Make your hand luggage-only journey easier with these space-saving and versatile travel must-haves.
In an act of rebellion against the rise in prices of hold luggage on flights, TikTok is rife with influencers boarding planes wearing fishing vests (with all the pockets crammed with small items of clothing), stuffing neck pillows with underwear and wearing tracksuit bottoms over trousers over leggings.
Here are some of our favourite products that are both versatile and compact.
@cheapholidayexpert Packing hack #3 – A FISHING VEST 🎣 After stuffing my pants in a neck pillow and using a duty free bag, it was only time before I reached the heady heights of leisurewear 🦺 Not only is it super stylish (😬) but it has about twelve million pockets for stuffing your bits in. Honestly – this one is daft but also… COMPLETELY LEGIT???!! It’s a winner for me 😂 WOULD YOU GIVE THIS A GO? And let me know if there’s any hacks you want me to test out for you – I AM WILLING TO GIVE ANYTHING A GO 💪 Just call it invinvestigativejournalism♀️ 💾 Don’t forget to save this hack or tag someone you think will like this!! ttravelhacktravelhacks pacpackinghackecheaptraveldbudgettravelseasyjetaryanairzzair
A fishing vest
The latest must-have item for any traveller going hand luggage only, a fishing vest provides you with a plethora of additional pockets in which you can stash the bits and bobs that don’t fit in your carry-on suitcase. While it may not be the most chic accessory you’ve purchased, these nifty gilets come in a range of styles and prices. This simple option from Amazon features 15 pockets, including a large one on the back — perfect for carrying your laptop. The gilet comes in a range of colours and is made using quick dry fabric that’s lightweight, breathable and durable. Add a neck pillow to the mix, and you’ll have more than enough storage for your next hand luggage-only escapade!
£11.09, amazon.co.uk
A reversible coat
Reap the benefits of two cosy looks in one with the Hudswell quilted jacket from Barbour. Box padded to keep you toasty, this nifty design offers maximum versatility — plain black for a sleeker look, or Black Watch tartan for a jazzier vibe. Machine washable at 30C, the high funnel collar promises to keep you warm, whether you’re pottering around a winter market in Central Europe or roaming the British countryside. You can also opt for a fawn and cream colour palette, too.
£164, barbour.com
A lightweight e-reader
When you’re working with hand luggage only, there’s no room for a stack of hefty tomes. The Kindle Paperwhite is lightweight and compact, with a 16GB capacity that can store thousands of books so you can kick back and read wherever you are, whether that’s on a train through the snowy landscapes of Scandinavia or stretched out on a sunbed in the South of France. It’s got an adjustable warm light and boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life. Users can enjoy 20% faster page turns compared to previous models and feel safe in the knowledge that it can withstand accidental water immersion. With a 6.8-inch display and thin borders, it’s the perfect hand luggage companion for any book worm.
£159.99, amazon.co.uk
Vitamin stacks
For the wellness-conscious traveller, taking a shortcut on one’s health just isn’t an option. Instead of wasting space on a dozen different vitamin bottles, get them all crafted into a single, chewable stack. Nourished creates personalised gummy stacks using premium ingredients to support your health goals. Using patented 3D-printing technology, these seven-layer nutrient gummies feature a blend of high-impact nutrients, vitamins and superfoods, freshly made-to-order. All you need to do is fill out a two-minute questionnaire to ensure your stack is tailored to your unique health needs.
£15 for a one-week supply get-nourished.com
Mini toiletries
When you’re on the road, you can’t always rely on hotels and hostels to have your favourite self-care products available. Don’t get caught out — pack the MALIN+GOETZ Travel Kit, a compact selection of the brand’s most popular skin and haircare products, so you can maintain healthy skin and hair while on the go. The set includes a grapefruit face cleanser, vitamin E face moisturizer, bergamot hand and body wash, vitamin B5 body moisturizer, peppermint shampoo and cilantro conditioner. These products are free from sulphates, synthetic fragrances and PEGs and feature formulas that are both vegan and cruelty-free. The packaging is made from fully recyclable and travel-friendly aluminium tubes, and everything is contained in a biodegradable bag.
£26, spacenk.com
Packing cubes
The best friend of every frequent flyer, packing cubes help to organize and compress your clothes to use the limited space in your suitcase more efficiently. The Chelsea packing cubes from Antler feature an extra strong compression zip so you can squeeze more in, as well as a mesh window so you can see what’s inside when unpacking at the other end of your journey. A set of four includes one large (24.5 x 33 x 10cm), one medium (33 x 17.5 x 10cm) and two small (17.5 x 16.5 x 10 cm) cubes. Each set comes in a choice of colours, including woodland green, sage, taupe and black.
£50, antler.co.uk
A smart cabin case
When it comes to smart travel, the suitcase is everything. July’s Carry On Pro SnapSleeve is available in six colours, has an ejectable battery with USB and FastCharge USB-C and a detachable soft front sleeve for your laptop and other essentials. Its size is a key feature, as the suitcases are approved to fit as carry-on for all international standards. Including wheels, its external dimensions are 55cm (H) x 38.5cm (W) x 21.5cm (D) and it has a capacity of 42 litres — it also weighs just 3.9kg. Other features include an integrated TSA lock, aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell, water-resistant stain-proof nylon lining and SilentMove wheels. July offers a lifetime warranty, 100-day return and free shipping across the UK.
From £295, and you can add personalisation top the top, side or reverse of the case for £45, july.com/uk
