At Urban List, we know there's nothing quite like the feeling of travelling without check-in luggage. Freed from worries about lost bags, the shackles of strict drop-off times and tedious carousel lines, you’re suddenly walking a whole lot lighter—not just mentally, but physically too. With less to carry and even less to worry about, you'll be amazed at what ditching that giant check-in can do for the soul.
But how do you master the art of travelling with just a carry-on? According to the many expert travellers and frequent flyers we’ve spoken to, it’s simpler than you might think: pack less and invest in a great bag. Easy, right? Whether you’re into backpacks, wheeled cases or something in between, keep reading for seven carry-ons so good, you'll wonder why you ever bothered checking a bag in the first place.
Urban List's Top Picks
- Best Overall, July Carry On Light Expandable
- Best Value Roller, Antler Stamford 2.0 Cabin
- Best Lightweight Roller, Samsonite C-Lite
- Best Luxury Roller, Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin U
- Best Lightweight Backpack, Bellroy Lite Travel Pack
- Best Hybrid Backpack, Katmandu Hybrid Trolley
- Best Luxury Backpack, Bellroy Venture Travel Pack 26
Best Overall July Carry On Light Expandable
Combining the best of both worlds, at just 2.2kg, this lightweight wheeled and hardshell case will tick the box for nearly every type of traveller.
The expandable design, which takes it from 35 to 40-litres gives you the flexibility to pack more when you need (or fit in that extra shopping), but still keeps things lightweight and compact enough for when you're flying with weight and size-conscious budget airlines.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $275
- Weight: 2.2 kg
- Capacity: 35 L (40 L when expanded)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
NEED TO KNOW Antler Stamford 2.0 Cabin
The stylish and compact design of this hardshell wheeled carry-on makes it a top pick on our list. Designed for exceptional use and function, the polycarbonate outer is both strong (to protect your belongings), while remaining lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.
With an expandable 38-litre capacity thanks to an inbuilt expander zip, even the most overzealous packers should be able to fit in everything they need with ease.
Need To Know
- Price: $197
- Weight: 2.82 kg
- Capacity: 38 L
- Warranty: Limied lifetime warranty
Best Lightweight Wheeled Samsonite C-Lite
Designed for weight-conscious travellers, this ultra-light and cleverly designed hardshell carry-on combines the very best of Samsonite’s design features. Made with their Curv® technology and award-winning iconic design, the C-Lite wheeled case weighs in at only 1.9kg, allowing you to get the most out of your packable weight allowance.
The smooth double wheels, elongated pull handle and inbuilt USB port also make it a dream to use for both business and personal travel.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $1,049
- Weight: 1.9 kg
- Capacity: 36 L
- Warranty: Limited 10 year global warranty
Best Luxury Roller Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin U
While a Rimowa suitcase is certainly an investment, there’s a reason they consistently come out on top. While many luxury travel brands absolutely nail features and aesthetically pleasing designs, many don’t factor in the ever-decreasing weight allowances of most airlines.
Thankfully, Rimowa has come to the table with its lightest luggage offering yet. Incorporating the quality, design, and reliability that we have come to expect from Rimowa products, this clever carry-on weighs 30% less than their usual offering, providing the perfect blend of portability without making any compromises.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $1,030
- Weight: 2kg
- Capacity: 28L
- Warranty: Lifetime guarantee
Best Lightweight Backpack Bellroy Lite Travel Pack
The ultimate lightweight and portable option, this is a travel backpack with a twist. Made from durable 100% recycled nylon, this incredibly lightweight but capable pack fits a suprising amount of stuff.
Weighing in at less than 1kg, this wearable suitcase is one of the smartest solutions for dealing with pesky (and expensive) carry-on weight restrictions. With a suitcase style layout, handy external top pocket and a dedicated laptop pocket that fits 16” devices, you'll never have to worry about overpacking again.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $289
- Weight: 950g
- Capacity: 30L
- Warranty: 3 years
Best Hybrid Backpack Katmandu Hybrid Trolley
If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that travel can be unpredictable, which is exactly the type of circumstances the Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley has been designed for.
Blending the ease of a lightweight wheeled bag, with the portability of a backpack, this 32-litre case can quickly and easily transform from a wheeled carry-on to a comfortable backpack, making it perfect for multi-destination travel.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $249
- Weight: 2.28kg
- Capacity: 32L
- Warranty: N/A
Best Luxury Backpack Bellroy Venture Travel Pack 26
Crafted to be your ultimate travel sidekick, this full-feature backpack is perfect for work trips, spontaneous adventures, and everything in between. It features plush shoulder straps, a padded 16” laptop sleeve, and a convenient luggage pass-through to make your journey as smooth as possible.
With 28 liters of storage, you’ll have ample space for all your essentials, plus smart details like a quick-access 'brain' pocket, a zippered water bottle pocket, and a wide clamshell opening helps to keep everything in its place. Need extra room for those gym shoes or last-minute souvenirs? The included 15L expansion tote has you covered.
NEED TO KNOW
- Price: $479
- Weight: 1.1kg
- Capacity: 28L
- Warranty: 3 years
Image credit: July | Instagram
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