Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Packing Tips: Tried and True
I'm an overpacker. I read the missives about how to pack less, but my adage is, better safe than sorry. Here are some things I've found that help when I'm packing to deal with my excess.
With the number of allowable pounds per bag dropping, for instance on Sky Bus it's 50, if you are going to be buying souvenirs, presents and great deals you can't pass up while on vacation, pack an extra duffle bag. This way, if you get to the airport and find out you are overweight, you can unload some of the items and repack them in your extra bag. Last year, I used this method in the Denver airport. I have no qualms about repacking at the side of the check-in line.
- When packing toilet paper, take out the tube. That way it squishes down to a smaller size. Put toilet paper in a ziplock bag though so it doesn't shred.
- Stuff socks into shoes. Put shoes in plastic bags and place them, soles out, at each side of the suitcase.
- Roll up T-shirts as tightly as you can. They take up less room that way. Rolling up underwear works too. Underwear can also fit inside shoes.
- Buy travel size shampoos and lotions so you can throw out the bottles as they are used up. Put them into small ziplock bags so that if they leak you won't have a mess.
Here are some other packing tips from Travel Sense. And one last tip, when zipping up a suitcase, I always find sitting on it helps.
Related Articles From Gadling
- What to pack: Going light doesn't have to mean going without
3 days ago
- A look at the Sunday travel sections
137 days ago
- How To Buy A Backpack
151 days ago
Related Articles From Our Lifestyle Network
- What's Keeping You from Getting Healthy This Year?
190 days ago
- Diets need a day off, too
251 days ago
- 5 things you should be doing with water
317 days ago
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Marilyn Terrell Jul 6th 2007 7:49AM
If you're concerned about luggage weight allowances, ditch the wheels and use a backpack, which travels better over cobbled streets, says packing guru OneBag:
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com/it/2007/02/ahead_of_the_pa.html#more
Stan Michael Jul 7th 2007 9:05AM
Who in the world packs toilet paper in their baggage?
joseph kudner Jul 17th 2008 11:25AM
Have you ever been to South Ozone Park?
Deb Jul 17th 2008 11:23AM
Whoa! This is 'AMAZINGLY' STUPID. Yeah a back pack IS a way to 'work it'.
After having 'baggage' transferred from ports the World over--OK I was a 'lucky one' after my Fathers funeral ( living in Berlin,Christmas time, two infants en route to So CA) My 'stuff' came .Business trip to N. Carolina--same .
LEARNING to pack is an art that WAS NOT even described in this redundant piece of GARBAGE.
WHO -- I mean REALLY-- toilet paper---Stay at 'home'...idiots---sssssssh...oops!
Sha la la la la GRINS!
BBB Oct 13th 2008 3:30PM
If your laughing at packing toilet paper and then say your a world traveler, then your world is way smaller than mine!
jcsh12 Oct 13th 2008 10:39PM
Someone whom is obviously full of it!!!
Jamie Rhein Jul 7th 2007 9:07AM
I do. Trust me. There are some places where it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll go anywhere as long as I can take Charmin. Just kidding about the brand.
Susan Apr 3rd 2009 7:46AM
There are places where you would need your Charmin. So, I pack a couple. I don't like to miss my baby.
Jay Jul 10th 2007 9:52PM
The best way to pack is using packing cubes.
Love my backback for short or long trips. About a 60Liter pack for a week is good.
http://www.ebags.com/ebags/packing_cubes_3pc_set/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13032
MsLoriLove Sep 10th 2007 12:49AM
I can only assume that Stan has never been camping. ;)
cbct Jun 8th 2008 8:58PM
I can only assume Stan has never been to China either!
cbct Jun 8th 2008 8:59PM
Putting breakables and even liquids in or between your shoes (after first placing in a ziploc bag) will minimize damage, and placing them soles sideways and out will add to the stiffness of the walls of the bag.
steven Jul 16th 2008 2:31PM
You and others like you should be made to work as a luggage handler for 1 day in August in Phoenix! (Or any other airport at 100 degrees, no shade, and a 700 degree APU blowing at you)Morons like you would then learn you don't have to bring the kitchen sink and the rest of the house with you every time. IF THE BAG IS HEAVY FOR YOU... TRY HANDLING ABOUT 2000 MORE JUST LIKE IT. DON'T PACK 7 DAYS OF CRAP FOR A 2 DAY TRIP!! Next time, pack what you THINK you need, walk around with it 4 hours, then take all the junk you DON'T need out, walk around another 4 hours again, and take more out and it'll be just about right. Better yet, since you probably aren't going to take my advice, GO GREYHOUND!
Sparki Sep 22nd 2008 2:07AM
I don't feel sorry for you. That is your job. Don't like it, find a desk job, unless of course, you have to lift the desk. You knew when you took the job what it entailed. I'll take what I want when I travel. So there.
TravelMan Jul 16th 2008 4:33PM
To BaggageHandlerSteven,
Love the fact that you want to dictate what people travel with in their suitcases....The day we allow handlers to dictate packing requirements is the day I stop traveling.
What would be nice is to have handlers not steal things out of travelers luggage. Handlers are trusted to move the baggage not remove articles without authorization. (Note: A long time handler confirmed that this happens frequently.)
BTW - If you find the luggage weight limits too great for the hot AZ workdays then perhaps a different vocation is in order.
steven Jul 16th 2008 11:32PM
I'm not trying to dictate what you carry, just asking for a little common sense, which anymore seems to be all too uncommon with the travelling public. As for baggage pilferage, it unfortunately does happen, BUT, I can assure you, 99.95% of lost items from luggage is from overstuffed luggage popping open, broken zippers, zippers/latches not closed by the passenger which we don't have the time to close, worn out/broken luggage etc, etc, Things completely out of our control! You wouldn't believe the stuff laying around in the aircraft bins, cell phones, jewelery, cameras, I-pods, valuable things which with over 100 bags in the bin, we have no clue which one it came out of. We turn them into lost and found at the Police Dept. But of course, it's just too easy to blame the baggage handlers. Very, very few are thieves like your friend! Think about it, little man, the very LAST thing we want to do is reach into a bag full of dirty underwear!!
Tom Jul 16th 2008 5:23PM
I hand-carried, among other things, an almost empty can of shave cream thru security at Memphis, boarded a ship in Miami, and checked it thru customs upon returning to Miami. When going thru security at Miami, it was confiscated.
Why the discrepancy in security?
Deb Jul 17th 2008 11:18AM
Idiot. Toilet paper? Stay where you are, No one wants you WHERE EVER ----OMG. What an IDIOT!
Jamie Rhein Jul 17th 2008 11:22AM
Deb,
Have you even been to a place that doesn't have toilet paper? Plus, toilet paper can double as napkins.
nukediver Jul 25th 2008 8:42AM
Toilet paper is a no-brainer. I've needed it in Belarus, Papua New Guinea, some Caribbean islands, and even here in the States. Never underestimate toilet paper. Ever. As far as other things, I'm always amazed at how much CRAP people pack. I spend a lot of time scuba diving and doing underwater photography. I've never checked more than 2 bags (each about 35 pounds), and taken more than a small daypack on the plane. You don't need 3 outfits a day and 8 pairs of shoes. Granted, men have it a little easier, and we ladies have to be a little more creative with our wardrobes, but c'mon, do we REALLY need that much stuff??