How do you pack? Rolls or Flat?
Jul 9, 2018 | 1:24 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: 42.1% in PDX , 49.9% in PVG & 8% in the air somewhere prior to COVID. Now ~ 3% in the air going somewhere
Programs: Marriott Ambassador Elite & Lifetime Platinum, UA 1K, AS MVP GLD 75K, DL Pt, SWA ALP
Posts: 1,125
~300K / year almost all TPAC
Generic routine is 6 nights/5 working days M-F. I have 4 pairs of slacks, sportcoat, 5 shirts, and clean socks/undewear for the everyday, a couple pair of shorts/tops and my plane wear that I hand wash for the return trip. All fit into a BR rollerboard ( avoid check-in at all cost )
Shirts/Slacks/jacket all folded and then socks/undwear are rolled into the open spaces as needed. Winter is more challenging than summer as I also pack all longsleeves and two sweaters that get rotated. I usually stuff gloves/headbeanie in my overcoat which I carry and wear my second underlayer fleece onto the airplane during winter.
Depending on mood will iron and but mostly let the shirts hang and almost wrinkle free, LOL
Generic routine is 6 nights/5 working days M-F. I have 4 pairs of slacks, sportcoat, 5 shirts, and clean socks/undewear for the everyday, a couple pair of shorts/tops and my plane wear that I hand wash for the return trip. All fit into a BR rollerboard ( avoid check-in at all cost )
Shirts/Slacks/jacket all folded and then socks/undwear are rolled into the open spaces as needed. Winter is more challenging than summer as I also pack all longsleeves and two sweaters that get rotated. I usually stuff gloves/headbeanie in my overcoat which I carry and wear my second underlayer fleece onto the airplane during winter.
Depending on mood will iron and but mostly let the shirts hang and almost wrinkle free, LOL
Jul 9, 2018 | 5:15 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Finnair Platinum, Bonvoy LT Plat, GHA Tit, Turkish Elite
Posts: 9,176
~200K.
My International size Tumi carry-on is split into two halves - one flat with with a cover, the other looser and with indents for the handle.
Anything which creases goes folded in the flat half - Shirts, dress trousers, polo shirts whatever. Anything else gets rolled up in the other half along with shoes and toiletries (underpants, socks, shorts, casual clothes incl. gym kit, etc.).
My International size Tumi carry-on is split into two halves - one flat with with a cover, the other looser and with indents for the handle.
Anything which creases goes folded in the flat half - Shirts, dress trousers, polo shirts whatever. Anything else gets rolled up in the other half along with shoes and toiletries (underpants, socks, shorts, casual clothes incl. gym kit, etc.).
Jul 9, 2018 | 6:37 am
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,677
Both, just depending on what I'm packing or sometimes, just what I feel like doing, to be honest. I haven't found a huge difference either way in how clothes turn out. The type of material seems to help more as others have noted.
Jul 10, 2018 | 3:11 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: Qantas, Velocity
Posts: 16
26K / both
My carry on bag is predominantly for medication, electricals, tickets, travel pillow and toiletries needed on the trip, plus a spare t shirt, and some socks and underwear to get me through an overnight stay if I’m delayed. The rest goes in checked luggage.
At the wheel end, heavy toiletries in bags so the luggage isn’t top heavy when upright. Boots/shoes packed as compact as I can, preferably wearing the bulkiest. The bottom layer is completed by socks and underwear tightly packed in soft round makeup bags.
That about fills the bag, so this is where you get creative. Roll shirts, gym clothes etc and thin pants and pack around the footwear and other items. Then in one layer over the top. Finally, jeans/trousers and jackets, laid flat and spread across the width and length. And start a couple of days out so you know if you’ve got too much and have to be ruthless about what to take out. And investing in a luggage weight is worth it, to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport.
Hint: unless you’re desperate, don’t remove the toiletries. Not only might you not be able to replace them easily at the other end, but in taking them on a holiday, you create room in your bag as you use them - room for souvenirs or other purchases. And if need be you can just leave them behind. Some hotels even leave signs asking you to - they donate them.
My carry on bag is predominantly for medication, electricals, tickets, travel pillow and toiletries needed on the trip, plus a spare t shirt, and some socks and underwear to get me through an overnight stay if I’m delayed. The rest goes in checked luggage.
At the wheel end, heavy toiletries in bags so the luggage isn’t top heavy when upright. Boots/shoes packed as compact as I can, preferably wearing the bulkiest. The bottom layer is completed by socks and underwear tightly packed in soft round makeup bags.
That about fills the bag, so this is where you get creative. Roll shirts, gym clothes etc and thin pants and pack around the footwear and other items. Then in one layer over the top. Finally, jeans/trousers and jackets, laid flat and spread across the width and length. And start a couple of days out so you know if you’ve got too much and have to be ruthless about what to take out. And investing in a luggage weight is worth it, to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport.
Hint: unless you’re desperate, don’t remove the toiletries. Not only might you not be able to replace them easily at the other end, but in taking them on a holiday, you create room in your bag as you use them - room for souvenirs or other purchases. And if need be you can just leave them behind. Some hotels even leave signs asking you to - they donate them.
Jul 10, 2018 | 7:51 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,595
70k/packing cubes
Packing cubes changed my life!!! I started using them a few years ago, and cannot believe the difference they make. Depending on the trip I use them in different ways - e.g. for a tour of india a couple of years ago, I had a packing cube per day, with the whole outfit (except shoes) in an individual cube, which meant I only had to unpack 2 cubes at each destination (one with my PJs and washbag in, the other with the following day's clothes) which made things far more organized than I usually am when I only stay a night or two at a location. For trips where I am staying in the same room, I pack by garment type - have a cube for tops, a cube for undies, a cube for skirts etc. so when unpacking I just put the entire cube on a shelf or in a drawer. I also take a laundry hamper with me when staying in the same hotel (use bags if moving around), as I find that helps keep the clean and dirty things more easily corralled. If I am travelling with long or formal dresses, I have an oversize packing cube that fits in the 'lid' section of my suitcase. I put the dresses on hangers, then in to the cube, and lift them out on to the rail when I arrive.
Within the cubes themselves, tops I pack flat, skirts I roll, and dresses I use the bundle method.
Packing cubes changed my life!!! I started using them a few years ago, and cannot believe the difference they make. Depending on the trip I use them in different ways - e.g. for a tour of india a couple of years ago, I had a packing cube per day, with the whole outfit (except shoes) in an individual cube, which meant I only had to unpack 2 cubes at each destination (one with my PJs and washbag in, the other with the following day's clothes) which made things far more organized than I usually am when I only stay a night or two at a location. For trips where I am staying in the same room, I pack by garment type - have a cube for tops, a cube for undies, a cube for skirts etc. so when unpacking I just put the entire cube on a shelf or in a drawer. I also take a laundry hamper with me when staying in the same hotel (use bags if moving around), as I find that helps keep the clean and dirty things more easily corralled. If I am travelling with long or formal dresses, I have an oversize packing cube that fits in the 'lid' section of my suitcase. I put the dresses on hangers, then in to the cube, and lift them out on to the rail when I arrive.
Within the cubes themselves, tops I pack flat, skirts I roll, and dresses I use the bundle method.
Jul 10, 2018 | 1:20 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2018
Location: SW Florida
Programs: HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Bonvoy, Choice, IHG
Posts: 227
I've rolled and folded and it seems that there is a slight benefit to rolling. I haven't checked a bag in 15 years and usually iron if possible to try to hair dry the wrinkles out.
Jul 12, 2018 | 9:54 am
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
I roll when I want to increase volume. I fold when I want to avoid wrinkles. I usually have a bit of both. Boxer briefs are always rolled because it doesn't matter if they are wrinkled. Pants tend to do better rolled than folded. But shirts usually get folded.