3 products I rely on to help me pack and stay organized while I travel
Start with a great suitcase
Before you can begin packing, you need a suitcase. These days there are so many luggage companies to shop at and each one has a huge variety of bags to offer. No one suitcase is right for everyone, so consider what factors are most important to you — like the duration of your trip, what kind of items you're packing, how frequently you travel, and your budget.
If you want a suitcase that can help you stay organized, go for one that has multiple compartments to store different types of items. For example, the Away Carry-On has two compartments: one that's designed to hold your clothes and the other that's made to fit shoes, toiletries, and other hard objects.
I also like the Roam Jaunt XL, because it's a simple carry-on suitcase that you can customize down to just about every detail.
Of course, picking a suitcase is a matter of preference, so check out our guides to help you find the luggage that's right for you:
Pack your clothing in packing cubes
To maximize your packing space and stay organized on the go, you need packing cubes. I can't believe I used to travel without them. They're such a simple product, but they making packing so much easier.
I love these expandable packing cubes from REI for a few reasons. There are three sizes, all of which can be expanded to hold even more with the side zipper. Each cube has a top handle so it can easily be picked up and moved around. The see-through mesh pocket on top holds a card where you can list the contents of each pack, so you know what's inside before you even open it.
The nylon material is lightweight, but durable, and most importantly water repellent — so your clothes will be protected from any unwanted toiletry explosions.
These packing cubes will not only keep everything neat and easy to find in your bag, but they help keep everything compact, which ultimately gives you more space. To get the most out of each cube, I've found that rolling rather than folding your clothing is the best method. Roll each piece tightly, and you'll likely have room for more clothing than each cube suggests.
If you don't have a set of packing cubes yet, here are some of our favorite options:
Pack toiletries and other small essentials in a versatile dopp kit
All of your clothing is rolled up, placed in packing cubes, and ready to go. Now, it's toiletry time.
I honestly find packing toiletries to be even more of a nuisance than packing clothing. Toiletries are heavy, bulky, and the irregular shapes can make them hard to pack. You can pack a few pouches worth of toiletries and scatter them throughout your luggage, but I find that one big dopp kit works best.
There are many options out there, but I prefer something like this compact Reisenthel organizer. It isn't the coolest-looking option around, but it's affordable, waterproof, and can fit a whole bathroom counter's worth of products inside. It has compartments made to fit specific toiletry bottle sizes, like body wash, toothpaste, and razors.
The dopp kit can be packed and zipped into a compact bag, but it also includes a small hanger that makes it easy to hang up so you can see all of your products when you get to your destination. For just $11, this is a very useful, not to mention budget-friendly, way to keep your toiletries organized.
If you'd like something a little more stylish, or just want to see a wider array of options, you can find our favorite toiletry bag options below:
Bring some extra canvas or nylon bags
Things don't always go as planned when you travel, so I always like to pack a few lightweight canvas totes or waterproof nylon bags to be extra prepared.
Plastic bags also do the trick, but these materials both offer a more substantial and sustainable option. These bags come in handy for separating dirty laundry, shoes, or containing any toiletry spills. Plus, you can actually carry them as tote bags while you're on your trip. Now, all you have to overcome is baggage claim.
If you want to see a few easily packable tote bags that double as reusable grocery bags, check out our guide:
Next Story
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
Vodafone Idea FPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP and more
From terrace to table: 8 Edible plants you can grow in your home
India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley
