Does ditching a checked bag and using only a carry on make you nervous?
The idea of using only a carry on definitely made me nervous! That is, until one day I went for it and made the switch. And now I’ll never go back to a checked bag unless I’m packing for an extra-long trip.
It may seem like a daunting task, but you’ve got this! If I, a chronic over packer, can do it, you can too! You’ll be surprised at how easy it will be once you do it once or twice.
Here are my five best tips for traveling with only a carry on:
1Clothes take up the most space in a backpack or suitcase (which makes sense considering that’s what we’re changing the most). Lay out everything you think you’ll need, then remove 40% of it. This may seem like a large percentage, because it is, but it’s good to note that it isn’t 50%. As an over packer, eliminating 40% of the clothing items I’d otherwise prefer to pack allows me to zero-in on what I really need to pack. Differentiating between the want and the need is key!
2 Simplify what you’ll need by taking a moment to really think about what you use on a daily basis. No need to bring that third extra pair of underwear on the chance you might poop them twice in one day for some reason (I always overpack when I needlessly plan for the theoretical emergencies or “just in case” moments that are 99% never going to happen – don’t do that).
3 If you dress in layers, keep in mind that you can wear the same layers for multiple days. I usually wear a tank top under different tops or sweaters, so picking a neutral colored first layer (like a black tank top) allows me to wear that same layer multiple times throughout the trip. Wearing the same clothing more than once also applies to other clothing too, such as sweaters, bras, shorts, and pants. Plus, it’s amazing what types of outfits you can come up with when there are only a few option combinations available!
4 If you’re bringing more than one pair of shoes, wear your clunkiest shoes (and articles of clothing) on the airplane. Shoes take up so much space! Wearing your clunkiest shoes on the airplane allows for more space in your bag. If you’re bringing another pair of shoes and will also have them in your carry on, consider using them as storage, for example, stuff socks or more delicate items (like watches or jewelry) into the shoes. Similarly, wearing your clunkiest articles of clothing on the plane will also save space in your bag! I usually wear my thick zip up fleece, which doubles as warmth (because airplanes are always cold) AND doesn’t take up any unnecessary room.
5 Consider different methods of packing. Using different packing methods will help you best utilize every nook and cranny in the bag and maximize your packing potential. For example:
- Roll clothing to condense the use of space (especially for pants and long-sleeved tops)
- Lay clothing flat to fill in gaps (instead of rolling or folding)
- Put items inside other items (such as socks and undies into shoes),
- Or a combination of the above
Challenge: If you’re still nervous about carry on only packing, try packing a carry on (don’t forget that free personal item!) well before your trip and try “living” out of that for the duration of your trip first!
If you’re stuck and need help with figuring out what to eliminate or how to pack, feel free to reach out in a comment below and I can help you!
Need more packing ideas? Check these out:
