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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Sarah Lumley

New online tool helps you only pack the essentials for travel to avoid overpacking

Struggling to pack for your next trip? This tool will help breakdown the essentials, whether it’s a weekend or week-long break, and if it’s hot or cold.

The ultimate packing assistant will ensure you can fit everything you need into aeroplane-friendly hand-luggage, avoiding any missing suitcase fears or waiting times at the other end.

Simply select your destination – the nearest city in the UK or abroad – from the drop-down menu, and then choose your duration, up to 14 days.

It comes after a study of 2,000 adults, who have flown before, found 44 per cent try to only take a carry-on case when possible.

Top reasons for this included avoiding waiting for luggage at the other end (21 per cent), saving money (20 per cent), and ensuring bags don’t go missing (20 per cent).

The research and tool were commissioned by premium British luggage brand Antler, which also found 44 per cent typically overpack for trips abroad, while only 20 per cent underpack.

And the fold or roll debate was settled once and for all, with 46 per cent typically folding and just 22 per cent rolling their clothes.

Over half make a checklist of what to pack, and nearly a fifth have even created a spreadsheet (Yiu Yu Hoi/Getty Images)

Antler’s spokesman said: “Packing for different trips can be tricky at the best of times – but after a couple of years with a lack of travel, it’s likely to overwhelm travellers even more than usual.

“Whether it’s planning for various temperatures, pairing accessories with clothes, or not forgetting the essentials, there is a lot to remember.

“The tool is a fun and interactive way to help plan and pack for your next trip, from an active winter holiday to a relaxing location – especially during the Christmas holidays where the weather has changed at home but perhaps not yet abroad.

“The research shows that adults do struggle when it comes to packing, especially over-packing, but as a nation we‘re quite organised with planning ahead.”

The study also found travellers typically only take hand luggage when going away for a long weekend (32 per cent), an overnight stay (48 per cent), and a work trip (30 per cent).

And despite 44 per cent trying to only take essentials with them, 38 per cent would rather take as much as they can fit into their case – even if they don’t end up wearing or using it all.

The most overpacked items were t-shirts (26 per cent), socks (20 per cent), and pants (17 per cent).

Other goods which sometimes don’t even get used were pieces of jewellery (14 per cent), make-up (12 per cent), and a hairdryer (10 per cent).

Due to overpacking, a quarter (25 per cent) have had to take items out of their hold luggage and put them into their hand luggage case, while 21 per cent have had to pay an extra cost once at the airport.

More than a third have had their luggage go missing during their travels (Peter Cade/Getty Images)

More than a fifth (21 per cent) have also had to check their hand luggage into the hold due to the size of it – with 24 per cent admitting they are not confident in knowing what size case they can carry-on a plane.

And 35 per cent have had their luggage go missing.

It also emerged travellers typically pack their case four days in advance of a flight, with the task taking an average of 47 minutes.

Prior to packing, 53 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, have written a checklist, while 19 per cent have viewed online videos with tips, and 18 per cent have even created a spreadsheet.

But despite planning ahead, the most forgotten items included toothbrushes (13 per cent), phone chargers (11 per cent), and sun-cream (10 per cent).

The spokesman for Antler added: “It’s great to see so many people are organised with a checklist and packing so far in advance.

“Heading away is almost always something to look forward to, but the packing itself often isn’t, so we’re in the market to change that. We want to make the task of getting there more of a pleasure.”

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