How to pack a suitcase: life hacks from the military

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Gathering before a trip is stressful for almost everyone, but not for the military. Their advice will turn you into a packing pro, too.

1. Practice

A particularly frequent piece of advice from the military is to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble the bag a few days before departure. So you will not only fill your hand, but also remember what and where is in your suitcase, so that then you will quickly find everything you need.

Spread everything out on the bed, floor, or table and practice. Then it will be easier to decide what exactly is needed on the trip.

2. Roll, twist and bandage

Try to fold things so that they are the same shape and size. Then they will fit snugly together and take up less space in the bag.

Roll up bulky items that are more difficult to fold, such as jackets or sleeping bags. And so that they do not unfold, tie them with a rope.

3. Fold things in reverse order

The most practical way to put your bag together is to pack it in reverse order. Think for yourself: what you put first will be the last to get. If you are arriving at your destination in the evening, put your pajamas and other sleep items in your bag last. Leave a spare pair of jeans at the bottom of your bag.

4. Strategically distribute weight in your suitcase

A backpack is the most convenient way to travel. Just remember: the heaviest item should be placed in the center of the backpack, so that it is closer to the spine. Then the backpack will not pull you back, but it will be easier to carry.

The same rule applies to suitcases and bags. Divide your bag into three sections. The bottom should be medium in weight, the second the heaviest, and the top lightest.

5. Imagine building a wall

Lay things up as you would stack bricks and cement when building a wall. Shoes or covers with small things are your "bricks". And clothes and linen are "cement" filling empty spaces. If you put your suitcase in this way, things in it will not dangle during movement.

6. If you do not know what to occupy the free space, put more socks

If there is a lot of free space between the things in the suitcase, take it up with socks. They will definitely come in handy, especially if you are going to walk a lot during the trip. During intense walking, feet sweat, socks get wet, and it is easy to get calluses. So it's better to stock up on socks in advance and change them more often.

7. Take only what you need

Don't carry too many things with you. Be prepared for unforeseen situations, but don't overload. You must have high speed and low resistance.

When you lay everything out in front of you during the gathering, put aside unnecessary things. First, put the essentials in your suitcase, and if there is room left, add something from the extra.

8. Fold things into separate covers

To tidy up your suitcase, place your belongings in small covers. For example, put all electrical appliances and cables in one, toiletries in the other, and scarves and gloves in the third. Cloth covers with zippers are perfect for this.

Be sure to leave a cover or bag with essentials on top. The content depends entirely on where you are going, but there are also universal things: documents, a charger for your phone, headphones, medications, a snack, a change of clothes - everything you need to quickly get out of your suitcase.

9. Find the perfect suitcase

As you know, the military does not change its equipment. Therefore, they advise everyone to find the perfect suitcase or backpack for themselves. Better to spend more money on it, but get more space and convenience, as well as a speed advantage.