Alexandra Ramirez
1. US Traveler
Best Overall Carry On Bag
5/5 Product Rating
The interior deluxe retractable self locking handle makes pulling the larger bag through the airport much more convenient for the traveler. The inline skate wheels have corner protectors.
The larger bag has plenty of front pockets and a large, zippered mesh lid pocket for all your belongings.
If you need more packing room, the bag expands to add 25% more packing room. The full interior lining and dual adjustable tie down straps keep all of your belongings secure.
You can pull the luggage or carry it with the top and side carry handles. The upright bag measures 21” x 13.5” x 8.5” and only weighs 6.6 pounds. The travel tote measures 14” x 10” x 6” and weighs 1.3 pounds.
This 2 piece carry on set is available in a variety of colors that are sure to please every traveler. Make your next trip super easy and save money on checked bag fees with this beautiful 2 piece set that is great for weekend trips and shorter business trips or for the frequent traveler that just packs light.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Olympia
Best Overall Carry On Bag – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
There are 8 convenient pockets that provide plenty of packing room. This bag is made of 100% polyester with a synthetic lining and zipper closure and measures 22” x 12” x 12” which fits within airline regulations for a carry on bag.
Pull it through the airport easily with the hide-away retractable handle and recessed metal ball bearing, in-line skate wheels.
The convenient U-shape top opening provides easy access to the main compartment pocket. This bag is available in a large variety of colors that are sure to please any traveler so you can find one that displays your personal style.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Rockland
4.5/5 Product Rating
The first bag is a 19” carry on, upright bag measuring 19” x 13” x 8” and weighing only 6 pounds. The matching carry on flight tote weighs only 1 pound and measures 11” x 12” x 5 ½”.
The clear, in-line skate wheels make for easy transport through the airport. The padded top and side grip handles make carrying very comfortable. There are two front, full-size pockets with zipper closures to keep your belongings safely inside.
These bags are fully lined with an elegantly imprinted lining and the silver pewter hardware is industrial strength and heavy duty. There is a 3” zippered expansion if you need more room for your clothing and other belongings. The three internal organizational pockets provide even more room for your things.
The carry on tote that matches the upright bag with the push button, expandable handle has a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap so you can adjust the drop to be comfortable no matter what your size. This 2 piece set is available in a large array of colors and patterns.
The spacious main compartment of the carry on tote has plenty of room for your carry on items and fits under the airline seat. The maximum strength hardware is built to last and withstand lots of trips.
– Sarah Lytle
Carry On Bag Buying Guide
What is a Carry On Bag?
There are several things that you need to consider about carry on bags before you make a purchase. Knowing the answers to these considerations will help steer you in the right direction when you start researching what is out there. We have listed several things that you should take into consideration before you spend any money on a carry on.
- What size carry on bag do you need? – Do you rarely travel or just take short, weekend trips or do you regularly travel with business? How often you travel makes a difference in the type of bag you get. If you are on the road a lot, anything you can do to make the traveling process less stressful will make those travels much easier and more pleasant. Not having to check any bags can definitely make traveling easier to deal with. The right size carry on will have all the room and features you need.
- What style appeals to you? – There is a large array of colors and patterns available in the luggage industry. Most of the carry on bags are similar in design, incorporating hide-away handles, wheels, numerous pockets, and other features that provide plenty of room for your belongings. If style is important to you, be certain you are not giving up functionality for design.
- How practical is the carry on you want? – Practicality is very important when it comes to travel. The airport is the last place you want to have to fight with an impractically designed carry on bag. One of the most important features your carry on needs to have is the ability to roll. Carrying a bag through a huge, crowded airport is not only exhausting, it can slow you down as well and end up causing shoulder and/or back pain. Having wheels enables you to take the strain of the bag off of your back, neck and shoulders.
- Durability is important – You want to purchase a carry on that is going to be able to last more than just a few trips. Some bags are made very inexpensively and their hardware breaks down quickly. You want to find a carry on bag or bags that have heavy duty hardware that ensures that zippers, wheels and other hardware last through the trips you take.
Carry On Features that Make Travel Easier
If you travel often, you want to make pulling the carry on around the airport as hassle-free as possible. There are some features you can look for in a potential carry on bag that will make the bag much more low stress.
- 360 degree rotating wheels – Rather than having your bag tip every time you change direction, having wheels that can rotate 360 degrees allows for easy pulling with no tipping or wrist twisting as well.
- Long, telescoping Handle – Having a handle that doesn’t require you to bend or reach oddly to pull the luggage is much more comfortable and easy on your back, shoulders and neck. Tall men especially need a bag with a handle that comes to at least waist height.
- Dual Carrying Handles – These handles are usually located, one on top of the bag and one on the side. These handles allow the bag to be carried suitcase or duffel bag style if desired. The handles also make it much easier to lift the carry on bag up into the overhead compartment or into a car trunk.
- Padded Handles – This may not seem like a big deal, but if you do a lot of traveling, you will appreciate the comfort of those padded handles.
Additional Features that Make Travel Easier
Some carry ons have special features that can make travel life even easier. These features are not a stock part of a carry on bag, but if you find bags that have them, you will more than likely really enjoy the convenience they provide.
- Shoe Pouch – This loose interior flap is long enough to carry a pair of shoes. The soles of the shoes will be flat against the back wall of the suitcase. If you don’t use it to carry shoes, it can be filled with other items or just laid flat and not used.
- Built-in Shaving Kit – Shaving kits that go with the bag you have purchased fit much neater into the carry on than separate ones that you try to fit in. Although separate shaving kits can fit, the ones that are built in usually have their own special place.
- Removable Laundry Bag – Some carry ons have a zippered interior pouch that can be taken out of the bag completely. This bag is for your dirty clothes. Just take the bag out, fill it and then take it to the laundry. If you are not going to wash your laundry until you get home the dirty clothing may fit inside the suitcase that is inside the bag.
- Clear Document Window – This convenient feature is good for holding important travel information such as packing lists, travel contacts or identification if it is necessary.
Conclusion
Purchasing a carry on bag does not have to be complicated and it usually isn’t if you know exactly what your needs are and what you are looking for. Sometimes people get sidetracked by features that don’t really add to the convenience of the bag.
The information in this buyer’s guide tells you what features to look for that will make your travels much easier and give you one less thing to worry about. Having a good quality carry on will eliminate security stress and save you money on checked bag fees as well.
Finding a good quality carry on can mean the difference between having an enjoyable, more relaxing flight and having to struggle through the flight with a bag that doesn’t hold everything, doesn’t work or breaks mid-flight. Take the time to look for the bag that has the features you need and you’ll be able to enjoy your travels.
