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You’ve heard the phrase “less is more,” and when you’re traveling with a carry-on, that’s certainly true! Packing light with a carry-on lets you save money on baggage fees, and you get peace of mind knowing where your luggage is at all times. As you get ready for your next trip, we’ve put together 15 carry-on packing tips to help you travel light. Whether you’re packing for a few days, a week, or a month, read on for tricks to make your packing process as carefree and easy as your vacation.

1

Buy the lightest carry-on bag you can find.

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  1. Choose a soft-shell suitcase, since they tend to be lighter weight and they’re more flexible. If you need, you can add an extra shirt or outfit into a soft-shell bag or squeeze in a few souvenirs for the trip home. Additionally, it’s easier to squeeze a soft-shell bag into a crowded overhead compartment. [1]
    • If you’re traveling domestically in the U.S., your carry-on should typically be 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55 x 35 x 22 cm) or smaller.
    • If you’re an international traveler, make sure your bag is under 21 x 14 x 8 inches (53 x 36 x 20 cm).
    • Every airline has different requirements, so double-check your airline’s website to confirm your carry-on will fit.
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3

Use compression sacks or packing cubes.

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  1. Packing cubes are just zippered squares to organize clothes. [3] Compression sacks, which you can purchase from an outdoor supply store, have straps that you can tighten to make sure your clothes take up minimal space.
    • Put your rolled shirts into one organizer, your swimsuits in another, and your socks and underwear into their own cube.
    • Just keep in mind, compressing your clothes saves space, but it won’t actually save weight. You might end up overpacking unless you combine compression sacks and/or packing cubes with a minimalist packing list.
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4

Pack 1-2 pairs of shoes.

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5

Fill your spare shoes with small items.

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7

Swap liquid toiletries for solid toiletries.

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  1. You won’t have to worry about packing solid toiletries all into a quart-sized plastic bag to take out at security. Look for shampoo, conditioner, and even toothpaste in solid form. Hair products will typically look like bar soap, while solid toothpaste might be sold in a jar that looks like mints. [8]
    • You can cut solid soap bars into pieces to make them even lighter.
    • Check out a camping supply store if you can’t find solid toiletries at a regular drugstore.
    • If you’re traveling with your family, share toiletries for short trips. Have one person pack shampoo, have another person pack body wash, etc.
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8

Take advantage of hotel toiletries.

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  1. To really cut down your carry-on weight, you might be able to get away with relying on your hotel to provide toiletries. If there’s an item you’d like that the hotel doesn’t offer in-room, just call the front desk. Many hotels also have a dental kit, deodorant, a razor, sunscreen, and more available upon request. [9]
    • If your hotel doesn’t offer the toiletries you want, odds are, you can easily buy what you need. The exception is for specialty or prescription products–make sure you pack those!
10

Swap tampons and pads for a menstrual cup.

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  1. If you’ll get your period on vacation, consider switching to a reusable menstrual cup during your travels to avoid packing bulky pads and tampons. Menstrual cups are made of rubber or silicone and they’re inserted like tampons. Unlike tampons, you simply clean out the menstrual cup every 4-8 hours, but you only need to replace the actual product every year. [11]
    • Only use a menstrual cup if you’ll have consistent access to soap and water every 4-8 hours when you need to empty it out and clean it. A backcountry camping trip might not be the most sanitary place to try this out.
    • Think about whether you’ll be comfortable cleaning your menstrual cup in a public bathroom if you’ll be on the go during your vacation.
11

Bring a tote or drawstring bag as your second carry-on.

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  1. While you could bring a traditional backpack for more storage, a tote or drawstring is a lighter, foldable option for a daypack. You can also use this spare bag to separate dirty laundry from clean laundry. [12]
    • Check to make sure your airline allows a second carry-on (usually called a “personal item”). Your personal item usually has to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
    • If you’re worried about theft or if you’re traveling in an urban area, be cautious about using a drawstring bag. Thieves can easily cut the straps to take the bag, or they can reach in to get your valuables.
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13

Create an essentials-only packing list.

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  1. Take a look at your itinerary and planned activities, and choose items you know you can wear multiple times. Lay all your clothes out for a big-picture look at what you’re bringing. Before you put anything in your bag, do one last “edit” and take out any clothing that you don’t really think you’ll wear. [14]
    • If a piece of clothing isn’t something you’d normally wear or feel comfortable in (that flashy suit or pair of high heels), you might not end up wearing it on vacation.
    • For a sample 7-day packing list, follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. Bring 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 4 shirts, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 accessory (like a hat or scarf). [15]
    • For a 5-day trip, try to pack 4 pairs of socks and underwear, 3 shirts, 2 bottoms, 1 pair of shoes.
    • These packing lists might seem sparse, but you can always do laundry at your destination. Many laundromats accept credit cards with a small processing fee, but pack cash if you want to avoid extra fees.
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14

Pick clothing you can mix and match.

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15

Opt for lightweight fabrics.

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  1. Visit an outdoor gear store and pick up “technical” clothes made of silk, nylon, or polyester. These materials are lighter in weight, and they’re designed to be re-worn without washing. Cotton tends to be bulkier, it wrinkles easily, and it can start to smell more quickly than breathable athletic fabric. [17] Wool will keep you warm, but if you’re traveling somewhere cold, opt for ultralight wool products rather than bulky sweaters.
    • Bring layers instead of a heavy coat. Go for packable down jackets to maximize warmth while cutting down on bulk.
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