about having to find laundry detergent or carrying liquid detergent in your suitcase, don’t worry! There are many companies who make laundry soap sheets that are easy to pack in your suitcase. They don’t take up much room, and won’t count against your liquids if you’re carrying on.
What are you Doing
Secondly, it’s important to think about what you will be doing on your trip. Will your travel agenda consist of long days at the beach, followed by late nights at the tiki bar? If so, your main concern will likely be having enough sunscreen – you probably won’t need a lot of clothing. Traveling to a cold climate with snow-infused activities and business dinners at night? You’re going to need to think about warm jackets, boots, and business attire. And those items take up a lot of suitcase real estate.
To Check or Not to Check a Bag
The third question to ask yourself is whether or not you need to check a bag or if you will be carrying on your luggage. If you’re checking a bag, your carry on should be strategically packed according to your plans 24-hours after arriving at your destination. Whether you’re traveling by train, plane, or boat, there’s always a chance your checked luggage could get lost in transit. Having the right items in your carry on bag can make or break the start of your trip.
Planning on hitting the beach right after you arrive? Pack your bathing suit, flip flops, sunglasses and sunscreen in your carry on. Have a dinner party or business meeting planned? Make sure you’ve got your suit or dress and appropriate shoes in your carry on. If you decide to carry on, pack pieces of clothing that both offer layers and provide flexibility. Your biggest concern may be deciding on what liquids to pack while meeting the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rules. Don’t forget to leave room for your hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes! And don’t forget your passport or ID. Because of COVID-19, the REAL ID requirements have been extended to October 2021. Air travelers 18 and over traveling within the United States will need a “REAL ID-compliant” document by that date. This includes a driver’s license, US passport, US military ID, or one of these accepted forms of identification.
Travel Tech
Technology for travel may sound frivolous but it can make your life a whole lot easier when you’re on the road. Travel gadgets can provide a much smoother trip from beginning to end. Let’s get this first one out of the way. We’re calling out all you over-packers out there. Yes, the ones that are down on their hands and knees at the luggage check-in counter, pulling items out of their bag and hoping they can somehow meet that 50-pound limit. Some genius out there designed a Digital Luggage Scale that allows you to weigh your bag BEFORE you check it in. Smart clothing means comfortable travel. You don’t want to look like you just woke up and you definitely don’t want to have to pack multiple pieces of the same clothing. Finding something that has a dual-use and is flexible enough for en-route and on-vacation is extremely useful. The BauBax Women’s Bomber jacket has a travel blanket, a footrest, built-in neck pillow, a water bottle, earplugs, earphones, bottle opener/whistle, microfiber cloth, passport, iPad, iPhone, and sunglass pockets, as well as a secret credit card pocket and more!
Other travel tech we recommend looking at is a good portable charger, noise-canceling bluetooth headphones (for drowning out that chatty passenger or crying baby), and if you’re headed around the world – an international power adapter travel plug.
Adventure Travel
If you’re waiting for the green light to travel again but still contemplating where your next destination will be, consider adventure travel. Adventure travel involves heading to a remote or exotic location to take part in physically challenging outdoor activities – so, not for travelers who would rather sit idly under the sun. Whether it’s hiking the Dolomites or Machu Picchu, kayaking in Hawaii, fly fishing in Alaska, bike riding through Amsterdam or dog-sledding in Sweden, there’s sure to be adventure travel made just for you.
