9 Useless Travel Items You Always Pack But Don’t Need Abroad!

Overpacking is Holding You Back & Here’s How to Fix It!

Take it from me! I’ve been living out of a 50lb suitcase for the past 6 years. Here’s what I’ll never pack again!Packing light isn’t a choice when your entire life fits in a suitcase. It’s a necessity.

I’ve been living out of a 50lb suitcase since leaving Ukraine for good in 2019 after 20 years of living and working there.

For the past six years, I’ve hauled almost everything I physically own across Ukraine, Georgia, France, and now Albania, and those are just the semi-permanent stops.

That doesn’t even count the countless places I’ve passed through, staying anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, always moving, always packing, always wondering why I still own this many socks.

And let me tell you, when you’re constantly moving, 50lbs feels like nothing.

But, every time I switch countries, I have to reevaluate everything:

Do I really need this?

Will I actually use it?

Is this item worth the sweat, cursing, and lower-back agony it’ll cost me when I drag my suitcase up six flights of stairs in an old European building with no elevator?

Most of the time? The answer is hell no!

So, if you’re looking to lighten your own load, whether you’re a casual traveler or another perpetual nomad, here are 9 things you always pack, but don’t actually need.

1. The ‘Just in Case’ Items That Never Get Used

Ah, the overpacker’s anthem… But what if I need it?

That’s how I used to end up with a blazer for potential formal occasions (that never happened), an extra set of dress shoes (why?), and a mini first-aid kit big enough to treat a small army.

You know what happened? I never used any of it.

Meanwhile, my suitcase was overweight, the wheels on it broke, and I wore the same two shirts the entire trip anyway.

What to do instead: Pack versatile clothing that works for multiple situations, and bring only essential medications.

And, if you actually need something?

Buy it! 

There are stores everywhere.

2. Full-Size Toiletries That Take Up Precious Space

Here’s a confession: I used to travel with a full-size bottle of mouthwash.

Yes. Mouthwash.

And I’m not alone. I’ve seen travelers carry entire bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and even full-size cans of shaving cream, as if they were heading to a remote jungle with zero access to soap for six months.

What to do instead: Get travel-size containers, solid toiletries, or refillable bottles.

And if you run out?

Guess what, supermarkets do exist! Even abroad…

3. Too Many Shoes That Never Get Worn

I once packed five pairs of shoes for a month-long trip.

I thought I needed:

• Sneakers. Check!
• Casual shoes. Check!
• Dress shoes. Check! 
• Hiking boots. Check!
• Flip-flops. Double Check! (Where would any self-respecting Yank be without their must wear flip-flops?)

Guess how many I actually wore? Two.

Meanwhile, the other three pairs sat untouched, mocking me from the depths of my overstuffed suitcase.

What to do instead: One pair of good walking shoes or a pair of nice looking smart casual shoes and one pair of weather/activity-specific shoes, if you’re really active (like flip-flops for the beach or boots if you’re hiking).

Anything beyond that? Dead weight.

4. Paper Copies of Everything

Unless you’re traveling back in time to 1998, you don’t need a folder full of printed reservations and maps.

I once met a traveler in Bangkok who carried a full binder of printed confirmations, tickets, and even copies of her emails…like she was about to present her travel itinerary in court.

What to do instead: Save everything digitally. 

Screenshot your boarding passes, store your reservations in Google Drive, and email important documents to yourself.

Nowadays, paper is just extra weight.

5. Expensive Jewelry and Accessories

Nothing screams “Mug me!” like wearing flashy jewelry in a foreign country.

Back in Ukraine, I learned quickly that looking flashy made you a walking target.

And yet, I still see travelers decked out in gold chains and designer watches, oblivious to the fact that they might as well be walking around with a neon sign that says, ”Please rob me!”

What to do instead: Ditch the valuables.

If you want an accessory, bring one simple, versatile piece that won’t make you stand out like a lottery winner in a bad neighborhood.

6. Travel Pillows That Take Up Too Much Space

Once upon a time, when I first started traveling on long haul flights, I carried a big, fluffy memory foam neck pillow through multiple airports, convinced it would make my travel experience luxurious.

Instead, it became more of a burden than anything else. It didn’t fit in my bag, it constantly got caught on things, and I ended up carrying it like an oversized marshmallow of regret.

What to do instead: Get an inflatable or compressible travel pillow.

Same comfort, but way less bulk.

7. Single-Purpose Travel Gadgets

If it only does ONE thing, don’t bring it.

I’ve seen people pack:

• Money belts ( maybe…or just use an anti-theft backpack!)
• Travel steamers (nobody cares if your shirt is slightly wrinkled!)
• Portable espresso makers (seriously? Just find a coffee shop or cafe!)

I once had an old teaching colleague who brought a collapsible footrest on every flight.

Did it make her economy seat slightly more comfortable? Maybe.

But did it justify the extra weight and hassle? Absolutely not.

What to do instead: Prioritize multi-use items. 

A scarf that doubles as a blanket? Great. 

A portable cutlery set? No.

8. Heavy Hard-Shell Suitcases That Limit Mobility

Ah, the ultimate rookie mistake: bringing a massive, hard-shell suitcase and then regretting every step as you drag it through cobblestone streets, up staircases, and onto crowded buses.

I made this mistake in Athens.

By the time I got to my Airbnb, I was drenched in sweat, questioning my entire existence on the road, and in desperate need of a chiropractor.

What to do instead: Use a lightweight, flexible suitcase or backpack that won’t make you hate yourself every time you have to move locations.

Oh, and the wheels are everything, especially if you’re constantly on rough surfaces and not gliding through international airports.

I find that soft shell, yet durable, suitcases with inline skate quality wheels are best.

The wheels being the most important, in my experience.

9. A Wardrobe Meant for Multiple Climates

I used to pack for every possible weather scenario like I was a contestant on Survivor.

• A heavy coat in case of unexpected cold weather in Spain?
• Rain boots for the potential three days of drizzle in Albania?
• A swimsuit for that one beach day I might have in Germany?

Unnecessary. I either never used these things or could have easily bought a cheap replacement if I actually needed them.

What to do instead: Pack for the climate you’re actually going to.

And if a freak snowstorm hits in Madrid? 

Buy a sweater like a normal person.

Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Travel Light

I’ve been traveling abroad since the early ’90s, living and working abroad since the late ’90s.

And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this:

I’ve never regretted leaving something behind, but I’ve always regretted overpacking and not bringing enough money.

So, here’s the golden rule: Pack half of what you think you need and bring twice the money.

Trust me, you’ll sleep better.

When practically everything you physically own has to fit in a suitcase, there’s no room for just in case nonsense.

No extra weight. No regrets.

Before you zip up your bag, ask yourself: Am I actually going to use this, or am I just hauling it around for peace of mind?

Your back, and your sanity, will thank you.

Now it’s your turn.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever packed but never used?