12 Genius Tricks to Make Your Carry-on Lighter, According to a Professional Packer

Whenever I’m packing — whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a month-long trip — I always approach the process the same way. It’s like a puzzle that requires both concentration and creativity. I first think critically about every piece that will go into my suitcase: What core clothing items will I be wearing? What toiletries are absolute must-haves? Once I gather the essentials, I can start organizing them (usually into packing cubes) and figuring out what else I may have room for in my luggage. The final product is always a travel bag that is perfectly arranged and filled with things I’m actually going to use and wear — many of which I share in my bi-weekly packing list newsletter: Just Packed. 

Though it may seem like a hassle to spend so much time and energy packing, it’s always worth it because when you’re thoughtful about what you’re bringing, you’re more likely to successfully fit everything into just a carry-on — allowing you to avoid unwieldy checked bags and any accompanying luggage fees. There are also a few more packing tricks and best practices I’ve learned over my years as a travel writer and former overpacker. Below, I’m sharing 12 different tips on how to pack a carry-on and make it as light as possible. Who knows? You may never check a suitcase again. 

Start With a Lightweight Suitcase

No, the airline won’t be weighing your carry-on, but it’s always better to start your packing process with a relatively lightweight suitcase. When I’m researching suitcases, I always scroll right to the dimensions and product details and look for the bag’s weight. This one from Travelers Club weighs in at just 5.6 pounds. For comparison, the Away Carry-On, which is an equally spacious and durable option, is nearly 2 pounds heavier.  

Only Pack What Fits in a Set of Packing Cubes

As a packing expert, it's safe to say that packing cubes are nonnegotiables. Think of packing cubes as your guardrails. What doesn’t fit in a set (anywhere from three to seven cubes, depending on their size) probably doesn’t need to come with you. Do you actually need three pairs of jeans? Is having two sweatshirts really that important? Your packing cubes will help you make that final decision. 

Keep Your Toiletry Bag Small and Compact

Trust me when I say that not all toiletry bags are created equal. I’ve tried an extensive range of sizes and styles in the past few years, and there are quite a few that aren’t exactly travel-friendly. I recently started to use a folding style, like this on-sale Eachy Travel Makeup Bag, which easily fits into whatever personal item bag I’m using. Pro tip: Always put your toiletries in your personal item bag. It takes up too much of the valuable real estate in your carry-on, which you should reserve for clothes, shoes, and other clothing items.

Stock Up on Travel Bottles for Toiletries

TSA-approved toiletries are par for the course if you aren’t checking a bag. But even if your face moisturizer is technically under the limit, that doesn’t mean you need to bring the entire jar. Instead, pick up the Cadence Capsules Skincare Set and parse out your serums and lotions to just the amount you need on your trip. This will keep weight down, and you won’t run the risk of losing all of your skincare products if you accidentally misplace your toiletry bag — or worse, have to part ways with them at TSA security if the state or country you're flying out of has stricter rules than the one you departed from. 

Invest in a Small Jewelry Organizer

Travel jewelry cases are the packing cubes of accessories. I always recommend traveling with one like the Taimy Travel Jewelry Case (versus a larger hanging organizer) and bringing only a few versatile pieces. If your big chunky necklace doesn’t fit in the case, then it can stay at home. This is also a great way to keep all your jewelry safely stored together — although it’s best practice to only bring your less valuable, completely replaceable pieces with you when you’re traveling. 

Keep Wires, Cables, and Chargers in a Portable Organizer 

Organizational tools don’t necessarily lead to a lighter bag, but they do help cut down on excess mess. Take a cable organizer, for example. This Amazon-loved one is designed with two compartments to hold things like a power bank, earphones, cables, a connector adapter, etc. The bag itself is incredibly slim, and you can slip it into your personal item bag for easy access. 

Save Space With an Inflatable Neck Pillow

There are two types of travelers: those who vehemently need a neck pillow for long flights and those who make do without. While I typically fall into the latter category, I understand the desire to sleep comfortably while in flight — but please don’t pack one of those incredibly bulky travel pillows. You won’t use it outside of the plane, and it will take up too much precious space. Go with something like the Keemall Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow instead. This style is inflated in two breaths and it can be folded up and packed away when not in use. 

Pack a Laundry Bag for on-the-go Washing

Your travels may require you to be away from home for an entire month, but that doesn’t mean you need to bring a month’s worth of clothes. Instead, pack your capsule pieces — maybe it’s a few T-shirts, a dress or two, some denim, and a nice pair of trousers — and a laundry bag. That way, you can use the laundry bag to hold your dirty clothes and easily transport them to the laundromat or laundry room when you’re ready. Many suitcases come with a laundry bag, but if you’ve lost yours, grab one (depending on how much laundry you expect to have) from this six-piece Amazon set.

Use a Spacious Backpack as Your Personal Item Bag

One of the most obvious ways to lighten your carry-on (and avoid the embarrassment of struggling to put your suitcase in the overhead space) is to keep a decent amount of your belongings in a personal item bag. For that to be effective, though, you need a spacious bag. The Matein Carry-on Backpack is the perfect accessory for this scenario, as it holds up to 40 liters and still meets the requirements of airlines like EasyJet, Spirit, and JetBlue.

Opt for Lightweight, Packable Outerwear 

Carry-on-only packing is one thing if it’s summer or you’re headed somewhere tropical. It’s another thing entirely during the winter — or if you have to pack for multiple climates. I recently had to solve this conundrum for my own travels; in a few weeks, I’ll go from Sicily’s warm weather to the chillier Dolomites in the span of a couple of days. While I’ll wear a leather jacket on the plane, I want a more athletic layer for hiking (but I will need to leave my heavier winter jacket in my closet).

So I went with this Amazon Essentials Packable Puffer Jacket, which can be tucked into a pouch and stored in a corner of my suitcase until that portion of the trip. I recommend making as many packable clothing swaps as possible, especially when you need bulky items like sweaters, cardigans, jeans, and jackets. 

Choose Versatile Footwear to Limit the Number of Shoes You Pack

Shoes are the ultimate enemy of a light suitcase. My general rule of thumb is to bring three pairs: sneakers, boots (or sandals, if it’s warm), and a dressier type of shoe (like block heels). Sometimes, though, three can even be too much. If you’re looking to cut down on weight, do your research into the type of shoe that works best with most of your outfits and the type of travel you’re doing. In the fall or winter, something like the Vetaste Lug Sole Combat Booties will be able to take you from the airport to walking around a new city to out to dinner. The same goes for the Nortiv 8 ActiveSwift Walking Shoes, which are comfortable enough to wear for long periods and stylish enough to wear out with jeans, trousers, dresses, and more. 

Pack a Kindle Instead of Multiple Hardcover Books

As much as this pains me to say this (I’ve been a longtime proponent of physical books), an Amazon Kindle is the smartest way for bibliophiles to travel. One or two hardcover books will immediately weigh down your luggage and take up a significant amount of space. Not to mention, you’ll be able to read more books if you’re not limited to the titles you brought with you. Use this same way of thinking when it comes to other electronics, such as your laptop; instead of lugging it around, you can lighten your load with a sleek Apple iPad or tablet. 

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