Ditch a Checked Bag With These Space-Saving Travel Accessories

Whether you’re taking a quick weekend trip or planning a longer vacation, opting for a smaller bag is a must for streamlining your travel experience. You might think that limits you to packing only the essentials, but there are a ton of clever packing devices to save space without lugging around a large suitcase. Optimizing your packing with space savers also helps keep you organized. On your next trip, not only will you be able to pack more, but you’ll find your things quickly too.  

_{Prices are accurate as of December 4, 2024. Subject to change.}

Packing Cubes

To bring more clothes and save space, you should absolutely travel with packing cubes. It’s still best to fold and roll up your clothes inside, but compression cubes reduce the space between clothing so you’re able to pack more. The smallest bags are best for socks and underwear, while the largest can be used for bulky jackets. This packing cube set also includes a laundry bag for your dirty clothes. 

Compression Bags

If you want an alternative to packing cubes, compression bags remove all the extra air and space between your clothes. Some compression bags require the use of a vacuum, but these are meant specifically for travel. After you put your clothes in and zip the bags up, just roll to push out all the extra air. The other benefit of using plastic compression bags is that they keep your clothes sealed away from dirt and water. 

Stuffable Neck Pillow

Neck pillows are excellent for long car, train, or plane journeys. This particular one unzips so it can be stuffed with rolled-up clothes — that means less clothing needs a spot in your bag whether you need to free up space for something else or make the airline weight requirements Without being stuffed with clothes, the neck pillow flattens out for easy storing. 

Collapsible Water Bottle

Whether you’re on a hiking trip or exploring a new city, hydration is a necessity, but some of our favorite water bottles take up valuable bag real estate. A collapsible or foldable bottle is an excellent addition to your travel pack. While on your way to your destination, the empty bottle is rolled up and small. Then just fill it whenever you need.    

Camping Towels

Camping towels come in handy for trips into the wilderness, but also for regular hotel stays too, where you might prefer using your own towels over mystery ones. These microfiber towels also air dry quickly so they won’t stay heavy and wet when you pack them up again. Just fold them back into their little pouch, and go.

Foldable Tote Bag

You might need a separate purse once you get to your destination, but don’t want to haul multiple bags there in the first place. Use this foldable tote bag instead, allowing you to travel with just a backpack or a carry-on. When you’re ready, it easily unfolds into a purse so you can carry the daily necessities and leave your large bag behind.

Travel Toiletry Containers

When flying with a carry-on, the TSA requires your liquid containers to be less than 3.4 ounces. Instead of buying multiple small versions of the toiletries you already own, getting refillable toiletry bottles is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Even if you’re checking a bag, or traveling by train or car, travel-sized containers are much easier to pack than your full-size toiletries. 

Toiletry Bag

Now that you have travel-sized containers, pack them into a toiletry bag so you can easily grab and go. Most travel toiletry bags have a hook so you can hang them up in the bathroom where you’re staying. Some travelers prefer to save space by skipping the bag and putting their toiletries between cubes and clothes, but the bag is useful for protecting your cargo should any of your toiletries burst open.

Travel Pill Organizer

When you need to travel with medication, vitamins, and supplements, pill bottles take up unnecessary space. Instead, figure out the amount of pills you need and put them into a small pill organizer with labels. You’ll have everything you need for a healthy trip without the bulk. 

Cable Organizer

When taking your technology on the go, you want to access your chargers without digging to the bottom of your carefully arranged bag — enter the cable organizer. Using one also ensures that cables won’t get tangled up in each other and stuck in crevices. It fits an extra charging bank and earbuds too.

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