The Greatest Carry-On Baggage of 2024

In search of the very best new piece of carry-on baggage to your subsequent journey? Everyone knows there’s nothing worse than toting round a cumbersome piece of bags, bulging on the seams with the quantity of garments you’ve tried to stuff into it for a weekend getaway. Making journey a neater affair begins with what you do earlier than you get to the airport — specifically, discovering the precise piece of bags to fit your wants greatest and packing it appropriately. 

Carry-on baggage is available in quite a lot of types, from the hardshell classics to soft-sided, duffel baggage. Whether or not you worth options like exterior pockets or 360-spinner wheels, inside compression, or TSA-approved locks, we’ve received you lined with our broad number of the very best carry-on baggage of 2024.

Our crew has examined 20 completely different carry-ons over a yr now to slender in on the very best of the very best. We introduced them all around the world on over 10 home and worldwide flights, winnowing our choice to convey you the crème de la crème of those versatile items of bags. We examined every carry-on with a thoughts for various completely different efficiency metrics, together with construct high quality, packability, weight, and ease of transport.

Lead tester Miya Tsudome, together with supporting workers writers Steve Graepel and Chris Carter, are globetrotters at their core, and have legions of airfare miles underneath their belts. They know what makes a carry-on price its mettle, and gained’t waste time toting a chunk of junk across the airport. Relaxation assured — each bag on this information has been vetted by these stone-cold execs, and needed to move a sequence of taxing assessments to earn their spot on this information.

Learn on to be taught extra, discover our carry-on purchaser’s information, and reference our useful comparability chart and worth & worth sections for all the information you’ll want to snag the very best carry-on to your subsequent journey.

For our November 15, 2024, replace, we added a worth & worth evaluation to indicate what people get with completely different worth factors. 

The Greatest Carry-On Baggage of 2024

Carry-On Baggage Comparability Chart

How We Examined Carry-On Baggage

Our Skilled Testers

Our GearJunkie testers are avid vacationers, with a mixed expertise of lots of of flights taken, home and worldwide, many trains traveled, and quite a few international locations visited. From the town streets of Paris, to the distant mountains of the Himalayas, our testers have lined a whole lot of floor of their lifetimes and know what could make or break a very good piece of bags. 

From flying incessantly across the nation for work to spending a great deal of time lugging baggage round Europe, in addition to stuffing suitcases stuffed with climbing gear for far-off adventures, our lead tester Miya Tsudome has had over 2 a long time of hands-on expertise with carry-on baggage. 

Our Testing Course of

Our GearJunkie testers are avid vacationers, with a mixed expertise of lots of of flights taken, home and worldwide, many trains traveled, and quite a few international locations visited. From the town streets of Paris, to the distant mountains of the Himalayas, our testers have lined a whole lot of floor of their lifetimes and know what could make or break a very good piece of bags. 

From flying incessantly across the nation for work to spending a great deal of time lugging baggage round Europe, in addition to stuffing suitcases stuffed with climbing gear for far-off adventures, our lead tester Miya Tsudome has had over 2 a long time of hands-on expertise with carry-on baggage. 

Miya collaborated with two different of our workers writers, Steve Graepel and Chris Carter, for this information. They examined 17 completely different carry-ons over a interval of 4 months — throughout which the three writers racked up some vital home and worldwide air journey. They examined every carry-on with an eye fixed for a handful of particular options, together with packability, sturdiness, and ease of use whereas battling round busy airports.

Lastly, that is an natural information, and we add the latest carry-ons and revisit our outdated favorites every season. We work onerous to remain on prime of the latest and greatest carry-ons in the marketplace to convey you essentially the most related recommendations potential.

Purchaser’s Information: Easy methods to Select the Greatest Carry-On Baggage

Although nobody bag “has all of it,” there are lots of high-quality baggage to select from, and a few which will suit your wants higher than others. It’s price contemplating the kinds of journeys you make. Do you sometimes go on enterprise journeys or far-off adventures? Are you in search of one thing modern and trendy or rugged and sturdy?

It’s additionally price contemplating how typically you journey and for the way lengthy — and what bag may take advantage of sense to your wants and price range. Learn our complete purchaser’s information beneath to achieve some perception which may allow you to determine.

This text focuses solely on carry-ons. So as to add much more variety to your journey loadout, make sure you try our purchaser’s guides on duffel baggage, and journey backpacks.

Dimension

Dimension is extraordinarily essential when contemplating buying a carry-on suitcase. It isn’t clever to imagine that each one suitcases labeled as “carry-ons” by their model will mechanically adjust to all airline measurement restrictions. Though the usual is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, some airways will probably be extra strict, particularly if you’re flying on small regional planes or on airways in several international locations.

In case you are spending a very good sum of money on a brand new suitcase, and are nervous about with the ability to simply fly with it, it will be greatest to err on the smaller facet when contemplating your new buy. That is additionally essential to notice for expandable suitcases, which when they’re compact could qualify as a carry-on, however when stuffed full and expanded may exceed the restrict. 

In our evaluate, the Rockland Melbourne 20, Dakine 42L, and SwissGear 6283 are the one suitcases strictly underneath the scale threshold. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that many airways aren’t tremendous discerning about an additional inch or two in any path. 

Varieties of Carry-Ons 

Carry-on baggage is available in all sizes and shapes, however can sometimes be categorized as being hard-shell or soft-sided. The sort you select will probably be decided by whether or not you like the safety of a tough shell or the flexibility of a soft-sided case, in addition to being a private fashion alternative.

Onerous-Sided Carry-Ons 

Onerous-sided baggage is often what involves thoughts when one photos a suitcase — ubiquitous, modern, rolling clamshells that slide simply into overhead compartments. These shells are often manufactured from polycarbonate supplies, and might generally be textured to be extra proof against scratches and dings however will inevitably reveal scuffs greater than their soft-sided counterparts.

Being hard-sided permits for extra safety of their inside elements, and is right if you’re touring with fragile gadgets. However a scarcity of exterior pockets is usually a giant trade-off when selecting a tough shell mannequin, in addition to the truth that their clamshell opening doesn’t enable for fast entry to the inside — you sometimes must unzip the entire bag to go in and seek for an merchandise. The Samsonite Centric and Away’s The Carry-On each have a textured exterior that’s supposed to guard towards scuffs and scratches. 

Gentle-Sided Carry-Ons

Gentle-sided carry-ons have a number of distinct benefits. One is that they’re sometimes extra light-weight, which might make a distinction when packing a bag full for per week of journey, after which having to select it up and put it into an overhead compartment. Put on and tear over time will probably be much less apparent on their cloth exteriors versus seen scuffs on a tough shell, and since most mushy shells have a U-shaped zippered opening as a substitute of a clamshell, there’s much less stress on the zipper over time. 

Gentle-sided baggage additionally makes essentially the most of their exteriors with ample pockets. Whereas hard-sided baggage tends to look sleeker and will be simpler to slip into an overhead compartment, soft-sided carry-on baggage can present extra bang to your buck with its further pockets and skill to develop.

Packability

Clamshell 

The suitcases we examined primarily function two completely different designs that influenced their packability. All the hardshell suitcases function a clamshell development — a zipper opens all the best way round to disclose two separate compartments on both facet. That is useful for group, as you possibly can separate your clothes out of your different gadgets. Some manufacturers, like Away’s The Carry-On, even have customized packing cubes to make group much more satisfying.

Our testers discovered that the clamshell design helps to maintain us extra organized and fewer more likely to simply stuff a bunch of garments right into a duffel bag as a result of closing them up simply relies on how nicely you packed your gadgets. Nevertheless, a giant downside to this fashion is once you’d prefer to seize one thing out of the suitcase in transit, you must open all of it the best way and splay out each side to search out what you’re in search of.

U-Formed Zipper 

A U-shaped zipper opening to at least one foremost compartment is the opposite widespread suitcase design you’ll discover from many manufacturers, as discovered on the Osprey Transporter, Patagonia Black Gap, Thriller Ranch Mission, and in some methods will increase a bag’s packability. With the ability to shortly pack and unpack a suitcase with out having to separate any elements is a giant plus for ease of use.

U-shaped zipper openings are sometimes discovered on soft-sided suitcases, and might enable a bag to be stuffed to the brim and nonetheless be capable of zip shut with slightly bit of additional legwork.

These suitcases are usually deep and might accommodate layers of clothes, particularly when put into packing cubes or rolled up tightly to maximise area. Sometimes, baggage like this can have some organizational elements similar to facet pockets and compression straps, however staying organized will probably be extra of a problem when your whole gadgets share one foremost compartment.

Compression Straps

Being able to compress cumbersome gadgets to make extra room in your carry-on baggage is a really fascinating function, however these straps are usually not all created equal. Many suitcases could have some kind of strap system, however typically gained’t do a lot to compress in any respect and can merely serve to carry your gadgets in place.

In case you are planning to pack as a lot as you possibly can and love what some good compression straps can present, it pays to be discerning concerning the bag that you just purchase. The very best compression straps in our lineup will be present in Away’s the Carry-On, and the Osprey Transporter.

Inner Zippered Storage

Arguably one of the crucial essential issues to maintain the inevitable stress ranges decrease on the subject of journey is nice group. Irrespective of how onerous you attempt to keep organized, issues can unravel shortly once you open up your bag, pull out a toiletries equipment, and your entire system of neatly folded garments comes aside with it.

That’s why it may be good to discover a bag with good inside zippered storage, so you possibly can hold gadgets separate and accessible with out disturbing the entire order of your packing.

The Thriller Ranch Mission has a powerful quantity of inside zippered storage which helps hold group a neater affair. In our hard-sided suitcase choice, we appreciated that Away’s The Carry-On made further use of their compression divider including a big, zippered mesh pocket appropriate for slender gadgets. The ActiveShield compartment on the Gregory Quadro Professional Hardcase 22″ was additionally a novel strategy to cordon off soiled laundry, and has Polygiene antimicrobial expertise to maintain smells contained.

Spinner Wheels vs. Non-Spinner Wheels

360-degree spinner wheels have been a boon to the evolution of the carry-on suitcase. 4 wheels that spin independently in each path make maneuvering a bag by means of crowded prepare stations and within the slender aisles of planes simpler than ever earlier than. And it’s onerous to disclaim that the sensation of “gliding” your suitcase alongside as a substitute of dragging it behind you makes transit extra interesting. 

There are some benefits of two-wheeled suitcases, nonetheless, which can be price mentioning. There are often 4 spinner wheels on a suitcase which suggests extra elements that may break. The wheels are additionally a lot smaller than on two-wheeled suitcases, and worse for maneuvering over cobblestone streets, grass, or different uneven terrain.

The wheels on non-spinner suitcases are sometimes a lot bigger, generally even with lugs for higher traction, and are a better option if you’ll be going over various terrain. They’re additionally often simply replaceable and longer-lasting than their spinner counterparts. 

Exterior Pockets

Exterior pockets are one other class that may be aligned with the hard-sided versus soft-sided debate. They’re sometimes a function of soft-sided suitcases, such because the Thriller Ranch Mission or the SwissGear 6283, although there are uncommon manufacturers which have discovered methods to include pockets or panels into the entrance of their baggage.

Exterior pockets will be fascinating for various causes, specifically for storing smaller gadgets that you just may need to entry in transit similar to a passport, e-book, iPad, headphones, sleep masks, and so forth. Particularly when placing a suitcase in an overhead compartment, understanding that these gadgets will be simply accessible if wanted will probably be a reduction to you and the passengers surrounding you.

Some could select to not need exterior pockets, nonetheless, for safety causes amongst others. Having your whole gadgets safely locked inside a hard-shell suitcase could also be fascinating for some. Particularly when on a prepare the place the bags storage space will be distant out of your seat. 

TSA-Authorised Locks

When in search of a suitcase that contains a lock for further safety, it will be clever to ensure the lock is “TSA-approved.” These are often mixture locks that may be opened with a grasp key by safety personnel in order that your baggage isn’t topic to break throughout a routine inspection.

Supplies and Design

It’s typical for hard-sided suitcases to be manufactured from polycarbonate shells, whereas soft-sided suitcases are made with various kinds of nylon. As talked about earlier than, hard-sided suitcases will probably be extra liable to scratches and scuffs as they’re tossed round in transit, and if this degradation in aesthetics is one thing that can trouble you, a soft-sided suitcase stands out as the higher choice. In fact, although nylon gained’t reveal scratches as readily, it’s nonetheless a material that may be susceptible to ripping.

It’s a good suggestion to examine the denier of the material for soft-sided suitcases, with a better denier that means the extra resistant the nylon will probably be to snags or tears. Some suitcases, just like the Osprey or Patagonia Black Gap, will also have a DWR coating along with high-denier cloth that makes their baggage much more sturdy in addition to weather-resistant.

One other consideration is that the polycarbonate shells of hard-sided suitcases sometimes have the choice of coming in shiny colours or patterns, which might make recognizing your suitcase at baggage declare or within the stuffed baggage compartment of a prepare a breeze. Some may also just like the expression of fashion these baggage enable for.

Worth & Worth

Price range

Any sort of baggage can get dear, however there are nonetheless some nice baggage to be discovered for $150 or much less. You could be sacrificing some options like sturdiness, enlargement choices, and backpack straps, however baggage like our price range decide, the Rockland Melbourne 20 ($120), has 360-degree spinner wheels, an enlargement zipper, and an inside zipper pocket. It’s not essentially the most sturdy choice and there’s no inside group, however the informal traveler might do lots worse for the cash.

Mid-Tier

Within the $200-$300 vary, you’ll begin to discover extra sturdy builds and supplies, extra group, and different enjoyable options you gained’t see in price range baggage. For example, the Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 40 ($300) is made with DWR-coated 900D recycled polyester with weather-resistant zippers and overlapping rain flaps, making it not solely extraordinarily sturdy but in addition weather-resistant. Plus, it’s received burly outsized wheels that simply roll over grime and grass. Plus, handles on the edges make it straightforward to make use of as a duffel or huck into the again of a pickup truck.

Premium

For baggage that may transcend the place the sidewalk ends, you might have to shell out as much as $400 or extra. The Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel Convertible ($429) is expensive, but it surely’s as much as the duty, thanks partly to its backpack straps and hip belt, which let you carry it when the terrain is simply too tough for rolling. Further adventure-ready options embody rugged wheels, a moist/dry pocket, and a stow-away cargo web for holding a helmet or cumbersome jacket.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Frustratingly, there is no such thing as a common airline customary for max carry-on baggage measurement. The overall guideline adopted by many airways is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, however small regional flights or overseas airways could have completely different restrictions. Due to this, we completely suggest wanting up the restrictions of your most well-liked airline, to get a way for what measurement suitcase may work greatest to your wants.

Selecting between a hard-sided and soft-sided carry-on is a matter of private alternative and desired options. Onerous-sided baggage of the precise dimensions may also help be sure that you don’t by accident exceed airline restrictions of carry-on sizes. In the identical vein, they’re additionally tougher to overpack. 

However they may lack most of the options that soft-sided baggage enable for, similar to exterior pockets, u-shaped openings for simpler entry to the primary compartment, in addition to options similar to pouches for footwear or soiled laundry and extra room for inside pockets. Onerous-sided baggage additionally tends to indicate put on and tear extra simply than soft-sided baggage.

The reply to this query varies drastically relying on the season you’re touring in, and how much journey you’re planning to go on. Are you occurring an journey trip the place you’ll pack further equipment like climbing boots, rain jackets, or particular gear? Are you touring within the winter the place cumbersome layers could take up a whole lot of area? Or are you occurring a seaside trip the place all of the clothes is gentle and straightforward to pack? There are a whole lot of components that go into how a lot you possibly can realistically convey on every journey.

Sometimes, you’ll in all probability be capable of match 5 to 7 days’ price of clothes in your carry-on suitcase. If you happen to pack good, you possibly can maximize the area. Some suggestions embody rolling your garments into tight cylinders as a substitute of folding them. This may assist scale back wrinkles and means that you can squeeze thinner gadgets between the areas of bulkier ones.

Additionally, carrying as a lot of your cumbersome clothes when you’re really touring will maximize the quantity of room you have got in your baggage for the remainder of your clothes. If you happen to’ll be staying at an Airbnb, examine if they’ve a laundry machine and you’ll pack much less and plan on doing a load halfway by means of your journey to increase the usage of a few of your layers.

There are execs and cons for having a bag with wheels or with out wheels as your carry-on of alternative. A backpack will will let you be extra nimble in transit, as you’re taking up much less area and might shortly seize your bag and throw it in your again with out having to fumble with handles or wheels.

Subsequently, a backpack could possibly be a sensible choice for somebody who’s touring by prepare or bus. However carrying a heavy bag in your shoulder or again all through the day will be tiring, and a rolling suitcase eases the load in your physique. If you’ll have to hold your bag for an extended time frame, a curler is usually a more sensible choice.