Tips for Packing a Carry-On

It’s the holiday season, and that means it’s also travel season. Visiting family and friends is already stressful enough as is with the Covid-19 pandemic still an issue, so packing a suitcase shouldn’t be another thing to add to the list. Don’t worry, I got you. I’m going home for Thanksgiving for a week and a half, and I have an anime convention in the same state with multiple different cosplays I have to bring with me. It’s a lot going on for a week and a half, aka, that's quite the amount of clothing coming along for the ride. However, I got it all in a carry-on suitcase. If you’re only traveling for a short while, maybe a week or two, I’ve got some advice to share that may just save your trip. Not to mention, I used to work retail at a suitcase store for a while, so I know a thing or two about how to pack a suitcase. Strap in, I’m here to help you pack light.

Compression and expansion: Get the right bag

This is one that I recommend investing in for the long term. My bag is from the company I used to work for, and though it was my least favorite job I’ve ever had, they know how to make a damn good suitcase. One of the key elements I recommend is a bag with a compression pad. You pack your clothes, the compression pad goes over it, you clip in the straps, and then tighten them to compress your clothing. It’s a miracle. Seriously, I can’t stress enough how amazing compression is for any suitcase, not just a carry-on. While it may land you in some trouble with weight, it’s useful for fitting all your things in one bag. You can stack your clothing high and push it all down.

Expanding suitcases are also a useful if space isn’t an issue. All in all, having a good, sturdy suitcase with a few bells and whistles goes a long way for easing your travel worries.

A list is your best friend

I’m a huge list person. Lists are a must have for any kind of planning you do, in my opinion. Packing a suitcase is no exception. I start with how many days I’ll be gone, and then write out how many pairs of pants, shirts, etc. that I’ll need for that time. I’m strict with my lists too. If I write out what I need, then I won’t randomly pick through my clothing with the mindset of, “oh I like this shirt, let me pack it. And this one too! Let’s throw it in there!” The list gives me discipline. The list guides what I need to do. Give in to the list. The list is your friend.

Shoes are also your best friend

Now to the actual packing part of the suitcase. This one you might hate depending on hygiene and what not, but I clean my shoes and freshen them up before I do this, so I don’t mind much. Shoes are the bane of my packing existence. They’re a bulky pain in the butt. For my anime cosplays, I’m packing three different shoes, two of them boots. With all that space wasted on shoes, what am I to do? I’ll tell you. I stuff my shoes with socks, underwear, clothing, whatever I can fit. I put some cosplay gloves in there too. I put a ton of things in my shoes while packing, and it made a world of difference. When you’re working with a carry-on, every little inch counts. Making the empty space in footwear useful is a key to compact packing.

Make everything travel size

I’m a girl with vitamins and medications. All those toiletries can take up more space than you’d imagine. Enter small baggies. My gummy vitamins (yeah I’m an adult who chews gummy vitamins, so what?) come in bulky bottles. I count out how many I need and put them in little Ziploc bags. It’s a million times better than the whole bottle. I bring exactly what I need, and the bags give them a more fluid shape to fit in my suitcase. In fact, they’re wrapped in socks in my shoes right now.

Plastic wrap and tape

Speaking of toiletries, nobody likes to open their suitcase to leaked shampoo or anything like that. This is one I’m sure plenty of people do already, but it bears repeating. Placing some kind of plastic wrap over your bottle, and then closing the lid over it is a great way to prevent leaks. Sometimes I forget about this one, but it’s a small thing to give you that extra peace of mind when you travel.

Rolling is underrated

Hear me out. When it comes to packing clothing, I’m a roller not a folder. Rolling your clothing is the move, in my opinion. You can get your clothes so compact, it’s unbelievable. The rolling method is also great at displaying which clothes you’ve already packed. Things are more visible than a stack of folded clothes. It just gives me a better idea of where I should slot things in when it comes to my suitcase.

It also gives you an amazing forearm work out if you roll your clothing tight enough. That’s a win-win in my book.

Layers

Another obvious one here, but the more you wear, the less you pack. My destination is a bit warm tomorrow, but I’m layering up. Tights are going under yoga pants, my bulkiest, tall boots are going on my feet, and I’m wearing a tank top under my sweatshirt. It may not be the most comfortable, but it gets the job done. I may even double up on socks, who knows.

Nobody likes packing. I always get pre-travel jitters. Having a good plan for my suitcase helps make the worry manageable. Travelling doesn’t have to be stressful, so hopefully some tips will help make your trip anxiety free.