How to Pack Light When You’re Only Traveling With a Carry-On
4 min readPacking for a trip always feels like a dance between art and science—and attempting to pack light complicates things even further. According to a study by OnePoll, 65% of Americans struggle with packing, often finding it more stressful than the trip itself. Furthermore, overpacking was a common issue in this study, with nearly a quarter of the average suitcase’s contents going unused on the trip.
As an avid traveler who is on the road several times a month, I’ve learned that it is a skill that comes with experience. After countless trips—navigating airports, trains, and unexpected layovers—I’ve realized that less is truly more. Dragging around heavy suitcases quickly becomes a hassle, and the risk of lost luggage only adds unnecessary stress. Over time, I refined my packing strategy, mastering the art of fitting everything I need into a carry-on. Now, traveling light is second nature which gives me freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind. Below are my tried-and-true tips for packing light with only a carry-on.
Our best tips for packing light
Choose the right luggage
A key consideration for any trip is choosing the right luggage to fit all your essentials without weighing you down. If you’re traveling with just a carry-on-sized bag, you want it to be lightweight yet roomy—expandable options are always helpful. My go-to is the Monos Carry-On Plus, a 7.8-pound hard-shell suitcase sized to fit in overhead bins. The wheels have 360-spin, making it a breeze to maneuver in tight spaces, and the side handle makes it easy to lift into the overhead bin and in a rental car. The padded front compartment fits my 15-inch laptop, a scarf, and a book in there easily. The suitcase comes with an antimicrobial laundry bag and two shoe bags that further help with packing and organization.
Another smart carry-on option is the Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag. The hybrid combination of a hard-shell back and adjustable soft front offers the right amount of support and more expandability than a traditional carry-on. It only has two wheels but when I saw how easily the bag moved on different surfaces, I was hooked. Cotopaxi’s fun and vibrant colors also make these suitcases easily identifiable among a sea of lookalike bags at the airport.
Next up: choosing a functional personal item. I often pair my suitcase with the Adventure duffel from Nex. As a professional photographer, I always travel with my gear and I find this duffel is spacious enough to pack my camera, an extra lens, and in-flight essentials, including snacks and my leakproof BrüMate water bottle. The small duffel has a trolley sleeve, a separate laptop compartment, and can be used with either the handles or the shoulder strap. Bonus: It fits comfortably under an airplane seat.
If my trip involves hiking or day-tripping, then I opt for a backpack as my personal item. The Abisko 35 from Fjällräven is my go-to. It’s spacious enough for an extra set of clothes, shoes, and other essentials but still fits in overhead bins, even on small commuter planes.
Don’t skip the packing cubes
Anyone who struggles with optimizing space when traveling knows that packing cubes are the ultimate solution. Not only are they great for organization, but compression ones like these from Monos and Peak Design save space in your bag, too. I routinely use about three to five cubes and organize my essentials by category. The bigger cube is for bulky items like jeans, pants, and sweatshirts, the medium is for shirts, and the smaller one is for undergarments and socks. The clear-view window on the Monos packing cubes allows me to see what’s inside at a glance, making it easier to get ready. I also carry an extra one to separate dirty laundry on my return trip home.
Minimize the tech
I recently invested in a tech pouch like the one below from Peak Design and it’s been a game changer. The various organizational pockets keep everything neat and tidy, so my bag isn’t a hot mess of entangled wires. Speaking of wires, I ditched multiple charges and chose the Lion Energy wireless charger that works for my phone, watch, and earbuds all at once while cutting down on extra cords. It also has USB A and C ports for charging my computer, too.
Opt for lightweight, multi-functional fabrics
I will admit that choosing the right clothes for a multi-week trip is the most challenging part of packing with just a carry-on, especially when dealing with different climates. I find that focusing on layers works best so you can mix and match to create different looks. A personal preference are pieces made from sustainable fabrics using ethical production practices, so I look to brands like Duer, Jungmaven, Twothirds, Paka, Outerknown, and Patagonia who make clothes that are functional, easy to care for, and long lasting.
