It’s the elusive Holy Grail of the travel world: Packing the perfect carry-on bag. And it’s no easy task, but once mastered, you’ll be zipping through airports with the greatest of ease.
Get the right bag
Just as a house depends on a solid foundation, your perfect carry-on depends on having the right bag. A small investment in a roomy, lightweight and sturdy carry-on with handy compartments will take much of the hassle out of packing. Instead of grabbing your largest tote or an old gym bag, head to a specialty travel shop to find the perfect bag that will really meet your carry-on needs. Be cognizant of size restrictions; check airline websites to see what they allow in terms of carry-on baggage.
Pack only the essentials
Forget the “what-if wardrobe” (especially if you’re only taking one bag): It simply has no place in a carry-on bag. This means you’ll be leaving the “What if we decide to go ballroom dancing?” outfit and “What if I decide to take a tap dancing class?” shoes at home – unless you’ll really be doing either of those things. True travel essentials include a wardrobe of fewer than a dozen pieces that can be mixed and matched to create dozens of outfits. Stick with complimentary colors so your tops and bottoms can easily be matched. Toiletries are an essential, but don’t double up on what your hotel will be providing. Call the hotel ahead of time to see what they provide, then leave your shampoos, conditioners and body lotions at home. Before anything makes it into your carry-on bag, ask yourself: Am I really going to use this?
Take things out
Once you’ve finalized your bare bones packing list, it’s time to cut it down even further. Even if you swear you need everything that’s in your bag, you’re likely to find a few items you can do without – if you’re really honest about what you’ll need during your trip. Scrutinize your packing list before packing your bag, then start trimming the fat as you pack.
Economize space
Since your wardrobe will likely take up most of your valuable carry-on space, it’s important to pack your clothes as space-efficiently as possible. Use empty spaces such as the insides of shoes to stuff smaller items like socks. When it comes to pants and jeans, fold them once and lay them flat on the bottom of your suitcase – they’ll take up less space this way rather than being folded. For your other clothing, roll them tightly and stack each piece snugly on top of the pants. Compartments are great for toiletries, chargers and other small travel items. Make sure any liquids, gels and electronics are easily accessible so you can take them out to place in bins at airport security.
Do you have a secret for packing your perfect carry-on? Let us know below!
(Main image: nihanpeker)
