I Tested The Lightest Carry On Luggage in the World

I bought 10 lightweight carry-on bags to give you a completely unbiased review of the best lightweight carry-on luggage on the market. The bags considered are all 6lbs (2.7kg) or less and sized for international carry on.

In this video, I compare the TravelPro Maxlite Air Carry On, the TravelPro Maxlite 5 Carry On, The July Carry On Light and Carry On Light Expandable Carry Ons, the it Luggage Lykke Cabin Carry On, the Herschel Heritage Hardshell Carry On, the Verage EXT Carry On, Bric’s X-Travel Carry-On Spinner, LUCAS Ultra Lightweight Carry On, and the Aerolite Carry On Spinner. Who won???

LINKS TO THE BAGS MENTIONED:

Other Bags Mentioned:

BAG DIMENSIONS/WEIGHTS in CM/KG
TRAVELPRO MAXLITE AIR: 53.7 x 34.3 x 22.2 cm / 2.6 kg
TRAVELPRO MAXLITE 5: 54.3 x 33.3 x 22.2 cm / 2.3 kg
JULY LIGHT: 52.4 x 35.6 x 17.5 cm / 1.8 kg
JULY LIGHT EXPANDABLE: 52.1 x 36.2 x 20.0 cm / 2.2 kg
IT LUGGAGE: 55.2 x 35.2 x 22.9 cm / 2.3 kg
HERSCHEL: 48.9 x 31.8 x 21.6 cm / 2.8 kg
VERAGE: 54.0 x 38.1 x 20.3 cm / 2.7 kg
BRIC'S: 54.0 x 34.9 x 20.6 cm / 2.5 kg
LUCAS: 55.2 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm / 2.6 kg
AEROLITE: 53.3 x 34.3 x 22.2 cm / 2.1 kg

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[spruceyt]

I bought the July Carry-on Light Expandable in March but in multiple weeks of constant use in Europe I discovered its serious shortcomings and the near-uselessness of July's 100-day return option. Perhaps this mini-review-within-a-comment will be helpful to others considering this bag. Let me start with the least-important drawbacks:

1. When the two zippered compartments are both open they partially block access to one half of the bag or the other. This makes it more complicated to access both halves of the bag when packing or unpacking it. If the zippered covers hung over the outer edges of the bag, as they do in some other bags, it would be easy to pack things in both halves of the luggage at the same time.

2. There is no way to easily have access to any small items that you might use while traveling, like gloves or keys or a passport. Getting access to *anything* in the bag requires you to find a large horizontal space where you can open out both halves of the luggage and completely and unzip the compartment giving access to what you want to pack or unpack. If you're doing this in an airport the only place is probably the ground, which is awkward.

3. There is no side handle - only a single fixed handle on top. It is offset from the centerline, so when the bag is lifted by the handle it is lopsided and does not hang vertically for carrying, making it awkward to handle, for example, when lifting it to put it in an overhead bin. This problem is even worse when the luggage is expanded, which moves the handle even farther from the centerline, making it even more lopsided and more awkward to handle.

4. But for me the main and most-serious problem with this bag, and the one that makes it completely unusable for me, is the shape of the telescoping handle grip. The shape of the grip is curved so that when it's not extended it matches the curve of the bag. While this is stylish, it creates an asymmetric handle with a tilted-oval cross section. This is comfortable to grip but only when you position the bag next to you with the handle on the far side from your body.

When you're rolling the bag, this position requires you to reach across the bag to control it with the handle. Nobody rolls a bag that way. You position the bag with the handle close to your body with the bag to the outside. Unfortunately, in this position, the grip doesn't fit your hand well at all. When you hold it tightly it digs into your palm and across the last joints of your fingers. I've asked people with hands both larger and smaller than mine and they all find it uncomfortable.

This problem isn't apparent rolling the empty bag along a smooth surface when you first receive it, which you can do with a light grip. But when you load it and start to use it for travel it becomes uncomfortable. And in situations where you have to put extra torque on on the handle to control the bag - like when it's heavily loaded and/or fully expanded and/or rolling on carpet or rough pavement - gripping the handle tightly to control the bag becomes an ordeal.

I used this bag as carry-on luggage on eight airplane segments, three train segments, two bus segments and a ferry segment and innumerable city streets, and I could hardly wait to get home and take advantage of the 100-day return option. And that brings me to the worst problem of all ...

5. The 100-day return policy. July says, "If you decide that this is not the product for you, send it back to us within 100 days of placing your order and we’ll reimburse you to the original payment method, as long as the product(s) meet the conditions set out in our return policy."

Unless you click through to see the conditions you might think that you could return the bag if you're dissatisfied with its performance. But no. The return policy says that the bag has to be unused and in its original condition and with all its original packaging, including any dust bags. So if you actually *use* the bag during the 100 days and find it unsatisfactory it's already non-returnable.

But if you can't use the bag in actual travel - or somehow simulate all the various conditions of actual travel without making the bag appear "used" - how can you determine whether this bag, or any July luggage, "is not for you"? Apparently July's policy only covers what can happen to the bag if it sits on a shelf for 100 days. Maybe it develops a smell you don't like? If anything shows up while you're actually putting it to the use it's intended for you're just out of luck. I appealed to July customer service and was told the same thing; they won't accept used bags for return.

So I have an expensive bag that I'll never use again but I'm just out of luck. If I had clicked through to see how worthless the July return policy is I wouldn't have bought the bag. But I didn't click through so I don't have grounds for a complaint.

What I can do though is warn others about the shortcomings of this particular bag and alert them to the fact that the 100-day return policy won't help them if they find any piece of July luggage to be unsatisfactory in actual use.

[lilivanv]

Travel pro Maxlite rules! I’ve had it for a few years and looks brand new. Super light and great capacity!! Thank you, Nik, for your amazing research in this overlooked luggage category!!

[ffcwatercolors]

Since 2018, I've been using a Samsonite Cosmolite (used to be called Black Label, and it's made in Europe, but sold in the US, too). It weighs 3.7 lbs. It was the only lightweight spinner I could find at the time and it's been my only carry-on roller since then, traveling multiple times per year to Europe (except 2020-21 due to pandemic). In the last year, it's been on four international trips -- France, Italy, France, France! BUT -- I CHECKED it on every return to the US and it still looks brand new, like the day I bought it! The apartment I rent in Paris has 64 steps, old, wooden, spiral and I need to carry that bag up by myself (I'm now 70 years old) and I prefer to not need assistance lifting my bag into the overhead. I don't check another bag and my under seat bag is what varies. On my most recent trip of 3.5 weeks/3 locations in France, I packed two pairs of jeans, silk pants, silk blazer, a skirt, cardigan, four tees, 2 short-sleeve blouses, two long-sleeve; PJs, lingerie, a pair of sneakers, a pair of loafers; three leather belts; three square scarves; one Wallaroo hat; five pairs of socks; a pack towel; a rain jacket, umbrella, non-liquid toiletries; laundry items like collapsible hangers, mesh bag, laundry sheets, hanging clothes pegs; a travel mirror; an Anker Nano power strip, European adapter. (I wore another cardigan, tee, heaviest pants and shoes, trench coat, on the plane.) My total bag weight for personal item and my Samsonite was 25 lbs, with 22 being the roller packed. That's as heavy as I can manage. I continuously look at carry-ons and I'm yet to break away from my Samsonite. It has a great side handle for carrying. It rolls great. The single handle isn't as much of an issue as I thought, so it hasn't frustrated me into changing luggage. Now -- I'm looking for the best under seat personal item sized bag that has a clamshell opening instead of a black hole! LOL I can find only backpacks, which isn't a style I like (and I've tried several).

[moniebee]

Watching this months later but from a flight attendant, Travelpro is what I use for personal. Our work bags are from them for FAs, mechanics and pilots. Warranty is great and easy enough for me to use as a woman taller than 6 feet. Softside is preferred, I’ve noticed.

[brockmackin]

My biggest issue with roller bags is the wheels. I travel in Europe pretty regularly and find the cobblestone streets and sidewalks are really hard on the wheels. I would love to see a review that included the durability of the wheels for both carry-on bags and checked bags.

[LeahLeah]

I’m stunned by the fact that so many don’t have side handles. A side handle is a must for me especially in this category because they need to be lifted into overhead bins.

[annmsn]

Hi, Nik! I recently purchased the TravelPro Maxlite 5 softside expandable carry on 19" suitcase and LOVE it! Just the right size for me, rolls well, handle is great. I also purchased the Lightweight Underseat carry-On Travel Tote. It is lightweight at 1.6 lb and has a large capacity of 26 L or 0.9 cu'. But the tote is more rigid than I would have liked. It does not squish under the airplane seat very easily. I may have to replace it for something more pliable. I have been researching the best, lightest soft side luggage to replace our old suitcases and came across your video. Thank you SO much for your time and expense in creating and sharing this video! I am definitely going to buy the 21" for my husband and will probably purchase more in the checked sizes for our up-coming trips! Thanks again!

[OkaayDanielle]

I've owned two IT luggage suitcases and they have done so well for me. No frills, but really great quality for the price!

[pamelanurse]

I just returned from 6 weeks in Europe. They only allow 10 kg (22 lb)total for carryon which is much smaller than the US so I had to check my carry on which they lost in Portugal hours before I boarded the Queen Mary cruise. I bought IT carryon in South Hampton Primark store at West Quay mall for 40£ - about $50 usd. IT did the trick on the 1 week cruise and flew well to my home in the US.😊

[shubz]

Nice review! Our family loves the IT Luggage. Since my family packs a lot, we needed lightweight suitcases. In 2016, TJmaxx had the soft case IT luggage’s and they were patterned . We bought our first two sets of 3. They are still going strong and have traveled everywhere. My parents and siblings also pack a lot, and they also bought them.
So, we all highly recommend the IT Luggage. Just bought the one you showed in the video too. TravelPro is another one we like as well.
You won’t go wrong with either one.

[breadroomghost]

We use TravelPro Crew 5 bags, very bulletproof, 2 wheels that are covered enough that they won’t be sheared off like a spinner wheel might. We have been using them for years with great success

[metrostills]

After tons of research, I picked up the Travelpro hard-shell, mostly due to the mesh curtain on both sides. That’s a critical feature, IMO. Years later, I still love the bag.

[liesandlacefronts]

I love my TravelPro Maxlite! I have both the 19" and 21" with no complaints at all! Thank you for this review.

[MarshalWalker-fj]

I just returned from 30 days of travel throughout Spain and Portugal. I used the TravelPro Maxlite 5 Slim Carry-On Expandable Softside Spinner, which is almost identical to the compact, but slightly larger. I also had an Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+ that I passthrough the TravelPro handle. I can highly recommend the TravelPro and Osprey. Both for their quality and that combination.They served me well. I only had a couple of minor difficulties. One was slipping the Osprey pack through the TravelPro handle. It wasn't all that easy and if I put my MacBook Air and iPad Pro in the front zipped area of the TravelPro, the bag became a little tippy. I was overpacked for sure, but the combination was easily able to manoeuvre around planes, trains, automobiles, cobblestones, etc.

[pvasa]

I bought the Delsey Dauphine softside in 2006, still using it. From India to USA to EU. Less than 4lbs. No sweat for international budget airlines.

[sheilaa]

Glad to know I made the right choice! love my Travelpro so much I bought one for my daughter too. My only tiny beef is the telescoping handle - I wish it had a third setting.

[marcfiore]

This is the first video of yours I’ve watched, and I’m impressed enough to subscribe immediately! I have 2 issues with most carry on recommendations, and they are peculiar to me, I guess. 1) I travel every year to the Isle of Man for the motorcycle races in June, It’s a mountainous island, and requires a couple of connections. Oddly enough, some of the airports are somewhat “mountainous”, too, with steep ramps between gates and concourses. So I prefer a bag that will stay where I put it as I’m rearranging attire after Security or adjusting my shoulder bag after getting off a shuttle or bus. Spinner bags tend to head downhill on their own, and I’m too old to chase them effectively.
2) Owing to the runway restrictions at Ronaldsway airport on IOM, smaller aircraft are necessary for the last leg of the trip, and gate checks of bags are frequent. Owing to the lax morality of the luggage handlers at some of those connections (cough Newark cough Reagan cough Dublin cough), I prefer hard bags without zippers, as everybody knows that zippered bags can be opened with a Bic pen. The TSA locks only prevent them from being securely closed again after being rifled.
First-world problems, I’m sure. Regardless of my problems, I find your content well presented and very clear. I also appreciate that you mention near-misses and why in your choices. Keep up the good work!

[lesliereynolds]

I purchased my first Samantha Brown bag a long time ago and fell in love with the small foot print it had when we put them on a bed. Four of us just arrived in London and we put our 2 bags on the bed. When I looked over at my friends bed their 2 bags took up the entire bed because they were clamshell style. Ours unzipped on the top edge and we used packing cubes, love, love, love. No unzipping a clamshell and flipping that heavy side open. Plus with packing cubes there are lots of places to put additional stuff like umbrella, shoes, food, souvenirs. I had to buy an extra bag in Orlando once and bought one in TJ Maxx same style and extremely light, also good.

[lucindamorgan]

This is a great video however I think 1 fantastic option has been missed. Living in Australia we are limited to a 7kg (15.4 lb approx.) total carryon weight. I found that the American Tourister
Applite 4 50cm, 2 wheel case at only 1.9kg (4.18lbs) was perfect for domestic travel within Australia. It also comes in a 55cm option with spinner wheels & weighing 2.1kg (4.6lb). At the moment they are on sale here for AUD $156 (from $260) & $168 (from $280) respectively. They are well made, have a strong telescoping handle together with strong, easy grab handles on both the top & side.

[lindapark]

I just bought the July carry on lite and checked lite. Customer service was great! They had a 15% off sale, so I took the plunge. Next year I’ll be traveling to New Zealand and Australia and carryon bags are limited to 15 pounds. I purposely chose non expanding so I wouldn’t be tempted to overpack and then have to pay extra fees. I’ll be wearing a ScottE vest on the plane as well. I often travel solo and it will be great to have two bags that are not heavy.