DON’T fold your pants! – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Save packing space — and prevent wrinkling worries! — by laying trousers or jeans, unfolded, so one half lays inside the suitcase and the other half hangs over the outside. Repeat around all edges (skirts, blazers and dresses are also ideal).

Once you’ve surrounded the bag with these “overhanging” items, fill the inside of the suitcase with your tops and toiletries. When finished, fold over the hanging parts of the garments and neatly over the contents.

Keeping skirts and trousers UNfolded keeps them UNwrinkled, too.

Create a travel drawer – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Find yourself spending hours searching around the house for your voltage converter, mosquito net, and travel hairdryer before you leave for a trip? Consider emptying a drawer in your bureau or buying a plastic under-the-bed bin to store all these must-pack travel items.

You can also keep your drawer or bin stocked with travel-sized shampoos, first-aid kits, maps, spare earbuds, and photocopies of important documents like your driver’s license and passport.

Never again will you waste time digging through closets and suitcases looking for your adapter plug kit.

Bring an ethernet cable – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If packing your laptop, be sure to include an ethernet cable. A section five to ten feet long should be plenty, as most hotels are nice enough to put the ethernet port close to the bed and the desk (but not so nice that they provide the cable).

Keep in mind that no internet connection is 100% secure, but a direct connection is more secure than a wireless one.

Make a ‘souvenirs to buy’ list – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

A lot of folks make a list of what to bring before they go on a trip.

Personally, I prefer to make a list of what I plan to buy while I’m away. This way, I know how much room to leave in my bag for souvenirs.

Also? A list ensures I won’t forget anyone on my list.

Pretend you’re going on a camping trip – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Regular jetsetters may never consider stepping foot in a camping store, but it can be a treasure trove of inexpensive gadgets for efficient packing.

At a camping store, you can find space-saving items like paper shampoo, collapsible water bottles made from soft plastic bags, and miniature toothbrushes. Also, depending on how long you’ll be gone, you might find a use for items like tiny kitchen utensils, collapsible bowls and cups, an adjustable clothesline — even a table that rolls up like a yoga mat.

Plus, everything in a camping store is designed to be lightweight and easy to haul around, so you’re assured of picking up some easy-to-carry gear.