How to Pack for a Two-Week Trip With Only a Carry-On

As a full-time adventure travel writer, staying lightweight and portable are key when I’m packing for a big, international trip. In the course of a single day on assignment, I might be day hiking in the morning, hitting up a local restaurant in the evening and taking a soothing plunge in a local hot spring after the sun goes down.

My most recent international excursion was also one of the most challenging to pack and plan for–a two-week expedition to Bhutan. Along the way, I’d need to have clothes and supplies for trekking, modest attire for visiting Buddhist temples, loungewear for long travel days, personal toiletries and medications, and a couple of nice dresses for posh dinners at my hotel. In short, it was a doozy.

I used Osprey’s new Transporter Squffel 44(Se abre en una nueva ventana) to stay organized and sane for the gnarly 13-day trip. With its epic, split square duffel design, generous pockets and fun extras (like a key clip, mesh ventilation system and backpack straps), I was able to pack everything I needed and still have room for a few small souvenirs. Here’s how I did it.

Research your bag’s unique pockets

I’m glad that I indulged my inner travel nerd and watched Osprey’s online video for the Transporter Squffel 44, because it gave me a visual orientation to the bag itself. I learned that this soft-sided bag is just small enough to be carry-on friendly for 99% of airlines, plus it comes equipped with a two-sided packing system that allows travelers to separate different categories of gear or clothing. A mesh side vent made it easy to air out damp hiking clothes or dirty laundry, and an interior mesh pocket made sorting small essentials (like electronics and chargers) a breeze.

Use packing cubes

It might seem counter-intuitive if you’re trying to save space, but packing cubes are essential for staying organized while living out of a suitcase for two weeks. Because I knew that I’d need loads of different socks, bras and undies for hiking and city exploration, I grabbed a Daylite Packing Cube Set(Se abre en una nueva ventana) to keep it all separate. The largest of the cubes can even serve as an impromptu laundry bag to stash your dirties as your trip goes on. I also found that the Daylite Toiletry Kit(Se abre en una nueva ventana) provided a roomy space for my bathroom essentials, like face wash, toothpaste and razor.

Roll your clothing

Rolling your clothes, instead of folding them, solves two problems at once. It helps prevent annoying crinkles in your precious traveling clothes while squishing out unnecessary air, so that you can fit more items into a petite space. On my Bhutan trip, I was able to pack two dresses, seven t-shirts, one pair of leggings, two pairs of hiking pants, one down jacket, one rain jacket and two sets of base layers, in addition to my packing cubes and toiletries. I attribute it all to this failsafe clothes-rolling strategy.

Wear your biggest shoes at the airport

Sure, you might get dirty looks from the people behind you in the TSA line as you unlace your hiking boots and place them into a bin, but shoes are one of the largest items you’re likely to pack, and having a plan for where to put them is important. I tend to wear larger shoes, like trekking boots, on my way to and from the airport, and place a smaller set of match-everything black slip-ons inside my bag for when I arrive. That way, I have footwear for hiking and an option for going out at night.

Be mindful of electronics

Because you’re likely to have to take it out and scan it during airport security screenings, it’s a good idea to place your laptop (and its protective case, if applicable) into the middle of the Squffel 44. For me, this made taking it out in the TSA lines quick and painless, and it came with the added bonus of padded protection–my clothes formed a veritable shield around my laptop as I clomped around various busy airports. 

Be prepared for any weather

In addition to packing adequate rain gear for your destination, it’s crucial to ensure that your luggage is also weather-proof. One of the things that I adored about the Transporter Squffel 44 was its bluesign-approved NanoTough fabric, which is insanely durable and incredibly water-resistant. It’s also designed with a rain flap across its central zippers, so I never had to worry about errant water droplets getting in and soaking my important clothes. This came in handy on my 3-day adventure along Bhutan’s Druk Path, when pack mules were carrying my gear out of sight for hours on end. I was able to hang back and enjoy the trek, even when an afternoon drizzle blew in.

No matter how you like to adventure, Osprey’s thoughtfully-designed and carry-on friendly luggage, like the Transporter Squffel 44(Se abre en una nueva ventana) and the Transporter Duffel 40(Se abre en una nueva ventana) will get you and your gear there in style.

Photo Credit: Emily Pennington