I am never bored. Getting ready for my TravelCon speaking gig with the Away Carry-On, And guess what? Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication. That means you can often squeeze a few more things into the case, that dents pop out more easily, and that you can trust that your bag isnt going to crack in baggage handling. The wheels are smooth and sturdy, and the handle is adjustable, with a comfy, ergonomic grip. !, Ive had a Reaction one that saw a ton of use and held up well., Very spacious, can easily pack for a 5-day trip, rolls great, both handles work great, beautiful color (I get compliments all the time) and overall, just a really great value for what you pay.. (I was shocked that it didnt move with some small but rocky waves when I traveled on one! The Omni comes in a variety of colors, including some fun, bright options. Hello, I am a frequent traveler for my work, in the last 5 years I became very good at the art of packing light, I have been using carry on only, in all of my trips. The one in the top photo really caught my eye! This, like the American Tourister case, features a less durable ABS shell that dented quickly and retained lasting marks after our tests. The bargain winner is a hard-shell carry-on spinner bag by Made By Design (Targets house brand). Can you comment on the strongest handles..I am on my 5th piece of luggage and they all seem so wobbly or loose Looking for a good handle! Hi Monica, thank you for reaching out! If youre unsure what carryon luggage brands are best, readers (the experts) share the top brands to buy! This 21 carryon will add a chic touch to your travel look, and its thoughtful design makes it a breeze to carry. If youre on the lookout for a hardside option, here is the best hard case luggage as voted by readers! Its lightweight, with a super-strong exterior, and has reinforced corners that absorb shock for added durability. The interior divider zips fully so nothing will fall out when you open it, and the outer zipper locks keep your belongings safe. This gem only weighs just over 6.5 lbs, so its quite light, and readers applaud its durability and stability, even over years of wear and tear! I especially was impressed with the unique brake system so your suitcase doesnt go rolling off, even on a boat! Hardside suitcases are usually made with polycarbonate, a flexible element made to withstand impact when heaved onto hard places. If youre in the market for a hardside, review these top reader recommendations for the best hard suitcase for carryon travel! Made it to Zimbabwe and back and Israel and Jordan and back in one piece. Thank you. Putting this one on the wish list. The aluminum telescoping handle is incredibly sturdy and, along with the spinner wheels, allows you to easily zip this compact guy through crowded airports and tight spaces. are really popular and look so stylish all together! Thats not to say that some bags arent significantly better bets than others. to help you organize and even compress your belongings to maximize your space. Finally, a note on polycarbonate vs. ABS outer shells. This is a very lightweight bag made from excellent materials and which fits a lot. TFG readers love Samsonite suitcases, and the. An overweight bag can put a damper on your trip if you have to pay overweight fees. But with the Away, that zippered side has a mesh covering, meaning you can actually see what youve packed without having to dig around in your bag. Discover the best luggage brands for travel and why they love them! will make you feel like royalty as you glide down the airport with ease. Not a single scratch or dent, no signs of wear, and it was easy to travel withrolled smoothly and easily and has a sturdy handle.. I thought it was mostly how stuffed the bag is (I have gotten the looks from agent at gates saying the my suitcase is too fat before and I have to compress it), should I return the bag? The simple interior features two handy pockets, and the wheels and handle are of amazing quality that will last over many, many trips! Thank you, we appreciate your support! That bag is a beast. Its gone to 8 countries and probably around 30 flights, and has made it!. Too bad Zappos doesnt ship to Canada. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy. The first couple of trips left some marks on the outside that I was able to buff out with car wax, but nothing more. These are the measurements 20.5 x14.2510.25 (+2) This gem only weighs just over 6.5 lbs, so its quite light, and readers applaud its durability and stability, even over years of wear and tear! Our stringent measurements showed that only four bags were actually within that limit after accounting for protrusions such as feet, handles, locks, wheels, and zippers, Regan notes. Weve already tested the best checked luggage for your travel plans. Its gone to 8 countries and probably around 30 flights, and has made it!, This suitcase has gone through a couple of trips and vacations and has taken everything that TSA, luggage handlers, hotel personnel, and whatever else the world of travel can throw at it in stride. I love the new one but, I am worried that I might have a problem with international travel because of the height. Plus, youll definitely look super stylish strolling through the airport with this beauty! An $800 Tumi bagand other pricey hard-shell luggage models from Briggs & Riley, Delsey, and Hartmannranked in the middle of the pack or below. Required fields are marked *. For more tips on how to choose the best luggage, please read: LIKED THIS POST? Itll fit in the overhead bins of most major airlines, and you can fit SO much inside, especially with the mesh zippered compartment on one side, and the compression system on the other. (I was shocked that it didnt move with some small but rocky waves when I traveled on one! Alas, the cases sloped top was a dealbreaker, as it prevented us from stacking a tote or pet carrier on top of the case while rolling it. I prefer expandable bags, I have the option to pack gifts and check my bag if I have to, on the way back. Every bag earns an Overall Score of Very Good. Expandable cases are obviously going to offer you more room, but that comes at the cost of potentially tipping the scale for whats allowed in your carry-on bag (not to mention the fact that the expandable portion of the case is less durable than the rest of the shell). Not a single scratch or dent, no signs of wear, and it was easy to travel withrolled smoothly and easily and has a sturdy handle., I got my TravelPro on Amazon. New materials mean todays hardside luggage is also often incredibly lightweight and flexible enough to pack to the brim. The telescopic handle was also one of the wobbliest we tested. This 21 carryon will add a chic touch to your travel look, and its thoughtful design makes it a breeze to carry. This 4-wheel spinner is highly functional with 360 wheels, locking zippers, and even a built-in tracking device! We ultimately considered each bag with all of the above in mind, taking care to determine what factors would really matter to the most travelers. Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Newsletter, 2012 2021 TRAVEL FASHION GIRL LLC. This carryon will keep your belongings safe with a TSA lock and a sturdy shell that can withstand the roughest of handling! A reader shares, I have been using this one for the last 6 months. For more fun luggage options, check out these non-boring carry-on suitcase designs! Some of the best hardside carry on luggage has not only extra room potential without sacrificing size or weight, but also sound safety features. I especially was impressed with the unique brake system so your suitcase doesnt go rolling off, even on a boat! Ultimately, what you choose is solely up to you! Even the wheels and telescopic handle match the rest of the case. I first used Samsonite carry on fabric material, for 1 year, I had issues with the weight of the bag, and me overpacking. Its lightweight at only 6 lbs and can easily fit in most overhead compartments, so its a great option for either domestic or international travel. The Tumi hard-shell carry-on, $800, excels in construction quality and in our impact tests, but earns only a Good score for usability; among other things, its zipper is hard to pull around corners and its locks are very hard to engage. At $212.49 USD, the price isnt totally out of reach. A super durable bag that suffered from the same misstep as the Genius Pack Supercharged: Theres just too much going on inside. A great find!, I have been using this one for the last 6 months. Discovery Company. Learn more in my. One traveler shares, This suitcase has gone through a couple of trips and vacations and has taken everything that TSA, luggage handlers, hotel personnel, and whatever else the world of travel can throw at it in stride. Use packing cubes to help you organize and even compress your belongings to maximize your space. This bag excelled in our durability tests, and features both a fantastic warranty and beautiful craftsmanship. I took it with me to speak at TravelCon and feel free to head to the TFG Facebook Group to watch my first impressions! To use the cases full capacity, you have to basically zip it shut, and then pile things awkwardly on top of that zippered compartment (which also oddly wasnt flush with the outer edge of the bag). Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Appliances? AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner ($74.99;amazon.com). Some of the hard-shell carry-on luggage models in our test have the ability to expand in the middle, using designs involving zippers and rip-stop fabric; we checked how much roomier those bags became when expanded. Aways offering stood up very well to our abuse, handling being kicked, jumped on and dropped down stairs with only minor scuffing and zero lasting dents. is an ultra-lightweight at 7.7 lbs and is absolutely beautiful and built with all the bells and whistles! While at a higher price tag, TFG readers adore the Tumi hardside luggage, and the 19 Degrees 22 is ideal for domestic carryon travel. We left the bags, zipped, in a sprinkler-induced downpour to see what would seep through their zipper fabric. This has been well worth the price.. The Out of Bounds 20 carry on hard sided luggage by Kenneth Cole Reaction is quite compact at 6.25 lbs, but is still quite spacious when opened up! Hardside vs. Softside Luggage: Pros and Cons. The 20 size fits in the overhead compartment of most major airlines, the 360 degree wheel spinners are easy to maneuver, and its scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell will most definitely hold up against all the rigors of a trip. To add even more confusion, carry-on sizes for luggage in countries vary as well. Putting it in the overhead bin is a breeze when traveling compared to other carryon suitcases I own. The expandable part of the bag is also made of fabric, which is inherently less durable than the hard shell itself. For instance, a lot of bags also feature clamshell designs with one fully zipped side and one with some sort of strap to hold clothing down. Getting ready for my TravelCon speaking gig with the, And guess what? is tiny but mighty at 6.38 lbs! All the bags in our tests were called carry-on or specified in their names that they were less than 22 inches tall. Users report that its. One reader shares their review, Ive had a Reaction one that saw a ton of use and held up well.. Feeling confident and ready for anything with my Delsey Paris Chatelet 21 Hardside Suitcase, Ive also owned the Delsey Chatelet and find their carryon luggage stunning. Plus, its expandable by 1.5 if you need that bit of extra room. Theres no side carry handle, and the single barred telescopic handle, while space-saving, put a major strain on our hand when dragging the case behind us. too if you mostly travel domestically and want a little extra space! Durability is important, but she also wants design; preferably, with a skull design. When youre not strolling along smoothly with the 360 degree spinner wheels, this bag features a top and side handle for easy carrying. So if you want to be completely sure your bag will pass muster regardless of the carrier you fly, youll have to stick with one tested carry-on bag, from Briggs & Riley. The wheels are smooth and sturdy, and the handle is adjustable, with a comfy, ergonomic grip. And as a group, the dozen carry-on bags performed capably in our tests. Samsonites Omni 20 luggage hard shell style makes for effortless travel at only 6.8 lbs! This roundup is helpful when deciding what is the best size and type of luggage to travel around European cities that involve restrictive budget airlines, train travel, and navigating endless stairs, and the infamous cobblestone streets! Plus, its expandable by 1.5 if you need that bit of extra room. TheAway Carry-Onhas everything you want in a suitcase: durability, thoughtful organization, smart features and chic design, all at a fair price. The bag also never felt like it was going to tip over, even when fully loaded. After weeks of testing, weve settled on four cases that will serve nearly any travelers needs. (Weve also evaluated soft-sided weekender bags and travel backpacks in our Outside the Labs reviews program.). Remember to always check the baggage requirements for your specific airline when traveling carry-on only. For those interested in lighter, expandable luggage pieces, weve taken a separate look at soft-shell carry-on bags. Some models expand in the middle like soft-sided luggage, offering added flexibility when you need more space. I also just picked up the, recently just because so many readers say its a reliable, durable suitcase. One TFG reader says, I got my TravelPro on Amazon. Hi there. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They also make very popular luggage sets that our readers love, too. Its a basic case, and it sure feels like one. It can expand up to 2 for extra packing space (or to even add the odd souvenir or two), and theres any easy one-button locking system. Its lightweight and the spinner wheels make for a smooth ride. We also only tested four-wheel spinner cases, as these are generally easier to maneuver than two-wheel cases (and any difference in packing space is negligible). Users rave about the quality and security due to the TSA side mounted locks! If price isnt an issue and you dont care about smart features, or youve simply fallen in love with the look of the bag and Paravels mission, its still a good pick. Its a CR Best Buy, and among four carry-on bags that Consumer Reports recommends. For longer adventures or if youre traveling with a group and need to check in bags, their. Thanks for your help =). The color of this American Tourister hard sided carry on luggage is absolutely lovely! Hi, thanks for the fabulous finds! We loaded almost 225 pounds on top and to the side to gauge each bags resilience at the bottom of a cargo pile. It can expand up to 2 for extra packing space (or to even add the odd souvenir or two), and theres any easy one-button locking system. There are hundreds of carry-ons on the market these days, from established luggage brands and from newcomers hoping to disrupt an expensive industry with affordable, high-quality gear. Hi, I am trying to find luggage for my daughter. This carryon will keep your belongings safe with a TSA lock and a sturdy shell that can withstand the roughest of handling! Its just to remind you to think about how youll actually be using a piece of luggage before getting too bogged down in very minor differences that probably arent going to affect your travel experience. We also loved that the Aviator is made from recycled materials and looks like an old-timey trunk. One reader doesnt hesitate in their love for this suitcase, I love my Rockland! If youre curious as to whether polycarbonate is really worth the major jump in price, the answer is usually yes. The handle and spinner wheels are both super secure and smooth, and the TSA approved zipper locks add protection. Not a single scratch or dent, no signs of wear, and it was easy to travel withrolled smoothly and easily and has a sturdy handle.. To gauge durability, for instance, we filled each bag with fabric until its total weight was almost 18 pounds, and then wheeled it along an obstacle-studded conveyor belt for the equivalent of 30-plus miles. An extra liter of space or a few ounces of weight here and there arent going to make a meaningful difference for the average traveler. by Kenneth Cole Reaction is quite compact at 6.25 lbs, but is still quite spacious when opened up! It expands up to 2 more inches if you end up bringing some goodies back home with you! Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin ($560;rimowa.com). And if youre positive you dont want a smart suitcase, just purchase the Away without the battery pack to save a little weight. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. Have a great day! And those differences can be meaningful when youre on the road. Feeling confident and ready for anything with my, Delsey Paris Chatelet 21 Hardside Suitcase, carryon luggage stunning. The Maxlite 5 comes in a variety of pretty colors, too! And check out the Bigger Carry-On too if you mostly travel domestically and want a little extra space! 6.71 lbs yet the exterior is tough enough to handle impact and stay looking fab! One reader says that this suitcase worked really well with her. One side consists of a deep pocket covered by a full-zip divider, good for hard or bulky items; the other side is topped by a removable, buckle-down compression board that helps you wring every bit of space out of the 39.8 liter bag. It has smart packing compartments, an expandable zipper, and an integrated TSA lock so your belongings stay secure. Omni lacks a horizontal side handle, which really comes in handy when lugging a case up and down stairs and when removing it from an overheadbin.Thewheels are also single, rather than double, spinners, which are slightly less sturdy and more prone to getting caught in cracks in the sidewalk. It seems to be indestructible, carries a ridiculous amount, and the compression zipper setup is fantastic. Inside is lined with a very crinkly polyester, and the expandable side is also the side with a full zipper divider an odd design choice that made packing less efficient. This is a super lightweight hardside luggage option at only 6.71 lbs yet the exterior is tough enough to handle impact and stay looking fab! When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. I liked the look of #7 but the price tag of $945.00 CAD is way beyond my budget thats the price of a plane ticket. This 4-wheel spinner is highly functional with 360 wheels, locking zippers, and even a built-in tracking device! The internal compression-expansion system is pretty cool too. If youre in the market for a hardside, review these top reader recommendations for the. If youre on the fence between the two, readers offer insight into the pros and cons. All Rights Reserved. Readers have recommended this, saying its a great, dependable carryon. We werent fixated only on the bags strength. If youre looking for cheap hardside luggage, the Travelers Club 20 does the job for a great price and its lightweight at 5.6 lbs! Unfortunately it now comes as a spinner, and the wheels add unnecessary size (tougher to load in the overhead of small planes). Three hard-shell spinnersfrom Amazon Basics, Away, and Monoscome very close. The wheel area on a Delsey, $480, cracked in our drop tests, earning that spinner only a Fair score for impact resistance. It seems to be indestructible, carries a ridiculous amount, and the compression zipper setup is fantastic. If you think youll be returning from a trip with a ton of souvenirs, its worth considering grabbing an expandable case like theCalpak Ambeur, or upgrading toAways Bigger Carry-On(bearing in mind the risk that this might meet all international carry-on requirements). Our testing shows that performance does not correlate with price, Regan says. What Does a Luggage Warranty Really Cover. This 20 Coollife hard sided suitcase is tiny but mighty at 6.38 lbs! has not only extra room potential without sacrificing size or weight, but also sound safety features. Its easy enough to invest in your own packing cubes and then just take them out of your luggage as you see fit, which you cant do here. Some cool features also have downsides. Some include the wheels, others dont. comes highly rated and recommended by our readers. 2022 Cable News Network. It looks really classy in black or brown, fits intl carry-on regs, and has top and side handles. You want it to not only serve in its intended use but also survive if it has to be checkedor you have to sit on it during a long layover., Photo: Consumer Reports The case features the best internal design of the bunch a simple yet effective system that will keep your stuff organized without overcomplicating things or clogging up valuable packing space. We will always advocate for simple internal organization so youre never limited in exactly how you want to pack your bag. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 carry on luggage hard shell comes highly rated and recommended by our readers. may be a safer bet, especially for European travel! The Maxlite 5 comes in a variety of pretty colors, too! Typically made of high-tech plastic, hard-shell bags are a good option for protecting your valuables. Best Carry-on Suitcases for Traveling Europe. Content is created by CNN Underscoreds team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. The. One reader who has this suitcase says, We have the Delsey Helium Aero and love it. The most Instagrammable hard-shell carry-on luggage, Best affordable hard-shell carry-on luggage, Samsonite Omni PC Hardside 20-Inch Spinner, Briggs and Riley International Expandable Spinner, American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Spinner, Other top hard-shell carry-ons we recommend, separate look at soft-shell carry-on bags. Have a look at this article for our roundup of the best luggage brands according to travel experts: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/suitcase-recommendations-20-travel-experts-reveal-top-luggage-brands/ I would also highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question about study luggage there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their recommendations for products. Its lightweight and the spinner wheels make for a smooth ride. Gorgeous bag with a sleek, monochromatic exterior, a squishy cushioned grip that made for an ultra comfortable carry and exceedingly lightweight. Delsey Paris Helium Aero 21 Hardshell Luggage, Delsey Paris Chatelet 21 Hardshell Carry On Luggage With Brake, Delsey Paris Cruise Lite 21 Hard Case Suitcase, Samsonsite Winfield 20 Hard Sided Luggage, Samsonsite Omni 20 Hardside Spinner Luggage, Travelpro Maxlite 5 21 Hard Case Suitcase Spinner, American Tourister Moonlight 21 Hard Suitcase With Wheels, Coollife Melbourne 20 Hard Suitcase Carry On, Rockland Melbourne 20 Expandable Hard Case Carry On Luggage, Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 20 Hard Side Carry On Luggage, Travelers Club Chicago 20 Hard Case Rolling Luggage, Tumi 19 Degrees Expandable 22 Lightweight Hard Shell Luggage, Best Hard Carry On Luggage Comparison Chart, https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/suitcase-recommendations-20-travel-experts-reveal-top-luggage-brands/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/, We have the Delsey Helium Aero and love it. It has such a sleek look, and its incredible design and functionality allow you to stroll through the airport with style and ease. Though very affordable, this was our least least favorite case. Users seriously appreciate how much they can fit in this suitcase! It weighs a fairly light 8.4 lbs! One bag never fits on all airlines. The outer coating quickly crinkled up, and marks remained quite visible after any dents were popped back into place. Away was the only case we tested that actually comes with a battery pack (a 10,000 mAh travel-friendly charger, to be precise). We checked how stable each bag was when rolled or pulled up steps and over sidewalks, curbs, cobblestones, and dirt roads. does the job for a great price and its lightweight at 5.6 lbs! The compression board also features a larger zip pocket thats the perfect size for sliding your laptop into it; since the board is meant to sit atop your clothing, this automatically offers extra padding for your delicate electronics. The highest-rated bag in CRs ratings is a Samsonite, at $170. While the size of a carryon is vital so is the weight! Affordable and sturdy with a fully polycarbonate shell and lots of internal space. CR members can read on for our detailed ratings and reviews of the best hard-shell carry-on spinners. For longer adventures or if youre traveling with a group and need to check in bags, their luggage sets, be it 2-piece or 3-piece are really popular and look so stylish all together! At 7.83 pounds, its ideal for domestic travel and has ample space for your clothes! Can surpass size and weight restrictions on some airlines when using the expandable part of the bag. I like that each side is packed independently.. One reader shares how they used this popular suitcase, I had that stuffed in May when traveling to Europe and had no issues at all. PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT! polycarbonate hard shell rarely shows any signs of use, even after lots of rigorous travel. I bought on line Delsey helium titanium 21 carry on, when the bag arrived I noticed its about 2 taller and 1.5 wider than my old calpack. Travelers Club also offers this as a part of a, ! A Warner Bros. Its worth every penny.. Part of the draw of this case is its looks, but you cant expect it to stay pristine for long. Safe Summer Activities for Kids During the Pandemic, What You Need to Know About Bug Spray for Kids, Best Cooling Mattress Toppers From Consumer Reports' Tests. Remember to always check the baggage requirements for your specific airline when traveling carryon only. There are other stylish colors to choose from, too! Its not only more durable, but its also lighter and more flexible than ABS. At 8.1 pounds, theAwaycertainly wasnt the lightest bag in our testing, but we think the extra (literal) baggage is a fair trade-off given everything else you get. Comment below! Readers agree that the best tool for organizing and compressing clothes is by using packing cubes! Some travelers prefer a hard shell suitcase because theyre durable when being handled at airports and hauled up and down stairs or over different terrain, and are also known for protecting belongings well like electronics. I like that each side is packed independently., Very durable and the design was intelligent and user-friendly. She carries a lot!!! I cover the money side of home-related purchases and improvements: avoiding scams, making sense of warranties and insurance, finding the best financing, and getting the most value for your dollar. The secret to traveling light is to create a functional but minimalist capsule wardrobe.