Roll, bundle, stuff – how do you pack your case?
By Kate Simon
School’s out and Britain’s busiest summer holiday exodus for several years is forecast to hit the nation’s roads today. More than 4 million extra leisure drivers will go bumper to bumper before the sun goes down. Travel experts recommend swerving the M4, M5 and the dreaded tailback to Devon and Cornwall, aka the A303.
If you’re not on the road yet and still haven’t packed, step away from the suitcase, I’ve some tips for you. A few years ago, I was approached by my good friend and colleague Sarah Barrell to help her write a book for the travel publisher Lonely Planet titled How to Pack for Any Trip. We spent a good couple of months investigating how best to carry your stuff from A to B. What an eye-opener.
Did you know there are people out there who pack so precisely they wrap their clothes in tissue paper and place silk pouches of herbs in the gaps to keep things fragrant? Others group colours together to ensure the full rainbow of their wardrobe is properly represented. Some even fold jeans in such a way that they can distinguish between them by the stitching on the back pocket. Who knew packing was such an art.
Yet it’s a skill that humans have been honing for centuries, with much thought also given to what we transport our essentials in. The Knights Templar are credited as the first to use wheeled luggage to carry arms and chain mail during the Crusades. Louis Vuitton launched the flat-top steamer trunk in 1870, the inspiration for the design of the modern suitcase. And a pilot called Bob Plath invented Rollaboard luggage, the now ubiquitous towable vertical suitcase on wheels.
As for the contents of your case, you might be happy to stuff everything inside and then apply the classic ‘sit on it’ technique to close, but you could benefit from reassessing your tactics. The most popular way to pack is to fold your clothes, but it’s arguable that to do this efficiently and well requires formidable origami skills and an iron at your destination.
I am fully converted to the art of rolling, preferred method of the regular traveller. It not only saves space but delivers more or less crease-free clothes. If you do it right. The trick is to fold items into rectangles (except trousers, which you fold in half vertically then roll from the waistband) and tightly roll the garments, packing them in your case like sardines in a tin. Just remember to fully unpack at your destination to remain crease-free. If you think this sounds too fussy, you should try the ‘Russian Doll’, ‘Tetris’, or ‘Bundling’ methods!
In fact, there’s even more to consider about how you fill your case. You might want to invest in a vacuum bag to stow your bulky down-filled jacket, or a dry bag for your wet kit if you’re a wild swimmer on the move. Pack a lightweight tassle towel or sarong that will dry quickly and double as a wrap.
If there’s a space, fill it – this should be your mantra. Any gap or edge, bra cup or shoe should double as a void to be stuffed with socks, belts, pants etc. Store jewellery in an old pencil or glasses case, keep cables and plugs together in a toiletry bag, and plastic bags aren’t just for the supermarket, use them for dirty clothes and to keep shoes separate.
But first, lay everything out where you can see it to check you’ve gathered all that you’ll need, because there’s nothing worse than having to repack a freshly packed bag. Even if you’ve read this far and think you’ll stick to stuffing your case, this is a tip well worth taking.
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