As travel experts, we understand the importance of having a reliable and efficient carry-on bag for your trip. A good carry-on bag can make all the difference in ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. That’s why we have practical knowledge and experience with the top-rated options available on the market to bring you our guide on the Best Carry-On Bags for Your Trip.
Our team has considered factors such as material quality, construction, weight, size, practical features, and overall design to identify the most reliable and efficient options. These carry-on bags offer a range of features to suit any traveler’s needs, from ample storage space to easy maneuverability and practical features.
We understand that every traveler has unique requirements, which is why our guide provides a range of options to cater to different budgets and styles. Investing in a high-quality carry-on bag can make all the difference in ensuring your trip is hassle-free and enjoyable. So, let’s dive in and explore the Best Carry-On Bags for Your Trip available on the market to make your next trip a breeze.
Pros:
✅ Lightweight, so it’s easy to carry around
✅ Large capacity, so you can pack large amounts of stuff in it
✅ Hardside, so it’s durable and doesn’t crack or scratch easily
Cons:
⭕ The handle can get bent easily if you throw the suitcase around too much
Pros:
✅ Lightweight and durable.
✅ Spinner wheels make it easy to navigate through crowds and airport terminals.
✅ The TSA lock is a nice bonus if you need to check your luggage.
Cons:
⭕ The interior is not as roomy as some other models, but it’s still spacious enough for most people’s needs.
Pros:
✅ The luggage is lightweight, which makes it easier to carry around the airport.
✅ It has a large capacity, so you can pack a lot of clothes in it.
✅ The spinner wheels make it easy to roll the luggage around.
Cons:
⭕ It’s not as durable as some other suitcases on the market.
Introduction
When you are traveling, the first impression that people will get of you is your luggage. The right carry-on bag can build confidence, while the wrong one can make you look like a slob.
It may seem like a small detail, but trust me: if you have dirty laundry from under the flaps on top or a torn strap hanging off the side, it will impact how people perceive you positively or negatively.
Whether you’re looking for a carry-on bag for yourself or someone else in your family (including kids), there are some general rules about what makes them good (or bad).
I’ve compiled this list of questions and answers based on my own experiences with travel bags over many years, as well as from talking with other travelers who have used different brands and styles over time.
What is the most important thing to consider when buying a carry-on bag?
The most important thing to consider when buying a carry-on bag is whether or not it will meet your needs. If you travel often and need something that can fit everything you need in it, look for a bag that will last.
If you don’t have many items and are looking for something lightweight and easy to carry around, look for a durable bag that is easy to handle. This will be helpful when searching online and comparing different bag brands before making a purchase decision!
What is the proper size for a carry-on bag?
- The maximum size for a carry-on bag is 22″ long, 14″ wide and 9″ tall.
- The minimum size for a carry-on bag is 7 linear inches (height + width + depth).
- The maximum weight limit is 50 pounds total.
Should I consider weight when buying a carry-on bag?
Weight is not as important if you’re traveling with a partner or friend and not as important if you’re traveling with a child.
If your travel plans include checking bags, though, weight matters more. Checked bags are often subjected to higher baggage fees than carry-on bags because they take up more space on the airplane.
If you have the choice between paying an overweight fee (more than 50 pounds) or checking a bag that’s slightly underweight (49 pounds), it makes sense to err on the side of caution by bringing an extra pound or two so that your bag doesn’t get weighed and charged overage fees during check-in.
Do different shapes matter for carry-on bags?
You can pack more stuff into a rectangular bag than you can in a round one. The same goes for square bags versus rectangular ones. If you want to max out your space and get everything in, try packing as many things into a straight-sided bag as possible before zipping up.
For example, A rectangular bag that’s twice as long as it is tall will allow you to store more items than a round bag with the same dimensions. A square-shaped bag would be even better, since its sides are all identical and thus, even more, flexible than the rectangular version above!
What is the best way to pack a carry-on bag?
First, pack your first-day essentials in the first compartment. This includes things like underwear and socks, a phone charger, toothbrush and toothpaste (if you’re not bringing a travel-size tube), hair ties or bobby pins (if you’re bringing them), etc. Then, please put all of your clothes in plastic bags so that they don’t get dirty when you put them into your suitcase later on.
Next comes electronics/toiletries: pack these items separately from your clothes so that if anything breaks or spills inside your bag during transit it won’t ruin everything else inside. It’s also nice to have a separate compartment for shoes because this can help keep them from scuffed up by other items in the bag plus it makes it easy to find what you’re looking for when it comes time to change outfits!
Last but not least is dirty laundry I recommend keeping dirty clothes separate from clean ones since there’s no point wasting space on something gross when there’s plenty more room available elsewhere within said confines!
Do hard, or soft shells work better?
Soft shells are more flexible and lightweight, making them ideal for climbing over rocks and scrambling up steep terrain. They’re also great in variable weather conditions, since they allow moisture to escape while keeping you warm when it’s cold outside.
However, this flexibility also means that soft shells aren’t as durable as hard shells. Plan on doing a lot of high-impact activities like hiking through brush or scrambling on rocks and trees. A hard shell should be your top choice especially if there’s any chance of rain or snowfall during your trip (or a chance that those conditions could change unexpectedly).
Soft shells can be more difficult to pack because they tend to have fewer pockets and compartments than hard shells do but this isn’t necessarily bad news. Soft-shell jackets tend not to have big logos on them either;
Instead, they’ve got subtle branding printed inside the collar or hidden away somewhere else inconspicuous places where only you know where it’s located, and other people won’t see it when looking at what type of clothing item is underneath all those layers (trust me I know from experience!).
How durable do I need my carry on luggage to be?
As you can probably imagine, the more often you travel, the more use your bags will need. If you are planning on using your carry on luggage for frequent travel, it’s important to invest in a durable bag that will hold up for years.
On the other hand, if this is just an occasional carry-on bag that you are going to use once or twice per year and won’t be taking any long journeys where there will be a lot of wear and tear on the bag, then something less expensive might be fine.
Are there security features in carry-on bags that I should consider?
As you’ve seen, there are many options for making your bag more secure. Once you’ve purchased your bag and installed the necessary security features, it’s important to maintain them properly. Be sure to lock the zippers when the bag is not in use.
You should also avoid storing valuables in external pockets that can easily be accessed by thieves.
Finally, remember that no matter how much security you have built into your carry-on bag, it’s always best to keep your most valuable possessions on or near your person at all times especially if traveling through crowded areas where pickpockets are known to operate.
How much should I expect to spend on a quality carry-on bag?
How much should you spend on a carry-on bag? This is a question we get asked all the time. The answer is: it depends on what you need and what you can afford.
For example, if you require high-quality materials and construction but don’t have much cash to spare, some great options are available for under $100.
For example, Amazon Basics offers their 40L Rollaboard Luggage for $89 (and often even less). You’re not going to get the latest fashion trends with this one (or any other inexpensive luggage brand), but if all you want is something practical that will last for many years, this option could be right up your alley!
If saving money isn’t important to you, and if the style is important enough for you to splurge on something more expensive which I totally understand then plenty of amazing options are out there too! High-end brands such as Tumi charge upwards of $400 per piece (and typically come with expensive return policies), but they offer attractive options like leather accents and durable materials that will look good for years to come.
What factors should I consider when buying a carry-on bag if I travel often?
You should consider:
- How often do you travel
- How many times you check your luggage. If you travel a lot, then it’s likely that there will be a time when your carry-on bag is checked in baggage. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the size of your carry-on can fit within airline guidelines. The more often you fly and check luggage, the more likely the airline will require some identification tag on any bag that goes into checked baggage. This provides an extra level of security for passengers and airlines alike.
- How much are you willing to spend (or not spend)? Many bags range in price from $50-$200, with most being around $100-$300 dollars which makes them fairly affordable; however, some brands sell their items at discount prices while others do not, so these things should be considered before making any purchases. In addition, customers have different budgets and financial situations, which may affect how much they are willing to spend on their next purchase, what features they need inside their bag or purse, etcetera…
Which brands make quality carry-on bags?
There are a few brands that consistently produce quality carry-on bags. Some of these brands include:
- Tumi
- Rimowa
- Samsonite
- Victorinox
Even though everyone wants something different in their carry on, there are general rules that apply.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when choosing the best carry-on bag for your trip. You can’t go wrong with the Samsonite Silhouette Sphere. It is lightweight, durable, and has a strong handle and spinner wheels, making it easy to maneuver in crowded airports.
It’s also expandable if you are traveling with more than one person or need additional space for souvenirs or extra clothing items you may have bought along your way.
