Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin There are a lot of choices when it comes to checked luggage, but only a few can be the best getty There is a subset of frequent travelers who proudly never check luggage, and you know who they are because they can’t help but brag about it. I am the opposite—there is rarely a trip short enough or simple enough for me to not check luggage. I like to have everything I might need.
That’s because the trips I take skew longer and tend to be active and gear intensive (skiing, golf, hiking, cycling, diving etc.) or luxury (Michelin-starred restaurants, top tier hotels, events) or both. I’m also someone who firmly believes you should never be underdressed when traveling abroad (I’m trying to counter the image of the ugly American tourist), especially when going to nice restaurants for lunch and dinner, and you simply cannot pack that much stuff in a carry on, no matter how many Tik Tok videos you watch.
If you want to bring back gifts or souvenirs that include wine, spirits, sauces, olive oil, etc., you are out of luck carrying on. I have the biggest legal size carry on (I know a lot of people who fly on the flights I take don’t care about such rules) and once I pack my toiletries and hotel gym workout clothing and shoes, there is little room left for anything else.
So, if you are a never checker, you can stop reading (or already have). If you want to bring the stuff you need, might need, should have, or that makes your .