The problem with luggage is that is both big and heavy, or at least usually is. In most cases, reducing one, the size, will reduce the weight, but not always. In any case, reducing the size, and reducing the weight doesn't necessarily help to improve the overall success of your luggage skills. For example, it could well be that you are taking heavy items which will be more durable than their lighter counterparts, and you certainly don't want to be arriving at the other end of your long haul, needing to spend considerable time sorting out the damaged and creased clothes that didn't travel well.



Generally the heavier items that people have to take with them are shoes and cosmetics. As far as shoes are concerned the size of these can also be a considerable influencing factor. Perhaps, for example, you are going on a walking trip, or a holiday which involves lot of walking. In this case, a pair of walking or hiking boots will be of tremendous benefit to you. However, they also take up an enormous amount of room in your case. One way of solving this problem would be to wear your hiking boots for the journey. Although it might not be the most comfortable of journeys, at least your luggage will be lighter and considerably smaller.

As far as cosmetics are concerned, it is remarkable how many people simply pack away into their bags all of the bottles, cans, canisters and other objects that are stacked up on their bathroom shelves without any consideration for the size or weight they are carrying unnecessarily.

Instead of taking the original bottles and containers purchase, for just a few pence, a set of small plastic canisters with screw tops, which you can buy from most pharmacy stores. Then, transfer your normal liquids and gels, where possible, into these smaller canisters. These will take considerably less volume and help to reduce the overall size of luggage. In addition to which, the will help to decrease the weight of your luggage, since liquids do tend to weigh far more than your clothes.

Clothes themselves can sometimes take up enormous volume, although it isn't always necessarily the case that bigger items weigh more. For example, woollen clothes take up considerable size, and although they are flexible, they can't squash into your luggage as well as some other items. It is true that they don't tend to weigh quite as much, but because you are taking one larger item as opposed to several smaller items, the result is that you have less flexibility as to what to wear the other end. You can guarantee your woollen jumper will be the first thing to have a great stain on it on your first meal out. You are then stuck with that one item for the remainder of the holiday, whereas taking several smaller items, cotton tops for example, will give you greater flexibility over what to wear. You will have more items, for the same volume, and the weight will be more or less equivalent.

So think carefully abut the volume of the items that you take, compared to the number of items you take, and always bear in mind, where possible, the weight of the item, and where it could be replaced with a lighter equivalent.