If You Always Overpack, These 34 Things Will Help Keep Your Luggage Under The Weight Limit
Amazon
Promising review: "I hate packing — I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something, and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel a lot, this is a game changer. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear — everything I need is on this list. I am thinking of just keeping one bag totally packed, filled with the items on the list, and just add my suit in when I am ready to travel. :)" —Dr. Oceanfront
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
Just pack in your clothes, roll up the bag, and watch as the excess air is squeezed out.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny."
Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." —BigSkinny
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.98.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed, Beis
BuzzFeed Editor Elizabeth Lillyowns this bag and says: "I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I wanted a bag for some upcoming travel (2.5 weeks in Europe with *just* carry-on for five flights) that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on two long weekend trips with no complaints. In fact, for both of those trips I packed MORE than I needed.
Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry-on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eye glasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.
I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. This isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure."
Get it from Beis Travel for $118 (available in seven colors).
Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed. The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another." —Kayla T
Get it from Amazon for $54.32 (available in four colors).
Beauty Goodies is a small business that specializes in chic storage and travel accessories.
Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in two colors).
BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lillysays: "I used this digital luggage scale when packing for a trip to Iceland — check out my demo of how it works on TikTok!"
Promising review: "We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weigh number in the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have it for almost two years and I am still using the same batteries." —Cass Young
Get it from Amazon for $11.86+ (available in six colors, a pack of two, and another style).
Multitasky
Multitasky is a woman-founded and -run small business that began in 2020 as a way for founder Julia Xu to create products that were both functional and cute.
Promising review: "It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." —Liberty
Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Psst — if you don't fill up all the compartments with pills, it's also great for stashing your earrings during travel! (Shoutout to this TikToker for the hack.)
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $6.97. (They don't sell them in singles, but if you don't want three, here's a similar option.)
Tide
Each pack comes with three packets. And because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag.
Promising review: "Taking these out of the country to wash under things is exactly the right size." —Laura Wilson
Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.14 (available in two scents and other packs).
Hackwith Design House
Hackwith Design House is a woman-owned small business that creates made-to-order apparel. This shirt can be worn as a V-neck, off-the-shoulder, boatneck, V-back, and even open as a jacket. And the color is simple, which means it can be paired well with many different bottoms.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart says: "I have this shirt and I *love* it. All credit for its discovery goes to TikToker @jennifer.bianca who I happened to stumble across on my FYP. It checks all my boxes: black, comfortable, versatile, and durable. My initial worry was that I wouldn't feel secure in it (I have a 38DDD chest and most wrap tops/dresses I've tried haven't stayed where they're supposed to), but I haven't had an issue with this! I've worn it tied in the front giving me a square neck (like the middle picture) and tied in the back giving me a V-neck up front (just like the photo on the right) — both were super comfortable, and I didn't have to adjust myself at all. As someone whose weight fluctuates, I also appreciate that this piece can handle pounds gained and lost. The fabric is medium weight, so I'll be wearing it season to season, and there's just enough elasticity in the arms that if you roll up your sleeves, they won't fall back down. All that is to say trust that I will be buying additional colors!"
Get it from Hackwith Design House for $145 (available in women's sizes XS–4X and in three colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" —Western Pa mom/grandma
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in pink or blue).
It comes with one handle and one blade refill! And the mini handle will fit almost any Venus blade refill, which is a major plus.
Promising review: "This was the perfect small travel razor for traveling abroad. I was in a location with mostly outdoor showers, and the case was super handy for keeping lizards and bugs away from my razor. The case also has drainage holes, which make it easy to pack and transport. Highly recommend!" —Asha L.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "What an adorable and efficient way to pack your jewelry! I have been hesitant even to bring jewelry on my last few vacations because it always got tangled. Love this! Bought one for my sister-in-law as well." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two sizes and eight colors/prints).
Subtl Beauty
Each stack also includes a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush.
Promising review: "I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased it for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" –Paula Bowie
Get the Starter Stak from Subtl Beauty for $68 (available in 19 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $14 per layer, with up to 10 product types available.
Amazon
Brixy is a small biz specializing in solid bar body care. They're vegan, plastic-free, and safe for color-treated hair.
Promising review: "I'm pleasantly surprised. The shampoo lathers easily. It doesn't take much. The conditioner works so well, too, and left my hair feeling soft and clean. I have long, curly hair, so I wondered how this would go. I'm so happy. I love it and will be using it all the time. The best part about a bar of shampoo and a bar of conditioner is they can be taken through airport luggage without dealing with the liquid limit. Sometimes, I travel for weeks at a time and need more than the small sizes of shampoo and conditioner. I don't want to check my luggage, and I want to conserve space. Here's my answer to all of that. These products are awesome in more than one way." —SJ
Get them from Amazon for $28.98 (available in three scents).
Amazon
It's also benzene-free!
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six shades and in packs of two or three; refills also available).
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This product...I have no clue how this works, but it does! Let me start by saying I was wearing a full face of makeup. I mean foundation, contour highlight, eyeliner, seriously the whole nine yards. All I did was wet it and wiped my face, my jaw literally dropped. This is hands-down my favorite makeup remover. The best part is that they are reusable so you don't have to keep buying those expensive disposables that leave your face feeling greasy." —Heather Griffith
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors and in packs of three or six).
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed, Amazon
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
Promising review: "I love that this travel toothbrush has its own self closing cover. Makes it very handy for travel at half the size of a regular toothbrush when packed and full size brush when open. Also really love the bristles on this brush, they are soft but have enough stiffness to get between teeth when brushing." —Yvonne
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two colors and packs of two or four).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews: "It is a favorite among our flight attendant group when we are traveling. We call ourselves the sisterhood of the traveling jumpsuit! I absolutely love it, it’s comfortable, inexpensive, easy one piece, dress up or dress down. I add a belt and it’s perfect! I am planning to purchase more colors!" —Floridagirl0611
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in women's sizes S–3X and 32 colors/patterns).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just be sure to still pack a plug adapter if you're traveling to another country!
Promising review: "Traveled with just a carry-on and personal item from USA to Italy and this worked perfectly. Convenient size for luggage and worked perfectly as a curler or straightener! My hair looked cute the entire trip so I was happy!" —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two colors).
Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed, Alleyoop
BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jasmin Sandal swears by this:
"I didn't realize I'd ever use a makeup product in my 20s that had the ability to transport me back to something I used in sixth grade, but here we are; and here I am using a multitool pen... for my face. I gotta say, I love the concept of the Pen Pal from Alleyoop! After using all of the functions (eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, eyebrow pencil) and as someone who LOVES makeup but was applying as little as humanly possible during lockdown, I think it’s a great tool for anyone looking to streamline their routine. It's ideal to use for touch-ups come the end of the work day, or a subtle, minimalist way to apply makeup in the a.m. The brow pencil is particularly soft and pigmented, and filled in my eyebrows quickly. I just adore the ease of application of each product, and appreciate the universal, does-it-all-for-you concept. Plus, it saves me so much room in my already overflowing makeup bag!"
Promising review: "Such a time saver to have this 4-in-1 tool! I use it daily and love that it is so compact." —Lauren F.
Get it from Alleyoop for $20 (available in three shades) or from Amazon for $20.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "The bristles are soft and it applies the product very well. Love that it has a case which is perfect for traveling. Now I don't have to travel with 10+ brushes." —Yashira
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in eight colors).
Amazon
Promising review: "I’m not one to write many reviews, but this one is one I decided was worth it. I purchased two of these for a cruise. They were great packing because they lay flat and take up hardly any space. I have purchased the silicon travel bottles, but they have a funky taste/smell to them, so I don’t really care for them. These were so much better!! I was able to easily clip them to my purse strap while we were in ports, and it was still lightweight enough! I highly recommend!" —JDeal
Get it from Amazon for $13.31+ (available in 23 colors and six sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The "daily routine" set includes four medium and three small capsules as well as magnetic, interchangeable labels for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, cleanser, a pill icon, and a blank tile.
They also offer skincare, bodycare, haircare, and pill case sets as well as extenders that increase the size of the capsule! And if you fall in love with these and *really* want to customize your collection, head to their site to build your own unique set.
Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
Promising review: "These containers are perfectly sized for all my travel needs, whether it’s skincare products, vitamins, or even small jewelry pieces. They fit neatly into my carry-on, saving space and keeping everything organized. No more messy toiletry bags or digging around for tiny items — everything has its place with Cadence. The quality of the materials is top-notch. The containers snap together securely, making it easy to keep them organized and prevent any spills. It’s such a clever and practical feature that adds a touch of luxury to the whole experience. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to hear the little click when they snap into place!
"I’ll be honest — the price did give me pause at first. These containers are definitely an investment, but I can confidently say they’re worth it. The peace of mind they provide, knowing my products are safe and secure during travel, is priceless. Plus, the high-quality build means they’ll last for many trips to come, making them a smart long-term investment." —Randy G.
Get the daily routine set from Amazon for $138 (available in five colors and other sets).
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Cadence containers here!
BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lillysays: "I own and love this set! it includes the zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leakproof caps, three compact jars, and two toothbrush caps. I've used this set on more than five trips and for trips when I don't require body wash or shampoo (like to visit my parents) I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus! It comes with labels that stay on the containers really well despite my thoroughly washing these containers between trips. I bought this set in spring 2019 and have, admittedly, lost a container or two. But the ones that I've held onto over dozens of trips have all held up well!"
Promising review: "If it wasn’t for me forgetting them in the hotels, I wouldn’t have to buy more. This is my third set and I love these things! I’m a flight attendant and these are easy to fill, use, and pack!" —Raena Hill
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
Amazon
Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and it's perfect for my international flights going through security. I love the handle, easy to pull out of my suitcase." —Kristi
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
Amazon
Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories.
Promising review: "I like the fabric is cotton and bamboo. It feels soft on my neck. Also like the pattern color as it easily coordinates with many of my tee shirts and tops... the size of this scarf is perfect for me and not overwhelming. I bought this for my long-haul flight and trip overseas. The zipper is hidden and operates smoothly and easily. The pocket easily holds my passport and keys and will hold more than I put inside because I find it a little heavy if I put too much in it. I handwash the scarf in a gentle soap and lay flat to dry. It dries quickly." —seamaiden
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in three styles).
Amazon
Promising review: "I am a flight attendant and I LOVE this organizer! I keep my iPad, passport, cords, paperwork, and hand sanitizer in here. It keeps me organized! Definitely recommend to anyone who travels and needs to keep organized." —amazonislife
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought these for a trip for my family of five. I like to plan in advance to make sure no one forgets anything! These were a lifesaver packing for three kids! I was able to create a carry-on, toiletries, wires/chargers, and snacks pouch for everyone! I used clear sticker paper to create name labels, and it all worked perfectly! Would definitely recommend if you need to travel with family and need to set things out and pack." —mommyandbri
Get them from Amazon for $14.99 (available in five different pack sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Great for a capsule wardrobe. I bought this for a summer trip to Italy. It paired beautifully with a cotton blouse. It's especially good for evening." —theof
Get it from Amazon for $31.24+ (available in women's sizes XXS–5XL and in 26 colors).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Bought this bag last minute for a uniform compliance as a flight attendant, and it’s sturdy and a great bag. For the material and the price, it’s a great purchase. I’ve had it over four months." —Amber
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in a variety of colors and two sizes).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It even comes with a straw, can hold both hot and cold liquids, and is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Stojo is a small business aiming to eliminate single-use plastics with their portable and reusable products.
Promising review: "I take my lunch to work and during mid day I like to use the Keurig to brew a cup of coffee. The 12-ounce Stojo cup I purchased is very practical. It is thick and durable. The plastic collar enables you to hold the cup without squeezing it or burning your hands on the hot walls of the cup. It seals well so you don't have to worry about leaking your drink on your shirt. It even has some reasonable thermal properties. There is enough volume in the cup to allow for the 12-ounce brew plus ample creamer. It's not a stainless vacuum cup, but it does hold its temperature better than your typical gas station or coffee shop cup. Plus you have the advantage of being able to reheat your drink in the microwave which you can't do with a stainless cup. Washes easily too. If you want a 12-ounce cup that keeps your drink hot or cold for a long time, this isn't the cup for you. But if you need something practical that will keep your coffee warm for 30–45 minutes, can be reheated in a microwave, and collapses to the dimensions of a tall hockey puck, this is a good purchase. You'll have it for years." —ViciousCycle
Get it from Amazon for$14.99+ (available in four sizes and 19 colors).
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed Editor Elizabeth Lilly(pictured above!) owns and loves this bags: "I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors."
Promising review: "Sooo cute! Looks just like the Lululemon one. Very versatile and convenient to wear while traveling, hiking, running errands, sporting events, or anywhere you need your hands free and don’t feel like carrying a purse. Definitely going to buy more in different colors!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in 49 styles).
But remember that this is not a voltage converter!
Promising review: "I am a digital nomad so I travel full-time around the world. I have a lot of devices to charge (laptop, Kindle, phone, backup battery, portable wi-fi device, camera, the list goes on). A lot of times hostel bunks or hotel rooms only have one outlet and with the previous adapter I was using, I had to charge one device at a time. I used to literally set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night and switch devices so that I could get more than one device fully charged overnight. I did my research finally and settled on this one because it is universal and has four USB ports. What a GAME CHANGER. On my latest trip I was able to charge all my devices at once and it made traveling so much smoother. It seems well made and good quality, too. Definitely recommend for my digital nomad and traveling peers. Happy travels! :)" —Maggie A.
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two colors and one with a USB-c port).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
……Read full article on BuzzFeed-Shopping
Travel Lifestyle
Comments
Leave a comment in Nestia App