I haven’t checked a bag in four years. Not for two weeks in Japan. Not for a wedding in Tuscany. Not for a ski trip in Colorado. People think I’m magic. I’m not. I just refuse to pay $60 to have an airline lose my underwear in Denver. Carry-on only is a lifestyle choice. It’s also easier than you think. Here’s what actually goes in the bag.
The Bag Itself Matters More Than You Think
A soft-sided carry-on with expansion capability is your best friend. Hard shells look cool. They also don’t squish. They don’t fit in overhead bins when the flight is full. They don’t adapt.
I use a 40-liter backpack. It fits every airline’s size requirements. It fits under the seat if necessary. It expands when I buy souvenirs. The right bag is half the battle. The wrong bag is a daily frustration.
The One-Week Wardrobe
Two pairs of pants. One worn on the plane. Five tops. One sweater. One jacket. Three pairs of underwear. Three pairs of socks. One pair of shoes worn on the plane. One pair in the bag.
Wash your underwear in the sink. It’s not glamorous. It takes four minutes. It dries overnight. You do not need fourteen pairs of underwear for a two-week trip. You need a willingness to do laundry.
The Liquid Loophole
Solid shampoo. Solid deodorant. Solid sunscreen. They don’t count against your liquid limit. They don’t leak. They last forever.
I switched to solid toiletries two years ago. My travel life improved immediately. No more TSA stress. No more exploded bottles in my bag. Just bars of soap and shampoo that work as well as the liquid versions.
The Honest Truth
Carry-on only requires one thing: the willingness to do less. Fewer outfits. Fewer shoes. Fewer just-in-case items.
The just-in-case mentality is what kills you. Pack for the trip you have. Not for the apocalypse that might happen. The airline can’t lose what never leaves your side.