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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Pro Packer, and I Still Use These 12 Old-school Tricks to Fit Everything in a Carry-on
While there are certainly some exceptions to the rule—like longer trips or journeys where you'll be carrying larger-sized liquids—traveling with just a carry-on is typically the best way to go. When you're not lugging a checked suitcase around, you don't have to worry about arriving at the airport before the bag check-in cut-off. Plus, the chances of your luggage getting lost or left behind decrease, and maneuvering up and down stairs or along cobbled streets is significantly easier. Of course, packing lightly is easier said than done, especially if you're prone to packing as much as humanly possible. As a recovered overpacker myself—and someone who now writes a packing list newsletter—I've found that there are several tried-and-true tricks you can employ to ensure you never have to check a bag. Below, I rounded up 12 old-school packing tricks to use whenever you travel, and they're all on sale. Let's start with the basics. If you're adamant about not checking a bag, you'll need to own a high-quality carry-on suitcase. There are a number of solid styles and brands on the market, but this Samonsite model has received thousands of five-star reviews, with many shoppers noting its expandable features and durability. Packing cubes, in some form, have been used for decades. Eagle Creek is often credited as the first brand to launch or popularize modern packing cubes in the 1990s, and there's a reason they've continued to stick around. Packing cubes, and compression packing cubes in particular, are a great way to organize your belongings and cut down on bulk. I typically follow a 'no more than three pairs of shoes' rule when I travel, and that counts the shoes I'm wearing while in transit. The other shoes inside my bag, usually a pair of comfy sneakers or maybe a pair of boots, can't just take up space, though. They need to pull their weight. I like to stuff them with socks, underwear, rolled-up swimsuits, and non-precious pieces. This not only saves space, but it also protects the shape of the footwear while they're in the suitcase. This mainly applies during the winter or if you're traveling somewhere cold, but sweaters, puffy vests, and coats take up a significant amount of space in a suitcase. To lighten the load, wear your bulkiest pieces on the plane. Sure, you might have to take off a layer or two if it gets too hot, but it's a small price to pay for the convenience of traveling with just a carry-on. The lighter, more travel-friendly pieces, like this versatile matching set, work better packed in the suitcase. When you're going carry-on-only, every little bit counts. With that in mind, try to find multi-use products. Whenever I travel somewhere tropical, whether it's to Miami or Anguilla, my suitcase always feels a little lighter because I pack pieces I can wear in multiple ways—like this sarong that could also work as a skirt or top, if tied correctly. You can bring fewer items if they're designed to last a few wears. Case in point: denim. Denim is a relatively bulky, heavy fabric, but you can wear the same comfy, wide-leg jeans for several wears without them looking too dingy. The same concept applies to a denim button-down. Bonus: They're both super versatile and can be worn with a variety of other pieces. Packing a toiletry bag can be a daunting task. I used to despise the process, and I would get frustrated when trying to downsize my skincare and beauty routine, occasionally opting to check a bag so I could bring larger products with me. Since picking up a few reusable travel-sized containers, though, I'm no longer worried about how I'm going to transport my shampoo, conditioner, or body lotion; I simply refill them for each trip and tuck them in my Dopp kit. It's easier to only pack a couple of pairs of shoes if you find ones that are versatile, comfortable, and aligned with your personal style. For me, this means I usually pack only one pair of sneakers, and I choose ones that are they're functional enough that I can wear them to the gym or for a long walk, but they're also cute enough that I can wear them with non-athletic wear. You might be traveling for a month or longer, but that doesn't mean you have to pack four or five weeks' worth of clothes. Just toss a laundry bag in your suitcase. That way, you'll be able to easily transport your dirty clothes to a laundromat or other laundry facility at your destination. Once they're clean, you'll have a fresh new wardrobe to wear during your trip. Possibly my favorite old-school packing trick is to simply wear neutrals. My suitcase always includes a white T-shirt, an oversized white button-down, and a gray, navy, or cream sweater. This strategy allows me to mix and match the tops with different bottoms, and the pieces are subtle enough that I don't feel self-conscious about rewearing them. Therefore, I can pack fewer items without running out of things to wear. Since I prefer to pack quality neutral and lightly colored clothing over quantity, I'll always pack a Tide stain remover pen. While it's not a foolproof method for keeping my clothing fresh, it certainly helps in a pinch. On a recent trip, a rogue stain nearly forced me to abandon wearing one of my VIP pieces, but the stain remover I brought with me saved the day. Admittedly, I rarely use this trick. As a travel writer, my laptop is pretty much always with me, no matter where I go. Still, if you can swing it, leave your electronics behind and forgo your laptop for a book (or e-reader, like the Kobo Libra Colour). This will save some of the precious real estate in your personal item bag, allowing you to pack a few more items of clothing if necessary. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I got the viral Primark under seat bag and wanted to see how much it fits inside & the results surprised me
RYANAIR and easyJet are known for being ruthless with their luggage allowance - but could Primark's viral underseat bag be the answer? TikTok user Pia Blossom decided to put it to the test and see how much the popular tiny bag can hold - while being within the regulations. 4 4 Primark's underseat bag has racked up a legion of fans, and measures 40x20x25cm, when its wheels are removed, meaning it's fully compliant with Ryanair's underseat baggage dimensions (40x20x25cm) It's also ideal for EasyJet customers, with their under-seat cabin bag's maximum dimensions being 45x36x20cm, including handles and wheels. The airline claims this size allows you to 'bring all the essentials for a short trip' - but Pia decided to see if this was true for her. Heading to Primark she shared: 'This whole suitcase apparently fits as your small cabin bag — as in your underseat bag, the free bag in a plane. 'I am a chronic overpacker that refuses to pay for luggage, so this is ideal. 'Shall we see how much we can fit in it? Getting to work, Pia managed to add a 'couple of dresses, a couple of jackets, cardigan, underwear, spare bra and [two pairs of] summery shoes.' On her @piablossom_x account, she continued: 'I'm gonna see what happens. Jackets in. I'm just scrunching. 'I almost forgot pyjamas, but we got them in there, too. 'This is closing much easier than I thought it would, which feels like a challenge to put more in. Shoppers rush to snap up Primark's 'underseat suitcase' which is perfect for holidays & it also has removable wheels if you need it to be even smaller 'I am so impressed with that.' TikTok viewers were impressed with the bag capacity, and her video has racked up over 34,000 likes. One said: 'I actually bought this recently and it fit a ton of clothes.' Another added: 'if you learn to fold/roll your clothes like the (Ranger Roll) you will get your entire wardrobe of tops in there.' A third commented: 'i managed to fit 6 days worth of clothes in mine.' Removable wheels 4 4 Primark bag's wheels are 'easy click', so they can be detached in seconds on the plane if you need. The hardshell suitcase even includes a handy bag for storing the wheels during the flight. Inside the suitcase there are a number of different zipped compartments to make packing easier. The bags also won't break the bank, costing just £25 each and saving you having to pay for any luggage on the flight. For easy transportation to and from the airport, the suitcase has four swivel wheels to make it glide effortlessly no matter the weather or road conditions. If you are not able to get to a Primark, Sun Travel created a guide to their favourite cabin bags, ranging from budget bargains to stylish statement pieces, all of which will make your trip worry-free. Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it."
