I Traveled Carry-On Only for a Year — Here’s What I Learned

On January 1st last year, I made a rule: no checked bags for 12 months. No exceptions. Whether it was a weekend in Barcelona or three weeks in Southeast Asia, everything had to fit in a 40-liter carry-on.

365 days and 14 countries later, I have opinions. Strong ones. Here’s what a full year of carry-on-only travel actually taught me — including the things I got completely wrong at the start.

The First Month Was Terrible

I over-packed (obviously) and under-prepared. My bag was technically carry-on sized but weighed 11kg — heavy enough that my shoulders ached after 20 minutes. I brought three pairs of shoes “just in case.” I packed a travel towel I never once used because every accommodation provides them.

The turning point came in week three when I was running for a connection at CDG airport. With a lighter bag, I’d have made it easily. Instead I sprinted, sweating, arrived gasping — and still missed it. That night I shipped 3kg of stuff home. Things got better immediately.

The Magic Number Is 7kg

After months of experimenting, 7kg is the sweet spot. Light enough to carry all day without fatigue. Heavy enough to include actual comfort items (a book, a proper camera, a warm layer). Most airlines allow 7-10kg carry-on, so you’re always safe.

My final packing list: 5 tops (merino wool base layer + 4 quick-dry), 2 bottoms, 1 pair of versatile shoes, rain shell, packable down jacket, toiletries, electronics, and one “luxury” item (for me: a 200g Kindle). Everything else is noise.

What Nobody Tells You: Laundry Is Freedom

The biggest mental shift isn’t about packing less — it’s about doing laundry more. Once you accept that you’ll wash clothes every 3-4 days (a sink and travel soap takes 10 minutes), the weight problem solves itself. You need 3 days’ worth of clothes, not 14.

I found laundromats in 13 of 14 countries. Where I didn’t (rural Laos), hand-washing in the hotel sink worked fine. Merino wool is the real hero — it dries fast, resists odor, and looks decent enough for a restaurant.

The Money Savings Are Real

Over 12 months: zero checked bag fees ($0 vs. an estimated $680 if I’d checked every flight). Zero waiting at baggage carousels (estimated 45+ hours saved). Zero lost-luggage incidents. Zero “I packed the wrong thing for this weather” moments because I packed for every weather in one bag.

The indirect savings matter more: I booked cheaper flights on budget carriers (carry-on included, checked bag extra). I moved faster between transport modes. I never needed a taxi when I could walk with my light bag to cheaper accommodation further from the station.

When Carry-On Only Doesn’t Work

Honesty check: there were moments I wished for a bigger bag. Winter in Scandinavia pushed the limit — my down jacket and warm layers barely fit. Formal events (two weddings) required checking a garment bag. Adventure sports (diving, skiing) need specialized gear that won’t fit.

The 80/20 rule applies: carry-on only works for 80% of trips perfectly. The other 20% — harsh winter, formal occasions, technical sports — still justify checked luggage. And that’s fine. The goal isn’t dogma; it’s default.

My Final Carry-On Packing System

After a year of refinement: use packing cubes (compression ones save 30% space). Roll soft items, fold structured ones. Put heavy items at the back closest to your spine. Keep a small crossbody daypack inside the main bag for daily exploring. Wear your bulkiest items on the plane.

The biggest lesson? You don’t need less stuff — you need better stuff. One high-quality merino shirt replaces three cotton ones. One pair of trail runners that look casual replaces both hiking boots and sneakers. Invest in versatile pieces and the packing problem disappears.