Every frequent traveler faces the same dilemma: which carry-on will reliably survive the baggage carousel, obey airline size limits, and still be a pleasure to use? Over time, certain names have risen to near-legendary status in the luggage world, and for good reason. In this post I’ll walk you through six standout brands/models that define excellence in carry-on luggage: Travelpro (Maxlite / Platinum), Briggs & Riley, TUMI (especially 19° / premium hardside), Samsonite Freeform, Away / Rimowa, and DELSEY Paris Chatelet Air 2.0. I’ll compare strengths, weaknesses, and help you decide which might suit your style.
Best Carry-On Luggage
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside
- Briggs & Riley Essential 22″
- TUMI – 19 Degree International Expandable
- Samsonite Freeform
- Away Hardside Carry-On
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside
The Maxlite 5 is a line from Travelpro focused on ultra-lightweight softside carry-ons with smart design tweaks aimed at frequent flyers who want durability without bulk. It updates the earlier Maxlite versions by shaving off weight, refining handles/wheels, improving fabric protection, and generally tweaking dimensions to work with tighter airline rules.
There are several versions: the standard 21-inch carry-on spinner, the “International” version (slightly smaller), a compact spinner, some rolling totes, garment bags, etc. But the core DNA is common across: soft-sided fabric (polyester with protective coatings), spinner wheels, ergonomic handles, compartments, expansion capability.
Reasons to buy:
- Great for Air Travel & Overhead Bins
- Balance of Protection vs. Flexibility
- Having that option to expand (up to 2″) can be a game changer
- For what you get—lightweight build, good features, repair promise
Reasons to avoid:
- Some users find that the zippers and wheels aren’t as heavy-duty as premium brands.
- The “regular” 21-inch version (including wheels and handles) may exceed carry-on size limits on more restrictive international airlines.
- The bag is strong on essentials, less so on premium features like built-in locks.
Briggs & Riley Essential 22"
The Briggs & Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On is a premium soft-sided carry-on designed for travelers who want both capacity and ruggedness without the rigidity of a hard shell. Its signature CX® one-touch expansion & compression system lets you expand the bag when you need more space, then compress back to original size so it still fits in standard overhead bins.
The exterior is built in ballistic nylon, renowned for being tough, resisting wear, and standing up well even when the bag gets rough treatment.
Inside, it features smart organization: garment folder for suits or longer items to reduce wrinkling, interior straps to hold things in place, and well-placed pockets so you can separate smaller items.
However, it is not without compromises. At about 10 lbs (≈4.6 kg) and dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9-11.5 in (when expanded) exterior including wheels and handles, its size and weight mean it pushes the limit on some stricter airline carry-on size/weight policies.
TUMI - 19 Degree International Expandable
In TUMI’s premium hardside models, you get a rigid shell (often polycarbonate or composite blends) with precise molding, reinforced corners, and refined wheels and handle systems. TUMI often uses robust telescoping handles, top-tier wheel assemblies, and refined interiors with attention to stitch work, pocket layouts, and surface finishes.
Beyond that, TUMI’s brand service network tends to be very good. If anything goes wrong with a TUMI bag—especially one of the more premium models—you usually have access to authorized repair centers or parts.
On the downside, premium materials and finishes often translate to heavier base weight (compared to something ultra-light) and a higher price tag. For budget-conscious travelers, the cost may be hard to justify. Also, rigid shells limit flexibility in overpacking or compressing. But if you prioritize structure, protection, and style, TUMI is difficult to beat.
Samsonite Freeform
The Samsonite Freeform Large Checked Luggage is built for travelers who need serious packing space without battling an overly heavy suitcase. Its hardside shell is made of scratch-resistant polypropylene, which gives a good balance of protection and weight. Empty, it weighs in around 9.5-9.6 lbs (≈ 4.3-4.4 kg) while offering approximately 112.5-147 liters of packing volume depending on how much you use the expansion feature.
The overall dimensions (including wheels) are about 31.1″ × 20.95″ × 13.8″ (≈ 79 × 53.2 × 35.1 cm) for the 28-inch large checked version.
One of the standout features is its dual 360° spinner wheels (i.e., double wheels at each corner) plus an expandable shell. The wheel system provides very smooth motion through airports, letting you maneuver turns, escalators, and even rolling up slightly rough surfaces with relative ease. The double spinners are wider and softer-treaded than some older Samsonite wheels, which helps reduce vibration and improves “tracking” (i.e. the feeling that the suitcase follows you instead of needing constant correction).
The expandable zipper gives about 1.5 inches of extra depth when needed, useful for those return trips or last-minute souvenirs.
Away Hardside Carry-On
The Away 22-inch Carry-On in Navy Blue brings together sleek design and everyday practicality in a compact, airline-approved package. Its outer shell is made from polycarbonate, giving it a rigid, protective structure that can stand up to bumps and scrapes while keeping your belongings safer than softer, fabric bags. Reviewers note that the shell holds up well under impact and overstuffing tests. Because it stays under many international carry-on size limits, you generally won’t run into gate agents requiring you to check it. This makes it a reliable pick for both domestic and cross-border travel.
Inside, the Away carry-on is engineered for smart organization, not just brute force capacity. On one side, a zippered compression panel allows you to cinch down clothes and reduce shifting, while the other side offers a full mesh divider and open space for bulkier items. The telescoping handle and 360° spinner wheels make maneuvering in airports quite fluid. In tests, its wheels delivered smooth, vibration-free rolling even on mixed surfaces, and the bag remained well balanced without tipping. Meanwhile, the Navy Blue color blends a polished, professional look with a shade dark enough to hide minor scuffs and wear more gracefully than very light tones.
That said, it’s not perfect. Some reviewers warn that the shell has a bit of “give” in the mid-section—because the zipper track sits in an indentation, the two halves can flex more than in other rigid bags. Also, its zipper is a relative weak point for water resistance; in simulated rain tests, moisture sometimes seeped in at the zipper seals. The handles (top and side grips) lie flat when not in use, which looks clean but can make them slightly awkward to grab quickly, especially if your hands are large. Still, many users who have logged heavy mileage with their Away carry-ons praise their durability, design coherence, and how well they continue to perform after years of travel.
DELSEY PARIS Chatelet Air 2.0
The Châtelet Air 2.0 is DELSEY’s answer to travelers who want elegance and flair in a hardside suitcase, without skimping too much on utility. Its outer shell is made of 100% polycarbonate, which gives a good balance of impact resistance and lightness. Faux-leather accents and basket-weave/textured finishes add style, while shock-absorbing corner protectors help defend against scrapes and bumps.
it has dual-density, double-spinner wheels that offer smooth, multi-directional rolling, and soft-grip handles (top and side) plus a solid telescoping trolley handle. If you’ve walked airport concourses, those little touches can make a really big difference. When it comes to security, organization, and extras, Châtelet Air 2.0 also brings a lot. It features a recessed 3-dial TSA combination lock and the SECURITECH® zipper system, which DELSEY claims is three times more resistant against intrusion than standard zippers. Inside, you’ll find dual compartments with compression cross-straps, zip dividers, mesh pockets, plus accessories like a laundry bag and shoe bag. The lining is treated with SILVADUR™ technology for odor control, which is a nice bonus for longer trips when freshness starts to matter.
Of course, it isn’t perfect—and some trade-offs are worth knowing. Because the material is a rigid polycarbonate shell, it tends to weight more than soft-sided alternatives; for example, the large 28-inch version weighs around 11.1 lbs with a capacity of about 110.25 liters. Also, while the aesthetics are quite striking (and many users love the “Parisian design” touches), the finish, faux-leather trim, and zippers may show wear or scuffs sooner in rough environments. Some reviewers have noted that the zippers can be stiff initially, or that certain edges or seams (especially the trim) may degrade with very heavy or frequent use.