Buddhists we will never be: we love stuff. We hate being away from our stuff. When we travel, we don’t want to be limited to one pair of jeans. Sure, there are problems with this: airline weight restrictions, shared real estate in a crammed car, the logistical nightmare of lugging a massive duffel that weighs more than you do through 30th Street Station. But obstacles be damned — read on for all the best tricks and tips for maximizing your minimal packing space.
Contrary to what mom taught you, folding is one of the least efficient ways to fill up the space in a bag. The initial folds you make will set and, when clothes in the stack rub against each other, lots of smaller wrinkles will also set in. Rolling avoids folds, but wrinkles will still occur. The best way to pack clothing is the “bundle wrapping” method: wrapping each item around a central core object, (a pouch filled with socks and underwear, for instance). This keeps larger garments on the outside and smaller, less wrinkle-prone ones on the inside.
If you’re feeling extra lazy, the alternative to this intricate bundling method is using vacuum-sealed bags. Introduced as an “as seen on TV” special, these bags can now be found in any home goods store. After the bags are filled and zipped, use the hose of a household vacuum to suck all the excess air. These reusable bags can work in your closet, too; they’re great for storing your bulkiest items. With just a pull the bags re-inflate, restoring your compressed items to their original state. While these decrease space, they do not decrease weight, so don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a bag that you can’t carry and can’t check at the airport. Remember that most airlines now charge $15 for one bag 50 lbs. or less and $25 for a second. One carry-on under 40 lbs. is still free, so consider that for short trips. Keep it light, and your holiday budget will be intact when you get there. EuroPenn need not pay attention; these regulations are only for domestic flights.
Toiletries are the toughest. If you’re flying and are going to decant your shampoo into a mini bottle — even if you don’t think you will use the whole thing — fill the bottle to the top anyway. A partially full bottle with airspace in it is more vulnerable to changes in air pressure on a plane and could leak or explode. Squeeze the bottle a little before sealing it to let the liquids expand. Seal the bottles in one or two Ziploc bags. For a more durable alternative, try Aloksak bags. They are waterproof in depths greater than 60 meters, come in a flight-friendly one-quart version and double as ice packs, food storage, cookers and pillows. Before you raid the oh-so-addictive “flight-friendly” aisle of CVS, consider only bringing the necessities you don’t think you will be able to borrow, buy or do without. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some dry products. There are dry or solid versions of shampoo, mascara, bronzer, lotion, tooth cleaner and more. They are not going to leak and are also a lot lighter than their liquid counterparts.
And for great packing product ideas and tips on ways to pack that you never thought about, refer to onebag.com, a site dedicated to “the art and science of travelling light.”
