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No matter the distance you’re traveling or the time period for which you will be gone, with fare hikes, baggage check fees, and the discombobulating TSA, taking a carry-on is always the way to go. For those of us who have an aversion to traveling light however, the idea of fitting all of the essentials into a standard carry-on 9-by-14-by-22-inch suitcase is frightening (why wouldn’t you bring four pairs of shoes and three clutches? Options are always needed!). With a little more knowledge though, compiling the perfect carry-on for any trip isn’t so bad. Here, Steph Korey and Jen Rubio, the cofounders of the sleek luggage label Away, talk about the mistakes every traveler makes when packing a carry-on and how even the surplus-lovers among us can avoid them.
Rolling the clothes.
“Roll-packers are all misinformed! It is so much more efficient to flat pack. If you roll-pack, your clothes will arrive more wrinkled. This seems like common sense, but I stack all of my tops together, bottoms together, and throw all of my lingerie in a separate little bag.” —Jen Rubio
Don’t overpack your carry-on.
“The biggest mistake I see people make when traveling is overpacking their carry-on. I can’t pre-plan my outfits but I stick to neutrals or one color family, which at least makes me feel like I have infinite options. Shoes can take up the most space, so I always pack versatile options that I can wear throughout my trip, like flat sandals.” —Jen Rubio
Not using a compression pad.
“You can make the most of your carry-on space by flat-packing and utilizing a compression pad [the suitcase’s built-in internal straps or pad] to keep everything compact and wrinkle-free. Sitting on top of your suitcase will make it close, but it won’t get rid of that extra weight and bulk that might lead to a forced check of the bag.” —Steph Korey
Throwing everything in a big pile.
“It’s really gross when the shoes you walk around in all day touch the clothes that you’re going to wear on your trip. I always keep everything separated by packing shoes, toiletries, and other non-clothing items on the left side of my carry-on and clothes on the right side.” —Steph Korey
Layering your plane clothes to make room in your carry-on.
“Don’t worry about trying to layer on a bunch of clothing to save room in your carry-on. Wear whatever is comfortable and pack everything else! I’m always in layers on a plane anyway since you never know what to expect with cabin temperature, but you can also pack a hybrid blanket and scarf in your tote or purse so you have it there under the seat.” —Jen Rubio