Katie and Pierce
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of travel, but it doesn’t have to be! With these simple tips on the best way to pack a suitcase, you’ll be able to bring everything you need while keeping things organized and wrinkle-free.
Let’s dive into the best ways to maximize space in your luggage!
1. Choose the Right Luggage
Start with a good foundation! Look for lightweight, hard-sided suitcases with smart organizational features inside. Hard-sided luggage tends to be lighter than fabric options and protects your belongings better. Plus, many modern suitcases come with helpful dividers and pockets built right in.
If you travel frequently, investing in quality luggage will save you headaches for years to come. Also consider bags with expandable sections that give you flexibility for bringing home souvenirs.
2. Start With Absolute Must-Haves First
Begin packing with the items you absolutely cannot travel without and things you can’t easily buy at your destination. This includes medications, underwear, comfortable walking shoes, and any special items specific to your trip. Once these essentials are packed, you’ll know exactly how much space you have left for everything else.
This approach helps prevent the panic of realizing you’ve run out of room for your non-negotiable items. Think of it as securing your basics before adding the extras.
3. Plan Outfits Ahead of Time
Check your itinerary and the weather forecast for your destination before deciding what to bring. Think about what activities you’ll be doing each day and plan complete outfits accordingly. This prevents the “just in case” items that take up valuable space but never get worn. Taking photos of planned outfits on your phone can be super helpful when it’s time to get dressed on your trip. Most people wear only about 60% of what they pack, so thoughtful planning can significantly reduce what you need to bring.
4. Stick With One Color Palette
Choose clothes in complementary colors that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. This way, you can pack fewer items while still having plenty of outfit options. Neutral colors like black, white, navy, tan, and gray work well together and can be dressed up or down with accessories.
Having a coordinated color scheme also means you can pack fewer shoes and accessories since everything works together. You’ll look more put together in photos too, which is a nice bonus!
5. Use Packing Cubes Organized By Category
Packing cubes are game changers! Sort your clothes by category (shirts in one cube, pants in another, etc.) or by outfit. Not only do they compress your clothes to save space, but they also keep everything organized throughout your trip. No more digging through your entire suitcase to find that one shirt! They also make unpacking at your destination super quick and easy.
Many travelers find that using packing cubes alone can reduce their clothing volume by 20-30%, which is like getting free space in your suitcase.
6. Roll Clothes Instead of Folding Them
Rolling your clothes instead of folding them saves space and helps prevent wrinkles. For extra efficiency, roll items tightly and secure them with rubber bands if needed. This technique works especially well for t-shirts, casual pants, and underwear.
The rolling method also makes it easier to see all your clothing options at once when you open your suitcase. For dress shirts or blouses that wrinkle easily, try the bundle wrapping technique where you wrap them around a soft core item.
7. Use Compression Bags for Bulky Items
For bulky items like sweaters, jackets, and jeans, compression bags are your best friend. These special bags let you squeeze out excess air, dramatically reducing the space these items take up. Just be mindful of weight limits if you’re flying!
Compression bags can reduce the volume of puffy items by up to 80% in some cases. They’re especially useful for winter travel when bulky clothing is essential but takes up tons of space.
8. Utilize Every Inch of Space With a Tetris-Like Approach
Think of packing like playing Tetris. Fill in all the gaps and crevices in your suitcase with smaller items like socks, chargers, or travel bottles. Nothing wastes space more than empty pockets of air in your luggage. Belt coils can fill circular spaces, and socks can be stuffed into corners that would otherwise go unused. This strategy works best as a final step after you’ve placed all your larger items, helping you make use of every square inch.
9. Pack Only Essential Clothes Using a Capsule Wardrobe Approach
A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of versatile pieces that work well together. Pick items that can be worn multiple times in different combinations. Remember, most people pack way more clothes than they actually wear on a trip! Multi-purpose items like a sarong (which can be a beach cover-up, scarf, blanket, or wrap skirt) are especially valuable space-savers.
Consider the rule of three: for each clothing category, bring three options that can be mixed and matched.
10. Pare Down Toiletries to Daily Essentials Only
Be honest with yourself about which toiletries you use every day versus those “just in case” items. Many hotels provide basic toiletries, or you can buy them at your destination if needed. For the items you do bring, make sure they’re travel-sized. Consider creating a travel toiletry kit that stays packed and ready to go between trips to make packing faster. Remember that less-used items like face masks or special treatments can usually be skipped for a week or two without any issues.
11. Invest in Refillable Containers for Toiletries
Instead of buying new travel-sized products for every trip, invest in a set of refillable containers that you can fill with your favorite products from home. This saves money, reduces waste, and lets you customize exactly what you bring.
Look for containers with secure lids that won’t leak and consider silicone options that can compress as the contents are used. Labeling them will save you from the confusion of trying to remember which unmarked bottle contains what product when you’re bleary-eyed from travel.
12. Stuff Shoes With Smaller Items Like Socks and Underwear
Don’t let the empty space inside your shoes go to waste! Stuff them with socks, underwear, or other small items. This not only saves space but also helps your shoes keep their shape during travel. Shoe space is especially good for fragile items that need protection, like sunglasses or small electronics. For extra cleanliness, place your socks or underwear in small bags or plastic wrap before stuffing them into shoes.
13. Lay Shoes Heel to Toe With Soles Facing Outward
Place your shoes in your suitcase the way they come in a shoebox, with the heel of one nestled against the toe of the other. Position them with the soles facing the sides of your suitcase to avoid getting dirt on your clothes.
This arrangement creates a more compact shape that fits efficiently into your luggage. For extra protection, place shoes in dust bags or shower caps to keep dirt contained and prevent them from snagging delicate clothing.
14. Know What Belongs in Personal Item vs. Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage
Be strategic about what goes where. Put valuables, electronics, medications, and a change of clothes in your personal item or carry-on. Save bulkier, less essential items for checked baggage if you’re checking a bag.
Your personal item should contain anything you might need during the flight, while your carry-on should have enough essentials to get you through a day or two if your checked luggage is delayed. This distribution strategy also helps balance weight across your bags, making them easier to handle.
15. Wear Your Bulkiest Items on the Plane
Save space in your luggage by wearing your bulkiest items while traveling. This includes your heaviest shoes, jacket, sweater, and jeans. As a bonus, you’ll be prepared for chilly airplane cabins! Layering clothes also gives you flexibility when transitioning between different climates or temperature-controlled environments.
If you get too warm, you can always remove layers and store them in the overhead bin during your flight.
16. Pack Versatile Accessories That Work With Multiple Outfits
Choose accessories that complement multiple outfits rather than packing specific pieces for each look. A neutral scarf, a simple necklace, or versatile earrings can transform basic outfits without taking up much space.
Accessories are also the perfect way to add pops of color to a neutral wardrobe without taking up much room. Consider accessories that serve multiple purposes, like a scarf that can also be a beach cover-up or an evening wrap.
17. Try On Outfits Before Packing Them
This might seem like extra work, but it’s worth it! Try on complete outfits before packing to make sure everything fits well and looks good together. Sometimes outfits we imagine don’t work as well in reality.
Taking quick photos of each successful outfit combination helps you remember how pieces work together when you’re getting dressed on your trip. This pre-trip “fashion show” can also help you identify gaps in your planned wardrobe or items that aren’t as versatile as you thought.
18. Maximize Your Airline’s Carry-On Size Allowances
Know the exact dimensions allowed for carry-on luggage by your airline and choose a suitcase that makes the most of those limits. Different airlines have different restrictions, so check before you travel if you’re trying to avoid checking a bag. Some budget airlines have significantly smaller size allowances than major carriers, which can result in unexpected fees if you’re not prepared. Soft-sided bags can sometimes squeeze into tight spaces more easily than rigid ones, giving you a bit of flexibility.
