Six Items to Maximize Space in Your Carry-on Luggage
Air travel can be fast, but it is also often a source of stress and discomfort . Besides cramped seats, delays and generally uncomfortable accommodations, airlines pay us handsomely for just about everything, including luggage. With starting fees for checked bags ranging from $30 to $40 , it’s no surprise that more and more people are trying to travel with carry-on luggage only.
Limiting yourself to one carry-on bag is liberating—no more waiting at the baggage carousel, no more lugging around a bulky, heavy roller—but it also limits space. Clever packing , such as rolling clothes, can help you get the most out of your carry-on luggage, but you end up running up against the laws of physics. If you really want to maximize your carry-on luggage options, here are some smart things you can buy that will help you with this project.
Packing cubes
As our own Beth Skwarecki will tell you, packing cubes is life-changing . They hold all your loose items, like folded shirts, so they stay in their pristine and efficient configuration rather than becoming disorganized and chaotic. Shrink cubes can also shrink many of your items so they take up as little space as possible. They also make it much easier to efficiently use the space inside your carry-on luggage, turning a bunch of oddly shaped items into neat cubes that can be quickly organized and rearranged. Finally, they can be used to separate your items by use case so you can pack neatly when you get access to the things you need right now.
Vacuum bags
If compression pack cubes can compress some of your items, imagine an entire carry-on bag that compresses itself. Vacuum carry-on backpacks feature a built-in vacuum that compresses everything inside at the touch of a button, making the bag as small and easy to store as possible.
The two disadvantages of vacuum carry-on luggage are access and security. If you need to take something from your carry-on luggage, you will have to unpack it first. As for getting these bags through airport security, the TSA says they are “discouraged” but are allowed , so you can bring them through. But TSA agents may force you to unzip them so they can inspect the contents, especially if the compression makes it difficult to see what’s in there. Thanks to the built-in vacuum, you’ll be able to reseal the bag after you’ve picked up or examined your items, but that’s still a drawback.
Stuffed neck pillows
If you’re going to be using a neck pillow on a plane, why not buy one that allows you to easily stuff it with folded clothes or other soft items? Every shirt you put in a neck pillow is a shirt you don’t have to put in your carry-on, freeing up space for other items or making packing a little easier, and you still get the benefits of a neck pillow. It’s a win-win!
Belt bags
Fanny packs (or fanny packs as the unwashed ones call them) are a great way to get a little extra space in your carry-on luggage. It’s true that many airlines consider a visible fanny pack a personal item and require you to place it in your carry-on bag when boarding. But that can only happen if they see it: by choosing a thin, compressed fanny pack like this, you can wear it under your clothes during boarding without anyone knowing.
Stackable Toiletry Containers
These hexagonal magnetic capsules are perfect for taking liquids with you on a plane. They hold 1.32 ounces of stuff, snap together for super easy packing, and are pre-labeled so you know exactly what’s in them. This is a much more efficient way to carry some basics like shampoo, conditioner or lotion than trying to deal with tiny plastic bottles or even a clump of tiny plastic bottles.
Solid toiletries
If you’ll be bringing shampoo and other toiletries with you, consider bringing the solid versions— shampoo , conditioner , or lotion— instead of the liquid versions, which are harder to handle. You can also replace toothpaste with tooth powder , which can be transferred to any suitable size container. Not only are these options easier to pack and less likely to make a mess, but they also won’t cause problems at the security line since they are illiquid.