Honorable Mentions
We try a lot of bags! Here are others that just did not earn a place in our top picks.
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Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Carl Friedrik Carry-On for $545: This British brand positions itself as a quiet luxury bag. It has a distinctive appearance, with leather accents and typical high-end features like smoothly-rolling Hinamoto wheels, a built-in lock, and well-functioning latches. This is what you get if you want a classy appearance but don’t want disgruntled baggage handlers to target your Rimowa.
Aer Carry-On for $299: Aer’s admittedly more expensive carry-on has very nice Hinamoto ball bearings as well as wheel locks, for when you’re taking the shuttle to the car rental office.
Casetify Bounce Suitcase for $399: Casetify’s phone cases always earn a spot in our phone case roundups because they’re cute and customizable. So is the company’s first piece of luggage, which is adorable and which you can monogram. Unfortunately, it’s also smaller and more expensive than most of our other picks.
Photograph: Beis
Beis Carry-On Roller for $238: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tried the viral Beis suitcase and loved its sleek looks, variety of colors, and extras like a built-in weight gauge and a retractable strap that lets you clip a backpack or duffel to the front.
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Carry-On for $63: Getting on a plane in two days and need a functional roller bag you don’t have to drop a lot of money on? This Amazon Basics bag will totally do the trick. The wheels certainly don’t roll like a Rimowa and the zippers far too often snag, but it’s very light and the textured ABS shell doesn’t scuff easily.—Martin Cizmar
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200: This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. The interior fabric is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, and it has a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.
