Our Travel Editors Vetted the Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024 to Make Air Travel a Breeze
The best carry-on luggage is like the utility infielder of travel. We ask a lot of these pieces, whether we're booking one of the best vacations in the U.S., a weekend staycation in the country's best hotels, or crossing off a bucket-list getaway to the best golf courses in the U.S. or best ski resorts in the U.S. Unlike the best luggage that's checked into the plane's cargo hold area, carry-on suitcases have to be spacious enough to store essentials for three to five days and keep travel accessories organized, all while being compact enough to squeeze into a 737’s overhead bin. The reward is less stress, more convenience, and time and money saved.
U.S. airlines lose about 684,000 bags in a given quarter, according to recent reports, so the best carry-on luggage for international travel and domestic travel means deplaning without waiting (and hoping) by the luggage carousel.
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Leading off the 2024 Men's Journal Travel Awards lineup of the best carry-on luggage is Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X. It straddles the line between stylish splurge and tough workhorse with ease.
All carry-ons on this list will make any trip smoother. From international-friendly 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on luggage to carry-on backpacks perfect for bachelor parties.
Best Carry-On Luggage Overall: Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X
Be forewarned, strangers will approach you at the airport to inquire about the make and model of this handsome-yet-rugged roller bag. Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X boasts a German-engineered polycarbonate shell that's robust yet lightweight, an aluminum lock frame, leather detailing, and a recycled polyester lining. Along with TSA-approved locks; 360-degree Hinomoto silent spinner wheels; and two sets of compression straps; the bag features a hard-shelled, zip-front laptop pocket that's crucial for work trips. We’re also big fans of the carry-on’s roomy, 43-liter packing volume and sturdy telescopic handle trolley system for maneuvering around town and beyond. Choose among the brand's Black or Grey colorways with Cognac, Chocolate, or Black detailing.
Dimensions: 21.7" x 15" x 9.6"
Best Travel Backpack: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L
Men's Journal deputy editor Brittany Smith did a four-day, 155-mile mountain bike tour through Africa and stashed all the gear in The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L. Thankfully it was hauled ahead in Jeeps and brought to camp, rather than bikepacked, but the duffel performed in spades in the wilderness. First let's talk size. It's available in 32L, 42L, and 62L depending on your storage needs; the smaller options are perfect for carry-ons. Because the bag is soft and malleable, it's also suitable for small aircrafts, like Cessnas. The duffel has an internal and external zip pocket for small essentials, like a passport and cords; an adjustable, removable divider to separate and organize clothing and gear; daisy-chain webbing to tether a helmet, carabiners, or other outdoor gear to the pack; a 15-inch laptop compartment; and a separate shoe compartment. "Getting the loaded duffel onto your back takes a fair amount of strength, but the padded shoulder straps keep the load balanced and mitigate digging," Smith says. "It's streamlined, rugged, and the fully recycled material is Africa-approved—the ultimate test of durability."
Dimensions: 19.69" x 7.87" x 5.51"
Best Carry-On Luggage for International Travel: Rollink Flex 360° International Carry-On Spinner Suitcase
It’s all fun and games in Paris, Barcelona, or Berlin until the gate agent tells you your bag is too big. Dimensions for international carry-ons are slightly smaller than in the U.S. Measuring 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches, this international-friendly carry-on suitcase is super-lightweight—only six pounds—but also roomy, with 40 liters of packing capacity. Equipped with a durable polycarbonate hard shell and a collapsible design, Rollink Flex 360° won't take up much room when not in use. Choose from a slew of attractive colors (our favorite is Deep Lagoon) and look forward to smooth sailing on your next journey overseas.
Dimensions: 21.6" x 15.7" x 9"
Best Expandable Carry-On: Delsey Paris Helium Aero Carry-On Plus Expandable Spinner
All too often we head somewhere with a crammed suitcase, only to pick up souvenirs for the journey home that don't have any breathing room. The solution? An expandable suitcase like Delsey Paris Helium Aero Carry-On Plus Expandable Spinner that delivers up to two inches of additional storage. Crafted from 100 percent polycarbonate, this sturdy spinner has all the bells and whistles you need, including a TSA-accepted lock, double spinner wheels for easy maneuvering, a web strap, a zippered divider for organization, and attractive finishes: Red, Steel Grey, Brushed Metal, and Nardo Grey.
Dimensions: 21" x 14.5" x 10"
Best Compact Carry-On: Nomatic Carry-On Classic
Nomatic’s Carry-On more than earns its “classic” moniker, possessing everything frequent fliers need in carry-on luggage. It's fashioned with a virtually indestructible polycarbonate exterior, whisper-quiet Hinomoto wheels, a three-stage aluminum handle for comfort, and TSA-locking YKK zippers to keep the bag’s contents secure. Designed to maximize packing capacity, the 30-liter carry-on is sized at precisely TSA-approved carry-on dimensions and includes magnetic compression straps to help you fit as much as you can. Choose from Black, Deep Olive, or Almond. If you’re in the market for a laptop bag, tack on Nomatic’s Messenger Bag ($260), complete with a magnetic shoulder strap, two water bottle pockets, and tech organization compartments.
Dimensions: 22" x" 14" x 9"
Best Garment Duffel Bag: Halfday Travel The Garment Duffel
There’s a lot to love about Halfday Travel The Garment Duffel. First, it saves you from crunching your suit into a traditional carry-on, courtesy of an innovative roll-up design where you can hang jackets up to size 50R on a hanger and strap them into place to prevent wrinkles. Inside, you can stow three-plus days of clothes, a Dopp kit, and dress shoes tucked neatly into two pockets. In other words, here's your perfect solution to that next business meeting or groomsman obligation. Choose from a multitude of attractive hues, like Marine, Shadow, Hunter, and Terracotta.
Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 12"
More Carry-On Luggage We Love
Common Types of Carry-On Luggage to Consider
Below are the most common types of carry-ons you'll find and their best-use case scenarios.
Travel Backpack
As all road warriors know, it’s key to have a bag that gets you from point A to B as swiftly and comfortably as possible, with a built-to-last exterior that doesn’t look like a hand-me-down after a few uses. Bonus points for comfy straps and handles, a solid warranty, and compression straps and dividers to keep you organized. From hikers to those who want to navigate airports hands-free, soft-sided backpacks can match the same volume of traditional wheeled carry-on bags, but in a form that’s easier to haul—especially for long weekend trips where a hard-sided bag is overkill.
Wheeled Luggage
With four spinner wheels, these hard-sided bags cruise through airports. The shells are virtually indestructible these days, making any of these bags, likely, the last one you’ll buy for a while.
Hybrid Duffel
Roller bags might have the edge for gliding over smooth airport floors, but soft-sided bags earn big points for adaptable carry. These bags let you haul gear in whatever way works best for your trip—especially if you're flying somewhere that requires a small puddle jumper that doesn't allow hard luggage, like parts of Africa.
What to Look for in the Best Carry-On Luggage
The kind of luggage you buy depends on your specific needs, the duration of the trip, and budget. That said, there are some good guidelines to follow regardless of what kind of luggage you’re purchasing.
Whether flying for business or pleasure, it's wise to have a soft or hardshell spinner bag with a backpack or duffel bag as your personal item to keep tech within easy reach. While there are some slight discrepancies in size—an inch taller here or wider there—most domestic carriers consider a carry-on bag to be no larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high (international flights usually have smaller bag size regulations), and often without a weight limit beyond being able to hoist it overhead. We made sure the dimensions of these bags were compatible with TSA carry-on sizes, but you should double-check the dimensions of your airline carrier before travel to ensure the suitcase fits the bill for your individual travel needs.
Durability
When you invest in luggage, you want it to last. Whether you’re buying a backpack or a large piece of checked luggage, prioritizing durable materials is crucial. We like materials including ballistic nylon, ABS plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and canvas. Water-resistance or water-repellent material is of interest to many, so seek out brands employing these materials if it’s important to you. Durability also matters when it comes to any handles, pockets, and zippers, so look for high-quality options in these categories, too.
Wheels
If you’re going to be sprinting through DEN from, say, gate B90 to B8, you’ll want to make sure your roller luggage is equipped with sturdy wheels built for such a commute. Three-hundred-sixty-degree spinner wheels for making quick turns are a safe bet. The quieter the wheels, the better. On product descriptions, scan for keywords like “virtually silent” or “quiet” wheels. Even if you’re not racing across terminals to make a connection, having smooth-running wheels is a boon for getting around with ease. Similarly, telescopic handles attached to roller luggage should be easy to extend and collapse, with a durable grippy material.
Security Specs
A TSA-approved lock helps keep your belongings safe. It also means that if airport security needs to check the contents of your bag, they can use a master key that only the government agency has access to for opening your luggage without the risk of damaging it. In addition to a TSA lock, look for bags with tamper-proof zippers.
Other Considerations
Expandability can be a huge benefit when heading home with more than you originally packed. Some luggage allows for additional space by unzipping an expandable panel.
Conversely, fitting luggage into tight living quarters when not in use is eased with collapsible bags for easy storage.
If you’re traveling by air, check the dimensions for personal, carry-on, and checked luggage listed on your air carrier’s website ahead of time.
While function is key, don't overlook the stylishness of your luggage—which is why we made sure all of our best carry-on picks got a fashion editor’s nod.
How We Chose the Best Carry-On Luggage 2024
To evaluate the pieces on this list, we called in and tested as many carry-on bags as possible. On recent trips, we considered factors like bulkiness, maneuverability, durability, packing space, interior layout, and ease of opening. We also coordinated with brand representatives to learn more about the specs of each carry-on suitcase and pored over dozens of customer reviews to see what real-world users had to say about their experiences.
Why You Should Trust Me
Perri Ormont Blumberg is a New York City-based travel writer who's written hundreds of product reviews and roundups over the past decade. Dozens of these have focused on luggage and travel accessories. In addition to first-hand testing and reading a dizzying stream of customer reviews, she also regularly liaises with public relations professionals in the luggage space to learn about brands’ latest and greatest offerings.
