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There’s a standard uniform every traveler seems to wear: flowy elephant pants, pointy straw hats (or woven chullo hats in cold weather destinations), and giant, hulking backpacks.
The flowy elephant pants and chullo ear-flap hats, I can get behind. The massive, hulking backpacks, not so much. In my experience, these standard-issue backpacker packs are grueling to carry, costly to check and — in my humble experience — unnecessary.
I’ve done it both ways. Before I saw the light, I teetered my way around countries with a backpack that was taller and heavier than me, forever slogging around airports and sweltering bus stations with the straps cutting into my shoulders.
But I’ve also spent months skipping across continents wearing only a carry-on backpack not much bigger than a laptop bag. Take it from someone who knows: A light backpack is liberating, letting you sashay right past those long check-in lines and luggage claims at the airport and sparing you from back pain and sweaty pits. Perhaps most importantly, going carry-on-only can save you big, with the cost of checking a bag in 2024 setting you back anywhere from $30 to $99 per flight.
Want to join the savvy, spry and nimble members of the carry-on-only club? Here’s how to travel for weeks or months through multiple climates with only a carry-on:
Pack Basic, Functional, Versatile Clothes
As the type of person who likes to wear sparkly jumpsuits and owns a pair of cowboy boots for every day of the week, this first rule of traveling light was an adjustment. But as I quickly learned, you can’t waste precious carry-on space on trendy items or statement outfits you’ll wear only once. Instead, you’ll want functional, reliable basics you can mix, match and re-wear again and again.
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Ahead, I’ve included a sample clothing list that will work for most kinds of trips, plus examples from brands I love:
- A basic tee (All Day Crew Tee – $19.99 at Cotton On)
- A breathable tank top (Cotton Modal Muscle Tank – $15 at Quince)
- A blouse for formal occasions (Camp-Collar Shirt – $98 at J.Crew)
- A lightweight jacket (Women’s R1® Air Full-Zip Hoody – $179 at Patagonia)
- 1 pair of shorts (Gail Tie Waist Shorts – $54 at Altar’d State)
- A pair of jeans (The ’90s Straight Jean – $128 at Madewell)
- A pair of linen pants (Hit the Breeze Beige Smocked Wide-Leg Pants – $49 at Lulus)
- A flowy skirt (Maxi Skirt – $36.99 at Amazon)
- 6 pairs of underwear (Amazon Essentials Women’s Cotton Bikini Brief Underwear – $15.20 at Amazon)
- Two bras (Angelhood Sports Cami Bras Pack – $22.99 at Amazon)
- 6 pairs of socks (SERISIMPLE Women Viscose Bamboo Ankle Socks – $13.49 at 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 flipflops (Slim Flip Flops – $30 at Havaianas)
- A bathing suit (Women’s Ribbed One Shoulder Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit – $28 at Target)
- 1 exercise outfit – (Lululemon Align Bodysuit 6″ – $128 at Lululemon)
Roll and Compress Your Clothes
I’m the type of packer who likes to shove everything into a bag and go, so rule number two was also challenging for me to adopt. But if you want to live that carry-on life, you’ve got to arrange everything artfully in your luggage — you haven’t a square inch to waste. In my experience, the most space-saving packing strategy is to fold and then roll your clothes into tight little rolls. Whenever possible, attach shoes to the outside of your bag.
For larger, bulkier items, I’d recommend investing in a set of compression packing squares. I love this four-piece set from OlarHike ($16.98), which comes with varying-sized cubes and a budget traveler-friendly price tag. Vacuum-sealed packing bags — like this set of six ($12.74) — can also do the trick.
Invest in a Quality Carry-On Bag
I’ll be honest: I’ve gone through countless cheap, knockoff backpacks in my years of travel. These low-price backpacks typically don’t last more than one trip without breaking a zipper — if they make that long. Learn from my mistakes and invest in a solid bag you can travel with for years, and you’ll save money in the long run. The water-resist 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 a personal item in addition to your carry-on bag, as long as the former fits under the seat in front of you. I take full advantage of the personal item allowance by bringing the biggest backpack I can squeeze under an airplane seat. Would you believe this spacious travel backpack ($33.99) slides smoothly under airplane seats without a fuss?
Wear Your Bulkiest Shoes and Clothes on the Flight
The right plane outfit can free up major luggage space — especially when it comes to footwear. I typically wear my jeans, tank top, light jacket, and largest shoes on a flight. It’s easy enough to shed your outer bulky layers on the plane (though in my experience, plane cabins are often chilly enough to warrant them).
Buy Toiletries at Your Destination
Don’t squander packing space on toiletries. Hotels and home shares often supply basic items like body wash and shampoo. Anything you need can be purchased at your destination, and — depending on the location — often for a cheaper price than you’d pay back home.
Use a Local Laundry Service
If your budget allows, book home shares and hostels with laundry facilities. Alternatively, you can take advantage of local laundry shops, which are ubiquitous, cheap and speedy in many countries. During past trips, I’ve been able to pick up freshly pressed and folded clothing within hours of dropping them off — all for under $7.
The post What to Buy to Travel the World With a Carry-On appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.