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Master the Art of Traveling in Style With the Best Carry-On Luggage

November 13, 2025

Courtesy of Antler

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For some, the appeal of a carry-on suitcase lies in the convenience of disembarking a flight, unencumbered by the luggage carousel and free to swiftly exit the airport. For others, it’s a strong motivator to pack more efficiently. Or perhaps the security of keeping your travel essentials within arm’s reach? Whatever the purpose, there’s no denying the best carry-on luggage is a traveler’s top ally.

The Best Carry-on Luggage, According to Vogue:

The Design-Forward

Carl Friedrik The Carry-On suitcase

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$645

NORDSTROM

The Soft-Sided Roller

Away The Softside carry-on

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$225

AWAY

The Hardside Roller

Rimowa Cabin suitcase

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$950

RIMOWA

Of course, once you delve into the world of the best luggage brands you’ll discover a vast assortment of carry-on bags that puzzle together with different lifestyles. If you’re a frequent business traveler, a rolling steel-cased luggage is a must as you race through the terminals of O’Hare and Schiphol. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts who often venture into wild settings should invest in a durable backpack or duffel that can be squished into the wing of a twin-propeller plane or aboard a safari vehicle. And for those heading out of the city for a quick getaway via car or train, a chic weekender you can sling over your shoulder is the smartest choice.

Ahead, find the best carry-on luggage options that complete (and complement) your travel style.

SHOP THE BEST LUGGAGE BRANDS

Best Hardside Roller

If you’re a frequent traveler, opt for luggage that can withstand the dings and scrapes along the journey. The best hardside carry-ons are practical and durable, yes, but they should also offer a sleek silhouette infused with stylish details (think: leather trims, distinct colorways, and luxe materials). And, of course, have enough space for packing cubes.

Image may contain: Baggage, Suitcase, and Mailbox

Globe-Trotter

Centenary carry-on suitcase

$2,810

MODA OPERANDI

$1,995

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Sleek and sophisticated, this four-wheel carry-on is lightweight but build to last. Handmade leather accents add a touch of elegance to your travels, no matter where you’re going.

Dimensions: 16.53” x 22” x 8.2”

Materials: Vulcanised fibreboard, leather

Carl Friedrik

The Carry-On suitcase

$645

NORDSTROM

Carl Friedrik’s design-forward option is made to accommodate up to five days on the road. It’s down to the interior organization system: Two sets of integrated straps and a removable compression pad make it easy to stuff in all your essentials (and a few non-essentials, too).

Dimensions: 22.3” x 14.8” x 9.3”

Materials: Polycarbonate

Image may contain: Baggage, Suitcase, Machine, and Wheel

Calpak

Hue carry-on suitcase

$215

NORDSTROM

For an affordable option, go with this Calpak roller bag. The TSA lock and multilayer polycarbonate shell ensure it travels well.

Dimensions: 21.5” x 13.75” x 9”

Materials: Polycarbonate

Bric’s

Capri 2.0 spinner

$340$194(43% off)

AMAZON

The clamshell zippered interior has plenty of storage space, but the carry-on size of Bric’s best-selling Capri spinner also gets points for its vintage-inspired style.

Dimensions: 21.5” x 15” x 9”

Materials: Polycarbonate

Image may contain: Baggage, Suitcase, Machine, and Wheel

Antler

Single Stripe expandable carry-on

$255

ANTLER

Antler’s expandable carry-on comes in a variety of colors, with a flexible design built to accommodate overpacking (and souvenir-hoarding). Make use of the compression straps to keep everything tidy.

Dimensions: 21.7” x 14.2” x 9.1”

Materials: Polypropylene

Rimowa

Cabin suitcase

$950

RIMOWA

With a smooth telescopic handle, silent spinner wheels, and a lifetime warranty, Rimowa’s hardshell suitcase is worth the splurge.

Dimensions: 21.7” x 15.8” x 9.1”

Materials: Polycarbonate

Best Soft-Sided Roller

A soft-sided roller offers the best of both worlds—a bag with a flexible (read: easy to maneuver in an overhead bin) case with wheels that allow you to quickly navigate an airport, parking lot, or station. Find a few favorites, from Tumi to Away to Anya Hindmarch (outfitted with multiple pockets) below.

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Tumi

Alpha International carry-on

$975

NORDSTROM

Tumi’s best-in-class luggage design puts it at the top of many lists; the brand’s compact wheeled carry-on is made to suit a range of size restrictions. Thanks to a patented tracking number affixed to the bag, it can also help you locate your bag if it gets lost—no AirTag needed.

Dimensions: 22” x 14” x 9”

Materials: Polyester, ballistic nylon

Image may contain: Baggage, Suitcase, Accessories, Bag, and Handbag

Anya Hindmarch

Shorthaul Trolley suitcase

$2,775

NET-A-PORTER

This is the suitcase of a thousand pockets: With tons of external and internal zippered pockets, you’ll have dedicated space for toiletry essentials and all your travel gear.

Dimensions: 20.9” x 15” x 8.7”

Materials: ECONYL, leather

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Thule

Aion spinner carry-on

$350

NORDSTROM

This durable carry-on spinner can handle wear and tear: The exoskeleton has a polycarbonate back panel, which is meant to absorb impact, and the exterior is water-resistant.

Dimensions: 21.75” x 13.75” x 9”

Materials: Recycled polyester

Gucci

Savoy cabin trolley

$3,550

GUCCI

For a designer bag, you can’t beat Gucci. The inside opens to one zippered compartment for valuables and one open one for bulkier items. Plus—the instantly recognizable logo makes it easy to locate your roller on the baggage carousel.

Dimensions: 14.9” x 20.7” x 8.3”

Materials: Canvas

Image may contain: Baggage, Accessories, Bag, Handbag, and Suitcase

T.Anthony

Dressage wheeled carry-on suiter

$3,800

T.ANTHONY

Minimalist and modern, this pick has a dedicated compartment for a suit; it’s the business traveler’s MVP.

Dimensions: 22” X 14” X 8”

Materials: Leather

Away

The Softside carry-on

$225

AWAY

Away’s best-selling hardshell suitcase comes in a soft version, too. The same color and contemporary aesthetic remains, with more flexibility thanks to expandability features.

Dimensions: 21.9” x 15” x 9.1”

Materials: Nylon

Best Overnight/Weekenders

Ideal for tossing over your shoulder or into a backseat, these are the elegant and easy-to-pack bags you’ll return to time and again for those quick weekend trips out of town.

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The Row

Gio duffle bag

$4,700

MODA OPERANDI

Leave it to The Row to make the chicest weekender you ever did see, complete with a soft saddle leather finish and sleek silhouette.

Dimensions: 19” x 8” x 11”

Material: Leather

Image may contain: Bag, Accessories, Handbag, and Tote Bag

Want Les Essentiels

Kelowna weekender bag

$895

NORDSTROM

Use it as your personal item on the plane or an overnighter for shorter trips; whichever way you employ it, the sturdy leather is surprisingly resilient.

Dimensions: 21.5” x 14” x 9”

Material: Leather

Alex Mill

The Perfect Weekend tote

$195

ALEX MILL

For the casual traveler, this roomy canvas tote is a good fit. It has snap closure for security, and you can even get it monogrammed.

Dimensions: 13” x 17” x 9.5”

Material: Cotton

Cuyana

Weekender bag

$658

CUYANA

With a trolley sleeve to slip this over the handle of your checked bag, several pouches, and a laptop pocket, Cuyana’s weekender has mastered functionality without sacrificing design.

Dimensions: 14.5” x 22.5” x 7”

Material: Leather

Parker Thatch

Giant tote

$898

PARKER THATCH

Cognac embossed basketweave leather makes for a travel bag that can moonlight as your everyday tote, too; why not use it to haul market flowers or your work essentials when not in use for trips?

Dimensions: 15” x 28” x 10”

Material: Leather

Métier

Weekend suede tote

$5,250

NET-A-PORTER

Handmade in Italy and with enough space to handle a couple pairs of shoes and your weekend closet, Métier’s suede overnighter is a stylish pick.

Dimensions: 8.7” x 18.9” x 12.2”

Material: Suede

Best Carry-on Backpacks

There’s perhaps no more plane-friendly bag than a backpack, which is easily carried, easily taken off, easily placed under a seat, and easily packed with all your belongings. Look for styles that offer thoughtfully-designed compartments, like water bottle pockets, padded tablet sleeves, and storage for small items like keys, pens, and other valuables. A water-resistant shell is always a plus, especially if you arrive at your destination on a rainy day.

Tumi

foldable backpack

$150

AMAZON

Bring this backpack with you on longer trips that might require more luggage space on the way back. It folds flat and can even be packed into a small pouch for transit.

Materials: Nylon

Ralph Lauren

Bellport suede backpack

$698

RALPH LAUREN

If you don’t want your travel backpack to exist at the expense of your personal style, Ralph Lauren’s suede backpack is the way to go. It has several secure compartments, and is elevated enough to wear at your destination, too.

Materials: Suede, leather

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Bric’s

X-Travel City backpack

$99

BERGDORF GOODMAN

With one spacious main compartment and a zippered external pouch for passports and boarding passes, this easy-to-clean pack is a good basic option.

Materials: Nylon

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Lululemon

Cruiser backpack

$168

LULULEMON

Lululemon’s best-selling gym backpack moonlights as a travel bag, too. It has dedicated space for your laptop, your sunglasses, and all your smallest pieces, and best of all, it’s water-repellent.

Materials: Nylon, polyester

Image may contain: Bag, Accessories, Handbag, and Backpack

Everlane

The ReNew Transit backpack

$95

EVERLANE

Frequent travelers will appreciate the 15-inch external laptop pocket for seamless TSA check-ins, and the fact that it’s made from 100% recycled water bottles is an environmentally friendly bonus.

Materials: Recycled polyester

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Thule

Subterra 2 backpack

$140

NORDSTROM

Heading somewhere warm? Thule’s backpack has a padded back panel made from mesh for better ventilation. Adjustable straps add to its comfort.

Materials: Nylon/polyester

Best Carry-on duffels

Whether you’re in need of a smart, sleek carrier for a stylish weekend trip, or in search of a highly functional pack destined for outdoor adventure, the diverse range of carry-on duffels suits every sort of getaway.

Khaite

shell duffle bag

$1,680

NET-A-PORTER

Khaite’s sleek duffel is surprisingly durable, with zippered closure for security in the overhead bins and train cabins. The external slip pocket is extra handy for keeping your most-used items within easy reach.

Dimensions: 7.5” x 24” x 9.4”

Materials: Leather

Image may contain: Accessories, Bag, Handbag, and Tote Bag

Prada

leather duffle bag

$2,350

PRADA

Prada’s duffel takes recycled fabrics and makes them feel luxurious. The brand’s signature logo adds the tiniest bit of embellishment, and there’s a removable leather name tag for etching your address in.

Dimensions: 15.75” x 17.52” x 9.4”

Materials: Recycled polyamide

Tumi

Oaklynn duffle bag

$850

NORDSTROM

Tumi’s bag has a padded interior to keep your belongings scratch-free, rand has an adjustable (and removable!) crossbody strap for more comfortable carrying as you speed-walk through the terminal.

Dimensions: 11.75” x 17.75” x 8”

Materials: Leather

Kule

The All Over duffle bag

$248

SHOPBOP

Carry Kule’s striped duffel as a top-handle bag or a crossbody. Inside, it has one massive compartment for stashing everything (and a smaller pocket for the little stuff).

Dimensions: 9.75” x 19” x 9”

Materials: Canvas

Dagne Dover

Landon carryall bag

$230

SHOPBOP

If you need a sturdy, low-maintenance duffel, Dagne Dover makes your new favorite. It’s made from a slick neoprene fabric that’s easy to clean and ultra thick, so your belongings will stay protected.

Dimensions: 12.5” x 19” x 11.75”

Materials: Neoprene

Image may contain: Accessories, Bag, Handbag, Briefcase, and Baggage

Barbour

waxed canvas duffle bag

$275

NORDSTROM

All the same durability from your go-to jacket, now in duffel form: Barbour’s waxed canvas bag can handle some scratches and hold a good amount for longer trips.

Dimensions: 22” x 11.5” x 14”

Materials: Cotton