Have you ever wondered how service members can fit so much inside their packs and keep track of it all? Well, you’re about to find out. We’ll discuss what it means to pack like a military pro, how to do it, and the benefits of these techniques for your next trip.

What Does it Mean to Pack Like a Military Pro?

Service members are well-known for being able to fit impressive amounts of gear into what seems like small bags. Most military bags have more space than you might think, but while these bags may accommodate more luggage, service members have secrets of their own to help them pack efficiently.

If you pack like a military pro, you’re using tactics and techniques service members use to pack their bags. Using these techniques, you can stress less about packing and have more fun at your destination.

Use the following tips to help you pack more effectively so you can maximize your space and reduce your stress as you head to your next destination:

1. Create a Staging Area

Before shoving things into your bag, lay out everything you plan to bring. Having a visual of your items can help you decide what to pack, determine if you’re missing something, and what order you’ll use these items once you arrive at your destination.

2. Pack Your Items in Reverse

Packing your items in reverse order will save you a headache when you get where you’re going. There’s nothing worse than needing the one item that’s shoved to the bottom of your suitcase or luggage, forcing you to unpack everything the moment you arrive.

First, you’ll want to consider the items you need most. Usually, these include a change of clothes, toiletries, or electronics. Order your belongings from most important to least important, and pack the least important items first. Once you arrive and reach your first night at your destination, you’ll have everything you need at the top.

3. Consider the Weight

On top of priority, you should also pack by weight. If you pack with little thought to the weight and make your bag unbalanced, your body could be aching or sore for the rest of your trip.

Instead, consider packing your bag with the heaviest items in the center so the weight is balanced rather than pulling you down. You can pack items with an average weight at the bottom with the lightest belongings at the top. You should also use this method with suitcases by splitting your bag into thirds.

4. Fold and Roll

Creating shapes for your belongings can help you make stacks that fit better together. Think of your drawers at home. You can fit more clothes inside when they’re nice and folded, right? The same applies to luggage and travel.

Fold the smaller clothes and roll larger items like sweatshirts or thick jackets. If the bulkier items are unrolling on their own as you pack them, you can tie them with twine or wrap a rubber band around them to keep them tightly packed until you’re ready to use them. Any loose items you won’t need immediately can be tucked away in a Ziplock bag.

5. Pretend You’re Building a Wall

One of the best ways to think about packing is to build a wall with your folded and rolled belongings. For instance, you might use your shoes or other stiff items as the base, while your clothing items act as the bricks or mortar that fill in the rest of the space.

Packing like this can keep everything in your suitcase or luggage snug so it doesn’t shift while you travel. Preventing shifting can create more protection for fragile items while in transit, like electronics. Limited movement also keeps your packing order in place so you can find what you need once you open your luggage at your destination.

6. Fill the Empty Space

No matter how tightly you pack your clothes and shoes, you’re bound to have some free space, especially if there is a lot of variance between the sizing. Rather than leave this space empty and let your belongings shift during travel, you can fill this space with small items.

For example, you can store socks, toiletries, electronics, and more in the extra space. If you’re packing a large bag, you can use smaller bags with your items to make everything fit together better while reducing empty space.

7. Use the Right Bag

Service members love their bags and for the right reasons. Military bags have impressive durability, strength, and versatility, making them the perfect travel bag. If you’re going on a trip but have the wrong bag, packing can be challenging.

Rather than make packing harder than you have to, consider investing in a high-quality bag. A good bag will be easier to pack and can hold up to frequent travel and use.

Benefits of Packing Like You’re in the Military

Choosing to pack like a service member rather than trying to stuff all of your belongings into your luggage has many benefits, with some of the most notable being:

●Space: When you pack like you’re in the military, you save space. If you can pack your belongings like you’re building a wall and use the fold-and-roll method, you’ll end up with more leftover space than you would have with another method. The space you save can be used to store other items, or you can downgrade bags to reduce the hassle of traveling with large, bulky luggage.

●Time: On top of space, you’ll also save time. While shoving everything into your bag may seem faster, you could waste more time than you save. If your items don’t fit, you’ll have to pull everything out and start again. An unorganized suitcase can also be a nightmare to unpack once you arrive at your destination. If you pack like a military pro, you’ll know where everything is so you can access it quickly.

●Reassurance: Using military packing techniques can give you extra peace of mind, knowing you have everything for your trip. When you set everything up in the staging area before you pack, you can check items off your list as you stow them in your bag.

●Hassle-free: Packing like you’re in the military can significantly reduce stress once you reach your destination. The last thing you want to do after a long day of travel is try to store through a messy, unorganized suitcase. If you pack well beforehand, everything you need for the first night will be at the top of the pile. You’ll also know where everything is so you don’t have to blindly search for what you need.

Choose a Travel Bag From Military Luggage

If you want to feel more confident while you travel, whether you’re in the military, a veteran, military spouse, or civilian, Military Luggage Company has your six. We have a comprehensive selection of military luggage or tactical gear that are well suited to travel. Choose from backpacks, duffle bags, toiletry bags, and more to elevate your next trip.