17 Packing Tricks to Instantly Make More Room in Your Carry-On, by Aly Smalls on YouTube. 13 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Clear your carry-on and check your airline's size and weight limits before you start packing.
Lay out all clothes and shoes, then cut the pile to a week of mix-and-match items you can re-wear.
Group items by type and pack each group into a packing cube. Put bulky layers in the largest cube.
Pick a cube method: roll soft clothes, fold structured items flat, or use compression cubes for bulky layers.
Place the largest, heaviest cube at the bottom near the wheels. Stand smaller cubes upright and fill gaps like Tetris.
Put toiletries in a leakproof bag and place it near the top or in an outside pocket for easy access.
Fill shoes with socks or small items and line them along the base or sides of the case.
Add chargers, documents and a packable duffle in leftover gaps. Close the case without forcing the zip.
Weigh the packed bag and test it in each carry-on you own. Adjust cubes if the bag feels too tight.
Tips and common mistakes
Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on travel day to save space in the bag.
Do not overfill packing cubes; leave a little room so the zips close without strain.
Keep one outfit and your essentials in an outside pocket for quick access.
Check airline carry-on size and weight limits before packing, as they vary.
Questions
How many outfits should I pack for a week in a carry-on?
Plan around four or five mix-and-match outfits and re-wear some pieces. Pack fewer bulky items and plan one laundry session if the trip is longer.
Do packing cubes really save space?
They mainly keep clothes compressed and organised, which helps you use odd gaps. Use compression cubes for bulky layers and avoid stuffing each cube too full.
What should go at the bottom of a carry-on?
Put the heaviest and largest cube at the bottom near the wheels. This keeps the bag stable and leaves softer items free to fill gaps around the top and sides.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
