Maximising Packing Space with Soft Shell Luggage

December 28 2024, by Carolina UC, 7 min reading time

Whether you're heading off for a short city break or a long-haul adventure, packing efficiently can make all the difference. Soft shell luggage is a favourite for many UK travellers, offering flexibility, ease of manoeuvrability, and, of course, the ability to squeeze in that extra pair of shoes or souvenir. But how do you maximise the packing space in your soft shell luggage? In this blog, we’ll explore smart tips to help you pack more efficiently, keep your items organised, and make the most of your luggage space.

1. Use Compression Straps

Compression straps are a game-changer when it comes to maximising packing space. Found in the interior of many soft shell suitcases, these straps are designed to help you pack more tightly and prevent your clothes from shifting during transit.

How It Helps: By tightening the straps over your packed items, you reduce excess air space and ensure everything stays compact. This can help create more room for additional items or simply keep your packing neat and organised.

Compression straps are a simple yet effective way to condense your clothes and keep your luggage in shape, so make sure to use them to your advantage.

2. Roll Clothes

When it comes to saving space, rolling your clothes is a technique that never goes out of style. Unlike folding, which can create bulky layers of fabric, rolling helps you to compress clothes and fit them into every nook and cranny of your luggage.

How It Helps: Rolling not only saves space but also reduces wrinkles, especially for fabrics like cotton and linen. Plus, it’s an excellent way to organise your clothes—roll similar items together for easy access when you need them.

This method is ideal for soft shell luggage, as the flexibility of the material allows for easy packing and the possibility of squeezing a bit more into the bag.

3. Organise with Compartments

Many soft shell suitcases come with multiple compartments and dividers that can help keep your belongings organised. Whether it’s a zippered mesh pocket or a smaller internal compartment, using these features effectively can free up a lot of packing space.

How It Helps: Using compartments ensures that your clothes, toiletries, and accessories don’t get mixed up, making it easier to find what you need. It also allows you to distribute the weight evenly, helping you maximise the overall space in the main section of your luggage.

Keep an eye out for suitcases with strategically placed compartments to make organisation a breeze.

4. Pack Shoes Separately

Shoes can be bulky and tricky to pack, especially if you’re trying to fit more into your soft shell luggage. However, with a bit of creativity, you can fit in more pairs without taking up too much space.

How It Helps: Use a separate pouch or shoe bag to keep your footwear organised and save valuable space in the main compartment. You can even stuff socks, belts, or smaller items inside your shoes to make use of the empty space.

Packing shoes separately prevents them from crushing your clothes or causing unwanted pressure on delicate items, while maximising packing space.

5. Fill Gaps with Small Items

One of the easiest ways to optimise packing space is by filling in any gaps with smaller items. Soft shell luggage is flexible, so take advantage of the empty spaces in corners and along the sides to fit in accessories, toiletries, or other compact essentials.

How It Helps: Little items like scarves, chargers, or underwear can easily fill gaps that would otherwise go unused. Not only does this help you fit more into your luggage, but it also ensures everything stays in place during travel.

Don’t overlook these small opportunities to maximise your packing potential.

6. Choose Expandable Luggage

Many soft shell suitcases come with an expandable feature, which allows you to increase the size of your luggage when needed. If you’re planning to bring back souvenirs or need extra space for a longer trip, an expandable case can offer significant added flexibility.

How It Helps: Expandable luggage gives you the option to increase the storage capacity without compromising on the structure or style of your bag. This is particularly useful for longer trips or when you’re packing for a variety of weather conditions.

While it’s important to stick within your baggage allowance, expandable luggage provides the flexibility to accommodate those extra items that often pop up during travel.

7. Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a traveller’s best friend when it comes to keeping things organised. These small, lightweight organisers help group your clothes, toiletries, and accessories into neat, easy-to-access compartments.

How It Helps: By separating your items into packing cubes, you can optimise the space within your luggage and prevent everything from getting mixed up. They help compress your clothes even further, making the most of every inch of available space.

They also make it easier to find specific items without having to unpack your entire suitcase, which can save time and stress on your travels.

8. Maximise External Pockets

Soft shell luggage often comes with a few external pockets, and while these might be great for quick-access items like travel documents or snacks, they can also be useful for storing items you don’t mind packing separately.

How It Helps: External pockets can house items like books, a travel pillow, or even a jacket, freeing up the main interior for your heavier or bulkier belongings. Just be mindful not to overstuff them, as they can become difficult to zip or cause your luggage to tip over.

Using external pockets allows you to keep your essential items within easy reach without taking up too much space inside your case.

9. Place Heavy Items at the Bottom

When packing soft shell luggage, the way you distribute weight can significantly impact both space and convenience. Placing heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase helps ensure better weight distribution and reduces the strain on the wheels.

How It Helps: Heavy items like shoes, toiletries, or electronics should go at the bottom to avoid crushing fragile items and to maintain balance. This technique helps prevent your luggage from toppling over when standing upright.

Organising your luggage in this way not only optimises space but also helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your bag.

10. Take Advantage of Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of soft shell luggage is its inherent flexibility. Unlike hard shell cases, soft shell bags can expand and shift slightly, allowing you to maximise space in ways that are not possible with more rigid options.

How It Helps: Soft shell luggage gives you the ability to push and stretch the bag as needed, allowing you to fit in odd-shaped items or use every inch of space. The flexibility also helps you manage overpacking, as you can squeeze in an extra item without worrying about the suitcase buckling under the pressure.

This malleability is particularly beneficial when you’re trying to pack more into a compact space, as it can mould to fit your needs.

Conclusion

Maximising packing space in soft shell luggage is all about being smart with how you use the available room. By rolling your clothes, using compression straps, organising with compartments, and packing shoes separately, you can fit in more without compromising on organisation or convenience. Additional tips like using packing cubes, utilising external pockets, and taking advantage of expandable options can further optimise your packing strategy.

Remember, the key to successful packing lies in planning and being creative with the space you have. With these tips, you’ll be able to maximise every inch of your soft shell luggage and ensure a smoother, stress-free journey—whether it’s a short city break or an extended adventure. Happy packing!