How to Pack in a Carry-on
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage. All opinions are 100% mine.
I love to travel! There is nothing quite as exciting as packing up your bags, checking off that last minute to-do list, and struggling to sleep the night before a fun vacation! I’m usually so excited the week before my trip, that I start packing right then and leave my luggage packed and ready to go!
The past few weeks, my husband has been flying to New York for work and I’m jealous every time he goes! He shares his pictures from exploring Sleepy Hollow, Grand Central, and everywhere in between. If you’ve never been to New York, you’ll want to read on for details on how to win a family vacation for 4 to New York or San Diego! Both destinations are among my top few favorite cities in the US!
How to Pack in a Carry-on Suitcase
I always laugh when I compare how my husband packs for a 5-day work trip compared to our friend and his co-worker. He’ll pack one neat carry-on and the co-worker just tosses what seems like everything in his house into a big huge suitcase, no order at all! If you pack smart, you’ll have plenty of room for a 5-day or longer trip in just a carry-on!
Plan Your Outfits – Nothing wastes more space than bringing along extra clothes you won’t end up wearing. Check the weather and plan ahead and pack just what you plan to wear. One extra outfit is acceptable, more just becomes a pain! Pack clothes that work with more than one outfit so you get double the use out of each item and plan to聽do laundry while you travel, if needed.
Fill Your Shoes聽– Use the space inside your shoes for storing extras! They are a perfect spot for stuffing socks, a hair brush, a small digital camera, or whatever you might need to stash. Plus, they double as protection if you store your sensitive items inside!
Put Socks & Underwear in Last聽– Get all your main clothing, then use the small cracks and crevices left around the edges to cram in smaller items like socks and underwear!
Use the Expandable Zipper聽– The expandable zipper makes it easier to load your suitcase while packing. Then, just zip down to the more compact size and it will do all the squishing for you with minimal effort!
Don’t forget the Pockets聽– If you have internal or external pockets on your luggage, use them. Just keeping some items corralled and from moving around helps keep the suitcase organized and you are able to fit more.
See How I Pack in a Carry-on
I got to check out a carry-on sized Atlantic Solstice Exp Hardside Spinner in a bright and fun purple color! I have often considered hard sided luggage, but figured it would be heavy and bulky compared to a softer fabric suitcase. That didn’t seem to be the case at all! I could fit SO much inside this suitcase and the luggage empty was very light my concern about extra weight was lifted.
The suitcase has two seperate compartments so you can easily get organized while you pack without burying items at the bottom of your bag. This makes the luggage easy to pack, easy to unpack when you arrive, and even easier to find something when you’re navigating through the airport if needed.
The spinner wheels are smooth, quiet, and drive like a dream! I also really like the built-in lock that is so easy to use and holds the zippers closed to the side of the luggage so only security can get into my luggage, if needed. It gives me a sense of privacy and security knowing my personal belonging are locked.
Check out the whole聽Atlantic Solstice Collection聽to get ready for your next trip!
I like that it has a built-in lock
Some great packing tips..I never thought to put items in my shoes!
These tips are perfect for when I go study abroad in the upcoming spring semester in Switzerland! I am very excited, but also nervous about packing for a whole three months away from home across the Atlantic! Great article, and really nice set of luggage, I love it!
Wow! I really hope I win the Atlantic Luggage for my missions trip to Guatemala this summer!
Absolutely loving the zipper locking option! How convenient and practical for peace of mind while traveling.
This luggage looks top notch! I’ve never thought about filling my shoes with items!
I love that the review says the wheels are smooth and quiet because I hate rolling around noisy luggage.
I like the built-in lock, I am always miss placing my luggage locks.
I really like your tip about checking the weather so that you know what clothing to bring along.
This sounds like great luggage. I definitely need a new set.
I thought my comment was here, but now I don’t see it lol
I always put anything liquid in plastic Ziploc bags!! I also roll my clothes.
Thank you for the chance to win & for the great tips!!
Joey J.
I like the looks of this luggage and appreciate the locks.
Thanks for the contest.
I like the spinner wheels. No struggling.
Great luggage! I love the separate compartments, and the spinner wheels!
I love the bright color! No more getting your bag confused with everyone else’s. 馃檪
Great packing tips, but have you had problems with the TSA unpacking everything?
I am in need of good luggage. I actually do not own any! Sad but true. Great tips for packing! I liked that there are separate compartments and that everything stays safe and secure.
The wheels are great. Very cool luggage.
I love that it’s hardside but lightweight. The purple is pretty too!
I love the way it locks! No needing to buy a separate lock to keep the zippers locked!
I like the spinner wheels! Looking for luggage now!
These are great tips for packing a carry on. And what a wonderful giveaway – they have great luggage pieces!
I’ve been to both but I would love to revisit San Diego. It’s such a fun and easy place for a vacation. New York will be great too but this time of year, San Diego is so much nicer.
It’s time for us to invest in some new luggage. This looks really cool!
Great tips on packing are always welcome. I used to not take a carry on unless it was an int’l trip, but with airlines charging luggage, sometimes I am only taking a carry on these days (if it’s a short trip), so I love reading the tips!
I like all the fun colors that the luggage comes in. I also like that they are lightweight.
wheels are smooth, quiet, and drive like a dream
I’m paying attention to all of these tips. I am terrible at packing! LOL!
That carry on is awesome. I love that there is a spot for your laptop. I am a big fan of zip top bags and rolling clothes. I pack like this for even our small weekend getaways.
We just got back from a trip and I do think these are all great tips! Filling your shoes is a great one. I wish we would have thought to utilize that extra space that way!
I really like that color! That wouldn’t accidentally get picked up at a luggage turnstyle, no way! 馃檪
I love that little carry on! Fun color! And definitely wish I could pack in a carry on only!
This is a great carry on! It has so much room!
This would be a struggle for me. Cost of flying is so expensive though it is definitely worth it if you can.
I’m actually typing this from 10,000 feet above ground (love that in-flight wi-fi! These are great tips for packing. We travel all the time, but usually take 2 big suitcases for the 6 of us. That allows me to put medicine, bathing suits and our electronics in my carry-on!
That looks lovely we always have a hard time finding big enough luggage! Glad we don’t travel often!
I always struggle with packing suitcases. There is always so much stuff i think i will need that i over pack. These are great tips i will try to follow the next time i go away.
I’ve never seen one with a built-in lock. What a great idea! I’m always misplacing my locks.
These suitcases look very roomy and durable for crazy airport handling 馃檪 I would love a trip to San Diego…
NYC because I live in San Diego. I love the vibrant colors
I really like that they are lightweight. I also like the colors that the luggage comes in.
I love this luggage – and the hard outside. It’s so helpful when things don’t get super crushed while traveling!
This looks like a great suit case. It has a lot of room and it has wheels. I love the color purple so this one would be perfect.
I always save so much space by rolling by clothes. I need to start filling my shoes, too.
I Like the wheels on this luggage and how light the luggage is!
I haven’t seen a two compartment suitcase in quite a while. That would be a great help!
This looks like some great looking luggage!! I think the hardest time I had while packing a carry on was when we went to NYC for our honeymoon in February! it was cold and hard to pack winter stuff in such a small carry on!
I’m very impressed that you’re able to get so much in to a carry on. My shoes are usually the reason why I need to bring extra luggage.
I love the luggage! I love to travel light- less for me to carry!
I love SD and NYC! We go to both every year, but NYC is only a few hour drive from me, so I would choose to fly to SD!
I really like how lightweight these cases are and the amount you can fit inside. I would love to visit New York
I’ve heard great thing about Atlantic. I usually use a ruffle bag but having these would be awesome.
Wow! That looks like a great carry-on piece! I love how well-organized it looks. And I had no idea they made ones with built-in locks! My mom loves to lock her suitcase with the TSA-approved locks, but they never get put back on her suitcase by the security when they’re done. this would solve that issue.
The lock with the zippers so you will always know where the zippers are.
I’m just in the middle of packing for our vacation – there’s no way I could fit all my things in a carry on, but then we are going for 11 days. Great tips about filling your shoes, I always do that. And I’ve just discovered rolling clothes makes your suitcase space go a very long way!
I love how the zippers are on the side and it closes and you know it is secure.
I like that it has two separate compartments and the zipper pockets inside.
Awesome tips! This luggage looks awesome. Mine is so old I would be happy with anything and these wheels look awesome.
I like how this suitcase makes it easier to be organized. And I love the purple colored one.
These packing tips are super helpful. I always find I never have enough room!
I love how organized the carry on is.
I would choose San Diego. I love the luggage, especially the built in locks!
I llike the way these look and also how roomy they seem to be. I am really fond of the colors and how sturdy they seem to be!
Love the ease of the rolling luggage. Would be great in San Diego
THAT IS HAS LOTS OF ROOM, LOTS OF POCKETS AND IT ROLLS!! WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS!! I NORMALLY HAVE TO PACK 3 SUITCASES TO GET EVERYTHING TO FIT
Love the wheels.
san diego for sure! I’d love to win this great luggage!