Not once or twice I have packed physical books when going on trips, only to come back home without cracking any of them open. It’s not that I don't love reading — I do it all the time at home — but I never get time to read and even when I do, I only manage to flip through a few pages. 

We all have those ‘useless’ things that we pack but never really use. They take up space and add weight to luggage for no reason. Here are the things we have found to be pointless to travel with.  

1. Books

One Redditor puts it perfectly: “I imagined myself sitting in cafes and reading, but I was too busy soaking in the sights and people watching.”

Look, if you do actually read on most of your trips, go ahead and pack a book or two. But many people are just fooling themselves that they’ll have lots of time to read. 

Physical books are heavy and bulky and can make your traveling more expensive and tiresome. Instead, get an e-reader like a Kindle. E-readers are lightweight and you can read an unlimited number of books. Most also let you listen to audiobooks. 

2. Workout Clothes

This one may strike a nerve, but no, you are probably not going to go to the hotel gym or go out on a run when on holiday. So leave those workout clothes at home. 

Of course, there are people who actually workout when on trips. But most people are too tired, too busy sightseeing or having too much fun to even consider squeezing in a workout. 

If you think you might exercise but don't want to carry extra clothes, pack some light t-shirts and pants that you can also wear when walking around town. Our HercShirt short sleeved tee is perfect for light workouts. It’s breathable, wicks away sweat and doesn't stink even when you wear it several times without washing.

3. Camera & Camera Gear (and Drones)

Unless you are going specifically to shoot photos or videos, just leave your camera behind. Many Redditors say they pack their bulky camera and camera gear, only to end up taking photos with their phone. 

Phones these days have really good cameras. You don't need a dedicated camera to capture the sunset or take photos of your friends. 

The same goes for drones. Unless you are traveling specifically for some aerial photography, you likely will end up not unboxing your drone. It’s just too much of a hassle. 

Also: Leave that phone tripod unless you are going to do some long exposure photography. It’s bulky and most of the time you’ll find it easier to hold the phone in your hand. Same goes for selfie sticks.  

4. Bluetooth Speaker

The same way people think they’ll sit down and spend hours reading books, they also assume they’ll be able to relax to music from their bluetooth speaker. 

In reality, your Bluetooth speaker will be useless in most places. It’s frowned upon to play loud music in public areas such as the poolside, on the beach or on a hike. You also won’t have enough time to listen to music to justify bringing it along. And don't forget it’s one more thing to recharge. 

Instead, pack a pair of headphones or earbuds. You can easily enjoy music at any time and you keep your music to yourself. 

5. Too Many Pants

Clothes are definitely not useless but many people tend to pack way too many of them. Overpacking shirts or underwear is not too bad since they are lightweight and they get dirty easily. 

But pants are bulky and there’s no reason you can’t make do with two or three pairs of pants for a trip. Just pack versatile pants like sweatpants, jeans or khakis that pair well with all your tops or shirts. Pick darker colors that don’t show dirt easily. 

6. Fancy Clothes, Jewellery & Makeup

Some people always think they will have a chance to glam up during their trip. They pack a set of fancy clothes for a nice dinner in an upscale restaurant, they carry their nice jewelry and all their makeup. 

In reality, you probably won’t even want to wear any of these, not to mention that fancy jewelry could make you a target for criminals.  

Pack normal clothes, wear your usual everyday jewelry and keep makeup to a minimum (just the basics).

7. Laptop 

If it’s a work trip or you are a digital nomad, you definitely need your work tools with you. But for holidays and other kinds of travel, you are fooling yourself if you think you’ll have time to work. 

Leave that bulky laptop behind and truly relax. If you need to stay in touch with colleagues or do some light work, consider using a tablet or your phone.