The carry-on packing list that actually fits
A cabin bag only works if you pack to its weakest limit — usually weight, not volume. This list is built for a week, one bag, one laundry stop.
Clothing (aim for 7-8 kg total)
- 4 tops, 2 of them quick-dry
- 2 bottoms (one smart enough for dinner)
- 1 light mid-layer, 1 rain shell
- 5 underwear, 5 socks — merino dries overnight
- 1 pair of shoes worn, 1 flat pair packed
Roll knitwear, fold collared shirts. One compression cube for soft items is enough; a second usually just adds weight.
Toiletries
Decant everything into 100 ml bottles inside one clear pouch. Solid shampoo and a shave bar save both liquid allowance and leaks — see our TSA rules guide.
Tech
- Charger with two ports, one cable per device, nothing spare
- 10,000 mAh power bank (under the 100 Wh cabin limit)
- Universal adapter if you cross plug types — see the adapter guide
The bag itself
Weigh your case empty. Two kilograms of shell is fine; four is a design choice you pay for on every trip. Check the cabin size rules against your airline, then pick from our carry-on luggage listings, filtering to cases whose stated dimensions include wheels.
What to leave out
Travel iron, more than one book, "just in case" shoes, a second camera body. If an item only exists for a scenario you have never actually hit, it stays home.
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