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Packing 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.
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.
When it comes to denim, Duer jeans are my favorite. With the right amount of stretch, softness, comfort, and a water-repellent fabric, I wear them on planes, around town, and even hiking. For daily wear, I pack a few classic, mix-and-match pieces from Paka and Jungmaven in neutral colors. Tanks and simple tees are versatile, comfortable, and perfect for layering. Hemp fabric is a natural fiber that is breathable, antibacterial, and seems to get softer with every wash. On the other hand, alpaca fibers are lighter than traditional wool, thermoregulating, and odor resistant. So adding these to my travel wardrobe was a no-brainer because it wicks moisture away from the skin keeping clothes odor free longer so you can get more wear from them.
For dressier occasions I pack a few essentials from Twothirds. My top picks are a linen dress (preferably with pockets) and sweater especially with a zipper as it can be worn a few different ways for more versatility. I also add cotton pants and a puffer shirt from Outerknown that are chic yet functional. And as a runner from the Midwest, I can never pass up the opportunity to tackle trails wherever I go. My Paka performance tee and multi-pocket jogger tights from Oiselle are ideal because of their quick-drying fabric, which means I don’t need sweatshirts to keep me warm while running outside.
Choose layered outerwear over heavy coats
Keeping up with the theme of packing multi-purpose clothing, I chose between two outerwear pieces depending on the season—the Light Gust hooded vest from Patagonia or the Stretch Voyagr insulated parka from Kuhl. The vest functions as a lightweight layering piece, and the hood is great for those times when you want just a little bit of warmth without bulk. The parka, which I wear on the plane (another tip: don't pack your bulkiest pieces; wear them in transit), is incredibly soft with four-way stretch for freedom of motion, and is waterproof—the perfect outerwear for day or night.
Pick versatile pairs of shoes
Deciding on what shoes to bring on any trip is always a bit tricky, but generally, you want to go classic and neutral. Because of space restrictions, I opted for a walking shoe that would go with any outfit (worn on the plane) and packed my lightweight gym shoes as a backup. Clae’s vegan leather sneakers have traveled with me across continents and continue to hold form even after hours of walking everywhere. Plus the muted color palette works with any outfit eliminating the needs for heels or flats. For my running and training routines, I lean on my Experience Wild running shoe from Altra. It has a zero-to-low drop, so it performs flawlessly on gravel or concrete. A cute pair of lightweight Tevas sandals that are waterproof and breathable round out my footwear choices.
Don’t sacrifice your body care routine—just adjust it
After a lot of trial and error over years of extensive travel, I've finally curated just the right selection of products for my Dopp kit. The key is to trim down your routine (and packing list) with multi-purpose products that still get the job done and leave you feeling refreshed. I swear by Everist plant-based waterless shower travel essentials and the travel-size tins save a lot of space. I also switched to powder brush-on sunscreen, a skin spray for all-day hydration, and waterless moisturizer after having to ditch many creams and bottles at security because of liquid restrictions. All of this packs away in my carry-on-friendly Monos Metro toiletry case.
Travel hacks are a game-changer
After traveling thousands of miles with just a carry-on, there are a few hacks I always rely on that make a huge difference to my overall outlook on traveling as lightly as possible. I clip a few carabiners to my backpack or suitcase (if possible). In a pinch, these hold knickknacks like an extra jacket, a water bottle, or my sandals if I am running out of space. A buff is a must and an easy way to protect your face, neck, and head from the elements. It also acts as a neck warmer and mask on planes.
Dry bags are a great add-on as they double up as washing buckets in case you want to rise off any stains or do a quick wash in your Airbnb or hotel. Rumpl's stuffable pillowcase (which holds any soft pillow) and puffy blanket (which folds down to the size of a Nalgene bottle) have been a lifesaver during many unscheduled airport overnights thanks to cancellations and delays—I never leave home without them.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
