What Are The Best Carry-On Bags? You Tell Me! - Travel Tools

What Are The Best Carry-On Bags? You Tell Me!

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:49:30 +0000

An OMAAT reader asked for my take on what the best carry-on bags are nowadays. I’ve never explicitly addressed this in a post, so let me share my opinion, and then I’d love to hear what other think. Let me say from the get-go that I don’t at all have strong feelings on this topic…

Continue reading: What Are The Best Carry-On Bags? You Tell Me!

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

Vidit — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:56:34 +0000

How about the Briggs and Riley sympatico with the front pocket? Its pretty nice looking and also fairly flexible with the expansion tech and the front pocket. I switched to Sympatico from Rimowa myself.

Q P — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:41:24 +0000

Tumi McLaren International Dual Access

Wil — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 02:33:40 +0000

My husband and I each purchased sets of 4-wheeled Rimowa luggage (carry-on, midsize and large) in Germany more than 15 years ago. They have been the best travel purchases we have ever made. Over multiple overseas and domestic flights, they have held up well and when needed, have been repaired (dents pounded out, wheels replaced) multiple times for very reasonable costs. If and when one needs replacement, we will turn to Rimowa.

John — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 01:54:33 +0000

Not a pilot. My first Purdy Neat Stuff Stealth bag lasted 20 years and over 4 million miles. Replaced it with the carbon fibre frame version from LW a few years ago. Yup, still heavy, and I have to do a lot of smiling and waving of hands to get it onboard non-US airlines, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. No bag on the market is stronger, uses tougher materials, has better zippers or has more well-thought-out storage features. I can pack for 2-3 week trips with only carry-on luggage. It won't win a fashion show, but I won't need to replace it again in my lifetime.

Mike — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:08:54 +0000

While they were around I really liked the eBags two-wheeled bags. I still have a large one that's my preference if I'm travelling for a couple weeks, but for my normal 3-day trips I recently needed a new bag and the eBags brand didn't survive its purchase by Samsonite. I ended up going back to TravelPro Platinum and have been relatively happy with it so far.

Mike — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:05:58 +0000

A couple hours previous to this post was another post about the pros and cons of spinner luggage where Ben came out as anti-spinner.

AeroB13a — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 11:40:15 +0000

Although I am not in the market for any new pieces of luggage, I have enjoyed reading the various trials, tribulations and recommendations from those sensible contributors, thank you. Some of the brand names are unfamiliar to me, therefore, I have also enjoyed researching various manufacturers. In a world dominated by cheap Chinese brands one suspects that some are less likely than more established brands to offer durability or value for money. There is little doubt that the airport/airline baggage handlers/handling facilities can prove to be destructive. However, some luggage problems are undoubtedly due to overpacking. Hard sided luggage can be useful for protecting delicate items and can also help to reduce overpacking. While soft sided baggage is preferred by operators of light aircraft or helicopters due to the lack of storage capacity on these platforms. The other item which is worth of a mention is the packing cube. One finds that keeping similar clothing items neatly folded within the cube is real boon when travelling to multiple destinations. Likewise, electronic oddments can be conveniently stored together. Therefore, packing and repacking is both more convenient and quicker too. One now awaits a mandatory derisory comment from the resident sociopath who trolls herein.

Dave — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 07:14:05 +0000

I'm a strict 2 wheel guy. I switched from Tumi to BR and haven't been too impressed with that either - and have sent it in for two separate repairs: one wheel replacement and the expander popping out randomly and often. I went to look at Sterling Pacific in person and while it's beautiful, it didn't feel as sturdy as I was expecting. I came close to pulling the trigger anyway, especially based on the life time warranty. And then I thought to myself that the company is so new, what use is a lifetime warranty if I have no idea if the company will still be in business in five years. The ultra high end luggage company without a known brand (LV, I'm looking at you), is not necessarily a slam dunk and they may not be around for long. So for that reason, I didn't pull the trigger. While it is possible to get a $300 discount code from some folks for Sterling Pacific, they offer no sale prices at any point, so I just couldn't make the math work.

JWags — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:58:50 +0000

Away are great for a few reasons. They are super light, spacious and durable, sure But further, their replacement policy is amazing. 2-3 times between my wife and I, we had odd issues (interior fabric separation, zipper teeth break...non standard warranty stuff). Took them to an Away store in Chicago and NY, and they literally just took them to the back with no questions and brought brand new luggage in plastic, handed them over and said "enjoy!" Also, for their bags with internal batteries for charging, the portable batteries pop out and they are some of the absolute best external batteries Ive ever used. Slim, rugged, and charge super fast.