5 Travel Items You'll Regret Packing On Your Vacation

Every traveler has their own unique method when it comes to packing for vacation. Some people start planning their packing lists weeks and months in advance, and others are still doing laundry a few hours before they're supposed to leave for the airport. Some meticulously fold outfits into individual packing cubes, while others stuff their things into a massive backpack and call it a day. There are minimalist packers who have cultivated the perfect travel capsule wardrobe, and maximalist packers who don't mind checking a few bags full of their favorite clothes. No matter which method a traveler chooses, most of them will tell you that they've regretted packing certain items on vacation.

Filling your suitcase full of things that you won't actually need can be really frustrating. After all, you'll have to lug your bags around as you catch flights, hop on trains, and move between hotels. Every pound makes a difference. While every person has different needs when it comes to travel, there are a few types of travel items that many people tend to regret packing.

We read through hundreds of comments from real travelers and discovered that new clothes, the wrong shoes, apparel that's inappropriate for the weather, messy items, and expensive luxury accessories are some of the most common things travelers regret packing for vacation.

A trip to a far off destination can seem like the perfect opportunity to get adventurous with your personal style. When you step outside of your comfort zone and visit somewhere new, you may feel inspired to reinvent yourself. There's no harm in throwing an adventurous outfit or two in your bag, but you'll probably end up regretting it if you buy a whole new wardrobe for vacation. You may think that the viral pair of wrinkle-resistant travel pants is a good idea, but if you're someone who only wears flowy dresses at home, then they're probably never going to leave your suitcase.

On the flip side, if you're a jeans and T-shirt kind of person, you might end up feeling a little uncomfortable wandering around in a fancy sundress that you've never worn before. "I try to bring only things I know and love and wear frequently already. I'm not up for trying new outfits I'm not sure I'll like while I'm stuck with no options," a Reddit user who calls themself mahjimoh wrote. "Don't think you'll be someone different on vacation," celoplyr, another Reddit user, advised.

Instead of debuting your brand new wardrobe, opt for tried and true clothing that you wear regularly at home. A cozy sweater that you practically live in and your favorite pair of jeans are going to be exactly what makes you feel the most comfortable when traveling. "Accept that we are creatures of habit and pick your favorites and basics that mix and match well," Salsaverde150609 added. "Then if you realize you're missing something, buy it during your travels."

Packing the wrong shoes for vacation is the oldest mistake in the book. Even seasoned travelers continue to make this mistake from time to time. Avoid packing shoes that aren't broken in properly. You need to wear them around for multiple days to ensure they're comfortable to walk in if you're going to bring them on your trip. "Learned this the hard way. Had new shoes, walked around casually with them for a week and thought that was perfect. Half a day walking in Budapest and I ran to H&M in tears to buy new shoes," a Reddit user called niji-no-megami wrote. "Who would have thought 5 miles of straight walking is not the same as the occasional walking to the car and back in the US."

Packing too many shoes is another common mistake. You don't need three pairs of Chelsea boots for your trip to New York City. One pair will do the job just fine. Choose your favorite, and save yourself the trouble of carrying around that extra weight. High heels are one type of shoe that many travelers end up regretting. They may look great, but they simply aren't practical for long days spent sightseeing. I love wearing heels at home, but after twisting my ankles multiple times on Europe's cobblestone streets, I finally learned my lesson.

You may love wearing flip-flops at home or at the beach, but they're not the appropriate choice when you're traveling around European cities where people tend to dress up a bit more. In fact, there are some destinations, like the popular Italian island of Capri, where flip-flops were rumored to be banned. Similarly, shoes with open toes are a fashion faux pas that will make any tourist stand out in Japan. Consider which shoes you're going to bring carefully before zipping up your suitcase.

There's a ton of travel advice that involves being prepared for any weather while traveling. After all, you don't want a surprise thunderstorm to ruin your adventure. It's always a good idea to have something cozy to throw on even if you're traveling somewhere warm, but packing a bunch of heavy items that you don't need is something a lot of tourists regret. A few light layers can get you through most situations. You don't need to pack three winter coats. Stick to the basics and save yourself the hassle of having to either ship things home or carry around an overstuffed bag.

Always make sure that you check the weather before you embark on any adventure. Start watching the daily forecast about a week before you depart and see if the weather is changing dramatically from what the forecast initially predicts. During my most recent trip to Costa Rica, the forecast predicted that the daily high would be around 80 degrees each day. When I arrived, the temperature actually climbed to the high 90s every single afternoon. I ended up living in my swimsuit and shorts the entire trip, and the five breezy maxi dresses in my bag were left untouched. I definitely regretted packing so many things I didn't need.

Be prepared for rain, but there is no need to overprepare. Unless you're heading to Ireland, the rainforest during the rainy season, or doing some serious outdoor expeditions, you don't need a super heavy-duty rain jacket, rain boots, and an umbrella. A compact packable raincoat or an inexpensive poncho will do the job just fine during an unexpected rain shower. Remember that you'll probably be able to purchase a cheap umbrella on your trip if you really need one.

The last thing that any traveler wants is to arrive at their destination and realize that all of their belongings are dirty or ruined because something made a mess in their bag. When you fly on an airplane, the pressurization can cause liquids to expand, which means that they could leak in your checked luggage. Full size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are really not necessary. They won't make it through TSA, so you'll have to put them in your checked luggage, where they have a better chance of spilling all over your clothes and other belongings. Save yourself the drama and stick to minis, or purchase full-size bottles when you arrive at your destination.

Fingernail polish is one thing that I never bring when traveling by plane. Once, a full bottle leaked all over my toiletries bag and ruined most of my makeup. The smell alone was enough of a reason to avoid packing nail polish ever again.

Having a few snacks with you for your journey is a good idea, but avoid bringing anything that could spoil or make a mess. Food or beverages that need to be kept cold are a bad idea. You may also regret packing fruit that can bruise or smush all over your stuff. "I've brought a banana as a snack a couple of times, forgot about it, and then was unpleasantly surprised to find out that it had liquefied after a few days of being jostled around," TheNutMilkBagger wrote on Reddit. "I'm never packing perishable food again because I'm very forgetful." Another user responded that they had a friend with a similar issue who accidentally smashed the banana stored in her laptop carrying case and it ruined her computer.

If you're traveling somewhere particularly glamorous, like romantic European destinations, you may feel tempted to adorn yourself with your most luxurious clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Social media is full of videos and images of travelers walking through Paris with their Birkin bags, Chanel sunglasses, and red-bottom shoes. They certainly look lovely dripping in designer styles from head to toe, but that kind of opulence isn't practical for most travelers. Imagine having to stuff your most expensive purse under the seat of a crowded airplane and finding a piece of gum stuck to it when you arrive at your destination. I once witnessed a man put a garment bag with an expensive suit in the overhead bin and another passenger had something gooey leak out of their bag and completely ruin it. Traveling on planes, trains, and automobiles can be tough on delicate clothing and accessories.

Wearing a ton of expensive items can also attract unwanted attention, and exuberant displays of wealth can be insensitive to locals. They can also make you more likely to fall victim to a crime. Theft is common in most major cities around the world. Most crimes involving theft are nonviolent, but sometimes you may be putting your safety at risk. If you want to avoid theft while traveling, leave the flashy expensive stuff at home.

You may end up losing or otherwise damaging some of your most precious belongings on vacation. My antique engagement ring has become one of my most precious belongings. It almost never leaves my finger, but I decided to leave it at home during my recent trip to Costa Rica. I wasn't worried about theft, but I was concerned about swimming in the ocean, hiking, and adventuring. If an item is irreplaceable, it's not worth the risk of bringing it on vacation.

In order to formulate our list of five travel items that you'll regret packing on your vacation, we searched for the opinions of real travelers. We researched multiple travel-related forums on Reddit and searched for threads in which people were discussing packing for vacation. Then we read through hundreds of comments to narrow down items that multiple travelers mentioned they regretted packing. If you're looking for more packing advice, check out our article on five items you'll wish you packed for your trip.