Carry-On Only This Fall? The Space-Saving Travel Essentials Worth Packing

This article was produced in partnership with TESSAN. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

I still remember the first big trip I took with my then-girlfriend, now wife, Natalie. We were heading to Hawaii and Australia, and since she was living and working in Toronto at the time, she flew to Los Angeles to meet me before our adventure. When she showed up at my place with a huge suitcase, I took one look at it and said, “Whoa!”

I’ve been a carry-on-only traveler for years and I explained that not only did I prefer to travel light, but we were also going to be taking a small plane to Fraser Island (now officially known as K’gari) in Australia, where large bags weren’t going to work with our luggage restrictions.

I knew she was the one when she didn’t put up a fuss. Instead, she said, “OK!” I gave her one of my extra carry-on bags, she repacked and off we went.

What’s crazy is that Natalie eventually became an even better packer than me. We took two separate, month-long, around-the-world trips, both with carry-on luggage only. On one of those trips, I remember suggesting that maybe we should check a bag because one of our destinations was going to be chilly and we’d need some warmer clothes. Without missing a beat, she said, “Nah!” That’s when I knew she’d truly seen the light.

Traveling with just a carry-on saves so much time, money and hassle. It also gives you an incredible amount of freedom, especially when you’re visiting multiple destinations, hopping on trains or dealing with unpredictable weather and flight schedules. And after decades of traveling around the world, I’ve learned that packing light isn’t necessarily about bringing less of everything. It’s about bringing the right things.

Why I love traveling with carry-on luggage only

There are so many benefits to traveling without checked luggage.

First, you don’t need to arrive at the airport extra early just to stand in line and check a bag. If you’ve already checked in online and have your boarding pass, you can usually head straight to security and then to your gate. Just remember that some international destinations still require a document check at the airline counter.

Second, you don’t have to worry about the airline losing your luggage, sending it to the wrong city or someone stealing something from your checked bag. I’ve heard countless horror stories from travelers whose vacations were disrupted because their luggage never showed up.

Another huge benefit is flexibility. If your flight is severely delayed or canceled, it’s often much easier to switch to another flight when you have all your belongings with you. You don’t have to worry about whether your checked bag can be transferred to the new flight.

And when you land, you can walk right out of the airport instead of waiting around the baggage carousel, which sometimes feels like an eternity. Having a smaller bag also makes it easier to take public transportation, which is often faster and significantly cheaper than taking a taxi or rideshare.

Of course, carry-on travel isn’t perfect. You’ll want to board early enough to find overhead bin space. Some airlines, particularly international carriers and low-cost airlines, also enforce strict carry-on size and weight limits. And you still have to follow the rules for liquids, gels and other items in your carry-on.

But with a little planning and the right gear, the benefits far outweigh the downsides.

Space-saving travel essentials I recommend

1. Compression packing cubes

One of the easiest ways to fit more into a carry-on is to use compression packing cubes. I’m a big fan of keeping clothes organized because it makes packing and unpacking so much easier, especially when you’re moving between hotels.

Compression cubes help reduce the amount of space your clothes take up by squeezing out excess air and keeping everything neatly contained. Quince makes compression packing cubes worth checking out, and there are plenty of other options available. Just remember that compression cubes save space, not weight. You can still exceed an airline’s carry-on weight limit if you pack too much.

2. Clothes you can mix and match

This might be the most important packing tip of all and it doesn’t cost a penny. Instead of packing a completely different outfit for every day, bring clothes that can easily mix and match.

I like sticking to versatile colors and pieces that work for multiple occasions. A pair of pants that can be worn sightseeing during the day and out to dinner at night is far more useful than something you’ll only wear once.

For fall travel, layering is key. Rather than packing several bulky sweaters or jackets, bring lighter layers that you can add or remove depending on the temperature. If you’re going away for more than a week, plan on doing laundry instead of packing a fresh outfit for every single day.

3. A SCOTTeVEST jacket or vest with more than 20 pockets

I’ve been a fan of SCOTTeVEST for years because its clothing is designed with travelers in mind. Some of its jackets and vests have more than 20 pockets, which makes them really useful for keeping everything organized while you’re on the move.

I especially appreciate mine when I’m flying internationally on an airline that weighs carry-on bags. I can keep my phone, passport, chargers and even my laptop or water bottle in the pockets, depending on the garment.

It’s almost like having a third carry-on without actually carrying another bag. Of course, you should always check your airline’s rules, and don’t overload the pockets to the point where you’re uncomfortable or creating a safety issue.

4. A compact tech organizer

Between phones, charging cables, earbuds, portable batteries and other gadgets, it’s amazing how much space tech accessories can take up if you don’t keep them organized.

I recommend using a small tech organizer with separate compartments for cables and accessories. Not only does it keep everything from becoming a tangled mess, but it also makes it easier to find what you need without digging through your entire bag.

I also try to travel with shorter cables when practical and avoid bringing duplicate chargers that I know I won’t need.

5. TESSAN Magic 65W charging station

One of my new favorite ways to save space is to consolidate my chargers, which is why I really like the TESSAN Magic 65W Charging Station.

Instead of packing separate charging bricks and adapters for every device, this compact charging station gives you multiple ways to power your electronics from one convenient spot. It’s particularly useful in hotel rooms, where outlets are sometimes hidden behind furniture or located in inconvenient places.

When I’m traveling, I need to keep my phone, Apple Watch and other electronics charged, and having one central charging station makes life a lot easier. It’s also helpful when Natalie and I both need to charge devices at the same time.

The 65W USB-C charging capability is especially useful for compatible devices, and having additional charging connections means you can leave some of those bulky individual adapters at home. Just remember that the available charging power may be shared when multiple devices are connected.

This is the kind of travel accessory I appreciate because it doesn’t just save space in my bag. It makes staying organized on the road easier, too.

6. A universal travel adapter for international trips

If you’re traveling internationally, a universal travel adapter is another essential. Different countries use different plug types, and there’s nothing worse than arriving at your hotel after a long flight and realizing you can’t plug in your phone charger.

I recommend a compact TESSAN universal travel adapter that works with the plug types used in the countries you’re visiting. Models with built-in USB ports can be particularly useful because they allow you to charge multiple devices without packing a separate adapter for each one.

Just keep in mind that most travel adapters don’t convert voltage. Always make sure your electronics are compatible with the local electrical supply before plugging them in. Most modern phone and laptop chargers support a wide range of voltages, but appliances like hair dryers and curling irons can be a different story.

7. A collapsible water bottle

I always recommend traveling with a reusable water bottle, but traditional bottles can take up valuable space in a carry-on, especially when they’re empty.

That’s why a collapsible water bottle can be a smart choice. You can fold or roll it up when you’re not using it, then fill it after going through airport security.

It also saves money because you don’t have to keep buying overpriced bottled water at airports. Just make sure the bottle is completely empty before going through security and fill it at a drinking fountain or water refill station afterward.

8. Comfortable shoes that don’t take up your entire suitcase

Shoes are one of the biggest space hogs in a carry-on. My rule is simple: Wear your biggest, bulkiest pair on the plane and pack just one additional pair whenever possible.

Natalie loves traveling with her foldable Tieks flats because they’re comfortable, versatile and don’t take up nearly as much space as most other shoes. They’re easy to pack and can work for everything from sightseeing to dinner.

I usually wear my larger shoes on the plane and bring one lighter pair in my bag. The key is choosing shoes that work with multiple outfits rather than packing a different pair for every occasion.

9. A compact Belkin USB-C hub

Another space-saving accessory I like is a compact USB-C hub from Belkin. If you travel with a laptop, a hub can be useful for connecting accessories, transferring photos and videos or plugging into an external display without carrying multiple individual adapters.

As someone who’s constantly working while traveling, I appreciate having the flexibility to connect my devices without packing a bunch of separate dongles. Just make sure you choose a hub that supports the ports and functions you actually need. There’s no reason to carry a large multiport adapter if you only use one or two connections.

One last carry-on tip: Leave some room in your bag

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: Just because you can squeeze everything into your carry-on doesn’t mean you should.

I always try to leave a little extra space for souvenirs, snacks or anything I might pick up during the trip. It also makes repacking much easier when you’re moving between destinations and don’t have the patience to fold everything perfectly.

And don’t forget to check your airline’s carry-on restrictions before you leave home. The rules can vary considerably, especially when you’re flying internationally or connecting to a smaller aircraft. What works on one airline might not work on another.

Traveling carry-on only has made a huge difference in the way Natalie and I see the world. We’ve done month-long trips across multiple continents without checking a single bag and I wouldn’t have it any other way. These days, with two young kids, we’re usually bringing checked luggage but they’re getting ready to travel with carry-on only.

You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe or invest in expensive luggage to travel lighter. A few smart packing habits and compact accessories, can go a long way toward making your next trip easier.