7 Solutions For Packing, Tracking And ‘Hacking' Your Travel Gear

Small bag, long trip? No problem – here are seven solutions for packing, tracking and ‘hacking’ your travel gear.

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Business travelers spend a good portion of their year on the road. The biggest challenge while packing for trips is carrying the essentials effortlessly in one bag. The secret is to strike a balance between comfort and convenience. Luckily, there are “hacks” to fit everything you need and maybe a little more.

1. BAG

Luggage has come a long way since the days of the carpet bag and steamer trunk. Most business travelers today are looking for bags that are durable but lightweight and easily maneuvered through crowded concourses. The best luggage boasts cabinsized dimensions, business-like aesthetics and built-in TSA locks with plenty of zip-up pockets and laptop compartments.

Invest in a suitcase with wheels that glide smoothly across airport floors (or any surface in case your hotel is on a no-car street). Most corporate travelers on short trips prefer carry-on luggage to escape unpredictable delays at the baggage carousel. In case you’re traveling with a laptop bag, make sure it has a long strap to hang over your shoulder, an outer pocket to easily slip the passport in and out, and isn’t stuffed with unnecessary items that would make it heavy to lug around.

Of course, among business travelers these days, what all the cool kids seem to be carrying are backpacks. As our digital tools became mobile, the hard-sided, leather-clad briefcase of yesteryear morphed into the soft-sided laptop bag; now it’s been jettisoned in favor of roomier and more versatile backpacks capable of carrying laptops and a whole lot more.

Of course, all that extra gear means more pounds, and if a bag doesn’t have wheels, the most efficient way to carry the weight is to see that it’s distributed equally on both shoulders to avoid back and shoulder pain. While no one size or make of backpack will please everyone, it pays to look further than the $20 back-to-school specials.