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Update June 2024: This article will help you organize your carry-on luggage list for the summer. To check off everything on your summer shopping checklist, shop the Summer Checklist Savings Event (June 6-10) to save up to 70% on travel, patio furniture, and more.
There is a standard uniform worn by all travelers. There are flowing elephant pants, pointy straw hats (or woven churro hats in colder weather destinations), and huge, massive backpacks.
If you wear flowy elephant pants and a Churo earmuff hat, you won't be left behind. There aren't many huge, massive backpacks out there. In my experience, these standard backpack backpacks are hard to carry, expensive to check, and in my experience, unnecessary.
I've done it both ways. Before I even saw the light of day, I was noisily traveling around many countries carrying a backpack bigger and heavier than me, forever racing through airports and sweltering bus stops with straps tied to my shoulders.
But I spent months hopping across continents wearing only a carry-on backpack that wasn't much bigger than a laptop bag. Take it from someone who knows. A lightweight backpack can be liberating, helping you avoid back pain and sweaty pits as you navigate long airport check-in lines and baggage claim. Perhaps most importantly, it's carry-on only. save you big timeBy 2024, you can get back checked baggage fees from $30 to $99 per flight.
Want to join the savvy, energetic and agile members of our exclusive carry-on club? Here's how to travel to multiple climates for weeks or months with just your carry-on.
Basic, functional, versatile clothing pack
As someone who loves wearing sparkly jumpsuits and owns cowboy boots seven days a week, the first rule of traveling light is coordination. But as I quickly learned, you can't waste precious carry space on trendy pieces or statement outfits that you only wear once. Instead, you'll want functional, reliable basics that you can mix, match, and wear again and again.
Shop Articles
COTTON ON ALL DAY CREW T-SHIRT
$19.99
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Cotton Modal Muscle Tank
$15
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Camp collar shirt in lightweight linen blend
$98
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outdoor convertible backpack
$220
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Rinlist Travel Backpack
$32.29
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Set of 6 travel packing cubes
$22.99
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$179
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gale tie waist shorts
$54
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90's straight jeans
$128
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Hit the Breeze Beige Smocked Wide Leg Pants
$49
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Women's maxi skirt with pockets
$36.88
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Amazon Essentials Women's Cotton Bikini Briefs Undergarments
$4.70
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Angelhood Sports Cami Bra
$22.99 (4 packs)
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SERISIMPLE Women's Viscose Bamboo Ankle Socks
$13.49
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Superlight Tree Runner sneakers
$79.93
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Women's Tree Bridgers
$100
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Havaianas slim flip flops
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Women's Rib One Shoulder Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit
$28
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Earlier, I included a list of sample clothing suitable for most trips and examples from some of my favorite brands.
- Basic tee (all day crew tee) – $19.99 at Cotton On)
- Breathable tank top (Cotton Modal Muscle Tank – $15 at Quince)
- Blouse for formal occasions (Camp Collar Shirt – $98 at J.Crew)
- Lightweight jacket (Women's R1® Air Full-Zip Hoody – $179 at Patagonia)
- 1 pair of shorts (Gaelic Tie Waist Shorts – $54 at Altar’d State)
- A pair of jeans (90s straight leg jeans – $128 at Madewell)
- A pair of linen pants (Hit the Breeze Beige Smocked Wide-Leg Pants – $49 at Lulus)
- Flowy skirt (maxi skirt – $36.99 on Amazon)
- 6 pairs of underwear (Amazon Essentials Women's Cotton Bikini Brief Underwear – $15.20 on Amazon)
- 2 bras (Angelhood Sports Cami Bras Pack – $22.99 on Amazon)
- 6 pairs of socks (SERISIMPLE Women's Viscose Bamboo Ankle Socks – $13.49 on Amazon)
- 1 pair of everyday shoes (SuperLight Tree Runner Sneakers – $79.93 at REI)
- 1 pair of nice shoes (Women's Tree Breezers – $100 at Allbirds)
- 1 pair of flip flops (Slim Flip Flops – $30 at Havaianas)
- Swimsuit (Women's Ribbed One Shoulder Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit – $28 at Target)
- 1 pair of workout clothes – (Lululemon Align Bodysuit 6″ – $128 at Lululemon)
Rolling and Compressing Clothes
I'm the type of packer who likes to put everything in a bag and leave, so the second rule was also difficult for me to adopt. But if you want to live a portable life, you have to artfully organize everything in your luggage. There isn't an inch of space to waste. In my experience, the most space-saving packaging strategy is to fold clothes and then roll them into tight little rolls. If possible, attach your shoes to the outside of the bag.
For larger, bulkier items, you might want to invest in a set of shrink-wrap squares. I love this four-piece set from OlarHike ($16.98) that includes cubes in various sizes and a traveler-friendly price tag. Vacuum-sealed packaging bags like this set of six ($12.74) also work.
Invest in a high-quality carrying bag
To be honest, I've come across countless cheap knock-off backpacks during my years of travelling. These budget backpacks typically won't last more than one trip without a zipper breaking. Learning from my mistakes and investing in a sturdy bag that you can carry around for years will save you money in the long run. The waterproof Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack ($220) is a solid choice, with a spacious 45-liter main compartment that opens like a clamshell.
Take advantage of your carry-on allowance
Most airlines allow personal items other than your carry-on bag as long as they fit under the seat in front of you. I take the biggest backpack I can fit under my airplane seat and make the most of my personal item allowance. Would you believe that this spacious travel backpack ($33.99) slides smoothly under an airplane seat without a problem?
Wear your bulkiest shoes and clothes during your flight
The right airplane attire can free up a lot of luggage space, especially when it comes to shoes. I generally wear jeans, a tank top, a light jacket, and my biggest shoes on the plane. It's easy to remove bulky outer clothing on a plane (in my experience, airplane cabins are often chilly enough to warrant this).
Buy toiletries at your destination
Don’t waste space packaging your toiletries. Hotels and home sharing often provide basic items like body wash and shampoo. You can buy whatever you need at your destination, and depending on your location, you can often get it for less than you would pay back at home.
Use local laundry services
If your budget allows, book a shared house or a hostel with laundry facilities. Alternatively, you can use local dry cleaners, which are ubiquitous, cheap, and fast in many countries. During my last trip, I was able to drop off my freshly ironed and folded clothes and pick them up within a few hours. They were all under $7.
The post What to Buy to Travel the World in Your Carry-On appeared first on RetailMeNot's The Real Deal.
