New suitcase - need packing tips please

[gems_smiling]

I have just brought a hard suitcase and have never packed one before (always brought the soft fabric ones), so is there any packing tips for packing this type of suitcase or doesn't it make a difference?

 

[bevtoy]

Good question. I used to have hard suitcase and switched to soft sides. I don't recall packing any differently. I always recommend putting anything that can leak (shampoo, tooth paste etc.) inside zip lock bags, but that goes for any packing for travel.

 

[freckles and boo]

I haven't used a hard suitcase in a long time but the one piece of advice I would offer is do not overpack. Weight limits for luggage are now 50lbs/bag on nearly all domestic flights and your suitcase may already be heavier than a soft bag. Also, if you shove too much stuff in there and TSA has to inspect your bag you don't want your undies flying everywhere when they open it. Finally, because of the possibility your suitcase may need to be inspected it will probably need to be kept unlocked (unless newer hardcases have TSA locks already???) and if it is very full and unlocked it could pop open more easily during handling. I remember having to sit on our old suitcases to close and lock them... ahh the good ol days.

 

[freckles and boo]

Sorry, just noticed you weren't from around these parts OP Disregard the weight limit comment.

 

[bevtoy]

I remember having to sit on our old suitcases to close and lock them... ahh the good ol days.

I forgot about that! We did that too!

 

[MissMagnolia]

I use the space saver bags to condense the clothing. That might be helpful with a hardside bag. Just be careful about the overpacking.

 

[pampam]

I too, use a hard sided suitcase, and love it. I'm the only one I know of that has named a suitcase. I know lots of people name their cars, so I see nothing wrong with calling my suitcase Big Red. Everyone knows who Big Red is. I think it's more secure, somehow, than a soft sided. I don't think I pack any different. If weight is no concern, you might try putting your clothes in a garbage bag, holding the opening of the bag over a vacuum nozzel, and vacuuming all the air out. Close it with a snap closure or a twist tie. Do this just before you are ready to lock up the suitcase. You will find you can put a lot more into the suitcase. If air gets in the bag, which it will, it won't expand any more than the size of your suitcase. Mind you, this method won't work if you are planning on buying a lot of souviniers (sp). I usually pack clothes that are disposable, so I don't have to bring them home, and have room for extra purchases. If customs make you open up, you can always sit on it to get it closed again.

 

[jack_sparrow]

pack light....these things are heavy as it is.

 

[Dina]

We have a big green hardsided suitcase. Love it, but it gets very heavy-- we were harassed by one of the attendants outside of Philly international because he was accusing us of having it be too heavy (which it was), but he was jsut trying to get us to give him more money-- once my husband did that, he let us go. Anyway, it does get really heavy (weight limit went from 70 down to 50 right before our trip, so I didn't realize it was over the limit)-- so don't overpack. Otherwise, I pack the same as I do our fabric-- the only time it gets tricky is closing it, because clothes pack in both sides, so if you don't secure everything, it falls when trying to close it. Otherwise it's great!!

 

[MissLiz]

We got a hard suitcase for our wedding last year and the only difference I've seen is to pack the heavier things on the bottom side. If we pack the top portion too full or too heavy, it doesn't allow the suitcase to close.

Now, it just sounds like common sense, but when I was packing it for our honeymoon (the first time we used it), I just packed it so the weight was evenly distributed between the two halves....and it wouldn't close at all! Even with me sitting on it and DH pushing it down.

Once we repacked it with lighter things in the top half, it closed fine and we haven't had that problem since.

And, pampam, I don't have a name for my suitcase, but I do have a good time playing with the rollers because it is a Samsonite Spinner. I'm like a kid pushing it around.

 

[pampam]

Mine's a Samsonite Oyster, with rollers. I'd love a new upright with wheels, but this one, a gift, is still in great shape, even after a hundred trips.

 

[gems_smiling]

Thanks for the tips. The suitcase arrived a couple of days ago. I love the colour - bright pink and it runs really smooth on its wheels. It is light (no heavier than my old fabric one), it has lots of pockets/compartments that i need to get my head around. It looks much smaller than my old one even though it measures the same. At least it will encourage me to pack light.

 

[Eeyore Excitement]

Thanks for the tips. The suitcase arrived a couple of days ago. I love the colour - bright pink and it runs really smooth on its wheels. It is light (no heavier than my old fabric one), it has lots of pockets/compartments that i need to get my head around. It looks much smaller than my old one even though it measures the same. At least it will encourage me to pack light.

Oh no! But you should have gotten lime green!!