Carry-On Packing Tips (You’ll Never Need to Check a Bag Again)

What if I told you that no matter where you’re going or how long you’ll be gone, you can pack everything you need in a carry-on? If you’re someone who regularly checks a bag, you know that it is time-consuming (check in, baggage claim), expensive ($50 a bag, oh my!), and logistically difficult (wheeling a massive bag, dealing with lost luggage). A carry-on, however, never leaves your side. And if you have to switch planes for any reason, your bag is right there with you.

As a seasoned travel writer who averages two trips a month, I’ve learned a thing or two about packing for maximizing space without sacrificing comfort. Here’s how you can pack like a pro, too.

How to roll, cube, and compress to fit more in your carry-on

Repeat after me: Air is the enemy. You will fit more in your carry-on if you compress your items and fill every available nook and cranny. 

In the great debate of To Roll or Not to Roll, experts tend to fall in the Roll Your Clothes camp. That’s because rolling clothes squeezes air out of fabric, reducing the volume of each item. It also minimizes wrinkles, since folding can create deep creases that require ironing or steaming. You’ll still have some wrinkling in rolled clothes, but those wrinkles can easily be removed by spritzing them with water and hanging your clothing to dry.  

Rolling also makes it easier to identify and remove each item without digging through and disturbing piles of clothes. Take it one step further with a Ranger Roll, a popular military packing method that not only tightly rolls clothes into tiny spaces but also layers items, condensing more into each roll.

Another space saver? Packing cubes. I highly recommend clear or mesh cubes, as they allow you—and TSA agents—to see what’s inside. Packing cubes both compress and organize your clothes. I pack undergarments in one, T-shirts and yoga pants in another, and nicer outfits in a third. If you’re living out of your suitcase, it’s the only way to go. As you travel, confine dirty clothes to one packing cube until laundry day. 

Take your space-saving strategy to the next level with vacuum compression cubes – you’ll use a pump to suck the air out, essentially shrink wrapping bulky items like coats, sweaters, and thick pants. Given the effort to pump out the air, you’ll want to use this method when you’re unpacking once at a single destination.

Finally, be strategic when it comes to filling the various compartments of your suitcase. Shoes are notorious space fillers, so use them to your advantage. Stuff socks and small items inside boots, shoes, and even sandals (which—bonus!—keeps straps from losing their shape). Tuck PJs and swimsuits into empty holes.

Pro tip: Don’t forget about your carry-on’s often-overlooked outside pockets for storing a laptop, book, and phone chargers.

How to choose versatile clothing staples that fit in a carry-on

I cannot stress this enough: Create a capsule wardrobe of outfits that works in as many situations as possible. Flexibility and interchangeability are key. Stay within a certain color palette, or choose basic bottoms that can coordinate with any color top. 

Fabrics made with nylon or a polyester mix travel best. Waterproof boots, shoes, pants, and jackets are especially ideal for travel (wet shoes = disaster). And pants and jackets with pockets can substitute for a purse or backpack.

If you’re facing uncertain weather, pack layers, which are versatile, comfortable, and take up less space in a suitcase. Then wear your bulkiest outfit on the plane, and carry your coat.

Pro tip: Nice athleisure can segue from outdoor activity to dinner, saving you from packing more than one outfit per day.

How travel-size toiletries can save you from checking a bag

Toiletries can take up half a suitcase if you let them. Instead, purchase every toiletry item in travel size, or create your own 3-ounce containers (in compliance with the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids) out of pill dispensers or old trial-size products. Then fill a hanging toiletry bag. This will be a lifesaver in a tiny bathroom or one that has no shelf or sink space.

Be sure to buy a bag that allows you (and TSA) to see all your products. If the closed bag is bulky when packing, simply open it flat; items are strapped and zipped in so that they won’t come loose in your bag. 

Pro tip: Keep a travel toiletry bag packed at all times, separate from what you use at home. That way, you’ll never forget an item.