Today’s post offering packing tips for carry on travel is brought to you by Chester Travels. I was provided product at no charge. The post contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Packing Tips for Carry On Travel
I don’t know about you but I don’t like to have to check bags when I go a trip these days. Between the additional charges and the time wasted waiting in baggage claim I do everything I can to pack what I need in carry on bags. In fact, when I went to New Jersey to visit my family for two weeks I did it with carry on bags. Yup, it’s true. I took everything I needed – truth be told, more than I needed because I didn’t wear everything I took – and I didn’t need to check my bags.
Now, I can hear you thinking – but you went to your family’s house. You had access to a washer and dryer. Yes, that is true. But I did not use them until the day before I left so I wouldn’t have to do the wash when I came home. I took enough underwear to last 2 weeks. So, with that in mind I will share my packing tips; I hope you find them helpful.
A Quality Carry On is Everything
Tip number one is to invest in a quality carry on bag. You want something that is light, yet well constructed. I just received the Chester Travels Minima Carry On. I cannot adequately express my joy over this bag. Number one, it’s pretty. I love the ocean blue color – it’s also available in charcoal, sand, pink, sky blue, aluminum grey and black. It’s made from an uber durable yet super light poly carbonate. The wheels spin in all directions are don’t squeak. They roll effortlessly.
The inside is spacious for a bag that meets domestic and international requirements for a carry on bag. You will also find separate zippered compartments on each side. I love a suitcase that allows me to keep things organized.
One of my favorite features is the hideaway laundry bag. Such a fun little surprise to find when I was first investigating my new suitcase; I zipped open the pouch and there it was! A bag to hold dirty laundry ’til you get home. Isn’t that clever? After you are done using it, just pop it back in its pouch.
Ready to Pack? Here are My Carry On Travel Packing Tips
One thing I have learned in many years of travel is that I always end up taking far more than I ever use. Even when I pack light, I still come home not wearing everything. I am not going to say I am any kind of expert but I have learned a few things through the years:
- Stick to a color theme. That way you can mix and match your pieces. You may love your new red dress but if everything else you are taking is in shades of blue you won’t get as much use out of that dress.
- Separates can go a long way to making many different outfits. A skirt, a pair of jeans, a couple of tank tops/short sleeve shirts and some button down shirts and you have a mix and match wardrobe that can take you a long way.
- Don’t take too many pairs of shoes. Choose a pair that goes with everything. Or find a pair of convertible shoes where you can change out the straps. Make sure the shoes you wear on the plane can also be worn with something else you are bringing. It sounds obvious but you would be surprised.
- Wear layers on your flight. It’s always cold on a plane so instead of packing your jacket just wear it. That way if you are cold you have it, if you are not you can just take it off.
- Instead of a purse as your second carry on bag, use a backpack. You can fold up a purse inside and the backpack gives you a lot of extra packing space.
Ready to Travel with Chester
Now that I have my pretty new Chester Carry On Bag – which also works perfectly well as a weekender bag – I am ready to go somewhere. The questions is where? I have already been to the beach when I went to visit my family.
I am also really not a beach kind of girl. Last year we took that wonderful trip to explore the Beartooth Highway. We are hoping to get up to Glacier National Park this year but if we do it will be post season, in September. Our next big trip will be later when the hubby said he will take me to Yellowknife or Churchill in Canada so I can see the Northern Lights.
Either way I will be ready with my beautiful Chester Carry On Bag. I am thrilled to have it and am looking forward to breaking it in.
