Travel tips that go beyond what to pack in a suitcase

courtesy of Larry Schessel, Clakit Founder

What you pack in your suitcase or carry-on bag isn’t the only important travel information you need. 

“An Organized Traveler: 5 Tips” is a feature by Larry Schessel, Clakit Founder.

Besides the holiday season, summer is an ideal time to travel and go on vacation. The weather tends to be beautiful, kids are on break from school and there seem to be more activities available to do.

While picking out the perfect destination and making a list of must visit sight-seeing spots is fun and exciting, on the other hand, packing can be a nightmare and cause you to rip your hair out. We all know to roll our clothes instead of folding them or to wrap liquids in bags and plastic wrap to prevent them leaking everywhere.

Here are a few tips that go beyond what to pack in a bag.

• Organize your bag so the items you need the most are easily accessible and can be grabbed without digging through it. Searching for items is a hassle and stressful, to begin with, but when you’re pulling all your items out to find whatever it is you’re looking for everyone around you can see what else you have in your bag. This exposure can make you even more vulnerable to theft.

• If you have a medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes or a severe allergy, you should keep your medication and anything else you may need in one specific spot and let your travel companions know where it is so that they don’t have to waste time digging through your items if an emergency occurs.

• Try not to put anything in your pockets while traveling, even while going through an airport. Not only can your items easily fall out, but it leaves you susceptible to pickpockets especially at check-in areas and security lines where there tend to be a lot of people.

• If you can, make copies of your important documents that you are bringing along on your trip and keep one set with you and the other in your checked bag just in case your bag is stolen or you get pickpocketed.

• Luggage theft will always be an issue for airports. Make sure to mark your bags with a bright and distinguishable tag, ribbon or luggage belt that can help you identify your bag. It is also suggested to use Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks for your bags, including carry-ons. Passengers have had their bags that were stored in an overhead compartment rummaged through and items stolen while they slept or weren’t paying attention.

(Hint From Larry) Attach ClakIt’s StrapPack pouches to the straps of your backpack and keep items such as passport, wallet, smartphone and any other item you need to have readily available secure from wandering fingers.

About ClakIt

The ClakIt Clip and StrapPacks were conceived when the founder, Larry Schessel, was hiking in the California mountains and realized how irritating it was to have to stop and remove his backpack every time he needed to take a picture, drink water or eat a snack. ClakIt StrapPacks provide on-demand storage on the front of the body where items can be safe from theft, easily accessible yet hands-free. They securely clip onto any strap in seconds creating comfortable non-slip storage that can be interchanged and moved based on specific activities and needs.

Publisher’s Note:

An Organized Traveler: “5 Tips” offers valuable advice that will protect you from the hands of thieves. I attest to the versatility and convenience of  Clakit. I agreed to sample his products several years ago and I still use his harness system every time I walk or hike. Larry recently sent two additional pouches with clips to me so I’d have a water bottle holder and a second pouch for other items I carry.