If you’ve been following along with the Travel Tuesdays series, then you know that with only a few exceptions, I generally travel with only a carry on bag. And if you follow me on Snapchat (username: cobaltchronicle), then you may have seen where my bag got eaten alive by a DC Metro escalator a couple of weeks ago …
I’m making my ratchet bag work for one more trip this weekend, but after that, I’m saying goodbye. So I’m on the hunt for a new carry on bag! My usual move is to pop in TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack and snag the best looking, usually brand name, bag that won’t break the bank and looks like it will do the job. But this go around I really want to do some research and get a bag that will last. I have a couple of requirements: the bag must have 4 wheels (if you’re still two wheeling it, you don’t know what you’re missing!), the bag must fit *most international carry on luggage size restrictions (the sizes vary quite a bit); the bag must NOT cost a million dollars (why is luggage so expensive?!), and I would really prefer that the bag have a front pocket, although this isn’t a hard requirement.
Through doing some initial research, I’ve found these five bags rising to the top of my list. So without further ado, my current picks for top carry on bags are listed below.
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The Samsonite Inova 20″ Spinner
- 22″ x 15″ x 7.5″
- 4 spinner wheels
- Two handles for easy lifting
- Hard shell
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The SwissGear 7211 20″ Carry-On Spinner
- Great price point
- 20″ x 14″ x 7″
- 4 spinner wheels
- Two handles for easy lifting
- Soft shell
- Exterior pockets
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The Travelpro 21″ Expandable Suiter Spinner Bag
- 23.5″ x 15″ x 9.5″
- 4 spinner wheels
- Two handles for easy lifting
- Soft shell
- Exterior pockets
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The Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner
- 20″ x 13.5″ x 9.5″
- 4 spinner wheels
- Two handles for easy lifting
- Hard shell
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The Away Carry-On
- 21.7″ x 13.7″ x 9 “
- 4 spinner wheels
- Two handles for easy lifting
- Hard shell
- *Added bonus: Built in USB charging pack (yes, please!)
Do you have any recommendations?! I’ll keep you posted on my shopping process and will definitely let you know which bag I end up getting!
*** UPDATE: I have and LOVE the Away Carry On Bag and the Away Bigger Carry On Bag! Check out this post for a comparison of the two + a link for $20 off of your first Away bag!
Love love love your recs! I’ve only recently started traveling with a carry on, so I’m definitely in the hunt for a sleek one – loved this post!
Pink Champagne Problems
Thanks Dana! Traveling with a carry on is just so much less stressful to me for some reason. I’ll keep you posted on which one I end up with!
– Ashlee
Away looks so compact and stylish!
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I’ve read great things about it!
I think you should go with a “soft” one – just seems more flexible than those hard shell thingy’s. But what do I know, I barely get out of Louisiana! HA!
That’s what I was thinking too! But I’ve seen so many people that travel a heck of a lot more than I do that swear by the hard shells … still trying to decide! The hard shell wouldn’t have gotten sucked into the escalator, that’s for sure! Ha
Liz has that travel pro bag and really loves it (she used it as a carry on for our honeymoon last year–two weeks in Europe).
I have two bags that I go back and forth between depending on the circumstances. I have a Hartmann Herrringbone Carry on Spinner. It’s super cool looking and great to use, but kind of expensive. However, for most non-work trips, I use a duffel bag, as they give you more room to stuff things in and are easier to fit in over head compartments. People love Filson (for good reason), but I use the Flight Bag Carry On made by Frost River. It’s been great so far and takes a beating.
Ok, this is amazing! I should just post all of your recs next time! haha That’s so good to know about the Travel Pro! And I’m definitely going to check out the Hartmann. I’m a wimp and don’t want to have to carry a duffel, so I’ll take your word on the the Frost River bag (it’s good looking!).
Hope all is well in Birmingham!
-Ashlee