As airlines tighten weight and size restrictions for cabin baggage, travelers continue to face unexpected fees at the gate when their hand luggage exceeds limits. With some carriers now weighing hand luggage more consistently and charging additional fees for oversized bags, packing smart has become essential for avoiding costly surprises. Paul Stewart, founder of My Baggage, reveals the common items making your hand luggage too heavy or bulky.
“The most expensive packing mistake isn’t prohibited items—it’s the cumulative weight of perfectly allowable items that travelers don’t realize are so heavy. Most people can’t accurately gauge when their bag exceeds 7kg without weighing it.”
Hardcover Books
Many travelers underestimate the weight of reading materials. Hardcover books can weigh over 500g each, with travel guides being particularly heavy. Just three hardbacks can add 1.5kg to your bag—a significant portion of the typical 7-10kg allowance. E-readers weighing under 200g offer the same content at a fraction of the weight.
Full-sized Toiletries
Full-sized toiletries not only risk confiscation but also add unnecessary weight. A standard bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel can collectively weigh over 1kg. Many travelers pack full-sized products despite rarely using the entire contents during their trip, wasting valuable weight allowance on products widely available at destinations.
Heavy Footwear
Additional shoes are among the heaviest items in hand luggage. A pair of trainers can weigh 700g, while boots often exceed 1kg. Packing multiple “just in case” pairs quickly consumes weight allowances. Wearing your heaviest shoes during travel and limiting packed footwear to one versatile additional pair can save significant space and weight.
Multiple Devices
Multiple electronic devices create both weight and bulk issues. Laptops typically weigh 1-2kg, with chargers, adapters, portable speakers, and tablets adding considerable additional weight. Many travelers pack redundant tech—such as both tablets and laptops—when one device could serve multiple purposes.
Excess Clothing
Overpacking clothing remains the most common cause of overweight bags. Heavy items like jeans (700g per pair), hoodies (500g), and sweaters (400g) quickly accumulate weight. The “just in case” mentality leads to packing far more than needed—studies show most travelers wear only 60% of packed clothing.
Paul Stewart, founder of My Baggage reminds us:
We’ve found that travelers routinely overpack by 30-50%, particularly for short trips where versatile clothing would suffice. The last-minute fees for checking oversized hand luggage at the gate are typically three times higher than pre-booking hold luggage.
The smartest approach is weighing your packed bag at home and being ruthless about eliminating heavy items that serve the same purpose as lighter alternatives. This small step can save travelers significant money and stress at the airport.”