Pack your gear smarter and take on lighter luggage with these 10 clever travel hacks when packing. They could even save you money to put towards your next outdoor adventure!

Use soft merino wool apparel

Clothing that is suitable for diverse weather conditions will help reduce the amount of clothing you take. Soft merino wool thermals and t-shirts will be appropriate for nearly all weather conditions because they regulate the body temperature extremely effectively.

The other benefit is that they are odour resistant, which allows active travellers to wear them for nearly twice as long as cotton and synthetic clothing, rather than buying numerous pieces. You’ll be surprised how many days you can wear a quality base layer or pair of hiking socks before they really need to be retired.

LED torches

Opting for your camping head torches with LED bulbs will avoid the need to get a bulb replacement. They are a lot more conservative on battery power, which means fewer spare batteries to purchase and carry. Cheaper torches can often cost a lot in replacement batteries, and eventually, to replace the torch itself.

Save on laundry costs

Bringing along environmentally-friendly, concentrate laundry soap can help save the need to submit your clothing for cleaning. Plus, the chance to wash smaller articles of clothing, like socks, underwear and some inner shirts, also means packing fewer garments with a fresh, clean pile to turn to.

Quick-drying clothes

To help with the drying process and for when you get sweaty on the trails, packing quick-dry clothing that is made from synthetic fabrics, like board shorts, merino t-shirts, technical pants and shirts from outdoor stores, is encouraged. Plus, they tend to be pretty lightweight too.

Footwear

When planning to pack for an active adventure – especially when it's a walking holiday, footwear and socks become a top priority. But you don't need to be packing different pairs. Packing one good pair of shoes that will enable you to do everything – that is, opting for a pair that will suit various terrain, means you can invest its use on multiple adventures down the track too.

A spare can be handy if you know you'll be hiking on possibly wet or muddy terrain and want to avoid walking in soaked boots the next day. However, having one quality pair on hand should be enough, depending on the length and type of trek you are undertaking.

Refer to your detailed itinerary notes and gear list supplied in your pre-departure kit to find the appropriate footwear for your outdoor experience.

Small repair kit

Heading out into the wilderness on an adventure can bring unexpected surprises, so bringing along a small repair kit can help save you from having to purchase replacement items along the way if they do break, tear or get damaged. This kit can include things like a needle and thread, spare buckles, buttons, safety pins, and Gaffa tape for mending tears.

Shop light

You may even avoid having the need to bring a repair kit if you know you have quality and enduring gear that will last the miles. Plus, specialised gear brands tend to be lightweight because they know every gram counts when out on the trails.

While the price tag from professional gear stores can seem hefty, the items can be seen as an investment for future use. Some brands even ensure their gear's quality by offering a long warranty time on them.

Hiring kit

When you want quality gear, but can't afford the price tag, renting out gear or equipment can help you save big time.

Have a look at the inclusions of your trip where sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents or snowshoes are covered. This will mean you have less to worry about come trip day!

Essential toiletries only

Avoid purchasing small-sized liquid soaps, shampoos and conditioners whenever you take a trip. Instead, pour sunscreen and soaps into smaller re-usable bottles and simply label their contents. It not only means travelling more efficiently, but you'll also save on single-plastic use.

Packing cubes

These lightweight compartments help to organise your clothing and gear so you can find what you need quickly, separate the ‘clean’ from ‘dirty’ and well as make room for big-ticket items like your hiking boots that can take up quite an amount of space in your luggage. This could even mean switching to a smaller and less bulky bag, so a big tick to these space savers.

With some well thought out planning, smart preparation, as well as a comprehensive pre-departure kit and briefing before your big adventure, you can save time, money and space when packing.

What are some packing hacks you use?