It’s no secret that packing for a trip is never as fun as the trip itself. Narrowing down our essentials can be time-consuming, just as much as avoiding overweight fees at the airport itself.
If you’re heading out of town this summer, stop here. Before you begin squeezing all of your belongings into your carry-on, Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor Melissa Garcia shares some of her favorite space-saving travel hacks for packing smart. From portable compression bags to a foldable tote, these picks might help you save time at TSA and beyond. They might even help leave some spare room for souvenirs, too.
Ready to take off? Keep reading to discover the best space-saving travel hacks to pack light for your upcoming trips.
Best space-saving travel hacks seen on the 3rd hour of TODAY
According to the brand, a single Aerless bag holds 15+ extra items in your luggage compared to standard compression bags. The vacuum-sealed bag also saves three times more bag space by removing air inside, both in a checked and carry-on luggage.
“Chargers and headphones always end up in a tangled mess, and this is an instant fix. Just wrap and snap closed,” explains Garcia. “No more time spent untangling your headphones or sacrificing precious bag space to a ball of cords. You get a set of two organizers for under $10, so it’s an easy, inexpensive upgrade.”
No need to worry about spilled products, this mini shampoo and conditioner set comes in a four-pack of bottle-free minis and a case for zero leaks and more benefits.
Editor’s note: The travel case is only included on Kitch’s website.
This water bottle shrinks as you drink, keeping water from sloshing around while you’re on the go. The brand also claims the bottle is lightweight and flexible, and adjusts to your hand. Just fold into your bag or pocket for convenience, even when not in use.
“This bag is surprisingly spacious and qualifies as an airline-friendly personal item, according to the brand,” explains Garcia. “It folds completely flat when you’re not using it, so it barely takes up any storage space ... The biggest size fits so many things, and it has multiple pockets so everything stays organized. It can even slide right over the handle of your rolling suitcase, perfect for navigating the airport.”
Grab it while it’s currently buy one, get one free! But just note that the promotion is only available on the brand’s website.
Prime Day might’ve passed, but here’s a deal, which runs through July 5, you can still enjoy: Amazon Prime members can receive a free, first-time Audible membership for the first three months. Meaning, you can enjoy an array of audiobooks, podcasts, and more before committing to a paid membership. Read more about the free trial here.
If you’re not a Prime member, Audible is offering a deal for new subscribers. Now through July 15, you can get three months for just 99 cents per month. Even better news? Both of these memberships come with a $20 Audible credit as an added benefit, but only through July 5.
More space-saving travel hacks
Keep all of your jewels organized with this award-winning handle jewelry organizer. It has ample room and organization that prevent tangled necklaces and lost earrings.
“I say this sneaker is the travel MVP sneaker,” raves Garcia. “I love it because it’s super lightweight, gives great arch support, and it has shock absorption...these are lightweight and flexible enough for travel days, and stylish enough to double as your go-to sneaker for exploring.”
“Meet the makeup organizer — reimagined! I like to think of this makeup case as a portable dresser,” raved Garcia. “It has everything from a mirror to a built-in LED lighting with three different modes, so you can do your makeup anywhere. No more waiting for the bathroom to be free!”
You wouldn’t have guessed at first that this tiny pouch has a backpack inside. Weighing just a pound, it’s lightweight and portable to pack inside your luggage for whenever you need a spare bag. “It’s water- and tear-resistant, so it’ll last on any type of adventure,” adds Garcia.
The above option is in a size 20 liter, but for more space, the backpack is also available in a 30 liter size.
A water bottle is a necessity while exploring, but it can also be the bulkiest item to bring. This leak-proof water bottle shrinks down flat when empty, so you can stay hydrated without having the lug around a hefty water bottle.
Don’t forget a makeup product again with this all-in-one makeup palette from Milani. It has multiple blushes and eyeshadows, along with a bronzer and highlighter, to create a full makeup look.
According to the brand, this dopp kit is made with a leather-like silicone to help prevent liquids from getting in and out, making cleaning much easier. Fit a number of essentials inside, from your toothbrush to skin care, in one roomy, organized space.
The award-winning Tile Slim Tracker is the brand’s slimmest tracker yet, yet it still helps discreetly track your luggage, wallet, purse and more — just in a more portable size.
Here’s another Shop TODAY Travel Award winner to shop. If you’re heading to any of the above countries this year, be sure to have the right adapter to stay connected, such as the pick above.
Don’t forget your passport! Use the Goaus Passport Holder to store your passport, credit cards, and other travel essentials in one secure place.
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Melissa Garcia.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor, a professional stylist and the founder of Melissa Garcia Styling.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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