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Baggage check can Carry-on luggage can be the straw that breaks a weary traveler’s back. Between long check-in lines, longer waits at baggage claim, and the possibility of damaged or lost luggage, carry-on luggage is often the right choice for short trips.
Overview: Best Handbags
Fortunately, carry-on luggage has come a long way: Some of the best carry-on bags can fit a full week’s worth of luggage in one lightweight, easy-to-maneuver bag. Best of all, you can skip the check-in line, cruise through baggage claim, and rest assured that your belongings will always be close at hand.
If you’re in need of a new handbag, read on. We’ve rounded up the best handbags you can order online, plus some tips on how to find the right one. All of the bags below have been extensively tested by our editors on multiple trips, and come with great customer reviews.
In this article
- The Best Travel Bags You Can Buy Right Now
- Carry-on Luggage Buying Guide
- How to Choose the Best Carry-On Travel Bags
The Best Travel Bags You Can Buy Right Now
Editor's Choice
Stay away from the larger bag.
The Away is almost (or near) the top of our carry-on list, and we think it deserves the credit. The sturdy, modern-looking bag boasts impressive organizational capabilities, allowing us to carry more stuff without playing Tetris. Many of the (very) traveling journalists on our team use the Away as their go-to carry-on, and The Bigger Carry-On has been my go-to travel companion since I first bought it in 2018. I’ve relied on the Bigger Carry-On alone for weeklong business trips, bachelorette parties, and more; on average, I can fit eight or nine outfits in my bag, but that number gets smaller depending on how many larger items I need to bring with me. Morgan Greenwald, Director of SEO
best travel bag
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag
If you’re looking to go for a duffel bag, the Patagonia Black Hole is a great choice. Although it’s called a duffel bag (and features retractable handles), the Black Hole has shoulder straps that let you wear it like a backpack. The durability of the bag is also impressive, as it’s made from recycled polyester fabric that’s water-resistant and weather-resistant. I’ve been using this Black Hole for years, and it’s probably the most resilient bag I’ve owned in a long time. Plus, despite its durability, the bag weighs just two pounds when empty. You also get plenty of room for clothes and gear at 40 liters, and because it’s a canvas bag, it’s easy to cram things in at odd angles. Oscar Hartzog, Business Editor
Largest area
Solgaard Original Carrying Case
The Solgaard Portable Wardrobe is a dream come true if you want to keep as much of your stuff organized as possible while traveling. The hard-sided luggage can be a bit heavy, but that extra weight is due to its standout feature: a removable rack that lets you organize all of your clothes by type or outfit. When you get to your destination, all you have to do is remove the rack, hang it up, and choose the day’s outfit you want to wear. In practice, this has made a huge difference in how I think about packing, and has made the process much less stressful. Solgaard says this carry-on holds three to six days’ worth of clothes, which I found to be accurate. The best part? Your organized wardrobe takes up very little space. half The Solgaard portable luggage locker is the best choice if you want to reduce the time you spend worrying about clothes during your trip. Sage Anderson, Business Editor
Stylish choice
Karl Friedrich Carry-On Bag
This Karl-Friedrich carry-on has been a favorite of mine for about a year now, and I think it’s one of the prettiest bags on the market. It’s stylish without being flashy or boring, so when I’m lucky enough to get an upgrade, I feel like it’s right in the premium lounges or business class cabins. The organizational setup is simple but effective: Each side of the hard case features compression straps and a compression pad, which do an excellent job of maximizing space. Oscar Hartzog, Business Editor
Best for laptops
Monos Carry On Pro Bag
The Monos Carry-On Pro is a great option for shorter trips. Monos says the Carry-On Pro is designed for trips up to five days, and we found it to be the perfect size for a long weekend. It holds a little less than the other bags in this guide, but we like it for its exterior pocket, which doubles as a laptop holder, saving space in our backpack. This compartment also has mesh pockets for tech accessories like battery packs or cables. If you like to pack light and want a piece of hard luggage that fits that style, the Monos Carry-On Pro is an excellent option. Oscar Hartzog, Business Editor
Luxury Choice
Original Rimowa Handbag
A friend once told me he upgraded his bag to a Rimowa as a way to command respect at the airport, and that immediately piqued my interest. Do people treat you better just because of the bag you’re carrying? While my Rimowa bag hasn’t earned me any free upgrades or perks yet, I enjoy the look and the nods of approval from savvy travelers, who appreciate the classic aluminum frame, distinctive grooves in the side panels, and sleek, cohesive colors. I opted for the Original Cabin, which has more than enough room to carry a weekend’s worth of gear. The hard sides make you feel like you can slam your bag around without worry (though the ergonomic handle and wheels prevent any unwanted bumps). As for the color? While the Rimowa is known for its signature silver hue, I opted for the Original Cabin in black just to be a little different. But hey, if you know, you know. Tim Chan, Assistant Vice President of Trading
Carry-on Luggage Buying Guide
Small differences in size, weight, and design can make or break a handbag. Here are some things to consider when shopping for the best handbag.
styleFirst, you need to choose between a wheeled suitcase or a duffel bag. Wheeled suitcases are the most popular choice for good reason: They don't put a strain on your back or shoulders, and you can leave them standing in the bathroom or while you pay for things at the airport.
But let's not forget the suitcases (which sometimes come with optional backpack straps). Suitcases usually hold more clothes without the need for extra wheels and a telescopic handle, and they are easy to carry on stairs or rough roads (like the cobblestone streets of Europe).
Hardcover vs SoftcoverAnother decision is whether to choose a hard or soft-shell suitcase. Hard-shell suitcases are actually more durable and long-lasting (because they don’t get damaged or broken), but hard-shell suitcases tend to look better, and they’re easier to compress clothes and pack more things into the hard suitcase. For this reason (and because most of us treat the suitcases we carry with us well), most people choose hard-shell suitcases.
measuringIn general, the best carry-on bag is about 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and nine inches high. Carry-on bag size restrictions vary between airlines, so always check before you travel. If you're a frequent flyer with one airline, check their rules before purchasing a new carry-on bag.
WeightLighter is always better when it comes to luggage, as it gives you more weight for your clothes and gear before reaching the airline's carry-on baggage weight limit.
organizedAs any seasoned traveler knows, packing is an art. The best carry-on bags take this into account by being organized. Some bags have extra pockets for shoes, suits, dirty clothes, or tools you need to access quickly. Others have compression systems to compress your clothes and create more space. All of these are things worth looking for.
How to Choose the Best Carry-On Travel Bags
All of our product journalists fly on our flights at least once a month (usually more), so we get the chance to test new carry-on bags constantly. Our testing starts at the packing stage when we see how much stuff we can easily fit into a suitcase. Compression straps, organizer pockets, and other similar features help maximize space. Then, we see how well the bag can withstand multiple flights, a few drops, and intentional scratches (some lower-quality bags will scratch more easily or even burst open if dropped). After we test the bag ourselves, we read reviews from travel experts and other customers to see if our experiences match up. All of the finished products you see above have passed our tests with flying colors, boasting an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
