carry travel luggage

The Best Carry-On Luggage, Tested & Reviewed By Our Editors

By Madison Flager

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Carry-ons are arguably the piece of luggage travelers pull out most often, whether it's the only bag coming on a weekend trip or used in tandem with a checked suitcase. It also spends the most time with us in transit, which means the functionality is even more important: Are your belongings easy to get to if you need to retrieve something while waiting at your gate? Is there a space to stash whatever item you remember on your way out the door? These are a few of the things Traveler editors considered when sifting through the seemingly endless options on the market. We set out to find the best of the best—bags that are lightweight but still sturdy, have enough space to house clothes, shoes, toiletries, and accessories, and will hold up for many trips to come. After months of testing, these are the pieces we've deemed the best carry-on luggage of 2023.

What we considered:

When testing out carry-on luggage, we asked editors and contributors to consider several factors: How light a bag was on its own, how much it could fit, whether the design and organizational factors were helpful (and aesthetically pleasing), how well it held up in transit, how easy or difficult it is to roll and pick up, whether it's worth the price point, and if there are any unique features that set it apart from other carry-on suitcases or bags they've used.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler' s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

What size can a carry-on bag be?

It depends on which airline you're flying with, but typically, dimensions are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high for domestic airlines (Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines adhere to these figures; American Airlines allows for an extra inch of height, while and Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines's max is 24" x 16" x 10" and Spirit Airlines's allotment is 22" x 18" x 10"). Some airlines provide a single number; dimensions must add up to that number or below to be considered compliant.

International airlines tend to have slightly different size requirements; 21.5" x 15.5" x 9" is typical, but here are some exact specifications by airline:

• Air Canada: 21.5" x 15.5" x 9"
• Air France: 21.6" x 13.7" x 9.8"
• British Airways: 22" x 18" x 10"
• Emirates: 21.6" x 15" x 8.6"
• Lufthansa: 21.6" x 15.7" x 9"
• Qatar Airways: 20" x 15" x 10"
• Singapore Airlines: 45 total inches

What can’t I take in my carry-on?

Liquids over 3.4 ounces (100mL) are not allowed in your carry-on. Additionally, firearms and other potentially hazardous items are prohibited. Check TSA's website for specific items you may have questions about.

Are carry-on bags free?

Again, it depends on which you're flying with and what kind of ticket you purchase. These airlines offer one free carry-on (and one personal item), regardless of what level ticket you bought:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines

While these airlines offer one free carry-on (and one personal item) to all travelers except those who purchased a base fare:

• United Airlines

Top recommendations:

• Best overall carry-on: Paravel The Aviator Carry-On
• Best lightweight carry-on: July Carry-On Light
• Best budget carry-on: Béis The Carry-On Roller
• Best expandable carry-on: Away Carry-On Flex
• Best softside carry-on: Travelpro Platinum Elite softside spinner

Weight: 8.2 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9"

Pros: Glides smoothly even when fully packed, unique look and feel Cons: No external phone charger included, could use an interior pocket along the length of the bag

Luggage brand Paravel has built a dedicated following thanks to its retro Wes Anderson–style designs and use of sustainable materials. The Aviator Carry-On is no different: Available in shades like scout tan, safari green, and scuba navy, it has a recycled polycarbonate shell, recycled zippers, and an interior lining made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles. It's a favorite of senior editor Megan Spurrell : “This is one of two carry-on roller bags I have used regularly for nearly three years—we’ve traveled everywhere from Lisbon to Mexico City to Los Angeles together.” Spurrell has used it for weeklong trips, and notes that it's still in good shape after years of use: “It has definitely gotten scratched up from being thrown into the hull of planes (I have checked it before, even though it’s carry-on), but it has held up well otherwise—there are no cracks in the shell, zipper issues despite how much I have stuffed it, nor sticky wheels.” The one minor flaw: The top handle placement is a bit counterintuitive, placed on the side of the suitcase further from your body.

Weight: 8.36 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 16" x 10"

Pros: Comfortable handle, fairly easy to clean Cons: Although the beige color is incredibly pretty, it gets dirty very quickly; I would recommend a darker color

With a pretty, ribbed design and thoughtful features like a cushioned silicone grip on the handle, you wouldn't guess this is one of the most affordable suitcases on our list. It's been tested by commerce producer Paris Wilson , who used it to pack for her and her boyfriend on a weeklong trip to the Florida Keys; with the help of the expandable zipper, it fit at least 14 outfits as well as four pairs of shoes and two purses. The wheels have stood up to bumpy roads—“We live in downtown Manhattan where cobblestone streets are a staple and we still managed to make it to the subway without any hangups”—and the included pouches come in handy for dirty clothes or even souvenirs. “I’m tempted to buy the remaining luggage to create a set; I would recommend this to anyone who's interested in building their luggage collection but might not know where to start.”

Weight: 7.9 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 15" x 9.5"

Pros: Durable wheels, easy to lift, compression straps Cons: Because of its size, it may be checked on smaller planes or flagged to be checked on planes at full capacity

Away recently upgraded a few of its core suitcases, including The Bigger Carry-On. Updates include an additional zipper compartment, a color-matched interior made of recycled polyester, and an underside grab handle for easy overhead bin lifting. Tested by editorial assistant Jessica Chapel , who has taken it on a flight to New Mexico, a bus ride to New Jersey, and in cars on weekend trips from New York, it's one of the lighter bags on the list at under eight pounds. Compared to her previous suitcase, “It does wonders. Prior to this luggage I often traveled with a checked bag. I can fit almost as much in this suitcase, and it's way more practical—and feels more swift, given the 360-degree wheels.”

Weight: 3.9 lbs. Dimensions: 21" x 14" × 7.5"

Pros: I enjoy the ease with which you can move this piece of luggage around; it feels very zippy Cons: The telescopic handle sometimes sticks

July calls this the lightest double-wheel suitcase in the world, and it is the lightest we've tested here at Traveler at just under four pounds when empty. Research director Alexandra Sanidad has brought it on planes to Phoenix, Arizona, and Portland, Oregon, and on an Amtrak to Woodstock, New York; she says “it's very cute and fits nicely in tight spaces,” and is a “good price for a sturdy, colorful, functional suitcase.” As for what it fits, light packers can fit a week’s worth of clothing in here; if you’re bringing multiple day and night outfits, plan for a weekend’s worth.

Weight: 11.1 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 9"

Pros: Extremely functional and stylish, glides smoothly even when full Cons : It’s a little large for a carry-on; I've had to check it twice so far

Tumi bags are an investment—at over $1,000, this is one of the priciest bags on our list of the best carry-on luggage—but for frequent business travelers or those looking for a lifelong investment piece, it might be the bag for you. It's gone with former Traveler editor Alex Erdekian on trips to Mexico, Italy and France, a bachelorette party at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, and Boston. She calls it “the most beautiful suitcase I’ve owned,” and appreciates the “zipper expansion that drastically increases the depth of the suitcase,” as well as the “sneaky zipper around the front that allows you to pull out clothes quickly.” It is one of the heavier bags on the list, though, and Erdekian says she's had difficulty lifting it overhead when full. Also of note: It comes with a five-year warranty, and can be customized with a monogram or set of “pop of color” accessories.

Weight: 6.53 lbs. Dimensions: 21.5" x 15" x 9.5"

Pros: Budget-friendly, very lightweight Cons: Since its design is pretty plain, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing suitcase on our list

This hardside carry-on with spinner wheels and a built-in TSA lock has racked up rave reviews on Amazon, like this one: “It fit an odd amount of stuff in it. It's like a clown car. It has compartments and zippers that keep things separate and organized. It holds up well and is really good looking. It's absolutely worth every penny. I'm purchasing more for the rest of the family.” Traveler editor Meaghan Kenny agrees, calling it an overpacker's dream bag. The hardside spinner comes in black, navy, bright blue, and orange.

Weight: 8.1 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 15" x 10.3"

Pros: The front zipper is such a plus, with lots of sections for organizing Cons: The color range isn’t huge—I wish they alternated in more shades

This Arlo Skye zipper-front suitcase has gone on many trips with Spurrell —she alternates between this and a Paravel carry-on, and this one has been to Peru, upstate New York, and Montauk: “I take it as a carry-on for most flights—from weekend trips to weeklong getaways—because it’s surprisingly roomy, with an organized front pocket that I can easily stow essentials like my laptop, book, and magazines in.” Sleek yet durable, it comes with a removable charger (boasting both USB C and USB A ports), two shoe bags, a laundry bag, and a cotton storage cover. The aesthetics are a plus, too: “I love the design of this bag—it feels like a reliable, sleek rolling bag, with design you’ll never get tired of.”

Weight: 7.8 lbs. Dimensions: 23.5" x 14.5" x 9"

Pros: Expandable design, multiple exterior pockets Cons: Some travelers may prefer a clamshell opening; may be too large for some international flights

Every inch counts—especially if you're traveling with just a carry-on—and softside luggage offers a little more give than hard-shell bags. This expandable pick has a telescopic handle, spinner wheels for easy gliding, and an external USB port for charging your devices. It's earned an “Amazon's Choice” distinction thanks to its consistently high reviews and competitive pricing (its larger size, which has many similar internal features, is a favorite of former Traveler editor Louis Cheslaw). The suitcase is available in several shades (including black, Bordeaux, and true navy) and three carry-on sizes (19-, 20-, and 21-inches).

Weight: 8.15 lbs. Dimensions: 21.7" x 13.7" x 9"

Pros: Expandable, easy to roll Cons: Scuffs easily, no exterior pockets

Go one step further, space-wise, with this expandable suitcase, which gives you an additional 2.25" of packing space when needed. Traveler 's global associate director of audience development Lara Kramer has used this bag for trips as long as a week (including a trip to London ), and noted how smoothly it rolled across almost any surface, thanks to its 360-degree spinner wheels. “The joy of this luggage is its simplicity,” she says. “It's a pretty straightforward design, but what it does, it does very well: glide smoothly and easily with its 360-degree spinner wheels and provide the luxury of expanding to add more room if needed. Between my husband and I, one of us is always snagging it as our main carry-on.” Kramer recommends choosing a unique color for your bag, or adding your favorite sticker to the outer hard shell to help it stand out, and notes the inevitable scuffs can look pretty jarring against the black colorway.

Weight: 12.5 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9"

Pros: Very easy to store, even in small places; soft handle grip Cons: Expandable mechanism can be tricky to lock into place

The designers at Béis knew what they were doing when they built this soft-sided expandable carry-on , a favorite of senior commerce editor Madison Flager . It's a big space saver for people with minimal closet or storage space, and yet still fits plenty when expanded—enough for a long weekend to five-day trips. An exterior front pocket holds a laptop sleeve, pocket to place a portable charger (and a small hole to slip the charging cord through), plus a key clip. Smooth-rolling wheels and a soft hand cushion on the underside of the handle are great touches, too.

Weight: 7.16 lbs. Dimensions: 21.5" x 14" x 9"

Pros: Responsive handle, very lightweight Cons: No exterior pockets for added storage

Lightweight with a rugged exterior, frequent traveler Patrick Thompson noted that this bag “seems like it would hold up to the hustle and bustle of an airport, getting jammed into an overhead compartment, and any excessive packing into the trunk of a car.” He's been using it regularly for over a year, bringing it on trips as long as two weeks (Argentina and Italy), as well as long weekend trips to Utah, Georgia, and Florida, and while it has gotten scuffed, it's still in good shape, and is a bag he'd recommend to other travelers. “I love the color and that it's very lightweight. I find it to be easily rollable when traveling.” While there is “a stealth pocket on the top corner that holds smaller items, which can be very useful and convenient while trudging through the airport,” he hasn't often utilized the front exterior zipper, which is meant for easy access to the main compartment, and would prefer another exterior pocket in place of it.

Weight: 10 lbs. Dimensions: 20" x 14" x 7.9"

Pros: Built-in garment folder, interior compression system, exterior pockets Cons: Doesn't roll as easily when full

Senior features editor Rebecca Misner calls this suitcase “a professional travelers’ dream carry-on: very sturdy, and full of bells and whistles that actually make packing easier.” Briggs & Riley's signature expansion system allows travelers to press a button and pull up on a lever in the main compartment to expand the suitcase sides vertically. “Once you’re packed and zipped, you just push down on the exterior sides to compress.” Other notable features include mesh interior pockets, a built-in garment folder with a foam roll bar that keeps clothes from wrinkling, and unassuming SpeedThu pocket pockets on the exterior made to fit a passport and boarding pass—with a bright orange lining that signals when the pocket is open (meaning your important docs are at risk).

Weight: 9.9 lbs. Dimensions: 14" x 22" x 9.5" Pros: Keeps dress clothes wrinkle-free, exterior pocket to hold documents or other small items Cons: May not be large enough to be your only suitcase on a trip

Heading to a wedding or business trip ? Kramer vouches for this compact Travelpro garment bag. “The lay-flat garment bag design is the real gem of this carry-on. It holds way more than you think—and arriving with all of your dresses and shirts wrinkle-free is a huge game changer.” The durable nylon fabric, made with a Duraguard coating, is a bonus, too.

Weight: 7.9 lbs. Dimensions: 22.8" x 9.4" x 15"

Pros: Smooth-rolling wheels, built-in phone charger, antimicrobial lining Cons: Scratched easily on first use

Tested by destinations editor Shannon McMahon , who prefers to travel with expandable hard-side spinners, this one stands out for “its super roomy packing capacity and its smooth-rolling wheels.” It's become her go-to carry-on after first using it for a four-day getaway last year with room to spare ( even after buying souvenirs ). Smart features of the utilitarian bag include a built-in phone charger, zippered laundry compartment, oversized mesh organizational pockets, and antimicrobial lining. The exterior scratched surprisingly easily on that first trip, but beyond that it hasn't seen much damage: “It's not a fight against scratches on the outside like I thought it would be, it seems like it was just a first-use thing.” The bag's biggest pros: Its packing power and its ultra-lightweight—“it's light as a feather when empty,” McMahon says.

Weight: 6.06 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" Pros: Wheels smoothly, easy to carry around Cons: Laptop sleeve doesn't fit much else, so if not using it, feels like an unnecessary use of space

Frequent traveler Katie Thompson has been using this suitcase for over a year, bringing it to Italy, Argentina, Florida, upstate New York, and Savannah, and calls it “an organizer's dream.” The Samsonite carry-on is loaded with zip pockets and mesh nets to give every item its own place. Thompson says it “can comfortably fit a week's worth of clothing if you are a light packer, but is probably best for a weekend trip,” and notes it rolls easily and in all directions. Another perk: The hardshell exterior has built in patterns that help to hide any scratches, though it has gotten some scuffs with time. Overall, it is “sleek, unique, and compact,” though overall storage is on the smaller side: “The additional pockets on the top side make the inside smaller,” Thompson says. “It fits less than my previous carry-on, but I still managed 10 days in Italy with it.”

Weight: 8.25 lbs. Dimensions: 21" x 13.5" x 9.5" Pros: Front pocket for last-minute items, plenty of interior compartments Cons: Limited color options, no expansion

Hard-shell bags with a front pocket are few and far between, but this Calpak bag makes a strong case for it. Executive editor Erin Florio says she “actually [looks] forward to packing this thing;” while she was worried about its size at first glance, after traveling with it, she says smart packers could pack for up to 10 days with it. “The inner compartments make it really easy to organize all your items, from shoes to laundry to toiletries, which helps you fit in more,” she says. As for that exterior pocket, it can fit a laptop, hardcover book, and magazines.

Weight: 6.3 lbs. Dimensions: 23" H x 14.5" W x 9.5" D Pros: Lightweight and fits a lot of clothing including shoes Cons: Hard to lift when heavy. Also hard to clean/get scuffs out

Recommended by associate social media manager Kayla Brock , this expandable carry-on has a mesh zip compartment and zip-lock compartments inside, which make organizing clothes, accessories, and toiletries easy. She has brought it to North Dakota, Europe, New York, Zanzibar, Seattle, Jamaica, Chicago, Colorado, and the Cayman Islands, packing for as long as three weeks with it (though in winter time, it's better suited for weekend trips). “Although it originally looks like my clothes wouldn’t fit (I’m guilty of overpacking), the suitcase closed with ease,” Brock says. In the year-plus that she's been using it, it has gotten some scuffs and discoloration on certain parts of the body, and the zippers have bent a little; however, Brock still strongly recommends it: “Out of all the suitcases I have this is my absolute favorite and without a doubt the one that I take with me on a trip.”

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Travel lighter and easier with these suitcases

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TripSavvy / Tamara Staples

These days, with more and more airlines charging fees for checked bags, many travelers are choosing to limit themselves to a carry-on whenever they can. This means it’s more important than ever to purchase a bag tough enough to withstand being hauled in and out of overhead compartments—yet light and spacious enough to give you the greatest amount of packing space possible. Handy extras range from TSA-approved locks and integrated luggage scales to USB ports for keeping your devices charged in transit. 

With so many brands and styles out there, choosing the right suitcase can seem overwhelming. To make it a little easier, we tested 41 of the most popular options in our testing lab. We put them through their paces and scored them for attributes, including capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and value.

Final Verdict

How we tested, other carry-on luggage we tested.

• What To Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, samsonite freeform carry-on spinner.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Superior movement

Built to handle rigors of travel

Effortlessly cool

Not enough zippered pockets

An instant favorite with our testing team, the Samsonite Freeform Carry-On is made of injection-molded polypropylene for a hardside case that’s exceptionally lightweight, durable, and impact-resistant. It stood up well to our baseball bat test with barely any scuffs—so much so that we’d feel confident if we had to check it. We loved its minimal, ultra-modern aesthetic and found that it had sufficient space for everything on our packing list, even without employing the expansion feature. 

Potential purchasers should be aware that although the expansion feature is a definite bonus, overstuffing the suitcase could make it exceed some airline carry-on restrictions. We felt the interior organization options were good, with a cross ribbon, divider, and several pockets. The only downside was that there was only one zippered pocket, meaning you’d have to choose whether to separate shoes or dirty laundry. 

The suitcase has four 360-degree double spinner wheels for flawless maneuverability, and we found that it had the best glide of any bag we tested. It was easier to operate on two wheels over bumps, but transitioning between two- and four-wheeled use was a breeze. The suitcase also features a multi-stage handle with a wider grip for added comfort; a recessed, TSA-approved combination lock; and a built-in ID tag. Colors range from classic black to silver or sky blue. Finally, your purchase includes a limited 10-year global warranty. 

Dimensions: 21.25 x 15.25 x 10 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

Tamara Staples

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Travelpro platinum elite carry-on spinner.

• Capacity 4.7 /5
• Design 4.5 /5

Easy to maneuver

Solid, adjustable handle

Excellent impact and scratch resistance

Capacity could be more generous

Power bank sold separately

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Carry-On is a relatively expensive option; however, a 100 percent polycarbonate shell with reinforced aluminum corner guards makes it impressively durable and, therefore, worth the investment. Even after multiple drop tests and bat beatings, we could see no visible signs of damage. The textured finish should help reduce the visibility of scuffs or scratches, keeping your luggage looking brand new for longer. Exterior highlights include an integrated TSA lock and USB-A and USB-C charge ports. 

This suitcase benefits from Travelpro’s famous PrecisionGlide System, with eight self-aligning spinner wheels and a PowerScope Lite handle with four height settings. We found it incredibly smooth and easy to navigate and particularly liked the handle’s sturdy feel and textured grip. When it came to packing, we had to use the expansion feature to fit everything in, which made it a tight squeeze getting the bag into an overhead compartment. However, we liked the zippered divider panel and water-resistant toiletries section.

Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Wheels: 8 | Expandable: Yes

Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Amazon basics hardside spinner.

Minimalist, sleek aesthetic

Functional internal division

Easily handles any terrain out there

No TSA-approved lock

The AmazonBasics 21-inch spinner retails for well under $100, making it the most affordable option on this list. Despite its modest price tag, it surpassed our expectations on every test, making it an exceptional value for the money. It features a thick ABS plastic shell with a scratch-resistant, textured finish. We loved the simple sleekness of its design and the four bold colors to choose from, including black, navy blue, light blue, and orange. 

Four double-spinner wheels provide smooth maneuverability in any direction, with the suitcase performing admirably over bumps, obstacle courses, and smooth and carpeted surfaces during our testing process. The fully lined interior is expandable by up to 15 percent, although we didn’t have to use this feature to fit everything in. We particularly liked the built-in organizer with its three separate zippered pockets and the compression straps that kept all our belongings in place. The durable zippers and a sturdy handle complete the bag’s list of attributes.

Dimensions: 22 x 14.9 x 10 inches | Weight: 6.3 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

Samsonite Omni PC Carry-on

• Capacity 4.5 /5
• Maneuverability 3.8 /5

Great resilience to cosmetic damage

Ample packing space from the outset

Simple yet effective internal layout

Wheels are too small

The Samsonite Omni PC Carry-On may retail for roughly double the price of our budget pick, but it's still considerably cheaper than many of the suitcases on this list and combines durability, capacity, and lightness to provide impressive value for the money. It features a 100 percent polycarbonate shell with micro-diamond texturing for extreme scratch resistance (even after our rigorous testing, it showed no visible scratches). And it's protected by Samsonite's generous 10-year global warranty—just one of many things we love about Samsonite luggage .

We found we could fit everything in without using the suitcase's expansion feature. However, it was still a tight fit in the overhead compartment, so it's a good idea to check the exact requirements of your favorite airline before purchasing. We liked the organizational features—namely, a zippered divider and compression straps. The only drawback was the undersized spinner wheels, which caught easily on ruts (but performed well on carpet and sharp turns). The handle has two height settings, and the integrated lock is TSA-compliant. 

Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 7.05 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

Best Softside

Travelpro platinum elite 21-inch expandable carry-on.

• Organization 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.9 /5

Made to last from premium fabrics

Plenty of storage solutions

Smart capabilities

Relatively expensive

If you’re looking for a softside carry-on, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is an excellent pick, featuring high-density nylon with a DuraGuard coating that resists stains and abrasions. This showed up during our durability tests, and the suitcase survived completely unscathed. With its genuine leather accents and chrome zippers, we feel this is a quality investment likely to endure long enough to justify its high price tag. As a bonus, it includes a built-in USB charge port with an external power bank pocket that adheres to FAA regulations. 

We did have to use the tip-resistant expansion feature to make space for everything on our packing list, which made the bag significantly larger. However, we really appreciated the thoughtful interior organization features, including two separate compartments, a deluxe tie-down system, and integrated accessory pockets. There’s even a removable, quart-sized wet bag for your toiletries and a fold-out suiter. Other highlights include Travelpro’s renowned PrecisionGlide System and a choice of elegant colors such as Bordeaux and Rich Espresso. 

Dimensions: 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Wheels: 8 | Expandable: Yes

TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

Best Hardside

Samsonite outline pro carry-on spinner.

Samsonite 

• Maneuverability 3.5 /5

Chic and streamlined 

Great choice of storage compartments

Several nice-to-have features

Rolled less smoothly than others

We loved the ultra-modern, contoured design of the Samsonite Outline Pro’s polypropylene shell, which not only looked excellent but also protected it entirely from scratches and dents during our testing process. The case also stands out for its integrated extras, including a USB charge port and a TSA-approved lock, while an interior lined with fabric made from recycled plastic bottles wins points for sustainability and a 10-year limited global warranty affords peace of mind.

We were able to pack everything without using the expansion feature and loved this suitcase’s intuitive organization options. These include a KompressPak panel to keep your belongings in place and two integrated, zippered pockets (one of which is waterproof for any damp items). The bag was slightly let down by its movement, which was clunkier than expected on all four wheels. However, the molded trolley handle is height-adjustable and infused with an additive to help reduce germs. 

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 10 inches | Weight: 6.39 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

Best for Business Travel

Béis the carry-on roller.

• Durability 2.5 /5

Outstanding organization

Simple to move

Resilient, attractive exterior

Somewhat unwieldy on four wheels

The Béis Carry-On Roller is an excellent fit for frequent business travelers, with an ultra-lightweight and durable virgin polycarbonate shell that’s easy to roll, drag, and lift while also withstanding extensive rough handling. The appealing 3D stripe design and range of sophisticated colors (from beige to dusky pink) ensure you’ll also earn style points with your colleagues. We found the Hinomoto 360-degree spinner wheels turned tightly and rolled smoothly over bumps, while the handle’s cushioned silicone grip was infinitely comfortable. 

Perhaps best of all is this suitcase’s thoughtfully designed interior, which features multiple zippered flaps, pockets, and pouches for everything from small essentials to shoes and laundry. In fact, the storage options were so comprehensive our tester wished they could exceed our maximum points score on this front. Other highlights include a 2-inch expansion feature, a retractable strap for attaching your purse, a weight limit indicator, and a TSA lock. Lastly, the suitcase comes with the brand’s limited lifetime warranty. 

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 8.36 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

TripSavvy / Leticia Almeida

Best Organization

Away the bigger carry-on flex.

• Durability 4 /5

All around fluid movement

Great choice for overpackers

Comes with sponge for removing scratches

Not a budget pick

If you’re the traveler who always needs more packing space—for last-minute items from home or souvenirs bought on your trip—you’ll love The Bigger Carry-On Flex from Away. Built using durable polycarbonate with stylish leather details, it fits 20 percent more than the brand’s standard carry-on and expands to reveal an additional 2.25 inches of space (although utilizing it may mean you have to check the bag on some airlines). An interior compression system helps you to fit even more. 

On the inside, the lining is removable—handy for washing out any accidental spills. We enjoyed the multiple organization compartments, including a hidden laundry bag designed to keep dirty clothes separate. The suitcase survived our durability tests intact and also aced our maneuverability trials. We found that the 360-degree spinner wheels glided smoothly, turned easily, and functioned just as well whether we were using two or four of them. Choose from a range of eye-catching colors and enjoy a 100-day trial and free shipping.

Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

Conor Ralph

Best Sustainable

Paravel aviator carry-on plus.

• Durability 4.5 /5

Entirely carbon neutral 

Frictionless wheels for a super smooth ride

Great capacity and interior layout

No expansion feature

Paravel is a brand with sustainability at its core, and the Aviator Carry-On Plus is no exception. The carbon emissions involved in sourcing, producing, and shipping the bag are all offset—as is its first trip with you. Materials are all sustainable, from the recycled polycarbonate shell with its recycled vegan leather trim to the lining made from 15 recycled plastic bottles. And you won’t be sacrificing anything in terms of style, thanks to the chic two-tone color scheme and the test-proven scuff-hiding finish. 

Although this carry-on doesn’t expand, we were able to fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. We loved the luxurious, impeccably organized interior, which boasts a compression board, pockets, and a removable laundry bag. The suitcase was also incredibly easy to maneuver, thanks to 360-degree wheels with carbon steel bearings that rolled like a dream. Other pros include a TSA lock and Paravel’s five-year warranty, making this purchase well worth it for those with the cash to spare. 

Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: No

Best Design

July carry on pro snapsleeve.

• Value 4.5 /5

External laptop sleeve 

Smart features

Sturdy, quiet wheels for a smooth glide

The compression system could be more effective 

Made from crush-proof polycarbonate that stood up well to our durability tests, the July Carry-On Pro represents the next generation of carry-on suitcases. Its most exciting feature is the detachable SnapSleeve, a padded 16-inch laptop compartment with space for documents and an extra zippered pocket that uses magnets to click into place on the outside of the suitcase. Want to store your bag overhead but keep your laptop with you? No more rummaging around in the aisle.

You can also charge your laptop and phone using the ejectable battery with its USB and FastCharge USB-C ports. The bag fits everything on our packing list, with a Twin-Strap compression system and hidden laundry bag. We especially loved how well the suitcase rolled on cement and rough surfaces, with four SilentMove wheels that never caught or got stuck. Other highlights include a 20-height telescopic handle, a TSA lock, and the ability to personalize—either with text or an illustration of your pet.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: No

Best Durability

Monos carry on plus spinner.

• Design 4 /5
• Maneuverability 4 /5

Durable exterior

Excellent capacity and organization

Gorgeous colors

Movement could be improved

The Monos Carry-On Plus is a looker with its premium materials, vegan leather details, and beautiful color choices like Desert Taupe and Rose Quartz. Not just a pretty face, though, it’s also incredibly tough, with an aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell that withstood multiple drop tests and bat beatings without sustaining anything more than easily removable scuff marks. Its longevity is proven by the fact it comes with a lifetime warranty. All details, from the YKK zippers to the sturdy telescopic handle, are top quality. 

We loved the suitcase’s interior too. We felt it was beautifully made and were impressed with how much we were able to fit. The clamshell design features a zippered panel on one side for keeping shoes or dirty laundry separate, while the other uses a compression pad and ballistic nylon straps to keep your belongings firmly in place. The only downside was the case’s maneuverability. We felt it was relatively hard to turn, and it worked better on two wheels than four.

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 7.38 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: No

Best Splurge

Tumi continental dual access carry-on.

Spacious interior with superb layout

Seamlessly glides over any terrain 

Comes with Tumi Tracer

Exorbitant price tag

Retailing at more than $1,000, the Tumi Continental Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On is undoubtedly a splurge (and one our tester found difficult to justify despite its excellent performance). However, if you’re looking for a suitcase that’s as much a status symbol as a luggage item, this is it. It features Tumi’s proprietary FXT ballistic nylon with a unique weave and special, extra-durable coating. The benefit was clear after our durability tests, of which the bag showed no evidence of damage. 

It opens two ways: clamshell style and via a front lid, both with quality security zippers. With three exterior pockets, multiple interior pockets, and dividers (including a removable garment sleeve), it’s the organized packer’s dream. We loved that we could fit everything without using the expansion feature and that it slid easily into the overhead compartment. Four dual spinner wheels and a premium telescoping handle guarantee a smooth roll over all surfaces, while extras range from a USB port to optional monogramming. 

Dimensions: 22.0 x 16.0 x 9.0 inches | Weight: 11.7 pounds | Wheels: 4 | Expandable: Yes

The Samsonite Freeform Spinner earns first place among our testers thanks to its exceptional maneuverability, chic aesthetics, and long-lasting build. A close second, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Spinner is easy to control and includes functional extras.

All carry-on luggage was tested in our purpose-built laboratory. First, bags were packed with a prescribed list of items to reflect what one might take on a four-day sightseeing trip in the fall . During the packing process, organization features and component quality were evaluated. Once full, we tested how well the suitcase rolled over a variety of terrains (smooth concrete, carpet, and gravel) before using an obstacle course designed to simulate a busy airport terminal to test maneuverability. 

Next, we lifted the luggage into a simulated overhead compartment to check fit and how easy it was to pick it up and set it down again. Finally, we subjected the suitcase to stringent durability tests, including pushing it off the top of a shelving unit and beating it with a baseball bat. Both tests were repeated to check all areas of the bag for weaknesses. Based on these tests, we gave each product a score from 1 to 5 for capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and value. These scores determined our category winners. 

In all, we tested 41 pieces of carry-on luggage. The top performers are those included above. Here are some other pieces we deemed as honorable mentions:

Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max with Front Pocket : This suitcase performed quite well in our tests, particularly in terms of durability, capacity, and maneuverability, but the internal organization could be better and the price tag was a bit high.

Bric's Bellagio V2.0 21" Carry-On Spinner Trunk : Stylish, tough as nails, and stellar organization capacity are a few things we loved about the Bellagio. Our tester subtracted some points because the toiletry bag didn't fit and the price tag leaned toward the higher end.

Briggs & Riley Sympatico Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner 22" : For frequent travelers who can invest a bit more upfront for an extremely durable suitcase, this is a no-brainer. The interior featured a less-than-intuitive expansion feature and our tester struggled with the zippers.

COOLIFE Carry On with Pocket : We couldn't fault the long-lasting build or the value of this pick. Though generally a solid option, we noticed the maneuverability was lacking (performing some tasks better on two wheels and some on four), and the internal compartment made packing bulky items a bit more complicated.f

What to Look For in Carry-On Luggage

Although weight restrictions for carry-on bags vary depending on the airline you’re flying with, the aircraft size, and your travel class, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that limits can be as strict as just 11 pounds. Therefore, the weight of your empty carry-on affects how much you’ll be able to pack within it and is an essential factor to consider. Different materials and designs affect luggage weight; generally, polypropylene is the lightest choice for hardside cases, while nylon and polyester are favorite lightweight picks for softside cases. 

Maneuverability

Imagine you’re late for your plane and need to run through a crowded airport terminal , dodging fellow passengers as you go. You need a carry-on that rolls effortlessly, whether pushing it in front of you or pulling it behind you and one that can turn instantly in any direction. For the best maneuverability, always choose a suitcase with four wheels instead of two, and make sure they’re the spinning kind that offers seamless, 360-degree movement. Good quality wheels and a sturdy telescoping handle will give you the same maneuverability on various terrains. 

Organization

Even the most basic carry-ons will typically have at least one interior pouch or pocket, usually for separating dirty laundry or shoes or for stashing smaller items so they’re easy to find. More sophisticated options include multiple pockets of varying sizes and materials (perhaps a waterproof one for damp items), zippered dividers that split your packing space in two, and fold-out suiters or removable garment bags. Exterior pockets are typically reserved for softsided bags and can help stash passports and other documents you need to keep handy.

Hard vs. Soft Luggage

Hardside and softside cases have pros and cons, and which is better is primarily a matter of personal preference.

Hardside cases generally offer a trendier and more modern aesthetic, provide better weather resistance, are easier to clean, and protect delicate items with their rigid frame. However, they tend to show more wear and tear on their sleek exteriors than softside bags, so if you're choosing purely based on looks, keep that in mind. Also, hardside bags tend to have fewer pockets and organizational features.

Softside cases are more able to withstand rough handling since they won’t dent or crack and are often lighter and more flexible. The latter means that you have more wiggle room if you tend to overstuff your bag or need to pack odd-shaped items. However, if you're packing fragile items in a softside bag, you need to do so with extra caution as the soft exterior won't provide much protection from drops or hard landings. For breakables, we recommend packing in a hardside bag that can better protect items inside.

Dimensions vary from airline to airline (and sometimes from plane to plane), but the IATA gives the general rule that dimensions should not exceed 22 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 10 inches in depth. These dimensions include any exterior pockets, wheels, and handles, albeit with the telescoping handle retracted. 

A smart bag is any bag with integrated tech capabilities. Most often for carry-on bags, this means a built-in battery pack that powers a USB charge port so you can keep your electronics going throughout your journey. Be aware that the battery should be removable in case you have to check your bag since lithium-ion batteries cannot be put in the hold.

Before cleaning your bag, you should check the manufacturer’s guidelines since the process will differ depending on the materials. However, you can generally use a soft-bristled brush (softside luggage) or a damp cloth (soft and hardside luggage) to spot-clean any dirt or stains. Dry your bag entirely before storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. 

Jessica Macdonald is TripSavvy’s Africa travel expert. After traveling across six continents for everything from scientific expeditions to gap year adventures, family vacations, and across-the-world emigration, she’s well-versed in the art of packing the perfect carry-on bag and knows which features are most helpful.

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The Very Best Carry-on Luggage

From duffel bags and rolling suitcases to roomy backpacks..

In this article

• Best carry-on luggage overall
• Best less expensive
• Best polycarbonate cases
• Best aluminum case
• Best softside
• Best mixed-material
• Best duffels
• Best backpacks

As someone who hasn’t checked a bag in more than five years of travel across the U.S. and abroad, I’ve thought a lot about what makes a good piece of carry-on luggage. A summertime European vacation calls for a sturdy wheeled suitcase, whereas backpacks will suit more rugged trips. Either way, the best carry-ons should be both capacious and easy to keep organized, with handy pockets and compartments. I prefer a carry-on that looks good, too, as I often take it out and about with me on the last day of my trip.

When it comes to shopping for luggage — especially online — it’s tough to know where to look and whether a suitcase will fit everything that you need inside. Luckily, my colleagues and I have tested all of these suitcases and bags ourselves, while also seeking advice from travel experts and frequent fliers about what they recommend. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best personal item bags , the best toiletry bottles , and the best Dopp kits for men .

What we’re looking for

Weight and capacity.

Most major U.S. airlines agree on the limits of a carry-on’s size (22 inches long by 14 inches wide by 9 inches high, to be exact). All the luggage on our list meets those requirements, so I’ve instead specified liter capacity, as well as the weight of each piece when completely empty.

Hard-sided or soft-sided

All the cases featured here have spinner wheels, making them easier to maneuver, and most of them are hard-sided. With bags (which on this list, are all soft-sided), I’ve specified which kinds of straps and padding they have, as you’ll need to think about how they distribute the weight of your stuff.

Compartments

Again, this comes down to personal preference, and you may have your own system to keep your essentials organized. But if you’re anything like me and you need to frantically check for your passport every five minutes, various pockets are really handy. They’ll also help you easily grab your laptop and liquids when heading through security.

I’ve highlighted the warranty on each carry-on and the kinds of damage it covers. Most companies I’ve listed will fix faults that are due to manufacturing defects, but general wear and tear isn’t covered.

Best carry-on overall

Weight and capacity: 7.5lbs, 7.9 lbs, 39.8 liter, 47.9 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Organizational compartments, laundry bag | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

The Away carry-on has been recommended to us by travel experts time and time (and time) again, and several Strategist staffers are proud owners. I’ve been testing the Bigger Carry-on, which has a 50-liter capacity yet still fits in most overhead bins, over the past couple of months. Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths, who lives in Europe (where airline luggage requirements are much stingier), has been testing the original, smaller size and is surprised by how much she can fit into it. Both sizes are lightweight and minimalist, helping you avoid nasty extra fees at the check-in counter.

I think the Away carry-on’s spinner wheels are its most underrated design feature. Griffiths’s street in London is cobblestoned, so she previously dreaded lugging suitcases along it. “But the sturdy wheels meant the Away didn’t rattle as much as I’d anticipated,” she says. And on flat surfaces, just a flick from my finger sends the case gliding.

The brand’s warranty is also worth noting. Strategist editor Maxine Builder’s internal zipper broke in March 2019, and she emailed Away to ask if this damage was covered. “There was a fair bit of back-and-forth over the next four months,” she says. “But I ended up with a replacement suitcase in exactly the same limited-edition colorway with the same hand-painted monogram, all for free.”

Best less-expensive carry-on

Weight and capacity: 6.2lbs, 6.7 lbs, 40 liter, 48 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Organizational compartments, laundry bag | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Quince , the five-year-old start-up that seems to make a little bit of everything, recently added rolling luggage to its growing inventory (which also happens to include my favorite set of linen sheets ). In terms of weight and feel, Quince’s affordable cabin suitcases are surprisingly similar to Away’s. They come in two sizes, both a smidge larger yet more lightweight than their more expensive competitors. Both are made from polycarbonate, which is the most durable form of suitcase plastic. When I nudged an Away Bigger Carry-on and Quince Carry-on across my apartment floor side by side, their wheels carried them about the same distance, and their retractable handles are almost identical in form and function. Both brands use YKK zippers and TSA-approved combination locks. Inside, the compression compartments and removable laundry bag are also essentially the same. And Quince recently introduced a limited lifetime warranty on its suitcases that offers protection against defects like broken handles and zippers — mimicking Away’s famous replacement guarantee.

Best ABS carry-on

Weight and capacity: 7.3 lbs, 37 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Compressed compartments | Warranty: Three-year warranty

This budget-friendly case is a favorite of writer Robin Reetz . It’s cheaper than the options above because it’s made from ABS, which is a less durable plastic than polycarbonate. But when Griffiths tested it, she was struck by how durable the shell felt (and even punched it a few times for good measure, to a satisfying thud sound).

Although the case is made of cheaper materials, both Reetz and Griffiths found that its compartments and 360-degree spinner wheels perform very well. “It’s really perfect for a weekend or a four-to-five-day trip,” Reetz says. “I’ve traveled recently with friends who have Away and Delsey luggage, and all of them are now thinking about getting this bag.” It feels noticeably smaller, though, and as Griffiths was attempting to squeeze her boots inside, she did find herself longing for the extra few liters of her Away case.

Best mid-size carry-on

Weight and capacity: 7.5 lbs, 46 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Hidden laundry bag | Warranty: Lifetime warranty  

Meanwhile, Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell favors this polycarbonate case from July that’s slightly larger than Away’s The Carry-on and slightly smaller than Away’s The Bigger Carry-on. “I’ve never had an issue with mine fitting in an overhead cabin, and it’s been roomy enough to hold clothes for an outfit-change-heavy weekend in Miami and a weeklong trip to my parents’ house over the holidays,” she says. She’s also impressed by the bag’s silent wheels: “I used to only Uber to JFK because dragging my suitcase to the subway and getting stuck on every uneven patch of sidewalk in Brooklyn was infuriating. Now I have no problem rolling it wherever.” Even though it’s on the larger side — when Griffiths tested it, she had room for an extra pair of boots as well as her regular packing list — the bag just about squeezes through airline carry-on restrictions. It also comes with an ejectable battery (which had more than enough juice to fully recharge my iPhone 13). Much like the Away, the July case is easy to wipe clean, but its color range has a little more to offer — particularly its seasonal shades, which right now include a dreamy sky blue and neon green.

Best statusy carry-on

Weight and capacity: 7.1 lbs, 37 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Flexible compartments | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

A Rimowa case is like the Frette sheets of luggage: luxurious but expensive. Part of the luxury is how it streamlines common annoyances. It slots seamlessly into overhead bins and glides through the airport on its resilient spinner wheels. Taymoor Atighetchi , the founder and CEO of Papier , put it simply: “Nothing beats Rimowa’s smooth wheels.”

You also get the brand’s Multiwheel system, adjustable dividers, a sturdy telescopic handle, and TSA-approved locks. The Essential Cabin’s polycarbonate shell makes it much lighter than a classic aluminum Rimowa. This means you can almost treat it like a checked bag, without the weight, according to fashion content creator Isabel Tan , who recently squeezed 15 outfits into hers for a trip to Bali. Stylist Tina Leung , who fills her case to the brim, agrees. Like Away, Rimowa offers a lifetime guarantee on its cases, and Leung told us that almost every destination she has traveled to has a place to pop in for repairs. “If the wheels break off or something, it’s so easy to just go and get it fixed,” she says. “There’s pretty much one in every major city.”

Best carry-on for longer trips

Capacity: 8.25 lbs, 39-liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Compression shelving | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Solgaard’s polycarbonate closet case is an absolute revelation. I first heard about it from Kiki Reginato, New York Magazine’s senior director of e-commerce operations. “This case has space — and then some. I have the smallest one, and I’ve taken it on many ten-day trips ,” she says. The case has a set of compression compartments that unfold to create a makeshift closet — eliminating the need to unpack into a real closet. The Solgaard had space for the weekend essentials that Griffiths packed in the July and the Away (to recap: three tops, jeans, a skirt, a dress, two bikinis, underwear, socks, pajamas, a bulkier jumper, toiletries, trainers, and a hair dryer).

But it had an added bonus: When she tested it, she could clearly see where everything was. And compressing the clothes is satisfying, too. “Once you pack everything, you can pull the straps on the side and it presses everything into this compact mass of clothing,” says Reginato. “It’s kind of like a vacuum seal.” Most airlines worldwide accept her medium 39-liter bag, and you can take the large-size case on most U.S. airlines.

Best aluminum carry-on

Weight and capacity: 10.1 lbs, 35 liter | CaseHard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Laundry bag and compression bands | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Aluminum cases have plenty of attractive qualities. They’re far more durable than both polycarbonate and soft-side cases , there’s less chance they’ll crack, and they often use clamps instead of zips, making them even more secure . Less attractive, though, is their price point — the classic Rimowa aluminum case is an eye-watering $1,500.  

But just like its polycarbonate case, the Away aluminum version is worth the money: It actually has the same features as the more expensive Rimowa for a fraction of the price . That includes the sturdy shell and clamp closing — which travel writer Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon says are ultra-secure — as well as the spinner wheels, telescopic handle, and built-in lock that I like so much about the original Away case. All in all, it’s a great more affordable option for any travelers who have their heart set on aluminum. Just remember that metal suitcases are a few pounds heavier than their plastic counterparts.

Best soft-side carry-on

Weight and capacity: 6.6 lbs, 46 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft sided | Compartments: Zip pockets and removable toiletry bag | Warranty: Ten years

Victorinox is best known for knives ( we’ve featured several on the Strategist ), but its luggage is also known for being equally utilitarian — simple and durable. “I swear by a soft-shell bag over a hard shell,” says Jessie Hyman , co-founder of Pruzan Running . “It takes up less space in the hotel room because you don’t need to lay it flat to access what’s inside.” Hyman travels with the Victorinox specifically because of its roomy capacity and squishy recycled polyester exterior. “I have always managed to squeeze in a vacation purchase inside this bag since it expands and compresses,” she says. “It’s actually converted me to be more of a carry-on gal than before.”

Best less-expensive soft-side carry-on

Capacity: 5.4 lbs, 46 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft sided | Compartments: Two exterior compartments, lid pocket, and device pocket | Warranty: Five years

TripSavvy’s former general manager Molly Fergus is a big fan of this “basic but effective” suitcase. Strategist readers are too: It’s one of the best-selling picks in our story on the best rolling luggage , while also being a best seller from our Travel 100 (a list of all the best travel items we’ve ever written about.) As it’s a soft-side, Fergus is able to squeeze her clothes and essentials inside, and she says that the wheels are tough enough to be “dragged across sand, dirt, and cobblestones.” If the wheels aren’t up to scratch, though, they and the zips and handles are covered under the Travelpro five-year warranty.

Best carry-on case with a laptop pocket

Capacity: 8.25 lbs, 45 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided shell with soft-sided pockets | Compartments: Dedicated laptop pocket | Warranty: Two-year warranty for manufacturing faults

This case’s shell and wheels are hardy, and the pocket is “great to quickly tuck in your laptop and get it out fast through security,” says Brittany Allyn, founder of Thirty Waves . It also rolls along quickly and smoothly. As Allyn puts it, “having a bag that can fit as much as possible (because I’m an overpacker and not afraid to say so) and can get me to my gate ASAP is most important.” The bag is also a tried and tested favorite of Strategist deals editor Sam Daly, who’s been traveling with it since 2019. Daly appreciates the steadfast lock and a small but mighty selection of colorways (the sage green looks similar to Rimowa’s Bamboo).

Best carry-on duffel bag

Capacity: 2.7 lbs, 40 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with handles and shoulder straps | Compartments: Various handy pockets | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

We recently named the Black Hole by Patagonia the best overall weekend bag as praised by Strategist editors and frequent travelers. To give you an idea of how much you can fit inside, Pruzan Running co-founder Lexy Copithorne told us she packed “everything for a two-week trip, including city and surfwear” inside her Black Hole. “That included two sweaters, several fitted tanks and running sets, two pairs of sneakers, boots, a few swimsuits, and my toiletry bag,” she says. While the bag is lightweight (at less than three pounds) and water resistant thanks to a waxy coating, the strap design is what makes it a thoughtful travel companion. If you’ll be trekking far, the over-the-shoulder strap can be switched out for backpack straps to give your shoulders a respite.

Best carry-on backpack for short trips

Capacity: 3.7 lbs, 35 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with shoulder straps | Case vs. bag: Bag with shoulder straps | Compartments: Mesh packing cubes | Warranty: One-year return period

The Cotopaxi Allpa is one of those rare products that’s as good as the people on TikTok say. Essentially a soft suitcase with backpack straps, it’s easy to organize as it has built-in packing cubes made from colorful see-through mesh and, unlike most backpacks that just unzip at the top, a butterfly opening allows you to see and rummage around those cubes easily. I took mine on a train trip through Morocco last summer, and it earned many admirers on the journey. Writer Margaret Eby used it to take a change of clothes, a laptop, snacks, a sun hat, a jewelry case, a day purse, and even a crochet project on a ten-day trip to Italy. And she says it fits comfortably under the seat in front of you — no squishing required.

Best carry-on backpack for long trips

Capacity: 4.5 lbs, 40 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with shoulder straps | Case vs. bag: Bag with shoulder straps | Compartments: Large main compartment, adjacent zipped mesh compartment, laptop sleeve | Warranty: Lifetime

Tortuga is another brand that makes excellent suitcase-style backpacks that are ideal for using as carry-on luggage. I’ve recently been testing out this bag, which lacks the Allpa’s built-in packing cubes but does include a more built-out laptop sleeve with a few zips and compartments for small items. It is also larger in capacity without being too heavy or unwieldy. The sternum straps are comfortable and can be tucked away when not in use, the bag’s rectangular shape means it slots easily into overhead lockers, and I like that the exterior fabric is waterproof and easy to wipe down.

Some other carry-on luggage we’ve written about

Our experts

• Brittany Allyn, digital creator behind Thirty Waves • Taymoor Atighetchi, the CEO and founder of Papier • Gabby Beckford , travel blogger • Lexy Copithorne , co-founder of Pruzan Running • Lauren Chan, the CEO and founder of Henning • Margaret Eby , writer • Molly Fergus , TripSavvy’s former general manager • Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon , travel writer also known as Jet Set Sarah • Summer Hull, Points Guy travel content director • Jessie Hyman , co-founder of Pruzan Running • Simone Kitchens , Strategist senior editor • Briona Lamback, Buoyant Travel founder • Tina Leung , stylist • Heather Morri s, actress, producer, and host of podcaster The Bystanders • Robin Reetz , Strategist contributor • Kiki Reginato, New York Magazine senior director of e-commerce operations and strategy • Isabel Tan , fashion content creator • Jenna Milliner Waddell , Strategist associate editor • Andres Zuleta, travel expert and founder of Boutique Japan

Additional reporting by Rachael Griffiths .

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The Best Carry-On Luggage 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Travel Editors

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto : "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at [email protected] .

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Packing for a trip can be stressful, especially if you’re trying to fit everything you need into a carry-on bag. With increasingly strict airline baggage allowances and common occurrences of lost/mishandled checked bags, finding the right carry-on suitcase is key to avoiding expensive checked baggage fees and ensuring your stuff makes it to your destination. 

No one understands this struggle more than the SmarterTravel team. As travel editors, we travel a lot (and are firm carry-on only flyers.) We tested and reviewed the top carry-on luggage over hundreds of trips to help you find one perfectly suited for all your travels.

The carry-on bags we reviewed underwent rigorous testing to see how they held up to the realities of travel. We evaluated important factors like size and weight, wheeled performance, ease of packing, durability, and special features. Our testing process included packing each bag to capacity, carrying it through airports, stowing it in overhead bins, and taking it on planes, trains, and automobiles during real-world trips.

Ranging in price from affordable to splurge-worthy, the best carry-on suitcases earned top marks across all our tests for their optimal size, seamless maneuverability, handy organization, stylish looks, and resilience.

From a lightweight hard-sided spinner that fits easily in tiny overheads to a large carry-on that expands for over-packers, these are our travel editors’ picks for the best carry-on suitcases of 2024. 

Best Carry-On Suitcase Overall: Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Suitcase

The Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Suitcase was our favorite of all the carry-on suitcases we tested. This smart and sleek suitcase is made from a durable polypropylene shell that helps contribute to its light weight of 6.4 lbs. Smooth spinner wheels and an adjustable handle make this bag easy to wheel even when fully packed.

The interior is just as nice, lined with a fabric made from 100 percent plastic bottles. There’s also a multi-functional panel divider that can compress clothes to create more space while providing pockets for organization. One of the pockets is water-resistant, so you can use it to separate swimsuits or wet clothing on the journey home.

Our favorite feature of the Samsonite Outline Pro is the antimicrobial handle technology used on the trolley grip and side handles, which helps keep us healthy while traveling. 

Dimensions: 15” x 10” x 23”

Weight: 6.4 lbs

Best Large Carry-On Suitcase: Roam Large Carry-On Suitcase

If you want to test the limits of an airline’s carry-on policy, we recommend the Roam Large Carry-On Suitcase as the best large carry-on suitcase. We’ve taken this suitcase on hundreds of flights and have only ever had to check it on very small puddle-jumper planes. This roomy carry-on can hold up to 42 liters, making it a great suitcase for chronic overpackers. 

This suitcase comes with two compression boards, which can be used to divide the two halves of the suitcase and help you fit even more in. The boards have large pockets perfect for packing cords and other small items. 

We also love that all Roam luggage can be customized to suit your style—you can choose the color of every part of this suitcase, right down to the wheels, to create a unique bag that definitely won’t get mixed up at baggage claim.

Dimensions:  9” x 16.25” x 22”

Weight: 7.7 lbs

Best Expandable Carry-On Suitcase: Delsey Rempart Carry-On Suitcase

An expandable suitcase is like having two bags in one—keep it small and compact for a short trip or open it up for a longer journey (or for the return trip when you buy lots of souvenirs to bring home). Delsey’s Rempart Carry-On Suitcase is our favorite expandable bag due to its patented Securitech Zipper that’s three times more resistant than a standard zipper (so you don’t have to worry about it ripping open, even when it’s expanded to its maximum capacity).

Other thoughtful features include an integrated TSA-combination lock, two packing compartments with compression straps, zippered pockets, and a lined divider. We also love that the interior lining can be removed and washed—an innovation you’ll appreciate if you’ve ever come home with a sandy suitcase after a beach trip.

Three carrying handles allow this bag to be carried in various ways. If you have other Delsey suitcases, the Rempart’s modular design allows it to stack on top for easy carrying and storage. 

Dimensions: 13.75” x 10.25” x 21.75”

Weight: 6.7 lbs

Best Soft-Sided Carry-On Suitcase: Travelpro Maxlite 5

The best soft-sided carry-on suitcase is also one of the lightest weight options on our list. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 lives up to its name, weighing just 5.4 lbs. This model is the brand’s latest and is a full half-pound lighter than the previous iteration, the Travelpro Maxlite 5. 

The suitcase has a unique tapered design that helps prevent it from tipping over when upright (a common problem with soft-sided suitcases). It also has a solid bottom tray design that helps increase the bag’s durability. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 can expand to 2 inches to provide extra space when needed. The interior is lined with a waterproof protectant that helps keep the bag dry. 

This suitcase comes with Travelpro’s limited lifetime warranty, which will cover the cost of repairs if it’s damaged for one year after purchase. 

Dimensions: 23” x 14.5” x 9” 

Weight: 5.4 lbs

Best Luggage Trackers

Best Small Carry-On Suitcase: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 4-Wheel Carry-On Luggage

We love the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 4-Wheel Carry-On because it’s deceptively spacious for its small size and light weight. It even expands slightly to give you a little bit of extra space when you need it. We’ve packed for week-long trips with just this bag and had no issues fitting everything in. Despite the diminutive size, this suitcase is packed with organizational features, like an exterior laptop sleeve and interior zippered pockets. 

Made from 100 percent recycled, water-resistant fabric, this carry-on-sized spinner bag is easy to wipe clean and great for rainy destinations. 

The Warrior is equipped with heavy-duty wheels that allow you to roll this bag over rough terrain—a perfect pick for navigating the cobblestone streets of Europe.

Dimensions: 21.65” x 14” x 10”

Weight: 8 lbs 12 oz

The Best Hardsided Carry-On Suitcase: Away The Carry-On

Away’s The Carry-On Suitcase has won many awards and is beloved by travelers, and for good reason—it’s smartly designed. The Carry-On is Away’s smallest suitcase and will fit in most overhead compartments and pass all but the strictest baggage sizers at the gate.

This durable carry-on suitcase is crafted from 100 percent polycarbonate for maximum impact resistance. It glides smoothly on premium 360-degree spinner wheels and features a telescoping trolley handle with two height settings for ergonomic maneuvering. The water-resistant shell safeguards your belongings, while convenient features like the TSA-approved lock, laundry bag, and color-matched luggage tag help streamline your packing routine. 

Thoughtfully designed, the suitcase maximizes storage with a double-buckle compression pad and extensive interior organization like three mesh pockets and a handy hanging pocket. Reverse coil zippers grant easy access to the wide opening, and an underside grab handle aids lifting. 

As a bonus, Away’s carry-on suitcase comes in a variety of beautiful colors, including glossy and matte options. 

Dimensions: 21.7″ x 14.4″ x 9″

Weight: 7.5 lbs

The Best Luxury Carry-On Suitcase: Tumi Continental Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On

The Tumi Continental Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On is an organized packer’s dream. The design of this suitcase keeps suits, shoes, clothes, and toiletries neatly separated and wrinkle-free. Convenient amenities like the built-in USB port and built-in TSA lock maximize functionality. 

This is a great suitcase choice for business travelers, as the interior features a removable garment sleeve and fiberglass rod that allows you to hang a suit or dress inside the case without getting crushed or wrinkled. 

The Continental Dual Access features Tumi’s signature smooth-rolling wheels and a 3-stage telescoping handle for easy maneuverability. Protective features like molded bumpers and side panels guard against impacts, while built-in tracers and TSA-approved locks keep valuables secured. With options for top, side, or bottom access via well-designed zippers, this suitcase optimizes packing efficiency for several days of travel. 

Dimensions: 22.0″ X 16.0″ X 9.0″

Weight: 11.1 lbs

The Best Carry-On Backpack: L.L. Bean Approach Travel Pack

A carry-on doesn’t have to be limited to a suitcase. For the ultimate in mobility, opt for a backpack as your carry-on. You won’t have to worry about climbing stairs or pulling a bag over rough sidewalks, and a backpack can fit under your seat on a full plane when necessary, avoiding the dreaded gate-check. 

Our favorite carry-on backpack is the L.L. Bean Approach Travel Pack . Use it on its own for a short trip, or combine it with a checked bag (put all the essentials in the backpack and carry it on the plane) for longer journeys.  

The Approach Travel Pack opens flat and can be packed like a suitcase, unlike a traditional backpack where you’ll have to shove everything in through the top and dig through the entire bag to find something buried at the bottom.

Dimensions: 20” x 12.5” x 10”

Weight: 3.3 lbs

5 Simple Ways to Make Travel Easier in 2024

How We Tested These Carry-Ons

These are the carry-on suitcases that the SmarterTravel team uses on their own trips. We’ve taken them on countless flights, train trips, road trips, and cruises to find out the pros and cons of each bag. 

When testing a carry-on, we consider the following factors:

• Size and weight
• Ease of transportation
• Organizational features

We’ve tested out numerous suitcases that didn’t make the cut, which helped us narrow the list to the best carry-ons worth investing in. 

What Size is a Carry-On Suitcase

The dimensions for a carry-on suitcase vary by airline and generally change depending on if it’s an international or domestic flight. For flights within the United States, the most common size limit for a carry-on suitcase is 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high. 

The international carry-on suitcase size limit is usually 21.7 inches by 15.7 inches wide by 9 inches high, but this will vary by airline.

Note that airline carry-on size limits include all aspects of the suitcase, including the handles and the wheels, so be sure to check the total dimensions of your bag and not just the interior measurements. If your suitcase meets the size limit but the wheels don’t, it will not pass the carry-on sizer test.

Always check with your airline for the correct carry-on size for your trip, as it can change by destination. 

Is There a Weight Limit for Carry-Ons?

There usually isn’t a weight limit for carry-ons on domestic flights within the United States (unless you’re flying on a very small plane). However, you must be able to lift the suitcase into the overhead bin without assistance.

International flights are generally stricter with weight limits and will weigh your carry-on bag when you check-in. These weight restrictions vary quite a bit by airline but generally range from 15 to 35 lbs. 

What Can’t You Pack in a Carry-On Suitcase?

Remember, carry-on suitcases are subject to stricter security restrictions than checked bags. You can’t pack these items in carry-on suitcases, but you can pack them in your checked luggage:

• Liquids or gels bigger than 3.4 ounces
• Sharp objects (including knives, hiking poles, and large scissors) 
• Certain sporting goods (such as baseball bats and hockey sticks)
• Self-defense items (including pepper spray and brass knuckles)
• Weapons (including firearms) 

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2023

Watch out, wobbly handles. back off, boring colors. these compact carry-ons are making their way to an overhead compartment near you..

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Lojel’s Cubo Small carry-on offer a rare top-loading opening for a hard-shell suitcase.

Courtesy of Lojel

Where in-line fixed wheels and rickety handles were once the standard, sleek and sturdy luggage options have rolled in to steal the show when it comes to the best bags for short trips . These rolling carry-ons—and backpacks and duffels for the wheel-averse—are compact and colorful but spacious enough to pack what you need for a few days of adventure. With all the bells and whistles, though, one question remains: Which one is actually right for you? We reviewed 14 of our favorite carry-on bags to make your decision easier.

Tips for choosing carry-on luggage

Before you purchase a new carry-on, you’ll want to consider the kind of traveler you are and the kind of trip you’re taking. Do you pack light or do you like bringing along lots of options? Are you heading to a city or going somewhere off the grid where wheeling a suitcase along dirt paths will be a hassle? If you’re traveling for work, will you need a bag with a laptop compartment? Most importantly: Will it fit into the overhead bin on an airplane? These are the features you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for your next piece of carry-on luggage:

Soft Shell vs. Hard Shell. When it comes to rolling carry-ons, you can choose from hard-shell polycarbonate or aluminum options or soft-sided ones typically made with thick nylon. The decision is mostly aesthetic, but soft-shell luggage often comes with more pockets and expandable zippers, while hard-shell pieces tend to be more water-resistant. Carry-on backpacks and duffel bags can be made with nylon, canvas, leather, or a combination of all three. Nylon is your most durable and waterproof option. While leather may look great, it weighs more.

Two-Wheel vs. Spinner. A four-wheeled spinner carry-on can zip through airports with ease and roll down city sidewalks without weighing you down. But some people prefer the ergonomics of pulling a two-wheeled suitcase behind them. If you are heading somewhere more remote, or need to navigate train stations with lots of staircases during your travels, going the no-wheel route with a backpack or duffel bag you can sling across your shoulders may be more efficient.

Domestic vs. International Sizing. Carry-on size restrictions vary from airline to airline, but most domestic carriers allow bags up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches to be placed in overhead bins. (International carriers tend to cap out on bags that are 20 inches in length.) Any larger will need to be checked, while bags under 18 x 14 x 8 inches can generally fit underneath the seat in front of you. In terms of capacity, carry-ons between 30 and 50 liters tend to be big enough to pack essentials for a short trip but small enough to fit into overhead compartments.

Weight. Rolling carry-on luggage lacks the bulk it had back in the day thanks to lightweight polycarbonate shells. But if your airline also imposes strict weight limits on carry-ons, consider ditching the wheels for a travel backpack or duffel bag.

Sustainability. The most sustainable option is to buy a carry-on secondhand (websites like eBay , Poshmark , and REI’s used gear section are a good place to start your search online). Beyond that, many luggage brands have incorporated repurposed materials—like nylon woven from recycled water bottles—into their bags, while others like Paravel have taken their commitment to sustainability even further by offsetting carbon emissions from manufacturing and shipping.

Exchange Policy and Warranties. Until you take your new bag for a spin, you won’t know if it’s completely right for you. If you’re buying online, check to see if the brand offers a trial period with free returns. While you’re at it, consider its warranty policy too. You don’t want to invest hundreds of dollars in a new bag that can’t be replaced if the shell cracks or the handle breaks.

Additional Features. If you’re a business traveler who needs to stay connected on the go, you may want carry-on luggage that comes with a laptop compartment or an ejectable battery pack. Heading to a damp climate? You’ll want a bag that is water-repellent. And for those who want to stand out at the luggage carousel, consider a brand that offers its bags in a rainbow of colors.

>> Read More: The Avid Traveler’s Guide to Buying Luggage

One of the handy features of the Away Bigger Carry-On is the ejectable charging port.

Photo by Kelsey McClellan, styling by Michelle Macguire

The Bigger Carry-On by Away

Best overall.

• Buy now: $295, away.com
• Style: Hard-shell spinner luggage
• Capacity: 47.9 liters
• Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches
• Weight: 7.4 lbs.

The 7.4-pound Bigger Carry-On by Away holds a whopping 47.9 liters and is separated into two larger clamshell compartments. It also includes a hidden laundry bag and an interior mesh compression system that packs down bulky items. Plus, this bag has one of the most value-minded prices of all the luggage on the list. Despite its reasonable price, the bag looks really sleek and has Hinomoto wheels–arguably the highest quality wheels in the luggage industry and made with ball bearings to ensure an ultra-smooth ride. The polycarbonate exterior is available in a number of matte-finished colors, including blush, black, green, and several shades of blue. Aside from which color to buy, your toughest decision will be whether to buy the bag with or without the ejectable phone-charging battery (for an extra $20).

It hasn’t been all pastels and rainbow colors for Away, but change is here: Following a December 2019 report by the Verge about allegations from former employees of a toxic work environment, cofounder Steph Korey stepped down from her role as CEO in 2020. In 2021, cofounder and president Jen Rubio was named CEO . When her son was born just weeks after she took on the new role, Rubio’s first act as CEO was to set an example for her employees and take full advantage of Away’s parental leave policy, which gives all parents 16 weeks of paid time off.

>> Read the honest review: Is the Away Bigger Carry-On Worth the Hype?

Worried about the corners of your suitcase getting crushed? July makes its carry ons with aluminum bumpers.

Courtesy of July

Original Carry On by July

• Buy now: $295, july.com
• Capacity: 42 liters
• Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches

Essentially Australia’s version of Away, July started selling its bags online in the United States in 2021. Made with a crush-proof German polycarbonate shell, the standard July Carry On offers lots of space for your belongings (42 liters) while only weighing 7.4 pounds and still meeting domestic carrier size requirements. Available in more than a dozen matte colors from a cheerful Marigold Yellow to a trendy pink Clay hue, these bags are made with a multilevel telescoping handle for people of various heights, proprietary SilentMove 360° spinner wheels, and aluminum bumpers to prevent the corners from being crushed.

The bags also include an ejectable USB-C battery, integrated TSA locks, a hidden laundry bag, and a Y-strap compression system to help pack it all in. Want to personalize your bag? For an extra $50 you can add your name or initials in a variety of fonts and alphabets. July luggage is backed by a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defaults and includes a 100-day trial in case you change your mind for whatever reason.

Rimowa has been perfecting the luggage game for more than 100 years.

Essential Lite Cabin by Rimowa

Best lightweight carry-on luggage.

• Buy now: $700, rimowa.com
• Capacity: 37 liters
• Dimensions: 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches
• Weight: 4.9 lbs.

One of the lightest carry-ons on the market, Rimowa’s Essential Lite Cabin bag lives up to its name. Weighing 30 percent less than its predecessor, the Essential Lite is refined with portability in mind. The 4.9-pound, 37-liter carry-on is only separated into two big, zippered sections on the inside, but what it lacks in interior compartmentalization, it makes up for in exterior flash and durability. With a polycarbonate shell, it is built to withstand wear and tear but also bend, depending on its environment. The bag has a smooth roll and comfortable T-handle.

Instead of carrying your laptop’s weight on your shoulders, pop it into the exterior pocket on this stylish Monos suitcase.

Courtesy of Monos

Carry-On Pro Plus by Monos

Best carry-on with laptop pocket.

• Buy now: $315–$345 (was $332–$364), monos.com
• Capacity: 46 liters
• Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 8.38 lbs.

The Monos Carry-On Pro Plus is the bag that finally convinced Michelle Baran, AFAR’s senior travel news editor, to hang up her Team Checked Luggage hat and finally join Team Carry-On. “What I love about this super lightweight spinner is that it features an exterior pocket that fits a 15-inch laptop,” Baran said. It comes in eight standard colors, as well as a few limited-edition ones including the highly recommended Terrazzo pattern that looks just like the beloved tile of the same name. Major added bonus: Monos is an eco-conscious company that uses vegan materials and recyclable and reusable packaging, plus 1 percent of revenues go to nonprofits dedicated to “preserving and restoring the natural world.”

Worried about getting gate checked? This Samsara carry-on comes with an Apple Air Tag.

Courtesy of Samsara

Grand Carry-On by Samsara

Best smart carry-on suitcase.

• Buy now: $395, samsaraluggage.com
• Style: Hard-shell zipperless luggage
• Capacity: 43.5 liters
• Dimensions: 22.5 x 15 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 10.8 lbs.

Samsara luggage has all the features you’d expect from a premium suitcase—smooth 360° spinning wheels, a telescopic handle, TSA-compliant combination locks—and some that might surprise you like the clever built-in compartment for securing an Apple AirTag . (The AirTag is included, but you’ll need to have an iPhone to be able to track it if your luggage gets lost.) This zipperless luggage also features a flat top that doubles as a work space and a compression system to help keep your clothes in place. It comes in black, yellow, or white.

This carry-on is also made with recycled (and recyclable) aviation-grade aluminum for extra durability. And if there are problems, Samsara backs up its products with a five-year warranty on the body and a one-year warranty on parts (including the handle, wheels, and locks).

For an even smarter bag, Samsara also offers the Un-carrier On (a bag it made in partnership with T-Mobile) that comes with an ejectable power bank featuring a USB-C port. It’s a little more affordable at $325, about a pound lighter, and has two more liters of space. Despite those pros, there are a few cons: It only comes in one color (magenta) and has branding for the cellphone carrier on the handle, wheels, and interior.

You don’t need to battle with zippers to open Arlo Skye’s Frame Carry-On.

The Frame Carry-On by Arlo Skye

Best zipperless carry-on luggage.

• Buy now: $475, arloskye.com
• Capacity: 40 liters
• Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• Weight: 8.1 lbs.

At 8.1 pounds, Arlo Skye’s Frame Carry-On is a bit bulkier than others on the market, but the polycarbonate shell is reinforced with an aluminum frame, making the bulk more bearable. The zipperless, 40-liter bag latches with two TSA-approved combination locks and is decked out with a compact charging station, portable charger, charging cable and adapter, two shoe bags, and a laundry bag. It rolls nicely and features an antimicrobial lining infused with natural silver fibers to prevent germ growth and odor-causing bacteria. Structurally, the bag looks a bit industrial, but the sleek color combinations—black, navy, and champagne with silver accents—ensure you’ll be rolling around the airport in style.

Paravel also has a standard size carry-on and a checked version of the Aviator.

Courtesy of Paravel

Aviator Carry-On Plus by Paravel

Best sustainably made carry-on luggage.

• Buy now: $425, tourparavel.com
• Capacity: 46.6 liters
• Weight: 8.5 lbs.

Paravel expertly amped up its standard carry-on in linear measurements and capacity—a whopping 46.6 liters—without compromising the weight of the bag itself. The Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus is also one of the best-looking bags out there. Available in five stylish colors like Safari green and Scuba navy, these hard-shell spinners come with vegan leather-wrapped steel handles, carbon steel bearing wheels, and TSA-approved locks. Beyond its beautiful design, it’s also one of the most sustainably made suitcases available. In addition to using recycled materials for everything from its polycarbonate exterior to the zippers and the lining made from 15 upcycled water bottles, Paravel also offsets the carbon emissions from manufacturing and shipping the bag to you, plus the estimated emissions from the first flight you take with the bag. With details like a scuff-hiding textured finish and an interior compression board, this under $500 carry-on is a solid contender.

This soft-sided suitcase comes in classic black, as well as pink, purple, blue, and green.

Courtesy of Travelpro

Maxlite 5 22” Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard by Travelpro

Best soft-side carry-on luggage.

• Buy now: $144-153 (was $170), travelpro.com ; amazon.com
• Style: Soft-side two-wheel luggage
• Capacity: 52 liters
• Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9 inches (23 x 14.5 x 11 inches expanded)
• Weight: 5.4 lbs.

There’s a reason Travelpro is a go-to brand for flight attendants. Its durable black nylon suitcases are virtually indestructible, have a timeless appeal, and are a fan-favorite of two-wheeled and soft-side luggage devotees . The ultra-lightweight (only 5.4 pounds!) Maxlite 5 carry-on suitcase is sized to meet most domestic airline carry-on size restrictions. In addition to one extra roomy interior compartment, this soft-shell bag also has two exterior front pockets for easy access stashing. When you need some wiggle room, the suitcase can also expand up to two extra inches to maximize its packing potential. (Thankfully, Travelpro tapered the design of this expansion zipper so that the bag’s center stays low in order to prevent toppling that some two-wheelers are prone to.) If anything does happen to your Travelpro suitcase, it’s backed by the company’s limited warranty that covers things like broken zippers, wheels, handles, and more.

Lojel’s Cubo Small offers a rare top-loading opening for a hard-shell carry on.

Cubo Small by Lojel

Best top-loading hard-shell carry-on.

• Buy now: $300, us.lojel.com
• Capacity: 37 liters (42 liters expanded)
• Dimensions: 20.9 x 14 x 9.8 inches (20.9 x 14 x 11 inches expanded)
• Weight: 6.8 lbs.

Typically, hard-shell suitcases feature a (somewhat divisive) clamshell style of packing. The best feature of this carry-on from Lojel is that it has a top-loading opening for those who prefer that. Its other features make it a solid choice, too. Made with durable thermoplastic that’s heat and cold-resistant and scratch-proof, the Cubo Small also has 360° spinning wheels, the ability to expand two inches if needed, TSA-approved locks, and a front compartment where you can easily access items like laptops and wallets. It comes in nine colors including burgundy, rose, off-white, mustard, navy blue, warm gray, black, and cactus. Each suitcase has a 10-year warranty . We also love that Lojel is developing a system of modular, standardized parts, allowing travelers to fix their luggage piece-by-piece to help minimize landfill waste.

Roam’s Jaunt carry-on can hold 37 liters and comes in seven different colors.

Jaunt Carry-On by Roam

Best customizable carry-on luggage.

• Buy now: $550, roamluggage.com
• Dimensions: 22 x 14.25 x 9 inches
• Weight: 7.3 lbs.

Inside, Roam’s 37-liter bag is simple: two big compartments with two removable accessory pockets and a laundry bag. However, it’s a showstopper in more ways than one. The Jaunt Carry-On features top-tier Hinomoto wheels, specially built for a smooth roll, as well as a water-repellent zipper, and a precision-fit handle to minimize wiggling. But what makes it truly stand out is that Roam leaves the appearance of the bag to you. With nine whimsical colors to choose from, such as Como blue and Venetian green, it’s completely customizable—the shell color, accents, zipper, binding, wheels, carry handle, right down to the stitching. You can even monogram the leather patch on the back of your case.

The Aer Travel Pack 2 is a previous version of the Travel Pack 3 by Aer.

Courtesy of Aer

Travel Pack 3 by Aer

Best carry-on backpack.

• Buy now: $249, aersf.com
• Style: Backpack
• Capacity: 35 liters
• Dimensions: 21.5 x 13 x 9 inches
• Weight: 4.12 lbs.

When quick work trips beckon, the Aer Travel Pack 3 swoops in to save the day. This versatile piece keeps all of your business trip essentials (passport, laptop, cords, and such) organized, at the ready, and secure with lockable zippers. The 35-liter Travel Pack can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, or briefcase, thanks to hideaway compartments that conceal straps and keep your bag looking sleek and professional.

The Osprey Farpoint and Fairview are the same bag, just with the straps designed differently for smaller and larger frames.

Courtesy of Osprey

Fairview/Farpoint Wheeled Travel Pack Carry-On 36L by Osprey

Best wheeled carry-on backpack.

• Buy now: Fairview, $300, osprey.com ; Farpoint, $300, osprey.com
• Style: Wheeled backpack
• Capacity: 36 liters
• Dimensions: 21.5 x 14 x 9 inches
• Weight: 5.3 lbs.

Virtually identical bags with some slight design tweaks to make the Fairview fit better on smaller body frames, these Osprey carry-ons quickly convert from two-wheeled roller bags to backpacks. And unlike other convertible backpacks, these come with seriously padded waist and chest belts, making them super-comfortable to wear. Made with Bluesign-approved recycled nylon, these bags are durable enough to last for years and also water repellent to keep your belongings protected. The three zippered compartments are lined in beautiful complementary colors (the black Fairview pack has a deep teal interior and the dark blue Farpoint bag is lined in red) making it easy to find what you need.

The two mesh pockets on the front are perfectly sized for water bottles and other small items, which means you can pack as much as you would in normal carry-on luggage, without the bulk or weight. The straps on the front of the backpack are compatible with the brand’s Farpoint/Fairview Travel Daypack —sold separately—so you can clip on the 15-liter daypack and carry everything all at once.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffels are lightweight but fit a ton of stuff.

Courtesy of Patagonia

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L

Best carry-on duffel bag.

• Buy now: $159, patagonia.com ; rei.com
• Style: Duffel bag
• Dimensions: 21 x 13.7 x 10.6 inches
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.

Patagonia’s Black Hole duffels are hugely popular among outdoor enthusiasts—and for good reason. The ecofriendly brand’s durable and lightweight duffels are made with 100 percent recycled polyester fabri c, lining, and webbing that is also water repellent. Available in four different sizes, the small 40L bag is the only one sized to fit in an overhead compartment.

The large main compartment comes with a full-length zippered opening that lets you access all your belongings at once. The large mesh pocket on the lid’s interior helps organize small items such as toiletry bottles, charging chords, or socks, while a zippered exterior side pocket lets you stash items quickly on the go. Padded backpack straps keep your shoulders from getting too sore and can be removed if you prefer to carry it with the traditional duffel straps. When you’re home, the entire bag can stuff into its own pocket for easy storage.

If you struggle to stay organized, this carry-on’s shelves are helpful.

Courtesy of Royce & Rocket

The Castle Carry-on by Royce & Rocket

Best carry-on with shelves.

• Buy now: $415, royceandrocket.com
• Capacity: 19 liters (21 liters expanded)
• Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9 inches (21 x 14 x 11 expanded)

Featuring two fold-down shelves (which lay flat when not in use to ensure you’re not losing valuable space), the Castle Carry-on is excellent for those who struggle with staying organized—they’re perfect for arranging packing cubes and toiletry bags on.

Both the carry-on and the check-in-size Classic Bag are designed to be highly efficient and functional—beyond the dual shelves, they include a compression system and a slew of pockets (our favorite being the hidden pocket for additional privacy). It also has a TSA-approved lock, the ability to expand up to two inches, and Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run 360° Wheels. It comes in black, burgundy, and silver; customers can choose a tobacco or pink interior color.

From a sustainability standpoint, all of Royce & Rocket’s products have packing that is 100 percent recyclable. The suitcases also have a 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing issues related to the wheels, zippers, handles, compression straps, shelves, and cracks in the polycarbonate shell, so it’ll be a suitcase you’ll have for a while. There is one con to consider: At 8.5 pounds, this carry-on is quite heavy considering it only has room for up to 21 liters of stuff even when expanded.

Bailey Berg, Michelle Baran, and Ami Kealoha contributed additional reporting to this story. This article originally appeared online in 2019; it was updated most recently on March 10, 2023, to include current information.

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The 16 Best Carry-On Luggage Bags for Any Traveler in 2024

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

Things to consider with carry-on luggage, best carry-on luggage cases with hard shells, best carry-on luggage cases with soft-shells, best carry-on backpacks, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Cabin bags have revolutionized the way we travel. With airlines charging extras fees for checked luggage , more and more of us are cramming our belongings into little carry-on bags.

If you pack well, you can get pretty much everything you need into these compact cases — and you will also reap the rewards of not having to waste time at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination.

Most U.S. airlines will have strict rules about the amount of carry-on luggage a traveler can have with them, as well as the size of the items they bring on board. Items that are too large, too heavy, or restricted won’t be allowed to travel with you and will need to be checked instead.

Every airline is different , but as a general rule you’ll be allowed the following per passenger:

• 1 small purse or laptop bag
• 1 small cabin bag measuring no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (some airlines have even tighter restrictions, so check before traveling)

The usual rule for carry-on luggage is that it must weigh less than 40 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. If you want to be sure before you fly, weigh your bag using a good scale before you leave home .

If your bag is too heavy, it will be stowed in the hold. Carry-on luggage is placed in the overhead lockers — too heavy and it’s a safety risk since too many heavy bags make for a dangerous flying environment.

Need to fly with your suitcase full of weighty items? Opt for checked baggage instead.

Material and Durability

Unlike your checked luggage, your carry-on bag will stay close to you for the duration of your flight. This means you probably don’t need to pay for supertough materials if you don’t want to since it won’t be thrown around or battered by luggage handlers. But you do want something quality that will last.

You need to carefully consider the weight of the luggage you choose to use on board. Since you only have up to 40 pounds to play with, lightweight but durable nylon bags or similar are usually the most practical option.

There are thousands of small cases, bags, and even rucksacks that are designed to meet the size and weight restrictions of most major airlines, so finding one should be a cinch.

Carry-on Backpack vs. Carry-on Suitcase

As the battle between backpack and suitcase rages on, travelers usually come to a conclusion based on their individual travel needs. While a cabin bag usually comes with wheels and is easy to pull around the airport, they can have limited access and may hold less than their counterparts.

Backpacks need to be carried at all times, but do offer plenty of hidden compartments for handy travel accessories — and using one will keep your hands free while you fumble for your tickets at check-in.

Which is best? Both work well, and your choice should be based on your own personal preference .

Hot Tip: Need some tips on packing your carry-on? Check out our carry-on travel essentials  for short and long flights!

Wheeled cabin luggage is perfectly designed to let you pull it around the airport — when the wheels are good, that is! Complete with pull-up handles and different types of wheel options, these types of cases are now the go-to accessory for savvy travelers around the world.

Standard 2-wheeled versions are perfect for pulling behind you or pushing in front when you have to. They are practical and affordable.

If you want something that offers even more maneuverability, opt for spinner wheels that allow you to wheel your case sideways next to you as well. Spinner wheels are much more practical when it comes to pushing your case down a busy airplane where space is limited.

Either way, quality counts . Pay bargain prices and you can expect a wheel to pop off here or there or a broken handle that will render it useless halfway through your trip.

If you are pulling, pushing, or even carrying your luggage, you want to be sure the handle will withstand the journey . Cases often come with collapsible, extendable handles that stow away in the body of the case when not being used.

Backpacks, on the other hand, need handles that are strong and durable but are also easily flexible when it comes to storing your luggage in the locker.

Much like wheels, quality is key. A badly built extendable handle may snap or come out of its housing, while a backpack or bag with inferior handles can break and leave you cradling it like a baby.

Hard or Soft Luggage

This is another decision that should be based on personal choice. Legend has it that hard-shell luggage is more durable than softer cases, but in reality, this is not always so.

While hard cases do offer some extra protection, they can be heavier, and space may be compromised by the design of the shell. Soft suitcases are more flexible in terms of shape and generally lighter. That said, they could also be more prone to splits or tears.

Guess what we’re going to say next? Yep — whatever you choose, quality is key ! Pay for well-manufactured, lightweight hard-shell cases or strong nylon soft cases to ensure your cabin luggage lasts you for more than 1 journey.

Laptop Compartment

If you’re taking your work with you, you need to ensure that your laptop is well-protected while you fly.

Carrying laptops on board has its own intricacies, and you’ll usually need easy access to remove the laptop for airport security . After that, you need practical, secure storage for the duration of the journey.

Some cabin cases are designed with laptop users in mind and have their own laptop compartments fully padded for extra protection. Other travelers choose to take a separate laptop bag with them, but you would need to check with your carrier to see if this is allowed within your onboard baggage limitations.

Smart Luggage

These days, everything is getting “smarter” — from our phones to our homes, and now even our luggage. Smart luggage offers fancy extras like power banks to charge your devices, electronic baggage tags, GPS tracking, and TSA-approved locks.

Bags like this may cost more than regular luggage, but they’re totally revolutionizing the way we travel. Locate lost luggage, charge your devices, and keep your belongings safe from theft or damage as you go.

These additional functions are priceless for anyone who wants to enjoy fuss-free travel in the digital age.

Airline Rules for Smart Luggage

Turns out some things really are too good to be true! While smart luggage may seem like the perfect solution for connectivity problems of the modern-day traveler, it appears that it’s also causing major problems for the airlines.

The lithium-ion batteries found in these cases aren’t allowed in the cargo hold, and uninstalled ones can only be held by the passenger in the cabin during transit.

In an effort to combat potential fires and explosions as a result of lithium-ion batteries, no smart bags are allowed to be checked at all , and they can only be carried in the cabin if the battery is removable. Airlines who have already implemented policies like this including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

It’s likely that many more will also follow suit, so please check with your airline before flying with smart luggage .

For Every Type of Traveler

• Samsonite Omni Hardside Spinner 20

Weight: 6.8 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 22.0 x 15.0 x 9.5 Inches

Made by one of the biggest names in luxury luggage, the Samsonite Omni Hardside Spinner is a beautiful piece of engineered luggage. Lightweight and effortlessly mobile , the 100% polycarbonate design is easy to move, offers plenty of internal space, and looks like business.

The micro-diamond texture is extremely scratch-resistant, which is important if you’re planning to use the case on multiple journeys. Inside the suitcase are interior dividers to help keep your belongings organized, as well as cross straps for flattening your clothes.

For added security, there is a side-mounted TSA-compliant lock. The free-spinning wheels are the major selling point of this individual case, and allow you to pull the case behind you or along next to your side.

Hard-wearing, good-looking, and incredibly practical, this Samsonite case is designed to match the size and weight allowances of most U.S. airlines. If you are looking for a case that will fit enough clothes and toiletries for a week away without checking your luggage, this little beauty could be the one for you.

What We Like

• Side-mounted TSA lock for security

What We Don’t Like

• In the unlikely event of a fault, the buyer pays shipping to return the item

For the Fashion-Forward Traveler

Delsey Luggage Chatelet Spinner

Weight: 7.7 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 10 inches

If you want to fit in with the jet set but aren’t quite in the market for a full set of Louis Vuittons, this little beauty is stylish, practical, and a firm favorite with those in the know.

Elegant and innovative, this case is a real looker and comes in a variety of different colors. Clean curves and soft leather trim mean it wouldn’t look out of place in the most luxurious of destinations, while the polycarbonate construction is built to last. Designed to be seen, it can withstand extreme temperatures and will survive the general scuffs you can expect to receive.

The nearly silent spinner wheels assure smooth maneuverability and are a real talking point. Finally, the luxurious red interior is like a Louboutin for your belongings, and the zippered compartments keep your garments safely secured while you travel.

• Stylish design without exorbitant price
• Marks are easier to see on a light-colored bag

Premium Suitcase That Really Go the Distance [We Use This One]

Delsey Paris Helium Aero 21″ Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels

Weight: 7.98 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 20.5 x 14.5 x 10 inches

The Paris Helium Aero case is made from 100% impact-resistant polycarbonate, ensuring that it’s strong enough to withstand the bumps and dings of airline travel while still offering plenty of class and style.

At 8 pounds, this may not be the lightest carry-on case on the market, but it is close and arguably one of the best looking. Stylish and sleek, the double spinner wheels add to its allure as the case glides effortlessly around the airport. 

On the inside, 2 full-size packing compartments provide plenty of space for all your travel essentials, and the tie-down straps will prevent your neatly packed items from moving around in transit. No matter how full your case, you will still be able to comfortably carry it when you need to thanks to the soft-touch top and side carry handles. 

Because Delsey understands just how much you love your luggage, this case also features integrated, TSA-approved locks, allowing agents easy access to your belongings without the worry of them causing any damage. 

• Lots of pockets and compartments for storage
• Zippers can sometimes break with heavy use

For the Budget-Conscious Traveler

AmazonBasics Geometric Hardside Spinner Cabin Case

Weight: 6.77 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 21.7 inches

Basic by name, but not necessarily basic by nature, this little case from Amazon is great for budget-conscious travelers . The 21.7-inch hardshell case is perfect for shorter trips and will easily stow all your belongings safely while you travel.

Made with a scratch-resistant finish to protect against over-eager cab drivers or baggage handlers, the extra thick ABS shell is on par with many of its more expensive competitors and adds enhanced strength and durability.

Inside, the case is lined with 3 zippered pockets for storing all those important bits and pieces you need to bring along. Packing is a breeze with this expandable case — a useful extra 15% capacity means you can throw in that extra sweater or pair of shoes with ease.

The 4 double spinner wheels make this case easy to maneuver with 1 hand, leaving the other free for important tasks like child-wrangling or retrieving your tickets and passport while you walk.

With a telescopic handle and an additional securely mounted short handle, you can drag, roll, or carry this case through airports and foreign lands the world over.

• Supersmooth double spinner wheels
• Nowhere to store the zippers for protection

The Bang-for-Your-Buck Hard-Shell Carry-on

Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 20″ Hardside 4-Wheel Spinner

Weight: 6.25 pounds

Overall Dimensions:  21.75 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches

This case offers tons of useful features for an insanely low price. For ease of mobility, the Reaction case can literally turn on a dime — the multi-directional 4-wheel spinners allow for smooth, 360-degree movement over virtually any surface.

Being exceptionally lightweight makes it even easier to move around, and you can fill it to the brim with your belongings without having to worry too much about your weight allowance when you board. Garment straps are useful to hold your clothes in place and prevent too much creasing.

If you’re into the aesthetic charms of carry-on luggage, this one is sure to please, with molded corners, an ergonomic handle, an attractive shine, and a scratch-free ABD hard-shell cover that looks great and is highly durable. The case is also available in 11 different colors , so you are sure to find something that suits your tastes.

Internally, there are additional zippered compartments that make light work of keeping your valuables and smaller items safe while you travel. All in all, this is a great little case that won’t cost a fortune. Kenneth Cole also offers a 10-year limited warranty with this case for your peace of mind.

• Molded corner guards to protect from impact
• Warranty only covers manufacturing defects, not general wear and tear

For Travelers Looking for a Truly Lightweight Carry-On

BAGSMART Carry On Luggage

Weight: 6.39 pounds

Overall Dimensions : 21.7 x 14 x 8.7 inches

BAGSMART designs great-value luggage that performs well and looks awesome. This case is no exception, offering a lightweight, unbreakable shell that you can fill up for your next adventure.

Made from 100% polycarbonate, the case is ultra-durable, really lightweight, and incredibly easy to maneuver. It is also strong enough to withstand being thrown around during transit since the shell can absorb most knocks, eliminating nasty dents and scratches.

Designed for the organized traveler, the internal space is practical and well-thought-out . There are 2 main compartments, a zippered mesh compression divider, and an interior pocket for smaller items. These partitioned compartments keep everything neat and tidy.

When you’re packed up and ready to go, the multi-directional wheels make quick work of airport terminals — and have been tested on bumpy terrain such as gravel.

Complete with a TSA-approved lock that is set using a combination code, you should be able to pretty much guarantee your belongings will stay safe wherever you’re headed.

• Well-organized interior with a compression divider and internal pockets
• Doesn’t expand for more storage space

Hot Tip:  For more lightweight options, check out our separate review dedicated to the best lightweight carry-on luggage . 

For Samsonite Luggage Lovers

• Samsonite Freeform Spinner Cabin Case

Weight: 6.5 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 10 inches

Samsonite is one of the biggest names in luggage, and every case it sells is designed to be lightweight, extremely durable, and a good-looking addition to any traveler’s collection.

This particular model has been created to offer the strength you would expect from a hard-shell case, with the lightweight maneuverability you’d expect from a roller skate (honestly, it handles that well!).

Spacious interiors make light work of clothing and belongings to last a few days away, while the cross straps and divider are perfect for keeping your clothing tightly pressed and uncreased during transit.

The double wheels are perfect for pulling along behind you or keeping close by your side, and the Samsonite TSA 3-dial lock will prevent unwanted opening by anyone other than TSA agents.

This case is also expandable to a degree so you can pack that extra heavy sweater, and the built-in ID tag makes it easily identifiable as it swings past you on the luggage carousel.

The Freeform is designed with the discerning traveler in mind. The price tag may be a little higher than some of the lesser-known models out there, but you’re paying for a superb case built to last by a world leader in the luggage market.

• Built-in ID tag for quick identification
• Shows scratches easily

For Frequent Flyers Who Want Chic Design

Trek Aluminium Suitcase

Hot Tip: Use special promo code UP10 for 10% off!

Weight: 9.6 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 8.7 inches

Chic and stylish, this hardshell carry-on case is designed to offer maximum luggage capacity, while still meeting the size restrictions for overhead lockers on most domestic and international airplanes.

With its unbreakable aluminum-magnesium alloy shell , the Trek carry-on case oozes sophistication and good looks, making it perfect for both business travelers and leisure trips alike. The unique zipper-less closure is easy to open while remaining incredibly secure, and the dual TSA-approved combination locks mean the case can be accessed easily by security agents should they need to.

The super spacious, fully-lined interior offers over 34 liters of space in both halves to carry everything you need for your next trip. The pocketed panels will keep your liquids and clear bag secure in transit.

It’s not just the rugged good looks, and clever design touches that make this such an excellent choice for carry-on passengers, the way in which it moves is a revelation, too. Forget about wonky wheels and flimsy handles, this beauty comes complete with ultra-smooth 360-degree spinner wheels and an aluminum telescoping handle that makes it an absolute delight to wheel around the airport.

Refined, sophisticated, and built to last, this is the perfect carry-on case for frequent flyers.

• Zipless closure and hard-shell for tamper protection
• Might be out of budget for many travelers

For the Tech-Heavy Business Traveler

COOLIFE Suitcase With Front Compartment

Weight: 7.87 pounds

Overall Dimensions : 14.5 x 9 x 21 inches

With a front opening compartment complete with a padded laptop pocket and other small storage, this suitcase is designed for those who need instant access to their devices, documents, and other items while they travel.

Grab your passport, wallet, phone, tablet, or laptop with the flick of a zipper , leaving your pockets empty and your hands free. Great for business travelers or those who need to take a lot of tech with them, you can breeze through security without having to unpack your entire bag just to get your devices out.

The main compartment is also pretty impressive with plenty of space for your clothes, and each compartment is held in place by cross straps and an organization divider to stop your belongings from rolling around during transit.

Both the main and front compartments can be locked using the double TSA combination lock, so you can rest easy knowing your items are secure when unattended in the overhead lockers.

Made from ABS and polycarbonate, this suitcase is lightweight to maneuver on the 360-degree spinner wheels. With a durable structure, this sleek and futuristic-looking case has a particularly impressive look.

This is a great case for those who want to be able to access their items at a moment’s notice.

• Front pocket and double TSA lock
• Tech compartment eats into the main compartment space quite a bit when full

Designed for the Practical Traveler

SwissGear Travel Gear 6283 Spinner Luggage

Weight: 8 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 22.75 x 14.25 x 10.25 inches

Soft and light yet somehow strong and dependable, the SwissGear Travel Gear 6283 is a good choice for those who like soft-shelled cabin luggage.

Every aspect of this case has been designed with longevity in mind. This is a case that’s built to last and offers tons of features to help it withstand the rough and tumble of long-distance travel.

Made from durable, scuff-resistant polyester, the case is lightweight and can expand to offer extra packing space when needed. It also has some nice extra features like a zippered wet bag for keeping dirty clothes separate from the clean stuff.

It is also easy to maneuver with a telescoping locking push/pull handle system and 360-degree multi-directional spinner wheels that will glide effortlessly across most types of terrain.

With easy-to-access front pockets (that you won’t find on most hard-shell cases) and a built-in ID tag, this is one case that you can literally buy, fill, and carry on!

• Comes with a removable zippered wet bag
• Can tip over easily due to lightweight wheels

For the Discerning Traveler

Travelpro Platinum Magna Expandable Spinner Suitcase

Weight: 7.7 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9 inches

No one wants to be traveling and find their cell phone has run out of charge. This Travelpro suitcase comes with a built-in USB port and power bank pocket , so you can charge up on the move.

As with all the best cabin luggage, this suitcase is lightweight, sturdy, and conforms with the height and weight restrictions in place on most U.S. airlines. It’s not just on the plane where this case excels though — the super-smooth rollaboard wheels and PowerScope extendable handle ensure that this case is easy to pull along, no matter how far the journey.

On the inside, your clothes can remain wrinkle-free during travel as you lay them neatly inside the suiter compartment. The engineered zipper is also designed to withstand the constant opening and closing of your case while you find the perfect outfit for your vacation.

Another plus for this particular bag is its extremely lightweight design, meaning you can pack more belongings without worrying about having to check your luggage. Overpacked? Not to worry — this case also comes with expandable capability to increase the internal storage area.

Complete with a worry-free lifetime warranty , this is a great little case for your next adventure from a brand that makes quality products.

• No loss of internal space with rollaboard wheels
• The built-in suiter is a little narrow

For the Traveler Who Always Packs Too Much

Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Expandable Cabin Case

Weight: 9 pounds

Overall Dimensions:  14 x 9 x 22 inches

Briggs & Riley has been committed to supplying American globetrotters with luxury luggage for over a quarter of a century; this cabin case is another example of the company’s very fine work.

A top pick with frequent flyers and airline staff, the Baseline expandable case has its very own neat trick that allows it to offer a whopping 25% more packing space when needed . The case then manages to compress back down to fit perfectly in the overhead storage lockers of most U.S. domestic airlines.

With a state-of-the-art hybrid fiberglass frame, the case remains lightweight and easy to maneuver while still being incredibly durable. Made from super-strong ballistic nylon, the outer fabric is hard-wearing and water-resistant.

The aluminum handle system offers a super comfortable ergonomic handle, and the freewheeling system makes this case a dream to move around even the busiest of airports.

• Exterior telescopic handle with no compromise on internal space
• Not as much freedom pushing and pulling compared to spinner wheels

For the Really Modern Traveler

Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 22 Inch Expandable Rollaboard

Weight: 5.4 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 22 x 14.5 x 9 inches

The Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 is one of the lightest cabin bags ever made, meaning you can bring even more of your wardrobe when you travel. With lots of innovative features, this little beauty is made from tough, durable polyester that looks and works perfectly.

This case’s most fascinating feature is the patented Rollaboard that places a frame several inches from the bottom, allowing the designers to do away with heavy and bulky reinforcing frames found in similar cases. This means less weight and more space for you !

Exterior pockets are spacious enough to safely store a laptop, while the full-size inner compartment is large enough to keep even the crispest of suits wrinkle-free. If you want to squeeze even more in there, the case can expand to give you more room — but you could quickly exceed the maximum size restrictions for your airline carrier .

The modern design is also pretty impressive. Despite its somewhat surprising dimensions, this looks pretty sleek for a softshell case, and the smooth gliding wheels and ergonomic handle make it a good choice for most travelers.

• Super light, so you can get more from your carry-on allowance
• Tips forward easily

For Those Serious About Traveling the World

Osprey Farpoint Travel Backpack

Weight: 3.5 pounds

Overall Dimensions:  22 x 14 x 9 inches

Osprey is world-famous for their awesome backpacks, and this one is as good as any in the range. In fact, this one comes in 2 different options for men and women. The Farpoint and the Fairview offer practical solutions for those looking for a cabin-sized rucksack that can be used for your onward journeys, too.

If you like to sling your belongings on your back, both the Farpoint and the Fairview are made from super-tough ripstop nylon and feature slash-proof straps, tons of useful compartments, and a harness and hip belt for ease of wear during longer excursions.

Both have a discreet laptop and tablet sleeve that will keep your tech protected while you travel. Easy to access, lightweight, and big enough to handle a good amount of belongings while still being cabin-sized, these backpacks are just about the perfect alternative to cabin-sized suitcases.

Osprey backpacks also come in a wide range of colors (and bigger sizes, too), so if you want to coordinate your checked luggage, you should be able to find a size and style that matches.

• Comfortable harness and hip belt for comfortable wear
• No frame to stand up straight vertically

The Backpack To Stay Organized on the Go

Asenlin 40 Liter Travel Backpack

Weight: 2.7 pounds

Overall Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.2 x 9.45 inches

Whether you’re jetting off on vacation or a business trip, this backpack is versatile, attractive, and perfect for travelers who prefer to carry the world on their back instead of pulling it along on wheels.

Weighing in at 2.7 pounds, you can maximize your hand luggage allowance by filling up your bag with as many belongings as you need while still meeting the size restrictions for overhead bins.

Offering an impressive 40-liter interior, you can pull the compression straps tight to keep the pack easy to carry. Stay organized on the go by stashing your belongings into the convenient packing cubes that come in 3 different sizes .

To increase the comfort, the designers added well-padded and adjustable shoulder and sternum straps that can be zipped away to check your backpack or to easily attach to the handle of your suitcase.

With a front organizer pocket to quickly access your tickets, passport, and other accessories and a separate padded compartment for a 17.3-inch laptop, you’ll breeze through security in a matter of minutes.

• Includes 3 packing cubes to stay organized
• The laptop compartment makes the backpack front heavy

The Best Design for the Cool Backpacker

Hynes Eagle Flight Approved 40L Backpack

Weight : 2.53 pounds

Overall Dimensions:  20.1 x 13.4 x 9.8 inches

Hynes Eagle bags suggest that you’re a traveler who knows a bit about the world — and that you certainly know which kind of bag best suits your needs. Their cabin-approved backpacks are just the right size and offer tons of interior space while retaining modern silhouettes and a certain minimalist chic.

Made from water-repellent polyester, this is one of the hippest of all cabin rucksacks… and should probably be accessorized with a chai latte (and maybe even a beard).

Trendsetting aside, everyone should be impressed by the multiple interior slip pockets — one of which fits a 15.6-inch laptop with ease. Externally, there is a front zip pocket that enables easy access to your passport, money, phone, and frequent flyer cards.

Designed with ergonomics in mind, there is an adjustable sternum strap for added stability, as well as multiple exterior compression buckle straps for adjusting the height based on your own individual needs.

This is a true hands-free carry-on bag that won’t limit your mobility, while still being able to stow plenty during your travels.

• Convenient interior slip pockets for your passport, money, and gadgets
• No waist belt to help distribute the weight

The ability to travel without having to check bags makes your check-in faster and negates the need for lengthy waits at baggage claim.

Although you may need to do your research before you invest in the right cabin luggage for your needs, finding a small case that is easily maneuverable, lightweight, and able to hold everything you need for a few days away is really a game-changer when it comes to domestic and international air travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a backpack considered a personal item or carry-on.

The size of the backpack and the individual airlines rules will determine whether a backpack is a personal item or carry-on. As a rough guide, if the backpack is handbag-sized and comfortably fits under the seat in front of you, it would usually be classed as a personal item. Please check with your airline for their exact requirements.

What is considered carry-on luggage?

Each airline will have different carry-on luggage size requirements but carry-on luggage is usually determined by its dimensions. As a rough guide many airlines consider carry-on luggage to be no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. This will vary, so please check with the airline you are flying with.

What is the best carry-on bag for travel?

Cabin bags have revolutionized the way we travel. With airlines charging extra fees for checked luggage, more and more of us are cramming our belongings into little carry-on bags. These are some of our tops picks:

• Chester Lightweight Polycarbonate Spinner Case
• Delsey Paris Helium Aero 21″ Hardside Luggage
• Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 20″ Hardside

What bags are suitable for hand luggage?

As the battle between backpack and suitcase rages on, travelers usually come to a conclusion based on their individual travel needs. While a cabin bag usually comes with wheels and is easy to pull around the airport, they can have limited access and may hold less than their counterparts. Backpacks need to be carried at all times, but do offer plenty of hidden compartments for handy travel accessories — and using one will keep your hands free while you fumble for your tickets at check-in.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

Find anything you save across the site in your account

The Best Carry-On Luggage for Every Budget And Destination

By Avidan Grossman , Gerald Ortiz , and Tyler Chin

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The quest to find the best carry-on luggage shouldn’t be as onerous as your search for the perfect vacation destination —Instagrammable, but not, like, too Instagrammable—but it absolutely is. And though vacation destinations might feel beholden to your limited budget and even more limited OOO days, suitcase options abound at every price point.

The Best Carry-on Luggage, at a Glance

Gotta get to the airport ASAP? Don't run through the airport like a fool—our top picks for the best carry-on luggage are right here.

• The Best Softside Luggage : TravelPro MaxLite 5 Expandable Spinner , $170
• The Best Hard Shell Luggage : Away Carry-On , $275
• Another Solid Hardside Spinner : Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max , $375
• The Best Duffle Bag, Overall : Lotuff No.12 Weekender , $1,200
• The Best Travel Backpack: Topo Designs Global Travel Bag , $415
• The Best Do-Everything Duffel : Peak Design Travel Duffel , $140
• The Convertible Travel Bag : Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag , $159
• The Best Budget Carry-On Bag : Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner , $83

Even the most cursory search for a good carry-on turns up a bewildering mixture of products from established luggage brands to agile fashion houses to venture-capital infused juggernauts. So, we've drummed up a short guide on how to shop for the best carry-on luggage, from indestructible aluminum-shell bags to slightly squishier softside luggage that you can squeeze under an airplane seat, then outlined some of our top-tier winners below.

Your Luggage-Related FAQs, Answered

→ What's the Difference Between Hardside and Softside Luggage?

→ What Makes a Good Carry-On Bag?

→ How We Tested

The Best Softside Luggage: TravelPro MaxLite 5 Expandable Spinner

Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Spinner

Big on practicality and low on cost, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 offers the best value of any softside bag out there. It's the brand's lightest four-wheel spinner suitcase at five pounds, maximizing on maneuverability for when you're sprinting to catch your flight. The cavernous, expandable interior includes tons of weird little zippered sections and mesh pockets for you to cordon off your toiletries, small items, dirty clothes, and shoes from your clothes without busting out the packing cubes. And after you've racked up plenty of miles on those wheels, the Platinum Elite comes with a limited lifetime warranty for repairs and replacements.

The only ding against the TravelPro is its humdrum looks, which evoke the dated carpeting of one of the airports it'll be dragged through. But that hasn’t kept it from becoming a favorite of frequent flyers. If the TravelPro logo looks familiar, it's probably because you’ve spotted it on the luggage of the flight attendants and pilots that spend most of their lives in the sky.

The Best Hard-Shell Luggage: Away The Carry-On

The Carry-On

There are plenty of good reasons why the Away team has just about upended the luggage industry since it launched. Instagram-ready looks? Check. Durable shell? Check. Smooth Hinomoto spinner wheels, top and side handles, clothes straps, a mesh zip pocket, a laundry bag, sturdy YKK zippers, and—maybe most game-changing of all—a built-in USB charger so you don't have to screw around with airport outlets? Yeah, check. At just under three hundred bucks and spanning a range of handsome, low-key colorways, Away's carry-on means you don't have to choose between getting something cheap and ugly and spending a rent check on something luxe. For an industry that never really did the low-to-mid-tier thing well, that's a very welcome change of pace. Our testers have taken theirs on planes across the country and halfway across the world, and never run into issues. Provided you do , there's a limited lifetime warranty that'll cover any functional damage.

Another Solid Hardside Spinner: Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max

"The Zipper" Carry-On Max

The Arlo Skye Zipper carry-on is a winner for a couple reasons. The bag’s polycarbonate shell isn’t as hearty as the fabric on the TravelPro or the aluminum of a Rimowa, say, but we found the suitcase a bit more capable of withstanding regular use than many other hard-shelled suitcases we’ve tested. (It's also much cheaper.) All of Arlo Skye’s carry-on sized suitcases boast internal pockets for organizing your travel gear, including a few zippered areas for separating out dirty clothes and shoes. The company also makes a version with an easy-access front pocket, presumably for a laptop or magazines, but we’d imagine you’d rather store those things in a backpack or tote rather than in the suitcase you're hauling into an overhead bin. Arlo Skye’s luggage features a removable external charger, but unlike the USB port from Away that can only juice up your phone, it comes with a USB-C connection for keeping your laptop charged up, too. Still, the five-year warranty that Arlo Skye offers doesn’t compare to Away’s limited lifetime warranty, which is why the latter is still our top choice for long-hauler luggage that you'll want to keep dragging around a decade from now.

The Ultimate Travel Flex: Rimowa Classic Carry-On

Classic Cabin Suitcase

Rimowa, the storied German luggage company founded in the late 1800s, has been a powerhouse in the luggage space for over a century, with a litany of perks to its name: A single-stage telescoping handle, a hinged double latch lock by the main compartment, elastic compression straps with magnetic pull-release fastenings, its signature ridged exteriors, the works. Couple that with some choice collabs with the likes of Dior, Off-White, Moncler, and beyond, and you'll see why Rimowa's become a status symbol among elite travelers and celebs like Rihanna and LeBron James. Each bag will set you back at least a grand, but if you've ever been stuck traveling with a lackluster piece of luggage and thought, Man, I wish my suitcase could do that , chances are Rimowa's can, and masterfully. We went deep on the legacy brand's signature bag here in case you want to hear more about the intricacies of how it maneuvers and exactly how it compares to something more pedestrian like the Away.

The Best Luxury Duffle Bag: Lotuff No.12 Weekender

No. 12 Weekender

Lotuff's handsome, all-American No. 12 duffle bag is our favorite of the genre , with all the details that matter (or matter enough to justify this $1,200 price tag). Take the zipper closure for one, which runs from end to end for extra security, and a wide opening that allows you to shove in a glut of your equally fancy sweaters and toiletries without breaking a sweat. Unlike other cheaply-made and poorly-designed duffles, the vegetable-tanned leather also gives it a first-class patina that only gets better with every trip. But should the leather break or that zipper snag, Lotuff will repair it for a fee, so this bag will stay in your family for many, many flights to come. The interior of the bag features a zip pocket for corralling your loose miscellanea, and the bottom of the bag is also reinforced with double leather for durability. With this bag, you're looking at an investment piece that, if you're treating it right, won't ever need to be replaced.

The Best Travel Backpack: Topo Designs Global Travel Bag

Topo Designs

Global Travel Bag 40L

Backcountry

Topo Design has built up a loyal following of rugged adventurers over its 16 years of business. The Colorado-based brand is making some of the best mountaineering, hiking, and travel packs and gear in the Mountain Standard Time zone, and we've found its Global Travel bag to be an excellent pack for doing exactly as the name implies. The bag actually offers three ways to carry it—whether you use it as a backpack, briefcase, or shoulder bag—but what it really has going for it is its plethora of pockets and U-shape entry, which means the bag unzips to fold in half.

That means no longer having to blindly and aimlessly rummage through your bag in the overhead compartment for one tiny thing before takeoff. Topo Designs put padding almost everywhere this bag touches your body, which also makes running through the airport with two minutes to board less torturous on your frame. Almost everything about the Global Travel bag has been configured to allow you to customize it with the brand's assortment of packing gear: The daisy chain lets you hook on accessory packs; the sizing of the compartments is perfectly measured to accommodate storage cubes; and attachment clips further turn you into a pack mule for even more baggage options.

The Best Do-Everything Duffel: Peak Design Travel Duffel

Peak Design

Travel Duffel 35L

If you have duffels reserved for specific purposes—travel, the gym , schlepping your everyday goods—then you have more space than us, friends. Peak Design, a brand that's become famous for its ingenious storage solutions for hauling camera and video gear, makes a travel duffel that fits the bill for every purpose. Available in 35- and 65-liter options (only the former can be used as a carry-on), the Travel duffel is one of the nicer bags we've seen in the sub-$150 price bracket.

There's also something every satisfying about the way the hand-carry straps snap together with a magnet, and if your arms are getting tired, those straps can be work on your back. The extra-wide zipper allows for great access to your goods, and some internal pockets make it easier to know where you've put your chargers, passports, and other miscellaneous travel goods. While the duffel doesn't fold into itself like the Patagonia bag below, it does fold down fairly flat. One of our staffers brings this duffel with him on his travels and stores it in his other carry-on in case the travel shopping bug bites him and one bag isn't enough to get his goodies home.

The Best Convertible Travel Bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag

Black Hole Duffel Bag, 40L

Remember that hapless kid in fifth grade the whole class mocked for showing up with a rolling backpack the first day of school? ( People don't forget! ) Well, if you still holding onto some secondhand trauma from the incident, Patagonia's streamlined duffel might be good enough to risk straining your back to carry. Late last year, Patagonia updated its popular line of Black Hole bags , swapping out the high-gloss finish for a new matte look that makes good on the eco-conscious brand's commitment to sustainable sourcing. Aside from the new 100% recycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) finish, essentially everything about this bag is the same. While we miss the look of the OG bags, we're happy to say the duffel loses none of the specs or details that made the originals so damn great.

The body fabric, lining, and webbing are all made out of water-resistant recycled materials designed to keep your valuables dry, while two padded straps make for an easy switch if you'd rather sling it over your shoulders like a carry-on backpack . The bag's handles are also specially reinforced to make for comfortable hand-carrying so your lower vertebrae will hold up fine no matter how far your terminal is from the gate. Best of all, the whole thing folds into itself for storage. With all due respect to your childhood classmate (who you definitely owe an apology), sometimes carrying your bag just looks cooler than wheeling it around.

The Best Truly Budget Carry-On: Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner

Amazon Basics

20-Inch Hardside Spinner

We've all been there: You forgot to pack for your trip in two days, and wait, you don't have a suitcase. Take advantage of that Prime membership burning a monthly hole in your credit card statement, and scoop up the most popular carry-on Amazon from its namesake brand. With over 45,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews to its credit, this 20-inch hardside spinner has earned more than its fair share of compliments like “perfect for the price,” “light and sturdy,” and “great, all-around suitcase.” For an suitcase that costs less than a Benjamin, this spinner is built pretty well and features everything you'd want from a quality spinner: an expander, interior zippered pocket with additional storage, and smooth-rolling wheels for breezing through that moving walkway like you're The Flash.

4 More Carry-Ons We Like

We've also assembled a number of other worthy alternatives that'll help you jet off in style, even if you're on a Frontier budget. These may be slightly less accessible or less well-rounded than our top picks—and some of these we haven't had the luxury of testing ourselves—but they boast many of the same features you'd hope for in a well-traveled suitcase, from easy-gripping telescoping handles to a roomy, organized interior.

22-Inch 19 Degrees International Expandable Spinner Carry-On

Perhaps no other suitcase brand on the planet has the same name recognition as a Tumi, the workhorse luggage of choice for business travelers, and plenty of celebrities, since it first came on the scene in the ‘70s. Beyond the absolute basics—trustworthy zippers, a bevy of pockets and dividers, and locks for keeping everyone else out except the TSA—this shellacked spinner has style in spades. Add to that a Lever Lock system that fully enables your overpacking tendencies, and Tumi's tracing system (in case you ever lose sight of your bag), and you have hardly any reasons not to scoop one. The polished diagonal ridges on this spinner give it some subtle Rimowa vibes, too, without entreating you spend more than $1,000.

The North Face

Base Camp Duffel

Upgrading from the $30 Carhartt duffel you've had since college to something slightly more distinguished? North Face's base camp bag is the next logical progression, with a similar rugged style for outdoorsy folks, plus a water-resistant, recycled exterior that can handle a little dirt and distressing. It's extremely generous with a 50 liter capacity for tucking in gear, clothes, and beyond. Plus, the price point at under $150 is just right. It's probably the next best thing if for some reason Patagonia's high-vis logos aren't to your liking and you'd prefer something stealthier to haul your stuff into the great outdoors or onto the main cabin.

In the war between direct-to-consumer suitcases, Away is the clear winner by sheer popularity. But for anyone trying hard to not cave into peer pressure, Monos makes a comparable hardside suitcase that doesn't scream Instagram-obsessive-millennial. It's built with nearly the same specs as Away's carry-on and features nearly all the same design details from the interior compression, included laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels, and ribbed exterior. It's a whole Andrew Jackson less than the Away if that's enough to sway you to shop a suitcase from a lesser-known brand.

Cabin Luggage

Help your suitcase stand out in a sea of black nylon by copping a polycarbonate spinner in robin's egg blue. Floyd's retro carry-on spinners are inspired by ‘70s skating culture (peep the wheels!), with a breezy, laid-back sensibility that’ll help ease you into the vacation mindset. The glaringly orange, well-apportioned storage section inside only amplifies the brand's ethos of good vibes and great design. If you want swervier luggage that doesn’t look like everyone else's in the terminal, this one's a solid bet that perfectly blends high-vis colorblocking and design chops.

What's the Difference Between Soft and Hardside Carry-On Bags?

Hardside luggage used to be a bit of a novelty. If you had any 15 years ago, you might have been one of the few people in the airport hauling around their characteristic sleek shells—which made finding your bag at the luggage carousel a lot easier. But as these models started to become available in polycarbonate plastics, hardside options become just as ubiquitous as their soft shell counterparts.

By Alissa Fitzgerald

By Calum Marsh

By Oren Hartov

On the other hand, the main advantage of soft fabric luggage is its durability. That might seem counterintuitive because shouldn't something with a hard protective shell last longer? But in our experience, after the same amount of use, softside luggage looks more or less like it did when you bought it. Think about it: If you toss a soft fabric cube back and forth against a wall for a year, it might look a little bit busted on the corners, but its stretchy-soft surface would probably absorb much of the impact. But if that cube was made out of a thin, hard substance, you'd probably see a dent or nick in the paint basically anywhere it hit the wall.

That said, a bunch of fabric luggage options (save for the super expensive models) leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. Even when they're new, pulling a fabric suitcase behind you makes you look, at best, like someone who knows their way around a day planner. At worst, especially when they're covered in all sorts of metal rivets and extra zippers, they can look dinky—the tuxedo T-shirt of things to put your clothes in. So it makes sense that hard shell luggage almost always looks much better. Their glossy shells catch the light nicely as they float alongside you. And in recent years, companies have gotten a lot better at making them as durable as can be.

Fabric luggage does have one other advantage over hard shells, though. Thanks to their stretchiness, soft suitcases tend to be a little bit more accommodating to over-packers, while still maintaining the same carry-on size. You'll find it a little bit easier to actually zip them shut, even when they're filled to the brim with extra pairs of clothes. Hard shell suitcases offer a lot less give in terms of packing space, which makes them less than ideal if you tend to accumulate endless tchotchkes while you're traveling. It might not be a dealbreaker, but still something to consider.

What Makes a Good Carry-On Bag?

Size : According to the TSA, carry-on size restrictions vary by airline, but generally, the dimensions max out at 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Another important number to note regarding carry-on sizes is the capacity, usually denoted in liters. Considering size restrictions, the most capacity you'll have is around 40 liters, which is good for a week-long trip, but we did find one duffel bag that has a 50-liter capacity but can fly under the size restrictions because of its shape.

Style : Rolling bags, suitcases, luggage—those are probably the most popular style of carry-on bag. They easy to move around and don't require a rock-hard body to transport around the airport. However, some folks might prefer a lighter-weight duffel bag or backpack to trek into the great outdoors or keep close at home for short weekend sojourns. It all depends on where you're traveling, how much you're hauling, and

How We Tested

We here at GQ have been scanning the wild world of luggage retailers to find the carry-on bags you can comfortably roll up the cobblestone steps of Lisbon, zip-line with through the canopies of Belize , or begrudgingly leave at the gate on the way home for your nephew’s “graduation” from elementary school. We’ve combined our knowledge of the best luggage across a range of prices, styles, and construction types—ones that we've taken on planes, trains, and automobiles—to figure out which offer the best combination of solid construction, useful features, and magnificent looks.

We also added some runner-ups that we haven't had the pleasure of testing, but think combine the right features, price point, and reputation to go toe-to-toe with other contenders in their price range. Not so into the Away? Spring for a slightly more innocuous Monos. Want a heritage bag without blowing more than a grand? Tumi's got your back. After all that, here are our top picks that we’d be happy to drag behind and beside us on every single one of our upcoming trips.

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The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You’re Headed

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Carry-On for Most People Travelpro Maxlite 5 Read more

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Away Carry-On Read more

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On Yeti Crossroads 35L Read more

Best Bag for a Lifetime Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Read more

Whew! You've made it all the way across the globe. But have your toothbrush, pajamas, and running shoes made it, too? If you're a frequent traveler, it's easy to obsess over the logistics of getting your stuff clean, organized, and in good working condition upon arrival. Paying for a decent travel bag and a few useful accessories means buying a little peace of mind, especially when a few yards of zippers and some nylon are the only barriers between your precious belongings and the belly of an airliner.

Whether you're slinging a duffel into a car trunk for a weekend trip or packing for a whirlwind jaunt across Asia, we've got you covered. Need a bag for your passport or groceries? Don't forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags , for more picks.

Updated April 2024: We reorganized this guide and added new picks, such as the Yeti Crossroads, Tom Bihn Aeronaut and Trinity, the Frame Carry-On Max, the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, the Camelbak A.T.P. 20, the Calpak Luka Duffel, and the Rux 70. We also updated the information on sizing and checked links and prices.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best Carry-On for Most People

Look around any airport—if you see flight attendants or pilots, they will probably be rolling around a Travelpro suitcase. We like Travelpros because you get a lot of bang for your buck. They're durable, light, and not too expensive.

For only a little over $100, the Maxlite 5 is one of the more affordable Travelpro suitcases, and at 5.4 pounds, it's very light! The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids, and the zippers are also quite strong and don't tend to get stuck. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Reviewer Matt Jancer did note that the aluminum handle extensions did sometimes stick and the main grab handle on the bag is only single-stitched, which may cause durability issues farther down the line. However, he has seen no issues yet. This probably the best bag you can get in the $100 to $150 price range.

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On

Away's business practices may have raised some eyebrows , but there's no denying that this company changed the travel market entirely. It has increased in price since we first tested it, but multiple WIRED staffers still use the classic Away hard-shell carry-on ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) as their travel suitcase.

Hard-shell suitcases tend to be heavier. There's also not as much give in the case, so you may find it hard to squeeze in more items than in a soft-shell bag, bu they look a lot sleeker than their soft-shell counterparts and protect fragile items better. The Away weighs 7.5 pounds, which is pretty standard for a hard-shell carry-on. When I tested it, I liked that it had multiple height settings and that the polycarbonate shell wiped clean and stayed mostly scuff-free (it helped that my tester was in the darker navy color). Away's suitcases also come with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from the rest of your stuff. The handle did feel a bit wobbly, though.

★ Alternatives: So many companies now offer a direct-to-consumer, stylish, hard-shell carry-on similar to the Away's. We've tried ones by Monos ($255) and July ($295) . Besides price, the differences are mostly negligible. I like July's aluminum bumpers, but they do add weight. The Monos's handle rolls out more smoothly, but the July's pebbled surface doesn't show scuffs as badly. Both have survived multiple cross-country trips, being checked as baggage, and being ridden on by two small children with no damage.

Paravel also offers an Aviator carry-on ($395) that touts itself as the world's first carbon-neutral carry-on; it has an interior lining made of recycled plastic bottles, a telescoping handle made of recycled aluminum, and vegan leather trim to help it stand out from all the plain black bags at the airport. Product reviewer Jaina Grey fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On

Yeti's coolers and cups are famous for being bomb-proof. The company recently launched a luggage line that's similarly overbuilt. The Yeti Crossroads 35L is a 22-inch roller bag that's carry-on size for most major airlines. It weighs 7.7 pounds, on par with soft-sided competitors of the same size.

I recently spent a week dragging the Crossroads up and down grimy subway station escalators, thumping it across cobblestones, and scrunching it into overfull overhead bins during a trip to London, Paris, and Brussels. The blue 700D nylon on the front and sides looks just as fresh as it did out of the box while the molded polycarbonate shell on the back has a few well-earned battle scratches. The two extra-large fixed wheels are rolling as smoothly as ever and hopped up curbs so well that I grew to favor them over smaller spinner wheels. The Crossroads has a half-dozen well-placed pockets and sturdy zippers that didn't give me any anxiety even as I tugged them hard while smooshing down to fit souvenirs into a carry-on with 8 days of clothing. —Martin Cizmar

Best Bag for a Lifetime

Do you only want to buy one suitcase and never think about it, ever again? Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. I bought a Briggs & Riley carry-on as my first and only post-college purchase. Right now, it has lasted over 20 years. Periodically, I bring it into the one Briggs & Riley-approved dealership in my town to get a zipper pull put back on, and it's fixed for free in a few days. Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant. After having been dragged all over the globe, from the Philippines to Turkey to Iceland, the gleaming red is just as bright.

The low-profile wheels nor handles have never broken. The grab handles are also luxuriously smooth and padded, and there's an interior folding garment bag for my husband's suits. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.

★ Alternatives: If you need an absolutely bomber-tough rolling suitcase and don't mind its 9.6-pound weight, the Pro Front-Access Carry ($799) will stand up to more abuse than most rolling bags, with its aluminum frame and 70-percent-recycled polycarbonate body. WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam says it's his favorite rolling bag in years. Jancer also likes Travelpro's Platinum Elite carry-on ($315) , which he calls one of the most high-end polycarbonate bags on the market.

Best Backpack

When I reviewed the Cotopaxi Allpa in 2018 ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ), it had only recently launched. Now, a half-dozen years later, it is one of the most popular travel backpacks that I see online and in airports all over the world. It's a combination of a camping backpack, a suitcase, and a soft, frameless duffel. You can splay it open like a sandwich to pack it easily; access items through a side zip; put it on your backpack and secure its weight with a sternum strap; or squash or stomp it into any overhead compartment or corner of your car trunk. The use case for this bag is extremely specific—the same people who are bopping around Thailand for several weeks in one backpack are not the same people trying to look professional at a work conference. But it is sturdy and comfortable.

★ Alternative: I took the Ekster Packable Duffel ($250) on several weekend trips this spring, and found that it more than upheld its claims of being built for “smoother journeys, on and off the grid.” This travel bag converts from a backpack to a duffel, with two separate compartments that also splay open for easier packing. The 600-denier exterior and water-resistant zippers are so sturdy that when we ran out of space in the car, we lashed it to the roof rack with surf straps and drove for hours in the rain. It, and its contents, remained pristine.

Best Convertible Bag

Every serious traveler knows the name of Seattle-based Tom Bihn, manufacturer of bomber bags that will last you a lifetime. The Aeronaut 45 is the classic Tom Bihn convertible carry-on, which the size of the maximum allowable carryon bag on a plane.

You get everything from a Tom Bihn bag that you pay for. It’s made of incredibly sturdy 1050 denier ballistic nylon, with bombproof YKK zippers. It has both hidden backpack straps and an extremely comfortable cross-body strap. This is commerce director Martin Cizmar's bag, and he's tossed it around and lugged it down rough streets and through crowds where roller bags are a liability. He owns two and the first lasted for more than a decade. This is the bag that both he and I would use, if we didn't have to constantly test other bags.

Best Personal Item

Some airlines are not content with charging you extra for checking a bag and now charge you for overhead bin space . The Tom Bihn Trinity ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) addresses that problem by providing a space for you to pack everything you need while still fitting underneath the seat in front of you. As the name suggests, it has three main compartments and three ways to carry—either as a briefcase with padded grab handles, a backpack, or as a shoulder bag with two attachment points.

It has three main compartments which can be arranged to your liking; for example, on one of the side compartments, you can zip a water bottle holder into place or unzip it for more room. It wasn't quite as versatile as I expected; I found that I prefer a small duffel with one main compartment that I can organize as I like. However, it does fit under the seat in front of me, even with clothes, laptop, and four (four!) hardcover books that I somehow stuffed inside it.

Best Work Bag

I've been traveling a lot for work and for family reasons in the past few months, and the bag I prefer for my personal item is the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, which is the larger version of the brand's Nouvelle purse ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). It comes in a medium and a large version; the medium is adequate as an everyday bag, but the large turns it into a versatile work/travel bag. It’s low-profile and has both smooth leather grab handles as well as a shoulder strap. I have kicked it under plane seats and around airports, and the nylon doesn't show any damage. There's a hidden separate compartment if you spill water on yourself, and it has sturdy feet so you can put it on an airplane bathroom counter and dig for your makeup without it falling over or getting the bottom of the bag too disgusting. The toothed zippers do tend to crinkle and snatch at your knuckles when the bag gets overstuffed, but I suppose you could always, uh, avoid overstuffing your bag.

★ Alternatives: We have plenty of recommendations in our guide to the Best Laptop Totes , but we love Lo & Sons. The Catalina Supreme Tote ($338) is also great for weekend trips. Again, there's also a bottom compartment for a pair of shoes, or anything else you need to keep separate.

The Best Hiking Daypack

The Camelbak A.T.P. is so useful that I’m always startled to realize it only has a 20-liter capacity. I have it in the 100 percent recycled white color, which saves water and only emits half the greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the dying process. It’s a panel loader, which means you can unzip the top and see exactly where everything goes, like a duffel. This is convenient when packing for trips—I was able to fit clothes, a Dopp kit, and electronics for an overnight trip. (I know these types of zippers fail more often than top loaders, but it does make it easier to arrange and sort items near the bottom of the pack.)

I particularly like how narrow it is. It fits my back and goes under airplane seats that even my children’s backpacks can’t. The bottle pocket has a zipper that makes it expandable so it can fit a little coffee thermos or my giant Yeti water bottle . Exterior compression straps also help squeeze my clothes even smaller. This is a great backpack if you want something that looks sleek enough for a work bag but is durable enough to take on a weekend trip to Yosemite.

★ Alternative: I also love the Patagonia Black Hole Backpack ($149) . This 25-liter bag is the perfect combination work/adventure bag. The suspended 15-inch laptop pocket clips shut, and the rest of the pockets are thoughtfully placed. It’s extremely light (a little over a pound) and is made from 100 percent recycled ripstop fabric.

Best Duffel Bag

The Big Haul ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite duffel because it hits the right balance of robust build materials and pockets without being too heavy to lug around all day. The standout feature of the Big Haul series, which comes in 28-liter to 120-liter options, is the ability to easily reposition the carrying straps, which feature plastic fishhook-style ends that slip into fabric loops. You can connect one strap end-to-end or double up on two straps in an H pattern for more stability with heavy loads. Adding and removing the straps isn't super fast, but it's not difficult, either, and six low-profile loops seems less intrusive than six rattling plastic buckles.

Two small interior pockets and an exterior pocket keep small things organized, and its water-resistant fabric is thick and tough without being stiff. All the sewing around the grab handles feels very robust too. Padded backpack straps hide away under a padded pocket on the top of the bag. This means that when you sling the Big Haul over your shoulders to give your arms a rest, your back is against the relatively clean top of the duffel, rather than a wet, dirty bottom side that's been set down on the ground. The current iteration of the Big Haul is also made with recycled nylon. What's not to love? —Matt Jancer

★ Alternative: For slightly more money, the classic duffel in this category is the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel ($159) , which also comes in a variety of colorways and sizes. You can either carry it by the grab handles or with the shoulder straps, and it's made from 100 percent recycled polyester with a TPU-film laminate. I (Adrienne) have had the 40-liter version for almost 15 years now and the laminate has yet to peel. It also fits as a carry-on on flights.

The Best Expedition Bag

If you like outdoor sports, you probably need a good expedition bag—that is, a huge, burly duffel that you can just throw all your pointy ice axes, trekking poles, or camp chairs into that you can take anywhere and everywhere. Reviewer Matt Jancer's expedition bag of choice is the Red Oxx PR5. He's used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast without a single frayed thread. Everything about Red Oxx is overbuilt. The zippers are huge, its thick pieces of nylon webbing are robustly sewn, and chunky metal rings hang the detachable carrying strap. All that said, it's not abominably heavy. At 3.4 pounds it's still lighter than many wheeled bags.

★ Alternative: If you've ever gone to a popular outdoor destination, like Yosemite or Everest, you've probably seen stacks of North Face Base Camp duffels . This is the quintessential expedition bag. My own personal bag is the OnSight Tarmac EPO , but the company no longer exists; I also have a Mountain Hardware duffel ($180) and after 20 years, the coating has finally started to peel.

Best for Camping

We love everything from Rux; I'm currently testing the waterproof adventure tote ($150) and I use it for everything from my climbing gear, to picnic gear, to bringing my kids' roller skates and soccer balls to the park. I have also leaked an entire water bottle in it and it stayed contained and out of the bottom of my car.

But for camping (or any outdoor pursuit, really), what you need is a Rux storage system , which, as the artist and filmmaker Van Neistat puts it, will help you kit your shit . It holds its frame shape, which means you can stack and organize inside of it just like a box, but it folds down like a bag for easy storage once you're at your destination. It's also light and waterproof and comes with a wide array of accessories . This is an upgrade for everyone who currently sorts their camping, climbing, or snowboarding gear in a series of $5 plastic totes and stacks them in their trunk.

The Best Aluminum Suitcase

Perhaps you've seen those Instagram-friendly, shiny aluminum suitcases and wonder whether it's worth the investment. Aluminum is extremely durable and can be machined with precision. That means it will protect your belongings better, and you can close them with latches instead of zippers. Your suitcase will last longer and be more secure— zippers are pretty easy to break into —and generally have fewer points of failure.

In my opinion, the cost-benefit analysis generally weighs against them. Aluminum suitcases are usually heavier and won't flex as much if you have overpacking tendencies, and I find them painfully conspicuous. Any suitcase with a decent warranty policy will painlessly cover any repairs. If you must have one, we like Arlo Skye's the Frame. Arlo Skye was founded by alumni from Louis Vuitton and Tumi, and reviewer Matt Jancer says that everything about the Frame screams robust quality, from the leather grab handles to the combination-lock latches. It also comes with a removable battery bank and has a few more liters of carrying capacity than the similarly-sized Away. The main disadvantage is that the interior organization is a bit lacking.

★ Alternative: Do you want the benefits of an aluminum suitcase without the drawbacks? You might want to consider Monos's Hybrid Carry-On ($325) . You won't fool anyone into thinking you've shelled out for a 100 percent aluminum suitcase, but Jancer notes that it's only a pound or so heavier than the competition and the aluminum frame offered better protection than any 100 percent polycarbonate suitcase that he tried.

A Good Emergency Go Bag

To be clear, any bag here could be considered a go-bag—even a grocery bag works when you have to leave the house imminently. But reviewer Nena Farrell used Calpak's duffel for an emergency surgery, and she is kicking herself for not getting it sooner. It was big enough for everything from makeup bags and extra outfits to a massive book and Nintendo Switch, and was comfortable to carry thanks to the large straps.

The shoe compartment was big enough for sandals and slides, but not big enough for shoes with an ankle. It was also a great place to stash haphazard Ziplocs of emergency toiletries and medications. There are some side pockets inside too, plus an exterior side pocket and a pass-through panel to place it on top of your luggage. It was a great hospital companion, but Farrell can't wait to take the Luka somewhere a little more fun.

Other Bags We Like

Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we've tested that get our thumbs-up.

Osprey Ozone 40L for $280 : At 4.47 pounds, Osprey claims this bag is the lightest carry-on suitcase. It's also made from 400D recycled bluesign-approved nylon and is treated with DWR. This bag is light enough to easily hoist above my head and has also been checked multiple times.

Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140 : This duffel weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. There's an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don't tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I've encountered on a duffel. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.

Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel for $180 : Most duffel bags these days are made of nylon, and while it's tough to call a material that's been popular since the 1940s “modern,” nylon bags don't have the old-school charm that this waxed canvas bag does.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149 : This bag weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. It also has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket.

Skyway Epic Carry-On for $160 : At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is an average weight. The handle is a wee bit more finicky than our top pick, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, the Epic is a solid choice.

Target Signature Weekender Bag for $81 : Looking like a cross between a duffel and a handbag, the Weekender has a structure that product reviewer Louryn Strampe says can become overfilled, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring it onto a plane as a carry-on. She appreciates its durability and the many internal pockets for organization, though, and its rather long five-year warranty.

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $345 : It's a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it's accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there's an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Recycled Products guide.

Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200 : This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.

Adidas Defender Duffel for $40 : If you're looking for an inexpensive duffel that'll handle some light-duty traveling, this is a good way to save $100. The fabric is significantly thinner and less sturdy than that of other duffels in this guide, and it lacks backpack straps. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.

Bags We Don’t Like

Some bags just aren't worth the asking price, especially with so many good alternatives at all price points.

Peugeot Voyages Carry-On Spinner for $595 : What a price tag for a plastic-case suitcase. You can see where Peugeot tried to imbue the Voyages with some luxury, such as the metal riveting and built-in travel locks, but the case felt no more solid than a budget hard-sided bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal.

Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible International Carry-On for $469 : At 6 pounds, 2 ounces, this bag is a bit heavy. There's a zip-off 19-liter backpack that you can separate from the rest of the 37-liter bag, but when they're zipped together, the combined size doesn't meet carry-on restrictions.

Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200 : This one wasn't awful, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases. The handle rattles a lot and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as other bags.

A Few Travel Accessories

Once you've got your bag, you'll want to pack it with a few more useful items:

Apple AirTag for $24 : If you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination. Don't have an iPhone? We suggest the Chipolo in our guide to the Best Bluetooth Trackers .

Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $35 keep everything inside your bags organized by allowing you to separate it into different cubes, so you won't ever have to hunt through seven pairs of socks to find your bathing suit again.

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case for $75 : Calpak’s viral clear cases come in three sizes and a ton of colors for the edge trims. Reviewer Nena Farrell loved the small size for my gym bag and traveling with a smaller carry-on bag, while the medium was a great size for my daily makeup or larger suitcases.

Troubadour Buddy 2.0 Tech Case for $75 : You probably need a case to organize your spare charging cables and power banks. I've been testing this compact, waterproof, and recycled bag that fits neatly into my personal item.

UrPower Portable Steamer for $24 beats a travel iron because it's far lighter and you don't need to hunt down an ironing board at your hotel. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using UrPowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything. You just need to refill it often.

Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale for $15 is handy when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Use it to weigh your luggage and make sure it's within the weight limits. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even American airlines will be unforgiving about weight for checked bags.

InCase MacBook Sleeves for $50 will keep your laptop from bearing the damage caused by airport security lines. Travel through an airport without a case and it's only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. Check our guide to the Best MacBook Accessories for more.

How to Pick the Right Size Bag

Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage, so if you want to be safe, you should check your airline's requirements before packing. But broadly, they're split into two categories: domestic and international.

Domestic flights by US airlines (and a few others) have standardized on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

International carry-on bag sizes tend to be about 21 inches tall and a bit narrower, but they're all over the place. It's tough, because many international airlines will measure your bags at the airport and reject anything even slightly bigger than the allowed size. If you fly outside the US a lot, you may as well buy a bag sized for international flights.

You'll also want to check each airline's weight limits. They vary wildly, but some international airlines restrict you to 15 or 20 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. For example, there are some East Asian airlines that limit carry-on bags to 11 pounds. Once you subtract 6 or more pounds for the bag, you're not left with much wiggle room to put stuff inside.

When to Remove Battery Banks

Battery banks, also known as power banks, are a travel must-have. Whether you're using a tablet to watch movies on your flight or relying on your phone to coordinate rideshares, hotel check-in, and handle your boarding passes, you've got to keep those devices charged and topped up. Many bags offer a removable battery bank that slides into a special pocket or notch of the suitcase.

For carry-on luggage on a flight in the US, you're allowed to bring a lithium-ion battery of 100 watt-hours or less. You don't need to remove it from the suitcase's pocket if you're storing your bag in the overhead bin.

Lithium-ion battery banks are not allowed in checked luggage. If you check your bag or have to gate-check it, make sure to remove the battery bank before you give your suitcase to the gate agent. Slip the battery bank into your purse, backpack, or pocket for the duration of the flight.

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Adrienne So

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Louryn Strampe

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American Tourister

Briggs & riley, bric's, luggage faqs, the 11 best luggage brands of 2024, tested by experts.

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The best suitcases let you roll through the airport quickly and confidently, with assurance that your items are well-protected and sturdily organized within.

We selected our picks for the best luggage brands based on years of hands-on testing by several travel editors who regularly take up to 50 flights a year. Since the size of luggage you'll need will depend on your specific travel plans, we focused on the best brands rather than specific pieces. Our top picks are known for making sturdy and reliable luggage, with smart extras to make packing and traveling a breeze. 

Read on for our top choices for the best luggage brands at various price points to consider. If you're specifically looking for hand-luggage, check out our guide to the best carry-on bags . 

Our top picks for the best luggage brands

Shop all luggage at Samsonite

When it comes to value, Samsonite makes excellent luggage at some of the best prices, which is why we named it our top overall pick for the best carry-on . Samsonite offers numerous options for roller bags, including both hard-side and soft-side carry-ons and checked luggage, as well as wheeled underseat bags and even roller duffels. 

Samsonite also sells several two- and three-piece sets if you want to pair small, medium, and large roller bags together. In addition to traditional roller luggage, Samsonite also offers classic backpacks, wheeled backpacks, duffels, briefcases, wallets, dop kits, and more. There are even some cool wheeled garment bags that can fit under your seat and will fit far more than your typical folding or hanging garment bag. I've owned a Samsonite bag for over three years now and it's held up incredibly well.

You can read our full Samsonite Centric Carry-On review for more info.

Worth a look:

Shop all luggage at Away

Away has multiple options for roller luggage, including hard-sided, expandable, and aluminum. Bags are available in both neutral hues and bright, eye-catching colors.

Away's stand-out feature used to be the removable battery pack for charging your electronics on the go, which was previously available as an add-on to its carry-on bags. While the brand retired that feature, we still think its bags have thoughtful extras like in-bag compression, built-in TSA-approved locks, and a removable washable lining. 

In addition to roller bags, the brand also a range of other bags and travel accessories, including backpacks, duffels, pet carriers, totes, packing cubes, and more. I've personally owned Away luggage for years and can attest to its durability and practicality. 

Read our full Away luggage review and Away Carry-On review for more.

Shop all luggage at Travelpro

Travelpro mostly makes soft-side luggage and rightfully earned its spot as our top pick for the best soft-sided carry-on . I personally love the clear attention to detail that comes with a Travelpro bag, from the whisper-quiet spinner wheels to the tear-resistant material and sturdy buckles.

In addition to rolling luggage, Travelpro has options for underseat bags (rolling and not), toiletry bags, backpacks, foldable duffels, garment bags (which often come included with a carry-on), luggage tags, laptop bags, and more.

Read our full Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On review for more.

Shop all luggage at Monos

Monos is a newer start-up that doesn't have as many suitcase options as the other luggage brands on our list, but it's worth mentioning since it's one of the best suitcases on the market with a hard front pocket that gives you an easy place to safely store laptops and extras. Monos suitcases are durable, come in an array of colors, and are well-priced. Plus, all of the luggage comes with a 100-day trial period and a limited lifetime warranty. The same brand also makes some of our favorite durable packing cubes .

Currently, Monos has two sizes of carry-on that either come with a front pocket or not depending on your preferences, plus a medium-sized roller bag and a checked luggage option. Monos also make a backpack, duffel, and folio kit.

You can read our full Monos luggage review for more.

Shop all luggage at American Tourister

Many of American Tourister's carry-ons start under $100, and while they may not last you a lifetime, they certainly won't break down anytime soon either. The hard-sided bags are made from a sturdy ABS material, and the spinner wheels aren't quite as high-end as premium options but still easily roll on most surfaces. While these suitcases don't come with tons of extras (be aware that some don't come with built-in TSA locks), the interiors are still thoughtfully designed for easy packing. 

American Tourister has numerous roller bag options in varying sizes, including both hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases. There is also a line of Disney luggage that kids especially might love. While there are also some nice wheeled underseat bags, American Tourister hasn't branched out much from classic roller bags, so you'll want to look elsewhere if a duffel or weekender bag is more your aim.

Shop all luggage at Rimowa

When it comes to high-end luggage, Rimowa is a consistent standout that uses premium materials to create long-lasting and recognizable pieces. Its ribbed aluminum luggage, which comes in every color from simple silver to a cherry red, is particularly popular — though it will cost you upwards of $1,000. However, thanks to heavy-duty construction that still manages to be lightweight, the rollers might be worth it if budget isn't an issue for you.

For a slightly more cost-effective (though still pricey) option, I particularly love the Essential Lite collection, which I named the best high-end hard-side carry-on thanks to the fact that it's incredibly durable but weighs less than five pounds. Unfortunately, if you're a fan of soft-sided suitcases, Rimowa is not the brand for you, and there aren't as many accessories available as some other brands. 

Read our full Rimowa Essential Lite carry-on review .

Shop all luggage at Briggs & Riley

We named Briggs & Riley our top pick for the best high-end soft-side carry-on. I particularly like the super-smart interior features that truly elevate these suitcases, from a special CX compression-expansion system that increases packing capacity by 25%, to making sure the adjustable handle is entirely on the outside of the bag so no packing room is lost to the poles. These suitcases are certainly investment pieces, but they're built to last and also come with a lifetime warranty.

While I find the soft-sided bags to be some of Briggs & Riley's best options, there are also some nice hard-sided carry-ons and checked bags for those who prefer to go that route. In addition to roller bags, Briggs & Riley also makes backpacks, duffels, weekends, laptop bags, and travel accessories of all types, including packing cubes, bag ID tags, laundry bags, and more.

Shop all luggage at Bric's

Bric's is probably best known for its high-end Bellagio collection of luggage, both recognizable and revered for its durable, but ultra-light polycarbonate exterior with leather trim that gives it a nostalgic trunk feel. It's the little details that set this Italian brand apart, including Hinomoto wheels, matching interior linings, and premium zippers. That's why you've likely seen a luxury travel guru wheeling this bag through the airport, or, if you're an eagle-eyed "Schitt's Creek" fan, may have caught Alexis Rose using this collection to pack up her belongings. 

However, for those not ready to spend $600 on a carry-on, Bric's also has several more affordable suitcases in both hard-sided and soft-sided options. The Capri collection features striking exterior detailing in a wide range of colors at a mid-tier price point, while B/Y Zeus will appear to soft-sided fans.

The brand also has a sale section where you can sometimes score premium collections that typically start at $650 or more for under $200. 

Read our full Bric's Capri luggage review .     

Shop all luggage at Tumi

Like Rimowa, Tumi luggage pieces are an investment. But they're a worthy one since these suitcases will likely last you years, if not decades. With numerous options of all sizes for both hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases, Tumi has bags to suit just about all tastes. 

Its well-thought-out suitcases include premium spinner wheels, heavy-duty zippers, scratch- and tear-resistant exteriors, and well-designed interiors that help travelers maximize every last inch of space. In addition to roller luggage, Tumi is also well known for its premium totes and briefcases, and also makes travel wallets, backpacks, duffels, care kits, travel umbrellas, and more. 

Shop all luggage at Victorinox

Victorinox luggage falls in the mid- to high-tier of pricing but its durability makes it a good value choice. The brand also frequently has luggage on sale during big shopping holidays when you can score suitcases for less. As you might expect from a Swiss Army company, the interiors of most suitcases are also thoughtfully designed to maximize packing space. 

Victorinox offers both hard-sided and soft-sided roller bags of numerous sizes including classic carry-ons, checked bags, medium-sized suitcases, and smaller wheeled underseat bags that can fit laptops and accessories. Beyond roller bags, Victorinox also offers briefcases, duffels, backpacks, totes, toiletry kits, garment bags, and more.

Shop all luggage at Delsey

If you like the look of Bric's cream suitcases with leather trim, you may also want to consider Delsey's Chatelet line of hard-sided luggage. While these suitcases start around the same price as Bric's, they can be found on sale more frequently, often for half the price. Delsey's Titanium suitcases are also a fan-favorite option since they are ultra-lightweight but incredibly durable. 

Delsey has numerous options for roller bags for domestic and international travel in both hard-sided and soft-sided variations (though more hard-sided), as well as several luggage sets. It even has an eco-friendly line of laptop bags and duffels using recycled materials.  

Is hard-sided or soft-sided luggage better?

There are pros and cons to each. In general, hard-sided luggage offers more protection for your belongings than soft-sided luggage.

For checked bags, you're best bet is hard-sided luggage, since it can withstand tough handling and having other items stacked on top. Soft-sided luggage may be a good option if you want more flexibility, since fabric-made suitcases have a lot more give. Soft-sided pieces are a good option for carry-ons because they can flex and compress to fit into tight overhead bins.  

What size luggage should I buy?

We think it's best to start with a carry-on size, since it offers the most flexibility, whether you want to keep it in the cabin or check it. Most US airlines cap carry-on size at 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high, including handles and wheels.

When it comes to buying a checked bag, you'll want something between 25 and 29 inches long. Airlines typically charge a fixed fee for checked bags up to a certain weight, so it may be tempting to think a bigger suitcase is always better. However, bigger pieces of luggage come with more weight of their own, don't protect your items well when they're underpacked, and encourage overpacking, which can lead to higher baggage fees (or the dreaded airport floor repacking). 

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry on Luggage with 4 Spinner Wheels, Lightweight Suitcase, Men and Women, Black, Carry On 21-Inch

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Carry-on 19-Inch

Compact Carry-on 20-Inch

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About this item.

• Carry on bag is a half pound lighter than Maxlite 4, this ultra lightweight 21 inch carry on luggage meets carry on size restrictions for most domestic airlines. H20 Guard protects the interior lining from moisture.
• This carry-on luggage has 4 wheel spinners that rotate 360 degree for a smooth roll. Lightweight, sturdy PowerScope handle stops at 38 inch and 42.5 inch features a patented contour grip with rubberized touch points for easy maneuvering. Unique bottom tray design increases durability for this soft sided luggage.
• Carry on suitcase expands up to 2 inch to maximize packing capacity. Features low profile top, side and bottom carry handles, two exterior compartments, full length interior lid pocket, side accessory pocket and adjustable hold down straps for packing convenience.
• Carry-on luggage with spinner wheels: Case Dimensions: 21 in x 14 in x 9 in; Overall Dimensions ( includes wheels & carry handles): 23 in x 14.5 in x 9 in; Weight: 5.4 lbs, Volume : 46 L
• Carryon luggage with spinner wheels has Limited Lifetime Coverage plus trusted companion promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage from airline or other common carrier for 1 year. Applicable when purchased as new and after registration.

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Save with Used - Very Good #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-whole { font-size: 28px !important; } #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-fraction, #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-symbol { top: -0.75em; font-size: 13px; } $120.86 $ 120 . 86 FREE delivery Friday, June 21 Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Amazon Warehouse

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Product details.

• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 14.5 x 23 inches; 5.4 Pounds
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 401176101
• Department ‏ : ‎ Luggage
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Travelpro
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07BL7JXHV
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ China
• #5 in Carry-On Luggage

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Product description.

This carry-on soft-sided 21 inch carry on luggage with spinner wheels is so light, it flies; one of our lightest wheeled carry-on suitcases, the Maxlite 5 21" expandable carryon bag is designed for ultimate comfort and mobility, featuring a 2-position adjustable PowerScope lite handle with patented Contour grip and 4-wheel 360 degree rotating spinners that glide effortlessly. Enjoy packing convenience with two quick-access, exterior front pockets, full-length interior lid pocket, side accessory pocket and adjustable hold-down straps. While the high-tensile-strength expandable zipper on this travel suitcase gives you maximum packing flexibility. This lightweight carry-on luggage has been sizer bin tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines. Fully expanded Carry-On may not meet airline restrictions. This carry on bag with wheels is backed by a new and expanded trusted traveler promise-for worry-free warranty coverage from Travelpro. Case Dimensions: 21 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches; Overall Dimensions: 23 inches x 14.5 inches x 9 inches; Weight: 5.4 lbs. Volume : 46 L

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Customers say

Customers like the value, portability, color and quality of the suitcase. For example, they mention it's well priced, easy to roll and has beautiful colors. Some are happy with maneuverability, and pockets. That said, opinions are mixed on size and handle.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the quality of the suitcase. They say it's made very well, solid, and sturdy for the cost. Some customers also mention that the wheels are very maneuverable. Overall, most are happy with the quality and performance of the product.

"...Zippers are heavy duty and work very well . Rollers are nice and roll easily." Read more

"...One zipper tab was broken while checked last year, but it's still fully functional ." Read more

"...Travelpro pieces light but sturdy ; strong zippers; amazing design with no space wasted and lots of pockets/packing options...." Read more

"...The luggage arrived as advertised: light weight, well made, durable , and very easy to maneuver...." Read more

Customers like the portability of the suitcase. They mention that it's easy to roll and light weight. They also appreciate the great compartments and say it'll be easy to pack.

"Nice and light , moves great, can pack a lot, and love the color!" Read more

"...Bought this one because it met our size requirements, lightweight , and pricing.Zippers are heavy duty and work very well...." Read more

"...It's lightweight , maneuverable, easy to check or carry on, and holds what I need...." Read more

"I really like this carry on. Great compartments. Easy to pack . Rolls quite well. Seems to be a high quality product for the price...." Read more

Customers like the maneuverability of the suitcase. They say the wheels are nice and roll easily. They also say it glides smoothly and can be moved about easily.

"Nice and light, moves great , can pack a lot, and love the color!" Read more

"...Zippers are heavy duty and work very well. Rollers are nice and roll easily ." Read more

"...It's lightweight, maneuverable , easy to check or carry on, and holds what I need...." Read more

"I really like this carry on. Great compartments. Easy to pack. Rolls quite well . Seems to be a high quality product for the price...." Read more

Customers like the pockets in the suitcase. They say it has lots of room to pack everything needed for a multi-day trip. Some say it holds two pairs of shoes, five outfits, and has plenty of room left for cables, toiletries, a change of clothes, and two full size sets of fins. They appreciate the quality and zippered compartments.

"Nice and light, moves great, can pack a lot , and love the color!" Read more

"...It's lightweight, maneuverable, easy to check or carry on, and holds what I need ...." Read more

"I really like this carry on. Great compartments . Easy to pack. Rolls quite well. Seems to be a high quality product for the price...." Read more

"...; strong zippers; amazing design with no space wasted and lots of pockets/packing options ...." Read more

Customers like the color of the suitcase. They say it has a beautiful color and the bright color options are an added bonus for spotting it quickly.

"Nice and light, moves great, can pack a lot, and love the color !" Read more

"...The bright color options are an added bonus for spotting it quickly on the baggage carousel...." Read more

"...Travelpro pieces light but sturdy; strong zippers; amazing design with no space wasted and lots of pockets/packing options...." Read more

"...The blue color is gorgeous too." Read more

Customers like the value of the suitcase. They say it's a well-priced quality bag with excellent design.

"...Bought this one because it met our size requirements, lightweight, and pricing .Zippers are heavy duty and work very well...." Read more

"...Easy to pack. Rolls quite well. Seems to be a high quality product for the price . And, when not loaded with my stuff it's very lightweight." Read more

"...-The quality is amazing for the price ...." Read more

"...Overall, the case is ok. It’s not perfect , and I think it’s overpriced...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the size of the suitcase. Some say it's the perfect size for a carry on, while others say it’s too small for 5-7 day trips.

"...Bought this one because it met our size requirements , lightweight, and pricing.Zippers are heavy duty and work very well...." Read more

"...pieces light but sturdy; strong zippers; amazing design with no space wasted and lots of pockets/packing options...." Read more

"...The wheels are bit small and they can be troublesome on cobble streets and airport carpets. Great size if you need more than a carryon." Read more

"First I love the size, wheels, color, weight..the size is deceiving ...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the handle of the suitcase. Some find it amazing and well made, while others say it won't go back into the closed position.

"...it up airplane steps (no jetway in St. Thomas) it was impossible to use that handle ...." Read more

"Having said that, the airline did damage my bag to where the handle would not work ...." Read more

"...The best part was the ease of moving thru the airport, the extended handle didn't collapse ..." Read more

"...I'm very happy with it! My only complaint is that the handle would not stay in the half-extended position, it kept going up to full extension...." Read more

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The 13 best carry-on backpacks of 2024, tested & reviewed.

Enjoy hands-free travel with a versatile carry-on backpack.

The Best Carry-on Backpacks

Leilani Osmundson | U.S. News

Not sure whether to take a rolling suitcase or a travel backpack on the plane? Both types of carry-on luggage certainly have their merits, but if you like keeping your arms and hands free when traveling, a backpack is the right choice for you. Furthermore, compared to a hard-sided suitcase , it's easier to squeeze a malleable backpack into an overhead bin or under the seat. And if your vacation is focused on adventure travel, you might value a durable pack on your back over wheels on the ground.

U.S. News compiled this list from extensive research and testing along with consumer reviews. Whatever your reason for choosing a backpack, there are plenty on the market to satisfy your needs. Read on for the best carry-on travel backpacks.

Best Overall: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

• Jump to features and expert insights ↓

Best Budget: ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack 20L

Best lightweight: mz wallace metro utility backpack.

• Best for Business Travel (tie): Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack – Large
• Best for Business Travel (tie): Aer Travel Pack 3

Best for International Travel: Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack

Best for weekend getaways: solo grand travel tsa backpack, best for women: tumi voyageur celina backpack, best for men: peak design travel backpack 45l, best for adventure travel: kelty redwing 36, best with wheels: samsonite tectonic nutech wheeled backpack, best organization: augustnoa classic noa, best leather: monos metro backpack in vegan leather.

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand and other factors. Dimensions of backpacks are height by width by depth.)

Price: $200 or less

When it comes to bag travel, the Cotopaxi Allpa packs a serious punch. The carry-on backpack is available in three sizes – 42L, 35L and 28L – and a variety of colors, including the vibrant multicolor Del Día style. The 35L size not only fits everything you need for your next getaway, but it's also TSA-compliant as a carry-on item . On the outside, the Allpa features a removable waist belt, a padded laptop sleeve on the side, anti-theft zippers, carabiner lash loops for extra gear, a sternum strap and a front zippered pocket. The backpack straps can be tucked away if you're looking to save more room in the overhead bin or you want to carry the bag via its grab handles.

The bag opens suitcase-style; inside, you'll find one large zippered mesh compartment on the right and a subdivided zippered mesh compartment on the left, providing ample space for all your clothes, shoes and accessories. What's more, the bag comes with a rain cover (though it's already water-resistant).

What our editors say:

I've taken my Cotopaxi Allpa on countless adventures, from a road trip around Iceland to camping all over Colorado. It fits more than expected, is comfortable to wear (especially if using the waist belt) and is extremely durable. I just wish the 35L had an exterior water bottle pocket like the 42L does! – Leilani Osmundson, Senior Digital Producer

Erin Evans | U.S. News

Price: $15.99 or less

This backpack has three excellent things going for it: It's affordable, lightweight and durable. It's a great option for a weekend getaway bag and is an excellent little backpack to have on hand for tours and day trips once you make it to your destination. If you're planning to hike or kayak on your next getaway, you'll definitely want to have the ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Backpack in your back pocket – literally. It can be folded into a compact pouch and tucked away in a larger carry-on bag if you're planning to only use it as a daypack.

The lightweight travel bag is both tear- and water-resistant. With all of its pockets – including one on each side for water bottles or umbrellas – you'll be able to fit everything you need for an adventure-filled trip.

It can fit enough for a weekend trip, plus it's super useful for hiking, boat excursions and more once you're in your destination because it's so light and water-resistant. I've used it for years and it has held up incredibly well; it comes in so many fun colors, too. I love it so much, I bought two so my husband has one he can use as well. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Rachael Hood | U.S. News

Price: $345 or less

Constructed with recycled bluesign-approved quilted nylon, this chic bag is packed with pockets and organizational details. The interior has a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, a large zip pocket with two slip pockets, two water bottle pockets and two removable pouches. On the front of the bag there's a deep phone pocket and multiple zippered pockets of various sizes, including a small one that's ideal for a boarding pass, earbuds or wipes.

A water bottle pocket sits on each side of the bag, and the back of the bag has a luggage trolley sleeve that can be zipped shut on the bottom to be a pocket when not attached to your suitcase. This backpack has a top-zip design, and can be carried by the two top handles or the adjustable padded backpack straps.

This bag has completely changed my mind about backpacks. It's extremely spacious and works so well for my laptop, change of clothes, toiletry bag and other carry-on essentials. I love all of the pockets and that I can carry this like a north-south tote in addition to using the trolley sleeve or backpack straps. But what truly sets this apart is the beautiful fabrication that is so soft and the luxurious Italian leather details. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Best for Business Travel: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack and Aer Travel Pack 3 (tie)

Dagne dover dakota neoprene backpack – large.

Catriona Kendall | U.S. News

Price: $215 or less

This sleek, professional backpack by Dagne Dover is perfect for professional and casual settings alike, with a vast array of organizational features and a 20-liter capacity for the large size. On the outside, you'll find a zippered padded pocket for up to 16-inch laptops and a slip pocket for your phone, while an interior sleeve can fit a tablet or a second laptop, allowing you to travel with multiple devices. The inside of the bag has two mesh slip pockets and a zip-top pouch attached with a leash, as well as three zippered pockets in the front panel.

To help you stay even more organized, the exterior also features a zippered front pocket with pen loops and a key clip; two zippered side pockets; two slip side pockets; and straps to secure a small bottle. The water-resistant bag comes with adjustable shoulder straps, a luggage sleeve and a separate shoe bag.

I adore bringing this bag to work and using it as a personal item on flights. I don't think I've ever used a backpack with better organization than this one – there's a dedicated place for every little thing, from keys to pens to my devices. I also love that the neoprene material is extremely lightweight and water-resistant. – Catriona Kendall, Editor

Aer Travel Pack 3

Price: $249 or less

With a pocket for everything, the clamshell-style Aer Travel Pack 3 keeps you organized to the max on business trips. Keep your laptop (up to 16 inches) safe in the padded, zippered laptop sleeve, and stow your passport in the quick-access side pocket. The front compartment features several sizes of pockets perfect for chargers, notepads, pens and more. Along with the lay-flat main compartment for clothes, there's also an interior pocket for small accessories as well as a hidden luggage tracker pocket.

Designed for one-bag travel, the durable Aer Travel Pack 3 also features a water-resistant nylon exterior along with load lifters for a more comfortable fit. You can purchase a hip belt separately.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 has one of the sleekest designs when it comes to carry-on backpacks. I also appreciate all the pockets: The sizable laptop pocket is perfect for someone like me who uses a huge laptop; the eight pockets in just the front compartment are so handy for everything you could need while traveling; and the bag even comes with a zippered water bottle pocket on the side. – Leilani Osmundson

Price: $185 or less

The Osprey Farpoint is truly an all-in-one travel pack that combines quality with minimal weight. The clamshell-style carry-on bag features a substantial main compartment across from a large mesh pocket. There's an easy-to-access zippered laptop sleeve on the side for devices up to 16 inches.

For extra support and comfort, the backpack includes a sternum strap, back panel, harness and hip belt; the latter three can be zipped up for fully streamlined travel, and compression straps help slim the bag down even more. The Osprey Farpoint 40 meets most domestic carry-on size requirements and is compatible with the Farpoint/Fairview Travel Daypack , which can be brought onto the plane as a personal item.

This is one of my favorite backpacks. I love how the back can be zipped up so the bag more resembles a duffel; this makes it easy to stow away without having to deal with a lot of straps. Additionally, the interior compression straps can really help cinch down belongings, especially if you're using packing cubes . – Leilani Osmundson

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Amanda Norcross | U.S. News

Price: $117.99 or less

Perfect for weekend getaways , the Solo Grand TSA Travel Backpack opens like a regular suitcase. In the main compartment, you can secure several outfits with compression straps and store accessories and toiletries in two zippered mesh pockets. In the back, a padded compartment protects laptops up to 17.3 inches in size, and on the front there are a variety of pockets – even pockets within pockets – for your phone and other essentials. This backpack is also equipped with two side mesh pockets, a trolley sleeve, and side and top carry handles.

This backpack is flawless. It's big without the bulk and has plenty of pockets, which not only makes it ideal for weekend getaways but also prevents me from having to awkwardly rummage through my bag when I need something on the plane. – Amanda Norcross, Senior Content & SEO Strategist

Price: $475 or less

This backpack blends function and fashion with a compact design. On the front of the bag are two zip compartments and a U-zip pocket with a card slot, a slip pocket and a pen holder. The interior of the bag is divided into two separate compartments: one zippered section with a padded laptop compartment (holds up to a 15-inch PC or 16-inch MacBook), and another large compartment with a zippered pocket and two slip pockets (ideal for glasses or charging cords).

There is also a zippered compartment on each side of the bag, one of which has a water-resistant lining for a water bottle. On the back of the bag you'll find a hidden phone compartment and a trolley sleeve to attach to a roller bag.

This style oozes sophistication, especially the black with the gold hardware. From its sleek material to its many pockets and details, this backpack looks and feels like a chic handbag that can go from the office to a beach resort with ease. I especially like that there are two places you can access the front compartment of the bag, and I like that the laptop section is separate from the rest of the backpack so it's easier to take out my computer and go through airport security (which makes me less likely to drop something from inside my bag). – Rachael Hood

Price: $299.95 or less

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a solid, rugged choice that will last. The nylon canvas shell of the backpack is weatherproof and water-resistant, with a waterproof bottom liner as well. You can unzip the back panel to access the main packing compartment, which is also accessible via zippers along each side of the bag and can be divided in two by a mesh sleeve. To keep you organized, this backpack has quick-access pockets for small items like passports and glasses, plus expandable side pockets for water bottles, tripods or umbrellas.

The bag meets carry-on size requirements but can expand by 1.5 inches if you need the extra room; the shoulder straps and hip belt tuck away if you plan to check it instead. If you prefer a smaller bag, the Peak Design Travel Backpack also comes in a 30-liter size .

If you only want to bring one bag on a short trip, you can't go wrong with this backpack. It's sturdy, reliable and able to fit a ton while still being carry-on-sized. It served me well on a recent trip to New Zealand, and I'd definitely recommend it for travelers who like hands-free luggage. – Catriona Kendall

Price: $134.95 or less

If you'll be adventuring in the great outdoors for your next trip, consider purchasing the Kelty Redwing 36 backpack. You'll find two exterior water bottle pockets as well as a hydration-friendly inner pocket (for storing a water bladder). Tool loops can hold hiking poles, fishing poles, ice axes or other adventure gear. Organization is made easy with plenty of zippered pockets, including one on each side of the bag, a large one on the front and one on top that's perfect for storing travel documents such as a passport. Plus, a ventilated back panel helps keep you cool when you're hurrying through airports or hiking up a mountain.

If you need a bigger backpack, the Kelty Redwing 50 Tactical is a great checked bag option and has many of the same features as the Redwing 36 along with more straps and pockets.

The Kelty Redwing 36 can be cinched down quite a bit for truly streamlined travel and to better meet carry-on size guidelines. However, I'll caution that the waist belt is difficult to remove. – Leilani Osmundson

Price: $159.99 or less

If you want the flexibility to either carry or wheel your luggage, a wheeled backpack style may work best for you. The Samsonite Tectonic NuTech Wheeled Backpack transforms from a rolling bag into a backpack by just tucking in the handle, pulling out the stowed straps and using the wheel cover. The durable polyester material is water-repellent and has red accents.

There are three sections to this bag: a main compartment with space to pack for a weekend trip, a dedicated sleeve for both a laptop up to 15.6 inches and a tablet up to 11 inches, and a front pocket equipped with various organizational features. There are various small pockets, pen sleeves, card slots and a key leash within. You can tuck a water bottle and umbrella into the exterior pockets on either side of the bag. Just keep in mind that this bag may slightly exceed carry-on size restrictions on some airlines with stricter rules.

I expected a wheeled backpack to be uncomfortable to carry, but this convertible bag has proved surprisingly convenient. I like having both the rolling and hands-free options for different circumstances, and it has ample packing space. – Catriona Kendall

Price: $148 or less

This sustainable water-resistant backpack is constructed with 100% recycled materials and has 10 pockets to organize everything. The spacious interior compartment has a 17-inch padded laptop sleeve and a tablet sleeve with a strap to secure it in place, as well as an interior mesh pocket for small items or charging cords and a removable shoe bag.

On the exterior, the front pocket has a built-in mesh organizer for pens, and there are mesh water bottle holders on each side of the backpack. The back of the bag has two adjustable padded straps, each with a built-in zippered compartment ideal for keys, ID or tickets. A hidden zip pocket makes for a secure space for a wallet or passport, and the trolley sleeve provides added versatility.

This backpack is great for travel or everyday use. I especially appreciate the comfortable backpack straps with the small zip pockets. They are easy to reach and perfect for small items like lip gloss, cash or a transit card. Durably constructed, the water-resistant exterior performs well in any weather, and I love that there's a padded space for both my laptop and iPad. – Rachael Hood

Price: $230 or less

For an upscale backpack that can be dressed up or down, this Monos style is an ideal choice. Constructed with sustainable vegan leather (there's also a nylon version with vegan leather accents), this structured style is both water- and scratch-resistant. The 15-inch laptop sleeve is separate from the main packing compartment so you can access your device easily. The brand's QuickSnap Modular Kit System means you'll have a detachable Metro Kit for small items that attaches magnetically to the front of the bag; this kit is interchangeable between Metro bags and can be swapped out for a different kit or removed entirely, depending on your needs.

The backpack's main compartment is designed for maximum functionality with a felt-lined document sleeve, a large zippered pocket, two slip pockets, and a waterproof zippered privacy compartment for a rain jacket or gym clothes. On the back, you can make use of a hidden slip pocket for your phone, a trolley sleeve and adjustable padded straps. There's also two top carry handles if you'd prefer to carry this backpack like a tote.

I really like the elevated styling and durability of this vegan leather bag. But what sets it apart is the separate laptop compartment (I don't like to have to open my entire bag to get out my laptop while on the go), and the modular Metro Kit system that can be removed when it's not needed. It's full of value-added design elements, and the material looks classic and appropriate with any attire. – Rachael Hood

Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on its size, a backpack is considered a carry-on item. To be able to put it in the overhead bin, you generally don't want it to exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, but that sizing varies by airline, and since backpacks are soft-sided, the dimensions can be somewhat malleable. If it fits under the seat in front of you on the plane ( check your airline's specific size requirements ), it is typically considered a personal item. If the backpack can fit under the seat, then you can often bring it in addition to a larger carry-on bag (based on your airline ticket type and inclusions).

For a backpack to be a carry-on for most domestic airlines, it should not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (or should be able to be squished to approximately those dimensions). To be considered a personal item, it must fit under the seat in front of you. Underseat size and space varies by airline and airplane type, so it's best to check with your airline's size restrictions.

How We Tested

From the comfort of the straps to the capacity of each bag, our team tested more than 20 carry-on backpacks from a variety of brands at a range of price points. We tested to see how the overall structure of the bag works for travel needs, along with the durability and details that make a difference. After taking these backpacks on a variety of adventures, we've selected these carry-on backpacks as the best for 2024.

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• Luggage + Bags

A Professional Packer Shares the 11 Best Carry-on Bags That Actually Fit a Week's Worth of Clothes — From $30

Never check a bag again.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

There are some travelers who are completely at ease with bringing just two or three outfits on a trip to skip checking a bag . I am not one of them. I like to pack as many options as my carry-on luggage will allow. While this may initially seem to contradict my title as a professional packer — I’m the founder of the Just Packed travel site and corresponding newsletter — the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Instead, I define an expertly packed carry-on bag as one that contains everything that you may need on your trip (and still has the ability to close).

Before the actual packing process can begin, though, it’s critical to have luggage pieces that offer ample room to ensure its spot in the overhead bin or under the airplane seat in front of you. But, not every travel bag is up for the task. Over my years of research, both on the ground and in the air, these are the 11 roomiest carry-on bags that I've found. They include classic suitcases as well as travel totes, backpacks, and duffels that help you pack a week's worth (and even more) of clothes so you'll have everything that you need for your next trip.

Away Bigger Carry-on

In my line of work, I’m constantly testing different suitcase brands and styles. My 22-inch Away Bigger Carry-on has yet to be topped when it comes to how much it can hold. From the outside, it looks like a basic, albeit sleek , suitcase; there are no bells and whistles. That simplicity, however, is the key to its success. Every inch of the suitcase serves to get the job done (a.k.a. hold as much as possible). By using the interior compression system, I can fit about one week’s worth of clothes without trying too hard — but if I use a few of my tried-and-true packing hacks , I can make it work for a two-week trip.

It's also made with a polycarbonate hardshell, a sturdy material that I always look for when suitcase shopping because of its durability. Trust me, you'll appreciate it when your carry-on gets tossed around during takeoff and landing.

July Carry-on Pro

I might be loyal to my Away suitcase, but the 21-inch July Carry-on Pro recently caught my eye. It has a similar design, but it comes with a few more functional features. The front pocket can fit a 15-inch laptop and an iPad (although I tend to use compartments like this to hold a few items of clothing), and the Y-strap compression system helps keep the contents of the suitcase neatly packed down. I haven’t gotten a test to take mine out for a spin yet, but the luggage brand notes that it can hold six to eight outfits, or between five to seven days’ worth of clothing. 

Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner

If you’re looking for a more affordable carry-on suitcase, the highly-rated Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner might do the trick. Coming in at under $65 thanks to a limited-time deal, this best-selling carry-on is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a capacious bag but doesn’t travel enough to warrant one with a higher price tag. Several reviewers noted that it’s great for week-long trips with its expansion feature that adds 15 percent more packing space, the interior organizer, and the three smaller zippered pockets. 

MZ Wallace Deluxe Large Metro Tote

Overpackers who are actively trying to avoid bringing checked bags on their travels need the MZ Wallace Deluxe Large Metro Tote in their luggage repertoire. Not only is it, hands down, the most spacious tote that I’ve ever used, but it’s also pliable and filled with different pockets and compartments to keep everything organized in a designated spot. I think of it like a Mary Poppins-style bag. On a recent weekend trip, it served as my only piece of luggage, and I had no issue zipping it up while it held my pajamas, two outfits, a pair of sneakers, my laptop, a small toiletry bag, and a collection of other miscellaneous items (chargers, snacks, a hairbrush, etc). But when you're flying, use this as your personal bag along with your carry-on suitcase so you can get away with bringing more clothes on board. 

When buying a new travel tote to use as a carry-on, I always recommend paying close attention to how the bag is designed (and how it will keep your belongings secure). Does it zip, tie, or latch everything inside? The exact closure method, and how it’s implemented, can significantly affect how much can be carried inside. This one has a zip-top design, so I know that it will keep everything safe from spilling out if I put it in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of me.

L.L. Bean Medium Boat and Tote Zip-Top

The classic L.L. Bean Boat and Tote comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and there’s even the option to choose one with or without a zip-top closure. The extra-large tote is technically the largest, but I personally use the medium-sized zip-top version. Inside, I’ll fit my toiletry bag (which tends to take up too much space in my suitcase), laptop, chargers, a water bottle, and a smaller crossbody bag. I’ve also never had any issues fitting it under the seat in front of me on a plane, and it’s sturdy enough to stay upright during take-off or turbulence. 

Oeihuivt Weekender Bag

The Oeihuivt Weekender Bag is the more affordable twin of the steeper-priced duffel bag that I usually use. According to the brand, the bag can hold between two and four days' worth of essentials inside its six pockets, main compartment, and roomy shoe pouch. If I’m traveling with just a pair of shoes on my feet, I’ll often use the shoe pouch as a hack to store more clothes; it makes the perfect spot for my socks, Dopp kit, a sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans. 

Paravel Foldable Travel Duffel Bag

I always think of my Foldable Travel Duffel Bag from Oprah-loved brand Paravel as my “in case of packing emergencies” bag. On a trip to Jackson Hole last year, I knew that there was a possibility that I’d be leaving with a few more items than I’d arrived with — so I tucked this duffel into my suitcase to use on the journey home. It’s one of those bags that’s deceptively roomy, and it held the hiking boots, sneakers, puffer vest, and several sweaters that had been displaced from my suitcase by my new Wyoming purchases. In addition to being an M.V.P. for bringing back souvenirs, it can also be used as a tote when you're at your destination, and even a beach bag if needed. 

Bjlfs Weekender Carry-on

Some trips require a do-it-all kind of bag, one that can handle whatever you need it to hold. Enter the Bjlfs Weekender Carry-on. Its exact dimensions have it measuring in at around 10.7 inches by 22 inches by 7 inches, which means that it has more than enough room for a three-day weekend trip's wardrobe — and you’ll have no trouble fitting it in most overhead bins or under the seat in front of you should you use it as a personal bag. Interested in seeing how it would perform on a longer trip? According to one reviewer , they paired it with a small carry-on suitcase for an 11-day trip, and it was perfect.

Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote

My vast collection of travel bags waxes and wanes on a regular basis, but there are a few extra-roomy styles that maintain their starting positions on my roster. One of those is my Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote. The leather bag is a staple for work travel, and it holds more than you’d think upon initial glance. If you pair it with a carry-on for your next flight, you'll definitely be able to fit everything that you need for your trip. 

A foolproof way to wisely choose a spacious carry-on bag is to identify its purpose. As one of my allowed carry-on bags, this roomy tote is always reserved for my laptop, which means that it has to be strong and wide enough to hold my heavy, 16-inch MacBook Pro and my other essentials. I’ve gone on several trips where it’s managed to perfectly carry my laptop, a couple of books, an extra layer, a water bottle, and even a Dopp kit or crossbody bag.

Roam Continental Backpack

When I say that the Roam Continental Backpack holds just as much as a duffel bag, I mean it. It first accompanied me on a trip to Venice, and I was immediately blown away by the capacity of each compartment. There’s an exterior laptop compartment, which holds all of my chargers, a front pocket (and is great for snacks and smaller toiletries), and a large main compartment. The latter fit a pair of shoes, the rest of my toiletries, a light jacket, and a small purse. There are also two water bottle holders on the backpack’s sides; I used one for my Yeti and the other for a couple pairs of socks. 

Lo & Sons Large Rowledge Backpack

Lo & Sons

I’ve found that the Lo & Sons Large Rowledge Backpack is slightly less bulky than the above Roam style, but somehow, it’s almost just as spacious. If I’m using it as a secondary carry-on bag, the backpack always has extra room; if I’m bringing it on a short weekend trip, I typically don’t need to bring another bag. By using the rolling folding method, I can fit three to four outfits in the larger compartment, and the front compartment is perfect for a travel-sized toiletry bag and other essential accessories. 

Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag

This isn't a piece of luggage, but it's an essential item for making everything fit in a carry-on. There are a few things that I’ll sacrifice when packing — like extra pairs of shoes or an additional coat — but my beauty routine is not one of them. I’m a stickler for using my specific skin and hair care products, even while traveling, so I require a toiletry bag that can hold everything. The large Bagsmart Hanging Toiletry Bag can carry all of my skincare, shampoo and conditioner, makeup, and other hygiene products. If it’s packed in my carry-on, I just have to make sure to use my TSA-sized products or transfer my liquids to my trusty Cadence capsules .

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Travel Checklist

Before packing.

• Start with an EMPTY bag (make sure all pockets and compartments don’t have any items in them)
• 3.4 ounces or less per container
• 1 quart size, clear, plastic, zip top bag (all liquids must fit in bag)
• 1 bag per passenger
•   Review the prohibited items list for both carry-on and checked baggage.
• If purchasing a baggage lock, be sure to look for those that are TSA recognized.
• Tape a card with your name and contact information on your electronics.

When Packing

• Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.)
• Firearms are only allowed in checked baggage and must be unloaded, placed in a locked, hard-sided container and declared to your airline.
• All fireworks contain explosive materials and are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.
• Do not pack items such as box cutters, utility knives, and razors in carry-on luggage. Razor blades intended for shaving that are enclosed in a safety cartridge in which the blade cannot be removed are permitted.
• Pack large electronics on top layer of carry-on for screening accessibility.
• Place your 3-1-1 bag with liquids, gels and aerosols in the front pocket of your carry-on for accessibility.
• If traveling with a pet, be sure to bring a leash so carriers can be properly screened.

Before Leaving for the Airport

• Give yourself enough time to arrive at the airport early.
• Wear easily removable shoes.
• Passengers with a disability or medical condition may call ahead to the TSA Cares toll free helpline at (855) 787-2227 .

Before Entering the Checkpoint

• Eligible passengers look for the TSA PreCheck® lane for expedited screening at participating airports.
• Have your  ID and boarding pass out for inspection.

In Standard Screening Lane

• Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin.
• Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on).
• Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.
• Remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. (E.g. laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.)
• Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.

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Away Luggage Review: Are the Popular Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

We put the internet's favorite suitcase through hours of testing to determine if it's worth buying.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What I thought of the Away Carry-On

Should you buy away carry-on luggage, other types of away suitcases, more away travel products we like.

As an analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I have personally tested dozens of travel products, from carry-on luggage and smart suitcases to hardside luggage and travel backpacks . After putting the Away carry-on through our rigorous Lab evaluations — which include using specialized equipment to analyze scratch and water resistance, as well as an obstacle course to measure wheel performance and maneuverability — I was blown away by this bag for being impressively lightweight, scratch resistant, easy to maneuver and fitting everything in our packing tests. In fact, it landed the top spot for carry-on luggage in our roundup of the best luggage brands of 2024 .

The bottom line: Away luggage is absolutely worth investing in.

What is Away luggage?

Away is a travel gear brand that offers a variety of travel accessories, including checked suitcases , backpacks , packing cubes and weekender bags . The brand originally went viral for its carry-on featuring a removable battery that can charge your phone on the go, but Away has since stopped offering battery packs with its suitcases as most people already own portable chargers .

Away's Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On are the brand's two most popular items — they are made from the same materials and have the same features but in two different sizes. In the brand's most recent update to its luggage line, the standard Carry-On now has a slightly larger packing capacity and is a bit heavier than the previous model. I put the new standard Carry-On to the test in the Textiles Lab and I used the Bigger Carry-On during a recent vacation to find out if Away luggage is actually worth buying.

Away The Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On

When it comes to luggage material, polycarbonate reigns supreme over other hardside materials like plastics. Away carry-ons are made with polycarbonate, which is extremely durable and more lightweight than metals like aluminum.

Polycarbonate bags typically ace our drop tests, which involve GH pros filling a suitcase with a set weight and releasing the luggage from a 3-foot height. We repeat this test at various angles and note any damages and imperfections. As suspected, after I dropped it from different angles using our drop tester, the Away carry-on showed no dents, damages or changes in appearance .

During testing, we also use a wire to scratch the surface of the suitcase and then rate any scuffs or marks left behind. Compared to other suitcases, Away's carry-on aced our scratch-resistance testing, showing very minimal scuffs and remaining in great condition . Because marks and scuffs are inevitable on hardside luggage, the suitcases also come with a magic eraser sponge, so you can easily buff the outside of your suitcase when scuffs appear to keep your luggage looking fresh trip after trip.

I gave Away's handles lower comfort scores, compared to the other carry-ons I tested. They felt a bit wobbly and less sturdy than other carry-on handles, and they don't offer any padding at the grip. The newest iteration of the brand's carry-on luggage features an additional underside grab handle near the wheels to help make it easier to stow and retrieve from an overhead bin.

The 360º wheels rolled easily over a variety of different surfaces when I was at the airport, including linoleum, tile and carpet. Testers agreed, finding this suitcase easy to maneuver through our obstacle course and over different floorings.

A carry-on absolutely has to hold everything you need for your vacation. Away carry-ons have massive interiors , clocking in at 39.8L for the Carry-On and 47.9L for the Bigger Carry-On. When you open the suitcase, there's equal packing space on both sides. One side is a large zippered compartment, and the other is open with compression straps to keep everything in place. There are also zippered pockets for smaller items, so nothing gets lost at the bottom of your suitcase. For ultimate organization, pair the suitcase with the brand's mesh packing cubes , which excelled in our recent packing cubes test and fit perfectly in the carry-on.

I was impressed with just how much I could fit in the Bigger Carry-On — enough for a whole week's vacation without needing a checked bag. It was easy to keep all my belongings organized, and I especially loved the included laundry bag that kept my dirty clothes separate. This bag came with a stylish leather luggage tag in a similar color to the suitcase that keeps my contact info accessible if my luggage gets lost. (Remember not to put your home address on your luggage tag and instead just your email address or phone number.) Away luggage also features TSA-compliant locks to keep your belongings protected.

Starting at $275 for the Carry-On, Away luggage isn't cheap. But for the cost, you get a sleek suitcase made with durable high-quality materials and a well-organized interior for easy packing. At a similar price to our other top-tested luggage brands, like TravelPro and Samsonite , Away carry-ons aren't the most expensive suitcases I've tested either. (Both Tumi and Rimowa carry-ons start at $650, for example.) The brand also boasts an impressive 100-day return period on unused products, so you have lots of time to decide if it's the right fit for you. Note that personalized products and final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.

If you love its chic appearance and durable polycarbonate shell, Away luggage can be worth the investment. But if you're ultimately in the market for something more affordable, I suggest checking out our top-tested picks from Target and Amazon Basics .

Besides the famous carry-ons, the brand offers a few other styles of suitcases. There are checked sizes of the polycarbonate luggage as well as aluminum styles. The checked bags are made with the same durable polycarbonate material as the carry-ons and match in appearance if you're looking to create a stylish set.

I haven't yet tested Away's aluminum carry-ons , but I am wary of the higher price tag (starting at $675) and additional weight (10.1 lbs compared to 7.5 lbs for the polycarbonate version). Beyond that, it does feature an overall similar design with 360° wheels and a telescopic handle.

Away also offers Flex styles of its polycarbonate suitcases. These suitcases expand for an additional 2.25" of space to fit all the extra goodies you bought on vacation. However, when the suitcase is fully expanded, it no longer works as carry-on luggage and must be checked. Note that this style has a higher price tag than the brand's traditional polycarbonate carry-ons.

Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

Away The Carry-On Flex

Away The Medium

Away The Large

In addition to the brand's suitcases, GH analysts have tested a variety of travel products from Away. We were especially impressed by Away's Everywhere Bag (available in standard , medium and large sizes), which held an impressive amount in our Lab tests and was a favorite among testers for its sleek look and roomy, well-organized interior. The brand recently launched a trendy quilted version too!

Away The Large Everywhere Bag

Away The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6)

Away F.A.R Convertible Backpack 45L

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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The Best Travel Tote Bags Stylishly Hold It All

Picks from Bottega Veneta, Rimowa, Cuyana, and more

Plane, train, or automobile—however you’re planning to head out of town for the weekend, you’ll need the best travel tote with you, to house the essentials. Having used a tote as a carry-on to load up my headphones and neck pillow, and another as my only bag for a long weekend away, I can vouch for the versatility tote bags can provide when you’re on the go. Look in my closet and you’ll find a handful of options, ranging from a luxury Celine carryall to a practical Cuyana bag.

Best Top-Zip Leather Travel Tote Bag

Cuyana classic easy zipper tote.

Best Black Travel Tote Bag

Caraa nimbus medium.

Best Natural-Fiber Travel Tote

Hunting season the tote in woven natural fiber.

With a range of sizes, strap lengths, and materials, the list ahead offers a comprehensive set of options for weekend trips, longer getaways (with a designer suitcase , of course), and anything in between. With summer getaways on the horizon, you’ll be ready to travel in style, without having to worry that your bag will slide under the seat in front of you.

The long, lean profile of this leather travel tote easily slips under a seat without a fight, and it has a top zipper to secure belongings. Plus, it comes in a range of colors and varying silhouettes to suit all preferences.

Dimensions: 12.3" x 21.6" x 5.1"

Colors: Terra-cotta, black, caramel, dark olive, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I’ve been using the original classic zipper tote for years for travel, and decided to give the new tote a try. I like the new straps, which are easier on the shoulder when I’ve got heavy items to carry, and I love the color (Biscuit). I like having the zipper for keeping my belongings in place when passing through airport security machines and for stowing under the seat in front of me on the airplane.”

I fell in love with Caraa’s durable-yet-sleek recycled nylon bags while trying out stylish diaper bags , and ever since, I’ve been a devotee. I love the rounded silhouette of this spacious but not overly large tote. It feels unique, is super luxe-looking, and offers tons of function, from its lightweight padded design to the 10-plus compartments and multiple straps.

Dimensions: 12.5" x 15.75" x 7"

Colors: Black

What reviewers are saying: “Excellent travel bag. I took it on a recent trip and it was perfect. Love the mesh pockets, the passport pocket and lab top pocket. Just a perfect travel companion!”

“Woven by hand and accented with one-of-a-kind tagua seeds, the tote is a master class in modern travel style,” says Corona. The fiber material is lightweight yet durable, great for days when you’re packing relatively light and need a bag that can make it through work and travel with you.

Dimensions: 19.6" x 11.8" x 7"

Colors: Stripe, brown, natural

Paravel Weekender

Timeless elegance meets modern durability and function in Paravel’s consciously crafted canvas carryall. (Note the protective feet.) It’s monogrammable too—so you’ll never mix it up with another traveler’s bag.

Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 8"

Colors: Tan, black, blue

What reviewers are saying: “This bag looks like the Hermès garden bag. I took it to Sardinia and Sicily and was stopped repeatedly to ask who makes it!”

Calpak Luka Duffel

This bag was my introduction to Calpak, and needless to say, I’m obsessed. It’s so lightweight and spacious, with a secure top zipper, side zip pocket, and sleeve to stay put on my roller bag. I tend to be a heavy packer, especially when attempting only to carry on. I can fit so much in this bag, which fits easily under an airplane seat, even when it’s filled to the brim.

Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 7"

Colors: Chocolate, black, rose, oatmeal, and more

What reviewers are saying: “This bag is more spacious than I imagined it would be. I was shocked how much I could pack in it. I love the shape, structure, color, fabric, luggage sleeve, pockets, and how lightweight it is. It’s truly an amazing piece! My 15 inch MacBook even fits in the outside pocket. It’s a tight fit, but it’s a fit. Worth every penny!”

Prada Re-Edition 1978 Large Re-Nylon and Saffiano Tote

There’s no designer tote bag more durable or beloved than Prada’s Re-Nylon. The black is fail-safe and great for travel, no question. But I can’t help but love the beige as a fresh alternative.

Dimensions: 11.4" x 13.8" x 5.9"

Colors: Black, navy, cork beige

Naghedi St. Barths Large Tote Bag

Flexible and elegant, Naghedi’s woven neoprene tote is a stunning-yet-durable bag for travel and comes with a coordinating pouch for small essentials. Spacious enough for plenty of snacks, a backup layer, and a travel pillow, it’s a year-round winner and can double as a water-resistant beach bag—a true do-it-all wonder.

Dimensions: 22" x 12.5" x 8"

Colors: Olive, black, white, tan, pink, and more

What reviewers are saying: “I purchased this bag one week ago in the Olive large size, and have not put it down since. It is beautiful and gets many compliments. Perfect bag at a great price.”

Dior Large Toujours Bag

Dior’s Toujours bag was a practical standout on the Spring/Summer 2023 runway, making it the ultimate travel companion. The thoughtful details start with the spacious interior compartment and a matching pouch to organize essentials, and end with a leather strap closure to keep items secure, plus adjustable handles for versatile carrying by hand or over the shoulder.

Dimensions: 14.5" x 10.5" x 7.5"

Métier Incognito Cabas Large Suede Tote

Métier is the ultimate for premium suede and leather travel bags. Thoughtfully designed, each bag (like this rich tan version) features multiple interior compartments with a minimal, elevated aesthetic.

Dimensions: 9.4" x 13" x 15.7"

Colors: Brown

Dagne Dover Kal Drawstring Tote

Talk about utility. This drawstring tote bag is not only on-trend with the padded design, but also seriously pocketed, with a perfect spot for every one of your travel essentials. Computer? Check. Wallet and ID? Yep. A water bottle? Oh, yes. (Obviously, staying hydrated in flight is crucial.)

Dimensions: 15" x 4.5" x 16"

Colors: Cream, black, olive, violet, and more

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull monogram tote bag is iconic in every sense of the word. I love this new khaki-green iteration—it comes with a removable pouch—as a standout update to the spacious, side-laced silhouette.

Dimensions: 12.2" x 11" x 5.5"

Colors: Khaki, cream, black

Lululemon City Adventurer Tote Bag 27L

Raise your hand if your packing was flawless en route to your destination, but can somehow barely be contained on the way home. Enter the expandable travel tote bag by Lululemon, featuring an extremely useful zippered gusset to adjust the capacity of your carry-on. Genius.

Dimensions: 20.5" x 7.1" x 12.6"

Colors: Trench, black

What reviewers are saying: “I loved this bag so much that I bought one for my cousin, too! I use it as a travel bag, as a diaper bag, and as a tote bag when I am walking around in Rome. It expands the perfect amount to fit more stuff in when I travel home from a destination and it has lots of great pockets for all my AirPods, lip glosses, and ID!”

Bottega Veneta Large Flip Flap

Is this the most functional travel tote out there? Perhaps not. But it’s one of the most gorgeous. Crafted from soft nubuck leather, it’s incredibly spacious inside and completed with a brand-signature Intrecciato leather zippered pocket—perfect for your ID, wallet, and phone. (P.S. There should be even bigger Bottega travel bags available this spring.)

Dimensions: 12" x 14.9" x 11"

Colors: Green, brown

July Carryall Tote

I love the ease of a tote that sits comfortably on my shoulder and stays put while I’m dashing through airports. And this one checks so many other boxes, too: from the zippered top to the padded laptop sleeve compartment and hidden passport pocket with a magnetic closure.

Dimensions: 16.5" x 13" x 6.3"

Colors: Black, navy

What reviewers are saying: “This versatile tote has been an absolute game-changer for my daily activities. The design is not only fashionable but also incredibly functional, providing ample space to carry all my essentials effortlessly.”

Rimowa Vertical Tote

Business trippers and light travelers, this upright tote is for you. It features an easy-access external pocket for laptops or other electronics (so key for getting through security), as well as a roomy interior and travel strap for securing it to a roller.

Dimensions: 5.75" x 14.96" x 1.97"

Colors: Black, petal pink

Celine Cabas Drawstring Cuir Triomphe

If you favor elegant leather totes, look no further than this drawstring style by Celine for travel. It’s the type of tote that transitions seamlessly from the workweek (with polished dresses and tailoring) to weekend getaways (with a matching sweatsuit and sneakers).

Dimensions: 17" x 11" x 7"

Colors: Tan

Antler Chelsea Weekender in Woodland Green

This minimal weekender tote bag is spot-on for unfussy travelers. It’s made of water-resistant nylon, with well-considered details like a separate shoe storage compartment, detachable shoulder strap, and a padded pocket to keep a laptop accessible yet well protected.

Dimensions: 20.87" x 12.6" x 9.06"

Colors: Green, navy

What reviewers are saying: “A useful shapes and size bag with handy pockets and slot to fix soundly onto my luggage. I have just used it for the first time and was very pleased.”

Everlane The Luxe Italian Leather Tote

Sometimes, all you need or want is a beautifully crafted leather tote bag without too many bells and whistles. Everlane has you covered with this roomy and sleek leather tote, featuring two over-the-shoulder straps, an interior slip pocket (to cradle your phone, ID, and lip balm), and a leather-covered metal snap button closure.

Dimensions: 20.8" x 15.3" x 7"

Colors: Beech, cognac, black

What reviewers are saying: “Love the size! Fits everything I need be it work or for traveling. The leather quality & workmanship is top notch! Exactly what I was looking for!”

MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote

MZ Wallace is a go-to for well-made tote bags like this quilted nylon style. Perfect for travel, it’s fitted with several interior and exterior pockets, reinforced padded handles, an adjustable crossbody strap, protective feet, a luggage sleeve, and three detachable pouches.

Dimensions: 14.5" × 11" × 14.5"

Colors: Metallic, black

What reviewers are saying: “I own a couple of these bags in different colors and I find them to be the perfect gift for friends and family who are traveling. They are always blown away by the quality, looks, and functionality! The three extra travel bags are a fun surprise too!”

Chanel Large Deauville Tote

If luxury is your game, is there any other option but a Chanel shopper tote bag? Complete with a spacious interior, coordinating pouch, and interior zip pocket, this beautiful blue bag will stand out in any setting, from exotic beaches to snow-capped mountains. Choose your adventure.

Dimensions: 11.7" × 19.5" × 8.6"

Colors: Beige

Aemilia Madden is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s written for publications including Vogue , Harper’s Bazaar , W , and Fashionista . Previously, she was the senior fashion editor at The Zoe Report . In her time away from the internet, Aemilia is probably out on a hike.

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Buy Bags Now & Save Later

Everything you need to know when it comes to traveling with your stuff. Haven’t purchased your bags yet? Not a problem! You can buy your carry-on and checked bags after your initial flight purchase. Remember that you can save a lot by purchasing your bags early.

One Included

Size: 14"H X 18"W X 8"D including handles, wheels and straps

Think purses, totes, computer bags, briefcases, diaper bags and kids backpacks

NOTE: The size of your personal item will be checked during boarding. Items larger than the allowed dimensions are subject to an additional charge.

The cheapest time to buy is at initial booking! See Pricing

Size: 24"H X 16"W X 10"D and < 35lbs  including handles, wheels and straps

Think large backpacks, small duffel bags, and small suitcases/wheeled bags

With our Board First option, you will get to board the plane before Zone 1. Just add the option when purchasing your carry-on bag! See pricing

Buy up to 60 min before domestic (60 min international) flights!  See Pricing

Size: 62 linear inches and < 40lbs.

Think large duffel bags, large suitcases and sporting equipment

Click here for FAQ's and more information on special items, including sporting/musical equipment and firearms, or for assistance with a delayed or damaged bag or missing items.”

Purchase Bags Here

Log in to my trip and add baggage.

Save time and money: Download our app

• Log in to My Trip/Check-In with your 6 character confirmation code and last name to view your booking itinerary.
• You will then be directed to your Manage My Booking page.
• To purchase your bag(s), click the link at the top of your Manage My Booking that says “Add Baggage” (see below).

Need more help? Find step by step instructions here!

Need to Upgrade Your Bag Weight?

Plan on doing a little shopping on your trip? You can upgrade your checked bag weight from 41-50 lbs and 51-99 lbs on our website and mobile app

Click here for more pricing information