Happy Friday Fit Friends! I admit, I can be a serious over packer. I mean, who doesn’t like to have options? Alas, traveling is not what it used to be. Checking bags nowadays is more of a gamble than it’s worth. Much to my husband’s delight, I have worked on my packing skills. I have come up with a plan to pack for an active weekend getaway and fit it everything in a carry on. Here’s how to do it.
Pack for an active summer weekend getaway with a carry on bag
Expert vacation packing starts with a strategic travel outfit. I fly wearing either a pair of basic black capri pants or lightweight black pants that can easily be washed in my hotel for another wear. Both can also be used for hiking or sight seeing. A solid color t shirt is the perfect match. Comfy and practical.
I will pack one outfit for yoga, one for hiking, one for biking and one for running. That way I know I am covered for almost any activity we decide to do. I take along 2 sports bras go in and they can be rinsed out for a second use. Sometimes just take them into the hotel shower to wash them out super quickly.
I stuff my socks into a second pair of shoes (Adidas Edge luxe pictured at the bottom of the post)and will them for walking around town. PS they are currently on a great price at the Nordstrom half yearly sale. I always throw in a rain jacket and hoodie just in case.
Night time outfits can be bulky therefore, I limit myself to 2 and wear them both twice. Sundresses and jumpsuits are easy to roll up and pack. One pair of sandals goes with both outfits. Throw in the corresponding under garments and sleep wear.
I always have my Lululemon backpack that folds up into itself. In there I will have a baseball hat, sun glasses, sunscreen and maybe my tripod for those selfies.
A few items you may like:
Toiletries, makeup, jewelry and electronics go into my personal carry on bag. And we are good to go! Where are you headed this summer? What are your packing tips? Are you an over packer too?
Linking up with Fairytales and fitness
When I fly for a weekend getaway, I often fly ‘basic economy’ which means I can only bring a small bag that fits under the seat! I try to maximize my outfits. It’s definitely a challenge but I’ve gotten really good at it. Funny thing, when I drive to northern Wisconsin, I stuff my suitcase full! LOL
Have so much fun this weekend in Aspen!
It is funny how when you have a larger bag, you can always fill it up!
Great tips. I try to avoid checking a bag. My daughter way over packs but just left for Germany with just a carry-on. hopefully she will learn that’s the best way to go.
It took me years to figure this out so if I am going for less than a week, I can make it work. When I checked my bags for Singapore earlier in the summer, my go pro was stolen out of my bag probably at JFK.
Yes, I like to pack all the things. Generally I can get away without checking a bag unless it’s a long vacation — or sometimes long AND multiple climates — or a racecation. Of course, almost all my vacations are racecations . . .
I love Genius Pack backpacks. So well organized. I usually have 2 problems: the shoes. And bringing food. If I didn’t run (or hike) packing would be a whole lot easier! Like the time I went to Paris for a week with just carryon luggage.
Enjoy Aspen! I bet it feels great out there — clever you getting away in a heat wave.
I’m a good packer, too! I think you’ve really nailed it. Have you seen the capris from Ministry of Supply. They are amazing b/c you can wash them or rinse in the sink and they dry fast. They look great and can be dressed up and even be worn running in a pinch (they founder ran a 1:23 half in a full suit of theirs!) Check out my review on my blog. I’m obsessed. I have the pants and capris.
NO I have not seen Ministry of Supply pants at all.I will look out for those. I did like the Athleta ones I got but don’t think I would want to run in them
I never thought of rinsing our sports bras! How do you get them to dry in time for a next use?
They seem to dry over night if you hang them up especially near a sunny window
These are such great tips! I am such a ridiculous over packer. I hate it. I always try to pair down but then feel like I will be missing something!
I know I like to have options because you never really know what you are going to want to wear!
I tend to be an over-packer, too, because I’m a chronic over-thinker LOL I have fine tuned my skills, though, in recent years (with all the hassle of checking bags). I can get pretty creative in mixing & matching a few key items to create several “different” outfits. I seldom wear sneakers for “walking around,” but I usually wear them for air travel because they are bulky and take up too much real estate in a bag.
I was glad that I made it work this time in a carry on because our connection was tight and I don’t think a checked bag would have made it!
This is so helpful!
Thanks!
Those are good packing tips! I’m trying to cut down. Right now my husband and I have to drive two cars to the lake and back each time bc of all the boys’ stuff. Oy.
Ha I do remember those days of all the kids’ stuff!
These are some great tips! We travel often and I’m always looking for good travel tips. Never thought of putting my socks inside my shoes. Great tip!
Not only does it save space but it keeps your shoes from getting out of shape. I also put them into heels so they keep their shape
These are all great tips! I am loving your outfits, especially the jumpsuit…super cute!!!
Thanks! The jumpsuit is great for travel
Oh this is great. I’m always carry so much cloths and other stuff with me on holidays. But now that I’ve read your article I might go light next time when I’m traveling.
It took me a while to get to the carry on bags but I am a convert now!
Great tips! I’m an overpacker, but I’m super self-conscious about rewearing, and I’m afraid things I wash in the room might not dry in time.
I have done a trip to Daytona, one to Acadia/Portand/Boston/Cape Cod and I have a few more trips planned to Orlando. I can’t wait.
I used to check bags all the time but I am now a convert to the carry on. You can do it!
These are great insights. I used to be an over packer but I turned to fast drying fabrics such as those with polypropylene that enable me to carry fewer garments because I don’t have to worry when they’ll dry.
Yes that really does help as well!