How to Pack a Backpack For Travel (and Avoid Airline Fees)
Sometimes packing for a weekend trip can be even more stressful than for a longer trip. And now, you may even be charged for your carry-on (what?!) So what option is left?
Yep.
We’re going to say it- how to pack for a weekend in your “under the seat in front of you” personal item.
PACK FOR THE WEEKEND IN YOUR PERSONAL ITEM
First, you’ll need a personal item sized bag to maximize the space under the seat in front of you. Our lightweight foldable travel backpack fits the dimensions of the airline personal item specification. This backpack has a laptop compartment, a padded microfiber pocket for sunglasses and other great features you can see here.
We promise you, packing for a weekend in your personal item IS doable. (In our opinion, with compression cubes all packing goals are possible.) So to our traveling backpack we’ll add a Carry-On Compression Cube Set. This set comes with two large compression cubes and two small (but mighty) compression cubes. The crucial tip for weekend packing, is to pack by activity.
HOW TO PACK YOUR BACKPACK FOR TRAVEL
OUTFIT FOR THE AIRPLANE
At the start of your trip, throw on (your body) a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket or sweater. This will allow to you wear these items on to the plane instead of trying to figure out how the heck you’re going to pack your bulky Patagonia under your seat (FYI it doesn’t work great). While you’re at it, also toss on your trustiest pair of shoes.
PACKED OUTFIT NUMBER 1
Alright, let’s look at the first large compression cube. This cube will be for your full day of weekend shenanigans. Think ahead to what you will be doing on this day. Does it include a big hike? Throw in a pair of adventure pants, a light shirt (water-wicking material is always nice and doesn’t typically wrinkle), a pair of underwear, and a pair or two of socks. Make sure your undergarments match your activity!
Heading off to a wedding weekend? Throw in the rehearsal dinner outfit (including all accessories and jewelry) and you’re good to go. That way when you show up 20 minutes late to the hotel after you Uber gets lost you just whip out the cube and everything is right there!
Know what shoes you’ll need for this day and wear them on the plane and pack the corresponding socks. Ever wear no-show socks with hiking boots? I don’t recommend it.
PACKED OUTFIT NUMBER 2
What’s a weekend get away without a fun dinner out? That’s where the second compression cube comes in handy. This is a cube perfect for a nicer outfit for dinner or drinks or wherever the night takes you. Try to plan this outfit around the shoes that you had been wearing prior. If this isn’t going to work out, you can throw a pair of shoes into the compression cube too!
Flat shoes will obviously work best if this is the route you choose. Toss in a nicer pair of pants and top. Dresses are always great for space saving too! Men - it’s better to mix and match tops than try to pack multiple pairs of pants. Opt for multipurpose clothes that can be worn day to night.
What’s better than only having to pack one item? If planning on ~accessorizing~ with watches, earrings, etc. then toss those into the compression cube as well to keep everything together nicely.
Additional Items
The smaller compression cube is, as we said, small but mighty. You’d be surprised how much you can fit into it and even more surprised how well it compresses! This cube is perfect for extras. Throw in your extra pairs of underwear, pairs of socks, your pajamas, and a bathing suit if applicable. You can also throw in your favorite T-shirt and pair of leggings too just to be sure all comfort levels are covered.
AVOID THE AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEES
So now all your cubes are packed! Well, almost. Make sure your cubes fit together inside a backpack that cannot grow bigger than the airline personal item dimensions. Tripped Travel Gear’s daypack fits perfectly under the seat in front of you and is designed to handle just about everything.
Because it is packable and lightweight, not only is it a great weekender bag, but is also great for hikes or rides on the back of a motorcycle through the Himalayas. Your choice on where you’d like to take it. Throw your compression cubes in here as well as any personal care items you need (remember, 3 ounces or less), your iPad, a pair of sunnies in the padded protective pocket, and all of your chargers and tech accessories and you’re all set for the flight!