Suitcase Packing Methods

hz80408 · March 2012

We know we're going to bring suitcases on our 18-day Europe trip and we're fine with that, but I'm curious what techniques Travel uses to actually pack their suitcases? clothing specifically, but I'll take hints/tips on other items

I used to roll everything, until my mom got my to convert to laying everything as flat as possible. WDYD?

Shower/liquid items always go in a ziplock bag/joint ziplock

emw1023 · March 2012

I always lay things as flat as possible. I feel like ican get more in the suitcase that way, plus I can see exactly what everything is without having to unroll it. I also think it keeps the suitcase in general much cleaner and organized throughout a trip.

For shower/liquid items, I do the same, but I always tape the lids shut as well.

traveling turtle · March 2012

I find that the times I'm best at packing my suitcase is when I lay everything as flat as possible and kind of stagger it a bit. But, the weird thing is I pack it next to the suitcase first, approximating the size, and then putting it all in there (just clothes... not other items). I don't know why that works better for me than packing directly into the suitcase.

I keep a bag for chargers/adapters. It's actually a bright orange pencil case holder that's clear on one side and fits into a binder. They're always what I have trouble finding when I need them until I started doing that.

emilyinchile · March 2012

I realize this is the travel board and we do travel topics here, but seriously, you're going to Western Europe, not to the moon! It will all be fine, I promise, you don't need to ask a question about every.single.step of your preparations.

To answer the question, I fold. Rolling gives me more space, but usually my issue is weight rather than space, and rolling leaves space for things to move around vs. folding to use all the space and keep things where I put them.

hz80408 · March 2012

emilyinchile:

I realize this is the travel board and we do travel topics here, but seriously, you're going to Western Europe, not to the moon! It will all be fine, I promise, you don't need to ask a question about every.single.step of your preparations.

To answer the question, I fold. Rolling gives me more space, but usually my issue is weight rather than space, and rolling leaves space for things to move around vs. folding to use all the space and keep things where I put them.

My apologies, it seemed like the board had been semi-slow recently and I thought this was a post that most people could relate to and comment on to speed things up, plus could be helpful.

KiKi0942 · March 2012

I used to be a folder but I converted to rolling after going to Spain while training for a half-marathon. I was able to fit bulky running shoes, running clothes, normal clothes, some dressy items plus heels and make-up/toiletries in a carry on. Now I can't fold unless it's a duffel or something odd shaped.

emilyinchile · March 2012

hz80408:
emilyinchile:

I realize this is the travel board and we do travel topics here, but seriously, you're going to Western Europe, not to the moon! It will all be fine, I promise, you don't need to ask a question about every.single.step of your preparations.

To answer the question, I fold. Rolling gives me more space, but usually my issue is weight rather than space, and rolling leaves space for things to move around vs. folding to use all the space and keep things where I put them.
My apologies, it seemed like the board had been semi-slow recently and I thought this was a post that most people could relate to and comment on to speed things up, plus could be helpful.

No need to apologize, obviously you can post what you want and for whatever reason you want. I just have this image of you being really stressed out about the most minuscule details of this trip because every day there's a new post about how to take the train from A to B or a flight issue or something like that. Maybe my impression is totally wrong, and I hope it is, but every time I see a post from you I just want to tell you to relax and not worry so much about it all.

hz80408 · March 2012

emilyinchile:

No need to apologize, obviously you can post what you want and for whatever reason you want. I just have this image of you being really stressed out about the most minuscule details of this trip because every day there's a new post about how to take the train from A to B or a flight issue or something like that. Maybe my impression is totally wrong, and I hope it is, but every time I see a post from you I just want to tell you to relax and not worry so much about it all.

Ha, you probably have a fairly accurate picture of me about this trip. I am a Type A person and easily tend to get caught up in the details rather than enjoy the big picture. Thanks for the advice and reminder to take a breathe :O)

MerRhosyn · March 2012

I am a dedicated and passionate roller. Once I started rolling, I never went back to folding.

sunshine_day_dreams · March 2012

I do a combo of both. Most clothes I lay as flat as possible. Then I roll up camis and things I don't care about getting as wrinkled and stuff those in the spaces between stacks of clothes. Shoes (I usually only bring flip flops and otherwise flat shoes) get smashed in around the edges.

This is the way I've been able to consistently smash the most into my suitcase.

Rock-n-Voll · March 2012

Rolling and pack-it cubes. I also try to bring things that are wrinkle-resistant. Minimize shoes as they take up a ton of room (I almost never pack more than two pairs plus the pair I'm wearing, and frequently only pack one, wear one).

GilliC · March 2012

I just take stuff out of the closet and put it in my suitcase stacked and folded the same way it was on the shelf. I'm anal about how carefully I fold my clothes (Seriously. XH folded my laundry once and I just shook it all out and refolded it, because it wasn't neat enough. I blame my background in origami.), and I tried rolling once. I couldn't keep things from bunching up, and when I unrolled them, there were creases from where a wrinkle had been rolled in. Also, things ended up all different widths and I had a difficult time fitting them in alongside like items with no wasted space. I went back to my neat stacking. Things come out of my suitcase in the same state they would have come out of the closet.

I do organize things like a puzzle, though, so that every spare space is used. Shirts and pants tend to go in first in their big stacks because they take up the most space. Then shoes (in shoe bags) fill in big empty spaces. A stack of bras fits in the uneven narrow gap between stacks. Socks will fill another. Stacks of underwear can fill in small holes and can be pushed in without worrying about wrinkles. Bags of toiletries go on top in spaces reserved for them, since I usually need them up until the morning I leave. I usually try to keep toiletries and shoes near the bottom of my upright, since they're heavier and likely to slip down.

Hanging items go in a thin garment bag, lightly folded and laid on the very top before closing the suitcase.

Small loose items go in the inside pocket on the lid. Condoms go in a small pocket along the liner, just because it's the right size and I always know where they're at (actually I usually just leave some in that pocket all the time, so I don't have to worry about packing them).

PittPurple · March 2012

GilliC:
Condoms go in a small pocket along the liner, just because it's the right size and I always know where they're at (actually I usually just leave some in that pocket all the time, so I don't have to worry about packing them).

I like your style GilliC!

GilliC · March 2012

PittPurple:
GilliC:
Condoms go in a small pocket along the liner, just because it's the right size and I always know where they're at (actually I usually just leave some in that pocket all the time, so I don't have to worry about packing them).
I like your style GilliC!

Wink

You never know the importance of these things until you forget to pack them in a place with no 24-hour pharmacies nearby!

davidandheather · March 2012

I travel a lot for work and have recently started doing flat bundling. So for every four days, I take 2 pairs of bottoms (skirt, pant, shorts whatever) and four shirts. I will fold flat the pants and shirts together. You can probably find it online. I think packing less is important on such a mighty journey. Having to lug lots of luggage on the trains is no fun. and packing less is an art for sure that takes time and experience to figure out!

hz80408 · March 2012

GilliC:
PittPurple:

GilliC:

Condoms go in a small pocket along the liner, just because it's the right size and I always know where they're at (actually I usually just leave some in that pocket all the time, so I don't have to worry about packing them).

I like your style GilliC!

You never know the importance of these things until you forget to pack them in a place with no 24-hour pharmacies nearby!

Lol, I do love that condoms have their own category/designation for where they are to be packed

mavjen · March 2012

I "hang" my clothes in my roller garment bag and use dry cleaner bags for wrinkle prone items. I fold and roll the rest on top and on the sides in any gaps.

I just really wanted to wish you an amazing vacation, hz!!

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