By Julie-Ann Sherlock
I love to travel, but navigating the complexities of going on trips can be a daunting task. However, travelling like a seasoned pro is possible with the right knowledge and preparation. For most people, the trip starts with planning. From your itinerary to the all-important “fits” you will wear, getting ready for a journey can be time-consuming.
As effective packing and luggage selection are one of the most critical aspects of successful travel, I decided to check in with experts Lojel, a respected travel brand, for tips and advice.
According to Lojel’s packing and luggage experts, the key to efficient packing is carefully considering your travel needs, selecting versatile and durable luggage, and strategically organising your belongings.
Planning Your Route
Lojel says advanced planning helps you avoid stress and the inconvenience of last-minute scrambling for transport. Check out the transport links at a destination, which can play into your packing options. Do they have an underground train system? Are there buses, or will you be relying on taxis or ride-hailing? Then, download any apps that help navigate a city or location.
Getting to and from the airport, port or station to your accommodation can be stressful if you haven’t figured it out before you go. If you are lucky, your hotel might pick you up, but if you are going it alone, it is vital, especially if you are arriving late at night or early in the morning, to have sussed out the available options.
Taking a taxi can be costly, so public transport might be the best option. Use Google Maps or other apps to plan your route and see which transportation methods will get you to your accommodation. This may involve downloading a ride-hailing app, which Lojel suggests you do at home in case your data plan doesn’t work upon arrival or the wifi in the airport or station is iffy.
Knowing the types of transport and whether you will be hauling heavy bags up and down stairs to get to them can impact your choice of baggage.
Luggage Selection
I used a backpack and a smaller day pack when I started travelling. This was great because I could easily sling it on my back and get on or off buses and trains. But, as I have aged and my back is causing issues, I have moved to a wheeled suitcase (or two!).
Choosing the right bag is vital to reducing issues. Seek out a sturdy yet lightweight option with good wheels and made with recycled materials to make your travel more eco-friendly.
I love Lojel’s Cubo, which uses 50% recycled materials and ticks all the boxes for me, as it is roomy, light and robust. And, bonus, it is so pretty! (I love the rose-pink one, Santa Claus.)
It has an easy-pack feature, where you can open the case from the front. I hate having to unzip the whole case and lay it flat in public. The Cubo removes that issue, as the lid stands upright, supported by two straps. This means it doesn’t need to rest against a wall or flat on the ground, taking up room.
User-friendly and kinder to the planet, it is made of 50% recycled polycarbonate with a removable, washable interior lining made from solution-dyed mélange polyester. And, if spills happen, and trust me, they do, it is easy to remove the liner, wash, dry and put it back in, reducing the need to replace it or the entire suitcase.
So, no more panicking about your case being ruined if that big bottle of balsamic vinegar you bought in France decides to explode, right, Auntie Peggy?!
What Should You Pack?
Lojel recommends adopting a minimalist approach, focusing on versatile and multi-purpose items that can be easily mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Packaging as light as possible makes navigating airports and train stations easier and kinder to the environment. Reduced weight loads in planes, trains and automobiles minimise fuel usage and carbon emissions.
For many travellers like myself, bringing a carefully curated capsule wardrobe on the road can make life easier and still allow you to stay stylish and dress appropriately for whatever climate or occasion you find yourself in.
I bring items that will work for any day and place. I love to wear dresses, so I bring some that work dressed down for the day or glammed up for a night out. I team them with comfortable leggings, which can also be worn with a comfy top for a casual day of travelling. They are suitable for sleeping on a train or bus, too.
I bring a pair of comfortable sneakers for walking in and some dressy sandals or flip-flops. This keeps my footwear to a minimum but gives me options. In a colder climate, I swap the sandals for boots or a more sturdy pair of sneakers.
Staying Organised
As most seasoned travellers know, picking the right case and items to take is just the start of our packing journey. The real game-changer is packing cubes. Organising your items into smaller pouches can make finding things on the go a breeze. And it saves your blushes when you are no longer showing your underwear to the world if you have to unzip your case in a public place!
Whatever way you choose to organise your clothes, putting them into cubes makes it easier to find everything you need. I usually put undies and bedwear into one, tops and dresses in another and leggings or other trousers into a third. I also put all my gadgets and cables into another smaller pouch to quickly grab them from my case when I need to recharge my phone or straighten my hair.
Again, Lojel has you covered, and boy, am I glad I upgraded to their packing cubes! Their storage pouches, available in packs of 4 or 6 and in black or white, are made with 100% recycled material. Yup, 100% Tyvek®, making them tear-resistant and—wait for it—WATER RESISTANT! Swoon!
No more worrying about your clothes being destroyed with Auntie Peggy’s exploding vinegar, as they are protected in these pouches. And, if you decide to have one last dip in the hotel pool before leaving, you can shove your wet bathing suit into a storage cube, and it won’t soak the rest of your clothes. Magic!
The team at Lojel really have thought of everything. They have a range of laptop sleeves, travel wallets, foldable daypacks and even an All Conditions Set, which includes a folding water-repellant poncho, a daypack full of clever features and a small sling bag that can be used as a compartment in the daypack or separately. Again, all are made from 100% recycled material.
Wherever you are travelling, planning ahead, choosing the correct luggage and accessories and packing a good capsule wardrobe can make your trip smoother and more fun. Bon voyage!