What to Pack in a Carry On
Packing the Perfect Carry On
By Linda Reyes
Anyone who’s lost their luggage during a flight knows the importance of taking the time to figure out what to pack in a carry on bag. Stranded in a foreign place without clothing is the worst. Carry-ons are about more than replacement clothes, however. You’ll want to ensure you’re prepared with all the entertainment and comfort aspects you’ll need. Unless you’re using a travel app that packs your bags for you, you’re going to want to pay attention to these tips. Learn exactly what you need to pack in a carry-on in case the worst happens and you’re stuck in your destination without your suitcase. Here are some tips as to what to pack in a carry on:
The Necessary Clothing
Unless you’re heading to a clothing optional resort, make sure you pack a change of clothes in your carry on. I tend to wear a larger jacket onto the plane; they keep those cabins cold and you’ll save valuable space in the luggage you do check. Bring two pairs of underwear, two extra pairs of socks, a pair of pants, and two or three basic t-shirts that can be rolled up and tied together with a rubber band to take up less space. If you do end up suitcase-less for a few days, you can buy any other essentials you need but you’ll at least be able to change into fresh clothes once or twice following your plane trip.
What to Bring for Comfort
Airplanes aren’t the most comfortable venues in the world, and unless you’ve shelled out a bit more for first class seats, you’re going to be cramped into a seat that seems to get smaller each and every time you adjust. While there’s not much you can do to expand your space, there are ways to use the limited space you do have in the most comfortable way. One of the most basic but most important items you can take on the plane is a neck pillow. Your body’s going to be feeling the constraints of a tight space either way, but you don’t need a crick in your neck walking off the plane. Grab an Evolution pillow from Cabeau before hopping on that flight and keep your neck from rolling back and forth during your much needed in-flight rest. Another issue that tends to rear its head on long flights is swelling of the feet and ankles. Purchase compression socks and slip them on once you’re on the plane, or take it one step further and purchase an inflatable foot rest. You’ll be easily able to inflate and deflate a comfortable way to keep your feet elevated—your joints will definitely thank you.
The Technology Essentials
You’ll also want to ensure you have the right charging port, especially if your plane offers electric outlets. Companies like Touch of Modern offer gadgets that allow you to plug multiple sources into one plug, meaning you can charge your phone, iPad, and laptop all at the same time—a lifesaver especially for those long flights when you need all the entertainment options you can get. When it does come to technological entertainment, don’t stop at your phone’s games. Many planes now have entertainment screens at each seat, but if you’re unlucky enough to end up on a plane where this isn’t the case, you’re going to be glad you had the foresight to pack all the things you needed. If you’re a reader, you know that carrying around heavy books to various destinations just isn’t ideal. Instead of dealing with buying and leaving books behind during your travels, take the plunge and invest in an Amazon Kindle. Airplanes are filled with crying babies, snoring business folks, and the general hustle and bustle that occurs when hundreds are sardined into a tin can in the sky. Make sure you can block out all the unnecessary noise and get some relaxation with some high-quality headphones.
If you’ve got a trip in the books and looming on the horizon, make sure you take the time to figure out what to pack in a carry on with all the essentials, using this as your handy dandy guide.
[…] What to Pack in a Carry On […]