Clever Packing Hacks For More Layers In Your Carry-On This Winter

Traveling in winter in the northern hemisphere brings on chilly weather, especially when heading to ski resorts. Meanwhile, when it’s icy cold, travelers need more layers, even in their carry-on. If you have winter wanderlust, learn how to pack smart for your snowy escape.

Packing hacks for your winter escape

A baggage expert has shared his top packing hacks to help you fit more into your winter carry-on.  The tips include rolling clothes, using packing cubes and compression bags to save space and more advice on packing light for a winter vacation.

Packing expert Wayne Mills, Head of Operations are Seven Seas Worldwide explains the benefits of packing light for that snowy, winter vacation:

We all know the struggle of trying to stuff those extra layers into our carry-on, desperate not to pay a baggage fee.

Read on to learn about Wayne’s smart packing hacks to maximize space in your carry-on this winter, while staying warm and stylish with just one piece of carry-on baggage.

Rollin’ With The Best!

Instead of old-school folding, take a pile of sweaters, fold them and roll them up to save carry-on space. Wayne says:

The key is to fold your clothes until they form a rectangle, then roll. For a t-shirt, for example, you would lay it out flat, fold in the arms, fold it in half, then start rolling. This technique keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and lets you get a whole load more stuff in your bag.

Squeeze The Day

To truly save space, compression bags allow travelers to vacuum out the air, thus reducing sweaters and heavy jackets to a fraction of their size. This means more of your winter clothing will fit in your carry-on.

Layer Up, Buttercup!

Instead of overpacking your bag, wear your heaviest layers on the plane. This way you can be prepared for your winter break by wearing your bulky coat and stylish boots to the airport. This means that not only did you save on carry-on space, but you are totally ready to face the winter chill at your destination.

Mix And Match Magic

When packing for a winter vacation, try choosing pieces that you can mix and match, serving several functions and styling in several ways.

“For example, add a coat and hat to a stylish long-sleeved dress for a daytime look, then change it to an evening ensemble with a smart bag and a piece of jewelry,” says Wayne.

Meanwhile, choose lightweight fabrics like merino wool or fleece that can be easily layered without weighing you down.

Clothes, Cubed

Another handy item is a set of packing cubes to organize your carry-on. These organizers are super functional. You can divide the bag into color-coded cubes: Casual outfits in one, thermal layers in another and accessories in the third.

“This will let you pull out the perfect outfit for the day without rummaging through your entire bag,” says Wayne.

Up Your Shoe Game

Your winter footwear can tend to be heavy, but it is still possible to keep your packing light. Rather keep to one pair of stylish boots or walking shoes and a lightweight pair of sneakers or flats for indoor adventures. To save on carry-on weight, wear those boots on the flight and pack your other pair of shoes with socks and small items like chargers to maximize every bit of space in the bag.

Downsizing Down Jackets

When choosing winter jackets for your trip, choose down or other packable options. These are lightweight and can be compressed into tiny bundles when not in use.  This means you will be warm and ready to tackle your winter adventures while keeping your carry-on as light as a feather.

Ziploc Magic!

Meanwhile, always remember how useful Ziploc bags are when packing your carry-on. These can be used for small items, including, chargers, gloves and hats while keeping the carry-on organized and compact.

Wayne Mills, the Head of Operations at Seven Seas Worldwide, commented:

Traveling in winter can be just as magical as a summer getaway, but it comes with the same worries about baggage fees, delays, and lost luggage. That’s why strategically packing everything you need into your carry-on is such a great idea; it lets you avoid the hassle of long waits at the carousel and streamlines your travel experience. 

Being organized and intentional about what you bring means you won’t have the stress of traveling with bulky bags while knowing you have everything you need. Keeping your bag light also lets you avoid that stressful scramble for space in the overhead bins once you get onto the plane, as you can just slip your bag under the seat in front. Not to mention, your compact packing will impress your traveling companions – and if you pack really smart, you can make room for souvenirs!