Whether you’re prepping for a weekend getaway, a month-long honey moon, or for your first year of college, you want to make the most of what you pack. Not just seeing how much you can jam in your suitcase, but having your clothes, shoes, toiletries, and more arrive at your destination as easy to find and presentable as possible. To make bulging suitcases a thing of the past, streamline your packing process with these 30 super efficient ways to pack your stuff.
1. F1 Spacepack Clothes ($46): This carry on-sized bag is designed to allow for double compression of its contents. It’s even got designated “clean clothes” and “dirty clothes” pouches perfect for sorting cargo on short business trips.
2. F1 Go Clean Set ($52): Clean freaks have something to freak about with these labeled travel pouches that keep cross contamination at bay. Made of heavy duty nylon, each set of three comes with a bag for laundry, shoes, and of course, stuff.
3. Pack-It Folder 18 ($28): This travel folder acts like kryptonite against wrinkles if you pack it right (simply fold your clothes using the lightweight packing board inside). Those who are good at following instructions can fit up to eight collared shirts and four slacks in this briefcase-sized bag!
4. The Gooseneck Garment Bag ($132): Don’t board your private jet without this sleek garment bag in hand. With a diagonal zipper that allows for maximum packing efficiency, this bag can be folded in half for toting and tri-folded when not in use for easy storage.
5. F1 Seat Pack ($28): Whether you’re stuck in business class or a back seat, store your time-passing essentials in this multi-zip pouch. Once it’s packed with your passport, phone charger, eye mask, and much, much more (you’ll be amazed at how much it can hold), hang it on the nearest hook so it’s in your face when you need it.
6. Grid It Med Grey ($24): Woven rubberized bands hold your personal items snugly in place on this gray grid, from electronics to craft supplies and even snacks (a guy added a banana to the Grid-It in this video). There’s even a full zip pouch on the back to store what may slip through the cracks.
7. Rollbag M (roughly $20): The beauty of a roll-top bag is its ability to shift its volume. These water-repellent pouches are even more versatile because they come in three sizes and a variety of colors.
8. Pack-It Mobile Locker ($38): This red piece of luggage may look pretty typical from the outside, but unzipping it reveals three compartments that unfold into a hanging locker of sorts. It’s a perfect way to pack for day-long hikes, early morning boot camps, or even the gym!
9. Dubble Duffle ($158): Hands down this is the bag we’d take with us to fashion destinations like Paris or London. It may not look super chic, but it expands to twice its size, so you can bring home twice as much in the same bag. Our tickets are already booked ;)
10. Pack-It Shoe Sac ($13): Keep your kicks in their own compartment with this specialty shoe sac. This way you’ll never see that sticky bubble gum transfer from your soles to your finest dress shirt right before your best bud’s destination wedding. Yuck!
11. Pack-It Compression Sac Set ($22): To pass efficient packing 101, you must get down with these basic compression sacs. By loading in your clothes and rolling it up tight, you can save up to 80 percent more packing space just by eliminating excess air! These sacs are also great for seasonal storage, especially for those bulky fall sweaters.
12. The Aviator ($490): Channel Amelia Earhart with this gorgeous canvas day bag. Designed by a pilot, this carrier contains a removable passport pocket and built-in organizers large enough to hold tablet-sized devices.
13. Set of 8 Travel Packing Bags ($8): The more the merrier with this set of eight mustache-faced travel bags. These bags come in a variety of different sizes so you can pack as much or as little of what you need in these cheery, space-saving containers.
14. Signature Travel Jewelry Case ($50): Meet the ultimate jewelry travel case: a multi-pouch, waterproof linen binder! Three plastic-covered organizers make it roomy enough to travel with your finest statement accessories while keeping your everyday items untangled. There’s really only one rival to this modern marvel…
15. Vintage Caboodle ($26): …and that’s a blast from the past! Remember Caboodles? You had one if you were a girl in the ’80s, and now that we’re all grown up, they still seem unbelievably handy with their swivel organizer trays and protective plastic shell. Just us?
16. Portable Charging Station ($80): Keep all your devices charged and organized when you’re on the go with this portable charging station. The real clincher: its built-in power hub lets you charge up to four USB-chargeable devices while using only one outlet.
17. Pack-It Wallaby ($35): This dopp kit transforms into your own portable medicine cabinet, complete with a mirror! Pack your toiletries, grooming tools, makeup, and more in this collapsible pack.
18. Travelus Mesh Pouch Long ($10): The unique design of this mesh pouch makes it incredibly versatile. Bend it in half to accommodate your travel-sized toiletries or leave it long to house writing utensils for jotting in your trip journal.
19. Monopoly Travel Underwear Pouch ($27): Stuff your skivvies in this weekend travel case made for unmentionables. The inner bag cleverly detaches for easy storage in your carry on while the main pouch keeps your main stash of underwear in one place.
20. Collapsible Sunglass Case ($34): Now you see it, now you don’t! This collapsible sunglass case is an amazing space saver for both travel and everyday use. It’s strong shield easily reassembles with a few strips of Velcro.
21. F1 Fill+fly Bottle Set ($24): Don’t worry about having your toiletries tossed before take off with this carry-on approved bottle set. This genius pack includes four leak-proof pump bottles designed to eliminate product waste.
22. Slim Bag-in-Bag ($29): Ever wish you had more pockets? This bag-in-bag has 13 of ’em! Made of protective padding that’s lighter to carry than an iPhone, it fits the definition of travel made easy.
23. Travel Zip Organizer ($31): Quit guessing which color maxi dress you packed with this see-through organizer. Made of a chipper yellow mesh, this travel case allows your garments to breathe, making it a great accessory for closet or under-the-bed storage too.
24. Pack-It Mesh Stuffer Set ($22): Still pack efficiently even when you’re feeling lazy about it. Simply roll your shirts or socks in a ball and toss ’em in! Your college self is so jealous right now.
25. AmazonBasics Universal Travel Kit ($12): A plastic shell protects this travel kit’s contents like armor. Mesh pouches can accommodate multiple devices, chargers, and memory cards, keeping your electronics and their accessories all in one safe place.
26. Baggu ($9): Aren’t Baggus the coolest? Made of ripstop nylon, the classic Baggu is a simple, single-compartment carrier that folds flat after each use. We’ll take one in every color, please!
27. Grand Shoulder Bag ($74): We love this twist on the classic messenger bag. Besides its bottom zip pouch and main bag, this over-the-shoulder sling has an easy-to-reach top compartment perfect for keeping boarding passes and other frequently used items close at hand.
28. Pack Bags ($36): These Pack Bags lay flat and zip wide open to make packing as easy as it can be. The dapper bags can be paired together to create an efficient packing system sure to rival that of nesting Russian dolls.
29. Zucca Pro Road Warrior Luggage ($305): As its name implies, you are a true packing champion when you wheel around this luggage. All travelers will bow to you for you unparalleled willingness to stay organized.
30. Biknd Helium Travel Case ($600): If you travel in comfort, so should your bike. This inflatable-padded carry case is an awesome solution for traveling long distances with your two-wheeler in tow.
Do you have any awesome packing tricks? Did we miss any bags or luggage that are great for efficient travel? Let us know in the comments below.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.