Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip From frequent travelers to fashionistas, there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to carry-on luggage. If you fly so often that you are on a first-name basis with your local airport's Transportation Security Administration agents, you need a carry-on suitcase that is durable enough to withstand repeated use. Your carry-on bag should be as stylish as you are, so you'll want an option that expresses your unique personality.
But if you are backpacking through Europe or headed for the great outdoors, you'll need a carry-on bag that's both rugged and comfortable. Related: Airline carry-on luggage size: Everything you need to know Regardless of how often, where or how you travel, we've rounded up the best of the best to help you find the carry-on bag that fits your lifestyle. 5 inches Price: $295 Buy now: Cotopaxi website The Cotopaxi Coraza Carry-On comes in three eye-catching colors with contrast-color wheels, so your bag is always easy to spot (replacement wheels are sold separately if you want to mix and match for a one-of-a-kind bag).
This lightweight, rugged bag includes TSA-approved locks, a recycled polycarbonate shell and built-in, removable packing cubes that move straight from the suitcase to your hotel dresser drawers in a snap. 99 Buy now: Delsey Paris website Although we wish they didn't, some airlines do charge for carry-on baggage. Even those that charge let you bring a personal item for free, though.
This personal bag also comes in handy if you find yourself in a situation where your carry-on suitcase isn't quite big enough to hold everything. A personal item needs to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, and the Delsey Helium DLX Underseater does just that. Despite its small size, this bag still has several smart features, like silent rolling wheels, a TSA-compatible lock, interior and exterior organization, and a trolley sleeve.
5 inches Price: $325 Buy now: July website We've advised adding an AirTag to your luggage since the product launched in 2021. Since then, several airlines have integrated AirTag tracking service to help expedite the process of reuniting travelers with lost bags. But July has introduced something even better — the world's first trackable suitcase.
July created its CaseSafe line in consultation with Google and Apple to create a top-of-the-line, tech-forward and sleek-looking solution to lost luggage. The suitcase's battery-operated lock is fully compatible with Apple's Find My network and Google's Find Hub network, allowing travelers to track their luggage directly from their phone. You may not think you need tracking functionality in your carry-on.
However, you never know when you'll be asked to gate-check your bag or when you'll buy too many souvenirs and need to check a bag to bring your shopping bags on the plane. 45 inches Price: $225 Buy now: State's website Most kids reach an age where they want to pack and carry their own suitcases. Unfortunately, many pieces of luggage geared toward kids look better than they perform.
That's where State bags stand out from the rest. State bags are durable, functional and come in fun prints that kids (and most adults) will love. This bag has interior organization (including a zipper pocket to keep dirty clothes separate), an exterior pocket and a side strap that can hold a water bottle, jacket or stuffed animal.
It's also easy to maneuver with smooth-rolling, 360-degree wheels. State offers accessories like lunch boxes, toiletry kits, duffel bags and backpacks in the same stylish prints as its luggage pieces for kids who love to coordinate. 6 inches Price: $295 Buy now: Away website This larger version of the original Away Carry-On isn't just bigger — it's better.
The Bigger Carry-On is large enough to hold enough clothing for a four- to seven-day trip. It's also made with a durable polycarbonate shell and has a slew of functional features, like 360-degree spinning wheels, a TSA lock, an interior compression system and a waterproof laundry bag. Just as important, the Bigger Carry-On from Away comes in a range of colors, including limited-edition hues released throughout the year.
Whether you're looking for a suitcase in your favorite color or you want something that stands out in a sea of black luggage, you are sure to find what you're looking for. Add more personalization with monograms and luggage tags in an array of colors and styles. 7 inches by 15 inches by 9 inches Price: $299 Buy now: Aer website When I polled my TPG co-workers on their favorite carry-on bags, I was shocked to learn that I had never heard of a carry-on bag with brakes on the wheels.
TPG managing editor Lyndsey Matthews opened my eyes to the Aer Carry-On. The San Francisco-based company is known for its durable travel backpacks, but it launched its first wheeled carry-on in 2024. "The Aer Carry-On has similarly durable details like puncture-resistant YKK zippers and CORDURA ripstop liners," Lyndsey said.
" (Go for the Safety Orange if you want to stand out in a crowd ... ) Best unbreakable shell: Monos' Carry-On Size: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches Price: $275 Buy now: Monos website With its sleek, rounded design and vegan leather accents, it may be hard to believe the Monos Carry-On is unbreakable and water-resistant. In fact, it performs as well as it looks in every aspect, from the telescopic handle with four adjustable height settings to the antimicrobial interior fabric.
Other standout features include a TSA-approved lock, a built-in compression system, a laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag. Get it in standard colors like black, white and gray or have a little fun with pink, forest green, sky blue or one of Monos' limited-edition prints. 1 inches Price: $1,525 Buy now: Rimowa website If you want a bag that can stand up to hundreds of thousands of miles of travel by air, by land and by sea, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On is the gold standard ...
and not just because it comes in a lineup of metallic shades. In addition to its durability, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has TSA locks, a unique multi-wheel system and adjustable interior dividers. The Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has a significantly higher price tag than others on this list, but you could probably use it for a decade (or more) before needing a new one.
Rimowa backs up the longevity of its iconic aluminum suitcases with a lifetime guarantee. Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. 90 (price was accurate at the time of publish) Buy now: Quince website At less than half the price of many competitors, the Quince Carry-On Suitcase packs major bang for your buck.
This bag has a sturdy polycarbonate shell, interior compression panels, a removable laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels and a TSA-compatible lock. It's also spacious enough to hold several days' worth of clothing, yet still compact enough to fit in the overhead bin on most airplanes. 5 inches Price: $199 Buy now: Baboon to the Moon website While 360-spinner wheels come in handy at the airport, sometimes you need a bag that you can throw on your back and go.
The small version is the perfect size for a carry-on; it holds three to five days' worth of clothing and fits in the plane's overhead bin. The bag has an easy-to-clean, weatherproof exterior, lockable zippers and several organizational elements, including a passport pocket and several interior pockets. Bottom line No matter where you're headed or how you plan to get there, you need a carry-on bag that can smoothly navigate terrain (even if that terrain is the airport's moving walkway) and hold everything you need for your adventures.
Every bag on this list looks good and performs well enough that you'll likely find one that deserves a spot in your closet. Related reading TPG featured card | 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. | | 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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