The only way to truly become good at something is with practice. Sadly, most of us don’t get the opportunity to go on vacation all that often, so we’re novices when it comes to vacation packing. You’ve probably already seen a lot of vacation packing tips or heard them from your friends. However, beyond all of the usual tips such as checking the weather of your destination, etc., there are some other unexpected vacation packing hacks that you may find very useful.

Put Silica Gel Packets in Your Bag

You know those little packets with the beads inside that come with everything from electronics to food? Those are silica gel packets, and you should put them in your suitcase instead of throwing them away. Silica beads are natural deodorizers that can absorb a lot of moisture. A few of these packets is just the trick if you need to pack a damp swimsuit, or even save your phone in case of an unplanned dunking (they work just like rice). 

Use a Hard Suitcase

Ideally, you should avoid using soft suitcases with zippers when traveling by air. The fabric and zippers provide zero security even with a lock, and they’re much less durable. A hard suitcase with latches can deter all but the most determined thieves with a decent combination lock, and you can cover them with unique stickers and other markings to make the bag more recognizable in the baggage carousel. Choose an obnoxious color to really make it stand out. 

Don’t Wrap Your Cords

It’s common to wrap the power cord around your hair dryer, shaver, hair straightener, or other plug-in gadget before packing it up for a trip. But you really shouldn’t do this when traveling by air. The wrapped cord makes items more difficult to recognize in security scanners, which warrants additional screening, and increases the possibility of your bag not making it on the plane.

Don’t Pack Cheap Imitations

Imitation watches and jewelry look great, and it may seem like a smart idea to bring fake bling on a trip instead of the real thing. However, nothing about them looks fake from a quick glance on the security scan or inside your bag. Thieves can be much more brazen if they anticipate a big payoff, and imitation valuables just act as bait. You’re better off packing anything like this in your carryon, or better yet just leaving it at home.

Buy Travel Insurance

Even the best-packed suitcase can still get lost or stolen, leaving you majorly inconvenienced and in a big financial hole trying to replace everything. This is where travel insurance steps in. It can reimburse you for eligible expenses if your bag is lost or delayed, as well as providing other valuable benefits like trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical coverage. That’s a lot of protection for something that won’t even take up any space in your carryon bag.