How do you pack your suitcase for a camping holiday?

Our top tips

Are you on the anxious team that packs two weeks in advance? Or the normal team that does it a week before? Or even the lazy team that packs the very same morning? Whatever your style, we’ve put together THE complete guide to packing properly as your stay at Soleil d’OC gets closer.

Step 1: Make a ToTakeList

The essentials

ToTakeList, or literally a “List to Take”, is your best ally. We rarely think about it, or we think it’s too old-school. Time to ditch the prejudice about lists. Shopping list, to-do list, idea list—it’s the same principle. And it can save lives, or at least yours.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list for a week’s camping holiday:

Your toiletry bag. Yes, yes, it’s important to wash. Don’t forget a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, plasters for little bumps, any medication, deodorant, a comb. If needed, think about earplugs (pulling all-nighters because someone snores like a truck? No thanks) and insect repellent (unless you plan on turning into a ninja and stalking them all night)
Four or five T-shirts
One or two jacket(s) (for when it’s a bit chilly)
Four pairs of shorts
One pair of trousers (if it’s not that warm)
Underwear
Swimwear for a dip in the Dordogne (or the pool)
Bath and beach towel
Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen (it is summer, after all)
A camera to capture the best moments
The kids (as long as they don’t scream the whole way, we’re good)

Step 2: Pack your suitcase

our techniques

There are two types of people when it comes to packing. First, there are those who just pile everything in because “it’ll fit eventually”. Then there are those for whom optimising space is a personal achievement. Organisation, control, strategy—packing your suitcase properly is like playing chess.

Tip 1: Compression rolls

Everyone knows this tip, but nobody ever uses it. Lack of time? No. Carelessness? Yes. This technique simply means laying each item of clothing flat and rolling it from bottom to top. Once you’ve made all these little compressed rolls, place them side by side in your suitcase. Simple, right? Okay, we agree the risk of creases is high, but as people often say: only those who risk failing spectacularly will succeed brilliantly.

The bonus rule: place all fragile items between clothes. Want to bring back a bottle of champagne for Bastille Day? Don’t panic—wrap it in a thick item of clothing and wedge it between the different clothing rolls, and there you go.

Tip 2: Tetris

Use boxes or pouches to make packing easier. For all your small items—the ones you don’t know where to put, the bulky ones… Same for shoes: put them in separate plastic bags to avoid dirtying your clothes. Once all your pouches and boxes are ready, the Tetris part—fitting everything into your suitcase—begins. Good luck.

Finally, the ultimate step—you all know it: going on holiday. Hopefully these (valuable) tips will save you time (and space).

Also worth reading: how to choose the right accommodation at a campsite?