Checked baggage fees are getting out of hand, and frankly, waiting at the carousel is nobody’s idea of a good time. Whether you’re a seasoned one-bag traveller or finally committing to carry-on only, the right kit makes all the difference. Here at 22Words, we’ve rounded up 20 finds that make travelling light feel considerably less like a compromise and considerably more like a lifestyle.
The holy grail of one-bag travel, the VANKEV carry-on backpack.
This backpack is spacious enough for the overhead locker but slim enough to tuck under your seat. With heavy-duty stitching and enough pockets to satisfy even the most obsessive organiser, it’s a durable, fee-saving machine that makes airport transits a breeze.
Stop carrying a tangled mess of plugs, and grab this universal travel adaptor for only £20!
This compact, multi-region TESSAN adaptor works worldwide and features multiple USB and USB-C ports. It allows you to charge your phone, laptop, and earbuds simultaneously, making it the only power accessory you actually need in your bag.
Step off the plane looking like you haven’t just spent six hours in a pressurised tin can with this maxi dress.
This wrinkle-resistant maxi dress has a side split and—glory be—pockets. It’s effortless elegance that survives being crammed into a carry-on, making it the perfect quick-change for destination arrivals.
Avoid your toiletries leaking in your carry-on with these leak-proof bottles.
These airport-security-approved bottles are high-quality and genuinely leak-proof. They’re the ideal size for cabin luggage, ensuring your liquid allowance is handled with zero mess for only £10!
Have quick access to your documents with this passport organiser that is only £13!
This Looxmeer organiser holds up to five passports, eight cards, and all your boarding passes in one durable, zipped wallet. Making a fumble for your passport at the front of the queue is now a thing of the past!
Fit a week’s worth of clothes into a weekend bag with these packing cubes.
Keep everything compressed and organised with these TuTuShop packing cubes, so you aren’t digging through a mountain of socks to find a clean shirt. They’re a game-changer for maintaining sanity in a small suitcase.
Stay prepared for those long layovers where every airport socket is already taken, with this portable power bank.
The worst part of travel is a dead phone with no charging cable in sight. This brilliant power bank solves both problems by including built-in cables for various devices.
Grab this packable down jacket that defies physics, for only £16!
This jacket compresses to almost nothing but is genuinely warm enough for chilly spring or autumn mornings. It’s the just-in-case layer that doesn’t hog your luggage space.
The 3-in-1 “Space Saver” hygiene soap bar for only £7!
Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash all in one hydrating bar. It smells of Cedar Wood and Rosemary and, most importantly, doesn’t count towards your liquid limit. It’s a refreshing, space-saving hero that keeps you feeling clean without the bulk of three different bottles.
Avoid the gate of shame where you have to wear three jumpers to meet the weight limit, with this luggage scale.
This portable scale gives accurate readings and is small enough to pack with you for the return journey. It’s an essential bit for avoiding those sneaky airport fees.
Avoid stressing over notoriously small counter space of hotel bathrooms with this hanging toiletry bag.
This spacious bag features a hanging hook, allowing you to access all your pockets while it’s suspended from a towel rail. It’s an organised, vertical solution that makes small bathrooms feel more functional.
Block out the crying baby three rows back, with these noise-cancelling earbuds on sale for £35!
These earbuds offer noise cancellation that rivals the big brands for a fraction of the cost. With impressive battery life and a snug fit, they’re the only way to survive a long-haul flight with your sanity intact.
Grab these laundry bags, because no one wants their clean shirts smelling like the socks they wore for a city walking tour.
These compact laundry bags keep your dirty laundry isolated without taking up extra space in your bag. It’s a simple, hygienic essential for anyone living out of a carry-on.
Catch some sleep on a red-eye flight with this foldable travel pillow!
Significantly better than a rolled-up jumper, this supportive pillow actually folds into its own handy travel bag. It’s soft, well-made, and provides the neck support you need for comfort.
Keep your valuables close and your hands free with this anti-theft crossbody bag!
This crossbody bag features anti-theft compartments and a long handle for security. It’s the perfect way to carry your phone and wallet through a busy terminal without using up space.
Grab this compact hair dryer for only £15!
This lightweight, compact hair dryer is powerful enough for thick hair and features dual voltage for international use. It’s small enough to tuck into a corner of your bag!
Prevent being pickpocketed abroad, with this RFID-protected wallet for only £18!
Bulky wallets are a pickpocket’s dream. This slim, RFID-protected alternative fits seven cards and folded bank notes while staying perfectly flat in your pocket.
Grab this total black-out sleep mask and earplugs for only £10!
This sleep mask has deep eye indents that protect your lashes while you blink, combined with earplugs and a pouch. It’s a complete sensory-deprivation kit that’s perfect for long-haul flights!
Have peace of mind with this travel-size first aid kit.
This first aid kit is small enough to tuck into the corner of a rucksack, but it has everything you need for minor travel mishaps — better safe than sorry.
Keep your cables neatly packed with this cable organiser.
Stop playing cable spaghetti at the bottom of your bag. This cable organiser has many compartments for chargers, wires, and SD cards. It keeps your cables organised and easy to find, making the dreaded security scan less stressful.