Duffels.com

Did you know that ski bags exist that have a boot bag attachment? New to skiing, I had no idea, and spent a good twenty minutes trying to figure out the best way to cram my ski boots into my suitcase without taking up half of the room inside before my first trip out. I suppose many experienced skiers may find it funny, but when starting out this is one of those things that many of us learn the hard way.

This was not my only packing headache however. Over the years I have learned many lessons: some painful, some messy and others that could have been avoided with a little advice. While you probably have travel tips of your own for packing a bag, I’d like to share mine with you here:

• Sunscreen and shampoo leak. Store any lotions or liquids in a clear, sealed bag for the trip.
• Bags are always more full when you leave to go home due to souvenirs and such. Ship things to yourself at home to avoid luggage that won’t close right before a flight.
• Protect expensive sunglasses. Invest in a hard case for your beloved shades; they can get smashed easily in a carry-on bag.
• Roll your clothes. This helps keep them from being a wrinkled mess on arrival. They won’t look pressed, but you won’t look shabby either.
• Stuff socks inside shoes to save space. Simple, but effective when you need just a pinch more room.