One-Bag Travel Glossary: 14 Terms Explained
The words that show up in one-bag travel specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- 3-1-1 rule
- The US TSA limit for carry-on liquids: containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in one quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger.
- Related: Best Travel-Size Bottles and Liquid Containers for One-Bag Travel →
- Carry-on
- The main bag you bring into the cabin and store in the overhead bin. Size limits vary by airline and are stricter on budget carriers.
- Related: Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for One-Bag Travel →
- Clamshell opening
- A backpack that unzips fully flat like a suitcase, making packing and airport security easier than a top-loader.
- GaN charger
- A charger built with gallium nitride components, smaller and cooler than older chargers at the same wattage.
- Related: Best GaN Travel Chargers for One-Bag Travel →
- Linear inches
- Length plus width plus height of a bag. Some airlines publish a single linear total instead of three separate limits.
- Litres (bag volume)
- How much a bag holds. Many one-bag travellers use 30-40 litres, and 45 litres is roughly the upper limit for many carry-on sizes.
- Load lifters
- Straps between the top of the shoulder straps and the bag that pull weight closer to your back for comfort.
- Merino wool
- A fine wool that resists odour and regulates temperature, so it can be worn several times between washes.
- Related: Best Merino Wool Travel Clothing for One-Bag Travel →
- One-bag travel
- Travelling with only a single carry-on sized bag, usually a backpack, plus sometimes a small personal item.
- Packing cube
- A zippered fabric organizer that groups clothes. Compression cubes squeeze out air to save volume.
- Related: Best Packing Cubes and Compression Sacks for One-Bag Travel →
- Personal item
- A smaller bag that must fit under the seat in front of you, such as a sling, tote or small backpack.
- Related: Best Personal Item Bags and Slings for One-Bag Travel →
- Power bank watt-hours
- Battery capacity used by airlines to set limits. Power banks up to 100 Wh are generally allowed in carry-on luggage and never in checked bags.
- Related: Best Slim Power Banks for Flights and One-Bag Travel →
- RFID blocking
- Material that blocks radio signals from contactless cards. Real-world card skimming risk is low, but the wallets are cheap insurance.
- Related: Best RFID Travel Wallets →
- Sink laundry
- Washing clothes by hand in a hotel sink with soap sheets or travel detergent, which is what makes a small wardrobe work.
- Related: Best Travel Laundry Detergent Sheets →