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This was published 1 year ago

Simple packing method that will make wheeling your suitcase around so much easier

Kristine Tarbert
Kristine Tarbert

Every week, 9Travel shares a top travel tip from our readers or our writers. Have something to share? Email us at travel@nine.com.au for a chance to be featured in an upcoming story.

Other than trying to maximise space and minimise weight, do you usually put much thought into exactly how you pack a suitcase?

It turns out, I'm quite methodical when it comes to where I place certain items, such as shoes, books, and toiletries.

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And one technique I swear by even has a pro organiser's tick of approval.

iStock photo

There is one thing I always do when packing my suitcase. Getty

When you unzip your suitcase and open it up to pack it, take note of which end the wheels are at. Then, pack your heaviest items at that end.

Think shoes, sunscreen, chargers, or books. That way, once you zip your luggage up and stand it upright, most of the weight will be sitting at the bottom.

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You might be wondering why this matters.

But if you've ever tried to wheel your bag over a slight rise in the pavement, cobblestones, or even those plastic marking dots, and had the bag tip over... that was likely the result of too much weight sitting near the top.

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Tourist Travel with black large suitcases or baggage in lobby hotel waiting room or check in line at airport. Trip vacation or holiday tourism insurance concept

The last thing you want is for your bag to be tipping over. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indeed, professional organiser Shantae Duckworth agrees with the technique.

"Heavier items, like shoes or chargers, go near the wheels of the carry-on so the bag balances well when upright," she told Apartment Therapy.

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No one likes a bag that tips over. But beyond that, we also place our bags in overhead lockers wheels first (at least we should), and you don't want the heaviest part pointing right at your face when manoeuvring the bag in and out.

It's a super simple strategy that has served me well over the years and works for both carry-on and larger luggage pieces.

Remember when suitcases only had two wheels? Imagine all the heavy stuff stacked right under the handle pulling on your arm, instead of sitting pretty down by the wheels.

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Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.

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