When I decided to live out of a suitcase, I never thought I would spend about 6 months of my life researching, shopping and just plain going dizzy from all the online suitcase trolling. Every time I would pass a luggage shop, I'd get whiplash trying to peek inside, always stopping in to test drive a new model. After becoming insanely particular about each and every detail, I feel like I've finally made the right decision for me. Luggage is such a personal choice and an object that becomes a part of our individual travel histories, so why not be choosy?
5. MUJI Bellow Pocket 4 Wheel Carry
I love the simplicity of this bag. Like every product in the MUJI catalogue, this suitcase is sleek and well designed without looking too 'designer'. Unfortunately, I really wanted a bag that was 20" tall or less, so that I would always be able to fit it in the overhead bin of any flight. So I had to move on to the next option.
4. Eagle Creek Traverse Pro 19"
This bag really is really appealing because of the detachable backpack feature. What a great way to carry your small valuables as you run through the airport to catch a connecting flight. The functionality of this bag is great, however the look was just a bit sporty for my taste. Especially since I don't have that many belongings anymore, I have a real need to absolutely love every item I own, and this bag just didn't make the cut.
3. Eagle Creek Twist 35L Connect Wheeled Carry-On
A bit small (and still sporty) for me, this is the bag my husband ultimately decided on. It's super durable, and Eagle Creek is known for making great bags that last. He really likes the easy to stow backpack straps so that he has the option of either carrying it on his back or rolling it behind him. The laptop sleeve is nice, but a little tough to remove your laptop when the bag is completely full. He uses the sleeve to store various other electronics that he doesn't need to pull out at security checkpoints.
2. Lipault 20" 2-Wheeled Foldable Duffle Carry-on
I really wanted this to be my bag. I have fallen in love hard with the entire line of Lipault luggage. It all started with the bright colors, but I fell deeper once I learned about the durable, waterproof fabric and the foldable feature that is fantastic for small space dwellers. In the end, however, I decided this was a little bit bigger than I really needed it to be, and I could possibly run into trouble carrying it on small flights or buses. The height was just right, but this bag was a bit wider than I was hoping. (I did however, keep the laptop bag, which I love!)
This is the suitcase I ultimately chose and it's just the right size for me. Not too big, not to small. The padded laptop sleeve is a plus, and can be used for other electronics when I'm carrying a separate laptop case. The exterior has a soft body yet durable boning, making it tough enough to gate-check if I absolutely have to. There are lockable zippers, and even a nicely stowed (but easy to find) ID tag. I love the hidden pops of orange inside, which actually makes it easy to find small items in a dimly lit airplane cabin. Also, with the Briggs and Riley lifetime guarantee, I'm sure to be using this bag for quite some time.
(Images: Lipault, MUJI, Magellan's, eBags, Briggs and Riley)
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I just got the Sherpani Meridian Ultralight 22 Expandable Wheeled Carry On. I love the way it looks, and it appears it is designed for real travel It's being inaugurated this weekend!!
Love this post, thanks for the insight!
I think you made a great choice - I received a Briggs & Riley suitcase for Christmas and I'm totally smitten. I have the 22" upright, not carry-on size but pretty much perfect for the kind of travel I do. B&R are SO well designed, and very durable (my parents have used them for years without suffering so much as a scratch).
This is so helpful, great post! My husband and I have several big trips this year and I've been rethinking our current luggage situation.
Eddie Bauer duffle carryon. Lightweight, easy to lift into the overhead department. Doesn't have a laptop sleeve but if you need to take your laptop, you can always stick it in one of those Targus zippered envelopes. Looks a lot like option three's Eagle Creek version.
The difference is the price. My lime green EB duffle carryon was $39.00. Just took it to Washington, DC and back on the Acela. Perfect.
I have one of these. They're carry-on travel bags from a Fair Trade cooperative in Cambodia. Because they're made out of recycled rice bags, they're incredibly strong.
For eight years now I've travel each year from the NE to the southern tip of South America so I encounter varying sizes of planes.
I have a carry on that resembles the Eagle Creek ones in terms of thickness. I find I have to remove my laptop in each and every case, except the jumbo jets, as it's too thick for the overhead.
If I'm really cautious about what else I pack in there it just barely squeaks by.
Trouble is then I'm left w/o the spare stuff I need (scant amount) in case the luggage is lost, which happens all too often down here.
It's a royal pain so now I'm on the search for another, affordable version that will fit both laptop and spare clothing.
I got the last one at TJMaxx, a Sharper Image model. Probably given over as it was too thick to pass maximum standards.
I really like my 21" Tumi Voyageur Avignon. It is very lightweight, fits wheels-first into the overhead, and it is expandable by a couple of inches. It's also a pretty blue color and so stands out on the carousel on the rare occasion I check it.
I travel a lot to Europe, as well as in the US. After buying, using once, and giving away 4 other bags, I bought the Eddie Bauer rolling duffle. The main reason was because it weighed much less than anything else I looked at. I'm 5'1" and I need the lightest possible case so that I can lift it into overhead bins by myself.
I've had it 3 years now, it has made 20 or 25 trips and it's in perfect shape. I love it.
I think what has turned out to be your necessity - absolutely loving everything you own - is a great way to approach a minimalist lifestyle generally. Sure it's a bit of work, but it requires you to learn yourself better - what you need and don't, what you value and don't, etc. And the result is generally a simpler, more effective/satisfying lifestyle with less clutter.
Nothing w/o wheels?
If the dimensions posted on the Eagle Creek website are correct, the Twist 35L is too large to be a carry-on for many airlines--the maximum is 45 linear inches, and this bag is 52.
You might or might not be able to use it as a carry-on some of the time, but at some point you will probably have to pay to check it.
The same is true for many of the expandable carry-on size bags--they are fine when not expanded, but when expanded and stuffed full, they are over the limit. Ditto for the bags with the removable backpacks.
I buy all our luggage at the fabulous Seattle Goodwill. I've gotten a super sturdy rolly carry-on for $5, a cute & practical Crumpler bag for $7, and a fantastic leather laptop bag for $3.
Leaves a lot more cash for the trip!
I second the Briggs and Riley comment. I have the 18" Baseline carry-on. It's is perfect for a long weekend trip. The external handle makes a huge difference for packing. While it's not the lightest bag out there, as a not so tall person, it is still small enough for me to hurl up into the overhead compartment without taking out anyone below. It's been on many trips with me and is still in great condition.
Rimowa is the be all, end all! I log some serious miles and travel frequently between Europe, Asia and North America, and the Rimowa carry-on is my all-time favorite suitcase!
I have had a Briggs and Riley briefcase for 21 years now. Had to send it in twice for very minor repairs (no questions asked) on the straps/clasp but otherwise nary a scratch.
I've used an Eagle Creek full-size bag for years. The thing has been to dozens of different states and countries and it's still ticking. And the removable daypack is just as useful as you said.
Anyone know of a good carry-on for tall people? I'm 6' and every wheeled carry-on I've had bashes into the backs of my heels when I walk because the handle is too short.
At age 28, I've started to ask myself, how old is too old to travel everywhere with a hiking backpack? It's so convenient, and can really expand and contract in size, but I do always look like a German hostel-goer wherever I go.
@MRL: I'm a one-bagger, which means one bag (really!: no laptop bag, no separate purse et c), no wheels (takes up too much room/weight). This method is esp. great when travelling to several places in one trip, not staying in one hotel, taking jumper planes, relieve the stress of having so much STUFF. I recommend Tom Bihn (Aeronaut or TriStar), eBags (Weekender Convertible, what I have bc I wanted to try it before going to the big boys) or Red Oxx (SkyTrain). They are durable and top of the heap!
www.onebag.com
www.1bag1world.com
Consider a Scottivest for your electronics and all sorts of other things. I travel one carry and the vest for a month roaming around Asia.
i prefer medium size duffel bags (no wheels) you can bundle wrap items that need some care, backpack as carry-on for essentials on the go. last year during a 6 hour flight we learnt that our toddler has air-sickness. he vomitted 5 times (on us!) and even though we had his baby-bag on board with several outfits... we did not! we now travel with a spare outfit each and waste bags in our backpack. nothing like trying to wash vomit off your clothes in the tiny airplane lavatory.
I like the MLC bag by Patagonia. It doesn't have wheels, so it's much lighter and there's more room inside. Instead, it has a shoulder strap or comfortable backpack straps that can be zipped away when not in use. I used to have a rolling bag but that was pretty useless and cumbersome when I was going up and down stairs in the subway and walking through snow. I like that the option to have it on my back leaves both of my hands free, or I can have it on my side if I'm somewhere sketchy and want to keep a better eye on things. And I don't have to worry about rolling over anyone's feet at the airport!
It is definitely tough to find the best carry on luggage that is going to last for many trips. Many make the mistake of purchasing cheap luggage thinking they are all the same quality and it will tear apart after only a couple of trips. This notion maybe true to some extent for luggage you check in. I mean who knows exactly how careless baggage handler A will throw your luggage vs baggage handler B.
Therefore when looking to buy carry on luggage it is important to find one of good quality as your the only one that should be handling for years to come.
Good job posting top quality carry ons. (may I also suggest to look into some samsonite, tumi, and travelpro carry ons as their known to be great makers of luggage, if you haven't already that is)
wheels are lame. if you cant carry it, dont bring it.
I really like the luggage Thule is making.
Thule Luggage, Bags & Cases
I never loved luggage before I found Rioni. Incredibly well made, every detail is thought out and it looks great. Overstock has a huge array of their products. I bought the domed duffle there, perfect wheel-less luggage that can take me through a 3 day trip (I find that not only do wheels weigh a lot, those are the bags that get snatched at the gate when overhead space is full). I now have 3 pieces total (a large suitcase I bought through Amazon and a computer/briefcase from the O). This luggage will last me through life!
Hands down the best luggage I've ever carried has been Osprey. Lifetime warranty, great constuction. Well worth it.
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/wheeled_bags/vector_series
I'm another extremely satisfied Briggs & Riley customer -- I've had a Baseline rollaboard for the past five years (and about 300,000 miles of flying!) and it still looks practically new.
More importantly, they really do stand behind them -- they cheerfully fixed the latch on the one-touch expansion system when it wouldn't stay closed, and shipped me out new wheels when an airline knocked one off.
I travel a lot for work and have tried various suitcase but like you said Great Lady - nothing compares to the Rimowa. Lightweight, easy to move around, (love the four wheeled type especially), beautifully designed. Pricey, but if you do a lot of train-then-plane-then-bus then back on to train again type travel, it's worth the money!
I cannot speak highly enough about my Patagonia MLC (Maximum Legal Carryon) Wheelie suitcase!! It holds WAY much more than may appear, has easy gliding wheels, an adjustable handle with two heights that pops out quickly, and the best part--two sturdy and well-padded backpack straps that allow you to carry the bag when it's too bumpy for wheels. It's a bit pricey, but definitely well worth it when you think of all the checked baggage fees you can save.
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-mlc-wheelie-wheeled-gear-bag?p=49112-0-920
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