This piece is part of our GATEZERO hub — a travel-focused content series celebrating GATEZERO, our concept store at Zurich Airport.
After two years of reduced holiday time or none at all, 2022 will be a huge year for traveling. Having been starved of the tastes, sounds, and sensations of other cultures, we’re going big this year and nobody can stop us. Before we make it to our carefully chosen destinations, though, there’s traveling’s biggest stress: how to pack properly.
With our expectations of cramming two years’ holidays into one summer this year, the prospect of packing a single suitcase is genuinely worrying. We already know that some wardrobe favorites are going to have their feelings hurt as they lie in the 'didn’t make it' pile. To ease our preemptive panic, we’ve enlisted the help of two experts to guide us through how to pack properly.
Switzerland-based Undram is a DJ. Few professions require as much traveling as DJing. One weekend in Undram’s life can see her cross multiple borders, and with a love for clothing, she’s the perfect candidate to help us perfect our packing. Alongside Undram is Ruddy. Ruddy is the founder of PowerUp Run, one of Paris’ steeziest running clubs. But PowerUp doesn’t keep things to the French capital, you’ll catch them testing tracks around the world.
So, with our experts on board, we’re all ears.
Which items can you not travel without?
Undeey: Definitely my earphones, power bank, and something cozy to cover up.
Ruddy: Well, obviously my passport and money, but aside from that? My Beats, Contax, MacBook, and perfume.
What are your in-flight essentials?
U: Everybody needs a neck pillow and sleeping mask!
What sort of packer are you?
U: In my line of work, I have to take the minimum with me but planning every single outfit properly is the key to this.
R: Everyone who has traveled with me knows I take the minimum. I’ll have everything I need and no more. But, that said, I always pack my stuff minutes before I need to leave the house which doesn’t help…
How many pairs of shoes do you pack?
U: I take at least two pairs of shoes with me. A bright one and a dark one. You’ve got to be clever about it.
R: It depends on what I’m going to do during the trip, but a minimum of two. One for running, one for everything else.
Have you ever had any bad luggage-related experiences?
U: I’ve had the classic: lost my bag and didn't receive it until three days later. I didn't take any hand luggage with me so I had literally nothing to wear…
R: I’ve actually never had a problem with my luggage so only good memories here.
As a seasoned traveler, do you have any wise words of packing advice?
U: Be prepared for every occasion and check out the weather report for the place you’re going.
R: Advice? Well, everyone is different so we all have habits. No matter what I say here, we’re all always going to pack our own way!
How do you stay fit when you travel?
R: Well for starters, I’m not eating the in-flight food! I’m always running, so in each city I go I need to run. Plus, the best way to understand a new city is to go running at night time.
What is the most important thing to pack when traveling for work?
U: I have to take back-ups with me: wires and things, just in case anything technical happens.
R: Obviously my running shoes and my PowerUp gear (I’m always repping!) One day I forgot to take shorts, but all the shops were closed. I was like: I can’t go outside in underwear, so I just ended up going to the hotel gym at night in my underwear, a long-running tee, and running shoes!
Where is your favorite place to travel to?
U: Difficult. I don't have a favorite place yet, I think there's so much more to explore. The best place for gigs so far though are London and Paris.
R: I love everywhere, everywhere is unique. Tokyo is definitely up there though. Before COVID, I had the chance to go there four times in one year, some for work and other times for leisure. It’s still the place I think most about going to when this has all blown over.
Stay tuned to our Zurich Airport GATEZERO content to see our travel experts take to Zurich Airport in their top Gate Zero travel fits.
