Picture yourself on a train, rummaging through your backpack with growing frustration as clothes, gadgets, and toiletries seem to be thrown together in a frantic jumble. You find your socks engaging in an unexpected tête-à-tête with your toothpaste, while your headphones have taken refuge under your travel guide. What was meant to be a well-packed kit swiftly morphs into the equivalent of a tornado in a storage room. Organizing a backpack for travel - and then keeping it organized - is a puzzle that even the most seasoned travelers have struggled to solve.

This struggle is so common largely because most backpacks are just a big hole: your clothes, tech, and toiletries all get piled on top of each other and then get totally disorganized when you pull out what you need.

It’s no surprise that your travel experience is far easier and  more enjoyable when you can access what you want, when you want it. And the Knack team knows that there’s nothing worse than having to pull everything out of your backpack just to find your toothbrush.

So, whether you’re packing your backpack for an extended trip through Europe, or just for a local weekend getaway, these tips will help you keep your backpack organized while fitting everything that you need. Because when you have an organized backpack, you can spend more time enjoying the experience, and less time worrying about your stuff.

• Pick the best travel backpack
• Make a packing list
• Lay it out
• Consider your backpack’s weight distribution
• Use travel packing accessories
• Roll or fold your clothes
• Pack and protect your electronics
• Avoid leaks

Pick the best travel backpack

Your backpack is the MVP of your trip, and choosing the right one will make it far easier to stay organized. The best travel backpack has lots of pockets, which will allow you to organize your big and small possessions. Small things tend to fall to the bottom of your bag, so you want to make sure that your backpack has dedicated pockets for easy access to these items. 

A travel backpack is also easier to organize when it’s the right size. If you bring a bag that’s too small for your trip, then everything will be crammed so tightly into the compartments that it’ll be impossible to organize no matter how many pockets the bag has. On the other hand, if your bag is too big, then you’ll have a bunch of loose space, and your stuff will get jostled around. 

Compare Knack Pack sizes here to figure out which one you need for your trip.

Consider a carry-on backpack

If you’re flying to your destination, you need to take into account whether your backpack will fit on the airplane as a carry-on. At Knack, we strongly believe that when you travel with a carry-on only, you’re going to have a better travel experience; you’ll save money and time by not waiting and worrying about your checked luggage. 

We designed Knack Packs with all the features that make it an exceptional carry-on bag. Not only do all Knack Packs fit into the overhead compartment - and almost always under the seat in front of you, but they have clamshell openings that give you easy access to everything inside, they’re built with strong but lightweight materials, they have LOTS of pockets to keep everything in place, and they have tuck-away straps that won’t dangle into the aisle. 

>>MORE: The Best Carry-On Backpack Roundup and Review

By zipping up the expandable travel compartment, any size of Knack Pack is transformed into a sleek, around-town backpack for use at your destination. The major benefit of which is that you won’t need to carry a second everyday bag, thereby saving you all the space that would have even eaten up by having to pack a bag inside of a bag. 

Make a packing list

A packing list outlines everything that you’re going to need to bring with you on your trip so that you can make sure that you don’t miss anything important. 

What should go on your packing list?
The best way to organize your packing list is to break your items down by categories. Here are some that we like to use:

• Clothes - These take up the bulk of the space.
• Toiletries - Soap, toothbrush, makeup, etc (but remember that many of these items can be purchased at your destination
• Tech - Laptop, phone, chargers, extra batteries, earbuds.
• Documents - Your wallet, passport, travel insurance, receipts, vaccination card, etc. 
• Miscellaneous - Anything else you’ll need on your travel day, like hand sanitizer and snacks. 

If you’re flying with just a carry-on, your packing list will also have to list what absolutely can’t go onto the plane with you so you can plan appropriately. 

What you cannot pack in your carry-on bag:

• What you cannot pack in your carry-on bag:
• Liquids over 3.4 oz (except hand sanitizer)
• Pocket knives, mace, or anything that could be used as a weapon.
• Inert weapons (like toy guns or anything that resembles a real weapon).
• Alcohol (you’re federally prohibited from bringing your own alcohol on airplanes)

>>MORE: How To Make A Perfect Travel Packing List

Lay it out

At least one day before you put anything in your bag, you should lay out on a flat surface, by categories, all the stuff on your packing list. This practice will make sure that you’re not bringing too much or too little of anything, and gives you an opportunity to remove the extras. Do you really need that many pairs of socks? Don’t you need another long sleeve shirt?

You’ll pack more rationally when you can see everything at once; and you’ll know if you’ve forgotten anything before it all goes into your bag. Don’t let the pressure of an  imminent departure cause you to over- or under-pack. 

A flat lay of all your travel stuff will also help you visualize how to pack similar items together and which items should be the easiest to access. As an example, you’ll probably use your camera and camera batteries a lot, so those should go towards the top of your backpack. Things that you don’t need as often, should go in the bottom of your backpack.

In your airplane carry-on, be sure to include the essentials:

• Phone and charger
• Identification documents
• An empty water bottle to fill at the airport.
• Non-liquid snacks.
• For entertainment: e-reader or tablet and earbuds.
• For work: Laptop and charger.
• For comfort: Eye mask, compression socks, earplugs, and a change of clothes or clothes for layering.
• Tissues and hand sanitizer

Consider your backpack’s weight distribution

Since you’ll be walking around the airport, and around cities with your backpack, you want to pack as comfortably as possible. Thanks to Knack’s many pockets and compartments, you can really optimize your bag’s weight distribution so that it’s super comfortable, even when fully-loaded.

Heavier things should go close to your body and closer to your hips. If you are taking a Knack, put your laptop in the laptop compartment that lies up against your back, and use a compressible shoe bag to keep your shoes in the center of the expandable compartment. 

Lighter items should go around the upper perimeter of your bag. Your snacks, chargers, and little miscellaneous things can stay in the mesh pockets. 

Knack Packs are extremely lightweight considering how strong they are (even the large ones weigh only 3lbs. 4oz). 

Pick your pockets

This is the fun part. Once you’ve taken inventory of your stuff, take inventory of all the pockets and compartments in your backpack, and assign pockets to different categories. You can take a look at Knack Pack’s pockets here. 

Since most backpacks are basically big black holes, they lack the multiple compartments and sufficient pockets you need for organization. So you end up piling things on top of each other from the bottom up. Because Knack Packs have multiple compartments and tons of interior pockets, you can be much more intentional about how you organize your stuff. 

In a Knack Pack, we recommend that you put your clothes in the expandable suitcase compartment (which has a lid that opens like a suitcase to provide easy access to everything you packed). Keep the items that you need regular access to in the front compartment (which has a ¾ opening, so you can actually see everything that’s inside).

It’s up to you how you organize the rest of your backpack. But if you have a Knack Pack, here are a few great ways to use Knack Pack pockets.

• Keep your laptop in the padded, side-access laptop pocket. 
• Keep chargers and extra USBs in the cable garage (Series 1 only). 
• Put your tablet in the microfleece-lined interior pocket. 
• Dedicate mesh pockets to smaller items, like AirPods and keys.

Use travel packing accessories

Travel packing cubes are total game-changers when it comes to keeping your backpack organized. Not only do they save space (Knack’s cubes compress by 70%), but they’ll also help you keep similar items together, from clothes to toiletries. For example, when you need a new pair of socks, you simply pull out your sock cube. Plus, they make it way easier to pack and repack - your stuff doesn’t fall out in a jumbled mess whenever you open your bag. 

Another go-to packing accessory that you should always have on hand is a compressible shoe bag. Shoes are bulky, dirty, and super awkward to pack - but in most cases, you’ll want to bring an extra pair on your trip. Enter shoe bags, which will gently compress your shoes and allow you to pack them together with your nice clean clothes. 

Finally, bring a laundry bag. They pack flat, are lightweight, and you’ll have a place to put your dirty clothes when you’re halfway through your trip.

Roll or fold your clothes

Since clothes take up such a large volume in your travel backpack, you need to pack them strategically. The materials and quantity of clothes that you bring will inform whether you fold or roll them. Here’s a quick guide:

Rolling Clothes

Rolling your clothes is ideal if you prefer a minimalist packing approach and like to travel light; this technique saves a lot of space and enables you to fit a lot into just one bag. Rolling works best with soft clothes - like t-shirts and underwear - which can form nice, tight bundles. But it can also save space when it comes to packing bulkier items like jackets and trousers.

How to roll clothes:

For jackets, shirts, and T-shirts, turn the bottom of the item inside out. Next, fold the sleeves across the middle, then fold the article three times equally. Flip the article over and roll tightly. Finally, attach the folded bottom to the roll. 

For jeans, trousers, and shorts, turn the top inside out. Put the legs on top of each other, then flip the item over. Roll tight, and attach the fold. 

Folding Clothes

Folding clothes might not save much space, but it’s as straightforward as putting your clothing in a drawer. There’s also an advantage in that folding clothes can minimize wrinkles, especially if you’re packing stiffer garments, like blazers or khaki pants. 

How to fold clothes:

If the item has sleeves, fold them vertically towards the middle, then fold the garment in half. Next fold, three times, starting with the bottom, to make a more rectangular shape. Pants and jeans are even simpler; stack the trouser legs on top of eachother then fold twice in half. 

Pro tip: To reduce wrinkles in folded clothes, place tissue paper in between the folds. This allows your clothes to move slightly in the bag. 

If you’re packing clothes into a suitcase-like space (such as the Knack Pack’s travel compartment), it’s best practice to line the bottom of the compartment with your rolled clothes, and layer the folded clothes on top. This way, you can easily remove and sort through your folded clothes, without disrupting the rolled clothes. 

Take a deep dive into rolling vs. folding here.

Pack and protect your electronics

After your passport or driver's license, your tech is likely the most valuable thing you carry with you - particularly if you’re traveling for business. One of the most important reasons to keep your travel backpack organized is to keep track of your stuff - you always know where everything is, and you know that it’s packed safely. 

Keep your electronics in dedicated pockets in your backpack. Your laptop should go in a padded, sling-bottom laptop pocket. If your backpack doesn’t have a laptop pocket, make sure that it’s stored in a thick, padded laptop sleeve.

Microfleece-lined pockets are best for your phone and tablet, and any other tech with a delicate screen that could get scratched. Then, put smaller tech items - like batteries, external hard drives, and earbuds - in a smaller pocket or in packing cubes. 

>>MORE: The Best Backpack for Traveling with Tech

Avoid leaks

If you’re flying with toiletries, or carrying them in through a hot environment, the change in pressure can cause them to leak, or even explode, in your bag. Keep all liquids in a leak-proof bag so that they don’t spill all over clothes and electronics, and so that you can easily pull them out when you go through security. Also opt for travel-size versions to save space, keeping liquids in 100ml refillable bottles that comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 regulations.

And here’s a pro-tip: Avoid liquids altogether. Try out shampoo and conditioner bars, bar soap, and even toothpaste tablets!

Use these tips to keep your backpack organized when you travel. And with practice, as you figure out packing techniques that work best for you, be sure to share them with us in the comments.

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