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Ranger roll: How to roll clothes for packing to fit double the outfits

How many times have you had to leave some of your clothes at home because it did not fit inside your luggage? No matter how many times you try to cram that great-looking shirt or, even worse, that super-thick denim, it just will not fit. Sacrifices are made; clothes are left behind.

Worry no more. This article will teach you how to roll clothes for packing using the roll ranger technique so fit all those clothes can fit and possibly even more. I hope you are as excited as I was to learn these methods because this will change how you vacation, and maybe even your life. Don’t worry: I got you and your travel fashion needs covered.

Discover the Ranger Roll Technique

Ranger Roll: Step by step instructions in video and in text below (credits Go Experimental)

Access the ranger roll section you want:

Packing clothes – How to roll up pants:

Start by turning the waist inside out, leaving about 8 cm of the inside exposed.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 1

With the bottom of the pants pointed towards you, overlap both legs over each other just slightly. Their inner edges should be lying just slightly on top of one another.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 2

Then, fold each leg from the outside into the centre. You are now left with an even rectangle.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 3

Now, start rolling tightly from the bottom towards the very top.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 4

Once the pants are completely rolled up, fold the turn back up over the roll using the inside out waist you formed in the very beginning.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 5

What you have left is a tightly packed roll.

Packing clothes - How to roll up pants, step 6

Tip: For even more space-saving, tie the rolls with your belts.

How to pack clothes – How to roll long-sleeved shirts:

Rolling shirts using the ranger roll applies the same technique as the pants roll, except with small differences:

First, fold both sleeves at the seam.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 1

Then, overlap at the elbow to make room for the turn-up of the bottom.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 2

Create a turn up with about 8 cm of the inside exposed.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 3

Next, fold one side to the centre.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 4

Then, fold the opposite side to the opposite edge.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 5

Invert the shirt so that the top is faced toward you, then roll it up all the way to the top.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 6

Finally fold the turn up over the roll.

How to pack clothes - How to roll long-sleeved shirts, step 7

How to fold clothes for travel – How to roll short-sleeve shirts:

Create a turn up of about 8 cm.

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 1

Next, fold both sleeves at the seams, so that the armholes point toward one another.

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 2

With the lines straightened out, fold one side to the centre

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 3

Then fold the other side to the opposite edge.

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 4

Rotate the shirt so the top is facing you, then begin tightly rolling all the way to the end.

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 5

Once the shirt is completely rolled up, fold the turn up over.

How to fold clothes for travel - How to roll short-sleeve shirts, step 6

Packing clothes – How to roll towels for packing:

Using the ranger roll for towels will create a lot of space even when packing a few towels:

Start by folding about 8 cm under itself.

Packing clothes - How to roll towels for packing, step 1

Then, fold both sides to the centre with each edge lined up against each other.

Packing clothes - How to roll towels for packing, step 2

Rotate the towel so that the turn-up is away from you, then start rolling tightly from the edge.

Packing clothes - How to roll towels for packing, step 3

Once you reach the end, fold the turn up over the roll.

Packing clothes - How to roll towels for packing, step 4

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts

Place a short-sleeve shirt on top of a long-sleeve shirt.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 1

Fold both sleeves at the seams so the armholes point downward.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 2

Then, overlap at the elbow to make room for the next fold.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 3

Fold the short-sleeve shirt up about 8 cm.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 4

Then, with the long-sleeve shirt below, create a turn up that sits level with the folded short-sleeve shirt.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 5

Fold one side to the centre.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 6

Then fold the other side to the opposite edge.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 7

Rotate the shirt so the turn up is facing away from you, then start tightly rolling all the way up.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 8

Once completely rolled, fold the turn up over the roll.

Use the ranger roll to combine two shirts, step 9

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks

Start with your pants first. With the top facing you, turn the waist inside out by about 8 cm.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 1

Then, tuck your underwear inside the turn-up.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 2

Next, place socks inside the outer edges of the turn-up.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 3

Rotate the pants over so the bottom is facing you.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 4

Overlap the legs just slightly so the edges lie on top of one another.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 5

Then, fold each leg into the centre, forming a thinner shape.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 6

Finally, start tightly rolling all the way to the top.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 7

Once the pants are completely rolled, fold the turn up over the roll.

Use the ranger roll to combine pants, underwear, and socks, step 8

There you have it. Now that you know how to roll clothes for packing with the ranger roll, you are now able to create a significant amount of extra space in your luggage. With this newfound space, you can fill it up with extra souvenirs from your trip, more outfits to complete your travel look or even your favourite foods.

Just be sure to check out our article on what is allowed in your checked baggage before packing.

Phi Filler
Phi Filler
Phi, an American living in Vietnam, enjoys life's simplest pleasures, such as making people laugh and making people cry. He's solo-hiked up Mount Fuji's summit in Japan, lived with an indigenous mountain tribe in Vietnam, drank soju with K-pop superstars in South Korea, and lost his favourite loafers somewhere in New York City celebrating New Year's. Next destination? Probably watching the sunrise atop some random mountain. Very excited for where life takes him next, wherever it may be.

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