Packing into a carry-on has been the long held tradition of professional or savvy travelers. It helps travelers stay mobile on the road, be flexible on the airport, avoid luggage fees and the drama associated with a lost piece of luggage. I try to carry-on my suitcase as much as possible and feel it is one of the best travel tips I have ever learned. Packing into a carry-on doesn’t mean looking sloppy or wrinkled, but with a little planning, you will be packing like a pro in no time. Here are my tried and true packing tips on how to pack a carry-on. 

Packing Tips on How to Pack A Carry-On

Select A Versatile Wardrobe

Put everything you want to take with you on the bed and then eliminate half of it. Then start with your favorite color scheme, my Mom always called this “mixing and matching”.

• 2 Tops x 2 Bottoms = 4 Outfits
• 3 Tops x 3 Bottoms = 9 Outfits

Try to make as many outfits in a color scheme possible. Utilizing each garment and eventually your whole travel wardrobe will be flexible and versatile. Having a flexible and versatile travel outfits will ensure every garment is used and you will eliminate a lot.

Categorize Shoes

Women have a different challenge than Men. For us, it’s pretty easy; Evening Shoes & Running/Walking/Athletic Shoes
If you categorize your shoes you will not only minimize the amount of shoes but reduce the excess.

• Walking Shoes
• Evening Shoes
• Flats

You’ll be prepared for most basic situations

Toiletries & Makeup

Separate you dry toiletries from your liquids. I use a ziplock bag from the grocery store and a heavy duty Pack-it Sac when I arrive. The ziplock bags comes in handy if you need to show your liquids at the airport.

Packing Tip 101: Use Packing Cubes

Folding and rolling has long been a packing tip. Using Packing Cubes is the best way to fit everything inside of a carry-on and keep everything you’ve rolled together. These cubes keep everything tidy. Develop your own system to organize, minimize wrinkles, and breeze thru the TSA. The cubes make life a whole lot easier and really the only way to keep things together after you’ve folded and rolled. When I first learned how to pack a carry-on, I started using packing cubes. I’ve used the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes  most of my life since they originated the concept of the packing cube.

Pack the Personal Bag last

Pack whatever you have left in your personal bag. This is a soft sided bag that should fit underneath the seat of the aircraft. Make sure you pack your medicine and electronics in your personal bag. Don’t pack them in your carry on rolling bag in case that bag gets gate checked.

Wear your thickest or heaviest items on the plane

• Jeans or Yoga pants 
• Long sleeve top
• Fleece
• Heavy or Big Shoes

Packing Cubes for a Women’s Carry On

Eagle Creek Medium Pack-it Folder – For Nicer Tops, Slacks, Trousers, Dresses, Skirts

Eagle Creek Pack It Cube Medium – Anything you want to fold and roll. You can fit minimum 7 tops

Eagle Creek Specter Clean Dirty Cube Packing Organizer-Small – Work out clothes, pajamas

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cinch Organizer, Strobe Green– 7 pairs of Undergarments

Eagle Creek Specter Sac Packing Organizer-Medium, Brilliant Blue – 311 TSA Toiletries: Liquids, Gels, Creams, Lotions

Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Sac Set (Md/Large) 2pc, – A game changer. So much so some people just pack into these, but they will wrinkle most shirts and pants. I use them for fleece, down jackets, anything bulky or puffy, etc….Bring one in your bag empty and it’s the best laundry bag on the market. I’ve used mine for ages they are much better than the compression bags for home use because they have nylon woven thru the plastic. This makes them flexible. No vacuum required.

 Packing Tips on How to Pack A Men’s Carry-On

Packing Cubes for A Men’s Carry-On

Eagle Creek Pack It Specter Compression Cube Set 2pc Set – Anything you fold & roll. T Shirts, Work out clothes, base layers, shorts, trousers.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Tech Structured Cube M  – Oxford Shirts, V Neck Sweater. Can be used for nicer trousers too

Eagle Creek Pack It Specter Clean Dirty Half Cube – Socks/Underwear

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Tech Quick Trip  – The classic dop kit for the modern travel age. I put non-liquids in here.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Sac Medium – mostly liquids, toiletries, 3-1-1 liquids.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Sac Set (Md/Large) 2pc, – One of the best items for learning how to pack a carry-on. A game changer. So much so some people just pack into these, but they will wrinkle most shirts and pants. I use them for fleece, down jackets, anything bulky or puffy, etc….Bring one in your bag empty and it’s the best laundry bag on the market. I’ve used mine for ages they are much better than the compression bags for home use because they have nylon woven thru the plastic. This makes them flexible. No vacuum required.

Anti-Microbial Shoe Bags & Laundry Solutions

Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Shoe Locker, Fits up to Women’s 9.5, Men’s 8

Eagle Creek Pack-It Sport Wet Dry Fitness Locker

Packing List for Men 2 Weeks

• 3 Oxford Shirts (Wrinkle Resistant)
• 3 Trousers (1 pair of black slacks for dinner, 2 pair of walking trousers)
• 4 T-Shirts (Light, Quick Drying)
• 3 Underwear
• 3 Socks
• Running/Workout/Lounging Trousers
• 2 Base Layers
• 2 Lightweight long sleeve Travel Oxford Shirts
• 1 Fleece Hoodie (Wear on Plane)
• 1 Merino Wool V Neck Jumpers 
• 1 Waterproof Jacket 
• Swimsuit
• Walking Shoes
• Laundry Kit
• Medical Kit
• Personal Kit for the Airplane
• Toiletries

For more on how to pack a carry-on for men, check out my article on Packing Light for 2 Weeks for Men. To be honest, I pack for 2 weeks even when I’m traveling for 6 or 8. I just have my laundry done when it’s time and bam, I have 2 weeks worth of fresh clothes.

Carry-On Luggage I Love and Travel With

These are the Carry-ons I own and have used for years. You may have even seen me pack into one of them. I have collected lots of memories with these bags. Even when I do have to check them because I’ve purchased wine or other liquids, these bags haven’t failed me and have protected my stuff when needed.
Eagle Creek Expanse AWD Carry-on 22 Inch Luggage, Twilight Blue

Bric’s Luggage Bellagio Ultra Light 21 Inch Carry On Spinner Trunk

Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD 22 Inch, Asphalt Black

*All opinions are mine. I paid for everything I use, all of my gear or any travel product featured in this article. This is not a sponsored post. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. If you purchase a product or service based on a link from the blog, you must take action with that company to resolve the issue, not Angels Travel Lounge.

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