Latest news with #packingtips
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Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- General
- Travel + Leisure
I've Been a Travel Editor for 10+ Years, and These 12 Overrated Products Are Wasting Space in Your Suitcase
You could fill an entire checked suitcase with overly hyped-up travel products. But after spending more than 10 years as a travel writer, I've found even the most popular gear can sometimes fall short. So, how do you tell an overrated travel product from a truly useful one? The best travel essentials maximize space and solve multiple packing problems. When in doubt, remember: less is more. A few of these picks might ruffle some feathers. Good packing is subjective, and what's worth it to you might not be for another traveler. Maybe you absolutely need that travel pillow to be able to sleep on a long-haul flight. But if it's space you want (hello, carry-on-only travelers!), this travel pro has you covered. Here are 12 overrated travel products you should drop—and what to pack instead. Sure, over-ear headphones look cool. But they're bulky, take up valuable space, and aren't great for side sleepers trying to nap on planes. The AirPods Pro 2 deliver excellent noise cancellation in a compact, palm-sized package that fits easily in your carry-on or pocket. They pair seamlessly via Bluetooth. Packing cubes are all the rage for organizing clothes, but they often add volume and weight without saving space. I pack about the same with standard cubes as without. Instead, invest in compression packing cubes like Bagail's, which actually reduce bulk by flattening clothes, making it easier to fit more in your suitcase, especially paired with a roomy, well-designed bag. Unless you need serious neck support, skip the bulky travel pillow. They take up a lot of room, and you only really use them twice per trip. Airlines often provide basic pillows anyway. I prefer wearing a cozy sweater on the plane and folding it for support. But if you simply must have a pillow, try The Tube. The stuffable pouch can hold up to three days' worth of clothes and packs down small when not in use. Duffels are cumbersome and offer little organization. A structured weekender like the Béis Weekender Bag stands upright, has multiple compartments including a shoe section, and keeps gear tidy and accessible. The Etronik Weekender offers similar features, along with a USB charger at a fraction of the cost. Organization helps maximize packing efficiency and saves time searching for items on the go. Travel bottles often claim to be leak-proof but rarely deliver. I learned this the hard way when my last bag flooded. Cadence Capsules changed the way I travel with more ease and less stress. They're sturdy, truly leak-proof, and magnetic for neat stacking while keeping your bag organized. The modular design helps you customize the size for everything from shampoo to sunscreen, making packing a satisfying game of Tetris. Backpacks are roomy but can make maneuvering in crowded spaces awkward while making you an easy target for pickpockets. After friends had their backpacks robbed twice while traveling, I switched to a smaller crossbody. The Baggalini Anti-theft Sling Bag is slash-resistant, RFID-blocking, and has locking zippers. Swing it to your front to keep an eye on your valuables. Inflatable footrests look fun but are bulky and tricky to inflate mid-flight, and are banned by some airlines. Instead, consider a compact lumbar support pillow like Tempur-Pedic's. It fits in your carry-on, supports your back, and takes up far less space. I love Birkenstocks, but if space is tight, I opt for versatile white sneakers like Adidas Sambas or Veja V-12s. They go with sundresses, athleisure, and casual looks, while protecting your feet during city walks. Add foldable ballet flats for dressier occasions. They pack small and polish off any outfit. Bright statement dresses are often one-note, hard to style multiple ways, and take up precious packing space. Neutral matching sets like this Sampeel duo can be mixed and matched with separates for several looks with less bulk. Simply dress the pieces up by pairing the top with a skirt, or the bottoms with a flowy blouse and fun jewelry. Water bottles are a travel must-have, but many popular stainless steel ones are heavy and awkwardly sized. The Larq water bottle is lightweight, insulated, and self-cleaning with a built-in UV-C light—no more musty smells or bacteria buildup. It fits well in cup holders and has a handy clip, making hydration effortless on the go. Travel hair dryers—even foldable ones—take up space and often perform worse than your at-home model. Voltage differences abroad can also fry them. Most hotels provide dryers anyway. Instead, save time and space while protecting your hair from heat damage with heatless curlers like Kitsch's Satin Curlers. Simply put them in overnight and wake up to blowout-esque waves. Towels are bulky and are usually provided at hotels and pools anyway. If you're camping or hitting the beach, opt for a quick-dry microfiber towel like Rainleaf's. It's super compact, soft, and fast-drying. Many travelers also love Turkish towels, too. They roll up small and double as stylish wraps or scarves. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
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Travel + Leisure
24-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Pro Packer, and These Are 10 Smart Tips I Give My Overpacking Friends to Fit Everything in a Carry-on
As a travel writer who specializes in packing, I get a lot of questions: What are the best carry-on packing tips? How do you make everything fit? And what travel gear actually makes a difference? Over the years, I've refined a set of go-to practices that make carry-on-only travel not only doable, but seamless. Anyone who's traveled with me knows my method doesn't change much. I always start with at least a rough packing list, and I never travel without my Away Bigger Carry-on (more on that below). I'm all about building a capsule wardrobe, and I never skip stocking up on travel-sized toiletries. Keep scrolling to learn more about my foolproof carry-on bag packing method and explore the travel essentials I never go anywhere without. Psst, don't miss your chance to get some of them for up to 40 percent off in the Memorial Day sales. If you're not checking a bag, your carry-on needs to be reliable and roomy. I've tested a range of different styles and brands over the years, and I always come back to Away's Bigger Carry-on. I find it can comfortably fit four to five days' worth of clothes, a couple of pairs of shoes, and either my toiletry bag or my hairdryer. A durable hardshell like this one (or Samsonite's on-sale Winfeld 2 carry-on) also helps when you need to sit on it to zip it shut. Packing cubes are non-negotiable. They keep your suitcase organized—especially if you group by outfit or clothing type—and compression cubes like Bagsmart's six-piece set go one step further by squeezing out air, so you can fit more without the bulk. It's one of the easiest ways to maximize space. Your airport outfit should do double duty. Choose something you'll want to wear again during the trip or on your flight home, such as a breezy matching set that takes the guesswork out of planning an outfit. Personally, I like to wear my heaviest items on the plane—wide-leg jeans, sneakers, a sweater—to free up room in my bag. Think of them as bonus clothes you don't have to pack. Aside from cold-weather destinations, one good layering piece is usually enough. A lightweight cotton sweater works for daytime or dinner and keeps you warm in transit without taking up too much space. I wear mine on the plane or roll it into my personal item bag. Sneakers can be suitcase hogs, particularly when you're also bringing sandals or heels. I always travel in a pair suitable for both workouts and long days of sightseeing. The Adidas Ultraboosts are a favorite: supportive enough for the gym, sleek enough for sightseeing. Those glass bottles are heavier and bulkier than you think, especially when you're packing more than a few. Plan ahead by decanting your essentials into lightweight travel-sized containers. The Cadence capsules are leakproof and TSA-compliant, and an organizer keeps everything upright. Stocking up on minis—like toothpaste and contact solution—makes things even easier, as does storing them all in a roomy, compact, and well-organized toiletry bag. Once your toiletries are packed, put them in your personal item. A structured bag like MZ Wallace's Medium Metro Deluxe Tote (or this $32 lookalike from Amazon-loved travel brand Lovevook) keeps oddly shaped bottles from bulking up your suitcase—and it's helpful to have skincare within reach for mid-flight touchups. I use a roomy, quilted tote that doubles as a day bag during my trip. Denim takes up a surprising amount of room. Unless you're traveling for weeks, one pair is plenty. For extra outfit options, pack flowy trousers instead. Dress them down with sneakers and a tee for a day of shopping, or up with a cardigan and sandals for a fancy dinner. Most trousers are lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, too. When every item has to work overtime, fabric matters. Look for pieces that hold up after two (or 12) wears, like Everlane's Luxe Crew Tee or Quince's Fit & Flare Midi Dress. Natural fibers like cotton and linen breathe well, but if wrinkle resistance is your priority, rayon blends and knit jersey materials are your best bet. They come out of your suitcase ready to go. $268 $161 at The more versatile your wardrobe, the fewer pieces you'll need. Build your travel outfits around staples that work from breakfast to happy hour. A classic oversized button-down, whether you opt for Amazon's top-selling, $25 version or celeb-loved brand Frank & Eileen's Shirley Button-up, looks effortless with jeans by day and polished with slacks and heels at night. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
