How to Pack Travel Luggage Like a Pro

1. Method of transportation

“The mode of transportation determines the size and weight of the luggage you bring,” Mansel says. She explains that how she packs depends on how she travels. For example, if she drives or flies but only has carry-on luggage, she allows herself a little more. Your mode of transportation will help you decide how much luggage you can realistically pack and what size luggage you should choose.

2. Airline weight limits

“If I'm flying, I know the weight limit is 50 pounds (22 kg), and I'll need to be mindful of how much I'm actually packing in my suitcase,” Mansel says, noting the average weight limit for checked baggage on airlines.

She added that, at a maximum weight of 50 pounds, she would typically weigh 47 pounds of clothes, shoes, and other accessories. The rest is reserved for souvenirs and items after the trip.

3. Don't worry too much about folding!

“I did some research on the pros and cons of rolling versus folding, and there’s not a huge difference,” Mansel says. She typically folds regular items like jeans and T-shirts. For delicate or easily wrinkled items, she rolls them.

However, folding or rolling doesn’t really make a significant difference in how much space you can fit in your suitcase, so choose the packing method that works for you and don’t stress about whether you should fold or roll your luggage.

4. Maximize space in your suitcase

“No matter which packing method you choose, it's important to make use of every inch of space you have in your luggage,” Mansel emphasizes.

Each item of clothing should be folded or rolled as tightly as possible and crammed into “every extra square inch of space, including inside shoes.” If possible, try rolling up smaller socks, underwear, or T-shirts and stuffing them into sneakers. The little extra space can really make a big difference.

5. Use a travel bag

Mansel switched to a travel bag about a year ago. “Even for a short weekend trip, packing cubes work well,” she says. Travel bags make packing easier and maximize space in your suitcase, making it easier to sort and balance your personal belongings.

6. Prepare a few more empty bags

It’s a good idea to have a few extra bags to put all your dirty laundry in. When you get home, just throw the used bags in the washing machine instead of wasting time searching through your suitcase for what to wash. This will also prevent your clean clothes from getting contaminated by the dirty ones you used.

7. Plan your outfits

Mansel plans her outfits for the trip by making a list in her Notes app. She envisions what she’ll wear each day and notes down specific items she’ll need to bring, like an adapter, toothbrush, or contact lenses, or anything else that comes to mind.

Mansel adds that this list will probably initially include more than you actually need. But it's a great way to start narrowing down your essentials. "Once you write it down, you may find that you don't really need three different pairs of jeans 'just in case,'" Mansel says.

8. Consider your packing

Thanks to the list he made in the previous step, Mansel was able to quickly take his things and put them into separate travel bags and put them in his suitcase.

“When I put things in my travel bag, I wonder if I’ll actually wear this.” Often, we tend to pack too much. Challenge yourself to eliminate 2-3 items that you don’t really need.

9. Don't forget to bring an iron

No matter how you pack—roll, fold, cube, minimalist, whatever—your clothes are bound to get wrinkled during transit. And that's why Mansel always makes room for an iron in her suitcase.

She suggests getting a travel iron. To deal with wrinkles in your clothes, a travel iron is a must. You will also save time and money by doing it yourself without having to take them to the dry cleaners to be ironed. And they do not take up much space in your suitcase.

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