I’m a Professional Packer, and My 15 Trusted Carry-on Travel Hacks Start at $10 for Black Friday – Travel + Leisure

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Expert tips include using packing cubes and a roomy personal item bag.

Packing lightly isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. Even as a travel journalist and the writer of a packing tips newsletter, I still have to make a conscious effort if I want to avoid checking a bag. My first instinct is to pack everything I could possibly need — every outfit combination, every ounce of my beauty products. Just in case. But then I remind myself to take a step back and focus on just the essentials.

Starting with my tried-and-true carry-on luggage (one that’s passed the sit-on-it-and-zip-it-up test multiple times), I begin to compile the building blocks of my wardrobe for that particular trip. While the contents of my suitcase differ depending on where I’m going, there are a few guidelines I always follow, no matter the destination or length of the journey.

Ahead, I’ve laid out my top 15 hacks for how to pack a suitcase along with the products that will help you master them (and avoid extra bag fees by traveling light). Plus, every item on the list is on sale for Black Friday, so you’ll be getting the most bang for your buck in more ways than one.

Related: Amazon Is Rolling Out Unbeatable Deals on Luggage Sets for Black Friday Up to 63% Off — Prices Start at $34

Tip: Use a Spacious Suitcase

Away Bigger Carry-on

Whenever I don’t travel with my Away Bigger Carry-on and am testing different luggage brands, I find the packing process to be a lot more stressful. That’s because this particular style holds just about 48 liters (four to seven days’ worth of clothes), and the polycarbonate shell is flexible enough so it gives but it’s durable enough that I never worry about it breaking.

And if you’ve ever been tempted to buy an Away suitcase, now’s the time as the brand is hosting its biggest sale ever in honor of Black Friday. For a limited time, shoppers can save 25 percent sitewide during the Away Black Friday sale — which is a big deal, as fans of the Travel + Leisure editor-loved luggage brand know.

Tip: Bring a Roomy Personal Item

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

One of the most obvious methods of fitting everything into a carry-on suitcase is to make sure you’re using every bit of airplane real estate you have — and that includes your personal item bag. As someone who never travels without a laptop and likes to have my toiletries and skincare products on hand, I always carry something like the Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack because it’s sturdy but still sleek enough to fit under the seat in front of me. Currently 20 percent off, the duffel backpack could easily hold an extra pair of shoes, a layer or two, and a smaller purse if needed, helping to divvy up what’s in your suitcase without needing to check a bag. The trolley sleeve also comes in handy while navigating through the airport.

Tip: Put Everything in Compression Packing Cubes

Bagail Compression Packing Cubes

If there’s one thing that will make it infinitely harder to pack in just a carry-on suitcase, it’s not using packing cubes — specifically compression packing cubes. Not only will they keep your belongings more organized (I like to use them to separate different categories of clothing), but they’ll also flatten down some of the bulk. This Bagail set is currently marked down during the Amazon Black Friday sale, so there’s no better time to become a packing cube enthusiast.

Tip: Load Up on Layer-able Basics

J.Crew Pointelle Knit Turtleneck

Cold-weather travel is, hands down, the hardest type of trip to pack for. Given the lower temperatures, you’ll inevitably need more layers, heavy outerwear, and generally thicker materials. Carry-on-only packing is still possible, though. You just have to be strategic. I typically lean into layer-able basics; this J.Crew Pointelle Knit Turtleneck — 50 percent off for Black Friday — is a great example. It can be worn with a variety of bottoms (denim, skirts, trousers, etc.), and it provides an extra bit of warmth under a jacket or coat.

Tip: Choose Pieces That Can Be Dressed Up or Down

Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt

Another not-so-secret travel hack is finding pieces that work in many different scenarios. In the past year, I’ve been on a big oversized button-down shirt kick when traveling. I’ll wear this on-sale Gap style during the day with jeans and loafers, and then I’ll switch it up with trousers and slingbacks for dinner. It only takes up one shirt’s worth of space in my suitcase, but it does the work of two.

Tip: Pack Lightweight Sneakers

SK-Trip Women’s Walking Shoes

There have been numerous times when I thought I was ready to zip up my carry-on suitcase, only to realize I forgot to pack my sneakers. To then get them into the bag, I’ll have to rethink the puzzle and remove a couple of items. Recently, I decided to find an alternative to my regular gym shoes, which are heavy and made with lots of support. These lightweight sneakers — on sale for 50 percent off — are the perfect solution. No, they’re not the best for long-distance runs or intense workouts, but they’re supple enough to easily fit into my bag and will keep my feet cushioned on big travel days and walking days.

Tip: Leave Your Bulky Headphones Behind

Apple AirPods Pro 2

To make the most of the luggage space you do have, you’ll need to take into account the volume of your travel accessories, including your headphones. I love my noise-canceling Bose headphones as much as the next traveler, but they require significantly more room in my bag than my Apple AirPods. If you’re looking to size down your technology accessories, snag a pair of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 while they’re on rare sale.

Tip: Transfer Beauty Products Into Small Containers

Tocelffe Travel Bottles Set

Packing my skincare and other beauty products is one of my top concerns when traveling. I have a routine that I don’t like to diverge from. To ensure I have all of my products but don’t have to check a bag, I set aside time to transfer the larger products (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer) into convenient travel-sized bottles. Since I’m in the air multiple times a month, I’ll keep a few different sizes — like these Amazon-loved silicone travel bottles — in my bathroom closet. That way, I can grab and go as needed.

Tip: Wear Materials That Don’t Wrinkle Easily

Gap Turtleneck Rib Midi Sweater Dress

Packing lightly typically requires you to re-wear clothes. It’s just the name of the game. With this in mind, I try to pack pieces that won’t wrinkle easily or look dingey after one or two wears. This Gap Turtleneck Rib Midi Sweater Dress is the perfect example. The ribbed knit fabric has enough structure to keep it in good form for several wears on your trip.

Tip: Consider Shoes Without Chunky Features

Naturalizer Ginger Snip-toe Slingback Heels

Some trips require more than just a pair of sneakers. When I’m traveling for work, I need to have at least one set of nicer shoes packed away in my suitcase, ones that can elevate my outfit for a nice dinner or meeting. I’ve since left chunky heels behind and placed myself firmly in the camp of lightweight slingbacks. On sale for just $40, these Nine West slingbacks are very similar to my go-to pair. They’re also slim enough to be slipped into spaces between the packing cubes in my suitcase. For a sturdier heel, I’d also keep Naturalizer’s Ginger Snip-toe Slingbacks on your Black Friday shopping radar.

Tip: Cut Down on Bulky Knits

J.Crew Carolyn Fitted Crewneck Sweater

Don’t get me wrong, I love chunky sweaters during the winter. I just don’t love traveling with them; my favorite Ralph Lauren cardigan would take up at least a third of my suitcase. Instead, I go with a more manageable fitted crewneck sweater. It’s less voluminous, and it can be rolled or folded into one of my packing cubes. I may even pick up a few more of these J.Crew sweaters while they’re marked down.

Tip: Find Multi-use Tools

Kmsoioa 3-in-1 Apple Device Charging Station

“Multipurpose” is a magic word in the world of packing. It allows you to cut down on the number of pieces in your possession and streamlines your overall packing process. This 3-in-1 charging station for Apple devices, for example, charges your iPhone, Apple AirPods, and Apple Watch; it’s also designed to fold up, so you can fit it into your personal item bag (or even a small purse).

Tip: Do Your Denim Research

Everlane The Cheeky Straight Jean

This isn’t as much a hack as it is a piece of advice: Spend time figuring out which jeans work best for your body and your travel lifestyle. Denim is notoriously hard to shop for, and every pair seems to serve a different purpose. If you do make the conscious effort to find a wear-anywhere, do-it-all pair, though, you’ll save yourself the suitcase real estate that gets eaten up by bringing two to three different styles. The Cheeky Straight Jeans from Everlane could potentially serve you well in your future travels.

Tip: Prepare to Do Laundry

Sueriv 2-pack Mesh Laundry Bag Set

When you pack fewer clothes, you’ll need to do more laundry — especially if you’re traveling for a week or more. When that’s the case for me, I’ll slip a laundry bag into my suitcase. That way, I can compile all of my dirty laundry and transfer it to the laundry room or laundromat, depending on what kind of trip it is. Many suitcases come with their own laundry bags, but if you’ve misplaced yours, now’s a good time to grab a few of these mesh versions (on sale for 33 percent off at Amazon).

Tip: Go Light on the Outerwear

Frogg Toggs Ultra-lite2 Rain Poncho

If you see rain in the weather forecast for your destination, you’ll want to be prepared — but that doesn’t necessarily mean packing your raincoat. Sure, if you have room for it (or want to wear it on the plane), feel free to bring it along. I don’t always have extra space for another piece of outerwear, though, so I’ll slip either a travel-sized umbrella or a packable poncho into my personal item bag (psst: this Frogg Toggs version, which comes with a stuff sack, is on sale for just $13).

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