Tips for Packing Bras for Travel (Without Destroying Them)

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Whether we like it or not, most of us ladies can’t go anywhere without our bras. They can be annoying to deal with when it comes to travel as it’s hard to know how many to pack, yet they also have their perks because we can use them for storage and protection with items like bra stashes.

Packing bras can sometimes get tricky as they might get crushed in your suitcase or backpack. And it’s not like we can ditch them altogether, even in humid destinations like Southeast Asia. So how does a female traveler pack bras without them getting destroyed and without damaging our fancy lacy bits?

A few products exist to keep them from being smashed, and we have additional tips for packing bras all to follow.

Products for Packing Bras

If you’re concerned about keeping your delicates in their original shape, there are a number of products that exist solely to protect your bras while traveling. They’re usually rounded and have a hard outer shell with zippers. We’ve talked about the Cup Case here on the site, which puts your bra into a protective case that is about the size of a toiletry bag.

There are also larger ones that allow your delicates to lie flat instead of folding in half. You can store multiple bras and they have cute designs. Many companies make them, including Wrapables* and Neewer*, all for less than $20 USD.

Another design* by EVTECH more closely resembles a packing cube, but has compartments for your bras as well as rolled up underwear. It can hold up to six pairs of underwear and six bras.

You can also try wash bags that are made for bras as packing aids, like this one from the Container Store, or packing cubes with a protective fabric and space for your bras to lay flat. The shoe bags and tube packing cubes from Eagle Creek* can be used for bras as well.

These bra cases could certainly help if you travel frequently with many bras and use a suitcase, but may take up unnecessary room if you use a backpack.

Other Ways to Pack Bras

While these systems are great, most of the time you won’t need to pack four or more underwire bras for a trip. In fact, you may only pack one at a time and wear the other. Another issue is the space they take up and the lack of flexibility they offer, which could be problematic when you’re trying to fit other items in your bag. It’s also just another product to buy that you may or may not need, especially as the amount of time you’ll actually use it is limited.

So what’s the alternative? The first is to fold it gently, overlapping the cups but without crumpling it. If you have a fancy, expensive bra then you might not go for this option but it’s what I usually do, especially as I travel with no more than two bras, including the soft cup underwire variety. I’ve never had trouble with my bras getting warped or smashed or bent in my years of travel.

Another option is packing your bras using items and systems you already have at home. For example, a ziploc bag. You can gently place them inside but leave some air so that it will be cushioned instead of flattened.

Another option is to pack your bra in the zippered lid of your suitcase, but this option doesn’t work if you travel with a backpack.

You can also lay your bra flat at the top of your suitcase and place socks or other items underneath to keep the cups from getting smashed. But again, this has issues if you travel with a backpack.

Also consider packing sports bras, which can be folded easily, as well as items to help you wash your delicates on the road. This might include a clothesline, sink stopper and soaps.

>> You might be interested in our podcast on How to Pack Bras.

Do you have a special way that you pack your bras when you travel? Share it below!