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Nov 09, 2024

23 Suitcases, Duffels, Backpacks, And Other Bags That Reviewers Used To Carry On Only

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

After all, who wants to kick off their European trip dragging an enormous roller bag on cobblestone streets and up quaint sets of stairs. No one.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "I recently took a cross-country flight with my three kids. I really didn't want to worry about checked bags getting lost, so maximizing our carry-ons was a priority. This backpack fits an unfathomable amount of stuff! Lots of zippers and compartments for everything from shoes to laptops/iPads, easy access compartments for cell phones and boarding passes, I fit tons of neatly folded clothes. The best part was that fully loaded it easily slid under the seat." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and 40 styles).

And! It comes with three packing cubes.

Promising review: "I have been looking for a bag like this for two years. I wanted to have the ability to pack as much as I could for my often weekend conferences or week-long trips with carry-on only. I wanted the handle to be high enough to slip on a backpack and also be able to pack the backpack full of clothes or use it for day trips. I was not expecting it to be stable when full, thinking since it had only back wheels, it would just fall over. It stays up when packed full. I love the charging area holder inside the small backpack. The laptop area holds my MacBook Pro, my notebook, and my book. I the front pocket. I use it for my cords, and the inside mesh pocket is great for valuables. The main compartment backpack can be packed really fully And you can tighten to reduce strain on the zippers with the clip buckles. FINALLY. My favorite is the length of the handle, I’m 5'10" and the handle goes all up to my belt buckle when I stand next to it. Very easy to grab and maneuver. All in all, I love this bad and will tell everyone about it." —Zack Sperow

Get it from Amazon for $146.99 (also available in gray).

It's water-resistant and has an adjustable long strap.

Promising review: "This bag is AMAZING! If you are trying to maximize your carry-on game by not checking luggage, I believe this is the largest 'personal item' available. This has a zippered pocket for wet items making it the perfect pool bag. I was impressed with the interior pockets, the ability to slide this bag onto my carry-on roller luggage with ease etc. This was PERFECT for traveling with a young child. I packed for me and our 3-year-old in my carry-on AND this item, and I was able to avoid checking anything. Love the color! Quality is excellent. Buy the bag!" —Courtney

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in a variety of colors).

It comes in two sizes: one sized for a personal item, and one for a carry-on.

Promising review: "BUY NOW! BEST TRAVEL BAG! BEIS [swap]! This bag is great! Literally don’t hesitate on buying it!! I have traveled on Frontier, Spirit, Jet Blue, all no problem fit inside the bag measuring size perfectly! BEST PART I traveled a lot this summer, to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Jamaica, all for 5–6 days, all my stuff fit in perfectly!! I had three JEANS, two SHORTS, seven TOP, five bathing suits, two sandals, one pair of flip-flops and three makeup bags, plus a charger on the side pockets! If you want to travel on a budget this bag is your best friend. Plus the bag is super sturdy and great material with strong zippers." —Franyeska Pravia

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and 44 colors).

Somago is a small biz specializing in luggage.

Promising review: "Bought this after committing to traveling only with a carry-on. I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a carry-on, but I also didn’t want to go too low and the product faulty. I found this to be a happy medium. It survived the streets of Greece, hills, rough and uneven terrain, ferries, stairs, and plane rides. The wheels offer a smooth ride. I stuffed it to the max with 24 lbs worth of clothing (for reference). I did use packing cubes on one side, though. Zipper handled it well, and the case held its shape. Overall, a great buy and highly recommend." —SR

Get them from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "Bought this with the 35L Open Story Backpack, and they couldn’t have been a better pair for a better value! Used them both as carry-on and personal item for a week vacation on an island!" —Anonymous

Get it from Target for $89.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: “Took this as my sole bag for two weeks in Europe and it held out amazing. Fits neatly under the seat in front of me in my flight and holds a ridiculous amount of stuff. Very sturdy zippers and seams. A little uncomfortably on the shoulders when loaded heavy but manageable.” —Lg

Get it from Target for $49.99 (available in four colors).

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

Promising review: "Great piece of luggage. I've been trying to 'one bag' with only a backpack that fits under the seat as a personal item on US domestic flights, but on occasion, I'll need to 'two bag' (still not checking any bags) with one personal item and one overhead. This Samsonite under seat carry-on can actually fit under the seat as well, but if I need a carry-on, I like having an easy time storing in / retrieving from the overhead bin next to those obnoxious or first-time-flyer idiots who bring a massively oversized carry-on (and how did they get past the flight attendants and the gate check'?) trying to cram their bag into the bin. It also fits into the older planes with tiny overhead compartments like the CRJ900. Definitely recommend." —Anonymous Reader

Get it from Amazon for $100.

I snagged this backpack after hearing my colleague Chelsea Stuart sing its praises. I had a trusty (now discontinued) InCase backpack I used as a personal item and served me well on dozens of trips for about five years. But I wanted a bag that opens up like a suitcase for easier packing. Since buying, I've taken it on countless weekends and international trips. Including, like I said up there ^, to Iceland with just this and a space vac bag full of clothes.

Inside, you'll find a mesh zippered pocket and a plastic pocket perfect for your toiletries. I can fit enough wet toilet toiletries in the second pocket as I'd be allowed to carry on for a plane. In the mesh pocket I put other necessities like cotton swabs, medicine, eyeglasses, etc. The main compartment is deceptively deep so you can easily roll clothes and Lego-fit them in together without using packing cubes. In fact, I fit all of the stuff in the second picture in that section (a romper, PJs, a bikini, sunscreen, five pairs of undies, a pair of jean shorts, nap dress, three pairs of socks, two pairs of sandals, two T-shirts, a slip skirt, sleep mask, curling iron, mini flat iron, makeup bag, and tote bag). AND it has stretchy X-straps to keep it all secure like you'd see in a roller suitcase so when I unzip it, everything stays put. But before I forget, there's a separate cushioned laptop pocket close to the backpack straps that I found works well for books or a Kindle if your travel leaves you laptop-less.

I love that this backpack has DEEP side pockets so your umbrella or water bottle won't fall out. In fact, I stuck a flashlight and an umbrella in one side pocket. (You could always use a flashlight.) Plus! It has a generously sized pocket on the front of the backpack with easy access for sunglasses, snacks, writing pens...all sorts of those little extras you need to access quickly. To top it all off, the backpack straps and top handle are STURDY. I felt totally secure toting it around and slinging it into overhead storage compartments on the trains. I love the look and construction of it with faux leather and sturdy black canvas, and the trolley passthrough to easily fit on my roller suitcase I'm about to drag through a bunch of airports. At nearly $80, this isn't the cheapest backpack option but if you're a frequent traveler, you'll get so much mileage on it and seriously save on some baggage fees, making it well worth the cost. This backpack and I are going places, for sure. And if something ever happens to it — though I highly doubt it because it's SO sturdy — I'll 100% buy another. I'm obsessed!

Get it from Beis Travel for $88 (available in eight colors).

Like I already said, I own this and have been using it for about six months after I broke a wheel on a Samsonite suitcase that, tbh, I totally treated like it was a rental car. I most recently took it on a 10-day trip to Paris, Bologna, and Milan, which entailed me flying three times. I could fit all my stuff (with extra room!) in this and my beloved Beis backpack, using the trolley pass for my backpack over the top handle for this suitcase for super easy airport navigation. The wheels are the smoothest of any suitcase I've ever used, and I'm able to glide around the airport around slow walkers, families taking up way too much room, and people who've apparently never been to an airport before. This suitcase also comes with two opaque bags that are great for dirty laundry, and the zip-closed side has a clear pocket where I like to stash my Apple AirTag so I can quickly check that, yep, it's in my suitcase. The straps on the other side makes it easy to pack in stuff without haveing to expand the zipper to allow for more room. (On my most recent trip I packed TWO midi-length coats in addition to the one I wore on the plane.) Even though I travel about every chance I get (these days I'm on a plane nearly every month), I think I'm going to be able to get a very long stretch use out of this beaut!

Get it from Beis Travel for $188 (available in 10 colors).

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

Promising review: "I bought my bag September 2022 for Hawaii. Airlines loose so much luggage, I wanted to only bring one bag. I bring five pairs of shoes and two outfits a day. Always travel with two large suitcases AND a carry-on. Did not think I could do it. I got eight days of clothing in this bag, airline-approved size toiletries, my medications, my camera, AND my travel CPAP machine in this bag. I only took one pair of shoes, which were the ones I was wearing. Incredible!! Going back to Hawaii this October and am taking my bag again. I can not believe I got everything I needed in this bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!" —J. P. Delano

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I have been using the weekender for a few years now, but with increased work travel I needed something that could hold my laptop too. It has so many neat pockets inside, perfect for water bottles, keys, wallet, sunglasses, as well as sanitizer, and other personal items. I have been able to use it as my personal item on 13 flights in the last two months, which has enabled me to avoid checking a bag. The fabric is high quality, and it stands up by itself. 10/10 in love with the quality, design, and practicality." —Leila H.

Get it from Lo & Sons for $236.60 (also available in black).

My colleague Chelsea Stuart owns and loves this beaut:

If you wanna talk about a ludicrously capacious bag, this right here is the winner!! I bought a basic economy ticket — with no baggage allowance other than a personal item — and managed to fit enough in here for an 8-day trip that included London, Oxford, and Edinburgh. I wore it as a backpack the whole time, but it does have adjustable straps that turn it into a duffel bag. It also has a number of carrying handles, a luggage trolley sleeve, a laptop pocket, an interior compression strap, a clamshell opening (so it opens just like a suitcase!) and, one of the best features — imo — a ripstop polyester shell (it's made from 27 recycled water bottles). I stuffed this sucker with not only my clothes and toiletries but a whole bunch of souvenirs on the way home and there was no ripping of seams or weird noises that made me think my bag might explode at any moment. Oh and the juniper color is just 😍.

Promising review: "I recently used this bag for a trip to Florida and managed to pack so many outfits. It worked as a personal item so I didn’t have to pay for luggage. Not to mention, this bag had so many pockets. Definitely purchase if you’re on the fence." —Alyssa C.

Get it from Calpak for $148.75 (available in seven colors).

My colleague Jessica Hall used this (and the next suitcase) for a 10-day trip where she carried on only. Here's what she has to say:

"I have been searching for the perfect travel backpack for a long time. I had found some I liked, but the zipper broke and it wouldn't fit my water bottle, so I needed to find a replacement. This bag has it all — it fits a 40-oz water bottle, it has straps to tighten the sides and make it not as bulky, it opens all the way for easy access so you don't have to shove your hand all the way down to the bottom, it has a ton of small pockets for everything you could ever want and has a padded laptop sleeve. I was able to cram SO MUCH stuff into this thing, and it saved me the hassle of TSA pulling everything out when they pulled it aside for deeper inspection."

Promising review: "This is a great bag. Exactly what I was looking for. It's lightweight enough yet sturdier than expected. I like the fact that it's rip stop material. The zippers are heavy duty. The adjustable water bottle cage is a great feature. Even has a cinch strap in the event it's a taller bottle. The storage pockets are very usable and multifunctional. The laptop sleeve is well padded without being too thick. I bought the version that comes with three packing cubes so if my bag is opened at customs they don't have to touch all my personal items and things won't fall out. I bought this for all kinds of travel; weekends at the coast, a week in Mexico and possibly even a two week trip to Europe next year. That's the plan. There are straps with buckles on either side so the bag can be compressed if need be or you can tether a jacket or travel blanket to the outside. I'm very pleased with this item." —SLR

Get it from Amazon for $64.35+ (available in five colors and with or without packing cubes).

Promising review: "On my last two-week trip to Europe I took a backpack-type Patagonia Black Hole 40L bag, and got tired of lugging it during airport transfers. So, for the latest trip, again for two weeks in September 2023, I wanted to try this highly rated bag with wheels. My goal is always not to check a bag, so my main concern is that this bag wouldn't hold enough stuff versus the Black Hole to make it for two weeks to make a wheeled bag worth trying. I packed perhaps one less sweater, a pair of pants, and socks, which was about the space compromise for the wheels. The ease of use of this bag in airports, on trains, in subways, and during accommodation transfers made it well worth packing fewer clothes. I'm a four-wheeled bag convert, and will leave the backpack bags to youth hostel college kids." —Gracer

Get it from Amazon for $144.49 (available in 12 colors and other sizes).

Promising review: "I take this to Europe for 2–4 weeks. It fits ALL my clothes. This is the only luggage I need. The bag is sturdy and, most importantly, the handles are extended and sewn in all the way to the bottom to avoid tearing. It is heavy canvas so that it can be washed. It has so many interior and exterior pockets and an extension strap. It also has a wide independent outside pocket strap that can be used to attach this bag to a carry-on handle. It fits perfectly under the aircraft seat. No more overhead compartment placement or hard case under the seat (I used an American Tourister compact under-seat carry-on for years prior to purchasing this one). This bag is soft yet expandable." —Diana

Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in 10 colors/patterns).

July is a Melbourne, Australia–based startup committed to making stylish and sustainable luggage. Their featherlight carry-on includes aluminum bumpers, a telescopic handle, an integrated TSA lock, and a hidden laundry bag.

Promising review: "I have used this twice so far for international travel and love it. I like to carry on everything leaving and check the bag returning. I was able to fit everything. I also appreciate the interior details to keep things organized. I hope the wheels continue to hold up to cobblestone streets." —Jamie D.

Get it from July for $295+ (available in 12 colors and with or without personalization).

Promising review: "This luggage gives me everything I need to travel for weeks with only my carry-on suitcase. I especially like keeping my laptop and travel documents readily available in the front drop-down compartment. And it practically floats across the floor with its super, well-constructed wheels." —Estela VG

Get it from Amazon for $124.99 (available in five colors and in other sizes).

Promising review: "I bought this for a trip from Las Vegas to Chicago to visit my grandparents. I never check bags in and typically just pack everything in a backpack, but nope, not this time. After doing some research and finding out that some airlines charge for backpacks if they decide they are too big, I got TSA to find the dimensions of the under-seat and overhead compartments so I would not have to pay any fees while traveling. We'll this litte green luggage fit all those. I was to pack more than what I typically do in my backpack, including my work computer and charger. This rolls very well and doesn't weigh much when packed. It did get thrown around in the back of my truck when on the way to the airport, and I haven't noticed any damage from the three-hour drive to Las Vegas. I did like how on the zipper there is a built-in lock but I didn't use it. I'll try it on my return flight. So far, this thing has been awesome." —Sourdoughy

Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "I just dragged this bag all over Portugal for nine days. I am extremely satisfied with it! When I travel, I bring carry-on only. Every airline has different carry-on size limits. Tap Air Portugal has one of the lower size limits. This bag is well within their guidelines. It’s also the most lightweight bag I have found on the market, which is great, because the agent weighed my carry-on before I got on the plane. This lightweight bag saved me! The two non-swivel wheels navigated the rough, uneven cobblestone streets with ease. I did pick it up by the handle on occasion, when things got extremely rough, as I didn’t want to take a chance of breaking a wheel. The light weight of this bag made carrying it a breeze, and the handle held up well.

Update: I used this bag for an 11-day trip through Ireland in June. I walked a lot in Dublin, pulling this behind me (I like to walk). I also used it on a couple of weekend trips. This bag is still going strong. No damage or wear." —Scout

Get it from Amazon for $55.97+ (available in four colors).

Traveler's Choice is a small biz luggage brand.

Promising review: "I travel 75% of the time for work and am always carrying on. This bag has received a lot of use, and it has held up great. The side pocket for a portable charger to charge my phone has come in very handy while waiting for a flight and not able to find an outlet." —Anonymous

Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in seven colors, and in three sizes).

Olympia U.S.A. is a small biz specializing in luggage.

Promising review: "Light, easy-to-handle carry-on bag. Bought it and immediately took it half way around the world to Spain. It was my only bag for 10-day vacation. The pockets were perfect for the things I needed to pull out for TSA and International Security. One or two of our flights asked that we check the bags. It made it back to me in perfect condition. Very durable and sturdy. It did sustain some black marks that I need to try to clean off. But I travel a lot and I'm all-around pleased with this bag! I'll use it often." —Cathryn J.

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in 10 colors and four sizes).

Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage.

Promising review: "Took it on my trip to Europe. I went carry-on-only and this tube was a true gem! I fit one full outfit in it and it’s so valuable when traveling with only carry-on luggage. On the plane I used it as an arm support. It’s really helpful on a 10-hour flight. What an excellent idea to take something out of the weighted luggage!!! I was able to fit three T-shirts, two light long-sleeve sweatshirts, and one pair of underwear. I usually like to have a change of clothes with me on the plane, especially on transatlantic flights, so I can change it on the layover, just feels fresher." —Happy Shopper

Get it from Amazon for $49.95.