Traveling is great, but one of the worst parts is trying to fit everything into a suitcase that suddenly feels too small. That's why it's so amazing to see someone packing 100 items into a carry-on bag. I know it sounds impossible, but actress and traveler Rachel Grant filmed an entire video showing us her impressive packing process for Biaggi Luggage—and when I say impressive, I mean it is impressive. There's a lot to learn here...or you can just sit back and be amazed. It's worth it.
Whether you're taking a long trip or just a weekend getaway, packing efficiently can make all the difference. Mastering this art will allow you to make more diverse choices based on various factors, such as weather; plus, it will help you pack extra items that will be useful for any travel companions you may have as you Know someone who always forgets to bring toothpaste.
Packing smarter can also save you a lot of money, especially when checking luggage. According to Grant's strategy, you can put 100 items into a bag and then take it with you as planned. Yes, this is not the oversized suitcase she leisurely filled with daily necessities. It is a medium sized bag that she can easily carry around. Pretty cool, right?
To get an idea of how her process works, I've broken down the video below to cover her top packing rules - but be sure to check out the full video to see the magic unfold for yourself (or technically, maybe the other way around) :
1. Roll up clothes to save space
Rolling your clothes to save space is an easy way to make packing easier. The idea here is that if you roll items, they will fit into your bag more compactly than if you fold them. You can roll almost any item of clothing, but this is especially handy for items like pajamas, underwear, and bulky sweatshirts that you really need but might take up more space in your bag than you'd like.
2. Use plastic bags to compress items
Using plastic bags, such as ziplock bags, can help you compress your items. It can also help you keep things organized and easy to find later; for example, you could put a bag of pajama shirts together and label the bag something like "T-shirts." You can also use one of those vacuum packing machines to really flatten things, but keep in mind that you may not be able to use it when you pack for the return trip. This is where the resealable bag technique comes in: you don't need anything to repackage it except the bag you already carry with you.
3. Put socks into shoes
Rolling your socks into a ball and placing them in your shoes actually has two advantages. First, it saves space in your luggage. Second, putting socks inside your shoes can help them keep their shape so you don't find them all bent or squished when you unpack them.
4. Use rubber bands to hold the shoes together
Another quick and easy shoe-related tip is that once you have your socks tucked in, you can use some rubber bands to hold them together. This also helps prevent them from moving around in your bag.
5. Fold similar shaped items together
If you're packing clothes, you might be tempted to throw a few items into your suitcase that can be paired together to create an outfit, such as matching shirts, skirts, blazers, etc. However, in terms of efficient packaging, it actually makes more sense to fold items of similar shape and size together. So even though you probably won't wear multiple shirts on the same day, it saves you space in folding them together.
6. Use packing cubes to keep things organized
Packing cubes can be a huge help if you can get your hands on some while packing. While packing cubes vary in size, material, and more, they're basically small, lightweight bags and boxes that you can stack in your luggage. The idea here is that you can combine them to add space, but if you don't use them, they will fall flat. As you'll see in Grant's video, she was able to "expand" her bag using packing cubes.
7. Place heavier items at the bottom of the bag
I consider this a golden rule of packing, but it’s always worth reminding: heavier items should always be placed at the bottom of the bag. This prevents heavy items from sliding onto lighter items and also makes the bag itself easier to carry and lift.
Photo: asawinklabma/Fotolia; Biaggi Luggage/YouTube (8)
