An unexpected duo: Will Smith and social media star Armen Adamjan share DIY packing hacks
For his “Pole to Pole” expedition, Will Smith reveals the “sciencey” tricks he used to compress bulky gear and stay organized in extreme environments.
Most people find packing for a trip to be one of the most frustrating parts of travel. It usually involves a lot of trial and error, trying to force zippers shut over bulky items that won’t stay flat. Will Smith faced the exact same issue while traveling for his “Pole to Pole” series, a massive expedition that took him from the South Pole to the North Pole. Pole to Pole is currently streaming on Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. The series follows Will Smith’s challenging journey as he navigates through some of the toughest parts of the planet.
Such a journey requires specialized gear and clothing to withstand extreme weather, making packing quite a challenge. To solve his space issues, Smith met up with Armen Adamjan, a social media creator known for his “Creative Explained” platform, where he shares hacks to make tasks simple, which is exactly what Smith needed for his journey. In their video collaboration, they demonstrate how to pack for the big trip.
DIY packing hacks
As he prepares for the journey, Smith explains he cannot travel without his large, fluffy pillow, which takes up too much space. Adamjan steps in to show him that the size of the item isn’t the problem. It’s the air trapped inside it.
The vacuum seal
The most impressive hack in the video is a way to create a vacuum-sealed bag without actually buying one. This is especially useful for travelers who are already on the road and don’t have access to specialized storage products.
First, Adamjan has Smith put the pillow into a trash bag and tie the top in a knot. He then takes a plastic water bottle and uses scissors to cut off the top third (the neck and the cap). He applies a small piece of tape to the inside of the bottle neck to create a seal. Smith finds this whole experience very “sciency”.
Next, Adamjan pokes a small hole in the middle of the trash bag. He pushes the bottle neck through the hole from the inside of the bag and seals the bottle cap with tape, ensuring no air can leak out. Adamjan unscrews the cap and places a vacuum hose against the bottle opening to suck the air out of the bag, and the pillow shrinks down until it is almost completely flat.
He quickly screws the cap back on to lock the vacuum. This flattens a bulky pillow, which can be placed at the bottom of a suitcase, taking up almost no vertical space.
Clothing and shoes hack
Once the pillow is compressed, Adamjan advises Smith to roll the clothes and place them inside the suitcase. He then instructs Smith to put small items, like socks, into the shoes and tuck them deep inside. Smith notes that stuffing the shoes prevents them from being squished or losing their shape when heavier items are stacked on top.
This hack keeps your footwear looking better while also freeing up small pockets of space elsewhere in the bag.
The “starter reset pack”
The final hack is a method for organizing a full day’s outfit into a single, compact bundle. Adamjan calls this a “starter reset pack,” and it’s designed for the first night you arrive at a new location.
To make this, Adamjan lays Smith’s jacket flat on a table and stacks a clean shirt, underwear, socks, and a belt right in the middle of the chest area. He then folds the sleeves over the clothes and ties a knot. Then he pulls the hood over the entire bundle, folding it inside the jacket.
To make it more secure, he takes the belt and threads it through the drawstring loops of the hoodie, buckling it tight. This creates a self-contained kit that won’t come apart in your bag, and you can carry it easily. Smith is clearly impressed by the efficiency, noting that he can grab this reset pack and be ready for the next day.
The takeaway
Most packing problems can be solved with things you already have, like a trash bag, a plastic bottle, and a vacuum. By compressing your largest items and using the dead space in your shoes, you can fit more into your suitcase.
Creating a “reset pack” ensures that you don’t have to go through the hassle of finding your items as you arrive at your destination. If these packing tips are helpful for Smith’s journey from the South Pole to the North Pole, they may work perfectly for your vacations too!
