Almost every conversation at our counter starts the same way. Someone's got a trip coming up, and they want to know two things: what bag do I need, and what do I actually put in it? We've answered those questions in person for years. Now we've built a tool that answers them online, any time, for any trip.
It's called the Carry Index, and it's free. No account, no email, no signup. Try it here →
How it works
Type in where you're going, pick your dates and how many days you'll be away, and tap Build my list.
In a few seconds you get:
- The forecast for your dates. If your trip is within the next two weeks, it's the live forecast. Further out, it shows what the weather was on the same dates last year, so you still know whether to pack for rain or sun.
- The plug type. It tells you whether your US chargers will fit, and adds an adapter to your list if they won't.
- Your bag size. Based on how long you're gone, whether you're carry-on only, and whether you'll do laundry. Plus a few in-stock bags that fit.
- A packing list built from what's actually on our shelves. Packing cubes, toiletry cases, an umbrella if it's going to rain, a warm layer if it's cold. Every item is in stock right now, you can swap between options, and anything you already own, you just tick off.
The part we're proudest of: everything we don't sell
A packing list that only includes things we sell isn't much of a packing list. So under the shopping list there's a section called Also pack: how many tops and bottoms to bring, what to wear on travel day, your passport and meds, a reminder to check entry requirements if you're leaving the country, and a laundry plan if you're gone longer than a few days.
You can sort it by type, or by where things go: what you wear, what goes in the bag, and what stays on you. Tap each item as you pack it.
The thinking behind all of it is in our guide, How to Pack Light for Any Trip, and each section of the list links to the post that explains it.
Not traveling? It does your commute too
Switch to Daily commute and tell it how you get to work: subway, walking, biking or driving, and whether you're hitting the gym after. It checks this week's weather and builds an everyday kit, from a pouch for your keys and earbuds to a shell for rainy bike rides. We wrote more about that in The NYC Commute Kit.
A few tips
- Going to more than one place? Tap "Add another city or country" and it'll check the weather and plugs for each stop.
- Checking a bag? Turn off "Carry-on only" and the list adjusts, including a reminder to keep your meds and chargers with you.
- If a city doesn't come up, add the country or state, like "Portland, Maine".
Tell us what it gets wrong
This is the first version, and we'd love your help making it better. Try your next trip, or try something weird, and let us know what it missed. Email us at support@urbancred.com, tell us on Discord, or just come by the shop in Brooklyn and tell us in person. We read everything, and we'll keep improving it.
