The RBH Method · Step 00
Before you touch a single item of clothing.
The biggest packing mistake isn't overpacking — it's starting with the wrong bag.
Bag selection rule: 1–3 nights = 20–21" carry-on. 4–7 days = 25" medium. 7+ days = large.
The RBH Method · Step 01
Roll vs. fold vs. cube. The honest breakdown.
No single right method — each works for different items.
Best for: Casual clothes
The Roll
Rolling tightly reduces wrinkles in casual fabrics and makes it easy to see everything at a glance..
- Reduces wrinkles in t-shirts, jeans, casual pants
- Saves space — rolled items compress better than folded
- Easy to see every item without unpacking
- Works perfectly with compression packing cubes
- Not ideal for dress shirts, blazers, or structured items
- Delicate fabrics can pick up creases at roll edges
Best for: Formal & structured
The Fold
Flat folding preserves structure in dress shirts, blazers, and trousers..
- Preserves shape in structured garments
- Dress shirts and blazers arrive far less wrinkled
- Works with built-in suiter compartments on select RBH bags
- Uses more space than rolling
- Disrupts the whole stack when you need an item at the bottom
Best for: Staying organized
The Cube
Packing cubes don't save space on their own — compression cubes do..
- Each category has its own contained zone
- Unpacking at the hotel takes 30 seconds
- Compression cubes reduce volume by up to 30%
- Keeps dirty clothes completely separate on the way back
- Requires buying the cubes upfront
- Non-compression cubes add weight without saving space
The RBH approach: Roll casual, fold dress, cube everything else.
The RBH Method · Step 02
The order everything goes in.
How you layer items matters as much as how you fold them.
-
01
Shoes — First In, Bottom Layer
Pack shoes along the wheel end in shoe bags or shower caps — heaviest zone keeps weight low and centered.
Pro move: Pack shoes heel-to-toe and alternate directions
-
02
Heavy Items — Second Layer
Toiletry bag, hair tools, chargers, and anything with weight go on top of shoes, still close to the wheel end.
Pro move: Pack your toiletry bag in a sealed zip bag inside a hard case — no leaks
-
03
Folded Items — Flat Against the Back
Dress shirts, trousers, and blazers go flat, folded along natural seams.
Pro move: Use the built-in compression straps to hold folds in place
-
04
Rolled & Cubed Items — Fill the Gaps
Rolled casual items go vertically so you can see everything at a glance.
Pro move: Pack outfits together in cubes, not categories
-
05
Soft Fillers — Pack Every Corner
Underwear, socks, and swimwear are your gap-fillers — tuck them around shoes and between folded items.
Pro move: Roll swimwear tightly and tuck into shoe pockets
-
06
Last In — First Out
First-night outfit, pajamas, hotel charger, and customs documents go on top.
Pro move: Keep one full outfit in your carry-on in case a checked bag is delayed
The RBH Method · Step 03
Think in zones, not categories.
Packing by category looks organized in the bag but creates chaos at the destination.
Zone 01 · Bottom
Heavy & Infrequent
- Shoes (in bags)
- Toiletry kit
- Hair tools
- Chargers & cables
- Books or tablets
- Shoes for specific events
Zone 02 · Middle
Structured & Formal
- Dress shirts (folded flat)
- Trousers
- Blazers & jackets
- Dress shoes (if room)
- Garment sleeve items
Zone 03 · Upper
Casual & Everyday
- Rolled t-shirts
- Jeans & casual pants
- Knitwear & sweaters
- Packing cubes
- Workout clothes
Zone 04 · Top & Pockets
First Access
- First-night outfit
- Pajamas
- Hotel room charger
- Snacks & medicine
- Travel documents
- Anything customs-facing
The RBH Method · Step 04
The carry-on is a different game entirely.
Packing a carry-on isn't just packing less — it's packing differently.
What Always Goes in the Carry-On
- Valuables — laptop, camera, jewelry, medication
- One full change of clothes (in case checked bag is delayed)
- All chargers and cables — airlines won't cover these if lost
- Anything irreplaceable at your destination
- Liquids in 3-1-1 compliant bag — use the removable pouch in Avalon
- Passport, boarding pass, travel insurance documents
- Headphones, neck pillow, and anything you'll use on the flight
Carry-On Packing Rules That Save Time
- Keep your TSA items in the same pocket every single trip
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane
- Use a personal item for anything you'll need during the flight
- If using FastAccess™ on Montecito 2.0
- Don't expand your carry-on — it won't fit if you do
- Weigh it at home — most airlines cap carry-ons at 25 lbs
- Pack the carry-on last, with the freshest mind
Under-seat strategy: Pair a 20–21" carry-on with an Avalon Small Carry-On 28L as your personal item. Valuables under the seat, clothes overhead.
Hard-Won Travel Wisdom
The tricks nobody tells you until it's too late.
Dry Cleaning Bags for Dress Clothes
Slide a dry cleaning bag over dress shirts before folding..
The 5–4–3–2–1 Packing Rule
For a 7-day trip: 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dress items, 1 going-out outfit..
Charge Before You Pack
Pack your power bank fully charged and use the USB port on Montecito 2.0 or Rodeo Drive 2.0 to charge at the gate..
Use the Wet Pocket — Every Trip
Use the PVC-lined wet pocket (Cambria, Avalon) on every trip, not just beach vacations..
Lock Before You Drop
Engage your TSA lock before handing over checked bags — not after..
Save the Expansion for the Return
Never leave home fully expanded..
The RBH Checklist
What to pack. By trip type.
No universal packing list works for every trip.
Domestic Weekend · Carry-On Only
- 2–3 tops (roll all of them)
- 1–2 bottoms (jeans travel double-duty)
- 1 dress or going-out outfit if needed
- Underwear × nights + 1
- 1 pair casual shoes + 1 pair dress if needed
- Toiletries in 3-1-1 bag — removable pouch in Avalon
- Chargers, headphones, power bank
- Workout clothes (if going to a gym)
- Light jacket — wear it, don't pack it
- Medication, travel documents, cards
International Week · Medium Check-In
- 5–6 tops (mix roll and fold)
- 3–4 bottoms including 1 dress pant
- 1–2 dress items for events or dinners
- 2–3 pairs shoes + 1 pair dress
- Full toiletry kit — liquids in checked bag
- Packing cubes for categories
- Universal power adapter + all chargers
- Medication with copies of prescriptions
- Printed itinerary, insurance, emergency contacts
- One full outfit in carry-on — just in case
Real-World Scenarios · By Collection
What actually fits
Numbers on a spec sheet don't tell you how many outfits you can pack.
The 3-Night Business Trip.
~35–38LVolume
22.25×14.5×9.5"Dims
7.4–8.5 lbsWeight
+2"Expansion
What fits — 3-night business trip
- 3 dress shirts
- 2 pairs trousers
- 1 blazer or sport coat
- 3–4 t-shirts or casual tops
- 1 pair dress shoes + 1 pair casual
- 4 days underwear + socks
- Toiletry kit
- Chargers + laptop
Best Ricardo carry-ons for this trip
- Montecito 2.0 FastAccess™ Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.5" · 8.2 lbs
- Montecito 2.0 Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.5" · 8.2 lbs
- Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.75" · 8.5 lbs
- Cambria Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14×9.5" · 7.4 lbs
The Full Week Away.
~58–65LVolume
26.5–27×18×11"Dims
9.6–10.7 lbsWeight
+2.5"Expansion
What fits — 7-night international trip
- 5–6 tops
- 3–4 bottoms
- 1 dress outfit
- 1 light jacket or blazer
- 2 pairs casual shoes + 1 dress pair
- 7–8 days underwear + socks
- Full toiletry kit
- Workout clothes × 3
- Pajamas
- Swimwear × 2
- Packing cubes + adapter
Best Ricardo medium check-ins for this trip
- Avalon rPET Medium Check-In 27×18×11" · ~9 lbs
- Cambria Hardside Medium Check-In 26.5×17.5×10.75" · 9.6 lbs
- Montecito 2.0 Medium Check-In 26.5×18×11.25" · 10.4 lbs
- Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Medium 27×18×11.75" · 10.7 lbs
Two Weeks. Family Travel.
~80–95LVolume
30–31×20×12.5"Dims
10–12.5 lbsWeight
+2.5"Expansion
What fits — 14-night extended trip or family travel
- 8–10 tops
- 5–6 bottoms
- 2 dress outfits
- 1 heavy coat or multiple light layers
- 3 pairs shoes
- 14+ days underwear + socks
- Full toiletry kit + extras
- Gym clothes × 5–7 days
- Swimwear × 3–4
- Kids' clothes + souvenirs
Best Ricardo large check-ins for this trip
- Cambria Hardside Large Check-In 31×20.25×12.25" · 11.8 lbs
- Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Large Check-In 30.5×20.25×13.25" · 12.4 lbs
- Montecito 2.0 Large Check-In 30×20×12.5" · 12.5 lbs
- Avalon rPET Large Check-In ~30×20×11" · ~10 lbs
The weight math: Rodeo Drive 2.0 Large at 12.4 lbs empty leaves 37.6 lbs for clothes. Avalon at ~10 lbs leaves 40 lbs — that's a pair of shoes.