The Best Gifts for the Overpacker in Your Life
Give the gift of minimalist packing this holiday season.
Most of us fall into one of two categories when it comes to traveling: the overpacker and the minimalist. Either you’ve packed two weeks' worth of underwear for a weekend trip, or you’re washing them in the sink of your hotel bathroom because you didn’t bring enough. Overpacking can be inconvenient because it tends to result in a larger suitcase, but it’s not just about the physical ramifications; many times overpackers are doing the suitcase shuffle of shame, crouched down at the check-in counter playing a panic game of travel tetris to avoid having to pay fees for an overweight bag. It’s also incredibly impractical to have so much stuff in tow when you’re running to catch a tight connection, or moving from train platform to train platform.
Even if you’re not an overpacker yourself, you probably have at least one in your life. As a semi-recovered overpacker who travels regularly, I’ve (mostly) learned my lesson and have found ways to whittle down my luggage. The art of packing less involves organization and versatile products. That’s what I’ve kept in mind while curating this list of 12 items that will serve as the perfect present for your favorite overpacker.
Packing cubes are a must-have item for any traveler who wants to stay organized, especially to prevent having to dig through an entire bag for that one item at the bottom. Monos takes it a step further with these compressible packing cubes, which not only organize, but squeeze the contents down to make more space. The magic is thanks to an additional middle zipper that, if not overly stuffed, can zip the cube down to half its original size. These cubes are specifically designed to fit a set of four within all of Monos’ Carry-On size suitcases and a set of six in all their Check-In sizes, but are really compatible with any sort of luggage. Crafted from tear-resistant nylon twill and other high-quality materials, they’re designed to go the distance with you, and the mesh top panel is a neat little portal so you can view what’s inside.
A good piece of luggage can make all the difference when toeing the line between over-stuffing your bag or jetsetting with a reasonable one that looks like a respectable adult packed it. Behold: the Monos carry-on suitcase. It’s lightweight and might as well be a professional ice-skater, because that’s how effortlessly it glides. I don’t know how, but I’ve crammed a heck of a lot into this suitcase and still managed to shut it without breaking the zipper. It comes with loads of organizational pockets, included shoe pouches, and compression straps, all designed to maximize the space. Oh, and it fits in the overhead compartment of most planes like a glove. As a fantastic little bonus, this carry-on also comes in a wide array of hues.
Travel and photos go together like peanut butter and jelly. Of course your loved one is going to want to capture all the cool moments and unbelievable beauty of wherever they travel! If they’re traveling solo or want to snap group photos with friends and family, then having some sort of tripod device is ideal. This cute little phone tripod will get the job done. Dubbed the “invisible tripod,” it’s both lightweight and portable. It offers various angles and positions, with the option to tilt as well. So, it’s pretty darn useful and takes up almost no space.
Somehow, cords get tangled in about three seconds, no matter what we do. A tech pouch such as this likely won’t prevent all tangles, but it will help keep all your loved one’s chargers together, organized, and somewhat in order. Peak Design does photography product organization very well, but a lot of their stuff is also great for the typical traveler. This pouch has nice little slots and pockets; it fits way more than appears to the naked eye. The material is weatherproof, so rain can’t get in. It feels durable, and the fact that the pouch stands upright makes it easy to dig through. The anchor hooks make it easy to attach a strap for carrying the pouch on its own, but it also fits nicely in backpack compartments or a tote bag. Pass-through charging and Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee make this a no-brainer, if you weren’t already sold.
Whether your gift recipient needs a place to stash toiletries, medications, or make-up, this nifty set helps keep things organized and within TSA regulations, all while protecting the rest of their luggage from leaks. It has a built-in hanger, making it easy to stash on a hook in the bathroom. Plus, mesh pockets and a clear, quart-sized bag that detaches for going through security make traveling with toiletries a breeze. It can fit up to four three-ounce liquid bottles and folds up into a neat little package so it won’t take up too much room in a suitcase.
These travel bottle sets for shampoo, soap, sunscreen, lotion, etc. are excellent to pair with the toiletry bag kit. Since they’re made from food grade BPA-free silicone, you can store other things as well, if you so please. Ketchup, anyone? The three-ounce capacity complies with TSA regulations, and a triple layer leak-proof design plus no-drip valves mean nothing will spill. What’s really cool about these, though, is the bottle shape designed to help you get every single bit out of whatever you’ve put in there, without having to shake the you-know-what out of it.
If you know someone who is really committed to being an overpacker and likes to continually test the limits, a luggage scale might be the best bet for a gift. Affordable and portable, this is a useful tool for those who like to get as close to the airline weight restrictions as possible while avoiding overweight luggage fees. This pocket-friendly device is capable of weighing up to 110 pounds with an easy-to-read LCD display. The auto-off feature will help to save the battery, which, as a bonus, is included.
Reading is one of the best ways to pass time on a flight, long or short, and to relax on vacation in general. Books can be heavy and take up a ton of space, so that’s where the Kindle comes in, allowing avid readers the flexibility to bring thousands titles without the heft. Amazon’s newest Kindle is their most lightweight and compact yet, perfect for traveling. The glare-free display screen is easy on the eyes, and with all the customizations for brightness and text size, it can be tailored to every reader’s preferences. And with a stellar battery-life, there’s no need to worry about it powering off before the end of a novel.
A reusable water bottle is one of those staple items most people travel with, but they can be cumbersome to tote around. But what if we told you they make them collapsible? This bad boy fits 25 ounces but folds down to an inch and a half. Crafted from food-grade silicone, it has a flip-top lid and a wide mouth design that make it easy to fill and clean. In addition to being super portable, it’s leakproof so nothing else in your bag gets wet. And did we mention it’s dishwasher safe? This is a fantastic gift for any traveler, but it’s also perfect for hikers, campers, and anyone who enjoys outdoor activities.
Having the ability to do laundry during a trip can make it easier to pack light. Whether visiting a laundromat or washing unmentionables in the hotel bathroom sink, laundry detergent sheets come in super handy. These all-natural, zero-trace laundry sheets are environmentally friendly, and the whole 36-sheet pack can do up to a whopping 72 loads of washing. So really, one can probably just pack one sheet for a trip—and a lot less clothing. They come in a few different options—fresh scent, unscented, active wear, and baby-friendly—which renders them versatile for each type of traveler as well.
An extra tote bag is always useful, whether for market wanderings abroad or a lightweight compact camera bag. Problem is, not every tote bag is packable. Baggu is known for its fun and funky patterns and extremely lightweight, compact, and functional design. These bags are made from a hearty ripstop nylon, so they’re ultra durable. A small interior pocket is meant for folding the whole bag up and storing it into a tiny package for easy packing.
Versatility is the name of the game when packing lighter. Core wardrobe pieces that offer flexibility for a wide array of activities and temperatures are key, and a comfy, lightweight, casual hoodie like this one is ideal. It comes in both men's and women's styles, and is super soft against the skin. FreeFly is known for built-in sun protection in its products, and this hoodie offers a UPF 20+ rating. It’s great for a bike ride, the beach, an afternoon on the boat, hiking, exploring a town, and so much more. While it’s lightweight and breathable for warmer temps, it’s also a good layer for chillier ones. Other cool features include the anti-odor and quick-drying fabric, plus thumbholes.