Are you a good packer? (cycle, best, Europe, carry-on)

[jade408]

I am headed on a trip this week to my family reunion. I remember the first one I went to, my cousins were floored at the size of my suitcase. My sister and I, typically have the farthest to go and the smallest suitcases! Everyone had 2x more suitcases than we did. They were shocked and amazed at the amount of stuff we cold fit in the standard carry-on sized bag. Now we are officially known as the packing masters of the family.

So my question to you, are you a good packer?

[apexgds]

I pack very light. I've never rolled my clothes though. Just never needed to. Had plenty of room for my things without rolling. I just focus on lightweight fabrics and packing as little as possible. For example, I never pack jeans and very rarely pack tennis shoes (too bulky!) In fact, I've been known to travel a week for business and not pack any shoes. The shoes I wear to travel are professional, comfortable, and go with everything, so there's no need for other shoes.

[almost3am]

I wouldn't say I am a good packer, I just pack light. My wife is a good packer, she can fit so much crap into a small space it is unbelievable.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by apexgds

I pack very light. I've never rolled my clothes though. Just never needed to. Had plenty of room for my things without rolling. I just focus on lightweight fabrics and packing as little as possible. For example, I never pack jeans and very rarely pack tennis shoes (too bulky!) In fact, I've been known to travel a week for business and not pack any shoes. The shoes I wear to travel are professional, comfortable, and go with everything, so there's no need for other shoes.

I can't wear the same shoes multiple days in a row! Usually my feet hate it. I am also an overpacker, I never know what I'll be in the mood for. I like to have options, so I use my space really efficiently. I always bring at least one extra outfit in case I don't like one of my choices for the day.

I'll be gone from tonight to Sunday and I've got walking tours, a Broadway show, brunch on a boat, and then of course typical touristy stuff, so I needed to bring a change of outfits for some days. Which also meant extra shoes. And it might rain. So I really had to load up on stuff!

For my trip I've got (besides the toiletries and the like)

4 dresses
3 shirts
2 cardigans
1 pair of leggings
1 jacket
2 belts
1 skirt
3 shoes (not including the ones I am wearing)

I also have a travel yoga mat, umbrella, reusable tote bag, and a flatiron. Travel pillow for my redeye cross country flight. This all fits in my standard carry-on sized suitcase! On the way home I might need use my expansion, since I'll have some bulky souvenirs/take homes.

[mels]

I used to be a horrible packer and I'd bring way too much stuff. Once I started traveling more often, for work and pleasure, that changed. I rarely check a bag, I can usually fit most things in a carry-on. I recently did 10 days in Europe (as did my husband) with only a carry-on, no problem.

[otterprods]

This poll needs to be changed to 'are you a light packer?' because packing light does not always = very good. Example: going on an important business trip and packing nothing but one pair of ripped jeans and a tee (depending on your business of course), or going to Fairbanks in Feb and not bringing a bulky jacket. Also, I know it's a pun, but choice #1 implies that rolling is always the best way to pack, which I disagree with unless you can't fold well. I didn't answer the poll yet, BTW.

[BATCAT]

I've traveled a fair bit over the course of my life, since a very young age, and I would say I've gotten pretty good at packing well and packing light. I go carry-on only; one bag just under the size limit and another smaller bag. I haven't checked a bag in maybe ten years.

I bring the minimum amount of clothing that's reasonable for the time frame, and I tightly pack it into freezer bags, sit on them, and then seal them. I bring a tablet for reading, watching videos, and so on. Maybe a paperback book. I might bring an extra pair of shoes if the trip warrants it. I use travel-size toiletries in a small case. That's most of it right there...

My general rule is I don't bring more luggage than what I could carry for a several-mile walk.

[Ottawa2011]

I pack a lot in the suitcase and still meet the carry-on weight requirement. I pack lightweight clothes and layer and fold rather than rolling (fewer wrinkles).

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by jade408

I am headed on a trip this week to my family reunion. I remember the first one I went to, my cousins were floored at the size of my suitcase. My sister and I, typically have the farthest to go and the smallest suitcases! Everyone had 2x more suitcases than we did. They were shocked and amazed at the amount of stuff we cold fit in the standard carry-on sized bag. Now we are officially known as the packing masters of the family.

So my question to you, are you a good packer?

Yes, I am!

[Alaskan Mutt]

My packing looks like I threw everything into the trash compactor and cycled it thru before putting it in my suitcase. On the plus side I am very low maintenance so I do not have to pack 6 kinds of hair care products, enough shoes to open a shoe store, 3 changes of clothes per day of travel, or arctic survival gear on the 1 in a 100 million chance it might snow during my Caribbean cruise.