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How to pack for a 5-day trip in a carry-on bag (laptop and video camera included)
How to take as much as you like in your hand luggage from Matador Network on Vimeo.
Packing is a one of the subjects we watch closely here at Gadling. This time last year we posted a series "What's in Your Pack?" dedicated to the art of carrying belongings from the people who know a thing or two about schlepping goods.
Every once in awhile, someone drops us a comment about a packing tip we haven't thought of before. That's what happened when Benny Lewis's video "How to Get as Much as You Want into Your Carry-on Bag" posted at Traveler's Notebook captured our attention--at least it did mine.
Lewis, "an Irish polygot and a freelance translator" demonstrates his packing techniques, a couple that I've used to keep down luggage weight. Wear your heavier clothing, for example. Heck, wear most of your clothing. As he points out, body weight does not count as extra weight, so go for it.
My most favorite tip is the one Lewis presents at the end of his video. He has a creative, although a kind of weird way to bring your towel along. It has something to do with superheroes.
On second thought, Lewis's method could come in handy for doubling up as a blanket since it's becoming harder to find one of those on an airplane.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Gear, Blogs, Video, Budget Travel, What's in Your Pack?












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jamie Rhein Oct 21st 2008 2:31PM
Nick, so I take it you didn't like the cape idea.
Jamie Rhein Oct 21st 2008 2:49PM
My! Having a bad day are we?
Benny Lewis Oct 22nd 2008 9:11AM
Thanks for the reference to my video! :)
You can even tuck clothes into your back; I've done this when they wouldn't fit in my bag. It's an uncomfortable 10 minutes in the security line (I don't actually put everything in my pockets etc. until I'm at the airport), but it all comes out once I'm through. I also bring plastic bags to dump everything into and the air stewardesses presume I went crazy with duty free shopping ;)
Just to prove a point that you really can bring whatever you like, I flew home with dumbbells this year (in my jacket pocket), and I made it through no problem! If I had put everything in my bags that would have been over 35kg, and I went through with no checked luggage! Aaah loopholes :-P
Nick, take a chill pill! I'd be open to criticism of course, but just calling me a twat is childish.
I'll be making much more videos like this on my blog: http://www.irishpolyglot.com in a few languages. Subscribe (RSS or email) if you want to see more!
anonymous Oct 27th 2008 2:23PM
Funny, I did the a similar thing a while ago, when my luggage was overweight at the airport, I throw away all the packaging from souvenirs and leave only cloths and light items in the check in baggage.
I think I got away with 31kg of items when my luggage limit is 20kg.
The heavy items such as pc and some souvenirs go into my carry pack.
Now the airport check the carry on backpack size and weight more carefully now so I have to find other ways to carry more stuff. This is a good idea.