We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Luggage + Bags Organizers + Accessories 7 Essentials for Packing Light, According to a Travel Writer Durable, packable, and practical is the name of the game. By Anne Taylor Anne Taylor Anne Taylor is a commerce updates writer at Travel + Leisure where she keeps articles fresh and up to date. As an avid traveler who has been to 23 countries, she is always testing new products to make her trips even better. She has a bachelor’s degree in news media and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 20, 2024 Comments Photo: Travel + Leisure / David Hattan Whether you’re planning on traveling with a carry-on only or just want to leave more room for souvenirs, there are plenty of benefits to packing lighter. As a travel writer who hasn’t checked a bag in over five years, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to scale down your list and make the most of your space, all while keeping my bag light to avoid extra fees. I’ve gone on plenty of trips with just a carry-on bag and a personal item, including a week-long road trip around Iceland, a two-week excursion in Japan, and an 18-day adventure through Egypt and Greece. It can be challenging to reduce your packing list, but there are some simple steps you can take to lighten your load, stay organized, and avoid lugging around a heavy bag. From what shoes to pack to the smart accessories that can help you multitask, here are my ultimate tips and tricks to help you pack lighter on your next trip. Pack versatile, lightweight shoes Reebok Active Lite Shoes PHOTO: Reebok View on Amazon $39 at Target View on Walmart Why We Love It These lightweight sneakers are virtually weightless and can go with a variety of different outfits. What to Consider They don’t have a lot of support, so you may want to add your own insoles. A lightweight pair of white sneakers is a must-have item on my packing list for any trip. I’m a big fan of Reebok shoes for everything from working out to streetwear, and I love these Active Lite sneakers for traveling and sightseeing. They aren’t clunky or heavy, so I can tuck them in my suitcase without taking up much room. While the style leans on the sporty side, these are still casual enough to wear with jeans or dresses, so they can be worn a lot throughout a trip. If you’re really crunched for suitcase space, you could use these as your only pair of shoes for your entire trip (I’ve done it!) and just wear them on the plane, meaning you wouldn’t have to pack any others in your bag. Create a travel capsule wardrobe Uniqlo Women's Crew Neck T-Shirt PHOTO: Uniqlo View on Uniqlo.com Why We Love It This sturdy tee has a flattering cut and is remarkably affordable. What to Consider It may be a little heavy in hot weather. A versatile wardrobe is going to be your best friend when packing lightly. I personally only bring clothing items that I can wear with multiple outfits, and I stick to neutral colors that all go together. Essentially, you’ll want to create your own travel capsule wardrobe filled with everyday basics that can be mixed and matched throughout your trip. If you’re not sure where to start with building a capsule wardrobe, this T-shirt from Uniqlo is the perfect foundation and a favorite of mine thanks to its flattering cut and sturdy design. It comes in a variety of neutral colors and best of all, the low price will make you want to pick up more than one. Other travel capsule wardrobe items you might want to consider include a comfortable pair of jeans, a button-down top, and a crossbody bag. Use compression packing cubes Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes PHOTO: Bagsmart $40 at Amazon View on Bagsmart.com Why We Love It These packing cubes come in a variety of sizes and compress the contents down for more packing space. What to Consider The design and color options are a little boring. Packing cubes are one of my favorite ways to stay organized with any sized bag. These compression packing cubes add another level of convenience by using a zipper system to pack down items another inch or two. This can be extra helpful with bulky clothing, like puffy coats and jackets, but works well with any sort of soft clothing item. This set comes with one large cube, two medium cubes, two small cubes, and a shoe bag. The largest bag measures 15 x 10.5 x 6 inches when expanded and the smallest measures 13 x 5 x 5 inches, which provides a good size range for all of your necessities. Weigh your suitcase Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon View on Travelinspira.com Why We Love It This lightweight travel scale is easy to use and weighs your bag with incredible accuracy. What to Consider The backlit screen could be brighter and easier to read. The two factors you have to consider when packing your suitcase are the amount of space you have available and the weight of the bag. While packing strategically can allow you to cram a lot of stuff in your carry-on or suitcase, you don’t want to exceed the weight limits of your airline and be forced to pay an extra fee. I always use this lightweight luggage scale before a trip so I know exactly how much my bag weighs before I get to the airport, and I bring it with me to measure my bag as my souvenir haul increases. This scale is easy to use with any bag as long as it has a handle, and measures in both pounds and kilograms. Prepare for doing laundry Eagle Creek Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube PHOTO: Eagle Creek $24 at Amazon View on Backcountry.com View on Eaglecreek.com Why We Love It This laundry bag has an internal divider to separate dirty clothes based on type and soil level. What to Consider It doesn’t unzip all the way around the bag. No one likes doing laundry while they travel, but it’s one of the most effective ways to pack less. As long as you’re prepared, washing your clothes doesn’t have to be too much of a hassle. Start by packing a laundry bag like this one from Eagle Creek that has a divider to separate clothes for even more organizational benefits. You can also make laundry on the road easier by packing your own detergent — some hotels will offer this for a fee, but you don’t want to risk it. You can avoid taking up space in your liquids bag by bringing solid detergent sheets or a laundry bar, or you can bring a travel-sized pouch of your favorite detergent in liquid form. Skip the full-size toiletries Matador FlatPak Toiletry Bottle PHOTO: Amazon $46 at Amazon View on Matadorup.com Why We Love It These toiletry bottles can pack flat and are virtually weightless. What to Consider It’s hard to get thicker liquids, like lotions and creams, into the bags. You can save a lot of weight and space by keeping your toiletries travel-sized or by using handy toiletry bottles like these ones from Matador. I prefer this set because all the bags lie flat and help you make the most of your space. When I’m really tight on space, I like to pack a castile soap bar that can be used to wash my face, body, and hair if I need it to. While some toiletries aren’t replaceable (I get it), keep in mind that you can repurchase basics like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and soap pretty much anywhere in the world. This will obviously depend on your travel destination(s), but I often plan to buy some toiletries while I’m abroad so I don’t have to worry about packing them. Pick double-duty tech products Apple iPad Air (6th Generation) PHOTO: Amazon $585 at Amazon $599 at Apple $599 at Best Buy Why We Love It This thin tablet can be used to read, watch movies, and browse the internet. What to Consider The screen size is fairly large and some travelers may want a smaller option. Traveling involves a lot of downtime, so it’s not unreasonable to want to pack your laptop, books, magazines, and other sources of entertainment. When you’re trying to keep things light, you want to pick electronics that can help you multitask. A tablet for traveling is a great option since you can use it to read and watch movies instead of packing books and your laptop. As long as you have an internet connection (or a portable wifi hotspot), you can also use it to browse the web. If you’re only interested in reading, you could opt for a Kindle for your literary ventures and watch movies or scroll through social media on your phone. Frequently Asked Questions What is the 5-4-3-2-1 packing rule? The 5-4-3-2-1 rule refers to strategically packing a certain number of clothing items like five tops, four bottoms, three shoes, two dresses, and one hat (you can also add other accessories like one watch and one pair of sunglasses). This method can help you determine which clothing and accessory items are absolutely necessary to pack in order to keep your bag light without sacrificing style. Which type of suitcase should I bring with me? For some people, packing light means sticking to one checked bag instead of two, and for others, it means a month-long trip through Europe with a single carry-on backpack. The type of suitcase you should bring with you will depend on your destination, trip itinerary, airline, and travel style. If you’re trying to pack light but want a little extra wiggle room just in case, you should take an expandable suitcase that allows you to add another inch or two to your bag. On the flip side, if you want to prevent yourself from overpacking, you might want to opt for a zipperless suitcase, which typically offers no extra room once packed full. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Anne Taylor is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure, covering the best travel products from carry-ons to packing cubes. After beating a crowd of over 200 people to customs because she didn’t have to wait for a suitcase at baggage claim, Anne became a carry-on convert and hasn’t checked a bag in over five years. She’s been on dozens of trips with just the essentials by learning through trial and error how to make the most of her luggage space. She put together this article by sharing some of her favorite tips and products that help her pack lighter when traveling. The Best Lightweight Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Anna Popp Anna Popp Anna Popp is a New York-based commerce writer at Travel + Leisure covering all of the best travel products, from luggage to outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer and product tester for over five years. learn more