If you’re anything like me, it’s far too easy to overpack for a trip. If it’s a five-day vacation, you can bet I’m packing seven days’ worth of clothes — better safe than sorry. But there has to be a better way than trying to cram everything into your suitcase and hoping it’ll still zip. So I asked luggage experts for the packing tricks they rely on to make the most of every inch of space. These are the packing tricks they swear by.
1. Choose the right luggage
Packing is a lot easier when your suitcase is designed to maximize space. Senior Style Editor and luggage expert Jessica Teich, who flies at least 20 times a year and hasn’t checked a bag since 2012, says features that compress your belongings can make a big difference. “The compression panels in Away, Calpak and Beis carry-ons all scored highly in our tests,” she says. “Testers consistently were wowed by how much extra space they could eke out.”
You’ll also want to consider your personal item. While backpacks and purses are common choices, Teich recommends a flexible duffel bag that comes as close as possible to your airline’s size limit, like Dagne Dover’s Landon large-sized duffel and Calpak’s Luka regular-sized duffel. “These bags double my packing capacity,” she says. “I can easily fit an entire week’s worth of clothing into them if needed. They have luggage sleeves and fit comfortably on top of a carry-on.”
2. Use compression packing cubes
If your goal is to fit more into your suitcase and stay organized, packing cubes are a must. Some luggage sets include them, but Teich recommends opting for compression packing cubes instead. “Think of them as mini expandable suitcases,” Teich says. “You pack them at full expansion, then zip the extra panel down to compress the load. This is especially helpful for flimsy and bulky garments.”
3. Keep jackets out of your suitcase
Looking to save some serious space in your carry-on? Teich says that jackets, coats and sweatshirts take up way too much precious real estate inside a suitcase. “Instead, drape them all over your personal item in a neat stack,” she says. Even better, you can also use these bulky clothing items as makeshift pillows and blankets during chilly flights.
4. Roll and fold strategically
Tightly rolling your clothes before packing can save space compared to just tossing everything into your suitcase. Some people (myself included) roll up all their clothing into a neat little stack, and that’s still a perfectly good option. However, Teich says she’s found file-folding shirts and dresses to be a better space-saver than rolling. “Roll jeans and leggings, and lay any bulkier items like sweaters or knits flat along the bottom or top of the suitcase,” she says.
5. Use every inch of space
Stuffing your suitcase’s side pockets and compartments to the max is one thing, but Teich says packed items like shoes and purses have tons of packing potential. They can easily be stuffed with smaller belongings, like socks, underwear, jewelry and anything else you can think of. “This makes the most of your luggage space and helps them hold their shape,” she says.
6. Pack separates instead of complete outfits
Instead of packing complete outfits, Angela Tepper, owner of AZA Luxury Travel, recommends choosing pieces you can mix and match. “A pair of trousers might work with three different tops, and a blazer can elevate multiple looks,” she says. This approach gives you more flexibility for unpredictable weather, unexpected dinners and last-minute schedule changes while letting you pack fewer clothes.
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To make mixing and matching easier, Tepper recommends sticking to a neutral color palette, like black, white, navy, gray and brown. “The biggest advantage is that nearly every top can pair with every bottom, which dramatically increases the number of outfit combinations without increasing the number of garments,” she says.
7. Plan to do laundry
Tepper says one of the easiest ways to pack less is to plan on doing laundry during your trip. The key is being able to rewear clothes. This means the seven outfits you packed for a weeklong trip can last even longer. Whether you use your hotel’s laundry service or head to a laundromat, she says the small expense is often worth the convenience of traveling with a lighter suitcase.
Shop expert-tested carry-ons
Calpak
For airplane rides, train travel and weekend trips, it doesn’t get better or more reliable than Calpak’s Ambeur line, Yahoo’s luggage testing team says. At 21″ x 13.75″ x 9″ (43.75 linear inches), this carry-on was named the Best Expandable Suitcase in our 2026 Yahoo Travel Awards. “This carry-on is a smooth roller and showed minimal scratching and scuffing after a year of consistent use. Plus, the metallic exterior gives it a luxury look (if you know, you know) without the luxury price tag.”
Amazon
Measuring 14.4″L x 9″W x 21.7″H (41.5 linear inches), Away’s Carry-On combines a carry-on-friendly size with durability and built-in compression, making it a great pick for most domestic and international flights. “Away is a standout luggage brand, and this ubiquitous hard-sided luggage is no exception,” says the testing team. It’s our editors’ pick and even won a 2026 Yahoo Travel Award).
Amazon
At 46.5 linear inches (14.8″ x 10″ x 21.7″), this budget-friendly pick is a hair larger than we’d like, but “luggage this affordable is hard to come by,” says the testing team. “This Amazon Basics pick was the lightest out of the dozens of carry-ons that we tested, scoring a perfect 5/5 for ease of lifting.” Plus, it’s amassed over 20,300 five-star ratings from customers who rave about its value and smooth rolling.
Quince
When expanded to about 50 linear inches (23.03″ H x 15.16″ W x 11.5″ D), this carry-on from Quince offers great value at a great price. “We’re talking quality design that outperforms its affordable price point,” says the testing team. “While it’s not dirt cheap, it’s more affordable than most popular carry-ons we tested at $170 while still offering no-frills functionality, good mobility and great value.”