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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

Kit Dillon

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 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.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia 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 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 appeals 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 .

What we considered

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

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is easier to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally usually has 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 research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, should you get a 45- or 35-liter bag, best small carry-on travel backpack for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack del dia, best large carry-on travel backpack for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best backpack for working out of: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best backpack for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best backpack for dedicated single-bag travelers: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other carry-on travel backpacks worth considering, how we picked and tested, the competition, what to look forward to.

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 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.

Over the years, for this guide:

  • We’ve spoken or emailed with writers and travelers who carry 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 .
  • I’ve personally adopted these bags for my travel about 90% of the time that I travel anywhere from Hawaii, putting in several thousand miles of air travel and road travel with all our picks.
  • Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards .

I researched and tested bags designed for people who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some travelers, 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 midtrip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, 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 should choose a bigger travel backpack . Those 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? Where do you usually visit: the city or the outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion, there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

For the most part, carry-on travel backpacks come in two standard sizes: the allowable-overhead-space-maximizing 45 liters and the slightly more diminutive but (for many people) more practical 35 liters. I selected picks in both sizes, as well as one that expands when necessary .

I personally choose a 35-liter bag for most trips lasting around a week, but for heavier packers or people making longer trips, a 45-liter bag may be preferable.

A graphic comparing the difference in capacity between a 45-liter and a 35-liter backpack.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia

Best small carry-on travel backpack for most situations.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes organizing your stuff easy. And its strap design allows you to wear it on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia 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. This bag has handles on three sides, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it; a handle pass-through lets you attach it to carry-on luggage , as well. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than six years of testing, I’ve found that 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 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. The 42-liter version became heavy for our testers to carry when fully packed, and we’d prefer to see a more-robust hip belt on that bag. The 28-liter bag was a touch small for our testers, and its internal organization seemed a little much for shorter trips, such as an overnight jaunt. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack that’s designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it’s worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

Its materials are strong. The Allpa pack is made with 100% recycled 840-denier ripstop nylon. (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) The material feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to slide into an overhead compartment as it is to toss into the back of a rusty pickup truck. It also comes with a rain fly, a unique feature in this category.

Cotopaxi makes the Allpa pack with either a TPU (nylon bonded with a water-resistant polyurethane membrane) or classic nylon construction on the back of the bag. We’ve tested both styles over the years. Although TPU provides additional water resistance, we found over time that the original TPU-coated fabric that Cotopaxi used had a tendency to break down. When we tested the updated version in 2024, Cotopaxi had changed the fabric to address this issue. We’re continuing to test the new bags to see how they last.

An open Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack.

It’s organized. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper (the industry leader) runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when you unzip it. On the right side is a deep compartment that’s 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, you’ll find space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items. Cotopaxi has added a stretch mesh pocket for a water bottle up to 1 liter.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers, which are great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of them 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; doing so 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 you can stow while the bag is on your back—is good 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 both people who have large chests and those with small chests. It isn’t a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

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, it has a few nooks you can hide things in. And the front organizer is deep enough that you can fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 2 pounds 7 ounces Main-compartment access: clamshell opening Colors: assorted

Two Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L carry-on backpacks.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Best large carry-on travel backpack for most situations.

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

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice if you carry more or have expensive gear—especially camera gear.

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—it’s 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 this Peak Design bag, which 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 allows the bag to 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 still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for the ability 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 pack .

The inside of a Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L.

It has fold-away straps for easier storage. You can tuck the 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 bag 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 bag 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 you situate them 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 guide 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. That’s especially true if you commit to Peak Design’s entire system of packing and camera cubes.
  • More complexity means more things that can break. The bag’s adjustable design and multiple zippers certainly 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: 4 pounds 8 ounces Main-compartment access: back-panel loader Color: black, sage

A Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L carry-on backpack.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Best backpack for working out of.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. If you travel for work, you’ll 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 Black Hole 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 Black Hole MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The Black Hole MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back to protect the computer and keep 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, like the Cotopaxi Allpa , is a welcome exception to this rule. The Black Hole MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap for easy carrying. When the straps are not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, you can stow them away easily. In my experience, when the bag was fully loaded, it was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design bag or the Osprey pack, 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.

The inside of a Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L carry-on backpack.

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 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 and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, this Patagonia bag has no security loops.

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

  • Its 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people. And there is no alternative. We wish this bag (despite its “Maximum Legal Carry” name) came in a few more sizes.

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

The Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview 40 Travel Pack, one of our also great picks for the best carry-on travel backpack, shown in black.

Osprey Farpoint 40

Best backpack for long journeys 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.

hand luggage and travel

Osprey Fairview 40

Best backpack for long journeys 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 Osprey Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.)

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most midlength distances, such as when you’re walking across a city for an afternoon. Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The 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.

View of the straps on the reverse of the Osprey travel backpack.

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 you need to close up the bag. The experience 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 that this bag, fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint pack for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than in other bags; in practice, the Farpoint’s available space is closer to, but still less than, that of the Cotopaxi Allpa .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has notably comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration that Osprey has invested 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 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 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. Although the Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 basically have the same design, the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. It has all the features and durability of the Farpoint bag, and it also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both models, the chest-strap clip is equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud; it’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

  • Its sleek look cuts into the interior space. For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to dislike. 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 Colors, Farpoint: green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors, Fairview: blue (Winter Night), green-blue (Night Jungle), red (Zircon), black

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, our also great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

Best backpack for dedicated single-bag travelers.

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, with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. This Tortuga bag is 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, this Tortuga pack strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage. (Tortuga also makes a lighter model called the Travel Backpack Lite 40L , but we prefer the robustness of the Travel Backpack Pro.)

The Tortuga Backpack Pro shown with the front clamshell lid in the open position.

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, say, or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re especially committed to one-bag travel). This pack is available in a 40-liter version (the maximum capacity for a carry-on bag), which we tested; Tortuga also sells 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 situations, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

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, on 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 (4.5 pounds when empty—roughly 1.5 pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design pack). You can remove the hip straps if you need to, 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 the inability to remove or stow the shoulder straps (in contrast to the option on our other picks, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa) a disqualifying factor. After years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our Tortuga bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if the mysterious path of your bag through the airport once you’ve checked it also makes you nervous, you might prefer one of our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design pack.
  • 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. That extra padding does add weight. At 4.5 pounds, the latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than previous versions—the difference is noticeable—and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. If you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga pack, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight : 4 pounds 8 ounces Main-compartment access: clamshell opening 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. After testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for this bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and for you 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 as well. For a bag that already costs $340 on its own, all of that 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—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells a laptop sleeve (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clips into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great carry-on travel backpack 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 it and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

A graphic illustrating a clamshell bag opening

  • 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 is. “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’ve packed for a two-week journey, all bags 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 love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
  • Style: This element 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 impeded 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 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. You have better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag costing so little should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this model might be the way to go.

The GeniusPack Carry On Backpack is the only model we came across that was intended to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think that anyone who has to travel with a suit (or any 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 steep 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 this 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. While 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 businesspeople. 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 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 and Fairview packs . The Sojourn Porter 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 model is an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

We’ve added the Matador GlobeRider45 Travel Backpack to our testing list. Matador consistently makes interesting high-end gear, which is why we’ve included the company’s products in several of our other bag guides over the years. The GlobeRider45 seems thoughtfully laid out with decent organization and extra weather resistance, making it a possible choice for very rainy or rugged travel.

Salkan is a newer brand dedicated to making true “buy-it-for-life” gear with a sturdy warranty and repair program , such as The Carry-On 35L . It’s rare to see bags with these kinds of classic looks.

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

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hand luggage and travel

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

Three of our favorite backpacks, totes and duffle bags on display

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Four Osprey travel backpacks, two blue, two green, sitting next to each other.

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

A person in an outdoor environment wearing one of our picks for best buy it for life backpack with a minimalist look, the GoRuck GR1.

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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.

Our picks for best laptop backpack pictured with school supplies.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

Protect Your Trip »

13 best carry-on luggage pieces 2024 - we tested them all.

Discover the best carry-on luggage for your unique travel style and needs.

hand luggage and travel

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original – Large.

Rachael Hood | U.S. News

Things aren't always as they seem – especially when it comes to luggage. In our quest to find the best carry-on bags, we discovered that while some suitcases look good, they don't always hold up to the demands of travel. Some designs have attractive features that add bulk but not additional functionality, while others just don't live up to the hype.

To determine the best carry-on luggage, we tested dozens of bags on countless trips to find the ideal bag for every travel need. Read on to find the best option in a variety of categories, tested and reviewed by our team of experts.

Best Overall: Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original – Large

  • Jump to features and expert insights ↓
  • Overall Runner-up: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Hardside Spinner

Best Hard-sided: Away The Carry-On

Best soft-sided: samsonite solyte dlx carry-on spinner, best lightweight: july carry on light, best for international travel: delsey paris helium aero international carry-on - expandable spinner, best affordable: amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner.

  • Best Expandability: Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner
  • Best Underseater: CALPAK Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-On Luggage

Best for Business Travel: Amazon Basics Expandable Softside Carry-On Spinner – 20.4 Inch

Best luxury: carl friedrik the carry-on pro.

  • Best Carry-on Duffel: The North Face Rolling Thunder–22"

Best Carry-on Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

(Note: Prices were accurate at the time this article was published; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors. Original photos were taken by our editors during luggage testing.)

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original – Large

Price:  $315 or less

Dimensions: 22.4 x 14.6 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds; 8.85 pounds with closet insert Packing capacity: 4-7 days |  Color options:  Red, purple, navy or 6 others, plus precious metals options Hard- or soft-sided:  Hard-sided   | Warranty: Lifetime

Sturdy and attractive, this suitcase is set apart from the rest by its patented and removable shelving system. This unique design feature makes packing easier, keeps items in place and removes the need for unpacking at your destination. Rather than a zippered clamshell design, the Solgaard Carry-on Closet has two latches that open with just the squeeze of two levers together; it secures with a TSA-approved lock.

The waterproof polycarbonate exterior has an aluminum frame and corner guards so this suitcase can withstand all the rigors of travel. There's also an ergonomic handle and frictionless wheels, which make it easy to maneuver on all types of terrain. What's more, this sustainable suitcase helps to repurpose 6 pounds of plastics that may have ended up in the ocean.

What our editors say:

This carry-on suitcase has it all! From the power bank (sold separately) to the super sturdy and comfortable handle to the removable closet feature – not to mention the attractive yet functional appearance – this suitcase packs a punch. I really like how easy it is to pull on a variety of surfaces, including carpet and brick. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Best Overall Runner-up: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner in cream on a pathway outside.

Leilani Osmundson | U.S. News

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner in cream.

Price: $369.99 or less

Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 10 days; 45 liters | Color options: White, red, blue, green or gray Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Limited lifetime

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner is a truly well-rounded carry-on with a plethora of unique features. USB A & C ports on the outside of the bag give easy access to charging. (A power bank is not included, though the bag does have a pocket for one inside the expansion zipper.) Self-aligning magnetic wheels – a reviewer-favorite feature – allow painless travel through the airport as well as on roads, sidewalks, uneven surfaces and more. A built-in TSA zipper lock offers ultimate protection for your possessions.

Even without the features listed above, this Travelpro spinner is, at its core, a high-quality piece. The hard outer shell is ultra-strong and 100% polycarbonate; aluminum corner guards further protect your belongings. The clamshell-style suitcase has two large interior compartments along with three extra pockets, one of which is water-resistant, and the expansion zipper allows for an extra 2 inches of packing room. Plus, this carry-on is made with genuine leather trim, so you can travel in style as well as comfort.

There are some amazing features on this carry-on, but my favorite is the wheels – as someone who typically prefers hands-free travel (primarily backpacks), I found that the way this suitcase easily glides around everywhere absolutely changed my mind about wheeled luggage. Just know that since this is one of the larger bags on this list, I would still check your airline's carry-on size requirements before traveling (though it's been tested for most major domestic airlines, and it fit perfectly on Delta). – Leilani Osmundson, Senior Digital Producer

The Away The Carry-On in green.

Amanda Norcross | U.S. News

The Away The Carry-On in green.

Price: $275 or less

Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 5 days; 39.8 liters | Color options: Black, navy, blue gray or olive, plus 2 glossy options Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Limited

When it comes to hard-sided carry-on luggage , nothing beats The Carry-On by Away. The bag is lightweight yet indestructible thanks to a 100% polycarbonate exterior. Plus, you can easily wipe away most scratches with a magic eraser.

In late 2023, Away launched a new iteration of The Carry-On that somehow made it even more efficient. The most notable new features are an additional underside grab handle, three extra interior compartments, and an enhanced compression system that upholds the bag's ability to accommodate nearly a week's worth of clothing. The bag's 360-degree wheels are also slimmer than those of its predecessor for improved maneuverability. While Away has long been known for its neutral colored matte options, glossy options of this bag are now available.

The Away Carry-On is my ride or die. I've taken it on so many trips over the past five-plus years and it's still in perfect shape. I know I'll have it with me for many years to come. – Amanda Norcross, Senior Content and SEO Strategist

Samsonite SoLyte DLX Carry-On Spinner in blue in an alley.

Catriona Kendall | U.S. News

The Samsonite SoLyte DLX Carry-On Spinner in blue.

Price: $199.99 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 32 liters | Color options: Black, gray, green, aqua blue or royal blue Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: 10-year limited

This classic soft-sided option from Samsonite offers everything you need for a smooth trip. There are three spacious pockets and a trolley strap on the outside so you can stack it on top of another rolling suitcase, as well as a USB port for charging your phone (though you'll have to purchase a battery separately).

Inside the suitcase, three more zippered pockets – including one for wet items – help you stay organized, while buckles keep the main compartment's tie-down straps out of your way while packing. This spinner can conveniently expand by 0.75 inches, but keep in mind if you're flying that overpacking may put it over your carry-on size allowance.

I've used other spinner suitcases in the past, but none of them glide as smoothly as this bag, with its 360-degree dual-spinner wheels. I also love the high-quality, lightweight material, but my favorite part is its organizational features – especially the WetPak pocket. I'd highly recommend the Samsonite SoLyte DLX for anyone who needs a trusty soft-sided carry-on for a flight; it definitely fits more than I thought it would. – Catriona Kendall, Editor

 July Carry On Light in black against a sunny window.

Price: $245 or less

Dimensions: 21.25 x 14.17 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 32 liters | Color options: Beige, light green, dark green, lilac, charcoal or 3 others Hard- or soft-sided: Hard | Warranty: Lifetime with 100-day returns

Weighing just under 4 pounds, this bag is the lightest hard-sided carry-on we found on the market. It's constructed with an extremely durable German polycarbonate shell, and the interior has two mesh zippered compartments to keep your belongings from shifting. The inner nylon lining is also resistant to water and stains. To make the suitcase easy to maneuver, there's a top carry handle, a telescoping handle and dual-spinner wheels.

I was absolutely shocked by how light this suitcase is. While some lightweight designs can be extremely flimsy, this July carry-on is very durable and holds a good amount of clothing. With compression packing cubes I was able to pack enough clothing for a week. It was extremely easy to put in the plane's overhead compartment, and the wheels rolled very smoothly for my entire journey. The only thing I noticed is that since the bag is so lightweight, the trolley bag I had was making it want to topple. Next time, I'd use a smaller tote or a north-south design to avoid that issue. – Rachael Hood

The DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero International Carry-On - Expandable Spinner in blue.

Erin Evans | U.S. News

The DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero International Carry-On - Expandable Spinner in blue.

Price: $179.99 or less

Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 10 inches | Weight: 8.16 pounds Packing capacity: 5-7 days; 41 liters | Color options: Black, blue, red or gray Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 10-year limited

This DELSEY PARIS carry-on is a well-built piece of hard-sided luggage. It meets carry-on suitcase size restrictions for most international airlines and offers an easily accessible front compartment – ideal for a laptop up to 15.6 inches or other items you want to be able to grab quickly. The suitcase has a TSA lock and two spacious internal compartments for clothing, shoes and travel gear. The double-spinner wheels glide smoothly across all types of surfaces, and the handle pulls out and retracts with ease.

I was incredibly impressed by this little workhorse of a carry-on bag. There are so many different pockets and compartments within it for organization, and it fits a surprising amount of clothes, shoes and accessories. The handle and wheels make it easy to maneuver, and the glossy exterior makes it look sleek and chic. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

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Textured exterior of Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner.

Price: $80 or less

Dimensions: 21.46 x 14.76 x 9.45 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 23 liters | Color options: Black, navy blue, orange or light blue Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 1-year

The Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner is similar to many other hard-sided luggage products on the market, but it's available at a fraction of the price. The ABS shell is textured, so even if you – or luggage handlers – bang it around a bit, it does not show scuffs or scratches easily. The double-spinner wheels (a must, honestly, in today's luggage landscape) make the bag effortless to maneuver.

Inside, one side of the bag features a compression strap, while the other has a large fabric zippered closure, complete with a few organizer pockets for smaller items. Thanks to its availability on Amazon Prime, the carry-on luggage ships quickly, so it's also a great option if you need new luggage in a crunch.

This carry-on bag is a superb selection for the budget-conscious traveler. I appreciated how much I was able to get into this bag (it doesn't look huge, but it fit quite a lot), and the textured exterior really ups the durability factor. The compression straps and the interior organizer even helped me squeeze in a bit more. – Erin Evans

Best Expandability: Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner

Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner in blue against stone wall.

Price: $699 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 (up to 11.5) inches | Weight: 10 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 37-48 liters | Color options: Black, navy or olive Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Lifetime

The Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner has a standout feature that other bags on this list don't: one-touch CX expansion. Exclusive to Briggs & Riley, this technology allows your bag to expand and compress in one swift motion. Simply press and pull up on the red levers found at opposite ends of the bag, and it will grow 2.5 inches. Once you've packed your belongings, push down on the buttons to compress the bag before zipping it up.

This bag also features a garment folder to reduce wrinkles in a suit or dress, as well as cinch-down garment panels to secure the clothing in place. Other convenient features include interior mesh compartments for organization, an exterior pocket for airport essentials (or even your laptop) and a signature PowerPocket where you can charge your smartphone.

While the bag is undoubtedly an investment at $700, its "simple as that" guarantee (free repairs forever, no questions asked) – plus sturdy features like impact-resistant corner guards and self-repairing zippers – means you'll have it for life.

When it comes to quality, this is the best luggage I've ever used – period. The compression/expansion system is just the icing on the cake. – Amanda Norcross

Best Underseater: CALPAK Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On Luggage

The CALPAK Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On Luggage in black.

Price: $165 or less

Dimensions: 16 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 5.1 pounds Packing capacity: 2-4 days; 34 liters | Color options: Chocolate, oatmeal or rose quartz Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: 2-year limited

Compact and filled with useful features, this CALPAK underseater has a water-resistant exterior, a TSA-approved lock, and side and top handles for easy lifting into the overhead or pushing under the seat. There's a telescoping handle, a luggage trolley sleeve and two exterior pockets for stowing small items like your passport, boarding pass and earbuds.

On the inside, there's a padded laptop sleeve, multiple interior pockets and compression straps. For added convenience, the main panel can be secured via built-in snaps to get your laptop out while traveling (and keep your other belongings from spilling out), or you can unsnap it while packing to maximize the interior storage space.

When I'm traveling on a quick trip with my laptop, this is my go-to bag. Its compact size glides easily under the seat, and it's also compact and light enough to fit into the overhead bin even on the smallest regional planes. I love the laptop sleeve and the zippered exterior pocket for my book, earbuds and wipes. To maximize the interior space, I use compression cubes from Lug , and I'm able to squeeze in four to five outfits, a pair of shoes and daily necessities. – Rachael Hood

The Amazon Basics Expandable Softside Carry-On Spinner – 20.4 Inch in black.

Price: $83 or less

Dimensions: 20.4 x 14.9 x 8.2 inches | Weight: 6.35 pounds Packing capacity: 2-3 days; 26 liters | Color options: Black, olive, gray, red, blue or purple Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 1-year

This simple but sturdy carry-on piece from Amazon is a great option for business travelers, thanks to its front pocket for easy laptop access, smooth double-spinner wheels and TSA lock. This Amazon Basics soft-sided carry-on also features a handle on the bottom between the wheels, which makes it easy to put the bag up into and pull it out of the overhead bin. On some airplanes, it may even be small enough to fit under the seat.

The interior of the bag features one large compartment with two compression straps, plus two zippered pockets on the opposite site. The 20.4-inch option is ideal for shorter trips, but this style is available in larger sizes as well. Another bonus: It's available on Amazon Prime, so it ships quickly.

This Amazon Basics option is on the smaller side for a carry-on, but that's what makes it a solid choice for business travelers going on short trips who only need to pack a few things. The laptop pocket is easily accessible, and the handle on the bottom of the bag is super useful for hauling it out of an overhead bin. The black color is professional, and the price can't be beat. – Erin Evans

Carl Friedrik The Carry-on Pro in black against chair.

Price: $565 or less

Dimensions: 21.7 x 15 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds Packing capacity: 5-7 days; 43 liters | Color options: Gray/cognac, gray/chocolate, gray/black or black Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Lifetime with a 100-day trial

Constructed with premium materials, this luxury carry-on has Italian leather accents, Japanese spinner wheels and a polycarbonate exterior with an aluminum metal frame for stability. It closes via two secure latches with combination locks (rather than a zipper). There's a front laptop compartment with a smaller pocket and pen slots to keep business essentials or travel documents easy to access.

The interior has leather details, compression straps and a removable compression pad with a pocket – ideal for small items like ties, fashion jewelry or silk scarves. Travelers can also purchase an additional compression pad to have a pad on each side of the interior compartment.

This suitcase exudes luxury with its Italian leather trim and understated elegance. The design of it looks very sleek, the interior is spacious, the handle is very sturdy and the wheels glide with ease. I especially liked that the top of the suitcase is very flat, which gave my trolley bag a secure base so it wasn't moving around while I was at the airport, and the front compartment was ideal for accessing my laptop on the go. It feels very sturdy, but the only downside is it weighs more than a typical carry-on. – Rachael Hood

Best Carry-on Duffel: The North Face Rolling Thunder – 22"

The North Face Rolling Thunder – 22" in black on rooftop.

Price: $270 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 5 days; 40 liters | Color options: Black Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Limited lifetime

The North Face's 22-inch Rolling Thunder duffel doesn't have the bells and whistles of other carry-on options, but it's a sturdy and reliable option for those who want a duffel style on wheels. The duffel has a hard-sided back panel, two wheels that can withstand various terrain and plastic bumpers for abrasion resistance. The soft-sided top of the bag is made of water-resistant Base Camp material and nylon for extra durability. There are two zippered pockets on the outside to stash small items and a mesh pocket inside for some added organization.

I brought this duffel on a trip to New Zealand, and it held up very well. The Rolling Thunder had no issues after being checked on six different flights, and the flexibility of the style allowed me to easily store it out of the way in my campervan once I had unpacked. It's definitely a simpler style, but it does its job well. Be aware, though, that this wheeled style doesn't have straps that would allow you to carry it like a duffel; it can only be rolled. – Catriona Kendall

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L in purple.

Price: $200 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 10 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds Packing capacity: 5-10 days; 35 liters | Color options: Multiple options but color availability changes frequently Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Lifetime

When it comes to hands-free and adventure travel, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L can't be beat. This lightweight carry-on backpack comes with a sternum strap, a removable waist belt and a weight-distributing harness system, all to make for a comfortable carry (since sore shoulders can be a concern when it comes to carrying backpacks through time-consuming airport experiences).

Organization is a breeze with a top zippered pocket – perfect for storing travel documents or a Cotopaxi hip pack – and a padded laptop sleeve on the outside. Internally, you'll find two mesh compartments, one large and one subdivided, that work great with Cotopaxi packing cubes . The backpack's straps can be tucked away for more streamlined travel, and the bag even comes with a rain cover (though the Allpa is already TPU-coated to be water-resistant).

Furthermore, Cotopaxi is dedicated to sustainability : 94% of Cotopaxi products contain repurposed, recycled or responsible materials. The vibrant, one-of-a-kind Del Dia Allpa backpacks , for example, use remnant fabric.

I've taken my Cotopaxi Allpa on countless adventures and it's survived everything – wind, rain, being shoved into tiny rental cars, you name it. Besides being incredibly durable, I love how much this backpack can fit; my longest trip so far with only the Allpa 35L as my luggage has been a comfortable nine days, and that included packing bulky cold-weather gear. I just wish it had a water bottle pocket like the Allpa 42L does! – Leilani Osmundson

Also Recommended

Solo New York Re:Serve Carry-On Spinner: While the Solo New York Re:Serve Carry-On Spinner is a solid (and sustainable) carry-on bag for less than $200, it doesn't offer quite enough space – especially for someone who may be traveling for longer.

Away The Aluminum Carry-On Bag: This is a well-built carry-on bag. The only downfall is that it's on the heavier side, weighing nearly 11 pounds. Away's Aluminum Carry-On is also more than twice the cost of the standard carry-on by Away, which works just as well.

Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner: This is a great soft-sided option if you're looking for a lightweight suitcase. Featuring a sleek nylon construction, a large front exterior pocket and internal zippered pockets, the Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner works well but isn't as lightweight as the July Carry-on Light.

Monos Carry-on Plus: It's a high-quality suitcase with a lot of internal details, but given its larger size this bag doesn't fit in the overhead compartment on multiple planes (especially regional jets). That said, if you're traveling domestically on larger planes, the Monos Carry-on Plus could be an option to consider. Or, the smaller standard Monos Carry-on could be a good option as well.

Pros and Cons of Hard-sided Luggage

Pros and cons of soft-sided luggage, frequently asked questions.

Aside from traditional rolling suitcases, the following items can be used as carry-on luggage provided they meet carry-on size limitations (which vary by airline) and fit in the overhead bin or fully under the seat (not sticking out) in front of you.

  • Duffel and weekender bags:  This includes weekenders and duffel bags with wheels . Just note that wheels are included in carry-on dimension restrictions.
  • Garment bags:  These are also considered carry-on baggage by most airlines. You can place your garment bag in the overhead bin, or in some cases, a small closet on the plane.
  • Pet carriers:  Some airlines consider pet carriers to be carry-on luggage. Check with your chosen airline when preparing for your trip with Fido.
  • Backpacks:  If your carry-on backpack fits under the seat, it will count toward your personal item allowance on most major airlines. This means you'll have the option to bring an additional bag for the overhead bin.
  • Diaper bags: If you're traveling with a baby, diaper bags and other baby travel gear generally don't count toward either allowance – meaning you can bring these items in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item.

Purses , briefcases and camera bags can be carried on the plane as well, but usually aren't considered carry-on bags and are instead labeled personal items. Underseater bags – often designed specifically to fit comfortably under a plane seat – are also ideal as a personal item.

Typically, travelers can bring one carry-on bag (for the overhead bin) and one personal item (for under the seat) on the plane, free of charge.

Carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline. Several major U.S. carriers, such as American Airlines and United, impose a 22 x 14 x 9-inch rule. If you're buying new carry-on luggage, this is a good default size to choose – especially if you fly with a variety of airlines.

For international airlines, it's often 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. To be sure about dimensions as well as any weight restrictions, see our guide to Carry-on Luggage Size & Weight by Airline . It usually doesn't matter how heavy your carry-on bag is, though some airlines do monitor the weight.

  • Hard-sided: The hard-sided July Carry On Light weighs less than 4 pounds, making it one of the most lightweight carry-on bags on the market. Other lightweight carry-on bags we recommend include the hard-sided Away The Carry-On (7.5 pounds) and the Amazon 20-Inch Hardside Spinner (7.3 pounds).
  • Soft-sided: If you're looking for a lightweight, soft-sided carry-on bag, consider the Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner (4.8 pounds) and the Samsonite SoLyte DLX Carry-On Spinner (7.1 pounds).

Hard-sided luggage is often heavier than soft-sided luggage – but only by a few pounds. If you're planning to purchase a hard-sided carry-on bag, look for something that's made of polycarbonate or polypropylene, both of which are lightweight yet durable materials.

How We Tested

Our team tested 26 carry-on bags across several price points and on a variety of trips spanning overseas flights, weekend getaways, overnight trips and more. We traveled by car, plane, train and cruise and packed for a variety of climates and activities, from shore excursions in Mexico to rainy road trips around Iceland. For bags with wheels, we tested their maneuverability on multiple surfaces, including gravel, pavement, grass, moving walkways, cobblestone and carpet. After four months of testing, we deem these carry-on bags the best of the best for 2024.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

The following editors personally tested the luggage recommended in this article:

Erin Evans , Managing Editor: Evans loves a durable bag and also can't say no to a good deal. Considering how banged up luggage can get, her picks on this list are both well-made and affordable.

Rachael Hood , Senior Editor: Hood rarely checks a bag, yet she loves to pack a lot and pick up some new finds along her journey. She looks for a combination of durability, functionality, interior space and overall appearance.

Catriona Kendall , Associate Editor: Kendall opts for convenient and versatile carry-ons that can work well for weekend and weekslong trips alike.

Amanda Norcross , Content & SEO Strategist: Norcross has mastered the art of traveling with a carry-on bag only, but believes this is only possible with the right luggage.

Leilani Osmundson , Digital Producer: Osmundson prefers lightweight, streamlined luggage that's ideal for adventure travel.

You might also be interested in:

  • What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag
  • What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag
  • The Best Personal Item Bags
  • The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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solosophie

12 Best Tricks & Tips on How to Travel With Hand Luggage Only

Last Updated on 12th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my  privacy policy  and  disclosure  for more information.

If you’re looking for how to travel with hand luggage only , then we’ve got you covered. After all, for the past couple of years, I’ve made it my mission (whenever possible) to travel solely with hand luggage. And yes, that even includes month long trips, as well as voyages to several different climates in one go!

Fewer bag fees and shorter waiting times are just a few of the many reasons that I choose to go with just a single bag when travelling.

Over that time, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible when taking a trip with little baggage. Here are my very best tips for travelling with hand luggage only:

packing hacks

Your carry on bag is the most important part of the equation

#1 keep your liquids in an easily accessible place, #2 bring plastic or canvas bags for your dirty laundry (and extra shoes), #3 wear your largest items while travelling (think winter coats, heavy boots etc), #4 pack versatile items, #5 choose your carry on bag wisely: make sure it has various compartments so you can better organise your things, #6 remember that you always need less than you think, #7 don’t pack anything you haven’t worn in the last six months, #8 you only need a few pairs of shoes, #9 to fold or to roll your hand luggage essentials, #10 invest in packing cubes, #11 charge all your electronics fully before you set off, #12 invest in a kindle, watch the travel packing hacks video here, pin tips for travelling with hand luggage only.

Before I dive into discussing the best ways to only travel with hand-luggage, it’s important to note that the piece of the luggage itself is one of the most important factors to consider!

When it comes to carry on cases, I personally look for a bag that’s not too heavy (as many airlines have a restriction on the weight of your bag and the case is factored into this) and something that’s durable, as well as spacious.

A personal favourite of mine is that the case be soft as opposed to hard-shelled so that I can stuff more things in! You’ll also want to consider whether you purchase a rolling case or a backpack. While rolling cases are easier if your bag is heavier, backpacks are often much easier to transport over cobblestones and place into overhead lockers.

Most airlines have a restriction of  55 x 35 x 20 cm or 22 x 14 x 9 inches (though some airlines are even smaller or require you to purchase extra luggage space) so this is an important factor to consider when purchasing your luggage. 

I personally use this case , which is one of the lightest rolling cases you can purchase. Otherwise, this backpack   is perfect for those seeking a backpack option!

Coffee Culture in The Hague is fantastic

Top tips for travelling with hand luggage only

When you’re going through the airport, you’ll want to hold up the line as little as possible when preparing your bag to put on the conveyor belt (you don’t want to be that person who takes five hours to sort out their things and makes everyone behind you sigh loudly!) .

You already know that you can’t bring liquids over 100 ml, even if the liquid inside the bottle is less than 100 ml and so just leave those bottles at home. Keep your liquids in a clear plastic bag and in an accessible place (I keep mine in the front pocket of my suitcase so that if they leak, they don’t ruin my clothing) .

You also might want to invest in some travel sized reusable bottles . These are both environmentally more friendly than purchasing tiny bottles all the time and you can actually take your favourite products with you!

If possible, try to prepare your bags in advance of time (and at home) so that you don’t miss any liquids when going through the scanner.

After all, it would be a shame to have to throw away your favourite lipstick! Next, be sure to have all medicine clearly labelled and be sure to have a copy of your prescription on you at all times.

When it comes to travelling with hand luggage only, you’ll want to try and be as organised as possible so that you can make proper use of the space available. This means compartmentalising your things and placing them in plastic bags (or preferably canvas bags if you’re trying to be environmentally friendly) .

Be sure to bring plenty of extra bags so you don’t have to mix your clean and dirty laundry (no one likes doing this, even by accident!). 

Burrator Reservoir: visiting the prettiest body of water in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England: edge of the lake

Of course, when you’re travelling with just hand luggage, finding enough space is your worst enemy! After all, you don’t have very much of it.

To conserve space, and make sure you’re able to pack that extra pair of sunglasses, or even that extra dress, be sure to wear all of your heaviest items while actually travelling. Things like heavy boots and winter coats take up plenty of space and can easily be worn through the airport instead!

To ensure that you can pack as many outfit variations as possible, pack plenty of versatile items. For example, a scarf (which is pretty much an autumn / spring/ winter staple anyway) can be used as a blanket, as a scarf, or as a way of accessorizing an otherwise boring outfit.

Pack your bag with a capsule wardrobe in mind. Think colourways and patterns that go together, as well as neutral coats/ jackets/ shoes that will go with pretty much everything you bring with you!

10 reasons to visit Luxembourg this year

This is one of those tips for travelling with hand luggage only that begins before you even think about going away! When you’re selecting your hand baggage piece to purchase, ensure that you’re choosing not only a durable bag but one with plenty of pockets.

Again, the lack of space in your luggage means that you should be as organised as possible, and having plenty of compartments allows you to do this in an easy fashion.

Update: as of 2023, I have been using a Cabin Zero backpack that some friends bought me for my birthday- it’s been really helpful for packing things conveniently into a small space!

Most people will pack for a holiday and bring even more outfits than the number of days that they’ll actually be in a destination. As such, when planning to travel with only hand luggage, it’s worth remembering that you’ll likely need a lot less than you think.

Of course, depending on when you’re going, you should also remind yourself that you can likely purchase anything that you’ve forgotten when you get to your new destination.

With this being said, when it comes to warm clothing, you can’t be too prepared. Always  bring the spare jumper/ pair of thermals (learned from personal experience!)

Menton harbour on a clear and sunny day in Spring

Of all the tips for travelling with hand luggage only, this is probably the advice I personally need to follow the most but is something that should go without sating.

Unless you’re packing some kind of seasonal/ specialised clothing, if you haven’t worn the piece recently, chances are you won’t wear it anytime on the trip! Don’t pack it and save the packing space for something you’ll  actually  want.

When you think about it, you really only need to travel with two pairs of shoes, especially if you’re going with hand luggage only. I personally always go away with a pair of boots that are semi-waterproof and can be dressed up for evening meals, as well as a pair of trainers/ tennis shoes to walk around during the day. If it’s the summer, I’ll also pack a pair of easy to walk in sandals that can easily go from day to night.

detailed cobblestone and recycled architectural material in Leuven

The age-old question is whether you should be rolling or folding your hand luggage items. Well, I personally prefer to roll my clothes as I find that they stack much more easily, meaning that I can fit extra dresses and t-shirts in my bag!

However, others prefer to fold their clothes, and so the choice is totally up to you! Just make sure to weigh your bag before you go- many airlines restrict hand luggage to 8 KG or 10 KG only!

And while we’re on the subject on how to pack your clothes when travelling with only hand luggage, you might consider splurging on some packing cubes.

These little pockets are total game-changers and will easily allow you to separate your clothes and belongings, allowing you to stay organised and easily find the most essential of items. Check packing cube prices here.

Three days in West Sweden: Gotheburg & the Bohuslän Coast

If you’re going to be spending time at the airport, then no doubt you’ll want to spend time on your phone or laptop prior to taking off. Though you may have everything easily to hand thanks to the aid of packing cubes, that doesn’t mean you want to go unpacking all your chargers in the departure lounge! As such, be sure to fully charge all your electronics at home before even making your way to the airport.

If you’re truly trying to cut down on your packing list and want to save a little weight, then switch to paperless. I was given a Kindle as a Christmas present close to a decade ago and haven’t looked back since.

Easy, fast, and convenient, I love the fact that I can read up to a month’s worth with a single charge and take an entire library with me as I travel, without the need for being weighed down by a library’s weight!

I also love that the Kindle allows you to download books with the press of a single button, without having to wait for a book to be delivered or even without having to leave your reading nook! Check the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite prices and further information here .

Tips for travelling with hand luggage only: tips, tricks and practical advice for packing your suitcase light!

Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond. When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading, playing video games, and going on long hikes with her husband.

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  • Pingback: DiscoverNet | These Simple Tips Will Make Traveling With Just One Carry-On Bag Even Easier

Nice article, nice tips.

Good tips for travel light with just a luggage

hand luggage and travel

Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

How to pack for hand luggage only: 11 top tips

November 2, 2019 by Gretta Schifano 4 Comments

If you think that you’d never manage to travel with just hand luggage, this post is for you. Until I was forced to travel with only one small bag, I didn’t think that I’d be able to do it – but I’d never really tried to. And then I was booked on a flight with (in my view at the time) a tiny luggage allowance on a work trip to Krakow .

Packing for an 8kg luggage allowance

For that flight, I had no choice but to fit everything that I needed into one bag, with the whole thing weighing no more than 8kgs. And that 8kgs had to include my iPad and DSLR camera, which together took up around a quarter of the allowed weight. So that left me just 6kgs to play with. Amazingly, I managed it. The trip went well, and it was so liberating not having to wait for my luggage to arrive once I left the plane, that I have tried to travel with just hand luggage ever since. Here are my tips for packing for a trip with hand luggage only.

Hand luggage-only packing tips

How to travel with hand luggage only

1: make a packing list.

Before you actually start to pack, make a packing list. I now do this for every trip. I save my packing lists on my laptop. I name the lists according to destination and month. Then when I need to create a new list I pick one of my existing lists, duplicate it and edit it for my next trip. I then print out the new list and cross things off as I pack them. I edit the printed list as I’m packing, to record what I actually pack. Then I amend and save the list on my laptop so that it’s accurate. This process may sound fiddly, but I find that it makes packing quicker and easier each time.

2: Buy a light, strong, durable cabin bag

hand luggage and travel

3: Buy a small, light bag

hand luggage and travel

4: Use a Duty-Free carrier bag for extra stuff

Besides your cabin bag, you’re allowed to take one duty-free carrier bag on your flight. This is so that passengers aren’t deterred from spending money in the departure lounge. But you can also use this bag for other stuff, so it can work as a handy overflow bag for extra clothes. Some people even save duty-free bags from previous trips to use for this purpose – I’ve not tried that myself, as I’d worry that the bag would be different to those currently used, and I’d be rumbled!

5: Plan your outfits

When you plan what to clothes to take on your trip, choose outfits which you can mix and match easily. It helps if you pack clothes in just two colours, for example blue and white or black and white. This means that everything that you pack will go together, and it makes it less likely that you’ll end up not wearing clothes which you pack.

6:  Cut down on toiletries

When you create your packing list, think carefully about what toiletries you really need to take. For example, if you’re staying in a hotel, they will generally provide shower gel, soap and shampoo, so you don’t need to take those with you. At larger airports you can buy toiletries in the departure lounge, which is very handy if you need to take more than the liquid restrictions allow. Boots even offer a click and collect service which allows you to preorder your toiletries and collect them once you’ve gone through airport security.

7: Wear your heaviest shoes and clothes

Once you’ve decided what clothes and shoes you need for your trip, pick out the heaviest ones and wear those for the journey. For me this usually means that I travel in jeans, trainers and a warm top.

8: Wear layers

Obviously the more clothes that you wear, the fewer you have to pack. So in winter I generally wear a vest top, a long-sleeved top, a jumper and a coat or jacket when I travel. In summer you need fewer clothes anyway, so this isn’t such an issue.

9: Use your pockets

Whatever time of year you’re travelling, always travel with a coat or a jacket with pockets, ideally deep pockets with zips. You can use these pockets for carrying small, heavy stuff such as your phone and portable charger. This frees up space in your bag and makes it lighter.

10: Take a Kindle

hand luggage and travel

11: Wash clothes while you’re away

If you’re away for more than a few days, buy some hand washing liquid in the departure lounge so that you can wash your clothes while you’re away. This means that you don’t need to take as many clothes with you.

Practical tips and advice on packing for a trip with hand luggage only. Includes recommendations for cabin bags. Click through for full tips and details.

More packing advice

I wrote about how I managed to pack for my trip to Krakow in this post:

How to pack for an 8kg luggage allowance

I wrote this after our stay at a rainforest camp in Thailand:

What to pack for Elephant Hills, Thailand

Over to you

Do you have any tips to add? If you’ve ever travelled with just hand luggage, how was it?

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you clicked through and made a purchase I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. All opinions and words are my own, as ever.

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About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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January 20, 2020 at 12:30 pm

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January 22, 2020 at 10:52 am

Your welcome – pockets are the way to go!

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January 10, 2020 at 10:06 pm

January 22, 2020 at 10:53 am

Great idea about the dressy top – I’d not thought of that one!

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The 10 Best Luggage Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

No matter what size or style you want, these are the best luggage brands to fit your needs.

hand luggage and travel

In This Article

  • Our Top Picks
  • Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

  • Our Decision Process
  • Tips For Buying
  • Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

No matter where you're going or how often you travel, luggage can make or break your trip. It helps with planning, packing, and staying organized while away — and sometimes determines whether you can bring back souvenirs. There's a wide range of checked suitcases, carry-on bags, duffels, weekenders, underseat bags, and backpacks on the market. Beyond that, you've got hardside and softside options with various organizational features. Amid what you might call the Golden Age of luggage, it can be hard to sift through your offerings.

To figure out what brands stand out from the rest, our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage ranging from carry-ons and checked suitcases to duffels, weekenders, garment bags, and other types of travel bags — assessing capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design through a series of tests and simulations. We've rolled suitcases through obstacle courses, threw them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to see how well they'd perform in different travel scenarios like rough baggage handlers. We even recreated an airplane set in our New York City lab to lift bags into real overhead bins and underneath seats. We continue testing each bag in our real-life travels for a minimum of six months to make sure it stands up to planes, trains, automobiles, and anything else life may throw at it.

Our team has tested bags from many different brands, and below you'll find our current favorites. We will continue to update this article as we test even more luggage brands and new bags.

Best Overall

Backed by a 10-year warranty, Samsonite luggage is compact yet spacious, easy to maneuver, and exceptionally durable.

Because Samsonite has such a wide variety of designs and price points, some bags perform better than others.

After our most recent set of luggage tests, Samsonite has risen to the top as our favorite overall luggage brand. Samsonite luggage is generally lightweight and compact on the outside, with spacious interiors to maximize packing and a variety of styles to choose from. We especially love the brand for its versatility, with an impressive variety of bags at different price points so you can find whatever suits you whether you're looking for something affordable or luxurious.

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on holds the spot as the best overall carry-on we've ever tested, while the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside takes the cake as our favorite checked suitcase . We also loved the organizational features — including multiple tech sleeves and included packing cubes — of the Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner .

Almost all of the suitcases sustained hardly any damage after we hit them with a baseball bat and shoved them off a table. Samsonite luggage also maneuvers without a fuss, even on carpeted floors and gravel. Prices are more than reasonable, and while you'll have to make any returns within 30 days, the brand backs its products with a 10-year warranty.

Sophie Mendel, Editor

"As a travel editor, I've tried my share of luggage brands. But the bag I reach for again and again is my trusty Samsonite carry-on , which has stood the test of time, traveling with me to the bustling roads of Cairo to the peaceful fields of Botswana and beyond. I can always count on Samsonite for high-quality, long-lasting, and (extremely) durable pieces that I won't have to worry about breaking or damaging, wherever I'm headed."

Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Overall, Runner-up

The suitcases are durable, smooth-rolling, and spacious, and the brand has a generous 100-day return policy.

Some are harder to pull on two wheels, and the checked models are a bit heavy. 

All Travelpro luggage we tested earned high scores for maneuverability, durability, capacity, and overall design. The brand's hardside and softside models were a hit in the T+L lab, and there are both carry-on and checked options with spacious interiors and expandable capacities. We also appreciated the various organizational features, like zipper panels, cross straps, and pockets.

With self-aligning spinner wheels and sturdy telescoping handles, Travelpro luggage is also easy to maneuver on hard floors, carpet, and even gravel (though some suitcases are slightly harder to roll on two wheels than four, especially when packed full). We particularly love the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner with its sleek wheels and a textured handle that helps maintain a comfortable grip, and we think the Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner makes a stylish investment piece if you're looking for something large, durable, and built to last. Even Travelpro's rolling garment bag impressed with its high capacity for the size. And, while the carry-ons are generally lightweight, one thing to note is that the larger checked models weigh almost twice as much when empty.

After shoving the suitcases off a table and whacking them with a baseball bat, we were pleasantly surprised by their durability. We only noticed a couple superficial marks — no scratches or dents, and nothing that wouldn't wipe clean. Travelpro offers a generous 100-day return policy and backs its luggage with warranties ranging from 10 years to a lifetime, though it can be difficult to connect with their customer service department to initiate returns or repair requests at times.

Merrell Readman, Senior Writer

"I've always leaned into traveling with a carry-on bag or a duffel, so when I first tried out the Travelpro Maxlite 5 , I was floored with how lightweight, spacious, and easy to navigate it was. The nearly weightless construction makes it so I can pack to my hearts content without exceeding airline checked bag weight limits, plus, I've been exceedingly impressed with how well the brand has taken on the wear and tear of travel without hardly incurring a dent or scratch."

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best for Staying Organized

Beyond aesthetic appeal, Away flaunts plenty of pockets and compartments that keep all of your items in place.

The hardside suitcases might scratch under heavy use.

Away luggage has a minimalist-modern aesthetic and a sophisticated yet practical appeal. We're huge fans of the brand's suitcases and weekenders and particularly love The Everywhere Bag that's perfect for overnight trips, quick weekend adventures, and use as a personal item on longer trips. The checked baggage and hardside carry-on luggage pieces are light yet durable and easy to wipe clean. They didn't sustain any dents from our baseball bat tests, but there were a few scratches after we shoved them off a table. There are so many sizes to choose from, including one of our favorite trunks we've ever tested. We liked the dual main compartments, compression systems, expanders, and dirty laundry satchels of the roller bags.

The suitcases were a breeze to maneuver on their 360-degree spinner wheels, and carrying The Everywhere and The Garment Bag was comfortable with the padded shoulder straps. The Garment Bag also has interior padding that keeps all of your longer clothing items protected and helps to minimize wrinkles. Away is certainly not the cheapest luggage brand out there, but it's also far from the most expensive. Considering the 100-day return window, lifetime warranty, and stylish designs, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to pretty much any traveler.

Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor

"I'm partial to hardside luggage, and in my opinion, Away makes the best there is. I've owned Away's The Bigger Carry-On for years, and even loaned it to a family member for her two-week honeymoon in Thailand. It came back to me durable as ever. Each suitcase is well-crafted and built to last. What's equally impressive is the internal organization of their luggage, which helps the perpetual overpacker in me keep track of my things during week-long trips. Make no mistake though — their hardside suitcases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their impressive lineup of products. They also make some of our favorite toiletry bags, garment bags, duffels, and more. I continue to be impressed by what this brand brings forth every launch."

A perfect choice for organized travelers, Paravel luggage has lots of added features and a sophisticated appeal.

The suitcases don't expand, and the lighter colors are prone to scuffing.

Perfect for organized travelers , Paravel takes the cake for additional features. We loved the dual compartments, many pockets, dividers, and removable laundry bags. While the suitcases don't expand, the compression pads make fitting everything a cinch. The Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus was one of our top carry-on bags thanks to its sleek design, roomy interior that makes packing a breeze, and slick wheels that were great on every surface. We also love the super cute Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack that earned perfect scores in every category, as well as our pick as best overall mini backpack . Not only does the bag fold up small so you can pack it in larger bags, but it also has a high capacity that can even fit a tablet, making it the perfect eye-catching style to wear on any vacation.

Most Paravel luggage pieces held up well during our durability tests, though the lighter-colored hardside models are prone to scuffing. The suitcases are also easy to pull, push, and roll over various flooring materials. What's more, Paravel luggage is undeniably stylish with a sophisticated appeal and a cool mid-century flair. Prices are somewhat steep, but in the end, we think it's worth the investment, especially give its 10-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Lydia Price, Senior Editor

"I put my luggage through a lot. As a New Yorker, rushing over subway grates, maneuvering thick crowds, and being tossed about in taxi trunks is all in a typical travel day's work for my suitcases. My Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus has been rock-solid through it all. In addition to a hardy build and smooth-glliding wheels, the Aviator won me over with thoughtful organization and a tough zipper that holds up when I need to fit just one more pair of shoes inside. The timeless aesthetic is also a huge draw for me — I have the carry-on in the scout tan color that always feels in style, no matter where I am in the world. I also appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainable practices, like using mostly recycled materials and ensuring production is carbon neutral."

Most Spacious

The brand's large-capacity suitcases are impressively spacious yet lightweight, with built-in expanders and smooth-rolling wheels.

The hardside models are prone to scuffing.

Delsey is a go-to for large-capacity luggage . This brand carries both hardside and softside suitcases, including surprisingly spacious carry-ons and checked baggage in multiple sizes so you can find the best design for your needs. We were thrilled by how much they fit, noting that they could easily pack all items on our packing list with room to spare, even without expansion functions.

The suitcases maneuver well on their four spinner wheels, even over carpet, cracks, and bumps. Most models are also lightweight, so lifting them into an overhead bin is no problem. We checked the Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on and matching Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Checked bag on four different long-haul international flights and each time they made it to the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that were easily wiped away. We appreciate Delsey's accessible price points, plus the brand backs its luggage with warranties ranging from five to 10 years along with a 30-day return policy.

Taylor Fox, Editor

"I'll admit: when I'm choosing luggage, I often go for aesthetics over functionality. Lucky for me, I found the Delsey Chatelet collection, which offers both! Every Delsey bag I have adds style and a sense of luxury to my trips, but the bags themselves are also protective with plenty of pockets and features to keep me organized. I have traveled to Egypt, Morocco, and Italy with the Angora Chatelet carry-on and checked bag and they still look great, are easy to clean, and roll like a dream wherever I go."

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Colors

They come in both neutrals and so many colorful designs, including limited-edition options.

Some of the carry-ons are on the smaller size.

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store with all of the colorful suitcase options from July — and if you tend to gravitate toward neutrals, July has those, too. After we tested over a dozen bags in our lab on on our airplane set, some of our favorites included the July Carry On (includes a portable charger), the July Checked Plus (the largest suitcase in July’s range), the July Checked Plus Light (a great lightweight option), and the July Trunk Set (a stylish, zipperless two-piece set). 

We found the bags to be very durable against our baseball bat tests, although we noticed that the bags with aluminum corner bumpers tended to scuff more easily specifically on the corners. One of our favorite features was that some bags, including the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve , feature a multi-stop telescopic handle that you can adjust to 20 different heights, when many suitcase handles only stop at three heights.

Different bag styles are available in different colorways, and you can choose from delightful shades of blues, greens, pinks, reds, shadow lavender, plum, yellow, sand, and more, most of which will easily stand out on any baggage carousel. We did notice that some of the carry-ons tend to be much more spacious than others, so be sure to check the dimensions to find a size that will fit everything you need. Also, note that while there's a limited lifetime warranty on luggage, there's a five-year warranty on soft bags and accessories and a two-year warranty on small leather goods. All products have a 100-day return policy.

Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor

"I think luggage should be fun, and July has so many eye-catching styles whether you’re team carry-on or checked. I personally have the Checked Plus Light suitcase, which I love for the curved eggshell design that is built for durability and nesting (if you have multiple suitcases from the Light line, you can nest the different sizes inside each other for storage). The smooth wheels made a world of difference when I had to haul the suitcase over cobblestones and zip through airports in a rush, and I can trust that my luggage is going to arrive at my destination in one piece while still looking stylish. It’s also a plus that the prices are reasonable and not too expensive for suitcases that will likely last a lifetime."

  • PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best for Smaller Bags

Calpak luggage is compact yet still spacious enough to hold the essentials, and maneuvering it is a piece of cake.

The two-year warranty is substantially shorter than most other brands.

If you're looking for something you can stash in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, Calpak might be your best bet. We loved the duffles, backpacks, and suitcases with a particular appreciation for the Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage , our best overall underseat bag . We love that it glides smoothly, has a sturdy exterior, and can even fit a laptop, making it perfect for weekend getaways or even business trips.

Even when packed full, we found each Calpak suitcase to roll beautifully on both two wheels and four. The Stevyn Duffel Bag was very comfortable to tote with its shoulder strap and features a separate shoe compartment to keep your items clean if you're in the market for something smaller. Though the two-year warranty is shorter than most other brands, we think Calpak's prices are more than fair (and appreciate the 30-day return policy).

Hillary Maglin, Updates Editor

"I'm always so impressed with how different Calpak is from other brands, yet it's still so durable, spacious, and compliant with airline size limitations. For example, the brand's Ambeur line features thin, lightweight, almost canvas-like hardshells — something I've never seen or felt from any other brand — but they remain dent- and scratch-free through drops and shoves. Another example is the Luka Duffel (my personal favorite Calpak piece), which squishes down nearly flat for storage, all while remaining structured and sturdy enough to carry everything from shoes to a laptop to a water bottle. It almost seems like the construction of Calpak luggage defies logic, but it always holds up to rough luggage handlers and looks stylish in the process."

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Splurge

This splurge-worthy luggage brand boasts expandable main compartments, ample pockets, impact-resistant exteriors, and smooth spinner wheels.

The price might be hard to justify, and the checked bags are somewhat heavy when empty.

If you want the crème de la crème of luggage, Tumi is where it's at . The suitcases and underseat bags fared better than the duffel we tested, but all in all, we were impressed. Our favorite by far is the Alpha International Expandable 4-wheeled Carry-on that looks compact but includes plenty of organizational compartments and even comes with its own removable garment bag. There was plenty of space to pack everything on our list in every Tumi bag, even without the expanders. This brand also stands out for its organizational, smart, and security features. We're talking ample pockets, removable garment bags, laptop sleeves, USB ports, lockable zippers, and TSA-approved locks.

Whether you go softside or hardside, you can count on reliable durability — we even jumped on the bags and rode on top of them and not one feature broke or dented. We observed virtually no scuffs or scratches after whacking the bags with a baseball bat. Tumi luggage is easy to maneuver, thanks to the spinner wheels, but bear in mind the checked sizes are pretty heavy when empty. If you can swing the steep price, we think the brand is an excellent choice for long trips, frequent fliers , and those who like to stay organized, and bags come with a five-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director

"Luggage is an investment and anytime I’m asked what brand I would stand by, I answer Tumi without hesitation. I have items that are nearly 20 years old (!) and, not only do they still work perfectly, I still use them. I love their thoughtful features like carry-ons with a built-in garment bag or suitcases with dual-access to stash a sweater inside, and Tumi's aptly named Just in Case line of foldable bags shouldn't be missed either."

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Most Durable

Briggs & riley.

With ballistic nylon or shock-absorbing polycarbonate exteriors, Briggs & Riley suitcases can really take a beating.

This is one of the more expensive brands, and the checked models are slightly heavy when empty.

The most durable luggage we tested comes from Briggs & Riley . The brand carries softside suitcases with ballistic nylon exteriors that resist premature wear and tear, as well as hardside models with shock-absorbing polycarbonate shells that promise to protect your cargo from getting crushed. We were impressed by how well they stood up to our shoves and bat swings — no dents or scratches to speak of.

Durability aside, Briggs & Riley suitcases roll effortlessly on hard floors and carpet, over bumps, and around tight corners. They also have decent capacities, many with built-in expanders. This is one of the more expensive luggage brands, but it's backed by a lifetime guarantee. We wouldn't be surprised if the suitcases last 10 or more years. Not only that, but there are a few options for remedying potential damage, including self-repair kits, authorized repair centers, or shipping back to Briggs & Riley for a tune-up.

Anna Popp, Associate Editor

"As a member of the checked-bag-only club, I have brought my Briggs & Riley large spinner on more than 30 flights in the last few years and it's been an absolute champion. After watching this suitcase fall off of the conveyor belt leading into the airplane cargo hold, I am convinced that the hardshell material is impermeable when it comes to rough handling. I don't typically bag fragile items in a checked bag (for obvious reasons) but I feel comfortable placing all kinds of products in my checked bag knowing that everything is safeguarded by the durable construction and materials the brand uses. I know the prices are a bit high upfront, but I promise you will spend more in less-durable suitcases over time, which makes it worth it in the long-run."

Best Design

Thoughtfully designed, each Béis bag we tried comes with extra, often removable, features so you can customize your packing.

These are large bags and we had a hard time fitting some weekenders under airplane seats.

Shay Mitchell's luggage brand quickly won our hearts with each bag's thoughtful design, customizable inserts, and removable compartments. The bags are certainly large and can fit everything you need for a long vacation or quick weekend getaway — just be mindful that not all of the duffel-style bags will work as personal items. The Weekender is one of our favorites: like Mary Poppins' bag of wonders, this tote seems to expand as you pack it, fitting every item on our list.

When it comes to rolling bags, the 29-inch Large Check-in Roller is our best checked bag for organization . Similar to its weekenders, carry-on bags, and backpacks, Béis' check-in bag is huge and can fit everything you need and more. All of the Béis suitcases we tested also sported durable wheels that smoothly navigated different types of surfaces without getting stuck, as well as easy-to-use handles that make running through the airport a breeze. All products are backed with a limited lifetime warranty as well.

Emily Belfiore, Senior Editor

"Once you try a piece of Beis luggage, you’ll immediately wonder how you ever traveled with anything other than these well-designed suitcases. Every item from the brand is meticulously crafted to stand up to the wear and tear of travel and offer the user a hassle-free experience. I’m a big fan of the Beis Carry-on Roller , which has a sturdy hardshell exterior and an expandable body that offers an additional 2 inches of packing space, which is a godsend for an overpacker like me."

Travel + Leisure/

Other Luggage Brands We Liked

Even though these brands did not make our main list, they still have some worthwhile suitcases and bags to consider.

Monos :  Monos items have a nice, sleek look that are generally easy to maneuver. However, when we tested its large check-in suitcase, we found that it carried less items than some of its competitors.

Arlo Skye :  We love this brand's smooth design and stand-out colors, but considering the higher price-point, these bags don't roll quite as smoothly as some other brands.

Roam : We're big fans of Roam's The Check-in hardside suitcase as well as the designs of other Roam bags; however, after one-month of real-world travels, we found these luggage pieces to be more prone to scratching than other brands we tried.

The T+L team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, weekenders, garment bags, backpacks, and more in our New York City testing facility. We've tried at least six models from many top-rated brands, performing a range of assessments to evaluate the capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and overall value. We weighed each bag, then packed it with enough clothes and personal items to get through a four-day trip (more for the larger checked bags).

To see how the luggage would perform in a real-life environment, we rolled them on different flooring materials, across gravel and carpets, over bumps, and around corners. We also threw each piece off a table and whacked it a few times with a metal baseball bat to test for potential wear and tear and how prone it was to scratching or denting. In addition, we recreated an airplane set in our lab, where we hoisted the carry-on suitcases into real overhead bins and stuffed them underneath seats to see how easy they were to lift and how portable they felt.

After lab testing, each suitcase and bag was sent out for real-world testing, and our T+L editors brought the bags on vacations, weekend trips, and overnighters. To test each bag's true durability, convenience, and longevity, we tested each bag on planes, trains, buses, and even cruise ships, checking in after one month, three months, and six months to give our feedback. Considering standout features, size, and price, we created categorized ranked lists of every luggage piece we tested. The luggage brands with the highest average ratings were ultimately chosen for this list of our favorites, which we will continue to update as we test even more luggage.

How We Chose These Brands

The T+L team tested at least six bags per brand on our winners list to ensure a broad sample size. We tested underseat luggage , checked luggage, and carry-on luggage as well as duffel bags, garment bags, and backpacks, and gave each individual bag a score based on its capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and overall value.

Next, we created rankings based on the total average scores of all the bags we tested for that brand. We also thoroughly read through all of the tester insights on each luggage item from these three tests to evaluate each bag's details and features. Finally, we determined whether or not we would recommend a bag and its overall brand.

Tips for Buying Luggage

Get to know the brand.

When it comes to researching a new luggage brand, you're already well on your way. For more information on a specific brand, you can check out its website, read customer reviews on products you like, or even take a peek at the items in person. Buying new luggage (whether a singular piece or luggage set ) can be a pricey investment, so be sure you like a brand's style, warranty options, and overall quality before you make that purchase. This is especially important when it comes to splurging on luxury luggage pieces .

Know your organizational preferences

Material and size are important, but some of the best luggage brands stand out for their organizational features. This may include dual main compartments, various pockets, a shoe separator, zippered sections, a toiletry bag , a removable laundry bag, a garment bag, a laptop sleeve, and maybe even a USB port with a power bank pouch — some Arlo Skye luggage includes the power bank itself. While it's not a top priority for all travelers, this can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier.

Look for durability

The best luggage stands up to wear and tear for several years to come. Both softside and hardside luggage options can be very durable. It's really a matter of whether you want to safeguard your packed items from getting crushed or protect the exterior of the suitcase from superficial blemishes (though many softside and hardside models we tested check all the boxes).

Think about mobility

You should also think about maneuverability. When you're running into the airport to check your bags before heading to security, you'll want a suitcase that doesn't hold you back. Four-wheel spinner suitcases tend to be easier to pull and push over different surfaces compared to suitcases with just two wheels, and they're even better if they have a sturdy telescoping handle. Grab handles and padded straps are ideal for other types of luggage, and a lightweight design will make your travel experience much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll see a range of hardside and softside models when browsing luggage, and many of the best brands offer both. What you purchase really comes down to personal preference. Some people appreciate how crush-resistant hardside suitcases protect their belongings. They're also easy to wipe clean and have a sleek, modern appearance.

On the other hand, softside suitcases are typically (but not always) lighter in weight and more flexible, so you can often pack more in them. After testing both types, we can tell you they're often just as durable as hardside options, and they won't dent like hardside bags do. Although a textile exterior might be trickier to clean, it can be better at concealing scuffs and dirt. Regardless of the type of luggage, you can find several effective products to clean suitcases available.

Size limits for carry-on luggage vary among airlines . That said, most allow suitcases no larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some are a little more strict, with limits set around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Keep this in mind if your suitcase has an expander, as the additional inch or two could put it over the allowed size limit. We recommend checking the airline's website if you're not sure whether your luggage will pass as a carry-on.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, freelance writer Theresa Holland pored over our in-house testing insights, checked return policies, read the fine print for warranties, and evaluated price ranges to create a comprehensive roundup of the best luggage brands out there today. Theresa has extensive experience writing about travel essentials as well as products in other commerce areas. Our Travel + Leisure team also collaborated to name their personal favorite brands from the hundreds on the market today.

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