I Saw This Cult-Favorite Bag Everywhere, and Now It’s My Forever Carry-On

For nearly 15 years, I’ve used the same North Face backpack for all my travels. I honestly don’t know why, though — it was heavy when empty (thanks to endless padding, pockets, and hiking straps, all of which I didn’t need), it didn’t have a luggage sleeve for sliding onto suitcase handles, and I couldn’t fit that much inside. 

But then last year, after far too many years of not optimizing my travel experience, I came across Baggu’s Small Cloud Carry-On when browsing the store in Manhattan. I finally decided to take the leap and upgrade my travel bag, and now, more than a year later, I’m confident that this will be my travel bag for life.

Baggu’s Small Cloud Carry-On, composed of Baggu’s lightweight yet durable “heavyweight” nylon fabric, is a tote bag with endless features that make it ideal for air travel. The rectangular bag measures 12.5 by 16.5 by 6.5 inches; it’s spacious inside and easily fits underneath an airplane seat, whether lying on its side or standing up. It also zips closed, and it has both a trolley passthrough and padded straps — three features that are vital for anyone who’s ever rushed through a busy airport.

The Small Cloud Carry-On is machine-washable, it can be folded and stowed away in a detachable pouch, and it has tons of pockets (more on these pockets and features below). Plus, the bag comes in a rotating variety of cute hues and prints from funky designs to classic colors. Mine is in Pointe Shoe, which features photography of ballet pointe shoes. That colorway is no longer available for this bag. Baggu also makes a slightly larger version of the bag called the Cloud Carry-On (this size does not fit under an airplane seat, making it firmly carry-on only, rather than my size, which can also be a personal item), and a smaller version called the Everyday Cloud Bag (which doesn’t have a luggage sleeve).

My favorite thing about Baggu’s Small Cloud Carry-On is how functional it is, no matter how I’m using it. The reinforced trolley passthrough lets the bag sit comfortably atop my suitcase as well as easily slide on and off the handles, while the cushioned straps make it comfortable to carry on my shoulder. Because the heavyweight fabric is so thin, the bag is light when empty and its interior is incredibly roomy. When I fly, the bag easily fits my neck pillow, water bottle, headphones, snacks, sweatshirt, book, laptop, toiletry bag, wallet, and other essentials.

The bag also has six different pockets, my favorite being the detachable zippered pouch that fastens to the inside of the bag with two snaps. It can also be unsnapped and used as a toiletry bag or to contain the entire Small Cloud Carry-On. Personally, every time I get back from a plane trip, I throw the bag in the machine on cold, let it air-dry, and then fold it up into the pouch for compact storage. Then there are four exterior pockets, which I typically utilize during a flight to stash my water bottle, phone, hand sanitizer, and lip balm. And lastly, there’s a hidden zipper pocket that can fit a laptop up to 16 inches. I always keep my laptop in this handy spot, but you could also use it for magazines, books, or anything flat.

And while I typically use the Small Cloud Carry-On for air travel along with a suitcase, I’ve also used it as my sole bag for weekend jaunts via car or train. It can comfortably fit two packing cubes along with my toiletry bag and laptop, which is pretty much everything I need for a weekend away. I’ve also used the bag for beach days, as it’s so roomy and water-resistant. Lastly, I appreciate that the Cloud bags are all made with 59% recycled nylon. Baggu also makes various efforts to reduce waste in its production processes, as well as to ensure its factories are run ethically and in line with the company’s code of conduct.

Buy: Baggu Small Cloud Carry-On, $78