8 winter travel hacks everyone should know

And here it is. The time when no one wants to leave their blankets and cuddling with a pillow is our favorite pastime. The national beverage this season is a hot cup of coffee. But it is not that laid back as it seems to be. You get an opportunity to explore a whole new perspective of the summer destinations and a new terrain of the hilltops. If there’s one thing that can take the fun out of winter activities, it’s the effort in packing for them. From large-scale items like skis and snowboards to forgetting a simple pair of gloves, it’s easy to be unorganized and lose sight of the spirit of the season.

1. Rubber band, lots of them!

Take each of the rolled pieces of your wardrobe and tie them tightly with rubber bands. This way the already rolled clothes will become more compact and give you more space. Also now the clothes are secured with a rubber band, they will be as organized at the end of your journey, as they were at the starting.

2. Heavy, at the bottom!

Pack all your heavy stuff at the bottom. Period. Your sweaters, puffy jackets, overcoat, shoes and the rest should be packed from bottom to top in the descending order of weight, respectively. This way your smaller stuff will not get damaged while traveling and also you will be able to close the chain of your bag easily, by making a few adjustments on the top of the bag, with lighter stuff there. 

3. Invest in Packing Cubes!

Especially with the volume of winter gear, being able to compress as much as possible is a huge packing advantage. Eagle Creek’s Pack-It line offers a variety of sizes and styles that’ll help cut down the bulk of your bag.

4. When Packing the Car, Safety Matters!

"Put heavier items on the bottom of the cargo area and toward the front, and avoid loading SUVs beyond the height of the rear seat backs". It’s important to keep all lines of sight open and clear, especially in trickier driving conditions.

5. Find a Great Tire Shop!

This one matters if you’ll be driving over the mountain passes (or anywhere with dicey weather conditions, really). Check which traction devices fit your car’s tires and buy a set (most stash easily in the trunk). Many reputable tire shops will refund you in the spring if your device is unopened and unused. The peace of mind is worth the investment alone.

6. Winterproof Boots Before You Go

There’s one quick way to ruin your day on the slopes or the trail: soggy boots. Even if your boots have built-in hydrophobic protection, it doesn’t hurt to add an extra layer, especially for long days outside.

7.Bulk Up for the Plane Ride

Space can be hard to find when packing for winter travel, especially if you’re trying to cram it all into a tiny carry-on size bag. To save some space, you can wear all of your bulkiest items on the plane. A coat and scarf can both function as blankets on chilly plane rides. Wearing your boots can free up half of the space in your bag.

8. If you hate the cold, you can always opt for indoor activities!

There are countless winter-friendly urban adventures you can do that’s available and that will fit anyone’s interest. Cafe hopping. An expedition to find the best hot chocolate. Aquariums. The list goes on.