If your diary is filling up with European breaks, work travel or trips to the countryside this summer, you will no doubt be regularly packing and un-packing your carry-on suitcase. Short-haul trips call for the most practical of accessories – so it pays to choose your luggage wisely. Sizeable enough to hold your transitional wardrobe, yet small enough to stow away in your over-head locker, you can’t go wrong with a perfectly proportioned carry-on suitcase.
What is the best carry-on luggage to buy?
Of course, there is no right answer, it all comes down to your needs and preference. Naturally, short weekend breaks require a carry-on snug enough to fit a capsule edit of outfit options. Work trips for business reasons mean searching for something with hidden zips and extra compartments. Note: built-in device chargers are a practical addition, so you don’t need to worry about your phone dying with your boarding pass on it.
What is the best lightweight carry-on luggage?
There are a few key components to consider when looking for an ultra-lightweight carry-on. But the most important thing to remember is that in general, the more complicated the design, the heavier the luggage will be. Keeping things simple, or at least with an even balance, will help reduce the load. A good lightweight carry-on weighs around 3.5 – 5 pounds, leaving the remaining allowance for your all important packing list. Keep your priorities in check.
Is it better to carry on luggage, or check it in?
Again, this depends on your circumstances. Quick getaways mean maximising your time, not wasting precious minutes hanging around the conveyor belt, waiting to retrieve a suitcase. But hold that thought – there is something to be said for the comfort of knowing your bag is safely checked in, so you can enjoy your flight (*cough* airport shopping time), with ease. Each to their own, but considering its pure convenience on arrival, we say carry on luggage wins.
Best carry-on luggage
What is the best size for a carry-on bag?
There isn’t one size rule when it comes to carry-on bags, as every airline has different size restrictions. However, in general a case that is 55cm x 35 x 25 will fit most guidelines. The weight limit also varies between 8kg and 15kg and so you should always check what it is for your chosen airline before you fly and get those scales out.
Before you get stuck crunching the excess baggage weight numbers, browse British Vogue’s picks of the best cabin bags for your next summer getaway, below.
July is a trusted suitcase brand for a reason. This is made from 100 per cent polycarbonate shell and has lots of features you would expect from a high-spec suitcase like this one, including an ejectable battery with USB and fast charge USB-C, an integrated TSA lock, a nylon laundry bag and the brand’s signature SilentMove™ wheels.
Nere is an Australian luggage brand that is loved for its fun, playful aesthetic and affordable prices. The new collection, Bondi, is inspired by Sydney’s coastline and has joyful pastel colours, such as panna cotta, aqua and lilac, that will give you that holiday feeling as soon as you start packing. Why not venture out from your usual black hardshell case?
Paravel luggage has a distinctive, elegant design and this combination of tan and cream is a classic option. It has a 100 per cent polycarbonate shell, four double-spinner wheels, a removable laundry bag and interior pockets. If you’re worried about a cream case, it can be wiped with a clean cloth.
Globe-Trotter was founded in Germany in 1897 and moved to the UK in 1932, and is now considered the ultimate heritage luxury luggage brand for its distinctive trunk-inspired leather designs. The late Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill and James Bond all travelled with Globe-Trotter, which are created by hand in a factory in Hertfordshire with the most impeccable craftsmanship. This carry-on suitcase gives you the glamour of a traditional trunk, but with the comfort and ease of a modern wheelie bag.
Away’s Carry-On suitcase is a classic, failsafe choice. This is designed to fit into overhead lockers and the website also has a helpful guide where it shows the airlines that the Carry-On and the Bigger Carry-On are compatible with and explains that they have been tested at many international airports, including JFK, Heathrow, Gatwick and Newark. Features include a lightweight hard shell and interior compression system, as well as easy-grip handles.
Inspired by vintage traditional luggage, Gucci’s small cabin trolley has a neat boxy shape, with the house’s signature heritage logo and red and green stripe down the centre of the bag. Built to a smaller size, it is perfectly proportioned to fit snugly in an overhead compartment.
If a carry on could get you upgraded, we’d put our money on this Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano ribbed-aluminium hard shell case. It has two internal compartments, a TSA-approved lock and an adjustable top handle.
Featuring a removable smart charger for your tech devices, the Horizon Studios H5 Cabin Suitcase is the perfect companion for business travel. It’s also made with a durable aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell and a secure TSA lock, and set on spinner wheels for utmost ease.
Equipped with both an external and interior laptop compartment, Rimowa’s Essential Sleeve Compact Suitcase can be transformed from a four-wheeled briefcase into a compact carry-on suitcase, making it the ideal companion for modern travellers.
Antler is another trusted brand when it comes to suitcases and the Clifton is one of its most popular models. It is designed to withstand heavy use, making it perfect for seasoned travellers – for example, the case is colour-fast, which means scratches will match the colour of the outer shell. The polycarbonate shell is strong, while the four 360-degree double spinner wheels will help you glide through the terminal (even in a hurry). Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
