5 Types of Carry-on Bag to Avoid

[DrA]

My carry-on is a sturdy backpack. No wheels or anything fancy, just a bit of extra padding in the laptop compartment. It's lightweight, roomy, and convenient for hauling around the world.

 

[here2go]

Okay, its Sunday night.... I generally tend to avoid carry-on, especially when there are Tassie Devils, Hyenas, Kites or Vultures around.

 

[medhead]

Semantics semantics. I have luggage with wheels, and whilst I wheel right up to and down the airbridge, I almost always "carry" it onto the plane as I find it easier than wheeling it down the aisle. Is that "carry on" or is that "wheel on" luggage??

There are no semantics involved. If your bag has wheels it fails my general criteria for carry on luggage. Like anything I do make exceptions but the fact remains wheels waste space and weight; and if you can't carry it around an airport it should be checked in.

Having said that my favourite is carry on up the khyber.

 

[serfty]

There are no semantics involved. If your bag has wheels it fails my general criteria for carry on luggage. Like anything I do make exceptions but the fact remains wheels waste space and weight; and if you can't carry it around an airport it should be checked in.

Having said that my favourite is carry on up the khyber.

I don't employ the term "Carry on" much.

In traveling the world I use "Hand Luggage Only" (as in I handle it - noone else) and "rollaboard" - never with any more than two wheels.

 

[reductionist]

I don't think anyone has mentioned these yet but the things that bother me about using 4 wheel bags like they're 2 wheel bags.

1. When wheeling them behind you (2 wheel style) the effective position of the wheels are a lot different. It's easy to accidentally angle the bag in such a way that it scrapes on the ground.
2. It's damn near impossible to wheel them in front of you in a 2 wheel style without the bag jumping in random directions. I coincidentally demonstrated this to someone this afternoon.

Anywho. Just my $0.02. I really don't buy the argument that you can use them like a regular 2 wheeler.

 

[JessicaTam]

I agree with four wheels bad, two wheel good, no wheels best. That said, if I am going away for a short while then I may use a two wheel case as I don't have to worry about the weight. But with a trip of any length it will be out with the wheels and in with the backpack. It zips open like a case so is easy to pack/unpack and once clear of the air-bridge it is over the shoulders and ne'er a second glance at the terrain (a long walk on a cobbled street in Belgium taught me that one)! And it weighs about 1.3kg so I have trouble exceeding 10kgs when it is full.

 

[JessicaTam]

<snip>
Having said that my favourite is carry on up the khyber.

Carry On Doctor gets my vote.

 

[Ric]

I am with the 2 wheel camp. Not only do the 4 wheelers creep away from you on the train/MRT etc, they also do that on pavements/foot paths!! especially when unloaded at kerbside, Sydney Airport!

I use a Tumi 2 wheeler "carry on" which is less than 3 kgs and Tumi tote for my laptop and acessories etc.

 

[dajop]

It seems that a lot of people here prefer 2 wheelers (as do I), but increasingly it is becoming more and more difficult (at least in traditional bricks and mortar stores) to find 2 wheelers. Last time I looked/bought one I'd say the ratio was about 20% two wheelers and 80% four wheelers, so maybe we are the minority.

 

[Joshua]

I prefer two wheelers.

I purchased my current one at one of those endless sales at Myer. Partly because it looked half decent and I'll replace it when needed. I take care of my stuff so as carry-on only it will last a while.

The most important thing to me: One with a comfy, well padded handle. The reality is sometimes you do have to carry them wheels or not and I don't want it cutting into my hand as some do.

 

[casanovawa]

$55 decent backpack does me, lots of pockets to stick all sorts of stuff in... When i travel its usually for pleasure and its exploring as soon as i hit the ground, 2 wheel would be useless for my day to day purposes plus the backpack allows me to wheel around my checked luggage which has two wheels... Although after being around the world several times and on lots of pretty rough terrain it will now have to be retired and a new one bought before my next adventure...

 

[FlashKiwi]

2 or 4 wheels - so yesterday........

3 wheels is the way to go - bugger - not enough posts - try micro-mobility then shop then product then ML0001. Replace then with / and add a www in front

 

[simongr]

You mean:

Micro Scooter Worldwide - The Headoffice Switzerland shop/product

 

[harvyk]

I've only ever had one carry on bag fail me, luckily it was at the SYD QP just before a SYD-CBR flight (where CBR is home), and it didn't happen earlier in the day when I was wandering around AKL. It was a gift so I don't know the price.

The replacement I got cost me all of $50 and that was a couple of years ago. Whilst I don't fly as often as some others here it's survived numerious trips to the US / NZ, countless cross country trips (eg here to PER and back) more short hops (MEL / SYD / BNE) than I can remember, and my first taste of Asia.

For only $50, that bag owes me nothing...

It also has only two wheels, which I have no problems with, it also has some back straps so I can turn it into a back pack in the whole of 30 seconds so if I am in an area where looking like a tourist is not the best idea, change it into a back pack, and I look like any one else... (I don't tend to just do this as the wheels start to push into my side after a little while, but certainly no problem for half an hour)

 

[harvyk]

<snip>
Having said that my favourite is carry on up the khyber.

Agreed...

 

[Chimpy]

I have a Ricardo Beverly Hills Crystal City 17" Universal Carry-on (spinner) and love it.

 

[futaris]

I too just use an STM backpack. Bought second hand from eBay, and in as new condition.

I also have a Caribee 2 wheel roll-on that gets used if travelling with Family, and we need extra carry on space. Bought from one of the luggage repair places in West End, Brisbane.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Where is the OP now? I think a lot of the original post has been well challenged now.

I've got one of these as my standard work suitcase, suitable for both Dom or Intl carry on. apparetly the case itself only weighs 2.4kgs, however thats a siszeabel chunk of your carry on weight allowance..and was also sub $100

But I'm seriously considering switching to a duffle bag or so. I tend to Iron my clothes in hotel rooms anyhow, so no need for sturdy sidewalls. Plus a duffle bag will fit into overhead cabins easier.

 

[simongr]

Umm - might need to click through to the final image to get the image location.

I am considering the Air Boss subject to how my travel changes over the next year. My main concern is having to carry it through the airports - although with my rollaboard I think I am getting "tennis" elbow from dragging it around...

Also considering a Tumi sports duffel...

 

[Rebekkap]

I've got to disagree with just about everyone. I love my four wheeled, hard-sided Samsonite carry on case. It IS carry-on size, despite the four wheels, it's light as a feather when empty, and I find it heaps easier than a two-wheeler to push, it fits everything I need in it and nothing gets squashed. And if you're flying on Dash-8s, it goes as "premium hand luggage", in the hold, and I want my stuff protected. I particularly don't want my breakfast, which I often take with me when I travel, to get squished.