Best Carry-on Backpack Packing Tips

When my partner and I were planning a 23-day, four-country trip to Europe, I knew the amount of in-trip travel meant I could only bring a carry-on and a personal item bag. We traveled between Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Spain with a lot of hiking in Malta and Madeira and sightseeing in Rome and Barcelona. The temperatures ranged from 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and we were on our feet — a lot. My goal for this trip was to travel between countries comfortably with everything fitting in one backpack, and aside from a few hiccups, I was largely successful.

My background in thru-hiking has helped me streamline my packing, and I don’t mind re-wearing clothes. I keep my luggage manageable by focusing on versatile, compressible layers, and I keep my toiletries to a minimum. This keeps my gear list concise and my clothes comfortable. Below are my tips for packing everything into one carry-on for an extended trip abroad, largely based on my own trial and error.

Don’t Bring: An Uncomfortable Backpack

Pack This Instead: A Comfortable, Backpacking-style Travel Pack

Even though it’s TikTok-famous and traveler-loved, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42 backpack didn’t work for me on this trip. While I loved the organization of the pack, it just wasn’t comfortable to carry for extended periods of time. The layout will make it a perfect backpack for a trip where you don’t want to bring a wheeled suitcase but don’t plan on much in-trip travel with it.

Since then, I’ve switched to a backpacking-style pack designed specifically for travel. Like my actual backcountry packs, REI’s Ruckpack 40 has elevated mesh panels in the back that allow for airflow and help keep the pack snug against my back, and the straps and build are designed to move with you. The weight distribution is key here, with a well-padded and well-placed hip belt that sits right at your iliac crest and helps keep the majority of the load off your shoulders. It is easy to adjust at the hips, sternum, and shoulders and has just enough pockets for organizing without making me lose track of small items. It’s also quite affordable for a travel backpack and fits perfectly into an overhead bin.

Don’t Bring: Bulky Clothing

Pack This Instead: Versatile Pieces for Lounging and Layering

I packed the Sitka Traverse Hoodie as my fleece layer on this trip, but with packing space at such a premium, the jacket was too heavy and form-fitting, which made layering nearly impossible. I swapped it out on my next trip for Kari Traa’s Rothe Hoodie, a quarter-zip take on their classic lofted fleece. The hood and half-zip make it cozier for lounging, with a more generous fit for layering underneath. This meant I could pair it with any number of next-to-skin layers for all-day outings, and while it’s not the most packable mid-layer I own, I love the casual athletic style that doesn’t look too technical.

I rarely travel without a compressible puffer, and my jacket of choice is the 8.2-ounce Norrona Trollveggan Superlight. If it’s going to be super cold, I might swap it out for the Arc’teryx Cerium SV Down Hoody. If this hiker-chic look isn’t for you and you don’t mind taking up a little extra space, Kuhl’s lightweight Spyfire Parka is a thigh-length jacket with body-mapped baffles for a full range of motion. It’s nicely tailored, easy to layer, and looks mountain-town chic for evenings out.

Don’t Bring: A Big Shoulder Bag

Pack This Instead: A Compact Crossbody Bag With Secure Pockets 

We’ve mentioned this before, but tourist hot spots are known for being pickpocket-central. While you can (and should) carry your most important items in an internal coat pocket, I’ve found a crossbody bag like Fjallraven’s High Coast to be incredibly convenient, easy to secure, and deceptively spacious. In fact, I’ve even stuffed an extra layer in here and didn’t struggle to zip it.

This compact bag has multiple internal pockets (including a secure zipper pocket), and the strap is adjustable. I like to wear the bag across my front for security and tuck it on my lap when dining outside. I have this in a bright orange, but you can choose a more muted colorway for easier color matching.

Don’t Bring: A Whole Hiking Backpack for Short Outings

Pack This Instead: A Collapsible Day Pack

Space is at a premium, remember? This handy collapsible pack has an astonishing 15 liters of capacity but packs down to be barely bigger than a deck of cards and fits into its own pocket. It even has several external pockets for small items, and the straps are adjustable like a standard backpack. Even if you aren’t hiking, I recommend tossing this into your bag for when you don’t want to carry a bulky shoulder bag. Plus, it can be a great hauler if you’re staying in an Airbnb and plan on buying groceries.

Don’t Bring: Activewear You Won’t Want to Wear in Town

Pack This Instead: Transitional Activewear

Free Fly is always one of my top travel clothing recommendations. Many of their lighter layers are made from a bamboo blend, which is airy, wicking, and odor-resistant. They aren’t form-fitting but have a nice drape that doesn’t feel sloppy. The colors are designed to work together, so if I pack a range of tops and bottoms, I’ll be able to mix and match seamlessly. I really loved the lightweight, quick-drying skort on this trip. It paired nicely with sandals or walking sneakers, and I didn’t have to worry about it riding up and showing off my underwear.

If you’re looking for hiking clothes that transition seamlessly to around-town clothes, Hikerkind nails it every time. My other sun shirts look like I just tumbled out of the back of a truck into the desert floor, but Hikerkind’s Trail Sun Hoodie blends a slightly tailored style with lovely collar detailing and a contrasting drawstring for the perfectly shaped hood. You can pair it with jeans, the Free Fly skort, or hiking shorts, and I promise you’ll feel breezy, odor-free, and stylish on excursions.

Don’t Bring: Bulky, Synthetic Clothes

Pack This Instead: Versatile Layers Made of Natural Fibers

Space-conscious packing requires me to choose layers based on a few key attributes: how well they pack down, the number of ways I can wear them, and the material. If laundry services aren’t accessible, I always opt for natural fibers. On this trip, I wore a comfy jumpsuit and a loose, breezy merino-blend tank the most.

The Hana Jumpsuit 2.0 is an ultra-comfortable, wide-leg one-piece with a lightly compressive, double-layer top (no bra, yay!), and it tucks in at the waist for a flattering fit. The ribbed fabric is stretchy, swishy, and airy, but it still has a nice weight that showcases the material’s quality. I wore this jumpsuit on its own and also with a light jacket or sweater. It never got wrinkled in my suitcase, and for someone who prioritizes comfort, it’s the perfect combo of easy-wearing style. While the Hana Jumpsuit 2.0 only has a few sizes left, Imbodhi’s Mari Jumpsuit is similar, with a full range of size offerings available.

The other big hit on this trip was a drapey, merino-blend tank. Nobody wants sweat stains walking around ancient ruins, and I also need my clothes to air out on hikes. This tank top has a narrow racerback for more airflow and is made with a moisture-wicking blend of bamboo fibers, polyester for structure, and merino for odor resistance. The long hemline allows me to tuck it in, tie it up, or wear it long under a button-down. I wore this on some seriously sweaty hikes in Madeira then gave it a quick sink wash, and it was good to go the next day.

Don’t Bring: Uncomfortable Shoes You’re Going to Regret

Pack This Instead: Pain-free Shoes You Can Walk In

While I normally just bring a pair of sandals and sneakers when I travel, I regretted wearing a heinous pair of trail-running shoes around Tokyo the year before, so I packed Danner boots for this trip. These boots are waterproof but still breathable thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane, and you can wear them laced up or leave just the bottom part tied, which was my preference. I wore these all over Barcelona and Rome and never felt hot or experienced aching feet. Plus, they also kept me dry on rainy days.

Since we spent about half our trip hiking, I wanted a pair of light, flexible trail shoes. I tend to prefer trail runners over hiking boots for everything but the most rugged trails, so I packed a pair of Saucony Rides. While these are technically a road shoe, they have a versatile outsole that felt perfectly capable on the trails we hiked in Malta. I was a little worried about them in Madeira where the routes were much steeper and looser, but the shoes performed great and didn’t lead to hot spots. I have these in a basic black color, and I wanted the option of wearing them with city clothes, as a bright, tech-looking shoe would have stood out too much.

For my sandals, I packed a pair of classic Teva Originals. I’m normally a Chaco fan, but the Tevas are lighter and pack smaller — plus, I’ve found them to be more gentle on my feet. These have a squishy footbed and easy-to-adjust Velcro straps. I you don’t like the technical look of these sandals, Teva has an array of other options that blend town-ready style with comfortable platforms and blister-reducing strap placement.

Don’t Bring: Foam Earplugs for the Airplane

Pack This Instead: Electronic Sleep Earbuds

I’ve rarely been happier to see a package arrive than when the Ozlo Sleepbuds showed up before my 13-hour red-eye to Japan. After many overnight flights (including this European trip) with uncomfortable earbuds or ill-fitting foam earplugs, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are beyond comfortable. The tiny buds tuck into the ear canal and come with four sizes of silicone tips to tuck securely at different angles. I can wear these for eight hours without feeling uncomfortable, and the battery lasts 10 hours on a charge. They are made with noise-canceling materials and come with streaming capabilities as well as white noise. For anyone who has trouble sleeping on a plane or finds themselves in a hotel with thin walls, I highly encourage you to check these out. 

Don’t Bring: A Second Backpack as Your Personal Item

Pack This Instead: A Convertible Tote With a Laptop Sleeve 

One of the issues I’ve run into with a backpack-style carry-on is what to bring as my personal item bag. Since a lot of my travel — including this Europe trip — entails multiple travel days, lugging around two backpacks in a turtleshell style isn’t fun. This cleverly designed Timbuk2 bag solved my issues, with tote-style shoulder straps as well as slim, padded backpack straps. It has a zippered side pocket, a laptop sleeve interior pocket, and an extended front pocket with several organization options. It also packs down totally flat so you can tuck it into your primary bag when it’s not in use. 

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