There are two types of travelers: Those who have mastered the
technique of packing and those who have not.
Packing a suitcase, though it sounds elementary, can turn into a
giant jigsaw puzzle of cramming T-shirts, flip-flops and leaky
shampoo bottles into a finite box
– if you don’t have a game plan.
There are two types of travelers: Those who have mastered the technique of packing and those who have not.
Packing a suitcase, though it sounds elementary, can turn into a giant jigsaw puzzle of cramming T-shirts, flip-flops and leaky shampoo bottles into a finite box – if you don’t have a game plan. Organization can go a long way in making sure you look presentable during your time away from home.
Before diving into packing, start with a strategy, said Linda Daughnbaugh, a travel agent with Fast Travel in Hollister. Make an item-by-item checklist, and include clothes that are interchangeable or can be worn in layers. Also, roll T-shirts to conserve space and keep them from getting creases, she said.
The most common tip Daughnbaugh recommends to clients?
“Don’t overpack,” she said. “Take only what you need.”
When packing, fold items neatly and compactly, placing shoes wrapped in a plastic bag on the floor of the suitcase and undergarments, socks and other items that can afford to be squished near the handle, as that space can be awkward and hard to fill, said Amy White, store manager at the Samsonite Co. Store in the Gilroy Premium Outlets.
The store carries a variety of luggage lines and travel accessories.
Several luggage companies, such as Eagle Creek and Samsonite, make suitcases and bags with built-in compartments to help keep travelers organized.
White recommended Eagle Creek’s line of travel cubes, which are mesh nylon containers that zip up and fit inside suitcases.
“The cubes are ideal for T-shirts and undergarments,” White said. “They’re especially helpful when (Transportation Security Administration) officials go through your bags. The cubes help keep everything easy to put back in the suitcase as organized as possible.”
White also recommended using space-saver vacuum bags made by Samsonite and other luggage makers, which help shrink bulky sweaters, jackets, coats and even blankets and pillows.
The transparent bags squeeze out excess air through a one-way valve, leaving more room to pack more items, White said.
Toiletries, on the other hand, don’t need anything fancier than a plastic bag that seals and locks. Pack the toiletry bag on the floor of the suitcase so the weight doesn’t wrinkle clothing.
If you just can’t get the hang of folding, consider a different wardrobe for traveling.
Certain fabrics such as polyester and twill, for the most part, are wrinkle resistant, said Rita Del Pozzo, a saleswoman at Dick Bruhn clothing store in Hollister. Modern technology has aided the hurried traveler, as several clothing companies such as Dockers and Tommy Bahama make wrinkle-resistant pants and shirts in cotton and silk. Also available are foldable hats that aren’t crushed easily in a suitcase.
Wrinkle-free sprays can be used on almost any fabric to eliminate wrinkles, odors and static without ironing or steaming, Del Pozzo said.
The sprays do not stain and are sold in bottles that easily slip into a suitcase. To use, lay clothes flat on a bed or table or hang them in a closet before spraying. Wait a minute or two and smooth out the wrinkles.
Another packing trick Del Pozzo suggested was to place tissue paper in between layers of clothing in the suitcase. That way, the separate fabrics rub against a smooth surface rather than other fabrics, decreasing the chance of wrinkling.
The American Society of Travel Agents also offers several additional tips for space-savvy packing, such as checking the forecast and keeping tabs on the social customs of where you’re headed.
Packing oversized sweaters “just in case” is a waste of space in warm weather, and wearing a tank top and cut-off shorts might prevent you from entering churches or other respected establishments.
Streamline daily habits so you’re packing one bottle of all-purpose lotion instead of multiple bottles for hands, feet, face and body, the society suggests.
Bring a regular toothbrush instead of the bulkier electric models, and forego the hairdryer unless you know your hotel won’t provide one.
Even then, most drugstores or beauty stores sell miniature hairdryers that occupy about half the space than their regular-sized counterparts.
Other tips require effort but a little less planning. For example, unpack as completely as possible once you get to your hotel or other destination to prevent further wrinkling.
When repacking, fold your clothes again, even if they’re dirty. Balled-up laundry will take up more space and create awkward bumps in your luggage.
