Carry-on backpack - see the guide to light and flexible packing

A carry-on backpack is about traveling light without missing the most important things. When everything needs to fit in one bag, the choice of contents becomes at least as crucial as the bag's design. Here's an overview of what makes the most sense to prioritize when space, weight and flexibility are at stake.

The most useful starting point is to pack by function rather than “what if”. In practice, this means a few, versatile items that can be used across days and situations. Think in terms of layers of clothing, small toiletries and equipment that can dry quickly so you don’t have to lug around something damp. A travel-friendly towel is a classic example, because it is often necessary, but rarely worth prioritizing in large volume. Here, a quick-drying towel like OUTDOOR can be relevant when you want to keep your pack compact.

Packing lightweight doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. The goal is to choose items that solve multiple needs with the same item. A good example is to go for fabrics that feel comfortable against your skin, but also dry quickly so you can use them again without long breaks. If you’re considering towels for your trip, a smaller towel can still be enough to dry you off when you want to pack light, while a larger one is typically more comfortable to wrap yourself in. Comfort is also about fewer irritations along the way, such as odors in your bag from damp fabrics.

When you travel with a carry-on backpack, textiles are packed tightly and don't always have time to dry completely right away. Here, antibacterial treatment can be relevant because it's about limiting bacterial growth in the textile itself. Polygiene StayFresh technology is a silver-based textile treatment that has been tested in both real-world situations and laboratories and is designed to prevent 99.9 percent of bacteria from growing on the textile. The effect is designed to last throughout the product's lifespan. Fewer bacteria can also mean less odor and a textile that feels fresher between washes.

In a carry-on backpack, even small things can affect the overall experience. One concrete tip is to choose equipment that does not require frequent washing, because this can save both time and water on the trip. At the same time, it makes sense to prioritize products with minimal, unnecessary packaging, so that you do not start the trip with waste that you do not have room for anyway.

A towel is one of those things that often ends up taking up more space than expected, especially if it is left damp. A quick-drying towel should be hung up to dry instead of being wrung out, so it can be put back in the bag faster without feeling clammy. For travel, it can be practical to choose a towel that works both on the go and in everyday life at home, so it doesn’t become a “special purchase” just for one type of trip. If you are looking for a more everyday-oriented solution, INDOOR TOWELS can be a relevant place to start.