What’s the best carry-on luggage brand?

by Road Warriorette 79 Comments

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. Briggs & Riley International Carry-On Expandable Wide-body Upright has been my favorite. There is always room for one more thing and of course, the lifetime guarantee

  2. Victorinox Werks. The 22in has held up well on so many international flights – and the customer service is great. It’s well worth the investment!

  3. My go to is the Tumi Tegra-Lite Continental Carry-on. The bag is super light weight, durable, and can easily fit a weeks worth of clothes. Expensive but well worth it.

  4. For my usual 2-3 day trips the Travelpro 18″ Expandable Business Rollaboard is perfect. I like that it’s slightly smaller than the standard 22″ so I can usually squeeze it in spaces where others might not fit, but still has plenty of space for everything I need. I’ve had it for a year of nearly weekly use and it still looks new.

  5. the swiss gear sets you can get at costco normally include a good carryon option!

  6. I love my Tumi Voyageur International Carry on. Since it is soft sided with no bells and whistles I could fit a LOT of clothes in it (easy to carry on a week’s worth of clothes for my trip to Paris). I have other Tumi carry on style bags that have more of a frame, or a laptop sleeve but those take up so much space or add extra weight.

    I was able to carry on my recent trip to Paris and I’ve carried it on domestically as well. The only down side is that it is 15″ wide so technically it it too wide but it sure looks smaller than what a lot of other folks are carrying on.

    I also have the Tumi Derby Business Tote in the matching color. This is my “personal item” that I can throw my ipad, purse, magazine, etc into and it slides onto the handle of the suitcase for easy movement through the airport.

  7. I like my swiss gear expandable rollaway – it doesn’t have too many pockets or dividers inside which I find allows me to cram more things inside!

  8. Delsey…. wide variety of styles and colors, simple, roomy interior and excellent value for cost. My old, old, old Delsey Aero hardside, two-wheeled carry-on (which style they don’t make anymore, woe is me) has seen me through nearly 10 years of domestic and TATL journeys with never a complaint or incident.

  9. I like my Eagle Creek carry on bag. Although I usually travel with my Deuter backpack, if I’m traveling for business or need to carry a suit for my husband, I use the Eagle Creek. It’s durable, fits several packing cubes and I like the retractable luggage tag.

  10. I love my Tumi Alpha. It is classy, durable and holds a week of travel with no problems.

  11. The shop where I bought my Briggs & Riley Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright (Model U122CX)repairs damaged luggage for many of the major airlines (both domestic and international). They repair hundreds of bags every week. The owner said B&R is the best. Tumi is the worst of the higher priced bags.

  12. My favorite is the Tumi T-tech. It is 2-wheeled and just slightly bigger than the allowed size. So it often sneaks by the sizers.

  14. I like my Pierre Cardin set from macys, it’s been super durable and traveled the world with me!

  15. Delsey – it is lightweight and very durable. the variety of colors of the bag also a big hit as we can spot it faster.

  16. Zero Halliburton Geo Aluminum. Small size can come with spinner wheels, will fit into the smallest bag check bins (I have successfully put this bag in a CRJ overhead) and is virtually indestructible (for when you absolutely have to check or gate check). Pricey, but worth it to me.

  18. I have a Travelpro Maxlite 20″ expandable that I got on Amazon last fall for $70 after American ripped the top handle of my old bag. The price was great, and it has yet to show any wear. I had no problems carrying it on in Europe flying Lufthansa and Norwegian.

  19. Can the Werks 22 be carried on to all international and domestic flights? Or is the 20 needed?

  20. The best for me is my old black Samsonite carryon spinner. I own alot of luggage, but it is my favorite for travelling light. It has been everywhere -from Alaska to Australia and over 100 countries in between.

  23. I like my Delsey bag a lot. I’m sure there are better but it seems to be light, easy to roll, even through snow. I just like it.

  27. I received the Rimowa Salsa Deluxe Hybrid IATA Cabin Multiwheel as a gift, and I swear by it. it is everything I’d ever want in a carry-on bag. If I could marry it, I would. 🙂

  29. I love my KoBold Zendo 20″ Carryon Suiter. Its holding up very well after 3+ years of extensive travel. The exterior material is extremely durable (salesperson used a rasp to prove this prior to purchase). The bright yellow wheels make it easy to spot after its pulled out from under a regional jet.

  31. I have a Delsey that I bought on a whim because I needed more luggage room and it’s been great! It’s lightweight and bright blue which I love.

  33. I have a Travelpro 20″ that I love. I bought it on sale and haven’t regretted it.

  34. I love my Briggs & Riley 20″ international widebody carry-on but am now a bit hesitant to take it when traveling on certain airlines since the width probably exceeds the sizer (even though it falls within the linear inch limit). Well worth the $$$ if you find it on a decent sale. My bag has been to 4 continents over a few years and still looks great.

  35. My Travelpro20 inch gets on every plane except the small regional jets. For the money, I think this is. The best

  36. Rimowa (Classic Flight, IATA 22″). Ordered from Germany before widely available in USA and worth the price. Metal construction but lighter than it looks and oh, so, durable. Now with over 600,000 miles on it. Never have to worry about the contents. In full disclosure, the telescoping handle did finally wear out last week, but only a $58 repair. An investment, but one that has paid off.

  37. Victorinox is my go to brand. Make sure you the line you’re buying has a lifetime warranty.

  41. The Lo & Sons OG – it’s chic and lightweight with a really well thought out design. It’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you and has so many awesome pockets, including padded pockets for your laptop and tablet. It’s large enough to hold a couple days worth of clothes, and even has a pocket to keep your shoes separate. Bonus: it is professional enough to bring to a client meeting without looking like you’re bringing your luggage with you. (Although please use a packing cube to prevent your undies from flying out when you pull out your laptop!)

  42. I note you did not include a favorite, Rick Steves, available from his website and also at some AAA offices.

  43. KIPLING! i own several
    Industrial zippers, lightweight nylon that is washable
    Multitude of colors
    Fashionable and practical

  44. My carry-on is devoted to carrying on the tools of my trade. Cameras, lenses, hard drives, laptop, more lenses, batteries and more lenses. No room for clothes. Thinktank International Roller is my favorite.

  45. Tumi. Any and all. Call me a brand-name snob, but these bags last and last. Thanks

  46. I recommend Tortuga as the best carry-on luggage brand. But it’s not a rollaboard. It is a travel backpack designed to fit 22″x14″x9″ exactly. Good for longer (and primarily not business) trips, you carry it on board and then wear it around your destination. It was great for five days in Spain earlier this year. They are also developing two smaller versions for shorter trips.

  47. I’ve loved every Tumi I’ve ever had, both carry-on and checked. Durable, good-looking, great customer service.

  48. i like the Fit carry-on from costco. it has a wet compartment at the bottom for shoes & towels. soft top material all around, 2 inner compartment and very light.

  49. Love love love my sampsonite roller bag. It’s going on 7 years strong now! Fits in even the economy airlines’ overhead and rolls super smoothly. Holds everything I need for several days. So worth what I paid for it.

  50. International Traveller Worlds Lightest Luggage. a carryon is less than 4 lbs, you can pack flat without bars down the middle, good organization and use of space.

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