Carry-on Essentials and you: Why a backpack is an essential carry-on and what to pack

Your Carry-on should be a backpack. I know I know, roller bags are so much easier to move, and my gym bag is free, and I don’t wanna buy a backpack, on and on the excuses go but frankly, I have to say that the handsfree nature of a backpack is why it will always win as my carry-on bag of choice.

Now that you know what kind of bag you should have as your carry-on
I’ll tell you the essentials to put in it to survive your next big trip.

Climate control
Airplane cabins get cold. Like really cold. Everyone is running the air on their faces and guess what? That Air is cold. Meaning you need to find ways to keep warm. I recommend a hoodie and socks. Not just any socks mind you. Thick Socks, like the ones you have to have for skiing. They work as mittens and they also can be balled up to put some cushion between you and the window you lean on to take that quick nap.

Next up, Sanity-maintenance
You need to get yourself noise-canceling headphones. Use any brand you like but frankly, they MUST be noise-canceling. If you find you want to watch
one of the movies they have on that cool screen in front of you make sure to grab a pair of comfy headphones with the old school 3.5mm jack.

Included in sanity-maintenance is your chargers for all of your required devices. Your laptop/tablet and phone are vital to your sanity on a long trip so they are the very last things you want to go without.

Last but not least are small bits of comfort
Gum for your ears popping, hand sanitizer for the gross table in front of your seat, kleenex just in case your neighbor has a super cute pet to whom you are allergic, and a snack. Hungry people are cranky people, myself included. Pack some goldfish in a plastic baggie, grab your favorite protein bar, or even some crackers and a peanut butter packet.

If you have a short layover or more than one and you think it is remotely possible that you might lose your baggage pack an outfit and toothbrush/deodorant. Being smelly is the worst feeling ever

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON

in

Travel, Life Advice

Photo of author

Rasha

Rasha writes about family, parenting, and home décor for Unfinished Man. Drawing from her experiences raising her own kids, she provides tips on creating warm, welcoming spaces. Rasha also shares home staging expertise to help transform houses into magazine-worthy dream homes.

Leave a Comment