The best way to pack a suitcase
September 24, 2015 4:17 PM Subscribe
After six months abroad, I will soon be making my way back home again. Since my old suitcase was starting to fall apart, I decided to get myself a new, bigger suitcase. One that I could fit my winter jacket into, so that I don't ever have to deal with a jacket being stolen from an overhead luggage compartment again. But how can I make the most of the features of my new suitcase?
I bought the biggest suitcase of this set of three. As you can hopefully see from the pictures, it has two pockets on the front - one big, one small - and a "secret" pocket under the lid (which for some reason I assume is for underwear?). My old suitcase had no pockets and before that I used to travel with a backpack, so I'm baffled by what to do with all these fancy new features.
How do I make the most of these pockets?
What are your top packing tips for making sure that nothing gets broken/toiletries don't leak/your clothes are wearable when you land?
I think I am generally okay at packing, but I would like to become amazing at it.
My plan is to launder most of my clothes before packing them. Anything that is dirty will be put in a plastic bag before being put in the suitcase. And I usually roll clothes to make the most of space.
In case it makes a difference, the main part of the suitcase includes a lock and I have one small lock that I can use for one of the front pockets.
I bought the biggest suitcase of this set of three. As you can hopefully see from the pictures, it has two pockets on the front - one big, one small - and a "secret" pocket under the lid (which for some reason I assume is for underwear?). My old suitcase had no pockets and before that I used to travel with a backpack, so I'm baffled by what to do with all these fancy new features.
How do I make the most of these pockets?
What are your top packing tips for making sure that nothing gets broken/toiletries don't leak/your clothes are wearable when you land?
I think I am generally okay at packing, but I would like to become amazing at it.
My plan is to launder most of my clothes before packing them. Anything that is dirty will be put in a plastic bag before being put in the suitcase. And I usually roll clothes to make the most of space.
In case it makes a difference, the main part of the suitcase includes a lock and I have one small lock that I can use for one of the front pockets.
Do yourself a favor and search around for a set of these in various sizes.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:23 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by humboldt32 at 5:23 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: THAT IS THE BEST POCKET. Especially if your suitcase has an expandy front to it (does it? I can't tell)
The suitcase does have an expandy front! I should have mentioned that.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:46 PM on September 24, 2015
The suitcase does have an expandy front! I should have mentioned that.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:46 PM on September 24, 2015
kinddieserzeit: "and a "secret" pocket under the lid (which for some reason I assume is for underwear?)."
I think the intent is to separate your dirty laundry from your clean ... or whatever method you may wish to use to separate your laundry. Sometimes I pack me-stuff in the big part and kid-stuff in the small part.
For the outer pockets, it's better to pack them flatter, and with stuff that isn't very stealable. If I'm carrying on, I usually stuff a couple of magazines or books there, so I can swap out easily during travel. Also good for paper souveniers.
And those ebags packing cubes are AMAZING, I just bought a second set a couple weeks ago. (I've had the first set for ten years and I thought, hey, it'd be great if I had different color cubes to separate my children's stuff when I pack.) I definitely +1 that suggestion.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:53 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think the intent is to separate your dirty laundry from your clean ... or whatever method you may wish to use to separate your laundry. Sometimes I pack me-stuff in the big part and kid-stuff in the small part.
For the outer pockets, it's better to pack them flatter, and with stuff that isn't very stealable. If I'm carrying on, I usually stuff a couple of magazines or books there, so I can swap out easily during travel. Also good for paper souveniers.
And those ebags packing cubes are AMAZING, I just bought a second set a couple weeks ago. (I've had the first set for ten years and I thought, hey, it'd be great if I had different color cubes to separate my children's stuff when I pack.) I definitely +1 that suggestion.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:53 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
The outside pocket is perfect for paper or anything flat and not valuable. Especially because that way there are several layers of suitcase material (hopefully waterproof) separating your papers from toiletries and so on, just in case you do have a leak. (I always put my toiletries in double zip-lock bags, anyway, just in case. You can get very large ones for larger items.)
posted by lollusc at 6:20 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lollusc at 6:20 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
The choice of what to do with the pockets depends on what you'll be doing with the suitcase before and afterwards. For example, if you need access to your coat either before or afterwards, the big pocket on the outside would be a great place to put it. If you won't need it though, then it can go on the bottom inside.
I generally put my umbrella or wet weather gear and house keys in the front small pocket. House keys, because I have stood at my front door after a long trip staring at my suitcase as I realised I had no idea where they were. Also, any useful documents, address, phone numbers, itineraries etc. Nothing that should be kept secure obviously. Don't put anything in the front pockets that can't take a serious beating.
What type of packing are you doing? By the time I've finished a big trip, I'm usually mostly in the 'tessellation' mode of packing, aka fit as much in as possible. This is very, very different to the 'access' mode of packing, which emphasises putting the useful things on top, and making it easy to find a shirt without unpacking the whole thing.
Tessellation packing: First I put aside anything I might want to get at during travel to the airport or soon after landing eg. umbrella, keys, things to declare. Also, my sponge bag and pajamas almost always go in last, unless it's a late flight. (I've never had a toiletries leak - I keep them all packed pretty tightly in a soft sided, plastic lined sponge bag, no glass). I generally put my shoes at the bottom against the sides, stuffing them with (preferably dirty) socks or undies, in a plastic bag if they are dirty (except if I've been on a farm, and australian quarantine might want to look at them, then they go on the top). Then the bottom of the suitcase gets a decent layer of clothes, and I start tessellating in the inflexibles and the breakables. Heavy things, eg bottles of wine, go towards the wheel end of the suitcase to make it easier to pull. Breakables get wrapped in clothes and fitted in next to stuff that is a similar shape, preferably towards the centre of the suitcase. Extra clothes get lain against the sides to help pad things. I've never understood the "roll, don't fold" thing - it must be for people who don't buy breakable souvenirs, I often run out of clothes to use as padding. As I get to the top I start considering the things I've put aside and make spaces for them. It may take a couple of goes to fit things in, I generally try to do it the night before and give myself a couple of hours. The main problem I have is that if I do it too well, I often go over weight limits even with my pretty small suitcase. I could easily fit more than I could lift into a suitcase the size of yours.
For access packing, I like to use suitcase bags. You can sort by type of clothing, and/or separate your clothes into outfits. This is how I pack at the begining of a holiday. It takes more space, but is faster and more efficient. Annoyingly shaped inflexible things get put between the bags with a bit of a wiggle to make a hole they can fit in, or I pack them a bag with other annoyingly shaped things. Breakables I keep in their packaging, and wrap in bubble wrap or rarely used clothing.
posted by kjs4 at 6:33 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I generally put my umbrella or wet weather gear and house keys in the front small pocket. House keys, because I have stood at my front door after a long trip staring at my suitcase as I realised I had no idea where they were. Also, any useful documents, address, phone numbers, itineraries etc. Nothing that should be kept secure obviously. Don't put anything in the front pockets that can't take a serious beating.
What type of packing are you doing? By the time I've finished a big trip, I'm usually mostly in the 'tessellation' mode of packing, aka fit as much in as possible. This is very, very different to the 'access' mode of packing, which emphasises putting the useful things on top, and making it easy to find a shirt without unpacking the whole thing.
Tessellation packing: First I put aside anything I might want to get at during travel to the airport or soon after landing eg. umbrella, keys, things to declare. Also, my sponge bag and pajamas almost always go in last, unless it's a late flight. (I've never had a toiletries leak - I keep them all packed pretty tightly in a soft sided, plastic lined sponge bag, no glass). I generally put my shoes at the bottom against the sides, stuffing them with (preferably dirty) socks or undies, in a plastic bag if they are dirty (except if I've been on a farm, and australian quarantine might want to look at them, then they go on the top). Then the bottom of the suitcase gets a decent layer of clothes, and I start tessellating in the inflexibles and the breakables. Heavy things, eg bottles of wine, go towards the wheel end of the suitcase to make it easier to pull. Breakables get wrapped in clothes and fitted in next to stuff that is a similar shape, preferably towards the centre of the suitcase. Extra clothes get lain against the sides to help pad things. I've never understood the "roll, don't fold" thing - it must be for people who don't buy breakable souvenirs, I often run out of clothes to use as padding. As I get to the top I start considering the things I've put aside and make spaces for them. It may take a couple of goes to fit things in, I generally try to do it the night before and give myself a couple of hours. The main problem I have is that if I do it too well, I often go over weight limits even with my pretty small suitcase. I could easily fit more than I could lift into a suitcase the size of yours.
For access packing, I like to use suitcase bags. You can sort by type of clothing, and/or separate your clothes into outfits. This is how I pack at the begining of a holiday. It takes more space, but is faster and more efficient. Annoyingly shaped inflexible things get put between the bags with a bit of a wiggle to make a hole they can fit in, or I pack them a bag with other annoyingly shaped things. Breakables I keep in their packaging, and wrap in bubble wrap or rarely used clothing.
posted by kjs4 at 6:33 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am just going to add a caution: develop a system that works for you. When you have multiple pockets it is very easy to tuck something away in a hurry, and then have to check 12 f'ing pockets to find it again.
Think about where you are going to be and what the situation is going to be the next time you want the item. If you are packing your headache pills and antacids, you will likely want them accessible. So even though I normally stash medicines in my make up bag in the big section,I make sure that I have a supply where I can reach them. My hair dryer, not so much. It can go deep.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:09 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Think about where you are going to be and what the situation is going to be the next time you want the item. If you are packing your headache pills and antacids, you will likely want them accessible. So even though I normally stash medicines in my make up bag in the big section,I make sure that I have a supply where I can reach them. My hair dryer, not so much. It can go deep.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:09 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've never had toiletries leak, they go in a washbag and that's that. In fact I've been known to throw random tubes and bottles in if I realise I've forgotten something.
Unless clothes are wet/covered in something gross I don't generally put the dirty clothes in plastic bags.
I have been known to do laundry at the last minute and pack wet clothes, in a plastic bag, and dried stuff at my destination.
Shoe bags are a thing and they are brilliant, for some reason they feel much nicer than random carrier bags to wrap your shoes in and they last for ever. Diirty clothes can also be used to wrap shoes for that matter.
On my last trip I packed no less than 5 medium bottles of fancy balsamic vinegar and a mug in my checked luggage and everything arrived intact - one transatlantic flight and a short hop to final destination. I have a hard shelled suitcase and started by placing my microfibres towel in the bottom of the case, folded in half. I then slotted rolled clothes and bottles in between them. Worked really well. The bottles were wrapped in a sheet of paper as well. But they even inspected my suitcase, possibly because of the bottles, and the layering system remained intact as well. Over the years I've also checked bottles of wine and camera equipment and all kinds of things that are allegedly fragile. The only thing that ever broke was a bottle of Baileys, in a ver cheap, nasty, soft bag - I blame the bag.
So really, got to work out what works for you. But yes, weight distribution. In that particular design you do not want all or even most of the heavy stuff on top, on the end of the handle in particular. But anywhere on top will destabilise it.
Also, large cases are great but don't be the person with the large case that is so heavy that they cannot manoeuvre it, navigate stairs and that you need to be able to lift bag into scales for check in and off the luggage belt and onto/off public transport.
ziplock bags have innumerable uses when travelling. Always pack some. And those small comfort bags you sometimes get on planes with socks and ear buds and such - if they are even remotely reusable they are brilliant for keeping such things as charger cables etc together and neat so keep them. If I fly for work I sometimes get to fly business class and these ones have lasted for years but even much more basic economy class ones have had months of daily use in my work bag for example, to keep my phone charger and odds and ends like that together where I can find them.
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:50 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Unless clothes are wet/covered in something gross I don't generally put the dirty clothes in plastic bags.
I have been known to do laundry at the last minute and pack wet clothes, in a plastic bag, and dried stuff at my destination.
Shoe bags are a thing and they are brilliant, for some reason they feel much nicer than random carrier bags to wrap your shoes in and they last for ever. Diirty clothes can also be used to wrap shoes for that matter.
On my last trip I packed no less than 5 medium bottles of fancy balsamic vinegar and a mug in my checked luggage and everything arrived intact - one transatlantic flight and a short hop to final destination. I have a hard shelled suitcase and started by placing my microfibres towel in the bottom of the case, folded in half. I then slotted rolled clothes and bottles in between them. Worked really well. The bottles were wrapped in a sheet of paper as well. But they even inspected my suitcase, possibly because of the bottles, and the layering system remained intact as well. Over the years I've also checked bottles of wine and camera equipment and all kinds of things that are allegedly fragile. The only thing that ever broke was a bottle of Baileys, in a ver cheap, nasty, soft bag - I blame the bag.
So really, got to work out what works for you. But yes, weight distribution. In that particular design you do not want all or even most of the heavy stuff on top, on the end of the handle in particular. But anywhere on top will destabilise it.
Also, large cases are great but don't be the person with the large case that is so heavy that they cannot manoeuvre it, navigate stairs and that you need to be able to lift bag into scales for check in and off the luggage belt and onto/off public transport.
ziplock bags have innumerable uses when travelling. Always pack some. And those small comfort bags you sometimes get on planes with socks and ear buds and such - if they are even remotely reusable they are brilliant for keeping such things as charger cables etc together and neat so keep them. If I fly for work I sometimes get to fly business class and these ones have lasted for years but even much more basic economy class ones have had months of daily use in my work bag for example, to keep my phone charger and odds and ends like that together where I can find them.
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:50 PM on September 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I found that packing all my clothes in giant freezer bags and squeezing the air out kept everything nice and compact and trivial to sort like books. I switched back to carrying it all in a backpack again!
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 4:57 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 4:57 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: The main problem I have is that if I do it too well, I often go over weight limits even with my pretty small suitcase. I could easily fit more than I could lift into a suitcase the size of yours.
This is a really good point, and something that I will need to pay attention to because I'm not used to suitcases this big. At this stage it's looking like that the items that have made me need the bigger suitcase are more bulky than heavy, so I'm hoping that it won't end up completely ridiculous. I also won't be using expandy front feature, so that should keep me somewhat in check.
Now to track down some packing cubes and other nifty items!
posted by kinddieserzeit at 8:38 AM on September 25, 2015
This is a really good point, and something that I will need to pay attention to because I'm not used to suitcases this big. At this stage it's looking like that the items that have made me need the bigger suitcase are more bulky than heavy, so I'm hoping that it won't end up completely ridiculous. I also won't be using expandy front feature, so that should keep me somewhat in check.
Now to track down some packing cubes and other nifty items!
posted by kinddieserzeit at 8:38 AM on September 25, 2015
What are your top packing tips for making sure... your clothes are wearable when you land?
Bundle packing is what I use. It's the only way I have found I can get a suit and pressed shirts reliably to a destination wrinkle-free without a suit bag. I've tried other folding techniques, I've tried rolling, I've tried suitcase bags. Bundling then unpacking upon arrival and hanging works best. I usually use shoes as the center of the bundle.
If you've had a really long trip, and the clothes have spent a lot of time in a bag, steaming on arrival can help get lines out. You can buy hand steamers, or use a hotel iron, but a very simple method is to hang the item in the bathroom while taking a hot shower.
Rolling works great for things that are smaller and is a great way to keep items easily accessible. I find bags inside the suitcase too fussy for me, with the exception of shoe bags---they're necessary. I do generally just use a plastic shopping bag though. But, big zippy bags work great for this and are much cheaper than the luggage store ones. I'm a bit of a zip-lock bag fanatic when it comes to packing small items. I usually keep a bunch of extras in my bag.
Having multiple pockets or compartments is also a great way to manage dirty/clean. My bag has three big pockets, allowing me to move items from dirty to clean pockets, especially for shirts and underthings (the center pocket is for the suit bundle).
As I mostly travel carry on only, I usually need to have liquids etc. accessible, so that goes in the outside pockets. It's not a bad idea to do that with checked luggage either, in case you want a tissue or a headache pill or even to brush your teeth quick at the airport.
posted by bonehead at 2:03 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bundle packing is what I use. It's the only way I have found I can get a suit and pressed shirts reliably to a destination wrinkle-free without a suit bag. I've tried other folding techniques, I've tried rolling, I've tried suitcase bags. Bundling then unpacking upon arrival and hanging works best. I usually use shoes as the center of the bundle.
If you've had a really long trip, and the clothes have spent a lot of time in a bag, steaming on arrival can help get lines out. You can buy hand steamers, or use a hotel iron, but a very simple method is to hang the item in the bathroom while taking a hot shower.
Rolling works great for things that are smaller and is a great way to keep items easily accessible. I find bags inside the suitcase too fussy for me, with the exception of shoe bags---they're necessary. I do generally just use a plastic shopping bag though. But, big zippy bags work great for this and are much cheaper than the luggage store ones. I'm a bit of a zip-lock bag fanatic when it comes to packing small items. I usually keep a bunch of extras in my bag.
Having multiple pockets or compartments is also a great way to manage dirty/clean. My bag has three big pockets, allowing me to move items from dirty to clean pockets, especially for shirts and underthings (the center pocket is for the suit bundle).
As I mostly travel carry on only, I usually need to have liquids etc. accessible, so that goes in the outside pockets. It's not a bad idea to do that with checked luggage either, in case you want a tissue or a headache pill or even to brush your teeth quick at the airport.
posted by bonehead at 2:03 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
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If that pocket is anything like the very similar looking one on my suitcase, THAT IS THE BEST POCKET. Especially if your suitcase has an expandy front to it (does it? I can't tell). I pack nearly all of my clothes in there, folded not rolled, and it's amazingly great at keeping those things neat and tidy and preventing them from squishing around. My "secret" pocket can hold a prodigious amount of stuff, so it's really great.
Then I use the rest of my suitcase for, well, everything else that's weird shaped. Toiletry bag. Souvenirs/gifts. The crappable clothes like underpants and pjs and leggings and socks that can be bunched around and used as filler to protect the aforementioned souvenirs. And so on.
It was years of traveling before I realized how to use that pocket most effectively for me (I honestly have no idea if this is the standard use of that pocket) and now I'm just like dude what was I even thinking before. I can fit probably 1.5-2x as much in the same suitcase now as before using that pocket how I do.
Oh, also, another benefit is that by putting ONLY neatly folded clothes in that top lid pocket and leaving the bulk of the suitcase for the weird stuff, TSA leaves my clothes alone if they decide they need to root through my bag. Much less disruptive.
posted by phunniemee at 4:52 PM on September 24, 2015 [2 favorites]