7 packing tips from the pros
Everyone loves travel but few enjoy the tedium of packing for your vacation, holiday or backpacking adventure. Likewise, people who frequently travel for business find the task of living out of a suitcase somewhat cumbersome from time to time. Unfortunately, packing is a necessary evil that is paid in exchange for the option to explore the world.
The good news is that packing doesn’t have to be a pain. By learning a few hacks, packing becomes less of a chore.
- Roll ‘Em Up
Roll your clothes when packing them into your suitcase. Not only does this save space in your suitcase, it also prevents wrinkling in your clothing. You can even roll your shirts around your socks and underwear for even more space-saving savvy.
- Get Yourself a Nice Suitcase
A good suitcase is worth its weight in gold, especially if you are a frequent traveler. However, you don’t have to spend like a jet-setting celebrity in order to get a sturdy suitcase. High tech luggage should be durable, ergonomic, economical, and space efficient. Rimowa luggage is known for its grooves, which have since made it “an international symbol for German quality.”
Choose the right type of bag for you.
- Mark It ‘Fragile’
Mark your bag as ‘fragile’ even if it’s just full of clothing. This ensures that your suitcase is handled more carefully. Most airlines also stack bags marked ‘fragile’ on the top of a luggage stack, which means that those bags are usually the first to be released once you touch down at your destination. Which, of course, means less time at the baggage claim for you.
- Tread Lightly
When it comes to packing a suitcase for economy and practicality, it is possible to pack lightly. Mix and match dress coordinates so you can have multiple ensembles to choose from while utilizing just a few versatile pieces. Generally speaking, you are covered by simply packing a pair of black shoes and a pair of brown shoes. Shoes take up loads of space and weigh your bag down, so finding a few pairs that will match some choice togs will maximize the space available in your suitcase.
- Bag it Up
Save garment bags that you get from the dry cleaner and dust bags for protective purposes. If you have a nice outfit that you want to keep clean and neat, pack it in a garment bag, and carefully fold it into your suitcase. Dust bags are perfect for protecting your shoes. If you’re packing a pair of sneakers, a dust bag is a must for safeguarding your clothing from dirt.
- Carrying Chargers and Cables
Neatly wind up your chargers and necessary cables. Keep them tight by placing a rubber band around them. Store them in an old sunglasses case to ensure your cables are all in one easy-to-find place. You’ll thank yourself for this one later.
- Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh
This tip is as simple as packing a dryer sheet or two in your suitcase after you’ve finished packing. Dryer sheets can carry scent with them for several days, so it’s likely a few will last you for the trip to your destination, and on the way back, too.
Packing and unpacking is a cinch when you know the best tricks. Most of these hacks are designed to keep you organized while still traveling lightly. In this day and age when most airlines charge per bag and some even have a weight limit, packing lightly and efficiently is imperative. Plus, being organized will help ensure a less stressful trip in the long run. So you can actually enjoy your vacation; which is the whole point, right?