What's your preferred method of packing from vacuum bags, rolling, packing cubes etc....

[fairytalelover]

Here is a helpful article I found about the subject where the author tests out the various methods http://lifehacker.com/tip-tester-the-best-way-to-pack-a-suitcase-1730049399

We have tried a couple of these methods but I'm still not fully satisfied. So I'm curious to hear about your favorite packing methods which help with space-saving, organization etc.....

 

[loves to dive]

I tend to use a combination of folding and rolling. I roll the smaller things like my undershirts and tshirts and fold the bigger things like jeans or capris or cargo shorts and dresses. I stuff socks, panties and other small things like bathing suits in shoes and line the outsides of the suitcase with the shoes. I've tried rolling everything and it didn't seem to save any space and I couldn't get pants to roll down very well. I would consider packing cubes for split stays if I were flying and only taking one suitcase but I drive so I just take two. I do use a hanging toiletry bag, hand that on the hook on the bathroom door and just work out of it so nothing is left on the counter.

 

[IrishNYC]

I fold and roll and stuff, too. If I used vacuum bags or any kind of space saver I'd overpack and end up with an overweight bag.

 

[maxiesmom]

I use a combo of packing cubes and rolling. I love the small cubes for my socks and underwear. I have one big folder that I can fold most of my tops and shorts into, and then I roll the rest. I have enough cubes that they fit like a puzzle into my luggage.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I roll going, then on the way home, one suitcase becomes the 'laundry' suitcase and everything just gets shoved in there and I'll have DH sit on it if need be to get it closed.

 

[MsThumper]

I roll my clothing and put them in packing cubes. The packing cubes help keep me organized. If we are going somewhere that we are staying long enough to unpack, I simply put my cubes into the drawers as is. I take out what i need each day, and put what I'm no longer wearing back in the appropriate cube. If i feel that something is very dirty, i carry small plastic bags, still roll the clothing up and put it in a bag within the cube.

When it's time to pack to go home, I just put the cubes back in the suit case. DH packs with the cubes, but is not as disciplined as I am. After he wears something, he then just jams it back into his suitcase. His suitcase may not weigh any more, but it looks twice as full with the clothing just jammed in, and he has trouble closing it.

 

[OKW Lover]

No special techniques or devices. Simply fold neatly and place in suitcase.

 

[pooch]

I pack really, really light (like I can do 4 days for myself and DGS in a small carry on!) so no special packing method needed but I do fold neatly and place 4-5 items each in dry cleaning bags.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We converted to packing cubes and envelopes several years ago and it has made such a difference in our organization! Love them. Everyone in the family has their own color of cubes so it is easy to identify whose clothes are in each cube.

For my children, everything goes into cubes. Some items are folded and placed in the cubes and some I roll and place in the cubes. For myself and DH, we put our shirts in one envelope and shorts in another. Other items go in cubes by category. It is great because if you don't have room to put your clothes in drawers or closets, it doesn't matter if everything gets jumbled around in your suitcase because it is all contained neatly in its own cube or envelope.

We take pop up hampers for dirty clothes and do laundry on vacation. Once items are clean, they can go back into their respective cubes/envelopes. The small amount of dirty laundry comes home in a plastic garbage bag so that our envelopes and cubes don't get "dirty" from smelly clothes.

 

[IrishNYC]

Like the above poster, a pop up hamper is a must for us! It goes on any trip we take that's more than one night, just to keep dirties contained. If we're on a longer trip it's got a carrying strap that makes it easy to carry to do laundry, and a little pocket where I keep a few detergent tabs and dryer sheets.

 

[Kiersten]

I roll my clothes. I grew up doing week long cruises on a sail boat with my family so space was always limited. My parent's always rolled our clothes to pack for those. When I started packing my own clothes for trips and summer camp, I just did what they did. The only things that are hard to roll are jeans. I usually roll them up and then put a rubber band around them to keep them rolled.

 

[Disney_traveler]

I've tried MANY different things: folding, rolling even planning out full outfits for each day and placing clothes, undies, shoes and accessories in a ziplock bag, but overpacking is my problem. I always worry what if I need/want this or that

 

[pooch]

I think it helps that I am not a clothes horse in daily life. I hate to shop (for myself) and so have a very limited wardrobe. I could put every stitch of clothing I own in a full size suitcase with room to spare!

 

[alex9179]

I use the Konmari method. Since stumbling on it, I've used it for all of my drawer storage and increased the amount that fits, as well as being able to see everything. After folding, you stand the clothes on end and stack front to back so that the height of the folded clothes match the height of the drawer/suitcase. I'm sure you could combine it with using cubes. I would rather do laundry on a resort day than lug heavier suitcases. Shoes are my problem with 5 people who will want 2 pairs each. I almost need another suitcase just for shoes!

 

[kamerino]

I'm a roll/fold person, but I've been dying to give packing cubes a try. For my 8 year old daughter, I pack large ziplock bags with the outfit for each day, plus one extra. That makes it MUCH easier when we're hurrying to get out of the hotel room in the mornings.

 

[Manda]

I use packing cubes for everything but jeans/pants. I usually lay shirts flat in packing cubes, and roll undies, tanks, swim stuff, PJs, etc., and pack those as tightly as possible. I'll roll the shirts if I'm really lacking space (I almost always fly carry-on only). I then pack a single large roll-up vacuum bag (empty) that I use as a dirty clothes bag when I get to the hotel. I stuff it full as the trip goes along and then roll it to flatten and pack everything up in one move AND it takes up less space than it did originally so I made room for souvenirs.

 

[Chrelaine]

Love our packing cubes! Each person gets their own color. Shoes, clothes that are too large and toiletries are fit in to the suitcases where they fit around the cubes.

 

[arlinar]

What brand of packing cubes do you guys recommend? I already have a Amazon wish list of things to get for next year.

 

[CarolynFH]

We use a combination of compression packing cubes and envelopes (both Eagle Creek, but there are other good brands) and love having everything "containerized" since it makes it easier to organize (can tell what/whose clothes by color of container) and easier to repack (especially on the way home when we're trying to fit in souvenirs!). We use roll-up vacuum bags for dirty clothes (different sizes for warm-water vs. cold-water wash which tends to be bulkier) so that when we get home we can just dump them in the appropriate hamper or straight into the washer.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I roll and use packing cubes. I don't know that it actually saves space but it definitely keeps me more organized which is my primary reason for using packing cubes. I got mine at ebags.com.

Shoes go in shoe bags too so I keep anything on the bottom of them from getting on anything else.