The only kind of baggage I’m letting into my life, is the kind I’m checking or putting in an overhead bin — Boy, bye — and through my travels, I’ve collected a few of my favorites to take along with me.

Personal Item

My current obsession: DIAPER BAGS! This is what happens when all your friends are moms, and you start getting jealous of the amount of snacks those things can hold. As I’ve mentioned in my packing tips post, it’s best to make the most out of your personal item for on your flight, and I’ve found backpacks to be most useful. More specifically, diaper bag backpacks. All the pockets, oh man. For starters, they are twice as deep compared to a standard backpack. Plus, the side pocket is usually significantly larger to hold a baby bottle, so your refillable water bottle can fit more easily without ripping the pocket as it has on all my previous backpacks. The spot for the changing pad? The perfect size to fit a laptop or iPad. Not to mention, since it is made for messy situations, the fabric is easy to wipe clean

Left to right: Skip Hop Greenwich Diaper Bag (Dusty Rose) | Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Bag (Coffee and Cream) \ Parker Baby Diaper Bag

Carry on

This one can go a few different ways, and not gonna lie… I try to avoid a carry-on bag as much as possible. I’m too short to reach the overhead bins and am already embarrassed at the thought of me dropping my things on a stranger’s head. For the few times I do take a carry-on for luggage, I have a couple I’ll rotate between. Depending on my destination determines which I prefer. Mostly, I go with the smallest suitcase in my 3-piece set, though — Ain’t nobody trying to carry all that weight around an airport when you can roll it instead — but for the few group trips that specified to not bring hard luggage, I’ll bring a sturdy duffle bag and just complain the whole time I walk through the airport with it instead. (Tip: Go with a duffle bag that has a shoe compartment to keep things from getting your clothes dirty.)

Left to right: Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffle Bag (Raven Crosshatch) | American Tourist Moonlight Spinner (Marble) | MyMealivos Canvas Weekender Bag

Checked Luggage

When I’m shopping for luggage, I always opt for the 2- or 3-piece set. It just makes sense because you usually end up paying almost the same price for one piece when buying them separate. Plus, it’s always good to have the option to go bigger or smaller. I always aim for the smallest luggage I can take, but sometimes Iceland-in-the-middle-of-winter has a different agenda, and I’m thankful to have the bigger option to fit my 3 pairs of boots and 4 jackets. I also like hardside sets because it makes me feel like my things have extra protection as they get thrown around and stuffed underneath the weight of other 50-lb. bags.

Top to bottom: Coolife Luggage 3-piece Set (Ice Blue) | Rockland Hardside Spinner 3-piece Luggage Set (Rose Gold) | HyBrid Travel 3-piece Luggage Set (White)

Packing Cubes

I swear by these little things. They are so easy, and I don’t waste an hour every day I’m on vacation reorganizing my suitcase anymore. I love just about everything that has to do with organizing, so I was all about these as soon as I discovered packing cubes existed. They were one of the only things I asked for on my birthday even. I like to keep underwear in one, tops in one, and bottoms in a separate one. And you’d be surprised how many outfits you can roll up and fit in them.

Lonew 7pcs Packing Cubes

(Edit: I’ve also since invested in these shoe bags that have been so helpful for keeping things organized and clean!)

Traveling so much over the last few years, I’ve had a lot of trial and error with what works best for me, and I’ve finally collected a solid group of bags. So I hope some of my favorites can be as useful for you as they are for me. And if they’re not, we’ll just forget I ever wrote this then.