It's the age-old dilemma for travelers: How to pack a suitcase. To roll or fold? Use packing cubes or not? Hard-shelled case or soft? There are so many different methods of packing, and one won't appeal to everyone, but there are a few rules of thumb that everyone can follow to make the process a little more efficient. It's taken me years of refining my packing methods, but I can pretty much travel anywhere with just a carry-on, a feat which — for some strange reason — still thrills me, especially if it's a long haul! Read on for a few tips on how to pack a suitcase.
How to Pack Rule #1: Don't Overpack
It sounds simple, so why do we keep doing it? I still have that urge to throw in multiples of the same item, like two similar sweaters or two similar pairs of shoes, but don't let it happen. A good rule is to lay everything you want to take on the bed, then divide it by half. If there's an item that falls under "I might need that," then you won't need it, so leave it at home. For me, sadly, it's sneakers/workout gear. I wish I were one of those people who hits the hotel gym first thing in morning, but it's not going to happen, so I stopped pretending, thereby freeing up a lot of space. I also find it helpful to go through my itinerary and try to figure out my outfits for each day, or, at least, the general idea of what I'll be wearing. If, on the off chance you do need something you callously left on the bed, you can always buy it. Remember, when it comes to packing, less is more!
How to Pack Rule #2: Use a Smaller Suitcase
Start out with a smaller suitcase from the get-go. If you have a larger one, you'll just throw more stuff in, so a 21- or 22-inch carry-on is ideal. It gets tricky if you're traveling to cold-weather places like a ski resort, where you'll be needing bulky sweaters, boots, hats, and gloves — you may just have to check a bag for those — but otherwise, challenge yourself, and just keep paring down until it fits (sitting on top of your bag to close it is totally acceptable — at least in my book). When it comes to suitcase types, I prefer a hard shell to soft, especially after I once checked a bag and when I retrieved it, half the bag was wet, and some of the water (I hope it was water!) even seeped through to my clothes. You do miss out on utilizing outside pockets with the hard shell, but I can live with that.
How to Pack Rule #3: Utilize Every Inch of Space
Use every nook and cranny. I put stuff everywhere, socks stuffed in shoes, combs and brushes in my evening purse, belts in boots, etc. Some travelers prefer to roll clothes, as it maximizes space (though I don't find that it keeps clothes wrinkle-free, as it's been touted), and others like to use packing cubes, which are great for organization, but I prefer to simply fold and make two columns with a narrow space in the middle for non-clothing items (that's really all the room I have with a 21-inch bag). I also wrap clothes that wrinkle easily in a plastic bag and place it at the bottom of the pile. Yes, it's low-tech, but this method has always worked for me.
How to Pack Rule #4: Use a Carry-on Bag and a Carry-on Suitcase
You never know when you're going to need something from your bag — you may need an Advil or your Kindle or whatever. If it's in your carry-on suitcase, well, that's in the overhead bin, which is a hassle to reach, so I keep my absolute essentials in my small carry-on bag (the things I can't live without — if, say, my carry-on somehow disappeared). Aside from my phone and wallet, things like moisturizer, a Kindle, magazines/books (in case the Kindle dies), headphones, a toothbrush/mini toothpaste, Advil/Tylenol, my makeup bag, and jewelry all go in there. Granted, it's all costume jewelry, never real. Not that I have much real jewelry, but after I had a favorite gold-and-diamond ring stolen from a Florida hotel room, that was the end of that (or bringing anything of value, for that matter). It's just not worth it, because when you're traveling, peace of mind is the most important thing.
More from Best Products:
The Ultimate Travel Packing List for All Your On-the-Go Essentials
Everything You Need to Know About Jet Lag — Including How to Prevent It
Minimize Wrinkles and Maximize Space With These Handy Packing Cubes
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