The most effective way to simplify your packing is to use bags that fit the vacation. This doesn't necessarily mean the bag with the most space or the largest number of compartments. Weekend trips should suffice with a single tote or knapsack. Longer vacations should comprise a couple of suitcases, with at least one smaller bag included within the luggage itself. That way, you'll have something to carry around if you're going on walking trips once you've reached your destination.  Compression bags are specially designed to maximize the space therein. You might consider buying one if you travel a lot and have trouble packing the clothes you want into your current bags.  Try to make your luggage look visually unique. A lot of travellers have very similar-looking luggage, and something as simple as a brightly-coloured sticker will make yours stand out in a baggage carousel. Seasoned travellers may debate between neatly folding clothing into luggage, or rolling them up tightly. Neat folds will spare the inevitable creases, but rolling your clothing will save up on precious space, which is arguably more important when you'll need to be carrying everything around. Rolling socks together is especially helpful, as it helps keep pairs of socks together. Versatile items may be defined as things that fulfill more than one use. Something as basic as a roll of duct tape can be used to solve a number of potential problems you may come across. If you're travelling as a party, bring items that more than one of you will use, and share it. In this manner, you'll minimize the amount of stuff you need to bring, all the while maximizing the utility you're getting out of the stuff you do take with you.  Convertible clothing, like pants that can be converted into shorts,  is also recommended for this reason. Shoes are very space-consuming and only serve one purpose. Unless you are bringing multiple pairs of shoes for a specific purpose (such as attending a formal event) it's best to bring a casual pair of shoes and wear them throughout your vacation. Things like books and maps are very helpful to have on a vacation, but they're going to take up an inordinate amount of space in your luggage. Wherever possible, it's best to go digital. If you're planning on reading a lot during your vacation, an e-reader will let you bring hundreds of texts with you at a minimum of space cost. If you have a smartphone, you can use that in lieu of carrying maps and print manuals.  It's good to keep a credit card on you with at least a 1000 dollar limit in case you get into an emergency. However, you're best off keeping the local currency on you in order to save on potential transaction fees from your bank. Try to minimize the amount of devices you bring. Bringing a phone with movies and music saves you having to bring items specifically intended for those purposes.

Summary: Use suitable bags or cases. Roll your clothes into rolls. Bring versatile and universal items. Go digital.


Hooks made specifically to hang swords will typically have a plastic covering over the hooks to prevent oxidation. You can also purchase multi-use hooks from a hardware store, as long as they are made of stainless steel.  You can buy sword-specific mounting hooks online. Some hooks will have threaded ends that you screw directly into the wall while others will have separate screws. Hold the sword horizontally against the wall and choose the location and orientation that you like the best. Once you find your desired location, mark the tip and end of the sword on the wall with a pencil.  If you want your sword to be the focal point of the room, hang it in the center of your wall. If you're hanging several swords, make sure to place them an even distance apart so that they look uniform. Line the screw holes in the cup or L hooks with one of the marks that you created. Use a screwdriver or drill to drive the screw through the hole in the hook and into the stud in the wall. Continue turning the screw until the hooks are installed tightly on the wall and the plate on the hooks run flush with the head of the screw. Repeat the process on the other hook. If your hooks have threaded ends instead of a plate and screw, you’ll have to pre-drill the holes for the hooks. Use a drill bit that’s smaller than the end of your hooks. Then, hold the drill bit tip against the mark that you made, press the trigger on the drill, and apply forward pressure against the wall. Push the end of the hooks into the pilot holes that you created and make sure they are straight. Then, turn the hooks clockwise to tighten them into the pilot holes. Continue rotating the hooks until you can’t see the threads anymore. Once you're done screwing in the hook, it should be pointed upward so that it can support your sword. You can hang your sword with or without the sheath when hanging them on hooks. Place the end of the blade near the handle on one hook and the tip of the blade on the other hook. You’ve now successfully hung your sword using hooks.

Summary: Buy stainless steel L or cup hooks to hang your swords horizontally. Mark the ideal sword placement on your wall. Use a screwdriver to install hooks that have separate screws. Use a drill bit to create a pilot hole if the end of your hooks are threaded. Screw the end of the hooks in if you’re using threaded hooks. Place your sword on top of the hooks.


Grab onto the tail end of the slackline and pull it towards the first anchor with the single carabiner. Get the line moderately taught, enough to keep it from sagging. Tighter lines are better for bouncing and doing tricks. Adjust the line to get the amount of tension you desire.  If you’re using a ratchet, pull the ratchet handle down to tighten the line. Don’t tighten it too much. Keep at least a little slack in the line to prevent it from snapping. You may need help pulling a line over 30 ft (9.1 m). Have a friend help you pull the line. Another way to pull a long line is by installing a pulley system. Hook the pulley to the anchor point. Run a cord from the locking anchor in the line to the pulley. Then, tug the webbing through the pulley to tighten it. Climb onto the line. Walk across it or bounce on it a little bit to stretch out the anchors and knots. Make sure the line feels secure but doesn’t touch the ground when you walk the middle of it. If the line needs adjustment, tug on the end of the slackline to tighten or loosen it. If you need to raise the line, loosen it first before untying the webbing around the anchors. Pull the tail end of the line away from the anchor point to undo it. This is very safe and easy to do in a primitive pulley system. Once you have lowered the line, removing all tension from it, unhook the carabiners to take down all of the webbing. If you’re using a ratchet, unlock the ratchet to release the tension. Pull the slackline out of the ratchet to take it down.
Summary: Pull the line toward the far anchor to tighten it. Test the line by sitting or bouncing on it. Release the line by pulling it in the opposite direction.