Hard-shelled or soft, four-wheeled or handheld, checked or carried on—there is a seemingly endless variety of ways to transport your belongings on a getaway. No matter the preference, we’re always game for some tried-and-true packing tips—especially when they come from the well-traveled experts who design the gear. Curious to know how to pack a streamlined suitcase that doesn’t strain at the seams by the end of the trip? We asked luggage designers to share their ultimate packing tips, tricks, and essentials.
1. Make a list.
“I don’t want to make too many decisions on what to wear when I am traveling,” says Heather Lipner, creative director for This is Ground. “I write the days out, with temperature per day, and then pick outfits for what I am doing on those days. I also include a list of other things I need and cross items off the list as I pack.”
2. Limit your space.
“Choosing a smaller bag than you usually would is a great nudge to keep it to the essentials. The key is to pack only enough outfits for the number of days I will be abroad—which means no tossing in any just-in-case items. Those are the things that inevitably go unworn,” says Paravel co-founder Andy Krantz.
3. Opt for neutral tones, versatility, and wardrobe staples.
Stephanie Korey of Away credits her success as a last-minute packer to her travel uniform, saying, “I stick to basics in neutral colors like white, navy, and black, and tweak what I pack based on the weather and purpose of the trip.” Co-founder Jen Rubio says, “I like to loosely plan my outfits in advance—at least by event or activity—and bring versatile pieces to mix and match along the way. This prevents overpacking and takes the fuss out of getting dressed when all I really want to do is enjoy and explore wherever I may be. Usually, I’ll stick to outfits that I already know and love. It makes me feel comfortable even when I’m a world away from home. You don’t want to be breaking in new items when you’re out and about.”
4. Set everything out beforehand.
Indré Rockefeller, co-founder of Paravel, relies on a collapsible rolling rack she stores under her bed to hang everything in advance. “That way, I can quickly visualize whether I’m overpacking or whether I’ve forgotten anything,” she says. “Only when I’ve edited what I’m bringing does everything get pulled off of hangers and folded into Paravel packing cubes.” Laying it all out first helps [Tumi’s] (https://www.tumi.com/) creative director Victor Sanz adhere to a spartan packing list: “We have a tendency to overpack," he says. "I always stick to my go-to rule: Lay out everything you think you will need and cut that in half. This always saves me space.”
5. Strategize by weight and size.
“Pack your footwear first, and roll smaller items into them to keep the shape,” says Charlotte Seddon, designer at [Globe-Trotter] (https://www.globe-trotter.com/). “I start with bigger and more robust items on the outer edges and then work my way in so that the delicate items are sandwiched in the middle and protected. By the end, there is always some space available for items like multi-adapters, travel hairdryers, etc.” When using a clamshell suitcase, Away's Korey folds clothes into one side of the case, using the divider to keep them in place, and places harder items like toiletries on the other side. “Never place anything breakable directly against the outer shell—always pack fragile items in between something softer, like t-shirts,” she warns.
6. Minimize bulk.
“I like to wear my bulkiest shoes (like boots) onto the plane, so that they will take up less room in my bag,” says Sanz.
7. Packing cubes are a multipurpose must.
“They keep my clothes separated by outfit or category and are essential in keeping me organized and preventing the ‘dump-it-on-the-floor’ method of unpacking in-between stops,” says Krantz. “Lightweight, breathable nylon keeps things organized inside your suitcase, and the clear viewfinder window helps you remember what you put in each one.” They’re also ideal for multi-city vacations. “If you’re traveling to a few different places over the course of one trip as I often do, use packing cubes to group your clothes together by destination. This will keep you from pulling your suitcase apart at each stop, and make it so much easier to pack up and go from place to place,” says Rubio.
8. Be prepped for security.
“I pack my dopp kit last; it folds flat and is usually the first item I need to get out for security,” says Sanz. Krantz makes use of roomy exterior pockets in his carry-on. “You can stash a phone, wallet, headphones, and loose change before going through an x-ray machine without ever having to unzip your bag,” he says.
Away's Rubio compartmentalizes anything that requires removal at security. “Take off your coat and scarf before you even get to the checkpoint. Anything that I have to take out in the security line is all in one bag so that I’m not taking everything apart in the queue. Pack your toiletries in pouches that are easily accessible in a shoulder bag or backpack so you don’t have to dig through your suitcase to get to them. This also makes them more accessible mid-flight.”
Advice from Globe-Trotter's Seddon? Streamline your accessories. “Just to make life easier, I never travel wearing a belt or jewelry, I also wear footwear that's easy to remove quickly—it makes traveling through security a breeze,” she says.
9. Anticipate packing for the return trip.
“I always pack an extra bag (like our Stowaway, which folds flat) because by packing law, a suitcase is always harder to close on the return trip,” says Rockefeller. Sanz changes up his approach when returning home. “There’s a method to my madness when it comes to packing for the return trip, bringing home laundry, and souvenirs. I usually use a Split Case, and what I’ll end up doing by the end of the trip is transferring anything that’s dirty (clothes, shoes, etc.) into one side of the case and keeping anything that’s unused on the other side. Plus, the expansion of our cases provides extra room for any new items you’ve picked up along the way,” he says.
Seddon, for her part, packs partially used beauty products that can be tossed at the end of a trip. “If it’s a long haul or beach holiday, I tend to use up and throw out most of my cosmetics. I’m usually able to fill that dead space in my suitcase with souvenirs.”
10. Small details can make a big difference.
“A leather valet tray is great so you’re not placing jewelry and valuables on random hotel surfaces, which inevitably leads to losing them. Most trays unsnap and lay flat, which is great for packing,” says Rubio. And since laundry can be hard to do while traveling, Lipner keeps a softener sheet in her suitcase to keep it smelling fresh.
