Which is Best? Folding Versus Rolling Method Versus Packing Cubes! The Ultimate Test

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Thanks for your tips. Years ago, before I went on a small group tour of the UK, the tour guide told us to lay all the clothes that we wanted to take out on the bed and then take away half of the items! That seemed very extreme at the time but I tried it and realised that I really didn't miss the options that didn't come with me. Ever since then, her advice has stayed with me and I usually find that I take much less than most other people and can get around a lot easier because of it.

I tried all packing methods. I was able to pack more in a packing cube than just folding or rolling my clothes loose in a suitcase. Bulky items I pack in a 2.5 gallon ziplock and sit on it to compress it flat. I have packing cubes both regular and compression, but on my last trip, I used ziplock bags and stacked everything on one side of my suitcase. Had room for toiletry bag, other side a few pairs of sandals, beach bag that packed flat, etc.

I rolled all my linen pants, then put in a regular packing cube, and totally amazing, no more wrinkles than you might expect in linen. No folding lines.

Playing Tetris all those years has helped me be able to pack my car, my purse, my suitcase, etc., in the most effective way. It paid off!!! 😉😊

I find it depends on the type of case I am using. For example, I always assumed compression cubes were the best, but for the rolling underseater I use as my 'just in case' motel bag that lives in my car, it turned out that I could fit more in by rolling than by using packing cubes. One thing I've learned is that I need to pack a lot earlier than I expect, and do a few packing trials to see which ones work best with the specific case. My next flight, I'm going to see if I can get away with that "neck pillow" that is hollow and holds clothes.

My friend’s (checked) bag burst open one time. They did their best to pull everything together in a giant plastic bag, but it was a hot mess and she lost a few items. When she got her stuff, the plastic bag had also started to come undone. She was most mortified by the fact that her underthings scattered every where. She travels a lot and has been through some stuff, but says that incident is the one that gives her anxiety about flying. Now almost everything I pack in a checked or carry-on suitcase goes into a bag of some sort! And I have TSA approved suitcase covers for those pieces that could end up checked. If the bag splits, hopefully it will stay together better. For my carryon, I wait until I’m thru security and have everything I want/need in my personal item, then put the cover on. In addition, it’s another way to personalize my bag to be easily identifiable on the luggage carousel. I fold clothing in compression cubes, and roll it in regular cubes. I found giant, heavy-duty, ziplock- type bags on Amazon and bring one for dirty laundry.

I find rolling to be the best for me but some items like jeans are best flat 👍🏾

HINTS: ***SENIOR TRAVEL: Laurie has great ideas, her compression cubes and other ideas make for a very heavy suitcase that can be problematic for many seniors. We have an international size 19" suitcase. It holds less than Laurie’s suitcase, but the end product is easier to deal with if you’re a senior. Instead of using a tote bag for a personal item, I am now going to get a small 15 inch underseater. We usually travel direct so I check my bag at the gate, not needing to pay. A tote personal bag can get heavy carrying it to the baggage area, where you need to leave or get picked up. Having an underseater with wheels will make it easier for me. I can put this in the luggage overhead bin. If you travel with medicine, make sure to watch Laurie's video on traveling with medicine. (Laurie: an idea is to do a video on tips and tricks for traveling when you're over 65.) ***LAUNDRY: I have a great packing cube that is two sided. One side says clean laundry, other side, dirty laundry. I put dryer sheets on each side, starting with the clean clothes all on one side. Then as you travel, you fold the dirty clothes and put them on the dirty clothes side. This keeps things organized, and fresh smelling. This tip works the best when you are traveling and only staying in one place one or two nights at a time. Remember to bring a couple extra plastic bags along as you can shove some dirty laundry in the bag and put it in the corner space in your suitcase. I try to wash every 5-7 days.

BTW, one fun thing about the Away suitcase is, it has its own laundry bag. Although I tend to wash out the day's clothes in the sink every night, so I don't go home with much laundry.

I use the first organization method you mentioned: 1 bottom and 2-4 tops in complementary pallettes. I have some clothes that I only use for travel, and I keep these travel capsules always packed, which makes packing easier.

HellIo Nathan & Aullie ! I'm still an under seater with 3 compression cubes & two pair of shoes, with pouches (after standing the luggage up) Then Totes umbrella in one side pocket. I leave the flat outside pocket empty and one side pocket empty for "just in case". Then my Samsonite backpack has one compression cube, pouches and handbag on top (the one you recommended) Just packed for a visit to see my mom and pretended I was flying to Italy ~ As "senior" travelers we've discovered we can travel with less. And I'm still Army roll, but tried flat folding for jeans & linens this last trip. THANK YOU Laurie for all the invaluable tips, hacks & tricks. Oh....and this year I pack my Medicare card 😉🤨😑

Thank you for all of your great tips! I also noticed that the smaller compression cubes worked better for me than the larger ones. The way I fold my clothing to fit in the compression cube is to lay the cube down, then fold each item the very size of the cube. Lay it aside and do the next, that way they fit from corner to corner in the cube. Also, a couple of days before a trip, I start taking everything I plan to take to the dining room table. That way I can see everything, and the flat waist-height table makes it easy to fold your items nicely.

Hi, Laurie. Just so you know... I don't comment very often, but since I discovered your channel I've been watching very regularly... almost like clockwork. I haven't yet mastered packing in just a carry-on and a personal item, but I aspire to that! (Of course, right now I'm only traveling once a year, and that around Thanksgiving when cold weather clothes are needed, so not much chance to practice.) I've learned so much, and I'm still learning! Thank you!

I use all three and decide which is best for the material and length of the particular item of clothing and love my cubes for organizing. I really like a neat pack so I plan, try, rearrange. Also, think about heavy near the rollers, light near the top, so the case rolls easier and doesn't fall over when you stop.

When we travel for more than a week we take old clothing that was going to be retired and throw it away before returning home. Makes things so much easier. Then there’s room for souvenirs.

I generally use only a carryon but I do take a fold up, waterproof w/zipper tote bag and put my dirty clothes in it (fabric softener sheet too). If I have room to put it back in my suitcase, I don't have to worry about spoiling clean clothes. If I've bought too much and no longer have room for dirties, no problem. I already have an ID tag on it, I just zip it up and check it on the trip home! If it gets led astray, I have plenty of clothes at home until it arrives!!!! And it helps keep my hotel/cruise stateroom tidy!

The best way I’ve found is bulky stuff folded first (like trousers), second fill the level with lighter stuff (light shirts), folded, lastly roll and stuff into the remaining crevices the small stuff, (underwear etc)… But as a bloke, I’m not bothered about creased clothing… I’m there for a vacation not to impress anyone else.

Your little dog is adorable! 😊

My family calls me The Tetris Queen. 🤭. I can make it fit…not matter what….where there’s a will there’s a way!