Most travellers assume you need a checked bag for anything longer than a long weekend. That's what the airlines want you to think — because checked bag fees are a massive revenue stream. In 2024, Australian airlines collected hundreds of millions in ancillary fees, and bag charges are one of the biggest contributors.
The truth? With the right bag and the right strategy, 10 days fits in a carry-on. Easily. Here's exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Start With the Right Bag
Most carry-on suitcases look big but waste a huge amount of space — awkward corners, rigid shells, and zero organisation. A purpose-built travel backpack like the Carvons Canvas Bag uses compression packing zones to pack 30–40% more than a standard bag of the same size. It's also soft-sided, which means it can squeeze into an overhead bin even when the flight is full.
Step 2: The 1-2-3 Rule for Clothes
Forget packing one outfit per day. Instead, use the 1-2-3 method:
- 1 pair of shoes you wear on the plane (choose something versatile — sneakers or clean boots work everywhere)
- 2 bottoms that mix and match with everything (dark jeans and a neutral short or trouser)
- 3 tops per 5 days — neutral colours that layer and can be re-worn
For a 10-day trip that's 4 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 pair of shoes plus sandals packed flat inside the bag. Everything else is a repeat wear or a re-wear after a quick wash.
Step 3: Use Compression Cubes
Compression packing cubes are the single biggest upgrade most travellers haven't made. Roll your clothes, stuff them in a cube, then compress. You can typically fit 5–6 rolled t-shirts into a space that would hold 2–3 flat-folded ones.
Step 4: Wear Your Bulkiest Items
Jacket, hoodie, chunky shoes — wear them on the plane. Once you're seated, everything comes off anyway. This move alone frees up a third of your bag.
Step 5: Pack Liquids Strategically
A 100ml limit sounds brutal until you realise most quality toiletries are available in travel sizes. Build a kit of 10–15 small containers and refill from home. Or better yet — book accommodation and plan on a small grocery run when you land. Most destinations have everything you need.
The Payoff
Qantas charges $60–$75 for a checked bag on international routes. Virgin and Jetstar are similar. Do two overseas trips a year and you're spending $240–$300 just in bag fees. That pays for a decent carry-on in a single year.
The Carvons Canvas Bag is built for exactly this — carry-on approved for 99% of airlines, fits 7–10 days of clothes using its compression packing system, and ships in 48 hours. It pays for itself on the first trip.