travel lite meaning

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Meaning of travel light in English

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a computer program designed to have a conversation with a human being, usually over the internet

Searching out and tracking down: talking about finding or discovering things

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travel light

Discover more, idioms and phrases, example sentences.

You just travel light with carry-on luggage, go to cities that you love, and get to hang out with all your friends.

He would let Bunting travel light to the Rio Seco, and then load him for her as no burro ever was loaded to cross the border!

We're going to travel light as possible, so put down two double-roofed ridge tents twelve by ten, with ground-sheets.

There was not a great deal to be done for the three rescuers would travel light.

I like to travel light in this way sometimes, it gives one a sense of greater freedom, of independence.

We tied on our coats in a roll like blankets, but we took no blankets, for we must travel light.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to travel light: 12 travel hacks to travel light

By: Author Monica

Categories Packing Tips , Travel Tips

I’m always harping on about how important it is to travel light. Travelling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you just don’t have with heavy luggage.

You can move quickly through airports and train stations and it’s so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You’ll save money by not having to check your bags in on a plane and you can keep your luggage close when you’re on trains and buses.

You’re also less likely to lose things when you travel light because it’s easier to keep track of your belongings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about travelling light recently because I’ll soon be travelling with a baby and I’m pretty sure that travelling light + baby is pretty much impossible. I might not be able to pack light for the baby but I’ll definitely be able to pack light for me so the travelling light challenge is about to get extreme!

I could go on all day about the benefits of travelling light but I’ll leave it at that and start sharing my top tips for travelling light.

1. Use a small, lightweight case

The oldest trick in the book and possibly the simplest way to pack light – Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can’t possibly fit too much in it. Don’t be tempted to get a case that’s slightly too big because you will fill that space with unnecessary crap.

For more inspiration and proof of the benefits of travelling with a small bag, check out this post by Chris over at Backpacker Banter: My 25L Backpack Challenge . Yep, he travelled for 3 weeks around Thailand with nothing but a 25L backpack!

I like to travel with just hand luggage and recommend my range of luggage which is all available on Amazon. There’s the Travel Hack Cabin Case, the backpack and the tote.

It’s designed to be the perfect size for cabin baggage, meaning it’s as big as it possibly can be without being too big. It has separate compartments to keep everything organised and is an absolute dream to travel with. This is a great option is you plan to travel with cabin luggage only.

Below are a couple of great luggage options if you’re trying to travel light.

The Travel Hack Cabin Case

The Travel Hack Cabin Case is my all-time favourite for travelling light. The suitcase is perfect for a carry-on case for most airlines and weighs just 2.7kg but still has a massive 45 litre capacity. It also has handy pockets so you can access your belongings easily, whether you’re on the plane, going through security or at the airport.

• Generous 28 litre main compartment with packing straps and a variety of zipped pockets for everything from toiletries to straighteners.
• Rear padded compartment for a Macbook or a small laptop.
• Stylish 600D PU outer shell with faux leather inserts and rose gold detailing.

Cabin Max Metz

The Cabin Max Metz backpack is within the dimensions for most airline carry-on luggage and weighs just 0.7kg!

If you’re looking for ultra light but spacious luggage then this is the one.

• CARRY ON BAG 55x40x20 cm soft shell design to fit 94% of worldwide hand luggage gauges including: EasyJet and Ryanair, Eurowings, Vueling, Norwegian, Virgin, BA, Lufthansa, Jet2, Wizz Air, Iberia,...
• MAXIMUM CAPACITY - Large 44-litre capacity cabin bag makes it possible to fly without checking in baggage to the hold. Lightweight yet durable cabin bag 55x40x20 0.7kg (1.5lbs).
• CABIN BACKPACK - Featuring 3 main lockable zipped compartments, including document pocket, organisational accessories and tech pocket, including 2 zipped compartments. High strength durable,...

Tripp Ultra Light 4 wheel cabin case

If you’re looking for a lightweight suitcase then you can’t go wrong with the Tripp Ultra Light 4 wheel cabin case. It weighs 2.1kg, so you’re going to be left with 7.9kg for your belongings.

• 4 Wheel Carry On Suitcase
• Colour: BLACK
• 5 year guarantee

Antler Clifton Suitcase

The Antler Clifton Suitcases are great quality and so reliable. The cabin case is a little heavier at 3.5kg but if you’re looking for a really good quality case and you’re not as worried about weight then it’s a good option.

• CLIFTON LUGGAGE: Our Clifton cabin suitcase is everything you could want from a lightweight suitcase. Designed to last with its polycarbonate material, this carry on suitcase is strong, eye catching,...
• SIZE & MEASUREMENTS: Our carry on suitcase features flexible carry handles, 4 interior pockets, a zip closure & interior compartments. The cabin suitcase measures 20 x 40 x 55 (cm) with a packing...
• DOUBLE ANTI-THEFT TSA LOCKS: The Clifton cabin suitcase has anti-theft technology with its double TSA-approved locks for added security that separately secures the front pocket & the case itself. This...

Cabin Max Lightweight Backpack Trolley

If you aren’t sure if you want a backpack or a trolley then check out the Cabin Max Lightweight Backpack Trolley. It weighs just 1.7kg and has a 44 litre capacity.

• HYBRID - Cabin Max Lyon trolley backpack is a convenient wheeled carry on suitcase that coverts into a backpack for any type of travel. Just unzip the back section which covers the wheels and backpack...
• PACK TO THE MAX - Combines the maximum size allowed for hand luggage with an abundance of practical features
• DESIGNED TO FIT - At a massive 44L with dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cm including wheels it is still extremely lightweight at 1.7KG

2. Pack 2 pairs of shoes and no more

Shoes can often be the bulkiest items in our bags so never travel with more than 2 pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and a pack a smaller pair in your case.

I’m currently love the On Cloudnova trainers for trips where I’ll be doing lots of walking.

The Veja trainers are nice if you want some comfy white trainers that are a bit more stylish.

A comfy pair of Dr Martens are great for winter trips.

And I like a pair of Birkenstocks for daily wear in warm destinations.

Read more: What shoes should I take travelling?

3. 1 pair of trousers/jeans

Jeans or trousers are another bulky item to travel with so never travel with more than one pair and you should always wear these on the plane.

I usually opt for whichever jeans are my current favourites. You can’t go wrong with a comfy pair of black skinny jeans. My favourites at the moment are the classic Levi’s 501’s . I have them in a few different colours but black is the best for travel because they’ll match everything and no one really notices them, so you can get away with wearing the same jeans for days (don’t judge).

4. Minimise toiletries

If you’re staying in a hotel you can guarantee you’ll be provided with shampoo and shower gel so leave these at home. This means that most guys can get away with nothing more than a travel sized deodorant and toothpaste.

Most ladies will find it a little more difficult because there are some toiletries you just can’t leave home without.

I have a whole post over here about travelling with hand luggage toiletries and some nifty little products to make it easier to travel light! These tiny refillable pots are genius to help travel light with things like makeup and lotions.

How to Travel with Hand Luggage Liquids (& fit all your toiletries in that tiny bag!)

#5. Take an iPad/tablet

Cut down on tickets, books, magazines, a laptop, games, notepads, music, maps and travel guides and simply pack a tablet. My hand luggage used to be chocker with all sorts of entertainment options but now I just have my iPad and it’s made travelling so much easier.

Consider taking a portable powerbank  if you’re planning on taking long journeys. I have one that isn’t much bigger than a lipstick but it will charge my iPad for about 5 hours. It’s a good backup for emergencies too – like if you’ve got your hotel confirmation email stored on your iPad and the battery has died!

6. Pack simple clothes and lots of accessories

If you look at my Travel Style board on Pinterest you’ll see that I’m a bit obsessed with jeans and white t-shirts. It’s such a simple, easy style and so easy to pull off while you’re travelling. I’m really tempted to pack a bag full of white t-shirts next time I go away.

Team your jeans with sandals, white trainers, winter boots or heels. Then team your t-shirt with a blazer, a cardigan, a cosy jumper or a big scarf and you’ve got outfits for any situation without having to pack too much.

7. Pack ‘hard working’ clothing

No, you’re not sending your clothes to work, you’re looking out for clothes that have more than one use.

Think things like sarongs and scarves which can be used as towels, blankets and wraps.

You also can’t go wrong with black leggings. They’re easy to wash and dry and go with virtually everything.

It can be harder to pack light in colder climates. I love UNIQLO’s Ultra Light Down coats because they pack up into a tiny bag (similar to a cag in a bag) but they’re really, really warm!

8. Use packing cubes

I LOVE packing cubes. Not only do they keep your bag organised but they help make the most of your space and stop you overpacking. I tend to travel with four packing cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for evening clothes. Once each packing cube is full you can’t possibly squish anything else in so you’re forced into packing light whether you like it or not.

Read more: Are packing cubes worth it and do they really save space?

Are packing cubes worth it and do packing cubes really save space?

9. Wash your clothes while you’re away

No matter where in the world you’re travelling, it doesn’t need to be expensive to get your clothes washed.

Fancy hotels in certain cities will charge a fortune to wash your clothes so look out for laundrettes or, cheaper still, wash your clothes in your hotel bathroom. You can’t go wrong with the Dr Beckmman Travel Wash . It’s so cheap and amazingly effective!

I usually soak my clothes in the sink and rinse them out while I’m showering. Laundrettes and apartments with washing machines will become your best friend if you’re travelling for a few weeks or more.

If you’re travelling in a developing country it costs next to nothing to get your clothes washed but be aware that if you’re paying £0.50 for a load of washing, you don’t want to be giving them your expensive designer clothes.

• Special concentrated washing gel
• Formulated to use when you are travelling or away from home
• Can be used in any type of water

10. Remember: you can buy everything out there!

No matter where you’re travelling, you’ll always be able to find the necessities. You might not find your favourite brand of shampoo but you will find something very similar.

If you’re going somewhere where you think you’ll need specialist equipment, wait until you get there to buy it. You’re not the first traveller to visit and you won’t be the last so you can guarantee you’ll find local shops selling everything you need.

When I travelled to Borneo I climbed Mount Kinabalu. I’d spent the past 18 months in Australia and didn’t have a single item of warm clothing or a decent pair of shoes. I was panicking but when I arrived to Kota Kinabalu I realised I wasn’t alone and the city was filled with hiking shops thanks to all the travellers who pass through and pick up the necessary hiking items.

11. Don’t use lots of small purses and pouches

(This doesn’t apply for packing cubes – I mean really small pouches for tiny things like jewellery or socks) The first time I went backpacking I was super organised and had a separate little pouch for everything. A pouch for medicine, one for toiletries, one for souvenirs. Yes, my bag was organised for about the first 5 days (out of about 450 days!) but I had lots of unused space in my bag. Socks and toiletries are the perfect items to squeeze in your bag and fill up the gaps. Lots of pouches lead to lots of gaps and lots of wasted space.

12. Use a bag or case that opens fully

I don’t recommend using a top-loading backpack. This means smaller items slip to the bottom and are forgotten. Use a bag that opens all the way and you have access to everything. You don’t need to be quite as organised and this reduces the needed for all those little purses and pouches.

Do you have any more travel hacks to help you pack light?

You can find even more packing tips over here.

Sunday 24th of March 2019

The last 2 hotels I stayed at offered at the most is the mini bar soaps. The first one gave the soap and had to buy travel sized shampoo, lotion, etc. I take bar soap and refill the empty bottles with everything else I neeed.

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Travel Light

Meaning of idiom ‘travel light’.

To  travel light  means to take as little baggage as possible when traveling. Also, to try to avoid responsibilities, problems, or serious thought.  1 Ammer, Christine.  American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. , 2 Heacock, Paul.  Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms . Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.

Examples Of Use

“It won’t take me long to pack. I travel light.”

“Why don’t you settle down and buy a house?” asked Karen. “I’d prefer to keep renting. I like the travel light,” said Trent.

“The way the airlines are always losing baggage, I learned to travel light. Just one carry on bag for me!”

The literal use dates from at least the late 1800’s. The figurative use from the early 1900’s.

More Idioms Starting with T

• Two Can Play at that Game
• Thankful for Small Mercies, be
• Turkey Shoot
• Thick As Pea Soup, as

More Light Idioms

• Light On Your Feet
• Trip the Light Fantastic
• Green Light

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Travel light: How to pack light and smart for your trip

A full guide to how to travel light, with tips and hacks for efficient, minimalist packing. Learn how to pack light for any vacation or backpacking trip.

• Post date October 22, 2018
• Post categories In Trip Planning
• Tags Minimalist Packing , Packing , Packing Light , Packing Lists , Travel Accessories , Travel Gadgets , Travel Gear

What is the secret to packing light?

The secret behind packing light is… bringing less stuff!

Simple, isn’t it?

Well, not really.

Because when we’re packing for a trip, be it a weekend city break or a year long round the world trip or anything in between – we will find ourselves packing all sorts of stuff that we think we might need, but actually don’t.

That’s perfectly natural.

We’re going to unfamiliar place, we don’t know exactly what we’ll find there, and we want some kind of reassurance that we’ll have everything with us.

It gives us a sense of control over an unknown situation.

I used to do that myself in my very early days as a traveller, but quickly learnt the lesson.

After a particularly uncomfortable night train from Bulgaria to Turkey, where I hardly had space for my bags in the train carriage, I realised there was no point in carrying so much stuff.

That’s when I decided to start travelling light.

Before leaving the train station in Istanbul, I sat down and made a list of all the things  I actually used  during that trip.

I saved the list and a few months later, when I was packing for my next trip, used it as my packing list. I ended up travelling with about  half  the amount of stuff.

Light travel with a carry on bag has huge benefits

In practical terms, travelling light means you travel with one  carry-on bag  that you can take with you on the plane, plus an optional smaller bag, like a laptop bag.

why is it best to travel with a carry on bag only?

Travelling with hand luggage only has huge advantages. It saves you money, stress and time , and makes your life so much easier when you travel.

Low cost airlines are getting increasingly strict about what they allow you to board the plane with.

The fees they charge for checking even one piece of luggage can sometimes be outrageous.

By travelling light, you avoid baggage fees when you fly low cost, so that your flight can be really cheap.

When you don’t check luggage, there’s no need to worry about your bag being lost, damaged, stolen or even just not arriving on the same flight as you.

It gives you some peace of mind on the flight. The same applied to trains and buses, where you always want to keep your bag with you.

When you get off the plane, you’re free to exit the airport fairly quickly, while you watch your fellow passengers wasting their precious vacation time waiting by the luggage carousel.

And finally, moving around is so much easier when you don’t carry heavy luggage.

Imagine walking to a train station or a bus stop, or searching for your hotel on the streets of a foreign city, with a heavy suitcase. It’s not appealing. You want the flexibility and freedom of light packing.

So now that we know why we want to travel light,  how do we do that?

The life changing magic of packing light

In her best-selling, cult-creating book  “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” , Marie Condo teaches a simple decluttering technique:

Lay all your stuff on the floor, pick each item and ask yourself “if it sparks joy within you”.

You can use a similar method when packing.

This is especially useful if your reason for overpacking is that you’re too attached to your things.

Instead of asking if the item sparks joy, ask: Do I really need this, or am I packing it “just in case”?

Pack only what you really need .

Only w hat you will definitely use.

Remember you can always buy or hire other things later, so “just in case” is not an excuse for overpacking.

The rest of this guide has more hacks, tips and tricks to help you travel ligh t .

I’ve divided it into four sections: Your bag, clothing, toiletries and gadgets.

Travel light: buy a smaller bag

The first trick you need to know if you want to travel light is: buy a smaller bag. In other words, make it impossible for yourself to overpack.

With a smaller bag you will have to make those decisions as to what you really need to take and what you can leave behind or buy at your destination.

With a larger bag, you’ll most likely be tempted to take all sorts of things you don’t really need, just because there’s space for them.

How small should your bag be?

I recommend a 30-40 litre backpack as your carry on bag for the plane.

It’s usually a good size for a carry on bag, that most airlines will let you board with.

I travelled with a 40L backpack plus a laptop bag for about 9 years and it was both easy and convenient.

It’s the ideal size if you want to travel light, and at the same time have enough space for your stuff.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going on vacation for a week or on a 6 month trip… as long as you can do your laundry once a week, why would it matter?

An all-in-one travel pack

The Journey is an innovative, sophisticated bag that’s ideal for the minimalist traveller.

Its creator describes as the bag that will liberate you from the hassle of extra luggage .

It’s been designed to include 5 different bags inside one carry-on sized travel pack.

These include a detachable day pack, a detachable hip pack, a hanging toiletry bag and two drawstring bags, plus a couple of compression bags.

Watch the video to see how The Journey works and read my full review on how I use this set of bag to travel light.

Why buy a backpack instead of a suitcase

I also recommend you buy a backpack instead of a trolley suitcase. It just gives you much more flexibility .

Going up or down stairs at train stations, for example, is not an easy task when you carry a suitcase with you (and you’d be surprised how many stations don’t have elevators or escalators…).

Walking on cobblestone streets or dirt roads with wheeled luggage is not a pleasant experience either.

With a backpack on your back, it’s much easier to use stairs, you can walk faster (or even run, say if you’re about to miss a bus… ) and both your hands are free.

Having both your hands free is so useful when you need to check maps on your phone for example, or have your take-away coffee on the go.

Of course, in some cases, a suitcase is perfectly fine. For example, if you suffer from back pain, or on a short vacation where you’re getting a taxi from the airport and staying at a resort without moving around at all.

Eagle Creek make a brilliant convertible carry on bag that you can use as wheeled luggage or as a backpack .

when you choose a backpack, pay attention to a few things that will make your travels easier:

The backpack should be a panel loading or front loading bag, meaning you can open it like a suitcase (as opposed to top-loading backpacks).

Your backpack should be lightweight , not just because it’s easier to carry, but also because airlines have weight limits on luggage.

And it should have pockets . Lots of pocket. An ever so helpful feature that will help you organise your things easily.

Clothing – tips and tricks for packing light

Clothes normally take up the most space in your luggage.

Let’s see what we can do about that…

Wear heavy layers on the plane

Heavy layers might not fit in your backpack when you travel light.

Don’t expect them to – a basic trick of travelling light is wearing some of your luggage on you.

Whatever you wear doesn’t count as part of your carry on luggage . Use that 😉

When you board the plane, you can wear any jackets , or tie them around your waist.

If you’re bringing heavy shoes, like hiking boots , wear them on the plane and pack your lighter shoes.

Hats and scarves can also come on board with you. None of these need take up any space in your luggage.

This trick isn’t useful only for saving space in your bag – it’s also a lifesaver when it suddenly gets freezing cold on the flight.

Pockets! lots of them

You can put many things in your pockets when you go on the plane.

Anything small that fits and that you might need during the flight should go in your pockets, such as your phone  and earphones for example.

SCOTTeVEST have taken the idea of pockets to a magnificent extreme with jackets and vests that look completely ordinary, until you realise they have about 20 hidden pockets in them!

Rolling instead of folding

This is probably the most basic tip for travelling light: When you roll your shirts, they magically take up less space and as an added advantage, crease less.

Packing cubes and compression bags

You can save more space in your bag and at the same time make sure your clothes are well organised by using  packing cubes and compression bags .

Sometimes called packing squares or packing pouches, you want to use packing cubes in different sizes to organise your clothes: One cube for t-shirts, another for socks and so on.

Packing cubes normally come in sets of 3-6 pieces and in different sizes and colours.

Use large packing cubes for your shirts and trousers, and medium sized ones for socks and underwear.

There are packing cubes that are just meant to help you organise your things, but it’s far more efficient to use packing cubes that also offer compression .

They minimise the space your clothes take, by sealing them in the bag after squeezing all the air out.

When compressed, your clothes will take up much less space. This is especially useful for any bulky garments you pack.

Eagle Creek is a brand famous for its packing cubes and compression bags. They are stylish, lightweight and durable. As an added bonus, they’re made from recycled materials.

are packing cubes and compression bags worth buying?

In my experience, yes, they are worth it.

If you’re struggling with overpacking and want to avoid it, or if you need to take some bulky winter clothes, then compression sacks will definitely help you make the most of the space available in your bag.

If your main issue is staying organised , go for ordinary packing cubes .

If you want the best of both worlds, buy the compression packing cubes . Watch the video to see how they work:

Buy quick dry clothes

A lot of smart technology is invested in making travel clothing more efficient. Make sure you use it to your advantage.

quick dry, moisture-wicking t-shirts

These tees are popular for workout, and are invaluable for travel.

When you select your travel clothes, quick dry garments are always the best choice. Cotton t-shirts are not.

As you’re not taking too many clothes with you when you travel light, you want your laundry to dry fast.

Quick dry fabrics are extra useful in hot, humid places, as they don’t absorb the sweat and keep you dry for longer.

I’m a fan of IsoCool quick-dry t-shirts .

The feel great on your skin and come out of the washing machine almost dry!

Mountain Warehouse make them super affordable.

They have a range of colours for women and men .

Fleece jackets

Travel with jackets are perfect for keeping warm in colder climates or at night and at the same time lightweight and dry quickly.

There are heavy fleece jackets too, in case you need them for intense outdoor activities and colder weather.

Some leading brands for quality fleece jackets are:

• The North Face

No need to pack your fleece jacket in your backpack though – it will take up too much space. Wear it on the plane or tie it around your waist.

quick dry trousers

Jeans are not quick to dry and can also be quite bulky, so they are not a good choice if you want to travel light.

To find quick dry pants, look for hiking pants , even if you’re not going hiking.

They are made of the right quick dry, moisture wicking materials . They will also typically be breathable and lightweight.

quick dry underwear

You want your underwear to dry quickly as well as be odour resistant.

ExOfficio   are probably the most famous brand known for making some excellent travel underwear for both women and men.

They dry quickly and smell less, so you can take fewer pairs with you when you travel light.

Matching colours

This packing tip is simple and will help you avoid a basic packing mistake.

Make sure whatever you pack can be colour-coordinated.

In other words, avoid packing anything that isn’t compatible with any outfit you may wear on your trip.

You don’t want to waste space packing garments that you’ll only end up using once or twice.

By colour coordinating, you can easily mix-and-match them to create many different outfits without packing a lot of clothes.

Another simple but clever packing tip when it comes to clothing is to use layering.

Check the weather forecast before you travel. If you’re going to a hot and sunny place, then don’t worry about layering obviously.

However, some places may be sunny in the morning and cold in the evening, or different parts of the country may have completely different climates.

Also, in colder countries, whenever you go on a train or enter a heated up space, like a shop, you’ll immediately feel the need to take some layers off.

That’s where layering gives you great flexibility when you travel, without having to carry any unnecessary items of clothing.

On a sunny day, you can walk around in a t-shirt, but when it gets cooler after dark, that same t-shirt becomes a base layer.

You want to pick only garments you can layer easily, so ideally they would be of similar thickness, though some can be of warmer fabrics.

A fleece jacket is super handy for layering when you travel, because it’s warm but also lightweight and can fold easily (plus it dries quickly as we mentioned already).

When it’s cold I would prefer layering two fleece jackets to wearing one big coat.

If I were to take off that one big coat, I’d have to carry it around with me, while the thinner jackets can fold easily into my day bag, or I can tie them around my waist.

What to do about shoes if you want to travel light

Shoes are a huge problem if you want to pack light. They’re just too bulky.

Flip flops  are an exception – they are super useful and don’t take up too much room.

You can wear them for the beach, when you take a shower and as part of a summer outfit too.

As for other shoes, it really depends on the type of trip you’re going on.  hiking boots  may be necessary. In that case, wear them on the plane and your pack lighter walking shoes in your backpack.

Your clothes should be colour-coordinated and the same applies to shoes, so dark shoes are often a safe bet.

Also remember that you can buy shoes at your destination, so sometimes it isn’t necessary to pack extra shoes at all.

When you pack your clothing, pack for a week , no matter how long your trip is.

This classic trick is one that’s used by many savvy travellers and all it requires is that you have access to a washing machine once week.

This way you can travel forever with a small backpack.

It’s so much easier to find a washing machine along the way than to needlessly carry heavy luggage with you everywhere you go.

Find a laundromat, use the washing machine at your vacation rental or even use your hotel’s laundry service.

If you really can’t find a washing machine, there’s always the sink.

Quick dry clothes are ever so useful and you’ll be glad you bought them when you do your laundry once a week.

You can buy laundry detergent in small, travel size packets. I suggest you buy these at your destination, rather than carry them with you on the plane.

Don’t forget to bring a small  laundry bag  to keep clean and dirty clothes separate inside your backpack. You can also use a compression bag just for laundry.

Toiletries – pack less and pack solid

When it comes to packing toiletries I would advise you to first, take less than you think you need, and second, opt for solid versions.

Pack less toiletries – you can buy them later

Toiletries take up a lot of room in your bag, but they don’t have to.

If you are going to stay at a hotel, it’s likely that you’ll be provided with shampoo and body wash, so there’s no need to bring those at all.

If you wear makeup, be sure to take only what you will definitely use, not stuff that you might want to use, and definitely not anything that you might only use once.

Always remember that anything you don’t bring with you, you can buy at your destination (unless you’re travelling to the middle of nowhere).

Shampoo, body lotion, shower gel, sunblock, toothpaste, deodorant – these are things you can buy cheaply anywhere you go.

When you travel with carry on luggage, liquids and creams you take with you on board the plane cannot exceed 100ml (or 3.38 oz). This isn’t a universal rule, but it applies in many countries.

You can bring small travel size bottles of essential toiletries for the first couple of days, and then buy the rest later.

However, I recommend you replace liquids with their solid versions.

Get solid toiletries to avoid flying with liquids

This will make it easier for you to pack despite the ban on flying with liquids and creams exceeding 100ml .

Liquids might also spill inside you bag and can cause damage or just be a hassle to clean up.

Soap  is easy – no need to carry shower gel when you can bring a bar of soap.

Even if you’re used to showering with shower gel at home, make an exception for your trip and it will make your packing easier and lighter.

What about shampoo ?

I started travelling with a shampoo bar in recent years and I’m really happy with it! Wish I’d known about it earlier…

How does a shampoo bar work? It looks just like a bar of soap and it lathers up when you rub it in your hands in the shower, and then you can wash your hair with it.

Browse solid shampoo bars here >>

Shampoo bars save space in your luggage and they last for a long time.

An added advantage is that you can use a shampoo bar as body soap too. This is useful if you want to go for super minimalist packing.

Gadgets – travel light more efficiently

Gadgets can also take up too much space in your luggage. Let’s look at ways to pack more efficiently.

Travel adaptor

You’ll probably need a  travel adaptor  and it’s best to buy a universal one that you can use in most countries with various sockets.

It should also convert electrical currencies where needed.

This way you don’t need to carry several adaptors if you’re going to multiple destinations around the world.

To save more space, instead of taking a phone charger, get a   universal adaptor with USB ports . It will let you charge your phone, tablet and power bank. You only need to bring the USB cords.

Reading when you travel light

To travel light,  make the most out of your phone .

It can replace quite a lot of things that there’s no need to carry anymore: books (both recreational reading and guidebooks), a camera, maps, a flashlight, a notebook, magazines… And obviously you can use it to listen to music and watch movies.

You don’t need to carry heavy guide books with you. Many travel guides have ebook versions.

This will save you a lot of space and weight when you’re packing.

When you pack headphones or earphones , make sure they are both compact and noise cancelling or noise reducing (useful for noisy flights or trains).

Portable chargers

A portable power bank is essential if you’re out and about all day and your phone runs out of battery.

If it runs out just when you need to check Google Maps to see which bus to take, or to check addresses, reviews, opening times or anything else – you’ll be so grateful you packed a backup battery.

Portable chargers are also useful for flights, so you can watch movies on your phone without worrying about the battery running out.

These chargers come in different capacities measured in milliamperes (mAh). The higher the mAh number, the more power the charger has.

I normally carry two, just for peace of mind, and charge them overnight.

Hope you find these tips helpful when you pack for your next trip!

Do share this article with any of your friends who might need packing advice.

If you have more tips on packing light, do share them in the comments.

save this guide on how to travel light on pinterest

16 Comments

Great tips on traveling light! Personally, I’ll always check a bag as my carryons are full of camera gear and laptop. But love all the ideas on how to make traveling easier and more functional!

Great tips and good reminder as well.

I definitely could work on traveling lighter. I do use packing cubes and I think they are a huge help! Great post. 🙂

Great tips on traveling light! Personally I’ll always check a bag as my carryons are full of camera gear and laptop. Lol. But love all the ideas on how to make traveling easier and more functional! ?

I love packing light!! Great items and tips on here! I LOVE using shampoo bars when traveling.

Thank you so much for the recommendations and the jacket with all the pockets looks amazing!!

I really need to check out the shampoo bars. I keep hearing about it and it’s great for carry on luggage.

Yes, it’s so convenient 🙂

I love traveling light! I do most of these but never thought about using a smaller bag to pack leas. Genius!! I’ve recently started using packing cubes and I LOVE them! Makes everything so organized. Thanks for this posts, it was super helpful! I’ll try the smaller bag for my next trip.

We do most of these things already, and we love it! Been on the road for 4 months now with nothing but carry-on: a 46L Osprey Porter and a 28L daypack (mostly for camera gear). All solid toiletries (including a laundry bar so we can wash clothing without a machine) and merino clothing that we can wear for days 🙂

Great article 🙂 Thank you for this. I have always used Osprey when travelling but that Eagle Creek backpack looks epic and very durable.

These are great tips! I am always guilty of packing way too much and then hating my life as I have to lug my bag around. I think I’m going to invest in a 40L backpack for my next big trip and see how that goes!

Good luck! I thinks it’s the best way to travel and you’ll get used to it easily 🙂

A great and enviable post. What a detailed guide! Great information and advice.

Indeed, there are hikers who are light grasshoppers, and there are hikers who are turtles, who move their hump, or part of it, wherever they travel.

I belong to the second type .. . I have already been jealous of Henderson (“Henderson the Rain King”, Saul Bellow), who traveled to Africa with his modest luggage including the following items: a toothbrush in his pocket, a credit card and a wide-brimmed hat.

Thanks to Tal Bright

Great guide! I pack in a 40L backpack which converts to a suitcase (the straps can be hidden) which I just love. It’s perfect for my full-time travel lifestyle. But I still get jealous when I’m boarding a plane and other people have much smaller suitcases than me.

A note about solid toiletries: I recently started travelling with a deodorant crystal – a completely solid object. But the people at the airport flag it as a liquid every time I go through security. I got so tired of being pulled aside that I now just put it in with my liquids.

Thanks Jane! I know what you mean about getting jealous when you see people with smaller luggage 😉 I think that if the deodorant crystal comes in the kind of packaging that’s similar to ordinary deodorant, than yes, it’s very likely to confuse airport security…

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How to Travel Light

Last Updated: September 27, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Angela Rice and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall . Angela Rice is a Luxury Travel Specialist and Co-Founder of Boutique Travel Advisors, a luxury travel advising business in Phoenix, Arizona. Angela specializes in consulting and curating highly customized and unique travel itineraries for clients seeking luxury, group, and multi-generational family travel. Angela studied at Arizona State University and The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. She has prior consulting experience in accounting and business, which helps her run her business behind the scenes. Angela has been featured in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Travel Weekly, USA Today, Travel Market Report, Phoenix Magazine, and MSN. She is also a frequent guest on WBBM News Radio 105.9 FM's Travel Tuesday show. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 174,077 times.

Packing for a trip should be about getting together the essentials, not filling up a suitcase with your whole wardrobe. Too much baggage will weigh you down during your travels, and it can be expensive if you're traveling by plane. Fortunately, traveling heavy is completely avoidable. By downsizing your luggage, packing more efficiently, and being selective with your clothes, you can travel light on your trip.

Downsizing Your Luggage

• Don’t spread your travel belongings out across multiple bags if it’s not necessary. One full suitcase will be easier to travel with than two half-full suitcases.
• If you’re flying to your destination, try to fit all your belongings in a carry-on size bag. It will be easier to get on and off the plane, and you won’t have to pay to check a bag.

Packing Efficiently

• If you can’t find a travel-size option for something, buy a small, refillable travel bottle and fill it with the product you want to take with you. [7] X Research source

Downsizing Your Travel Wardrobe

• If the weather is calling for rain, pack an unopened rain poncho instead of a bulky rain jacket. It will take up less space in your bag.
• If you're traveling somewhere cold, pack clothes you can layer up with instead of a heavy winter coat to save space in your bag.

• For men, basic button-up shirts in neutral shades are a versatile item that will go well with anything.
• For women, pack a simple black dress that you can dress up or down depending on the occasion. A blazer is also a great choice that you can wear casually or in a more formal setting.

• If you’re going somewhere warm, particularly the beach, pack flip flops or sandals instead of sneakers. They take up half the space and your feet will be more comfortable in the heat.

• To save even more room in your bag, skip packing laundry detergent and buy some when you arrive at your destination. If there’s nowhere to buy detergent, wash your clothes with liquid dish soap instead. [11] X Research source
• Pack a stain remover pen in your bag. It won’t take up much room, and it will be more convenient than washing your clothes. [12] X Research source

Expert Q&A

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• ↑ Angela Rice. Travel Specialist. Expert Interview. 18 September 2020.
• ↑ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/how-to-pack-light-tips-from-a-master-packer/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2766ce0
• ↑ https://www.skyscanner.net/news/15-best-ever-packing-tips
• ↑ https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2012/12/12/10-packing-tips-every-traveler-should-know/1764207/
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/us-news-travel/how-to-pack-light-9-tips_b_3354703.html
• ↑ http://travelfashiongirl.com/5-tips-to-travel-size-toiletries-for-minimalist-travelistas/
• ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/pack-it-all-in--without-overstuffing-or-suffering/2015/08/06/794de9d6-3566-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html

About this article

To travel light, pack versatile items that will go well with anything, like simple outfits that can be dressed up or down depending on accessories or shoes. Additionally, limit yourself to 1 pair of casual walking shoes and 1 pair of nicer shoes since they’re bulky items. You can also use travel-sized toiletries or buy small tubes of toothpaste and shampoo once you arrive at your destination. To learn how to downsize your luggage, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Traveling & Packing Light

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Complete Guide To Traveling Anywhere With Only A Carry On Bag Or Less

Hey! Welcome to this  ridiculously  in-depth guide about  how  to pack a suitcase!

I’m James Eagleman, a full-time traveler. Overpacking is by far the most common travel mistake I see. Here I will be providing you with your briefing on packing light and traveling light.

“The time has come to lay that baggage down and leave behind all the struggling and striving.” ― Sue Augustine

For some this guide may be a simple refresher course, for others, it will provide some useful hints and tips, and for a few, it might just be a life-changer.

This guide is descriptive, not prescriptive – I realize it’s not for everyone. You can take or leave any of the advice you read here. This is just my story of how I live my life.

I divided the guide into chapters, and each section has a list of actionable steps to help you travel light.

I hope you enjoy it.

James Eagleman, 2022

Traveling Light

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self.

Nobody likes carrying heavy bags, paying checking fees, and worrying about airlines losing luggage. It’s a drag…

But we are addicted to Stuff.

And the airlines know we’re hooked. Baggage checking fees are a tax on our attachment to possessions. They’re a penalty for lack of fore-planning and imagination. Airlines lure us in with cheap flights then hit us with “extras” at every opportunity.

It’s when we travel lightest that we most become ourselves. Underneath all your possessions you find your true self. – James Eagleman

But you won’t hear me complaining…​

As a species, we’re able to travel more easily now than ever before.

The early humans took the best part of 100,000 years to travel out of Africa and populate the globe. They journeyed across Asia to North America and finally down to the southern tip of South America. 4000 generations of mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons lived and died their way westwards. Our family took a long journey, right?

Today you can fly direct from South Africa to Brazil in less than 10 hours. And all the while watching Netflix and moaning about your lack of legroom.

From this perspective, modern travel is miraculous. It ought to be thrilling… do you want to risk spoiling your awesome adventure by packing too heavy?

If your answer is no, then you’re going to need to learn to pack and travel light my friend.

5 Steps To Becoming A Lightweight Traveler

1. awaken the adventurer within.

The process of becoming a light traveler starts long before you pack a bag. It starts within yourself, with approaching travel in a spirit of adventure.

I don’t care if you are going on a dull business trip for the 100th time. If you’re flying through the sky at 550 miles per hour, there is something magical happening. Never forget that.

Light travelers don’t pack for every eventuality because that’s impossible. And finding yourself far from home without “that thing you left behind” is part of the adventure.

Embrace “what’s the worst that could happen?” thinking. Lay down your fears and feel the freedom that follows. Trust me everything will be okay, even if you run out of clean underwear.

2. (Tomorrow May Rain So) Follow The Sun

Traveling light is a whole lot easier in warmer weather. The more pleasant the climate, the fewer clothes you will need to protect you from the climate.

If you can avoid going to cold and wet places you won’t need to pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and boots. If you do go to wintry climates, make sure you wear your heavy boots and jacket on the plane.

Before you think about packing research the climate of your destinations. Think about what you’ll do there and the altitude you’ll be at. I like using  timeanddate.com  to research climate and they have a fantastic  sunrise and sunset calculator .

3. Accept the Costs

There can be costs to traveling light. I don’t deny it, but there can be savings too.

The costs are worth it and it balances out. The things you buy can be more expensive but you own fewer things. And anyway like Tyler Durden said:

“The things you own end up owning you.” – Chuck Palahniuk

Carry less stuff and get your freedom back.

4. Think Like A Traveler Not A Tourist

Is there a difference? I think so.

Travelers think differently than tourists  and packing heavy is a rookie mistake.

Tourists with huge bags are easy to spot and vulnerable to scams and thieves. You can be a target right from the moment you land. Unscrupulous taxi drivers often take visitors on an expensive detour.

And of course, you need that taxi because your bags are too huge for public transport!

With large luggage, you are less nimble and less able to escape sketchy situations.

5. Trade Things For Experiences

Light travelers carry fewer things. But they have more experiences.

For example, when was the last time you walked from the airport to your hotel?

It’s only about 7 km from Malta International Airport to the center of Valletta. That’s about a 90-minute walk and it’s a pleasant journey especially as you get closer to Valletta center. Of course, if it’s too hot you’d be better to take a taxi but by traveling light your options open up.

In fact, many airports are less than 2 hours walk to the center.

I always check the map and the street view and consider walking from the airport to the center. I can do that because my bag isn’t heavy.

And speaking of bags…​

When you travel light  your carry-on bag is your best friend.

Checking bags slows you down, puts your valuables at risk, and costs you time and money.  Carry-on only is the way to go.  You’ll save money and keep your valuables safe. It’s a no-brainer.

“It seemed like there was definitely a relationship between how much stuff a person carried and the amount of fun that they were having. The more stuff, the less fun.” – Tom Bihn Bag Designer & Maker

You can check a detailed list of airline  carry-on size restrictions  here. To prepare yourself for international travel get a carry on bag no greater than:

21 inches (53.5 cm), width of 14 inches (35.5 cm) and depth of 8 inches (20.3 cm)

Bags of this size and under will permit carry-on travel on most airlines.

Keep an eye on weight restrictions too. But if you follow this guide you won’t ever need to worry about going above carry-on weight limits .

7 Steps To Carry On Enlightenment

1. remember the 1st law of minimalist travel.

The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag.

Or to put it another way. If you have a big bag… you will end up filling it with a lot of crap.

“The amount of crap you pack expands to fit the available space in your bag” – James Eagleman

Just because a bag has a certain capacity, it doesn’t mean that you need to fill that capacity.

2. See Through The Illusion

We overfill our bags because we are too attached to our things.

You don’t need so many things but you are under the illusion that you need them.

You don’t need them.

This post is all about seeing through the illusion and showing you the road to a lighter life.

To beat your overpacking habit you first have to recognize that you have a problem ))

3. Acknowledge The Possibility of Traveling With Carry-On Only

You can break free from overpacking.

Accept that while it might not be easy it is possible. Many people travel the world with all their possessions in only a single carry-on bag. How do they do it? If they can do it so can you. You just need to figure out how.

4. Follow the One Bag Path

The road to carry on enlightenment is through the cunning use of a smaller bag.

If you dive in and buy a smaller carry-on bag and you will just need to make it work.

“Ahh but what about all my stuff!!” I hear you cry.

Don’t worry. By the time you’ve read this guide will have mastered the art of traveling and packing light. Chapters 3-5 deal with packing, not-packing, and planning.

But before that, you must…

5. Choose The Right Bag

The weight of your bag is important!

Rolling luggage is great if you are doing it home-taxi-airplane-taxi-hotel style. Walking longer distances away from the smooth floors of airport lobbies is rarely fun.

The best travel backpacks  are lighter and more secure than rolling suitcases. Some ultralight travelers even go without a bag altogether.

If you choose a backpack don’t choose a top-loading backpack. Your travel bag or suitcase should open completely to allow access to everything.

Make sure you can easily identify your bag. Even though you are traveling carry-on it could be stolen or switched.  In-flight theft is a thing .

6. If the shoe doesn’t fit… wear it!

When you keep your bag small you will need to wear your heavy items.

Wear your big jacket when boarding. Wear anything heavy when boarding. In fact, if you are serious you could buy a travel jacket that has lots of pockets to carry items. Scottvesttravel jackets are ideal for this sort of thing. Remember. Wearing is not carrying.

7. The personal item

I tend to not use the personal item allowance because not all airlines have the same guidelines. I don’t need the extra allowance and who wants to carry two bags anyway?

Don’t rely on the personal item allowance to carry more stuff. You can get into trouble with airlines that have less generous allowances.

CHAPTER 3

The 80/20 Rule

You might be familiar with the Pareto Principle also known as the 80—20 rule. If not, it roughly goes like this — for many events roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

So for example… 80% of the profits come from 20% of the customers

Or… 80% of the crops come from 20% of the seeds sown.

There are hundreds of examples. The Pareto Principle is a rule of thumb it’s not supposed to be exact. I think the 80/20 rule applies to packing too — 20% of what you pack meets 80% of your needs.

As light travelers,  we try to only pack the 20%  of things to meet most of our needs. This means our haul can be up to 80% lighter. Wheyhey!

To meet the rest of our needs we improvise like Macgyver on a weekend in Paris.

Yes, you don’t have 7 pairs of underwear labeled Sunday through to Saturday…

But you did pack your travel soap and a universal sink plug.

How To Pack Only The 20%

​1. use a packing list.

The internet is full of packing list templates for many different types of adventures.

2. Assemble a Travel Clothes Wardrobe

In this section, I’m going to talk a lot about clothes, because clothes take up the most space. So this is where you can make the biggest improvements to your packing method.

It can take a long time to assemble a travel clothes wardrobe. But you don’t need to do it all at once. If you start to think about travel when doing your regular clothes shopping it can pay off over time.

Good travel clothes should be  quick drying . This allows you to wash it overnight and wear it again the next day. Doing some handwashing while traveling is one of the best ways to reduce your weight.

Try to  c hoose neutral colors  for your travel clothes. This way you can mix and match to create more outfits that work together.

Use layers.  It’s better to have more pieces of clothes for the same weight. For example, the t-shirt, shirt, and light sweater combo is better than a heavy sweater. It gives you more options.

Versatility.  Items of clothing that can perform double duties are a great idea. For example, shorts that also double as swimming shorts.

Trilogy theory.  3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of underwear. 2 pairs of pants and 1 pair of shorts.

Bendy Bras.  Sources tell me that bras without underwires can be rolled up.

Downsize your underwear.  This tip might not be everyone but some people are big pants people and some people wear skimpy thongs. Skimpy things are the correct packing light choice if not always the correct fashion choice.

3. Invest In Wool

Wool.  Wool has been engineered by nature for keeping sheep clean and warm. It’s durable, has a great insulation to weight ratio, and doesn’t wrinkle or get stinky. Wool and Prince make some awesome travel shirts for guys made from superfine merino wool.

Woolen clothes are more expensive than cotton, but they save you money in the long run.

If you buy wool clothing, you don’t need a lot of clothes. You can carry your entire wardrobe on your back.

Wool clothes are expensive, but they never stink even after weeks of wear. You can just hand wash them when you feel like it. And they dry quickly. You can hand wash a shirt, put it right on immediately and it will be completely dry within about 15 minutes.

I’m not talking sweaters either. You can buy woolen shirts and suits that look like business attire but behave differently.

Superfine merino wool is not itchy. It’s more comfortable to wear than cotton. It has fantastic wicking properties. It keeps you cool when it’s hot and hot when it’s cool.

By all means. If you want to spend your life pulling a wardrobe behind you or running a laundrette, then go right ahead. I buy wool.

3. Choose Travel Shoes Wisely

More specifics about wool and travel clothes in Chapter 3

4. Travel Gear

Travel Computing.  Take a tablet rather than a laptop. I work while traveling and I found that the best travel laptop in my case was a Microsoft Surface Pro. It has the power of a laptop but the size and weight of a large tablet. Avoid the inferior keyword cover and use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Pack a Foldable Day Pack.  Unless you’ve gone ultra-light your travel bag will probably be too big to use once you are at your destination.  

Compact umbrella or waterproof poncho.  If I am in hot climates I find a heavy jacket unnecessary. I like to walk in the rain and an umbrella or waterproof poncho helps with this.

Sunglasses .  Need I say more? Sunnies are essential for trips to bright sunny places. But don’t worry you can wear them on your head and they don’t take up any of your carry-on allowance.

Travel coffee maker.  I’ve written elsewhere how  travelinglight.com runs on rich black coffee.  I make sure to find room in my backpack for a travel coffee maker.

Sleep mask.  A sleep mask can really help for sleeping on the plane, jetlag or sleeping in unfamiliar rooms. It’s an essential piece of kit for your travel and lightweight too!

Earplugs.  Like a sleep mask earplugs help for sleeping during travel and in strange places. Gram for gram one of the best items you can pack in your carry on.

Fir st aid kit .  This one depends on where you are traveling to and what you will be doing.  A first aid kit  can be a handy thing to pack if you are going to be doing a lot of hikng

A Lightweight Travel Adapter.  You want to be able to charge those gadgets. Typically a travel adapter is quite chunky but  this one  is nice and small and light.

Money belt or neck wallet. RFID blocking wallet. Passport wallet.

Keep your cash and cards in different places. Keep emergency cash.

5. Travel Laundry

Doing laundry on the road is an essential part of traveling light. If you are used to doing all your laundry with a washing machine it might seem like washing clothes on the road will be a hassle.

Yes it is annoying but so is lugging around a heavy bag packed full of clothes.

In reality, to hand wash a few items will only take a few minutes and the benefits are huge.

Pack a travel sink plug. This will help because not all hotels have sink plugs.

You could also pack some travel detergent like Dr. Beckmann Travel Wash though I often just wash my clothes with shampoo.

A clothesline can help to dry things and it doesn’t take up much room.

To dry clothes fast roll them up in a towel and stand on them. I often hand wash a polo shirt, roll it in a towel, stamp on it and put it straight on slightly damp.

After about 30 mins it will be fully dry just from your body heat.

Leave It Behind

11 steps to becoming a zen carry on master, 1. use a not-packing list.

Here are some things that you might have thought about taking but probably don’t need. Do yourself a favor and leave them at home.

2. Know Your Restricted Items

Bottles can’t be more than 100ml. All your 100ml bottles need to fit in a single sealable one liter plastic bag. Nothing sharp. No scissors.

3. The Post Landing Repack

Use airport lockers. In short stays I sometimes take an airport locker and dump things that I know I won’t need.If I’m not working I pack my computer and some clothes into an airport locker.

4. Don’t Pack “What If” Items

“What if” rarely happens and when it does you will deal with it.

5. Use Local Shops

There are few wildernesses left on the planet. Most places sell toothpaste and toilet roll.

6. Air dry your way to freedom

Use a tiny microfiber towel. Buy a large towel locally and leave it behind when you leave.

7. Burn Your Books

Books are heavy. Don’t carry books.

If you are a serious reader take a kindle or even better buy audiobook editions and listen to your books

I like to take walks to explore a new area while listening to audiobooks.

I sometimes use this cable to listen to an audiobook on my phone and music on my ipod shuffle at the same time.

Download the kindle app to your phone or laptop.

Take photographs of sections of guidebooks. Apps like evernote allow you to concert photos of books to searchable text.

8. Make Your Children Carry Your Stuff Like Tiny Slaves

Okay… maybe not YOUR STUFF but at least get them to carry some of their own stuff. If you are  traveling with kids get them to carry something . Don’t make your kids the luggage, teach them to help.

9. Screw The Duct Tape

Not for the kids mouths…If you’ve seen The Martian you’ll know that simple duct tape can save your ass if you get stuck on mars. Are you going to mars?

If yes then sure take it. But if you are staying on earth then you probably don’t need it.

Duct tape can be used to make quick repairs to shoes, clothes, make rope and If your shows are so f*cked they’re held together with ductape I’m sorry but it’s time to go buy some new shoes.

10. Forget the Frisbee

Some travel bloggers recommend packing a frisbee since it’s a great way to break the ice and meet new people. Frisbes also make a half-decent cutting board, plate or fan. And with the right technique you could use one to kill an assailant in a pinch.

Sorry Frisbee! You are great n’all but that still doesn’t earn you place in my carry on! It’s not you. It’s me! I travel light!

It’s not that I think frisbees are a bad idea. I like the idea of tossing a frisbee in the park as a way to break the ice. I just don’t think you need to pack one and lug it around with you. Just buy one locally or a bat and ball or whatever.

11. Anything where “there’s an app for that”

If “there’s an app for that” then it probably shouldn’t be in your carry-on bag. Not so long ago electronic devices were huge.

Now our magical smart phones can replaces so many devices.

Unless you are a serious photography leave the DSLR behind your phone takes awesome photos now.

Packing Smart

Now that you know what to take…

And you know what not to take…

It’s time to go deep.

Mankind has long pondered the big philosophical ideas. What is the meaning of life? Who am I? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is true happiness? How do I pack a suitcase?

“How do I pack a suitcase” remains one of the most discussed ideas online.

As if there wasn’t enough written about it here are my tips of putting your stuff into your bag.

7 Packing Origami Ideas To Organize Your Load Out Of Existence

1. compress your clothes..

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to clothes compression. My fear with compression is that it just allows you to fit more stuff that you don’t need in your bag. Anyway, here they come, use them wisely.

Roll your  clothes .  This is a classic travel tip smart granddads were doing this in the seventies.

Packing cubes.  The pro travelers favorite. Compression packing cubes can gain you an extra few inches worth of space.

Z ip lock bags.  The cheapos packing cube. 

Vacuum compression bags . These can suck all the air out that sweater and get reduce the size of it but it won’t do anything to help with your weight. In fact, the danger is you will simply pack more vacuum-packed sweaters that previously.

Rubber bands.  Yes just regular rubber bands. It might not be very sophisticated but rubber bands are a simple, lightweight method to compress items in your carry-on.

Stuff sacks . A sack that you stuff things into. Can be very helpful with dirty clothes.

Garment folders.  These can help with delicate items where you want to avoid creasing. They probably will have a flat iron where you are going though.

2. Use The Inside Of Your Shoes

You can put all sort of things inside your shoes not only feet!

Pack your underwear inside your shoes.

These travel adapters  fit snugly inside my walking shoes.

Roll your socks into little balls and squeeze them in there.

That half-eaten cheese sandwich from the airplane… that could fit inside your shoe!

The possibilities are endless! You get the idea ))​

3. Pack It On Your Person

You can fill your jacket pockets with items. You can put things in your pockets.

I mainly use this method for heavy items like hiking boots or jackets.​

4. Distribute Your Weight

If you have a rolling suitcase put the heavier things at the bottom. This will stop your case from being top-heavy and tipping over.

If you have a backpack put the heaviest items in the center closest to your back. This with put more of the weight onto your hips.

5. Pack It In The Post

Travel caching.  Before putting your things into your bag. Fold them nice and neat and put them into a cardboard box. Write the name of the hotel you are staying at on the cardboard box. Take the cardboard box to your local post office and ask them to send the box to the hotel you are staying at.

Note. Contact your hotel to check they will accept the package. I have found airbnb hosts can sometimes also accommodate.

Be sure to keep your most valuable valuables in your possession. Don’t mail that Rolex to the Airbnb guy.

Memories Are Your Best Souvenirs

Is it possible to pack too light?

For physical possessions, I suggest making do with as few things as you can comfortably manage without. It’s not that complicated really. If you use it…. you need it. If you don’t use it… you don’t need it.

But I believe there are some things that are always worth carrying.

The things in this chapter are very lightweight but perhaps the most important.

Carry as much of them as you can manage!​

5 Things That Are Worth Carrying

1. memories.

Why do we travel? Just to get from A to B?

From your first baby steps to your last steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

All life is a journey of some type. Even if you are just on a boring business trip or some other travel that you can’t be bothered with. The dullest trip is always part of a bigger journey. The journey from your first day at school to graduation. The trip from first date to marriage. From new start to becoming the boss.

From your first baby steps to your  last  steps — life is made up of all the little moments.

Even on the most mundane trip, there is the possibility that a special moment in your life will happen.

Be ready for it. You will want to pick up that moment and carry it with you forever.

Pack it in your heart and take it with you.

2. Peace of Mind

Did you know that the animals with the most predators sleep the least?

They’ve got the most to worry about right?

Our waking minds exist to worry and help us avoid danger.

Consciousness itself is a kind of threat detection system, to help us avoid predators and stay safe.

And when we travel to unusual places we feel more fear than usual. Anxiety can grow and spoil our experience of travel.

It doesn’t help that the news makes the world seem like such a dangerous place with terrorists waiting around every corner.​

But here’s the thing… most of the things we worry about NEVER HAPPEN!

Take this nugget of wisdom. Pack it carefully somewhere where you won’t forget it. And carry it with you always.

3. A Friendly Smile

A smile is our species way of telling people that we don’t want any trouble and we are no threat.

If you don’t smile. People can be intimidated and scared of you. It’s just human nature.

It can really ruin a good trip if people are threatened and wary of you. They become defensive and closed.

People say that Queen Elizebeth thinks the whole world smells like fresh paint… because everywhere she goes has been freshly painted.

If you walk around with a scowl, you’ll find a world full of surly defensive people. The world has been painted black because King Grumpypants is coming.

Pack your smile with you. For the best travel adventures wear it every day to show the world that you come in peace. And wherever you go the people there will smile back at you!

4. Small Talk

I’m an introvert and social situations can be stressful and tiring for me.

It’s easy for me to shrink into my shell and spend too much alone time because this is where I am most comfortable.

This might seem like a strange choice to mention for people whose small talk comes naturally and easily.

For me, it’s hard work. Small talk is something I need to carry with me and remember to use.

Why is it necessary?

Because travel can be isolating. You can be away from friends and family and normal social contact.

And social contact is essential to human health and happiness.

All introverts need to remember to pack their small talk so they can make social connections while traveling.​

Because social connections lead to…​

5. Friendships

Travel is a great way to invite interesting experiences into your life.

And shared experiences bring people together and can end up in life-long friendships.

As I get older I find I make more acquaintances and fewer friends.

If you do meet a friend on the road make sure you take that friendship with you. Pack it on in your bag and don’t forget it.

Real solid friendships are a rare thing.

Thanks for reading our guide to traveling light and packing light. I hope this book has given you some ideas and helped you with your travel plans!

Now it would make me most happy if you  take the core message with you and leave the rest of this post behind!

Bon voyage!

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Travel Lite Camper Buyers Guide

Welcome to the 2019 Travel Lite Camper Buyers Guide with eleven non-slide and cabover-less truck campers classified by price, weight, and capacities.

Travel Lite’s non-slide floor plans are the Air, 625, 690FD, 750, 770 Super Lite, 800X, 890SBRX, and 960RX.  Travel Lite’s cabover-less campers are the Rayzr models.

To contact Travel Lite Campers in Indiana, call 574-457-3924 .  To visit the Travel Lite website, go to  travelliterv.com .  For additional information, request a Travel Lite brochure.

Travel Lite 960RX

The 2019 Travel Lite 960RX is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper with an MSRP of $21,120 .  This model is available as a Travel Lite Illusion model .

*Travel Lite 960RX Ultra: dry weight, 2,060 pounds + 25 gallons fresh, 208.5 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,923.5 pounds

Travel Lite 890SBRX

The 2019 Travel Lite 890SBRX is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper with an MSRP of $20,920 .  This model is available as a Travel Lite Illusion model .

*Travel Lite 890SBRX: dry weight, 1,950 pounds + 25 gallons fresh, 208.5 pounds + 6 gallon full hot water heater, 50 pounds + 2x 20-pound full propane tanks, 40 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,748.5 pounds

Travel Lite 800X

The 2019 Travel Lite 800X is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper with an MSRP of $18,630 .

*Travel Lite 800X: dry weight, 1,600 pounds + 25 gallons fresh, 208.5 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 2,328.5 pounds

Travel Lite 770R Super Lite

The 2019 Travel Lite 770R Super Lite is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper with an MSRP of $12,580 .  For further information on this model, check out the  Announcing the Travel Lite 770  article and Travel Lite 770 Review .

*Travel Lite 770R Super Lite: dry weight, 1,335 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 6 gallons hot water heater, 50 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1980.1 pounds

Travel Lite 770 Super Lite

The 2019 Travel Lite 770 Super Lite is a hard-side, non-slide, wet bath truck camper with an MSRP of $12,580 .

*Travel Lite 770 Super Lite: dry weight, 1,385 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1985.1 pounds

Travel Lite 750

The 2019 Travel Lite 750 is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $12,290 .

*Travel Lite 750: dry weight, 1,285 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1945.1 pounds

Travel Lite 700

The 2019 Travel Lite 700 is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $16,685 .

*Travel Lite 700: dry weight, 1,285 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1945.1 pounds

Travel Lite 690FD

The 2019 Travel Lite 690FD is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $15,605 .

*Travel Lite 690FD: dry weight, 1,095 pounds + 15 gallons fresh, 125.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,740.1 pounds

Travel Lite 625SL

The 2019 Travel Lite 625SL is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $16,250 .  For further information on this model, check out the   Announcing the Travel Lite 625  article and  Travel Lite 625 Review .

*Travel Lite 625: dry weight, 1,095 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,755.1 pounds

Travel Lite 610R

The 2019 Travel Lite 610R is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $16,695 .

*Travel Lite 610R: dry weight, 1,285 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1945.1 pounds

Travel Lite Air 590

The 2019 Travel Lite Air 590 is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $12,268 .  For further information on this model, check out the   Announcing the Travel Lite Air  article and the  Travel Lite Air Review .

*Travel Lite Air: dry weight, 1,120 pounds + 10 gallons fresh, 83.4 pounds + one battery, 65 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,788.4 pounds

The 2019 Rayzr FK is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $11,895 .  For further information on this model, check out Announcing the Travel Lite Rayzr Campers .

*Rayzr FK: dry weight, 1,075 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tanks, 20 pounds + 1 battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,735.1 pounds

The 2019 Rayzr FB is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $10,495 .  For further information on this model, check out the   Travel Lite Rayzr FB Review .

*Rayzr FB: dry weight, 1,070 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tanks, 20 pounds + 1 battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,730.1 pounds

The 2019 Rayzr FB-M is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $10,495 .  For further information on this model, check out Announcing the Travel Lite Rayzr Campers  and the  Travel Lite Rayzr FB Review .

*Rayzr FB-M: dry weight, 935 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + 20-pound full propane tanks, 20 pounds + 1 battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,595.1 pounds

The 2019 Rayzr SS is a hard-side, non-slide truck camper with an MSRP of $9,235 .

*Rayzr SS: dry weight, 885 pounds + 20-pound full propane tanks, 20 pounds + 1 battery, 65 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,470 pounds

Truck Camper Dry and Wet Weights

Truck camper base dry weights have been provided by the manufacturers.  Be aware that (a) each manufacturer has different standards and options that are included or excluded from their base dry weights, and (b) very few truck campers leave the factory without additional options.   Make sure to add the weight of additional options for your truck and camper matching calculations. 

The Truck Camper Magazine Buyers Guide uses a standardized equation to calculate truck camper wet weights. Starting with the manufacturers base dry weight, the equation adds the full fresh water weight, full hot water heater weight, full propane tank weight, battery weight, and 500 pounds for stuff.

Click here to read all  Travel Lite articles in TCM .  All dry weights, specifications, capacities, and photographs were provided by Travel Lite Campers.

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Definition of lite

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of -lite  (Entry 2 of 2)

Examples of lite in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun combining form

borrowed from French, respelling of earlier -lithe, borrowed from Greek líthos "stone, rock," of obscure origin

Note: As pointed out by the Oxford English Dictionary, first edition, the acceptability of the non-classical spelling -lite for -lithe or -lith may have been advanced by the long-established word chrysolite .

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Articles Related to lite

An Illuminating History of 'Lite'

Over the centuries, English has lit upon many meanings

Dictionary Entries Near lite

lit de repos

Cite this Entry

“Lite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lite. Accessed 18 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

Medical definition of lite.

variant of light entry 2

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Travel Lite Falcon GT 24BH Road Test.

The travel lite falcon gt 24bh is an ultra-cool ultra-light.

W ith so many young families looking for an affordable entry-level travel trailer that’s suitable for towing behind a mid-size family van, pickup, or SUV, we turned to our friends Rene and Pat Stornebrink at Under The Stars RV in Erin, Ontario, for some suggestions. Under The Stars RV has just celebrated the grand opening of a new location, with expanded parts, service, and sales facilities to serve their growing customer base, and they carry several RV lines focusing on the needs of the young and active RV enthusiasts.

One of the coolest units on the list of family-friendly RVs is the ultralight 2018 Falcon GT 24BH from Travel Lite – a family-owned company that is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018.

The Falcon GT 24BH is the largest of the fleet of ultralights from Travel Lite, and it is available in a trio of trim levels – the Falcon Fire, the Falcon Eclipse, and the Falcon GT, which we selected for this road test feature. The trailers all sport different interior décor packages – the Fire motif has red neon accent lighting, the Eclipse has a very cool blue interior flair, and the GT has a green accent lighting package. You can turn the accent lights on or off, as you prefer.

There are several very innovative features in this ultralight trailer line. For example, the Travel Lite Falcon GT has a smart electric tongue jack levelling system – it remembers how high you set the jack when hitching and unhitching, making each process a one-touch delight.

We were attracted to the Falcon GT for several reasons. As an ultra-light travel trailer, it tips the scales at just 3,215 pounds unloaded, with a hitch weight of just 345 pounds – this is well within the towing capability of a wide range of pickups, SUVs, and family vans, when suitably equipped with a weight distributing hitch.

Construction

The Travel Lite line is designed and built to be affordable – it utilizes good quality materials, and the construction quality is very good. The trailer carries a full two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and there is an extensive network of dealers throughout North America, including quite a few Canadian dealers, so you are never going to be far from a servicing dealer if you should require a repair or an adjustment.

The Falcon GT package is a premiere décor selection with custom colour coordinated interior neon lights above the slide out and beneath the dinette seats, custom GT stitching on the dinette seat, upgraded booming kicker speakers and stereo, a large 5 cu. ft. refrigerator with separate freezer, and a 32″ indoor/outdoor TV. The Falcon GT package is described by the factory reps as the ultimate “never needing anything else” package.

The Falcon GT comes with twin 20-pound LP tanks, and twin coach batteries, which is unusual for a trailer of this size.

On the Road

One thing you notice when examining the exterior of this trailer is that the unit is just 7’ wide, but the single axle is a wide-track design. This provides a very distinct advantage for highway handling, and this is further enhanced by the use of 18” aluminum wheels with wide Michelin radial tires. We found the ride and handling of the trailer to be excellent – the tongue weight of just 345 pounds is well within the capacity of most family vehicles.

The Travel Lite engineers have taken the roadability of this trailer very seriously – not only are the tires, rims, axles, and electric brakes top quality for a trailer of this size and weight, there is a black diamond plate rock guard to protect the lower portion of the front cap, and similar material is used for the wheel fenders.

In the Campground

Once you arrive at your campsite, it is a very simple process to unhitch, level and stabilize the trailer using the scissor type jacks, and hook up your water, sewer electrical, and entertainment systems. The Falcon GT features several exterior compartments, including a large front pass-through storage compartment, and all of these storage areas are outfitted with lighting and access latches that are well suited to a vehicle of this type and price point.

The RV systems are very well equipped for a vehicle of this size and price range, with twin 20 lb. LP gas bottles, two deep-cycle 12-volt RV coach batteries, and a 40-amp AC/DC converter.

The single-entry door is equipped with a gas strut to hold it open, and there is an illuminated assist handle on the left side of the doorway. We were surprised to see that you could only unfold the entry steps when the door was closed – this may be a safety feature – it certainly makes sense, although we have not seen this on other trailers that we have reviewed recently. The entry steps are also equipped with LED lighting – a very welcome feature!

Our test unit was equipped with a 12-foot awning, very nicely colour coordinated to the exterior gray slate Falcon GT motif.

Entertaining at the campsite is a pleasant experience, with an optional awning to provide shade and marine grade waterproof exterior stereo speakers to channel your favourite tunes. The upgrade exterior speakers have LED lights – another very cool feature that sets this trailer apart from the typical RV in this category.

Comfort and Convenience

While the Falcon GT is a compact model, the use of a dinette slide-out section significantly enhances your interior living space. The floorplan is a clever design – with the dinette slide in the retracted position for travelling, you can easily walk through the trailer, and access the galley, the master bedroom and the bathroom. Touch a switch and in a matter of seconds, the dinette extends, and you can enjoy the full interior comfort of the trailer.

The Falcon GT 24BH sleeps up to six people, with a large master bed, a convertible dinette, and two bunk beds at the rear of the trailer. The floorplan is a bunkhouse style, and the two bunks at the rear of the trailer are certain to be popular with the kids – but we had to try them out, and we are happy to report that the bunks are quite spacious – more than large enough to accommodate an adult in comfort.

Each bunk has a large slider window, a charging station for your USB devices, as well as GFI power outlets. There is a storage compartment built into each bunk, and the lower bunk has two large under mattress storage compartments, an ideal place to stow your clothes and gear.

The dinette converts into a single bed, and the table has two pedestals for greater stability. Cushions are vinyl clad and should be very easy to clean.

Storage compartments under the dinette seats are equipped with both interior and exterior access – a brilliant idea that we very rarely see in an RV design, and the accent lights are placed under the dinette benches, making a very interesting ambiance in the evening.

The trailer has a very efficient 18,000 BTU LP gas furnace, with ducted heat at the base of the dinette and galley. We tested the trailer in sub-zero temperatures, and when we fired up the furnace to take the interior pictures and video, it only took about five minutes for the 24BH to reach a comfortable room temperature.

For your comfort during the warm summer days, the Falcon GT can be equipped with a 13.5M BTU roof air conditioner, our test model had a Dometic low-profile unit that we have seen on many RV models – we did not fire up the air conditioner on this particular unit, as the ambient temperature was already too cold!

The 24BH has a 6-gallon hot water heater, which is plenty of comfort for the interior and exterior showers and the galley sink. The water tank capacities are excellent for a small family, with 31-gallon fresh water tank, 30-gallon grey water tank, and 30-gallon black water tank.

The Travel Lite Falcon GT is equipped with an LP gas detector and a smoke detector, for your safety.

In the Galley

The galley features a molded Granicote fiberglass countertop with stainless steel sink and a two-burner cooktop. Above the range, there is a stainless-steel microwave and a range hood, as well as an overhead cupboard and your RV control and monitor panel.

This bunkhouse model features a very spacious array of cupboards and drawers in the galley, with double sided ball bearing drawer glides – the drawers are hidden behind the tempered glass metal framed cabinet doors.

A large 5 cu. ft. refrigerator is standard, and the radio above the refrigerator has an input for your iPod.

In the Bedroom

The Falcon GT 24 BH is a compact trailer, but it delivers a very comfortable camping experience. A queen size bed at the front of the trailer features an iRelax foam mattress, and when you swivel the LCD TV around from its position in full view of the dinette, you can relax in the bedroom and watch your favourite TV shows or videos.

The Falcon GT 24BH is a compact trailer designed for touring – you would not expect to find a great deal of hanging closet space in a trailer of this size – but the designers at Travel Lite have provided a wardrobe adjacent to the master bedroom – it isn’t large, but it would accommodate your sundresses and outfits that are not suitable for stowing in the folded clothes storage compartments under the beds.

In the Bathroom

The Travel Lite Falcon GT 24BH has a dry bath shower room with a flush toilet. The bathroom is isolated from the main living area of the trailer by an aluminum framed frosted glass door, and there is a shower curtain for additional privacy.

The bathroom has a skylight above the shower, and a very nice vanity mirror with integrated lighting – it is a bright and easily maintained area.

Watch the road test video:

https://youtu.be/Pnrwk-aw568

The Bottom Line

The Travel Lite Falcon GT 24BH is a very attractive travel trailer, with a refreshingly moderninterior design, excellent quality components, and a two-year warranty backed by RV dealers throughout Canada and the United States.

If you are looking for a compact, lightweight, aerodynamic trailer that will turn heads everywhere you go, this would be an excellent unit to add to your list.  

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'Lite' vs 'Light': What's the Difference Between the Two?

Wondering whether to use ‘lite’ or ‘light’? And what the difference is between the two? We can help clear that up, plus teach you the meaning and how to use both words in a sentence.

Don’t feel like skimming for the answer? Here’s the short one:

• ‘Lite’ is an informal variant of ‘light.’ It usually means ‘containing less of an ingredient’ or ‘being less complex.’
• ‘Light’ can be a noun that means ‘something that makes vision possible.’

‘Lite’ vs. ‘Light’ – What’s the Difference?

As you just learned, the difference between ‘lite’ and ‘light’ is that ‘lite’ is an informal variant of ‘light.’ They could technically be considered homophones , since they have different definitions.

The word ‘lite’ isn’t typically used in formal writing, such as academic writing or professional writing.

‘Lite’ vs. ‘Light’ – The Correct Way to Use Each Word  

The correct way to use ‘lite’ would be when you’re referring to the option that has fewer options.

For example, the ‘lite’ version of something is usually the free or free trial version of a product.

But you can use light anytime you mean ‘something that makes vision possible’ or ‘the opposite of darkness.’

Let’s quickly define the words so we know how to use them in a sentence later.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Lite’ and ‘Light’  

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘light’ is: “something that makes vision possible,” “the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors,” “daylight,” “dawn,” “a source of light: such as a) a celestial body, b) candle, c) electric light,” and “a color of notable lightness: a light or pale color > usually plural.”

It also means: “clothing that is light in color,” “sight,” “spiritual illumination,” “inner light,” “public knowledge,” “something that enlightens or informs,” and “a medium (such as a window) through which light is admitted.”

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘lite’ is: “light” and “diminished or lacking in substance or seriousness.”

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Lite’ and ‘Light’  

Not sure how to pronounce ‘light’ and ‘light’? Here’s a short pronunciation guide.

• To pronounce light, here’s the phonetic spelling: llET.
• It might also sound like: lait.

How to Use ‘Lite’ and ‘Light’ in a Sentence

Now that we know what the words mean and how to pronounce them let’s take a look at how to use them both in a sentence.

• Turn off the light when you’re ready to go to bed. It saves energy.
• In light of recent studies, we’re transitioning to a holistic diet and lifestyle.
• That light fixture is gorgeous. Where did you get it?
• I have to talk to you about the new light you installed. When can you come back?
• We light candles every year on the anniversary of my grandmother's death.
• “Do you have a light?” asked my fiancé as I exited the building behind him.

Remember, the word ‘lite’ isn’t usually used in formal writing. Therefore, you should only use it in personal writing.

Final Thoughts on ‘Lite’ and ‘Light’

To recap, you learned that ‘lite’ is the informal variant of ‘light.’ It should never be used in professional or academic writing because it’s informal.

If you ever forget which one is the correct one to use, you can always come back and refresh your memory. We’ve got a ton of other content on confusing words and phrases you might come across as you’re learning the English language.

Learn More:

• ‘Licence' or 'License': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Email' or 'E-mail': What's the Difference?
• ‘Organisation' vs ' Organization': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• ‘Mom' vs 'Mum': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Specialty' or 'Speciality': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• ‘Analyses' vs 'Analysis': What's the Difference?
• 'Altogether' vs 'All together': What's the Difference?
• ‘Ms' vs 'Mrs.': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Tonne' vs 'Ton': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Valentines Day' or 'Valentine's Day': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Noone' or 'No One': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'To Much' or 'Too Much': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Mould' vs 'Mold': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Renumeration' vs 'Remuneration': What's the Difference Between the Two?
• 'Passersby' or 'Passerbys': What's the Difference Between the Two?

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Lite vs. Light: What’s the Difference?

Home » Lite vs. Light: What’s the Difference?

Many words in English have multiple spellings. Sometimes these spellings are interchangeable, but often, they denote completely different meanings.

Lite and light are two such words. They sound the same but are spelled differently, making them homophones .

Read on to find out what each means, and when to use lite and light.

What’s the Difference Between Lite and Light?

This article will compare lite vs. light, including examples for each. Additionally, it will outline an easy trick that you can use to remember whether lite or light is the appropriate word to use for your sentence.

When to Use Lite

For example,

• Jennifer ordered lite mayonnaise on her sandwich.
• Adriana dumped Sten when he refused to drink lite beer to lose weight.

Lite can also be used as part of a brand name, where it often plays the part of an adjective, but directly follows a noun . This is an unusual construction in English, but it has become a prominent marketing convention.

• PCalc Lite is the free version of a powerful scientific calculator app for smartphones.
• Approaching a concession stand at Nationals Park this season and asking for a Miller Lite is like walking into the Nationals team store and asking to be directed to the section of Mets gear. – The Washington Post

It can also be used as an insult, to denote a poor quality knockoff of a superior product or other concept, like in this sentence:

• The Foo Fighters debut album is just Nirvana-lite.

Lite is never used as a noun in modern English, and is not interchangeable with light in any other sense as an adjective.

When to Use Light

As a noun , light is the particle or wave that allows humans to see and plants to grow. The sun emanates light, as do light bulbs, lightning bugs, and things that are on fire. A light can also be a fixture which emanates light.

• Light poured in through the open window.
• The light from the candle allowed Anne to write in her diary.
• Abernathy turned off the light, and plunged the room into darkness.

As an adjective, light is something that is not heavy, burdensome, or somber . A knapsack could be light, as could a topic of conversation, or a piece of music.

• The way is long, but the burden is light.
• The couple in the diner engaged in light small talk.
• The orchestra conductor passed over Orff in favor of lighter fare.
• While higher than the prior July, the adjusted sales pace has leveled off compared with the sizable year-over-year increases from 2015’s final six months, which drove the U.S. light-vehicle market last year to its first record in a decade and a half. – The Wall Street Journal

Light can also describe a low calorie or low sugar version of something else , especially in a product name.

• Marjorie ordered light dressing on her Caesar salad.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If the word you’re seeking is a noun, light is your only choice. Lite is never a noun.

If you’re describing something that is low fat, low calorie, or low sugar, you can use lite , especially if it’s part of a brand name. This is easy to remember, since lite has fewer letters than light , and is thus the “lite” version.

Is it light or lite? These two spellings are sometimes used interchangeably, but other times they mean completely different things.

• Light can be a noun, where it refers to the wave or particle that enables vision and photosynthesis, or an adjective, where it means not heavy or not somber.
• Lite is usually an adjective or part of a brand name, and is usually used to describe a low calorie or low fat version of a different product.

Since lite has one fewer letter than light, it is in a sense the “lite” version. This trick should make it easy to keep these two words straight.

If you still need help choosing light or lite for your writing, feel free to reread this article.