The Carry-On Only Guide to Packing Like a Pro
A guest blog by frequent Laura Ericson Group Trips traveler, Rachel Trapani.
Here’s the who, what, when, where, how and why to packing like a pro!
WHO
Hey you! Yes, you! Are you constantly overpacking, lugging heavy luggage from place to place? Do you never feel like you have everything you need when you travel? Constantly buying items from shops or markets to wear or get by? This article is for you!
WHAT
(to pack your belongings in)
Here are 3 essentials I recommend buying to change your packing ways.
A two compartment suitcase like Monos or Away
Learn my method for packing this bag in the Where section, but this is the best carry-on I’ve ever owned, hands-down (and Laura seconds this)! I had one with a top zipper for a long time, and I feel like this bag fits double. Everything gets tucked into each side and folds together like a sandwich.
This has been a game changer for me. It is truly like traveling with a second carry on bag as your “personal item.” I hope the airlines never catch on because I feel like I’m cheating the system. In this bag, I pack all my essentials for the plane in the front pockets, but the inside unfolds like a suitcase, so I can pack 4-6 outfits and a few coats or jackets inside. Switching from a shoulder bag to a backpack has saved my body lots of strain, but I also gained so much space!
Hanging shelf compression organizer
As a former clothes-roller, this packing method felt foreign to me, but I am happy to say, I’ve converted. Let me count the ways I love this organizer:
It compresses your clothes similar to packing cubes.
It sorts your clothes, so you can pack each shelf for certain days of your trip or types of clothing (dresses, workout/sleepwear, t-shirts and tanks, etc.)
It hangs at your destination. No need to unpack. Just take it out of your suitcase and hang it up. Your clothing is already sorted and on its shelves.
I use this section for only my underwear and socks, so it will still fold down nicely at the end of the trip. For larger items that are dirty, I start to re-sort the items on the shelves for dirty vs. clean.
It is PERFECT for trips with multiple stops like Laura Ericson’s trips to Morocco or Greece. Changing destinations every day or two can be challenging to organize your clothes. With this, no need to repack as you leave each city. Just fold it down and go.
The game-changing hanging compression organizer in action - clothes sorted by type and ready to use without unpacking the entire suitcase.
WHEN
(to start packing)
I start to pack the minute I get a full itinerary or start planning my itinerary. I started planning what to pack for Morocco about 6 weeks before the trip when Laura shared the itinerary on our orientation call. I either create a list or visual schedule of what is planned for each day and what I’d like to wear. This way I can see what I may need to buy and what I already own that will work. When it was time to pack, I wasn’t hunting around for items or stressing. I knew what was going in the bag, and I just had to make it fit!
My advice is to buy one or two new items for a trip, then fill in with items you own and love. You spent all that money on airfare and accommodations, so make sure you feel beautiful when you venture out. Think about the places you’ll visit or photos you’ll want to take and what colors will look great in that scenery.
WHERE
(does it all go?)
In my carry-on suitcase, all of my clothing is packed in my hanging organizer and gets strapped into the compression side of the bag. Those clothes get compressed, double time! Next, pack all your bulky items like your toiletries (get a foldable hanging organizer), hair dryer (Conair has a great travel dryer), shoes, steamer, etc. into the mesh zipped side.
Things that are always packed in my backpack / personal item bag
Medicine bag with stomach meds, aspirin, ibuprofen, hydrocortisone, neosporin, bandaids, melatonin, eta.
A water bottle. I have bottles that filter the water, bottles that are collapsible and a regular stainless steel bottle. Depending on the trip, I choose which is best, but always having one with me is key! Fill it in the airport, before you leave the hotel for the day, fill it at a restaurant, or a public fountain. Never pay for bottled water again, and the water bottle pays for itself tenfold!
A day bag/shoulder bag and small, collapsible backpack. These take up very little space, but you can leave your big bags in the hotel and use this while exploring.
Suitcase cup holder. Seems frivolous, but you’ll use it more than you think. While you’re waiting for your trains, planes or automobiles, this turns your suitcase into a stable table. It’s light and takes up no space if you end up not needing it. It’s always in my bag.
A small pouch with all my electronics, ear buds and cords. Keep all chargers and cords in one pouch or bag, together. You’ll never search your bag for them again!
Phone lanyard. I wear this in the airport, on the trip, to concerts or street fairs at home. Everyone has felt that panic of thinking you lost your phone, but if it's strapped to you, you’ll never panic like that again!
HOW
(to pack efficiently)
Wear or carry your bulky items on your travel days. Boots, coats, hats, jeans, athletic shoes, etc. The biggest stuff you’re bringing; wear it or carry it on the airplane or train. I usually strap my hat to my suitcase handle. I’ve seen some travelers tie hiking boots to their bags. You gotta do what ya gotta do!
Plan your outfits. Take your itinerary and plan what to wear each day. As an art teacher, I do this in a visual way. I think about the color scheme or search photos of the place or type of activity and assign the outfits. This may seem like overkill, but packing for a trip and dressing on the vacation has been a breeze since I started this method.
Rachel's visual outfit planning method in practice - mapping each day's activities to specific clothing choices before the trip to eliminate packing stress.
Perfect example of Rachel's packing advice - a classic white dress that photographs beautifully against vibrant Cuban architecture.
Demonstrating the versatility of neutral pieces - the same white dress styled with a denim jacket for lavender field exploring.
Only pack clothes that fit you, that you feel confident in, and are your favorite pieces. If the item doesn’t check those three boxes, it’ll never make it out of the bag, and it's a waste of space.
Choose a color scheme so your items mostly all match or pack neutral tops and printed shorts and skirts. Neutrals like white clothing look great in all landscapes!
Rachel’s white jumpsuit standing out against the orange Saharan landscapes.
Follow the 5,4,3,2,1 packing method. 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses, 3 shoes, 2 bags, 1 hat, watch, bathing suit, cover up. Modify this for your destination obviously, but it's a great place to start and prevent overpacking.
Take a small amount of liquid soap and wash small or quick drying items in the hotel sink mid-trip. A travel clothesline comes in clutch for this as well.
WHY
Packing is exhausting. With a little planning and routine, you can simplify your packing and travel. Plus, traveling lighter means no checked bag fees, no waiting in line to check your bags, no luggage carts, no fuss when you’re moving from train to platform. It is just easier! You can walk to your accommodations from the train or walk to the street to catch an Uber versus taking an overpriced airport taxi. Maybe it's not that type of trip, and you want to treat yourself, but the point is, you’ll have the option because you’re traveling light!
Interested in more packing basics? Here are more blogs that might call to you.