Checking a bag is a tax on your time. Baggage fees, waiting at carousels, lost luggage risk, and the mental overhead of a bag that might not arrive when you do. Everything below fits in a standard carry-on (22x14x9") with room to spare, and none of it involves packing so light you feel like you're sacrificing.
The bag
The Away Carry-On is the benchmark for a reason: hard shell, TSA-approved lock, compression packing, ejectable battery for in-airport charging, quiet wheels. It's expensive for a suitcase but the build quality means you buy it once. The medium size (21.7") fits in every overhead bin I've ever encountered, including smaller regional jets.
Packing cubes — mandatory, not optional
Packing cubes compress your clothes and let you find things without unpacking everything. The Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter set is the lightest available. Use one cube per category: shirts in one, bottoms in another, underwear/socks in the smallest. Everything stays organized even after a week of opening and closing.
The actual packing list for 7 days
- Tops: 4 (1 per 2 days works if you can do laundry at a sink; 5 if you won't)
- Bottoms: 2–3 (pants that don't wrinkle and can dress up or down)
- Underwear/socks: 5–7 pairs, quick-dry material
- Shoes: 2 — what you're wearing + one pair that fits in a bag
- One layer that works as both warm and presentable: a Merino wool sweater or a lightweight blazer
What actually goes in your personal item
Most carriers allow a personal item in addition to a carry-on — this is where the real carry-on-only magic happens. A well-packed backpack or tote holds your electronics, toiletries bag, reading material, snacks, and anything you need during the flight. The Aer Day Pack 2 or the Bellroy Transit Backpack are both designed specifically for this use case.
Toiletries — the TSA rules matter
3-1-1 rule: containers must be 3.4oz or less, all fit in a 1-quart zip bag, 1 bag per person. Get actual travel-size containers (leak-proof) and transfer your products. The Umite Chef Travel Bottles set has consistently been the most reliable under $10. Airlines confiscate a lot of liquid — transfer everything before you go through security, not at the airport.
