⭐ What I’m Packing for Yosemite: My Away Luggage + Athleta Travel Wardrobe
I’m heading to Yosemite next week, and this trip is a little different — I’m testing out brand‑new luggage, switching up my personal‑item setup, and packing for warm weather instead of my usual cruise or city travel.
Everything in this post is what I’m actually taking. Nothing is sponsored. I bought all of it myself — including the new Away pieces I grabbed during that crazy good deal stack we shared in the group.
If you love real‑life packing, smart travel gear, and a peek inside someone else’s suitcase, this one’s for you.
Want to see everything I use on every trip? Here’s my Travel Essentials Hub — my real luggage, gear, and travel favorites.
We rebooked this Yosemite trip for about $320 out of pocket using points and miles — you can see exactly how in my Yosemite booking breakdown.
This blog contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Everything here is based on my personal experience with travel, points, and credit cards and is for educational purposes only. I’m not a financial advisor, so please make sure any card or strategy fits your own budget, goals, and comfort level before applying.
🧳 What Luggage I’m Carrying
Away The Carry‑On (Red)
My new Carry On
I finally added the red Away Carry‑On to my collection after stacking:
a Chase Offer
a referral discount
and portal miles
It was one of my favorite retail stacks ever — and I’ve been dying to take this bag on a real trip.
Why I’m excited to test it:
Lightweight
Rolls like a dream
Fits perfectly in overhead bins
The red is so pretty in person
I also grabbed the matching Away packing cubes in red, and they’re already making my suitcase look more organized than usual.
Away Large Featherlight Tote (Jet Black)
This is my new personal item for the plane, and I’m honestly thrilled about it.
Why I switched to this tote:
It holds my laptop
It’s lightweight
Slides over my suitcase handle
Has structure without being bulky
Big enough for snacks, chargers, and my TSA clear bag
This is my first time traveling with it, so I’ll report back after the trip.
Update After the Trip: I originally planned to use my new Away Featherlight Tote as my personal item… but once I started packing, I realized it was actually too big to fit comfortably under the seat. Luckily, I caught it before leaving for the airport.
I swapped to my Away Overnight Bag, and it ended up being perfect. It slid under every plane seat I tried, kept all my essentials close, and made the whole travel day feel more organized. If you’re flying on smaller aircraft or want guaranteed under‑seat space, I’d choose the Overnight Bag over the Featherlight Tote every time.
One more thing I wish I had packed: a small first‑aid kit. After I fell in Sequoia on day one, I really could’ve used one. I’m adding one to all future national park trips.
👉 Add a compact first‑aid kit to your bag: Amazon First‑Aid Kit
👚 What I’m Wearing + Packing (Athleta + Columbia)
Yosemite is supposed to be warm next week, so I’m keeping it simple and functional
Athleta Shorts
I’m packing:
2 pairs of Athleta shorts
Breathable, quick‑dry, and perfect for hiking or long walks
Athleta Tops
A mix of:
Lightweight tanks
Breathable tees
A couple of moisture‑wicking layers
These are my go‑to travel tops because they don’t wrinkle and they dry fast.
I’m packing a mix of Athleta shorts and tops for this trip — they’re breathable, quick‑dry, and perfect for warm Yosemite days.
Columbia Light Jacket
Lightweight
Packs down small
Perfect for cool mornings or shade in the valley
👖 My Go‑To Jeans for Night: Democracy (Petite‑Friendly + Stomach‑Smoothing)
I’m 5'1", and finding jeans that fit without hemming is… a journey. But Democracy jeans are my ride‑or‑die brand. They fit my short frame perfectly, they hold my stomach in without feeling tight, and they make me feel confident for evenings out — especially when the temperatures drop.
I’m packing my favorite pair for Yosemite because:
They’re comfortable for travel days
They work with sneakers or sandals
They’re flattering (the “Ab” solution panel is magic)
They’re my go‑to for dinner or cooler nights
These are the jeans I reach for every single trip — and yes, they’re an affiliate, but I’ve bought every pair with my own money because they just work.
👉 Shop my go‑to Democracy jeans here: Democracy Jeans
🛍️ Shop My Travel Wardrobe + Gear
🧼 What’s in My Personal Item
Inside the Away Featherlight Tote:
Chargers + cords
Snacks
Sunglasses
Kindle
Laptop
Refillable water bottle
A small pouch for meds + essentials
🧳 Inside My Away Carry‑On
Packed with the red Away cubes:
Athleta shorts + tops
Columbia jacket
Pajamas
Underwear + socks
Toiletries
Portable espresso maker(non‑negotiable)
Extra layers for early mornings
Everything fits with room to spare — which is why I love packing cubes.
✨ What I’ll Review After the Trip
I’ll share a full breakdown when I get back, including:
How the Away Carry‑On handled the trip
Whether the Featherlight Tote is worth it
What I loved from Athleta
What I didn’t end up using
What I’d pack differently next time
If you want that post, tap here: 👉 Read My Post Trip Review
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✨ About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to travel smarter using simple, beginner‑friendly points and miles strategies. She shares real packing lists, practical gear recommendations, and honest travel experiences to help you feel confident planning your next trip.
Follow her daily tips on Facebook and join her Travel Hacking Moms Group — a supportive community where beginners can ask questions, learn, and start saving on their very first trip.
