The gap-year nomad, the month-long traveler or the two-week vacationer, everyone of these type of people have their own system for packing and will undoubtedly give you their opinion on how to pack for travel.

There’s been some discussion on this end as well. Our opinion is, at the end of the day, you’ll take whatever you want, be it bulky, heavy, oddly shaped or not. The “pack light” true believers will preach to you all day about minimalism but because you’re not willing to sacrifice you’ll still jam in your hair iron because you like your hair to be a certain way. Then 4 weeks in, you’ll donate it to your hotel because you’re sick of carrying it around. Hey, it happens.

Our advice is to take packing advice with a grain of salt. Everyone’s needs, traveling style and favorite luggage are different.

You can fit what you need into your bags if you follow some handy instructions:

• Rolling your clothing really does help for conserving space. And it’ll keep you clothes as wrinkle-free as they can be, which is not really that wrinkle-free.
• Instead of an iron choose a wrinkle remover, like Downy’s. It actually works.
• Don’t take more than two pairs of long pants.
• Don’t take more than two pairs of shoes.
• Don’t take less than 4 pairs of underwear.
• Take a lightweight waterproof jacket.
• Take only one outfit you consider more than casual.
• Take one compact quick-dry towel.
• Take many quart-size plastic bags (they organize really well).

If you need visual aids to help you get everything into your bag, this slideshow from the New York Times has flight attendant and travel blogger Heather Poole packing her suitcase the right way.

Here is the author’s wife Katie getting her things inside a suitcase for a three-week trip. The rolling method really works, check it out.

If you’re the type that likes a packing checklist, AirTreks has our own. Or you can use an automated one that decides for you based on specific info you feed it.

Finally, Travel Independent has a huge huge list of what to and not to bring with you. (FYI, this link may be all you need.)