The Major Caveat That Makes 'Throw-Away' Packing Less Useful For Long Trips

Packing a suitcase for an extended getaway is its own special kind of art. You'll want to ensure that you have enough clothing to last throughout your trip (or at least until you can carve out some time to do a little laundry), but you'll also need to avoid packing way too many clothes. If you bring too little, you may find yourself unprepared, but if you bring too much, you'll likely end up feeling weighed down by your baggage.

Most frequent travelers end up creating their own special travel capsule wardrobe with plenty of outfits that can be mixed and matched for a variety of looks. Layering is another common strategy for travelers who enjoy going on long trips around the world – after all, you'll need to be prepared for a variety of climates if you're moving around a lot. Recently, some travelers have been advocating for a different tactic – "throw-away" packing.

Throw-away packing basically suggests packing clothing that is on its last leg, or that you don't want anymore, so that you don't have to bring as many clothes back home with you. It's an interesting theory, but if you're traveling for more than a few days and try to pack only "throw away" clothing, you'll probably end up regretting your decision.

Advocates of throw-away packing consider the method to be a unique travel hack that comes in handy when you need extra space in your bag. It's a tactic that could be useful for travelers who plan to do a lot of souvenir shopping, and who might not have enough space to bring back their purchases otherwise.

In the r/LifeProTips community on Reddit, HeadHunt23 wrote, "take your old clothes on vacation and throw them away there. Less to pack home, more room for stuff you may acquire. Also gets your closet cleaned out." They went on to suggest that most clothes that people donate end up getting thrown away, unless they're in good condition. Instead of donating, they suggested packing and then throwing away clothing you no longer like, as well as any "slowly decomposing" underwear.

People in the comment section weren't convinced his Pro Tip was good advice at all. "Yeah, I'll just roll up to these Michelin starred places in my yard work jeans," a user called pegmeamadeus commented. Roscoe_cracks_corn commented, "Holey underwear and worn out shoes belong in your own trash." Others complained that the poster was basically telling people to dress badly on vacation.

Most responses were negative, but a few people liked the idea. "Normally our destination has clothes for way cheaper than at home. We bring the bare minimum of stuff in a near empty suitcase, and the kid wears clothes he is about to outgrow. When we arrive at our destination we shop and buy the kid a new wardrobe basically, and new clothes for ourselves. We ditch the too small stuff and bring back a full suitcase," wrote a Reddit user who has since deleted their account.

The problem is that clothing that is already on its last leg might not serve you well on a long trip. It could fall apart, leaving you in a bind. Socks with holes could leave you with nasty blisters. If the zipper breaks on your old backpack or purse before you are able to purchase a new one, your belongings could get lost or stolen. If the heel falls off your old, worn-out boots, you'll have to hobble around until you can find a new pair to purchase. You may end up having to buy things you otherwise wouldn't spend money on.

Alex, founder of Travel Fashion Girl, does not recommend packing worn-out clothes for a long trip. "​​Consider the life cycle of a clothing item you use at home. Even inexpensive items can last years if you only wear them occasionally. When you travel, however, your clothing works extra hard due to constant use and washing methods so its life span can be limited," she wrote on her website. "Don't start your trip with clothing that's already worn out."

Alex acknowledges that it's okay to do some shopping during your trip, and if you're traveling for a few months, you will likely have to donate or dispose of some things. "It's normal to have to or want to replace items after you're on the road for a while but you don't want this to happen immediately. Be prepared to buy a few new pieces here and there to freshen up your wardrobe." Don't feel guilty if you need to get rid of some things during your adventure, but don't bring clothing that already belongs in the bin.