Top 20 packing tips from the experts
No one likes packing for a holiday so we have got help from frequent flyers, a professional declutterer and even an Olympic athlete. And the recommendations will surprise you.
To roll or fold? Check-in or carry-on? They are dilemmas we face every time we go away. Selecting the right mix of clothing to fit within the confines of a suitcase is an art; throw in multiple destinations, climates, modes of transport and occasions, and no wonder it is something most travellers dread.
“For many this will be stating the obvious, but never start packing without a list,” says Kirsty Glenne, managing director of British luggage brand Antler. “It will help to ensure you don’t overpack, or forget any essentials.” She also advises writing the list a week before departure “so there’s plenty of time to remember things you might not normally need”.
There are many factors that influence what we pack. In contrast, how we pack should be a formulaic process, and certain techniques will save valuable time, space in your suitcase, and hassle during a trip.
Lay everything out on the bed
We are a nation of overpackers. A recent customer survey by Australian luggage brand July found the average Aussie will pack five pairs of underwear for a three-day jaunt. Data from a 2022 Allianz survey found 69 per cent of Australians never use all the clothing in their luggage and often forget about many of the items they have buried in their bag.
“Most people pack way more than they need, of pretty much everything,” says organisation and decluttering expert Amy Revell. She urges travellers to rethink how much they require. “Before you pack, lay everything out on the bed and see if things match, or whether you can replace single-purpose items with one multifunctional item,” she suggests.
Buy toiletries at the destination
Toiletries can add unnecessary weight to luggage, so check what soaps, hair products and personal care items are offered at your destination. MECCA make-up education manager Hannah Daniels says swapping full-sized bottles for travel-sized minis and multi-use products can cut the size and weight of a toiletries bag in half.
Take three outfits
Ben Angell, vice-president and managing director of Norwegian Cruise Line Asia Pacific , makes a strong case for curating a “travel uniform”.
“I have a formula I stick to, which is basically three outfit sets – one for work, one smart casual and one casual – with some crossover in between, so I can mix and match shirts with jeans for both work and leisure,” Angell says.
This combo, which fits into a carry-on suitcase, is his go-to for business trips, even those involving weeks abroad. “I just wash as I go,” he says. Angell, who flies internationally for work at least every other month, is an advocate of good old-fashioned folding. “I don’t use packing cubes, vacuum bags or other space-saving devices,” he says. “I just fold, pack and wash on the way.”
Rolling is the best way
For many seasoned globetrotters, rolling is the preferred option. “Always roll,” says beach volleyball champion Mariafe Artacho del Solar. The Olympic silver medallist, who is travelling for a month before the Paris Games, considers it the ultimate space-saving strategy.
“It’s always tricky to pack for (the Olympics),” she says. “It is a plus that the Olympic uniforms we will be wearing in Paris are already there waiting for us, especially considering we’ll already have been on tour for four weeks in the lead-up to the event.”
Athan Didaskalou, co-founder of July, official luggage supplier to the Olympic team, is also a fan of rolling. “It can reduce wrinkles,” Didaskalou says. “And it’s easier to see your items when they’re rolled in a line instead of layered on top of one another.”
Cubes for messy travellers
Packing cubes have amassed a cult following among travellers in recent years and for good reason. “Packing cubes are good for organisation and compartmentalisation,” says Didaskalou, who admits he’s a “messy packer”. He adds: “They help me stay tidy when I’m away.” For couples or parents sharing a suitcase with children, packing pods or cubes are the ideal solution for differentiating each person’s items, Revell adds.
Why you should take carry-on
In the chaos that reigned in baggage services and airports during the post-pandemic rush overseas, many travellers experienced delays in getting their bags, had suitcases damaged or never saw their luggage again. These inconveniences and the fees charged by budget airlines for checking in bags have been big drivers of the carry-on-only trend.
Didaskalou and Angell are diehard carry-on travellers, which reflects July’s research that shows men are more likely than women to avoid checking in luggage.
“I can’t stand waiting at the carousel after a long flight,” Didaskalou says. “I just want to get off the plane and get to my destination as swiftly as possible. You do have to be more selective with what you buy and bring back, but I find the limited space good for budgeting.”
Angell recommends factoring in delays with checked-in luggage if you have to make a connection, “especially on busy flights and through large airports”.
When to check-in luggage
Artacho del Solar has a rule that helps her determine which sized luggage to take. “If I’m away for three nights or less, I only take carry-on,” she says.
For parents travelling with children, however, Revell says checking in luggage can be the most practical option, even for short trips. If not, swap the carry-on case for a backpack, which will make chasing after runaway toddlers easier.
“They’ll also come in handy while you’re away if you’re planning to do any hiking, shopping and day trips or beach visits,” Revell says.
Go for an unusual suitcase colour
Black is no longer the colour of choice, Didaskalou says, with “moss” now July’s top-selling hue since 2022. “Consumers now prefer the bright tones rather than stock standard black.”
One of Didaskalou’s top tips for choosing check-in bags is to look for curves. “Having a rounder shape means the case has much more durability and won’t crack when hit,” he says.
Buying luggage in an uncommon colour is a smart idea, according to Revell, especially for suitcases that must be checked in for flights. “You could also use an identification strap to help easy spotting on the luggage carousel,” she says.
And if it’s possible, give suitcases a road test before purchasing to ensure they’re easy to manoeuvre because “anything that’s heavy and hard to wheel around is going to drive you crazy”.
More tricks of the trade
● Include valuables and essential items such as medications, spare underwear, toiletries and tech chargers in your carry-on in case checked luggage is delayed or lost.
● A small can of Glen 20 can work wonders while travelling – for smelly shoes, an odorous hotel room or even to sanitise surfaces or a public bathroom before use.
● Pack breakable items such as toiletries and electronics inside shoes (put them in a plastic snap lock bag first).
● Bring noise-cancelling headphones if flying long-haul, and an iPad with pre-loaded books, podcasts and TV shows, so you don’t have to rely on the airline entertainment system.
● Bring snacks, especially if travelling in economy.
● Wear your bulkiest clothing on the plane to save space.
● Don’t pack a fancy outfit if you don’t have anywhere to wear it.
● Leave room in your suitcase for purchases or other items accumulated on a trip.
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