The Best Carry-On Luggage (Must-Have Features in 2023)

Here are 5 of the best carry-on suitcases because of their helpful features for airline travel this year. This soft-sided luggage with hardshell suitcases are the best carry-on bags this year plus travel tips throughout this video. #traveltips #carryononly #carryonluggage

The best carry-on luggage and helpful videos for travel in 2023:
These 2 are best for cobblestone roads:

Travel tip videos:

Chapters:
00:00 Best Carry-On Bags Have These
00:23 Space
3:41 Durable Wheels
7:31 Hardshell or Soft-Sided Suitcase
7:48 Organization in Luggage

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Instagram: @TravelTipsByLaurie (My former channel name was LauriePOP Ideas That POP, but now I produce travel tip videos only)

Occasionally I use affiliate links, and all opinions that POP into my head are my honest ones.

[TravelTipsbyLaurie]

Travel tip videos:

These 2 are best for cobblestone roads:

Travel tip videos:

[lynda.grace.]

A packing list is a fantastic idea. I have one for several kinds of trips: overnight/weekend jaunts as well as a 4-week version. It saves the hassle of trying to remember every item or taking too many items. I hate wasting money on forgotten items as well as the time required to go out and find them at my destination.

I stick to the essentials on that list--nothing else. Every time I throw in "something extra" that's the thing that doesn't get worn, but I've lugged it around for weeks. The list is organized by personal item and the carry-on suitcase. In addition, over the years I put the same items in the same places which eliminates panic-pawing to find something.

I also include the price/value of the pieces in the suitcase on that list and keep copies on my phone a computer and a flash drive I leave at home. Once I was asked whether I had purchased and brought any jewelry back with me. After that, before leaving I also photograph everything--especially jewelry--so that if there is a question at customs on my return, the dated photo is proof that I did not purchase an item during my travels.

If ever I need to make an insurance claim, I have the list. Using that system also leaves room in my bag--even a carry-on--for items I purchase while away. Sometimes I have shipped purchases to my home address rather than toting them around, but I do have to remember to declare them.

[Keith_Aerotrunk]

Traveling can be stressful, but having the right carry-on suitcase can make all the difference. Thanks for these comprehensive tips, Laurie. Keep sharing more.

[kenbrown]

the feature I really like, and only half of the suitcases in my household have it, is a strap that buckles onto itself by the top handle of the suitcase. this buckles around the pull up handle of another suitcase, and you can pull as many as you need like a train behind you. as the designated porter in my household, this makes my job so much easier than trying to herd free range spinners around.

[shellykzookzoo]

Managed Australia with a 19” Travel Pro and a Vera Bradley Weekender bag. I was amazed how creatively you can pack the Travel Pro even though it was a smaller size. Once I sat on it and zipped, it stayed together and looked new after all the connecting flights. The Vera Bradley Weekender I have had for years and carry over my shoulder usually even though I can slip it over the Travel Pro handle. It is squishy so I can get it under seats or in tight overhead spaces. The pocket in front held my tickets and passport prior to security. I swear by that bag and Vera Bradley has an outlet where you can get it fairly cheap sometimes.

[christinevillela]

I love my Level8 spinner. Got a great deal on an Amazon Prime event. Love the ability to lock up my belongings, safe storage of my laptop and the wheels are amazing. It rolls so effortlessly. I also love the once zip side. Great for putting dirty clothes on the return trip. Thanks so much for the lead on this in a past video!!

[kevinjones]

I bought my TravelPro soft side carryon spinner in 21” as well as the matching TravelPro personal item bag based on reviews on this channel. I’ve loved it for a year and will never check a bag again. I’m also using compression packs recommended here. I can easily pack for 10-12 days. Just got back from Pebble Beach having a great time.

[christinemurray]

Hi Laurie - I love all your videos and have watched for years. A critical feature affecting my choice of a carryon is the weight of the bag, So many bags claim to be light, but they weigh 7-10 pounds or more when empty! I own the Travelpro Maxlite International Rollaboard (weighs a little more than 5 pounds) and recommend it as both lightweight, sturdy, well organized and attractive. One minor flaw is the placement of the side handle, which is positioned horizontally rather than parallel to the side of the suitcase when it is standing. Still this is the best I have found to date and hope more choices in the 5-6 pound range will become available. Manufacturers need to consider that even wheeled bags have to be lifted - into overheads (if they are not too heavy to be allowed on board) into car trunks, onto trains and up staircases.

[carolesposto]

Laurie your dog is so patient during the filming of your videos. It can't be easy for the darling to have to share you with your viewers.

[zenkakuji]

It seems that luggage designers have an opportunity to design the wheelies to be retractable. If they could rotate inside an area and lock in either the extracted or retracted positions, this would allow the overall volume of the suitcase to be expanded a bit, and the wheels would less likely get damaged when checked in with the wheelies in the retracted position.

[robinps]

Hi Laurie! I’m a hard-sided gal & bought a set of Away luggage 4 years ago. I got the larger carryon & fortunately it has worked in all overhead bins even on smaller aircraft (so far!). They meet all of your space & sturdiness standards & come with a lifetime warranty, so for me, they’re great.
Thanks for another helpful video!

[ruthresetar]

Totally agree about the double sided, open-like-a-book luggage. I borrowed one to visit my best friend who lives out of state. She had a lovely luggage rack for me to use, but the suitcase would not fit! For my entire visit, my suitcase stayed opened on the bedroom floor. Inconvenient and unsightly.

[alisong]

The American Tourister 4 Kix wheeled carry-on tote is perfect as a personal item if you're flying Spirit or Frontier, where you are only allowed a personal item for free. It measures 18x14x8 (including handle and wheels) and fits in their luggage sizer. It costs less than having to check a bag last minute. It comes in pink and black. I got the pink and it worked perfectly for my recent trip to Florida on Spirit.

[LucyLovesParis]

I’m a year late on this video but honestly I think it’s almost timeless. You point out so many practical and useful things to consider in a carryon. You are not pushing the top 3 brands. Instead you are realistic about the how’s and why’s. Even picking up a great suitcase in JCPenney. A name brand might be good but it might just mean a higher price and useless features after the wheels fall off. I am a researcher and tend to really over research. I’ve watched too many videos on carryons the past few months. Your videos are the best I’ve seen and I recommend you as the first stop for any travel research. I’ve repeat watched a few, this one in particular. I can walk into a local store and immediately know what to look for. Thank you!

[PaoloMeidrano]

Laurie ! You’ve taken me from being a chronic overpacker to having done my first carry on only 6 day trip !!! Thank you so much for all the great tips !

[bettywatson]

I have three Vera Bradley suitcase and love them, good quality and colorful and can spot it from afar

[anneg]

Finally a discussion about internal packing space! I would love to see internal cubic measurements listed on sales information when purchasing a carry on. Thank you.

[dena-mo]

This is a super informative video. Laurie. I did get the Travel Pro softside as you recommended back when. I then bought one for my husband and also the Travel Pro carry underseat carry on tote for him as well. I have an underseat I've had for years. Going carry on is a challenge for this "be prepared for anything" gal. Have made it work for our last few trips when flying. I really like that new pink Samsonite carry on you featured. Look forward to how you like it as you travel more with it.

[TheScratchingKiwi]

A useful thing I have seen in Japanese suitcases is a brake. It pops out when you push a button. It means if you are anywhere you don't want to your case to roll away (a train, a hill), you can stop it rolling!

Cool...

[SaraReffler]

This is such a fantastic, detailed video. I'm buying my first-ever high quality suitcase, and I want to make sure I'm investing my money on something that I know is going to last a long time and meet my needs. Thank you for ALL of the wonderful tips, recommendations, and solutions you share with us.