Best tip for packing light if you’re backpacking Europe (or anywhere! #familyvacation #packingtips

[teresamansbach]

I roll on my way there, fold flat for back home. Gives me a little room for souvenirs

[elizabethstoner]

For a soft bag like packing cubes it’s it better to lay them flat however if it has solid sides rolling is better. It has to do with compression.

[elementalgolem]

As a soldier. We use the roll method, it's NOT to fit more. Our bags are big enough as is. It's to be able to grab any ONE item, without having to go through the others. Preferably, sometimes required in the dark without a light. The idea is that you know exactly where in the bag everything is, and being rolled it's basically just a organized buffet of clothes and items for you to grab in a hurry without repacking. For packing for a repositioning or a field trip to another base, where I need to bring a lot of items in one travel bag, I pack flat. Or folded which I think is how most of us pack. Rolled isn't for space efficiency. I don't think there's much use for civilians, maybe backpacking. But that's if you don't have access to a light source. Which is rare

[harukosuiren]

I think the roll (or marie kondo style) packing is practical if you are going to only take one piece at the time so everything else is easy to reach and it doesnt make a mess in you packing when you take stuff. I like it because thay ways i can see all my clothes at once and don't have to repack everything each time. However if you are going to take everything out anyways when you arrive at your destination, it does make a lot more sense to lay everything flat :)

[seriouslyreally]

No, the rolling technique was designed specifically to decrease wrinkles in your packed clothes, not make more room in your suitcase. Folding causes creases when the fabric is folded necessitating some ironing. Rolling the same item creates fewer folds thereby fewer creases and wrinkles; especially if you normally fold your shirt/tops department store style at home in your dresser (I do)

[augustleo]

I've always folded flat. I've been advised to do the rolling technique many times, but time and again I've gone on trips with friends I've always been able to fit in much more than my rolling style friends

[saotomesakura]

I had the exact opposite experience... For my whole life I packed everything flat... then for my last trip my carry on had trouble closing, so I rolled everything and suddenly there was so much space I looked I lost quarter of my things

[petitecherie]

Flat packing the clothes with the arms and legs hanging out until the suitcase is almost full and then folding everything in has been my go-to packing for a cruise or where you only unpack once. My dresses as well as his dress shirts come out with very very few wrinkles. I do use packing cubes for socks and undies. I never forget that shoe bags, LOL

[ginarose]

Years ago, I took a packing class that advocated laying clothes flat. It was a good method.

[tam]

It’s true! You just have to be careful not to overpack. If you do your back will let you know?😊. Happy Trails!

[dorissaclaire]

Honestly, for quick travel like this (as I’m needing to repack and live out of a suitcase for extended periods of time) I go really minimal with packing cubes. I use luggage pockets for underwear, electronics, etc and only one packing cube for lighter tops, just fold everything else. I also either fold or lay my laundry flat in a packing cube 😅people often think it’s very psycho but I DONT have room for all my clothes to be bunched.

[kritikaajaani]

Some one who has got this realisation about flat packing trick !
. You are the first I found on internet who is for flat packing trick!

[revital]

I also came across the same situation where I saw that my flat folding, transcends and is much more useful for reducing and more clothes went in this flat way.

[JonsRegularStuff]

As a physicist I always go with the flat. Facts!

[fireflyexposed]

Accordion style works the same as flat pack - fold to the height of the bag. However, if you have a soft bag, that isn't as efficient. Accordion style lets you find your clothes easily without digging through layers of clothes, disrupting the pile and having to repack the whole lot every day. Rolling works too but again you need to dig a bit to get some clothes out (but may fit better in a backpack).

[Lucy_]

I was just about to pack for my first overnight choir trip! Very helpful, thanks! ❤❤❤

[joni]

Ive tried all three. Still think i get more with the rolling. What a great trip. Your family has a wonderful mom.

[georgiam]

I’m 15 months into a two year backpacking trip around Canada and I will vouch for the flat packing method for packing cubes forever!!!

[naelyneurkopfen]

My dad was a long haul truck driver. He was in the road 250+ days a year, so he lived out of a suitcase.
Mom packed his clothes flat. She could put together a suitcase in a flash.

[smania]

I flat pack too. If I'm using a suitcase, I fill the indents of the bottom with socks and undies to make a flat bottom then flat pack everything else. My husband is always amazed how much I can fit into our bags and always asks me to do our packing, even when its just a backpack for a weekend stay.