I Only Travel With A Carry-On, These 17 Items I Regret Packing + 5 That Never Should Have Made The List
Traveling light is second nature to me, and I’ve come to swear by the carry-on-only lifestyle. It forces efficiency, keeps things simple, and saves serious time at the airport. But even the most experienced packers get it wrong.
After years of squeezing everything into a single bag, I’ve had my share of packing regrets—items I thought I’d need but never touched, and a few that left me wondering what I was thinking. If you’re trying to avoid wasted space and overpacking traps, consider this your cheat sheet of what not to bring.
1. Bulky Travel Hair Dryer
Lugging around that chunky appliance was my first rookie mistake. Most hotels already provide decent hair dryers these days.
The travel dryer added nearly a pound to my bag and took up valuable space that could have held an extra outfit. I only used it once during my entire week-long trip.
2. Extra Pair Of Jeans
Doubling up on denim proved completely unnecessary. Heavy fabric monopolized precious carry-on space and added significant weight to my luggage. Jeans can easily be reworn multiple times without washing.
My primary pair served perfectly well for casual outings and evening activities alike, while the second pair remained folded and untouched.
3. Multiple Paperbacks
Ambitious reading plans led to unnecessary weight in my bag. Three novels took up valuable space and added nearly two pounds to my carry-on. I barely finished one book during the entire trip.
My smartphone with e-reader apps would have been sufficient, offering endless reading options without the bulk and weight of physical books.
4. Travel Pillow I Never Used
Hanging from my backpack like a badge of frequent flyer honor, that memory foam neck support never fulfilled its purpose. I couldn’t get comfortable with it no matter how I positioned it.
The pillow took up valuable real estate in my already cramped personal item. Airlines typically provide pillows for longer flights anyway.
5. Too Many Toiletries
My toiletry bag resembled a mini drugstore aisle. Half the items remained untouched throughout my journey. Hotels provided shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that worked perfectly fine.
The TSA liquid restrictions meant decanting products into tiny containers—an unnecessary hassle when many destinations sell the same essentials I needlessly packed.
6. Heavy Camera Gear
Carrying professional equipment proved impractical for casual vacation photography. The DSLR, extra lenses, and accessories consumed a third of my bag space. My smartphone camera captured perfectly adequate memories without the weight.
Most shots were quick moments that didn’t require professional equipment, and managing expensive gear added unnecessary stress to relaxing experiences.
7. Second Pair Of Sneakers
Footwear always dominates luggage space, and bringing two similar pairs was pure folly. One trusty pair would have sufficed for all my walking needs. Sneakers are bulky space-hogs in a carry-on.
My primary pair handled everything from city exploration to casual dinners, while the backup pair remained pristine and unused at the bottom of my suitcase.
8. Thick Sweater For “Just In Case”
Preparing for imaginary cold fronts led me to pack a chunky knit that devoured precious suitcase space. Weather forecasts had shown mild temperatures throughout my trip. The sweater remained compressed at the bottom of my bag.
Lightweight layers would have been more versatile and space-efficient for unexpected weather changes without the bulk of this woolen space-waster.
9. Full-Size Umbrella
Rainy forecast anxiety convinced me to bring protection that was completely out of proportion for carry-on travel. The sturdy umbrella awkwardly protruded from every packing configuration I attempted.
A compact travel version would have offered similar protection at a fraction of the size. Many hotels provide umbrellas anyway, making my bulky rain shield completely redundant.
10. Makeup Bag With Duplicate Products
Overpacking cosmetics is my consistent travel downfall. Multiple lipstick shades, three foundations, and duplicate brushes filled my makeup bag to bursting. Reality check: I wore minimal makeup during my vacation.
A tinted moisturizer, mascara, and one versatile lip color would have covered all situations while saving significant space in my liquids bag and overall luggage.
11. Fancy Outfit I Didn’t Wear
Packing for imaginary scenarios led to wasted space occupied by a dressy ensemble. My carefully rolled cocktail dress and matching accessories remained untouched throughout the trip.
The dress wrinkled despite my careful packing efforts. My actual activities involved casual sightseeing and relaxed dining where everyday clothes worked perfectly fine, making this fancy addition completely unnecessary.
12. Extra Chargers And Cables
My electronics pouch resembled a snake pit of tangled wires. Duplicate chargers, unnecessary adapters, and “just in case” cables created a mess that was difficult to manage. One multi-port charger would have handled all my devices efficiently.
Most of these cables remained untouched while creating unnecessary bulk and confusion when I needed to find the right connector quickly.
13. Reusable Water Bottle That Took Up Space
Bringing my oversized 32-ounce water bottle reflected good intentions but poor practicality. Empty or full, it hogged precious real estate in my daypack.
The bottle was too large to fit in seat-back pockets or small bag compartments. I could have purchased water after security or used a collapsible bottle that would take minimal space when not in use.
14. Jewelry Organizer I Barely Opened
Anticipating outfit enhancements led to packing a dedicated case filled with accessories I never wore. The bulky velvet organizer consumed valuable corner space in my carry-on. My vacation style ended up being much more casual than planned.
A few versatile pieces could have been tucked into a small pouch instead of bringing this dedicated jewelry mini-suitcase that remained zipped shut.
15. Hard-Shell Organizer Pouch
Rigid cases prove problematic in the tetris game of carry-on packing. My electronics organizer refused to conform to available spaces, creating awkward gaps around it. Soft pouches would have offered similar protection with better adaptability.
The hard case maintained its shape even when nearly empty, wasting precious space that could have accommodated more practical items or souvenirs.
16. Travel Steamer Instead Of Wrinkle Spray
Crease anxiety prompted me to pack this clunky appliance that required outlet access and setup time. Finding space for it meant sacrificing room for more versatile items.
The steamer took forever to heat up and was awkward to use in small hotel bathrooms. A travel-sized wrinkle release spray would have been lighter, smaller, and equally effective without the hassle.
17. “Emergency” Snacks I Never Ate
Fear of hunger led to packing an entire convenience store in my personal item. Granola bars, nuts, and dried fruits occupied valuable space and added unnecessary weight. Airport terminals offered plenty of food options.
Local markets at my destination provided fresher, more interesting snacks anyway, making my brought-from-home provisions completely redundant and ultimately wasted.
18. Guidebook I Didn’t Open Once
Old travel habits die hard, evidenced by the hefty city guide weighing down my bag. The book added nearly a pound of weight and significant bulk to my carefully curated carry-on.
My smartphone provided all the same information through apps and saved offline maps. All those restaurant recommendations and walking tours were available digitally without the paper weight.
19. Over-The-Door Organizer That Didn’t Fit Anywhere
Packing this fabric contraption reflected optimistic thinking about hotel room configurations. Reality proved disappointing when I discovered paper-thin doors that couldn’t support its weight. The organizer remained folded and unused throughout my trip.
Hotel bathrooms had sufficient counter space and hooks for my minimal toiletries, making this bulky item completely unnecessary for carry-on travel.
20. Extra Tote Bag I Thought I’d Use
Anticipating shopping adventures, I packed a foldable tote that remained untouched in my suitcase pocket. My regular daypack handled all excursions perfectly fine without needing supplemental carrying capacity.
The tote created unnecessary bulk in an already tight packing situation. If needed, most destinations sell inexpensive bags that could serve the same purpose without taking up precious initial luggage space.
21. Sheet Mask Pack For The Plane
Instagram-inspired in-flight skincare ambitions led nowhere in reality. The bulky pack of five facial masks occupied precious space in my liquids bag for no practical benefit. The cramped airplane environment made using them awkward and messy.
I felt too self-conscious with fellow passengers seated inches away, so these moisture treatments remained sealed in their packaging throughout the entire journey.
22. Mini First-Aid Kit With Items Already Provided
Preparedness crossed into excess with this redundant health kit. Bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers occupied valuable corner space in my meticulously packed bag.
Hotel reception offered basic first aid supplies upon request. Pharmacies were readily available at my destination, making it unnecessary to transport these items when they could be easily purchased if needed.