A Professional Packer’s 12 Top Rules for Carry-ons

Earlier this year, I took an entire month off from travel: 30 full days without security lines, delayed flights, and packing (and unpacking) suitcases. Before that self-imposed break—which, as a travel writer and founder of a packing list newsletter on Substack, didn’t come easily—I was in the airport multiple times a month, flying both domestically and internationally on a near-weekly basis. While this time “off” gave me much-needed time at home, it also allowed me the mental and physical bandwidth to organize my closet, reevaluate my current luggage lineup, and nail down the packing tips for my upcoming trips.

With destinations like St. Kitts, Tanzania, Switzerland, and Jackson Hole on the horizon, it’s going to be a busy season of carry-on-only travel—and I’ll be using the below fundamental packing rules to guide my every pre-departure move. 

5 Most Important Packing Essentials

Mistake: Buying a Poor-quality Suitcase

Rule: Invest in a Carry-on Suitcase You Love

Before you even think about what you’re packing, you have to figure out the luggage you’ll be toting on board the airplane. Even when I’m technically traveling lightly (no checked bags here), I still want to be able to bring as much as I can, which is where a quality carry-on can work wonders.  

I’m a forever fan of the Away Bigger Carry-on, as it’s the only carry-on suitcase that continues to impress me with its capacity and durability. It’s designed to maximize packing space, so on the trips when I’m just limited to a single suitcase, I can rest assured I can fit everything I need. 

Mistake: Unorganized Packed Clothes

Rule: Use Compression Packing Cubes

If there’s a time and a place to use compression packing cubes, it’s when you’re going carry-on only and packing lots of layers or thicker fabrics. Not only do these packing cubes from Bagsmart aid in organization, but the compression technology works wonders to cut down on bulk. Less bulk equals more available suitcase real estate—so yes, you might be able to squeeze in another pair of jeans or two. 

Mistake: Bringing Too Many Toiletries

Rule: Bring Only the Essentials

If shoes are the top enemy of packing lightly, toiletries are a close second—until you figure out the process that works for you. Personally, I rely on TSA-compliant products (mini toothpastes, small bottles of contact solution, etc.) that I stash in my bathroom cabinets and toiletry bottles (my go-to pick is the Cadence capsules, but any set, like this Morfone 16-piece set, will work) for holding my shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer. I’ll then add everything to a compact toiletry bag when it’s time to pack. It’s a solution that ensures I always have the products I need, but I don’t have to spend hours figuring out how I’m going to get everything through security. 

Mistake: Using a Too-small Personal Item

Rule: Pick a Roomy Personal Item

One of the things I’ve found that makes not checking a bag infinitely more doable is using a spacious personal item. I prefer to pack my bulky toiletries and electronics in a tote bag (usually this unbelievably roomy bag from MZ Wallace); that way, my suitcase can hold more clothes and shoes. Of course, you’ll want to make sure whichever personal item you bring can always fit under the seat in front of you, but I’ve never had any issue with the Deluxe Large Metro Tote, even when it’s filled to the brim.

Mistake: Following Fleeting Fashion Trends

Rule: Find Your Personal Style

Over the years, I’ve carefully curated my core travel wardrobe. While the contents of my suitcase vary slightly by season and destination, I have a few pieces and styles I turn to again and again—ones I can confidently pack for a variety of scenarios and situations, and ones that I know will continue to perform time and time again. For example, I love a crisp white button-down, preferably one that’s a bit more oversized, and I’m partial to a comfortable barrel-leg pant. Athletic-ish trousers are always one of my go-tos for a travel day, as well. Use the promo code EXTRA to get 40 percent off at Madewell.

Mistake: Packing Mismatched Clothes

Rule: Stick to a Color Palette

Choosing a color palette is one of the packing strategies that has changed the game for me. It provides me with incredibly helpful ground rules and guidelines. For example, I’m headed to Tanzania in a few weeks, and I know I only want to bring khakis, greens, and shades of white. This automatically eliminates any desire I have to bring a pair of jeans, that J.Crew pink sweater I just bought, or the navy workout set I’ve worn on repeat lately. Plus, there’s the added benefit that most of my pieces will work together as a capsule wardrobe, so I can mix and match as I’d like.

Mistake: Having Too Many Shoes

Rule: Find a Pair of Versatile, Comfortable Shoes

Shoes are the arch-nemesis of anyone who wants to pack lightly. They’re typically bulky and heavy, taking up way more room in your suitcase than you initially expected. To solve this issue, I try to stick to two pairs of shoes at a time; one, I wear in the airport, and the other I stick in my personal item tote. For fall or winter travel, I always opt for some sort of boot. If it’s a city trip, a solid pair of Chelsea boots, like these from Blundstone, usually does the trick. If I’m headed somewhere active, like Montana or Wyoming, I look to bring something like the Outlander Waterproof Boot from Lems—comfortable, functional, and relatively packable. 

Mistake: Only Packing Patterns and Bold Colors

Rule: Wear Neutrals

Similar to the color palette rule, this one focuses on only packing pieces that can be described as “versatile.” I tend to fill my closet with neutrals—olive, white, black, navy, and camel hues. It’s a strategy that ensures I never grow sick of my own clothes when I’m packing (or whine about having nothing to wear). Instead of regularly investing in new pieces, I can simply style these neutrals a bit differently. Maybe layer a sweater over a T-shirt, or pair classic wide-leg trousers with a button-down instead of a long-sleeve crewneck. 

Mistake: Having Tangled Cords

Rule: Organize Your Technology

After doing a first pass at what I want to pack on a trip, laying everything out on my bed, I start to ask myself, “Do I really need this?” about each item.  If I hesitate to say “yes,” it stays home. I do the same thing when determining which cords, chargers, adapters, and headphones I’ll need. I try to stick to the bare minimum—no “just in case” items make it in my bag—and I’ll organize them all in one specific pouch or organizer, like this Fyy Electronics Organizer, on sale for only $9.

Mistake: Bulky Accessories

Rule: Accessorize Wisely

A couple of tasteful accessories can instantly elevate the contents of your suitcase—but never pick ones that will take up more than their fair share of volume. For instance, if you want to bring a hat, make sure it’s actually packable; this one from L.L. Bean is designed to fit into a suitcase. Scarves and light wraps are also great ways to add a bit of dimension (or warmth) to an outfit, without resorting to heavy layers or chunky jewelry. 

Mistake: Not Preparing for the Weather

Rule: Packing Layers

Ahead of any trip, I always add my destination to the weather app on my phone. Usually, I’ll already have a good idea of the weather beforehand—tropical, chilly, snowy—but I like to familiarize myself with the temperature variations throughout the days leading up to my arrival. Armed with this knowledge, I know exactly what I need to bring (and, as a result, am less likely to overpack).

With the weather in mind, I always consider the types of fabrics and materials I’m packing. Linen, for instance, is ideal for warm weather; if I’m headed to the Caribbean, I’ll always travel in a linen button-down. Merino wool, on the other hand, is a cold-weather classic, and my suitcase for winters in Wyoming always contains several tees and tops made with the fabric. 

Mistake: Packing Bulky Coats

Rule: Be Strategic With Your Outerwear

Choosing the right outerwear is imperative if you don’t want to check a bag. You really only have the space for one coat (that you’ll likely wear while in transit), so it should be able to do multiple jobs. Unless I’m headed somewhere exceptionally cold, I like to bring a Barbour jacket. Mine is the right amount of oversized for adding layers underneath, and the waxed material keeps out the wind and can hold up to a little sprinkle. Barbour not really your thing? Consider a light puffer jacket, like this Quince packable puffer, or a trench coat if you’re headed somewhere on the rainier side. 

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