Are you excited to resume traveling? If you have traveled to different places as a tourist or for business, you know luggage hassles just too well.
One of the most critical problems when traveling is baggage. You cannot take too much or too little. Carrying less might seem like a good idea, but you will have to leave some essential things behind, so in case of emergency, you have to buy the same thing again. If you bring more, you will face numerous problems like waiting in a long line to get your baggage checked, paying a lofty baggage fee, lifting a massive bag on your shoulder, and many more if the scale tips over the specific number.
All these problems will make your journey unforgettable -- but not in a good way. The situation might be stressful, but not for the readers of this blog. We have your luggage needs covered! After extensive research, we can confidently confirm that the solution to your baggage problem is a reliable and robust rolling carry-on bag.
The next query in your mind will be, “What is the best carry-on luggage bag?” We solve this problem for you as well. Here you will find a shortlist of the best rolling carry-on bags that provide the optimal value to your money compared to the countless products available on the market.
Luggage Works Stealth 22 (The Pilot Bag)
What can be better than learning from the experiences of veterans? The luggage works stealth 22 is also called The Pilot’s Bag because it is the top choice of pilots to carry their belongings.
This bag is a jack of all trades; it is excellent, reliable, and spacious. It consists of a metal frame to give it enough strength to hold everything securely. Two inline skate wheels are sturdy, durable, and easily replaceable. The fabric used for this bag is the thick ballistic nylon to support and protect the stored luggage. There are plentiful pockets (internal, side pockets, back, and front).
With an extendable handle that can reach a comfortable height made of stainless steel, the Luggage Works Stealth 22 can be considered the biggest rolling carry-on bag allowed for carry-on in airplanes.
Pelican 1510 Carry-on Case:
If you are looking for something indestructible, there is no better option than Pelican 1510 Protector Carry-on Case. The case has a very sexy look with a sturdy and roomy build. The suitcase is waterproof, bulletproof, and dustproof hence justifying being indestructible. No doubt the company provides you with a lifetime guarantee.
Pelican 1510 case is the largest in the category of carry-on cases. Its wheels are made of polyurethane, so they will never fail you without any prior warning. The side handles of the case are covered with comfortable rubber for better grip and protection. An automatic pressure stabilization valve keeps the internal pressure in check, so the air and water stay away. It also has a retractable handle.
The protection case is best for harsh locations as it can resist extreme hot and cold environments while protecting your sensitive belongings.
Travel Pro Maxlite3
Travel Pro Maxlite3 is a very versatile suitcase for all times. It has a robust honeycomb design to provide maximum durability with the lowest weight, the fabric used is polyester, so the bag is water and dust repellent. This bag gives you a very stylish look while retaining loads of your stuff safely inside.
It has a standard zip opening, multiple pockets, and adjustable straps to hold the luggage down and offer you more space. All the handles are comfortable and well-padded to provide you easy grip if you have to carry the bag.
Timbuk2 Copilot
A sleek design, roomy, handle system inspired from the motorbike, the wheels smooth like a skateboard - what’s not to love about Timbuk2 Copilot? This all-rounder is suitable for people who love easy packing and a very light rolling bag. The bag has a clamshell structure that makes the bag ultra-durable while the packing process easier for you.
This is one of the best roller carry-on bags for solo travelers, so if you are confused about what to choose, this might be the companion you are looking for.
Briggs & Riley Transcend
This is a rolling carry-on bag with maximum functionality, optimized design, and a fashionable look. This is one of those bags chosen by people with taste and a keen eye. No wonder, this bag is one of the primary choices of pilots.
Variable space to accommodate all your stuff, several internal and external pockets, retractable handle, tie-down panel, and sturdy wheels are some prominent features of this bag.
Conclusion
Experts universally love all the bags mentioned above because of their functionality and affordable prices. Buy any of these bags will make your future journeys memorable.
FAQ
How to choose the best rolling carry-on bag?
It usually varies from person to person, but the most general criteria are being light-weighted but durable.
Are carry-on and backpack the same?
No carry-on should be able to fit under the seat - it is meant for the overhead space. them
Comments:
I don’t know about rollers being the issue about storage space... it’s usually the user, not the bag. I typically rearrange the luggage in the overhead so the wheels are at the back of the bin and the handle at the front. It is a bit frustrating how people think longways makes sense. Can’t they see all the wasted space?? Do they not play Tetris????
pudge-the-fish / 2021-08-16 15:43:54
Yes. This. People always assume they can just toss my bag around because their huge roller obviously takes priority. I can’t tell you how many times passengers and even flight attendants have asked me to put my duffle under a seat so some midwest mom can try and jam her huge wheeler thing in the overhead.
radioavon / 2021-09-21 06:22:21
That is simply not true. I am a notoriously light packer although I’m saddled with a clunky work laptop that weighs more than 6 pounds, and have tried traveling both with and without a wheeled suitcase (as well as with a lightweight duffle that can be shoulder carried but also has wheels). In regular airport environments I can walk just as quickly with a wheeled suitcase as with a hand-carried one, it’s definitely easier on my back and shoulders and it’s much more convenient to push along a wheeled suitcase when waiting in airport lines.If you are going to be transporting luggage outdoors in areas without sidewalks or where cobblestones are common, or where stairs are common in public transportation,the tradeoffs with wheeled luggage become more considerable. But in most urban environments the time savings with handcarried luggage are minor at best, so it just comes down to personal preference.
fnsfsnr / 2021-10-08 04:19:08
Winter is an agonizing time for me, because there is invariably one leg of a flight where someone thinks the overhead bin is meant for their coat to be laid out across the length. I don’t mind having your coat laid out on top of my luggage, but damn if I am not going to put my luggage up because of a stupid parka.
pudge-the-fish / 2021-10-23 07:32:53
Nope. The issue is moving quickly through an airport. People with rolling bags each need a few extra seconds deplaning to put their bag on the floor and raise the handle. Those few seconds, times the # of people in front of you, is how much longer it takes to get off the plane. Similarly, people with rollers who stand on escalators often block those who would like to keep moving.
carson / 2021-11-08 08:07:34
Yup, always a backpack. If I can’t fit whta I need in a large backpack, I’ll check a bag. Seeing everyone fight and piss and moan about overhead space on every single flight I’m on... no thanks. Backpack almost always fits under seat in front of me, and it’s worth the 15 minutes of waiting for the luggage carousel to me to not have to deal with the overhead nonsense.
bobman1235 / 2021-11-26 03:26:41
I’m 100% that guy. When I see someone in their pre-40 years (post 10 or so) with rollers (especially rolling backpacks...), I think “and that’s why there are so many fat/obese people”. I won’t say anything to any one person (because who knows their situation? Not me). But there are certainly enough to conclude that the vast majority are... whatever you want to call it.
descendency / 2021-12-19 06:57:35
Actually I believe crew has even more reason to be on time to flights than passengers do. They aren’t even paid until the doors close on the plane, they are penalized and fired easily and for basically anything that delays flights. Airlines have a ton of rules about what crew can’t do while in uniform. I’d be really surprised if they were allowed to be sprinting through airports. You don’t see them running because they make sure to be there in time to not have to run.
mouseonacoast / 2022-01-07 21:00:23
I think the opposite (assuming people keep within the regulatory sizes for rolly bags). If everyone had a rolly bag, they would fit perfectly next to one another. When people have random backpacks, duffel bags, purses or whatever, than it begins to be a puzzle with how to fit them in.As I said in another comment, that’s exactly how my camera got broken, when some idiot decided to rearrange the overhead, rotating my backpack to fit his in. Now I will never use anything other than a hard-shell carry on.
masterhab / 2022-01-20 08:07:37
Seems like all of these have only 2 wheels, ever since I got my 4 wheeler I’ve been completely pro 4 wheels. Any suggestions on that front?
thedotmack / 2022-02-08 00:48:51
I’m nowhere near pilot level of trips but I fly about 40 times a year, and love my four wheel TravelPro. It’s much more maneuverable through crowded areas, great for nudging along with my foot when inching through a security line, and better for my 6'4" height than the two wheeler I use to have (the angle when I held the handle wasn’t conducive to good rolling.)Albeit it hasn’t seen a lot of outdoor use, mainly the distance between cars and terminals/hotels, but it handled the snow fine in NYC this winter and the gravel at several Caribbean airports very well.
slowestwranglerever / 2022-02-24 01:23:52
I have a Samsonite 4-wheeler carry-on that’s maybe 10 years old.It’s different from the newer ‘spinner’ type 4-wheelers.Only 2 wheels can be used at a time - either for pulling the bag (inclined at an angle) the traditional way, width-wise; or the narrower way, side-ways, to get down the plane aisle.I love it, and its highly durable, and well organized. It’s the only bag I need for a 2 week trip.
decentdecent / 2022-03-17 10:10:37
I agree, they are great. The small, easily broken, but not easily replaceable parts kill it for me (aside from the other issues mentioned). I can't tell you how often I see people wheeling their 4 wheeled bags along, hit a crack, and break a wheel off. Getting on and off moving walkways, broken wheel. Drop off a curb, broken wheel. Those aren't parts that you can walk into a store in any town and replace, and now you've got a broken bag to deal with for the rest of your trip.
eurylokhos / 2022-04-06 00:13:27
Wow, read into things much?Here’s what I can say, from experience, had a 4 wheeled Travelpro. It broke twice within 2 months, both times making it difficult to deal with for the rest of the trip. Changed to a normal 2 wheeled bag, 6 years later, never let me down. If you take that as a “fuck you” because you like 4 wheeled luggage, you’ve got severe issues. I don’t give a shit what you use, I wasn’t insulting you. I was simply relating MY experience with MY equipment, and MY observations based on 15-16 days a month in and out of airports. Take it how you will. Best of luck.
eurylokhos / 2022-04-17 13:58:32
Disagree. Cheap suitcases are for people who don’t travel much. 4 wheels on a high quality suitcase are far better than 2 wheels on any other suitcase. The wheels on my Rimowa have seen a lot of miles on cobblestones, asphalt, concrete, terrazzo, ceramic, grass... and have never had to be replaced. It still rolls around an airport like it’s gliding on an oiled up mirror.
Mike_TO / 2022-05-07 04:01:21
Wow, uh, yeah no. I’ve had good luck with my Kenneth Cole Reaction 4 wheeled carry on - light, affordable and has held up exceptionally well. Probably 200 flights already and wheeling it around dozens of cities and haven’t had any problems. Amazon has a large number of reviews that agree as well. I particularly like to rotate it on the narrow side for crowded airports so it wheels along with a smaller profile.
Slacklinejoe / 2022-05-28 12:48:51
I average about 100 segments or so a year as a traveler and got a 4-wheeler TravelPro last year. It’s been pretty great, stands up to being checked a few times a month, and is easy to navigate in a crowded terminal if I drag it with me. Also you can just pull it like a two wheeler if you want, nothing says you gotta use all 4 wheels all the time.
macshome / 2022-06-14 10:45:18
They aren’t as good. 4 wheels is basically marketing schlock. I have a good two-wheeled bag that slides along floors just fine, AND it handles rough sidewalks, snow, cobblestone etc just fine. 4 wheels is really an answer to a question no one needed to ask - but if you’re in the business of building bags, why wouldn’t you build in some weakness due to broken wheels and make it seem like 4 wheels is easier?
dolsh / 2022-06-27 19:14:33
As a tall person, I appreciate the ability to maneuver the bag from my hip with all 4 wheels are rolling, rather than dropping my shoulder to fit the standard 2 wheel handle height. If I found a really tall handle, then I’d probably be less partial, but I prefer 4 wheels for this reason alone, even with the less interior space they provide.
iraiseyouacomment / 2022-07-16 11:56:00
i’ve had some issues with four-wheelers breaking (admittedly they were all cheap) and recently got a rimowa topas aluminum 2-wheeler. interestingly in buying i realized it’s the first time i have ever purchased a wheeled suitcase despite having well over a million miles... I had been looking at the pelican cases but they’re quite difficult to get in europe.
cowabungabunga / 2022-08-02 09:52:37
I travel close to once a week and have for the past 5 years or so. I snagged a samsonite Levit8 carry-on from Kohl’s and one from Ross for my wife for around $80 a piece and both are still going strong. They're super lightweight, but robust enough to handle just about anything. The ones on their site right now look like a newer model that I can't say for sure are as durable as the older model o have, but if they are anywhere close, I'd highly recommend them.
icemaine / 2022-08-21 02:33:34
Wow, read into things much?Only the patently obvious.I don’t give a shit what you use...The fuck you don’t. You posted up there, didn’t you? You weren’t even invited to the conversation. The question was in regards to 4-wheel luggage suggestions, asked by a person that prefers 4-wheel luggage. What did you come back with? ...I wasn’t insulting you.You’re a hoot. Me, specifically? No. Categorically anyone that prefers something you don’t? Absolutely.
oldandgrumpy01 / 2022-09-09 16:37:08
Except when you see all the comments from people that use the 4 wheel swivel type bags on how they prefer them and the uses that they prefer them for, it’s not exactly just “marketing schlock”, now is it? Yes, the two wheel puller type bag is great for those conditions/surfaces you mention, but how about trying to navigate through a crowded airport or train terminal where you have the bag stretched out a good 2-3 feet behind you as you walk...wouldn’t that be a much easier task if you can keep the bag right by your side and roll it along with you?
deeeeznutz / 2022-10-01 22:45:23
I fly 100+ segments per year, around 100,000 miles and have used an American Tourister for the past 3 years with no issues other than a few frayed stitches. All 4 wheels are still present and still roll nicely. And guess what. I can use it like a 2 wheeler if the need arises. Can you put your 2nd bag on top of your 2 wheeler and just guide it down those long walks between gates? Nope.
Mathnerd / 2022-10-14 09:52:59
Everki titan laptop bag for enormous laptop and batteries to run it for long flights, headphone amp and headphones, mouse, mouse pad, 2 changes of clothes, 230 watt laptop brick, some snacks, and a thin 160gb ipod that I removed the hdd from and replaced with a board that takes 2 sdxc cards, before formatting it is now a 512GB ipod but all solid state, slightly better battery life. 2 256GB cards, could use 2 512's but they’re expensive and I wonder how slow it’d be having to parse that much crap. All of this and more fits easily in the everki titan, you carry it on your back. it is the ideal 2nd bag. Stow under the seat in front of you during flight. Edit, other crap in there: 26,000 mah usb c external battery/charger, anker 5 port ~50w with 1 type c 5v/3a out and 4 5v 2.4a type a ports, various cables and some tools.
hithere / 2022-11-01 05:12:13
As a flight attendant, I’d only ever go for a bag with 4 wheels. My hold bag is a 4 wheeled hard shell Samsonite (Samsonite S’Cure 4-Wheel Suitcase 69cm Black) and my cabin bag is a 4 wheeled soft Samsonite case (Spark Skinner Case). I did in the past have a cheaper brand for my cabin bag and one of the wheels became stiff after about 2 years of daily use which isn’t bad. At least with Samsonite, their customer service is fantastic and will replace our repair such things. The benefits of 4 of 2 wheels are things such as being able to push both cases with 1 hand enabling you to get through doors, less struggle when walking along and also the ergonomic benefits. I’d never go back to 2 wheels
pastylover / 2022-11-24 08:42:34
I travel all over the world and use a 4 wheeler. In the past 10 years I have only had one wheel break and it was when I was forced to check it. I have dragged 4 wheelers on some nasty conditions. Dragged repeatedly about a mile through the cobblestones of Venice, through the mud and much of the African Serengeti. Never had a wheel break that wasn’t done by an airline employee. The one time the wheel broke, I just leaned it and rolled it on two wheels, as all 4 wheeled bags can also be dragged like a two wheeler. Sure the suitcase was a bit tippy standing on it’s end, but not a whole lot moreso than a typical two wheeler.Just the fact that would can wheel the bags sideways down the airplane aisle makes them far superior. The biggest downfall isn’t the fragility, it is that they hold less than two wheelers.
CaptainJack / 2022-12-07 17:12:25
Wow, multiple replies over 2 years. You’re pretty passionate about this. Here’s what I can say, I’m an airline pilot, have been for a long time now. Never once have I seen a 4 wheeled bag used by anyone who wasn’t brand new, and those new people invariably break a wheel off within the first month or 2 and move to something more suited to professional use. That doesn’t mean that a nice 4 wheeled bag isn’t superior for some people. I would like to have the option, it’s pretty neat to be able to wheel the thing upright down an aisle, but they just don’t stand up to the abuse flight crews put them through.
eurylokhos / 2022-12-23 17:47:01
I’m as surprised as thedotmack that no spinners made it to the final five. Also, surprised at the level of discord in a thread about luggage. Wow.Business traveler, 100K, 50-70 segments or so, domestic and international. I rocked a Briggs-Riley 2-wheeler for years and while rugged, it was heavy. As an, um, middle-aged road warrior, a key priority for me is getting to where I need to go as smoothly and with as little unecessary exertion as possible. Staying fresh and rested is a top travel priority for me. Rolling my eBags EXO carryon, with or without a backpack/satchel, moving quickly through the airport is fast and force efficient. On the occasions I’ve needed to sprint for a tight connection, I’ve never missed one and felt that it was the bag that held me back.
And it is so light that should I need to handle-carry, over the cobblestones of downtown Stockholm by the Konserthuset, for example, it’s not burdensome until I can get back to flat stone. As for getting on/off planes. I use the overhead bins, of course, and I find that familiarity with how your hardsider is loaded and balanced, and being mentally and posturally ready to heft it up high can allow you to execute in the blink of an eye. I have seen passengers have more difficulty trying to place a soft, lumpy duffle overhead. Situational awareness and preparedness can ensure success no matter your preferred travel rig.
Ginseng108 / 2023-01-16 18:39:58
Or a backpack stuffed with enough shit that it knocks down everyone in a five foot radius. Oh but sure, that’s a normal size, asshat. Be sure to put that on your back the moment the plane lands, too, so you can keep turning around to look out the windows of the plane and knock down everyone else.Ugh, I hate backpack users.
adelet / 2023-01-29 05:46:51
I haven’t flown in a while but when I did fly I always used my Camelbak Motherlode bag. Took my laptop, a few days worth of clothing and other misc stuff I’d take with me. I had a few bags with wheels and such for flying, but they always got stuffed with the bigger stuff and the rest of my crap under the plane. I still have my big ass pelican case that I could honestly fit in. They gave me it for a deployment and I used it for other stuff and never took it.
katsumoto / 2023-02-19 14:33:47
RE: The Pelican,If I had to bet which bag was going to be forced to be gate checked, and you showed me that hard case that is technically small enough, and an overstuffed soft case that was technically slightly oversize when empty, I’d bet money the flight attendants would gate check the hard case first. And the owner would make a stink, and it would make no difference.
ivan256 / 2023-03-05 20:25:33
Never once had a gate attendant question my Pelican. It’s the largest allowable size, which means it’s smaller than what most people carry on.I do get asked at security what I’ve got in there. People regularly use these heavy duty cases for guns, tools, camera equipment, etc. Things people should have checked, left at home, or will likely need more in-depth screeening.
g0barves / 2023-03-28 23:56:05
May favorite is the cheap shitty 22" I got from Walmart. Been using it for 5 years.
jzmacdaddy / 2023-04-15 19:14:43
Kinja sometimes resurrects articles out of the blue. To answer your question, I’ve not seen this happen personally, but I’ve got relatives who work for the airlines and really nothing that the baggage handlers do anymore would shock me. While they may not be dropping your luggage from the plane onto the tarmac, they aren’t gentle. They’ve got quick turnaround times for planes to load/unload, so they don’t screw around. I have seen a bag fall from the conveyor belt that takes bags from the plane to the cart. That was a distance of maybe five feet.
thundercatsarego / 2023-05-02 17:12:20
I’ve had the same set of Travelpro luggage (all various models from the Crew line) for between 12 and 16 years, and the oldest, most used & abused piece is only now starting to fall apart - the roll-aboard suitcase’s zippers get stuck once in a while and the telescoping handle’s button is kaput - and is on its third set of wheels. In fact, I have a shoebox full of clear rollerblade wheels, bought in bulk off Amazon, for suitcase tire changes - after spending the first decade of my career as an IT consultant, none of my suitcases have their original wheels.It’s with this in mind that I just can’t get behind the current crop of Travelpro luggage...they all use what appear to be proprietary, non-standard wheels. Catch one pebble while crossing tarmac and you’re going to have a flat spot that’ll clack-clack-clack so loudly in echo-y airport hallways that you’ll want to chuck an otherwise-solid suitcase out of anger.
windycityguy / 2023-05-20 12:31:16
For the Pelican case on Domestic sizes, did no one consider the Pelican EL22? It’s actually built as a suitcase. While I like some of these bags, not all of them work for, or have, international sized versions. I actually have the Small CoPilot and hate the clamshell design. I already use packing cubes, so the partitions just get in the way. Been thinking about the Zuca Pro Flyer, even though I know it doesn’t fit suits the best. The organization nut in me loves the concept, and that it’s built like the LuggageWorks bags with a sturdy metal frame, without being a cheap hardshell. Would making an international carry-on list be worth it? Do you think there would be that much difference in options?
kizuna101 / 2023-06-05 13:06:33
What about the weight?If you travel by plane (I mean regular eco-class, not in the cockpit :p), weight is very important. And the more your bag weight, the less you can put inside.In the end I always end up picking the cheapest bag, because it is also the lightest. They do tend to break but some are surprisingly robust, and you can afford to replace them.
gub / 2023-06-24 05:47:07
I’ve gotten away from the rollers and now only utilize my sweet osprey porter backpack. They are great for overseas travel (Especially those old european cobblestone streets where you are walking a decent distance to your air b’n’b which are no fun for those rollers.) You feel less of an obstacle and your hands are free! Plus, you look less like a schmuck tourist, except for the fanny-pack and selfie stick of course… haha
hkmp5mp3 / 2023-07-11 03:44:35
I’m late to this parade, but I’ll throw in support for the LuggageWorks Stealth if you’re flight crew, or otherwise don’t have to worry about your bag getting weighed.It’s bombproof, but that frame is HEAVY.My personal bag is a TravelPro FlightCrew 4 20". It fits in every airlines sizers across the globe. It’s a sacrifice from the 22", but I know it will always fit. It also has the replaceable inline skate wheels of the LuggageWorks.On most of the no-frills Asian airlines, or even Spirit, a 22" is going to get you charged more.
Echostar / 2023-07-31 15:08:30
I fly way too much and was going to buy an Away Aluminum to Flex on the Poors without going Zero Halliburton. Then I realized AmazonBasics roller luggage is actually insurable for 4 years for $4/case when you check out, and frequently less than $40. My experience in the past is they’ll just ship you a new case when you break it rather than bother to fix a 3 year old model.The best? No, but with packing cubes it does great. This will fail, I thought. 2 years and 50% travel later the little damn case doesn’t have a scratch on it, nobody has even remotely considered stealing it, not a screw has come loose and I actually love the little thing.
murikcanmuslce / 2023-08-17 13:06:31