I’m a Professional Packer, and I Fit My Bulky Rain Gear Into 1 Bag With These 8 Genius Tips

When I looked at the forecast for my trip to Cornwall, England last month, I knew deciding what to bring would be a challenge — which is saying a lot, since I’m a professional packer with a dedicated newsletter to packing efficiently. With temperatures fluctuating between 40 and 65 degrees and bouts of rain interspersed with sunshine, I was in for typical British seaside weather — and I had to prepare accordingly. While I focused on bringing mix-and-match transitional pieces, I also had to figure out a way to include a selection of waterproof (or, at least, weather-resistant) clothing, shoes, and accessories — all while traveling as lightly as possible. 

I’d need sturdy, waterproof footwear for long walks around Poldhu Cove, plus the travel-size umbrella I always carry for exploring the village of Gweek and heading to brunch at Flora on the Trelowarren Estate. My outerwear had to work for both the spring-like weather I’d experience at some points during my journey — like at Godrevy Beach and Falmouth — as well as the drizzly trek back to London at the end of the trip. Bringing what I needed to stay dry and comfortable was no easy feat, but I made it all work in my carry-on with the following eight packing tips.

Stylish Waterproof Boots

Blondo Women’s Waterproof Hallie Ankle Boot

It’s no secret that the key to packing lightly is wearing your heaviest shoes on the plane; otherwise, they’d take up too much valuable suitcase real estate. For this trip, I wore my tried-and-true Blondo Hallie Waterproof Booties — and they held up beautifully the entire time. If I’m traveling somewhere rainy, I always opt for a shoe like this over a traditional rain boot; they’re lighter than my rubber wellies and much more comfortable and versatile. At first glance, you may not even realize they’re waterproof. 

Versatile Outerwear 

Barbour Beadnell Wax Jacket

I couldn’t go to the British seaside without a waxed jacket, much like the Barbour coats Kate Middleton is often spotted in. I wore my Toteme jacket, but it has a similar water-resistant wax treatment that kept me nice and dry on the days when the precipitation was light. It was also warm and sturdy enough to keep the strong coastal winds from penetrating through my layers. I personally prefer the Barbour Beadnell style, as it’s oversized enough to leave room for a layer or two if need be. 

Packable Rain Jacket

33,000ft Packable Rain Jacket

Full disclosure: my waxed jacket couldn’t take on the rainstorm that hit Cornwall on the second-to-last day of my trip. For that, I needed a good, old-fashioned rain jacket. Luckily, I had stuffed a packable, hooded style into my backpack (this one comes with a convenient packable pouch for easy storing). It may not have been as stylish as my other outerwear, but functionality takes precedence when you’re in a downpour. The drawstring hood, which you can adjust for width and height, was also helpful to block out the wind when it started to pick up. 

Weather-repellant Pants

Lululemon License to Train Mid-rise Lightweight Jogger

Whenever it’s raining at home, I prefer to stay inside in my coziest clothing. Think sweatpants, hoodies, and fuzzy socks. But when I’m traveling, I can’t let a bit of precipitation stop me from exploring. That said, I don’t want to wear clothes that will inevitably become drenched and uncomfortable — and I don’t have room in my suitcase for a full set of waterproof gear. Instead, I opt for something like these Lululemon water-repellant pants. They’re technically designed for training, and the weather-repellent crinkly fabric is significantly better for taking on the conditions than your favorite pair of jeans. Wearing a pair of Lululemon weather-proof pants with the above rain jacket, helped me face the rainiest days in Cornwall without coming back completely soaked to the core. 

Travel-sized Umbrella

SY Compact Travel Umbrella

I’ve been traveling to the U.K. regularly for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve learned a few things about what I do (and don’t) need to pack. One thing that always makes the cut is an umbrella. You never know when the skies will open up, and you don’t want to be stuck somewhere without any protection from the elements. I never bring a full-sized umbrella, though; it’s too hard to travel with. I will, however, slip a travel-sized umbrella into one of the water bottle pockets on the side of my backpack. That way it’s easy to reach but doesn’t add any extra bulk. 

Compression Packing Cubes

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes

Rain gear may have been the priority for this trip, but I also had to pack my regular clothes — T-shirts, a couple of sweaters, denim, and a nicer outfit or two. As always, I leaned heavily on my compression packing cubes to get everything to fit in my suitcase. Whenever I’m traveling carry-on-only, I usually use around four cubes. One for bottoms, one for tops, one for secondary layers (sweaters, vests, etc), and one for underwear, socks, and pajamas. On some trips, I can get away with the non-compression packing cubes. On others, including this trip to Cornwall, I need the extra space the compression technology creates. 

Water-resistant Backpack

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

I’ve been traveling with the Calptak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack for a while now. It’s incredibly spacious and functional, and I can wear it for hours on end and not feel uncomfortable or sore. It has one other feature that I didn’t fully appreciate until this Cornwall trip, though: its water-resistant material. While I was waiting for my friend to pick me up from the train station, a small storm rolled through. I had my waxed jacket and umbrella to protect me from the precipitation, but my backpack wasn’t fully covered. Thankfully, the ripstop polyester material protected everything inside, including my laptop, toiletries, book, and a pair of sneakers. 

Shoe Bags 

Misslo Waterproof Shoe Bags

Traveling to a destination where rain is common requires a bit of extra forethought. You might wear your waterproof clothing and accessories for most of the trip, but what about when it’s time to go home? You don’t want to shove your damp (or muddy) clothes and shoes into your suitcase; that will just make unpacking all the more unpleasant. For a situation like this, I bring waterproof shoe bags. It’s designed to keep footwear separate from the rest of the contents of your suitcase, but you can also use it to hold a wet bathing suit or any other moist items of clothing. On this recent trip, I used a shoe bag for my raincoat and a few other pieces that got a bit dirty after a day wandering around the seaside village of Porthleven. 

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