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16 carry-on essentials for the person who refuses to check a bag

Top tips that will turn you into a savvy packer overnight

A green shawl sweater, a grey fanny pack, an olive Beis carry-on roller, a grey Trtl neck pillow, and a red Calpak luggage tag and phone charger. Credit: Reviewed / J. Crew / Dagne Dover / Béis / Trtl / Calpak

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I love to travel, but I hate to check my luggage. Airlines aren’t doing us any favors: Prices are getting more expensive, flight options are getting fewer, space is getting smaller, and it costs an arm and a leg to check a bag.

During a low-travel year, I fly twice a year for a 3,000+ mile cross-continent flight—always with a young child in tow—and usually with at least one layover. Each trip we take is two weeks or longer—and it always involves a holiday, where you can’t skimp on the clothes you pack. In the beginning, it was a travel disaster, but I’ve learned quite a few tricks over the years.

After dealing with delayed luggage on too many occasions, I’ve learned how to fit two weeks' worth of clothing and essentials into my carry-on luggage and a personal item. Here are some tips, tricks, and favorite products for getting everything you need into a carry-on. Kiss that post-red-eye luggage carousel wait goodbye and say sayonara to baggage fees. You're on your way to becoming a light-packing pro!

1. Dagne Dover Landon Weekender

A well-designed weekender bag

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Dagne Dover Landon

This bag won our Editor's Choice award!

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A weekender bag is your secret weapon for getting everything you need onto your flight. Pick a smart one, like the Dagne Dover Landon. I've found the large to be a perfect size for maximizing space while staying within the confines of an under-seat carry on item.

The enormous main compartment is large enough for three days’ worth of clothes, while the trolley sleeve and a plethora of smart pockets throughout make this a standout weekender bag for all occasions.

2. Béis carry-on roller bag

An expandable roller bag

Product image of Béis carry-on roller bag
Béis carry-on roller bag

An expandable 22-inch roller bag is a must-have.

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There is carry-on luggage and there is carry-on luggage. Which one you select will make all the difference in terms of what you can fit onto your flight. For domestic flights, choose a high capacity, expandable, 22-inch roller bag, like the Béis carry on roller bag.

You’ll be astonished at how much you can fit in this bag. Brilliant compartments and compression details will make you swear it's bigger on the inside than on the outside. Added touches like a built-in lock, a padded handle, and a retractable purse hook will make this feel like your smartest purchase of the year.

3. Anker Soundcore A40 adjustable earbuds

A stellar set of noise-cancelling earbuds

Product image of Anker Soundcore A40 Earbuds
Anker Soundcore A40 Earbuds

These compact earbuds give colossal sound

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For canceling out the tone-deaf bachelorette party that’s trying to get coach class to join in on their Whitney Houston singalong (true story), you need a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Earbuds are the way to go for light packers. These Soundcore earbuds have excellent noise-canceling qualities. Plus they keep a 10-hour charge and the compact carrying case holds an additional 40 hours.

4. AirFly Pro

For the one who wants Bluetooth connectivity

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AirFly Pro

Bring your Bluetooth connection wherever you may roam!

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You’re going to need some Bluetooth connectivity with those earbuds. With over 25 hours of battery life, the AirFly Pro will never run out of steam—even on an overseas flight. Plus it comes in a compact little keychain holder to make it extra portable.

5. A Dagne Dover belt bag

For some stealth extra storage

Product image of Dagne Dover Belt Bag
Dagne Dover Belt Bag

Our favorite belt bag has stealth storage and superb organization.

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A roomy, well-structured belt bag is one of the smartest things a savvy traveler can own. The Dagne Dover belt bag is one of our favorites. It fits a crazy amount of stuff and it slips under your jacket; that way, it’s never flagged as a “personal item” like most conventional purses tend to be.

6. Bagsmart Compression Cubes

Compressing packing cubes to maximize your space

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Bagsmart Compression Cubes

For even more space in your carry-on, try these compression cubes.

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Ever wish your suitcase could be slightly bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside? It can be, with compression packing cubes. This six-pack of cubes has a double-zip technology that pushes all of the air out of rolled and folded clothes, so each item takes up less space.

7. A Kindle Paperwhite

To bring a whole library with you

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Kindle Paperwhite

Lighter and thinner than a paperback and holds six weeks' worth of charge.

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Fit your entire reading library for your trip (and then some) in an 8 mm-thick package. A Kindle Paperwhite is small enough to fit in a fanny pack yet holds thousands of books. It also holds a 6-week charge, so you can save room on that charger.

8. PEAK Design Wash Pouch

A thoughtfully designed dopp kit

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PEAK Design Wash Pouch

We are blown away by the thoughtful design of this dopp kit.

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When you have less space to work with, you need better organization. The Peak Design dopp kit is made for the meticulous packer. Every inch of this compact toiletries bag is thoughtfully designed, from internal mesh pouches to the magnetic-closure toothbrush pouch.

9. On Cloud 5 Waterproof Slip-On Sneakers

For the one that wants a multi-tasking shoe

Product image of On Cloud 5 Waterproof Slip-On Sneakers
On Cloud 5 Waterproof Slip-On Sneakers

These slip-on sneakers are major multi-taskers!

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Footwear like sneakers, rain shoes, and snow shoes can take up a lot of precious real estate in your luggage. Not only are On Cloud 5 sneakers waterproof and breathable, they are slip-ons! No need to mess with laces—these shoes are the perfect travel shoe for effortlessly getting through airline security and then sprinting to your gate in the nick of time.

10. J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap

One piece that will keep you cozy

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J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap

This soft scarf wraps around you like a soft and warm hug.

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An elegant shawl, an insulated scarf and headwrap, or a cozy blanket? You decide! J. Crew's sublimely soft cashmere travel scarf is a warm and snuggly piece that works so hard while looking gorgeous in every way. It's the perfect flight blanket for when the cabin gets chilly, then it immediately transforms into a sophisticated wrap for a night out once you reach your destination.

11. Trtl Travel Pillow

For a restful red-eye

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Trtl Travel Pillow

This neck pillow is so compact—and so supportive!

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Side sleepers and middle seaters have it rough when they are flying. This innovative Trtl travel pillow is one of the best I’ve personally tested. Unlike other bulky neck pillows, which can take up a lot of extra space, this one packs down to be almost flat when not in use.

It’s lightweight, compact, and supportive and will keep your head and neck in alignment—even when you’re subjected to middle-seat exile.

12. Special Made Collapsible Water Bottle

For hydration with limited space

Product image of Special Made Collapsible Water Bottle
Special Made Collapsible Water Bottle

This collapsible water bottle is a must for staying hydrated on the go!

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Airport water is way overpriced. Ensure you can hydrate quickly without sacrificing space. This brilliant and resusable bottle collapses and wraps up to fit in a purse when not in use, and it has a handy carry-lanyard for toting around when it's full. If you love not having an extra thing to put in the TSA bin when going through security, you'll appreciate this bottle.

13. Calpak Portable Charger Luggage Tag

The smart solution to ensure your battery is never low

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Calpak Portable Charger Luggage Tag

A stylish (and practical) solution for keeping your devices charged!

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This smart and stylish Calpak luggage tag has a secret. Hidden within the pretty colors and elegant lines is a 2500 mAh power bank that is ready to charge up any device with dwindling juice. Slim, compact, and lightweight, it features a USB port as well as a personal information card.

14. Bombas Gripper Slippers

A necessity if you plan to take off your shoes in the air

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Bombas Gripper Slippers

These compact slippers are just the thing for keeping your feet warm and cozy—particularly while flying!

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Because I always opt for wearing my most bulky shoes instead of packing them, they immediately come off when I'm in the air. That's why some packable slippers are essential. Those airline floors are NASTY. A sanitary buffer zone isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.

The Bombas Fair Isle Gripper Slippers fold up small, wash easily, and, because of their grippy bottoms, make for a sturdier situation when you’re walking on unfamiliar flooring—like tile or laminate at your hotel or homestay.

15. Adidas Alliance Sackpack

An ultra-light and ultra-packable all-purpose bag

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Adidas Alliance Sackpack

This bag packs down to nearly nothing and is an instant backpack, beach bag—you name it!

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The Adidas Alliance Sackpack is, bar none, one of my most essential travel staples. Every member of my family has one. It packs down to almost nothing and expands to be a lightweight around-town backpack, a beach bag, a ski pack, a gym bag, a shopping bag, or a spillover “personal item” bag that fits my purse and the last-minute purchases I made on vacation.

16. Ucomex Nano 3-in-1 charger

For efficient charging

Product image of Ucomex Nano 3-in-1 charger
Ucomex Nano 3-in-1 charger

If you’re an Apple ecosystem devotee, you’ll love this charger.

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This neat little square folds out to be a charger for your iPhone, your AirPods, and Apple Watch. All three can charge at the same time and when you’re done, it folds neatly to be stashed away.

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