Five-Day Carry-On Packing List, Worked in Litres
Five days of summer clothing comes to roughly 22 litres and fits a 30-litre bag comfortably. The same five days in winter comes to nearer 40 before compression, which is why the season rather than the trip length decides the bag.
Two lists, same trip
| Item | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | 5 L | 7 L |
| Trousers | 2.5 L | 5 L |
| Underwear and socks | 2.5 L | 3 L |
| Mid layer | 3 L | 6 L |
| Outer layer | — | 10 L |
| Wash bag | 2 L | 2 L |
| Laptop and cables | 3 L | 3 L |
| Spare shoes | 4 L | 5 L |
| Total | About 22 L | About 41 L |
Where compression is applied
Only to the mid and outer layers, and only in the winter column. Six litres of fleece and ten of jacket are the two lines with air in them; sealed and pumped they come back at roughly half, which takes the winter total from about 41 litres to about 33. That is the difference between not fitting a 40-litre bag and fitting it with margin.
The summer column needs no compression at all. Twenty-two litres is a 30-litre bag two-thirds full, and the flat 180-degree opening is worth more on that trip than a compartment that would sit empty.
The rules that make the list work
Wear the bulkiest items through the airport. Count one pair of shoes worn and one packed, never two packed. Plan a wash rather than a sixth day of clothing on any trip longer than five days — it is a smaller inconvenience than a checked bag. And leave margin: a bag filled to its stated capacity is round, and round bags fail sizers.
The arithmetic behind the capacity figures is in how many litres do you need.
Questions
What size bag for five days of hand luggage?
About 30 litres in summer, about 40 in winter, or 40 with compression for both.
How much does a winter coat take?
Eight to twelve litres packed, which is a quarter of a 40-litre bag. It is the single item most worth wearing rather than packing.
Should everything be compressed?
No. Compress the lofty layers only. Dense items gain nothing and take up the compartment.