For serial over-packers, learning how to pack in a carry-on might be a daunting task. While packing in a carry-on is certainly not for the fainthearted, it is a skill that absolutely can be learned and mastered. Your packing needs will vary based on location, season, and trip length, of course, but no matter where you’re jetting off to, there are a few essential tips that will also come in handy for packing a carry-on. We recommend starting small with a shorter trip to prove to yourself that it’s doable. Then, as you begin to perfect your packing, you can take on longer trips. Whether you’re packing light to avoid baggage fees, to get out of the airport faster, or simply to avoid overburdening yourself with luggage, these seven tips are all you need to become a master packer!
1. Pack clothing you can mix and match in your carry-on
The key to packing light in a carry-on is to pack lots of items that can be paired together in different ways instead of full, separate outfits for each day. While we all need a statement outfit, packing simpler items that you can easily mix and match and layer allows you to make the most outfits out of the least amount of clothes. For example, if you bring one pair of long pants, a skirt, a few tops, a button-up, one sweater, and one light jacket, you can wear:
- Any top with either bottom
- The button-up layered over any top, worn open
- The sweater thrown over your shoulders with any top
- The button-up as your top
- The button-up underneath your sweater
- The button-up open over your sweater
- Your jacket over any of these options
This way, you not only have versatile outfit options but you’re also prepared if the nights get chilly or the weather takes a turn for the worst. Go for complimentary or more neutral colors and avoid bringing too many prints so that you can easily mix items.
2. Wear your heaviest items
2. Wear your heaviest itemsIn order to pack in a carry-on, you need to pack light. This is much easier during the summer, but even then, you sometimes have heavier pieces like jeans or a sweater for the evenings. The best way to avoid having to pack these items is to wear them! Not only is it better for packing to wear your heavy items, like a sweater or jacket, but it also helps you be more prepared for cold airports or planes. Even if you’re not packing any particularly heavy or bulky items, layering items for warmth when you fly can help you navigate fluctuating airport temperatures while lightening your carry-on.
3. Use packing cubes
Packing cubes are a travel essential for anyone who frequently flies. Depending on the sizes you choose, you can use them to categorize and separate your clothing (like tops and underwear, for example). Even if you’re not separating items out, packing cubes are still incredibly useful for helping you fit more clothing into your carry-on. Because they zip up, they typically allow you to compress more items than if they were loosely packed in your suitcase. With the rise in popularity of the packing cube, they now come in so many different sizes and colors now, making packing more fun and aesthetic. If you still aren’t convinced – another perk to packing cubes is that it keeps your clothes separated from any shoes or spillable liquids you might have in your suitcase!
4. Roll your outfits together
Rolling your clothes instead of folding is one of the best ways to maximize space in a small suitcase. Whether you choose to roll the same type of item (like shirts) or entire outfits together, rolling will always be more efficient. Especially when you combine it with packing cubes! Additionally, by rolling instead of folding and stacking, you can also see everything you’ve packed with one quick glance. Here are a few tips to ensure excellent rolling: For shirts, fold the sleeves in first. Then fold in half and roll. Fold the sides of dresses and loose pants in to create a rectangle before rolling since they flare out more at the bottom. Stack each outfit or corresponding items together once you’re done pre-folding, then roll them together. While not hard and fast rules, these small tips will help keep your rolls from getting too bulky or oddly shaped.
5. Lay bulky items on the bottom of your carry-on
When you can’t wear your heaviest pieces, don’t try to fold or roll them! Especially with items like jeans, or something expansive like a towel. In these instances, opt to lay them flat in the bottom of your suitcase. This way, they take up the least amount of space as you pack your carry-on, Simply pack everything else on top! Another alternative is to let the ends of your bulky item hang outside of your suitcase after you lay it across the bottom. Then, pack everything else on top and fold the ends over your packed items at the end.
6. Fill shoes to keep their shape
Honestly, packing shoes is the worst. We all know that level of anxiety when we have to pack a beloved pair of shoes in an already crowded suitcase. If you can never travel with only one pair of shoes, pay attention! If you want to keep your shoes in tip-top condition, with no creases or squished shape, stuff them with socks! You can even do this with sandals – just stick a rolled-up pair of socks under the straps. This maximizes space for storage (of socks) and keeps your shoes looking beautiful no matter how full your suitcase is.
7. Perfect your packing list
Packing well once deserves a reward, but packing well when traveling frequently can be difficult. The best way to save time while packing everything you need is to use a tried-and-true list that has all of the essentials. Everyone’s list is a little different, but we’ve come up with a customizable packing list that is the perfect place to start for any traveler! Get your free copy of the essential carry-on packing list and never worry about over-packing again:
