Budget-friendly airlines Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizz Air are set to cut carry-on baggage allowance by half, with people jetting off on holiday facing fees of up to £70 for their oversized luggage.
There are ways to avoid these fees, from packing hacks to rolling clothes rather than folding, but they can prove almost unavoidable for those heading off on a skiing holiday.
People looking to maximise their suitcase space, the experts at Shoezone have prepared their top packing tips that can be used by those planning a skiing holiday or just a regular getaway.
The experts’ first suggestion is to wear your biggest shoes when travelling, explaining: “Wear your biggest pair of shoes while travelling – This will help to free up more space in your suitcase for extra pairs.
“Make sure to pack appropriate footwear, with comfortable trainers or warm boots for the cold as a must.”
Another tip for those planning to bring numerous pairs of shoes on their holiday is to pack each pair heel-to-toe in opposite positions; this means they will neatly slot together in your case and take up minimal space.
You can also pack items inside your shoes, such as socks and underwear. The larger the shoes, the more items you can store inside them.
The experts further suggest: “Protect your shoes and keep them in place by packing items of clothing in between them. Roll thinner and smaller items to fit them into tight spaces, maximising all the room you have.”
Shoes should also be placed at the bottom as this will allow you to get your favourite pair in first and will help balance out the luggage as you can place lighter items on the top.
The packing pros added: “A balanced suitcase can make your journey much easier, as you won’t be fighting with an unstable case as you rush through the airport.”
While you may typically fold your clothes when packing, rolling your clothes instead can be a far more space-efficient way to fit more into your suitcase, and although your clothes might crease in the process, you can simply hang them in your hotel wardrobe once you arrive.
Their final tip is to avoid overpacking your suitcase, as they explain: “Don’t sacrifice much-needed space on clothes you won’t wear – a few versatile outfits will enable you to mix and match with fewer items of clothing while leaving you valuable space to bring back some souvenirs.
“Separately, ensure to pack a few items of clothing in your hand luggage – should your luggage get lost, a few changes of underwear will see you through until your bags are returned to you.
“Also, wear your ski jacket and trousers on the flight so that you have some weather-appropriate clothing to tide you over if your bags go missing.”