The Packing Techniques That Actually Work

  1. 1

    Start with a packing list

    Lay out everything you think you need, then remove 20%. Most people pack too much — you will wear the same few items repeatedly. The packing list also prevents forgetting essentials in the rush to close the case.

  2. 2

    Roll soft clothes — do not fold them

    Rolling t-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks and activewear saves significant space compared to folding, and creates fewer wrinkles. Roll tightly from the bottom up. Place rolled items vertically in packing cubes or in rows so you can see everything at a glance.

  3. 3

    Bundle wrinkle-prone clothes

    For shirts, blazers and trousers that crease easily: the bundle packing method works well. Lay each garment flat, centred, alternating direction. Place something soft (a shirt or jumper) in the middle. Wrap each garment’s sleeves and legs around the core bundle. The layers protect each other from creasing.

  4. 4

    Pack shoes in corners and stuff socks inside them

    Shoes go in the corners near the wheels (the heaviest end, keeping the case balanced). Put socks and small items inside shoes to use every bit of space. Cover shoe soles with shower caps or plastic bags to keep them away from clothes.

  5. 5

    Heavy items at the bottom (wheel end)

    Pack the heaviest items — shoes, toiletry bags, books — at the wheel end of the suitcase. This keeps the case stable when rolling and prevents it tipping. Light, soft items go on top.

  6. 6

    Use packing cubes

    Packing cubes compress clothing and organise by category (one cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear). Finding specific items becomes instant rather than rifling through everything. Compression cubes squeeze out more air and save the most space.

  7. 7

    Fill every gap

    Stuff socks and underwear into shoes. Fill gaps between larger items with small soft items. Use the space inside hats (stuff with socks or fragile items to protect both). The goal is zero unused space.

Liquids and toiletriesPack toiletries in a clear zip-lock bag (required at airport security anyway). Tighten all lids and place upside down inside the bag — if anything leaks, the bag contains it. Decant to travel-size bottles for trips under a week rather than carrying full-size products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pack clothes clean and completely dry. Add a dryer sheet between layers. A small sachet of activated charcoal absorbs odours during travel. After arrival, hang clothes to air out before wearing. For longer trips, mix worn and clean clothes carefully — a small zip-lock bag for worn items keeps odours contained.
Yes — many experienced travellers do 2–3 week trips with carry-on only by choosing versatile items in a neutral colour palette, wearing their heaviest items on the plane, doing laundry once or twice, and using solid toiletries (no liquid restrictions). The limit is typically 7–10kg for carry-on baggage on most airlines. A 40L backpack is the most versatile carry-on for this approach.