TIPS FOR PACKING A CARRY ON LIKE A PRO

How to pack a carry-on like a pro!

Justin and I have traveled the world, and we’ve learned a thing or two about packing light. Here are our top tips for packing everything you need into a carry-on bag! Whether you’re headed on a business trip or vacation, these tips will help you stay organized and prepared. Happy travels!

You see, we’ve mastered the art of packing everything we need into a tiny carry-on bag, so we never have to check a bag and wait at the airport baggage carousel. And trust us, it’s not as hard as it sounds! In fact, with these tips, you’ll be able to pack everything you need in no time at all. So what are you waiting for? Start packing!

1. USE PACKING CUBES

Being organized and packing more is made easier with these packing cubes! Before these, I would stuff all the clothes into my pack, and they were all mixed. NOW, I can pack pants and sweaters together, then shirts with pajamas. Then the smallest one holds my underwear and bras with a string bag to hold my laundry. (which is usually just dirty underwear!)

The best part of this is if you have to get your bag searched, it’s easy to take out and put back in without a massive mess!

2. GET A GOOD DOPP KIT

A good Dopp kit for organizing your personal life, bathroom products, makeup, and first aid kit, is critical! We use the Patagonia Black Hole Cube, and it fits everything we both need with the room! I also plan to get some of these to keep things more organized and easy to take into the camp bathroom!

3. GET A GOOD BAG

The one I use fits under the seat and above! Under the seat, fittings have saved us on smaller planes, where many carrying ones are still too big! The Osprey Manta 34 is like the one I use! If you don’t want a pack you have to carry, the Away luggage is simply outstanding!

Check out our travel must-haves!

4. GET YOUR TOILETRIES TOGETHER

Packing a carry-on can be tricky when it comes to toiletries! I have gone a few ways with packing toiletries, and my favorite so far is reusing jars and containers I already have! Don’t have jars; get these travel jars! They are easier to refill and use than any others I have tried! You can also get travel-sized shampoo and conditioner and fill when they are empty with your own!

5. GET YOUR VITAMINS AND MEDICATIONS UNDER CONTROL

I like to make sure I take my vitamins with me along with some travel necessities that may be needed! Especially things like Pepto, CBD, Gluten Symptom Reducer, and Pain Reliever. This pill organizer is something that I also bring with me in my purse and is easy to label!

6. WEAR BULKY CLOTHING

I try to wear my bulkiest clothing on the plane! My usual plane uniform is leggings, a t-shirt, sandals or slide-on shoes, a sweater or sweatshirt, and a scarf!

If you are going somewhere cold, wear your boots, or tie them to the outside and slip them under the seat if they don’t fit in the overhead! Use your bulky jacket as a pillow or blanket!

7. PLAN YOUR OUTFITS

Plan your outfits ahead of time! I wear mainly neutrals so they can be worn repeatedly without knowing. Bring at least one dressier outfit just in case! Pack only clothes that you like to wear! Not a time to pack something new! I’ve done this and hated it!

What I usually bring for a week’s vacation:

  • Two pairs of pants: one pair of jeans, one pair of black jegging or linen pants.
  • 3-5 shirts: three t-shirts, one sweater/sweatshirt, and one cardigan. At least one of those shirts is a dressier one!
  • Pajamas: 2 shirts and at least 2 bottoms
  • 9 pairs of underwear: I always bring extra just in case I change during the day and don’t have the option to clean them.
  • Rain Jacket: this is always a must no matter where you go!

See what we packed for 3 days in San Fransisco!


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photo by Natural Intuition Photography

8. DON’T FORGET YOU GET A PERSONAL ITEM

Not all planes allow this, but most do! We usually fly Southwest, and they allow one! So my personal item is usually a camera bag that doubles as a purse!

This is where you should put things you will need on the plane! So you don’ have to get up, and it’s easy to reach for.

IF WE ARE TRAVELING with CAMERA GEAR!

Our Pelican Air is our main check-on, while our Osprey packs are our personal item! It always works while flying with Southwest Air! If needed, Justin checks his bag and carry’s on the Pelican!

9. TEST PACK

This helps take the stress out of packing a carry-on! I always make sure everything fits and see if I can take anything un-needed out! I always make sure everything fits before I make it permanent, that way if anything happens last minute I am not in a rush!

10. CHECK THE WEATHER!

Before you finalize your carry-on, make sure you check the weather! Know if you need to bring a hat, socks, boots, jacket, gloves, or a suit! Or if you need to swap out some of the clothes that you have already packed! This helps you don’t over or under pack!


Any tips I am missing? Comment below!


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