Trifter

The goal is to fit as many things as necessary into as small a space as possible and have it survive the trip intact. It’s easier than it sounds. Here’s how to do it.

1. What to Take

   Before you can do anything else, you need to figure out what you’re going to take with you. Think about where you are going. Think about the general climate. Will it be hot or cold, dry or rainy? Think about how long you are going to stay, a day, a week, several weeks-and what you will be doing-business, vacation, or a little of both.

2. Type of Bag

   Choose an appropriate size bag to fit all your belongings, and consider the structure of the bag. Soft bags like duffle bags ad backpacks are lighter and easier to carry than suitcases and chests, but hard containers give more protection. Pick a bag that works best for the situation.

 Packing

1. First Layer

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   In the bottom of the bag pack hard, unbreakable, and bulky items like shoes or toiletry cases. If possible take only one other pair of shoes besides the pair you plan to wear. To save space, pack sox, belts, scarves, small bottles or other loose items lose items in shoes. Put the shoes in a plastic bag, especially if they have dirt or shoe polish on them. Bring two more plastic bags for your dirty or wet clothes. Fill the area around the bulky items with sox and underwear to make a level space for the next layer.

2. Second Layer

   Pack shirts, pants, and sweaters here. A good technique to keep them from wrinkling is to roll them up. This prevents creases and saves space.

3. Third Layer

   Fill in the space in between clothes with more sox and underwear. This is also the space to put breakable items like glass or china, wrapped to protect your clothing if they do break. Keep valuable things in the middle of the bag, cushioned on all sides with clothing. If possible avoid packing breakable items in the luggage altogether.

4. Fourth Layer

   The last articles of clothing you should put in your bag are those most susceptible to wrinkling. Lay jackets, suits, or skirts flat on top. If you must fold these items, wrap them in plastic or tissue paper. If possible tuck the ends of jackets or skirts down the sides of the bag to avoid folding. Leave ample space so the bag can be zipped or closed with ease; overstuffing will lead to wrinkling. Try to distribute the weight of items evenly in your bag.