Packing is a skill that not all of us have. Overpackers can attest to how difficult it is to fit all your belongings into one bag when you’re traveling. This is especially true for carry-on bags because they’re smaller and leave you with less space. If your carry-on is bursting at the seams and you need to find ways to save space, check out these packing hacks in preparation for your next trip.
Roll your Clothes
Don’t you dare throw those clothes in your bag haphazardly (we know it’s tempting). You’re going to wind up with a messy overflowing suitcase that you can’t find anything in. Folding your clothes isn’t the best way to pack them either.
Rolling your clothes before putting them in your carry-on is a huge space-saver. Roll them as tightly as you can to maximize your space and fit more important stuff in your bag. It will keep your things more organized and make it easier to pull them out when the time comes to wear them. Yes, it takes a little extra time. But it’s worth it!
Pack Largest Items First
Don’t start with the small stuff. Packing is like playing real life tetris. It might take a couple times to get it just right. The smaller items will be easier to find a home for later.
Pack your largest items first because they will take up the most space in your bag. You can find places in between the big items to fit your smaller necessities like toiletries and jewelry. Make sure you do without the filler items that you don’t need. As hard as it is, we can’t bring everything on our trip and some stuff will have to stay behind.
Use a Travel-Friendly Bag
One packing hack you might not have considered has to do with the bag itself rather than your packing skills. If you’re in need of a new carry-on or you’re struggling to fit your necessities into the one you already have, it might be time to buy a new one. And there are tons of options to choose from!
Companies make backpacks, bags, and suitcases that are made with travel in mind. They have compartments to organize your travel items and everything has its own spot. Some bags come with computer compartments and pockets for small items like your passport or cell phone. These bags will take some of the packing work out of it for you!
Be Aware of your Shoes
Shoes are one of the biggest space-wasters in your bag. Despite this fact, shoes are obviously essential. It’s a matter of “which shoes?”. You can’t bring every sneaker, boot, heel, and sandal in your closet, so how do you decide which to pack?
Think about your travel plans. Where are you going? What will you be doing? If you’re going to the beach, bring sandals. No matter what your destination is, we can assume you’ll be doing some walking, so comfortable sneakers are an absolute must! Just be intentional when packing footwear for your trip.
