I used to be the queen of overpacking. My pre-trip ritual always looked the same: clothes scattered across the bed, three pairs of wedges “just in case,” that bulky sweater I hadn’t worn in years, and my suitcase bulging so much I’d have to sit on it to zip it shut. I convinced myself I needed options for surprise dinners, sudden weather changes, or photo-perfect moments. Spoiler: half of it stayed untouched in my bag.
Over time (and after a few sore shoulders and frantic airport dashes), I learned that packing light isn’t just about fitting less into a smaller space. It’s about freeing yourself from the stress of excess, moving through airports without breaking a sweat, and arriving at your destination ready to explore not recover from dragging luggage across terminals.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly how I pack now: the carry-on I swear by, my “less is more” shoe strategy, and the outfit-planning method that’s saved me from overstuffed bags. By the end, you’ll have a clear, simple system to travel lighter, smarter, and with way less stress.
Why Packing Light Feels Like Freedom
Packing light isn’t about depriving yourself it’s about traveling in a way that feels effortless. Every extra bag is extra weight on your body, extra mental load to keep track of, and extra time wasted moving it from place to place.
Here’s what I’ve noticed since committing to lighter travel:
- No surprise baggage fees. With just a carry-on, I never have to worry about tipping over the airline’s weight limit or paying extra at check-in.
- Zero baggage claim stress. I skip the carousel entirely and head straight to my next adventure, confident my belongings are with me.
- Easier transport between stops. Whether it’s a quick train transfer in Europe or a ferry ride in Thailand, I can move quickly without feeling like I’m relocating my entire apartment.
- More energy for exploring. Cobblestone streets, subway stairs, and uphill walks are no longer battles with my suitcase they’re just part of the experience.
- Less to keep track of. Fewer items means fewer opportunities for things to get lost or forgotten in a hotel room.
It’s amazing how freeing it feels to walk through an airport or a city street with just one small, manageable bag.
Choose the Right Carry-On
Your suitcase is more than just a container, it’s the foundation of your packing strategy. Limiting the size of your luggage forces you to prioritize what really matters.
My go-to setup:
- Carry-on suitcase: Meets airline size requirements (I always double-check before booking) and fits in the overhead bin without a struggle. I prefer a hard-shell model with spinner wheels it’s lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver through crowds.
- Personal item: A soft-sided tote or backpack that slides under the seat in front of me. This is my “in-flight survival kit,” holding essentials like my laptop, camera, snacks, refillable water bottle, travel scarf, and passport wallet.
Pro tips for choosing the right carry-on:
- Pick a case that weighs under 7 lbs when empty the lighter it starts, the more you can pack.
- Look for built-in compartments or compression straps to keep things organized.
- Avoid expanding suitcases for light travel the temptation to overfill them is too strong.
My Rule for Packing Shoes
If there’s one thing that used to sabotage my packing goals, it was shoes. They take up precious space, add weight, and if you’re not careful end up being worn only once.
I’ve cut my shoe packing down to three pairs that work for nearly every trip:
- Sneakers or walking shoes – My travel workhorses. I wear these on the plane and for any day that involves lots of walking or light hikes.
- Sandals or flip-flops – Perfect for warm-weather trips, beach days, or casual evenings. I choose neutral colors that match most of my outfits.
- A versatile pair – This could be ballet flats, ankle boots, or low wedges that can go from a casual afternoon café to a nice dinner without looking out of place.
How I decide what makes the cut:
- Can they be worn with at least three different outfits?
- Are they comfortable enough for several hours of wear?
- Do they serve more than one purpose? (For example, flats that work for both sightseeing and dinner.)
If I’m traveling for a special event, I’ll swap one of these pairs for something dressier but I stick to the three-pair limit.
Clothes: The “Plan and Edit” Method
Clothing is the trickiest part of packing light, especially if you love variety. My turning point came when I realized that most trips follow a similar pattern you end up re-wearing a few favorites and ignoring the rest.
Here’s the step-by-step method I use to avoid overpacking:
1. Check the weather twice.
I look up the forecast a week before my trip, then again two days before I leave. This avoids packing unnecessary items “just in case” of weather that never happens.
2. Map out your trip by activity.
I make a quick list of each day’s plans: sightseeing, hiking, dinners, beach time, etc. That way, I know exactly what type of clothes each day will require.
3. Build outfits, not items.
I lay everything out on my bed as complete outfits clothes, undergarments, accessories, even the right shoes. Seeing everything together helps me spot duplicates and cut down.
4. Stick to a color palette.
I choose 2–3 main colors and 1–2 accent shades so everything can mix and match. This means one pair of pants can work for multiple looks.
5. Edit ruthlessly.
Once I’ve laid it all out, I take away one or two items I’m least likely to wear. On almost every trip, I’ve never regretted leaving them behind.
6. Add a small “flexibility buffer.”
I pack one spare top and one extra lightweight dress or bottom. This covers spills, weather surprises, or a change in plans without overstuffing my bag.
Skip the “Nice-to-Have” Items (Most of the Time)
When I first started packing light, I realized I was carrying around a lot of things that were “nice to have” but never actually used. The key to avoiding this is packing your essentials first the items you truly can’t travel without and only adding extras if there’s space left.
Essentials for me always include:
- Clothing for each planned day + 1–2 extras.
- Toiletry kit (in travel-size containers).
- Shoes that fit the trip’s needs.
- Travel documents, tech, chargers, and adapters.
Only after those go in do I consider extras like:
- A travel pillow.
- A book or Kindle.
- A small tripod for photos.
The questions I ask myself before adding something “extra”:
- Will I use this more than once?
- Is it worth carrying for the entire trip?
- Could I borrow or buy it at my destination if I really needed it?
This mindset shift has probably cut my packing weight by a third.
Handling Bulky Items
Sometimes, light travel is trickier especially for winter destinations or activity-heavy trips like skiing. Bulky jackets, boots, and sweaters can quickly eat up suitcase space.
Here’s how I manage them:
Wear your bulkiest items during travel.
If I’m bringing a winter coat or heavy boots, I wear them on the plane. This instantly frees up suitcase space and keeps me warmer in chilly airports.
Layer instead of packing multiple heavy pieces.
A thin thermal top, lightweight sweater, and packable down jacket keep me warmer (and take up less space) than two thick sweaters.
Use compression packing cubes.
These aren’t just for organization the zippered compression helps reduce volume so you can fit more in your carry-on.
Master the ranger roll.
This military-style rolling technique turns even chunky sweaters into compact bundles. I use it for jeans, sweatshirts, and coats.
Choose multi-purpose outerwear.
If I’m heading to a winter city, I bring one stylish coat that works for sightseeing, evenings out, and casual days, rather than multiple jackets for each occasion.
A Sample Packing List for a 7-Day City + Day Trip Getaway
Clothes:
- 3 tops
- 2 bottoms
- 1 dress/jumpsuit
- 1 lightweight sweater
- 1 jacket (seasonal)
- 3 pairs shoes (as above)
- 7 sets of underwear
- 1–2 swimsuits (if needed)
Other essentials:
- Toiletry kit (travel sizes)
- Tech (phone, chargers, adapters)
- Small crossbody bag
- Reusable water bottle
Packing light didn’t happen overnight for me. It took a few trips and a few aching shoulders to realize that less really is more when it comes to travel. Now, I can focus on enjoying the destination, not wrestling with my luggage.
