I once flew Spirit Airlines round-trip to Las Vegas from Chicago for less than $100. The catch: I could take only a personal item that would fit under the seat in front of me (or check a bag for a fee).
This lesson in ultralight flying won me over with convenience and the joy of being unburdened by a lot of extra stuff.
With the cheapest airfares come the tightest constraints, including limitations on complimentary carry-on luggage. Basic economy tickets on United and low-cost carriers such as Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit restrict ticket holders to a personal item.
Packing light is a challenge compounded by the personal-item limit. Provided you’re not packing for business or special events or have children to consider, the following are ways to pare down your load, allowing you to take advantage of bargain fares.
Choose a bag that fits
The definition of a personal item varies. While most airlines agree it should fit under the seat in front of you, many don’t specify dimensions.
Those that do list maximum sizes have slightly varying limits. For example, Spirit says the dimensions should not exceed 18 by 14 by 8 inches, the size of a typical daypack. United puts the measurement at 17 by 10 by 9 inches.
Personal items can be totes, backpacks or small duffels (Wirecutter has a list of recommendations). Wheeled cases that only fit in overhead compartments are prohibited.
A New Zealand-based author, Katherine Leamy, writes about traveling light in her blog The 5 Kilo Traveller. She prefers a lightweight backpack that can double as a hiking bag.
“The lighter the actual bag weight, then the more you’ll be able to put in the bag,” she said.
Don’t pack exclusions
Separate from their personal items, passengers can bring on things such as coats or jackets, a neck pillow and food, so your in-flight sandwich from an airport grab-and-go counter doesn’t have to be stashed.
The luggage company Travelpro offers a list of items you can take on board, including reading material, that do not count toward your personal-item limit.
But if you try to take a cross-body sling as your purse as well as a backpack, you are technically carrying two personal items and may be stopped and asked to consolidate your bags or check one.
Wear bulky items
“On the plane, I always wear my heavier stuff,” said James Lilla, a Chicago-based travel adviser and the owner of Out & About Holidays, who hasn’t checked a bag in 15 years and has made many trips with just a personal item.
For him, airplane attire means pants and bulkier shoes — never shorts and flip-flops — and a jacket or zip-up hoodie that works for day or night.
“If I do pack shoes in my backpack, they go on the very bottom with my socks and underwear stuffed in them,” Mr. Lilla said.
Edit your wardrobe
Build your travel wardrobe around clothing made with fabrics that don’t require as much washing, such as merino wool, or are quick to dry when washed in a hotel sink, such as bamboo.
Roll clothes rather than fold them, and use packing cubes or plastic storage bags to compress air out of the items, which allows you to fit more into a bag.
“Pack items you can wear as many times as possible,” said Sally French, a travel expert with the personal finance site NerdWallet and the host of its Smart Travel podcast. She often takes black flats that don’t take up much space and can be casual or formal.
Ms. Leamy starts with a base color, navy, and makes sure that all her clothing can be layered.
“Everything I pack must mix and match,” she said. “On a cold day, I can be wearing most of my wardrobe.”
The ‘10/$10 rule’
When you’re packing, there’s always the “maybe I’ll need it” pile that might include an umbrella or an extra T-shirt. Resist taking any item that you aren’t sure you need and consider purchasing it on your trip if the need arises.
Ms. French follows what she calls the “10/$10 rule.”
“If you can acquire a just-in-case item for less than $10 in less than 10 minutes, don’t pack it,” said Ms. French. “It’s the best way to avoid overpacking.”
Try dry toiletries
You can fly with liquid toiletries up to 3.4 ounces that fit in a quart-size bag, but solid versions like bar shampoo and tablet toothpaste can reduce bulk and weight.
“Solid bars are gold for carry-on travelers,” said Ms. Leamy, who takes bars of shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and deodorant only in amounts that she knows she will use on a given trip. “They take all the stress out of complying with the 3-1-1 rules.”
Embrace the limitations
Another upside to packing less means worrying less about your belongings.
“For me, traveling light just feels more free, less physical baggage and definitely less mental baggage, too,” Mr. Lilla, the travel agent, said.
There are also practical advantages to carrying less freight.
“I find so much savings in dollars and anxiety going carry-on only,” Ms. French said, noting the ease of taking public transit with a personal item only and the safety of blending in rather than standing out as a tourist.
The post Traveling Ultralight: How to Pack a Personal Item appeared first on New York Times.
