5 Of The Best Space-Saving Packing Hacks From Travel Experts

man with suitcaseFor someone who considers herself low-maintenance, I struggle a lot with packing for holidays or even short weekends away. It’s not so much the clothes – I’ve been a fan of the 3-3-3 packing method for a while – but the straighteners, hairdryers, and round brushes end up taking up a solid third of my hand luggage.Well, no more. I refuse to spend one more holiday season wrestling with heaving bags and forcing the zips of my suitcase shut by sitting on the case. HuffPost UK spoke to four travel experts about their favourite packing hack – fingers crossed these finally change the game.1) “My can’t-believe-I-ever-ignored-it hack is storing small essentials inside my shoes.” Isheeta Borkar, author at Travelicious Couple, says that some of the bulkiest items in your luggage can also provide the best storage. “A pair of trainers or ankle boots” usually take up loads of space anyway, “so I turn them into tiny storage lockers,” she advised. “I roll socks into tight little burritos, then slide one inside each toe. After that, I coil phone chargers into the remaining space around the heel. Finally, everything goes into a thin drawstring laundry bag that keeps dusty soles from flirting with clean clothes.” 2) Get rid of as much air as possible Michelle, the founder of Travel HerStory, said, “My favourite packing hack is using compression technology, whether it’s built into a backpack... or more basic fare, like compression cubes.“Either way, getting every inch of space you can get in by removing excess air has helped me to travel throughout Europe for the last four months without checking a bag, as I’ve travelled with the backpack and a carry-on suitcase utilising the cubes,” she added.Good ol’ vacuum packs can work too.3) Combine packing cubes with a “twist and roll” strategy“Instead of just rolling your clothes, roll them up tightly and then stuff them into compression packing cubes,” Paul Stewart, a relocation and travel expert and the founder of My Baggage USA, said. “Having this double layer of space-saving can provide you with 30-40% more space in your luggage.” 4) “For hand luggage specifically, I swear by the ‘layering strategy.’”Stewart also said he’s a fan of a “layering strategy” to skimp on luggage bulk. Wear “your bulkiest gear – boots, a heavy coat, and that heavy sweater with you instead of packing them in your bag,” he said. “It may seem a little strange, but you’ll save precious space and weight allowance. And planes are cold anyway, so you’ll be snug.” 5) “Always take a photo of your packed suitcase before closing it.” Okay, it doesn’t technically save you space, but Jaipil Singh, who works with MundoTrip.com, said that you should snap a pic of your luggage contents before taking off to get rid of any future hassle.This “helps with insurance claims” if something goes missing, he explained. I’m taking notes...Related...AIBU For Not Packing My Teens' And Husband's Suitcases For Holiday?The '333 Method' Is The Ultimate Packing Hack For Your Next TripThe 1 Piece Of Popular Packing Advice That You Definitely Shouldn’t Try

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