What’s the best carry-on luggage brand?

You have probably noticed all of the recent talk about airlines cracking down on luggage size. Between hiring contractors to size bags in the security line and not-so-consistent size limitations, it can be a confusing world out there for people carrying on!

If you are looking for a carry-on for flying primarily in the US, it’s best to purchase a bag that fits into the 22”x9”x14”. A few other things to keep in mind:Victorinox werks 20

  • Quality construction.
  • Weight
  • Size
  • Roominess
  • Handle length
  • Good pockets and dividers
  • Spinner wheels
  • Easy to navigate in crowded airports

(For more details on how to choose the best carry-on, see my Guidelines for Choosing a Rollaboard Suitcase.)

Obviously, I know what I consider to be the best luggage brands. If I had to pick my top three, it would be Victorinox (pictured), Briggs and Riley, and Ogio. However, I am very interested in what you guys have to say. Reader comments have introduced me to luggage brands I never knew existed! My goal here is to create a list of people’s favorites and why, so people who are looking to buy can get good info about the different brands.

So readers, please leave a comment about which carry-on luggage brand is your favorite and why (even better if you mention a specific model). I want to use this post to help others make decisions.

Remember, the more specific you are the more helpful it will be to people looking to buy a new carry-on. Bookmark this link if you think you may be in the market soon!

Here is a list of the most common luggage brands. Is your favorite on this list?

 

Be sure to check out my page with products I recommend for travel!

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Comments

  1. Love the Tumi Tegra-Lite Continental Carry-on! It’s a bit pricey, but worth it!

  2. I’m a fan of the Tumi Continental Alpha (aka “the Fat Tumi”). Although it seems wider than your average carry on, it always seems to fit in the overhead. Plus it’s rugged and durable on those rare occasions when I need to check the bag.

  3. I don’t care much for the brand, it’s a carryon so you should be able to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged yourself. What’s important is the weight. So many people (women) drag bags onto the plane that they can’t lift above their heads (then expect help to place it, a whole ‘nother rant), and part of the problem is that some of these so-called carryons weight 4 or more kilos, when the weight limit is 7kg! (that’s about 12 pounds to you – I know it’s poorly enforced, but it does exist) The bag has to be less than 2kg to start with or you’ll end up with a 10kg or more bag when you fill it! (which BTW would be very dangerous if it fell out on someone’s head)

    Thus I swear by Samsonite’s Featherlite range. Can’t find the same model as what I’m using now as it’s so old and barely worn, despite me using it at least 8 times per year. This is the closest to it.

    http://www.samsoniteaustralia.com/50cm-upright-499.html#.U88BxPmSySo

  4. I’ve only had Samsonite bags that I bought at a
    Big discount from tjmaxx. I heard Tumi is amazeballs

  5. The Rimowa Salsa Air 22″ is my all time favorite carry on. It fits the new size restrictions. It’s very lightweight, quite sturdy, has a TSA lock, and the four wheels are smooth as silk. I take it on every trip around the world. It’s pricy but it’s worth every penny.

  6. Rick Steve’s rolling carry on bag is light weight, easy to maneuver and I carry it on for trips of 2-3 weeks at a time. Durable, too! It still fits for carry on under the latest guidelines.

  7. After much consideration, i spent weeks if not months on and off looking every so often to see what to get, in the end I went with the Tumi Alpha 2 Continental 4 wheel carry on. I managed to save $100 from Amazon email sign up which was just discontinued, I was lucky to have received the 20% or $100 off, no where else was having an sales or promos. So I took what I could get.

  8. Samsonite has been my go-to for years. I just “upgraded” to the lightweight hard sided spinner luggage by Samsonite at Costco and after one trip it was crushed and cracked. I am so disappointed. I will definitely be looking for another brand now.

  9. Tumi by far is the best luggage I’ve owned. I work for the airlines and I see what happens to luggage. Travelpro usually falls apart after a year, Tumi will replace your wheels for free. I’ve owned my T-Tech for over 2 years and it still works great, I had to replace the wheels once.

  10. I have had a Briggs and Riley that I have had for several year that I bought on sale at Edwards Luggage. (Bay Area) I love it, although I wish it had more internal pockets. I also always include my double sided Eagle Creek packing cubes.

  11. I have always liked Samsonite, I currently have 2 spinner carry-ons that I rotate between when I travel. I also have Samsonite overnight rolling laptop bag that has endured my business travel over the last 2 years. I recently was introduced to Delsey, a great brand as well. I have a Delsey quilted rolling underseat bag that is great for shorter trips and holds a surprising amount of items. I tried Victorinox bag mentioned in the post, I didn’t like the monopole handle. When I put my Samonsite laptop bag on top of it, the laptop bag kept flipping around. very annoying when trying to navigate through the airport.

  12. I’m enjoying my victorinox 4-wheel bag because it doesn’t lean like my old briggs & riley transcend carryon. If you’re switching to a spinner, you have to take a bit more control of your bag, but it’s worth it because there is zero strain running or rolling it through the airport. Avolve 2.0 22″ Spinner.

  13. I swear by my Delsy- it’s seven years old, so the style is no longer available- I checked to buy an additional one when hubby moved to Korea and wanted to take it with him! It’s help up amazingly well for all the over-the-seat/under the plane abuse it’s taken from weekly travel since 2007. Lightweight and great wheels- can’t ask for a better combination!

  14. I know this sounds silly, but after owning some pretty expensive bags (Tumi, Samsonite, etc.), I bought a $99 Kirkland (Costco brand) and it’s been awesome. It has the requisite expanding features, removable hanging garment component and even a segregated shoe section to keep dirt off my clothes. It fits in just about every overhead (other than E135-45 and CRJ) wheels or handle first, and on its side to save space. And on the instances where I’ve checked it, it’s durable and held up like a champ. Wheel function is smooth and quiet and the handle has taken a beating and still works. More money doesn’t always equal better.

  15. For the money, you can’t beat the Ricardo Beverly Hills carry on. It’s not going to turn any heads but it’s well built and only costs $50 at Costco. I haven’t returned mine, but they have a great return policy should you ever need to.

  16. My absolute favorite is the LL Bean Quickload Convertible Travel Pack. It converts from backpack mode to shoulder bag. At a mere 2 pounds 2 oz it is one of the lightest bags out there (great for Lufthansa). I’ve hauled it all over Africa and found it to be waterproof and durable. I got the Quickload after my eBags blew apart after only 3 years of use.
    When I’m on business and carrying heavy paperwork I go for the Rick Steves rolling backpack. It is 20″ tall which fits within European requirements. It is only 5.5 pounds, which is still light. The bag has held 3 weeks worth of clothing and the backpack mode was great for post-holing through the snow during the polar vortex last year.
    Both bags have backpack straps that hide into a zippered compartment.

  17. Target store plastic bag. Strongly made, perfect for carrying on my lunch and other snacks for the flight. The best part: its disposable 😉 I highly recommend it.

  18. I LOVE my Victorinox WT 4.0 22″ spinner. I purchased it from eBags, and the first trip I took with it, 2 of the 4 wheels broke off (I fly on a lot of regional jets that require gate-check). eBags immediately sent a new one, and the original must have been a bad bag, because I haven’t had any further problems (in about 4 months of weekly travel). Victorinox offers a lifetime warranty that covers airline damage and wheels, and I wouldn’t recommend buying a spinner without that. My only complaint with it is that the handle could extend a little further. I had to give up a laptop bag because it was too tall when stacked on the suitcase, and it pinched my fingers (it had a vertical orientation and a hard back).

    Prior to my Victorinox I used a Travelpro Walkabout Lite 22″ (2 wheels), and the zippers started to give out, and part of the handle broke after about six months of weekly use.

  19. I know this is not a fancy bag but I have used the Kirkland (Costco) 22″ roller for 12 years. I’m only on my third one, and that’s with over 150k miles flown per year. They’re sturdy, have good zippers and I can use it for a 5 day trip w/no problem, and that includes carrying my C-Pap inside it.

  20. My favorite is a no longer made skyway that has two separate sections….have my eye on some Briggs and Riley though….

  21. My Samsonite 1910 spinner carry-on lasted 12 years of heavy travel. A wheel split two weeks ago. I didn’t have time to replace over the last weekend before heading back out on Sunday, so I was stuck taking it. It rolled, but sounded horrible and was difficult to maneuver. I loved the set up and loved the ability to get 5 days of professional/suits into that one suitcase, so picking one was a huge choice for me, and I wanted something to last. Yesterday, after a lot of research and shopping, I chose the Victorionox WT 22″ spinner with 8 wheels. It was on sale at Macy’s and I consider it an investment. I like that I can take the suiter out. It was a toss-up with the Tumi Alpha II or T-Tech, or the Victorionox Alove. I look forward to taking it out today to see how well it performs! The brand and reputation sold me.

  22. I know what brands are my favorite, for sure: Briggs and Riley. You can’t beat their warranty deals! In read in a review (below) that Samsonite (or it wasn’t stated in the review acutally, but I read it on ConsumerReports site that it linked to) is not rated very high by users, even though it’s considered a popular brand.

    http://travelgeardepot.com/best-good-luggage-brands/

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