7 Packing Tricks I Swear By (After Forgetting Too Much)

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” - Saint Augustine.

Traveling is an essential part of our lives. It’s the closest thing to hitting a reset button on our brains. It quiets the daily noise, dials down the stress, and reminds us there’s more to life than routines and to-do lists.

While traveling itself is such a wonderful concept, the only problem that could mess up your entire trip is: Poor Packing.

I feel like sobbing when I think about all the stressful packing incidents I’ve had — though, to be fair, some of them are so ridiculous they’re almost laughable. But hey, I don’t want that for you.

Packing sounds easy, right? Just throw stuff into a bag, zip it up, and off you go. Well... not always. The truth is, most people don’t realize they forgot something until they need it. That’s usually when you’re halfway through the trip, standing in the middle of nowhere, thinking, “Oh no, not again.”

This isn’t a list full of fancy hacks. It’s just stuff that works, the little things learned after forgetting socks, overpacking sweaters, or bringing five shirts and wearing two. These packing tricks are simple. So, let’s get started!

1.   Pack Full Outfits, Not Just Random Clothes

Don’t toss random clothes in the bag and hope they match later. It doesn’t work (trust me).

Instead, lay out complete outfits and make sets, including:

·         Shirt

·         Pants

·         Socks

·         Underwear

Then, group them as “one-day sets,” not categories.

When you think in outfits instead of items, packing becomes way easier. You won’t end up with seven tops and two bottoms. Plus, it saves space, avoids overpacking, and keeps things simple every morning on your trip.

A Quick Tip

Snap a quick photo of each outfit before packing. Helps you remember what you brought.

2.   Use One Small Bag for the First 24 Hours

Sometimes bags don’t arrive. Sometimes you just don’t want to dig through everything after a long day.

Here’s what works: Pack a small bag inside your main one, just for the first 24 hours. Throw in a clean T-shirt, socks, toothbrush, charger, and whatever else you’ll need right away.

That way, you’re not tearing through everything just to find toothpaste. And if your bag gets delayed, you’re not stuck.

3.   Zip It Up, Then Take One Thing Out

You packed everything. The zipper closed. Barely. Now here’s the trick: open it again, and take one thing out. Just one.

There’s always something that doesn’t need to be there. Maybe it’s an extra pair of shoes. Maybe a “just-in-case” jacket you’ll never wear. Taking out one thing makes space for souvenirs or snacks later. You’ll be glad you made room for something you pick up on the road.

(Yes, it feels weird at first. But it works.)

4.   Always Pack Socks Inside Shoes

Shoes take up more space than we like to admit. But here’s the thing: they’re not just shoes. They’re secret storage.

Just roll up your clean socks and tuck them inside your shoes.

This helps to:

·         Keep your socks in one place (no more lost socks in the bag)

·         Keep shoes in perfect shape (no squishing)

·         Make extra space for things

The trick is small but smart. Also, it makes packing oddly satisfying. Like, “Hey, look at that -double use.”

Quick Tip:

Put your shoes (with the socks inside) in a small bag or pouch. That way, if your shoes are dirty or smell a bit, it won’t get on your clothes.

5.   Roll Everything. Don’t Fold

Folded clothes take up more room. Try rolling them. Rolled clothes take up less space and wrinkle less. The best part? You can see everything when you open your bag.

Roll each item tightly. Stack them side-by-side, not on top of each other. That way, you’re not digging to the bottom every time you need a T-shirt.

You’ll be surprised how much fits when you roll instead of folding. It’s a small change, but it will help a lot.

6.   All Cables in One Spot (Please)

Cords. Chargers. Headphones.

They always end up tangled in a hoodie or lost in a side pocket. Keep them together in one pouch, which could be a pencil case, makeup bag, whatever works.

It saves time and sanity, and you won’t be stuck in a café with a 4% battery and no way to charge.

Add a sticky label if you want to get fancy. Or just throw in a Ziplock. (Yes, ziplocks count.)

7.   Leave a Little Extra Space

This one’s big. Always leave room in your bag. Why? Because trips never end the way they start.

You might pick up something small, like a postcard, a book, or a snack you loved and want to bring home. If your bag is packed tight from the start, there’s nowhere to put those new things.

A little space gives you room to breathe. And trust me - in the future, you will thank me.

Ending Note

That’s it, seven packing tricks learned the real way: by messing up, forgetting things, and laughing later.

Packing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for you. These small hacks make a big difference over time. Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, a little planning can go a long way.

So next time you’re getting ready to head out, remember: less stress, more space, and always pack with purpose.

Want more real-life tips and travel stories? Stick around On Ramps and Off Ramps with us!