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After 15 years of covering travel and shopping, I've made every packing mistake in the book. I've shown up to airports with bags so stuffed I had to check them at the gate and I've learned the hard way that most of what we pack never actually gets used.
As someone who has covered shopping and travel for outlets like Coveteur, Martha Stewart Weddings and Harper's Bazaar, I've tested countless packing cubes, carry-ons, travel accessories and gear—and the biggest lesson has always been the same: it's not about packing more, it's about packing smarter. These eight swaps changed the way I travel and they'll free up more space in your carry-on than you'd expect. Even better, you can get all of these on Amazon!
Related: 7 TSA-Approved Beauty Items Come With Me on Every Trip
1. Don't: Big hats
Hats take up more space than almost anything else in a bag. If it has any kind of structure or needs to hold its shape, you're either wearing it the entire trip or sacrificing precious real estate. The foldable visor I now travel with rolls up completely flat, works just as well for beach days and takes up almost no room at all. It's one of those swaps that seems small until you actually do it.
Shop it on Amazon!2. Don't: Multiple hair tools
Having multiple hair styling tools can turn into heavy, cord-tangled chaos in a bag. The TYMO 2-in-1 styler does both — straightening and curling — in one tool that takes up half the space and works for just about any style you want to wear.
Shop it on Amazon!Related: 8 Airport Outfit Pieces Every Woman Over 50 Needs
3. Don't: Multiple sandals
Shoes are the fastest way to overpack. The Cushionaire Cloud Slide is lightweight, easy to slip on and works for practically every scenario — a quick errand, walking between the beach and the hotel or just getting around the lobby. You'll be surprised how you never traveled without these.
Shop it on Amazon!4. Don't: Bulky workout equipment
If you like to work out while traveling but don't want to sacrifice bag space, resistance bands are the answer. The Bala set is compact, effective and takes up almost no room. You get a full workout without hauling anything that doesn't pull its weight — literally.
Shop it on Amazon!Related: Forget Leggings: 2 Celebrity Stylists Share the 7 Airport Outfits That Actually Look Polished
5. Don't: Multiple tote bags
I used to bring a tote for the beach, one for sightseeing and another as a backup — which is as unnecessary as it sounds. A foldable tote in a neutral color covers every situation, packs down to almost nothing and goes with everything. It's the one bag that earns its spot every single trip.
6. Don't: A stack of tops
Merino wool is the travel fabric that actually lives up to the hype. It regulates temperature and is versatile to wear from day to night. The wash trick: a quick rinse and hang-dry overnight means one shirt can carry you through a few days without any issues. It's the closest thing to a packing cheat code I've found.
Shop it on Amazon!Related: I Stopped Overpacking—These 9 Carry-On Items Fixed Everything
7. Don't: A tangle of cords and adapters
A different charger for every country, a power strip that doesn't fit the outlet, cords you can never find at the bottom of your bag — it's the most avoidable kind of travel stress. A universal adapter kit consolidates everything into one organized, compact solution. Once you travel with one, you won't go back.
Related: I Test Travel Gear for a Living—Here’s The Carry-On Checklist I Use Before Every Trip
8. Don't: Full supplement and vitamin bottles
Do: A pill organizer
Vitamin bottles are bulky, heavy and take up more bag space than they have any right to. The fix is simple — pre-sort everything you need into a compact pill organizer before you leave home. It keeps your supplements organized, cuts the weight significantly and means you're not digging through a bag of rattling bottles every morning. This one has enough compartments to cover a full week and looks a lot more put-together than a handful of half-empty bottles.
Shop it on Amazon!Related: 10 Carry-On Items That Will Fix Your Overpacking Habit for Good
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