A week away with only carry-on luggage sounds like something for people who go for a run at six in the morning for fun. In reality, it is a matter of organization and a few simple rules. It works for a city break, a week in Lisbon or a long weekend in the Ardennes.
1. Start with the weight, not the space
Many travelers pay attention to the dimensions and forget about the weight. Every airline has its own limit, sometimes even depending on the fare. Look up the limit for your flight before you pack and weigh your bag at home. With a digital luggage scale, you save yourself an argument at the check-in counter.
2. Lay everything out on the bed first
Clothes, shoes, toiletry bag. Then take out half. During a week away, you will mostly wear the same three outfits. Anything you do not wear at least twice stays at home.
3. One cube per type
Shirts in one cube, underwear and socks in a second, trousers in a third. You can see at a glance what you have and you no longer have to rummage around. With a set of compression cubes, you can also pack everything a little more tightly into your bag.
4. Roll your clothes, do not stack them
Rolled clothes take up less space and crease less along the fold line. That is the whole secret.
5. Heavy at the bottom, light at the top
Shoes and the toiletry bag go at the bottom, against the wheels or the back. Sweaters and shirts go at the top. This makes it easier to carry or pull the bag and prevents things from shifting around.
6. Leave room for the return journey
Anyone who leaves with a full bag will return with an even fuller one. A foldable travel bag folds up into a small package and fits in your suitcase without you even noticing.
One last check
Dimensions, weight and liquid rules vary by airline and airport. So always check them before you leave. You can find all the products above at eazipeazi.com, with free shipping from €30 in Belgium and the Netherlands and from €40 in the rest of the EU.