I Tested The Lightest Carry On Luggage in the World

Excellent video

Wife had the travel pro hard sided and it got destroyed on a domestic flight.

You missed one of the lightest bags—Lipault. They are owned by Samsonite. It come in 2 and 4 wheel designs and weighs 4.8lbs. The website often runs sales. The large bags are also light—under 7lbs.

I've owned 2 of the TravelPro soft side shown here. NEVER AGAIN!!! By the time I put my work backpack with laptop on top, the wheels are worthless, even after multiple shots of WD40 & graphite lubricant. The company replaced my first bag under warranty because the wheels failed on trip #4. The second bag made it only 6 trips (none strenuous) before the wheels were once again almost impossible to push/roll, strenuously difficult to pull, & loud enough that other travelers in the airport would look around to see where the noise was coming from... even on smooth airport floors. The company won't warranty the second bag, but they made for great target practice.

We bought both of the Travel Pro carry-ons last year (I did get the rollaboard soft-sided and my husband the hard sided). We have been very happy with them on multiple international trips.

Great video. Thanks!

I bought the Delsey Dauphine softside in 2006, still using it. From India to USA to EU. Less than 4lbs. No sweat for international budget airlines.

I cannot believe that you went to the expense and trouble to make this video, and I feel really lucky that it crossed my feed. I hope that it does well and that you recoup your investment. I’ve looked at all of these bags online too, had a few of them in the cart, but then became afraid that they were actually too big. I really appreciate you putting the dimensions and weight front and center, because honestly, that’s what it’s all about.

I've owned two IT luggage suitcases and they have done so well for me. No frills, but really great quality for the price!

I got the July carton light expandable! I really like it - so lightweight and easy to maneuver. Plus I got it in a moss green that makes it stand out from all the black bags. I really like that it doesn’t take up too much of my 8kg allowance.

I bought the July Carry-on Light Expandable in March but in multiple weeks of constant use in Europe I discovered its serious shortcomings and the near-uselessness of July's 100-day return option. Perhaps this mini-review-within-a-comment will be helpful to others considering this bag. Let me start with the least-important drawbacks:

1. When the two zippered compartments are both open they partially block access to one half of the bag or the other. This makes it more complicated to access both halves of the bag when packing or unpacking it. If the zippered covers hung over the outer edges of the bag, as they do in some other bags, it would be easy to pack things in both halves of the luggage at the same time.

2. There is no way to easily have access to any small items that you might use while traveling, like gloves or keys or a passport. Getting access to anything in the bag requires you to find a large horizontal space where you can open out both halves of the luggage and completely and unzip the compartment giving access to what you want to pack or unpack. If you're doing this in an airport the only place is probably the ground, which is awkward.

3. There is no side handle - only a single fixed handle on top. It is offset from the centerline, so when the bag is lifted by the handle it is lopsided and does not hang vertically for carrying, making it awkward to handle, for example, when lifting it to put it in an overhead bin. This problem is even worse when the luggage is expanded, which moves the handle even farther from the centerline, making it even more lopsided and more awkward to handle.

4. But for me the main and most-serious problem with this bag, and the one that makes it completely unusable for me, is the shape of the telescoping handle grip. The shape of the grip is curved so that when it's not extended it matches the curve of the bag. While this is stylish, it creates an asymmetric handle with a tilted-oval cross section. This is comfortable to grip but only when you position the bag next to you with the handle on the far side from your body.

When you're rolling the bag, this position requires you to reach across the bag to control it with the handle. Nobody rolls a bag that way. You position the bag with the handle close to your body with the bag to the outside. Unfortunately, in this position, the grip doesn't fit your hand well at all. When you hold it tightly it digs into your palm and across the last joints of your fingers. I've asked people with hands both larger and smaller than mine and they all find it uncomfortable.

This problem isn't apparent rolling the empty bag along a smooth surface when you first receive it, which you can do with a light grip. But when you load it and start to use it for travel it becomes uncomfortable. And in situations where you have to put extra torque on on the handle to control the bag - like when it's heavily loaded and/or fully expanded and/or rolling on carpet or rough pavement - gripping the handle tightly to control the bag becomes an ordeal.

I used this bag as carry-on luggage on eight airplane segments, three train segments, two bus segments and a ferry segment and innumerable city streets, and I could hardly wait to get home and take advantage of the 100-day return option. And that brings me to the worst problem of all ...

5. The 100-day return policy. July says, "If you decide that this is not the product for you, send it back to us within 100 days of placing your order and we’ll reimburse you to the original payment method, as long as the product(s) meet the conditions set out in our return policy."

Unless you click through to see the conditions you might think that you could return the bag if you're dissatisfied with its performance. But no. The return policy says that the bag has to be unused and in its original condition and with all its original packaging, including any dust bags. So if you actually use the bag during the 100 days and find it unsatisfactory it's already non-returnable.

But if you can't use the bag in actual travel - or somehow simulate all the various conditions of actual travel without making the bag appear "used" - how can you determine whether this bag, or any July luggage, "is not for you"? Apparently July's policy only covers what can happen to the bag if it sits on a shelf for 100 days. Maybe it develops a smell you don't like? If anything shows up while you're actually putting it to the use it's intended for you're just out of luck. I appealed to July customer service and was told the same thing; they won't accept used bags for return.

So I have an expensive bag that I'll never use again but I'm just out of luck. If I had clicked through to see how worthless the July return policy is I wouldn't have bought the bag. But I didn't click through so I don't have grounds for a complaint.

What I can do though is warn others about the shortcomings of this particular bag and alert them to the fact that the 100-day return policy won't help them if they find any piece of July luggage to be unsatisfactory in actual use.

I got an It luggage that’s 2.7 lbs only for $50 at Nordstrom years ago. Still looking new after so many years. Try Heys. They have some light luggage’s as well and great warranty.

You should try the Cabin Max Velocity for $140. Unfortunately in the US you can’t get it with the locks. You have to buy those separately. It’s 16x8x22” and weighs 5.3 pounds.

Where did you purchase the IT Lykke Cabin carry on? The link takes me to a British site and they don't ship to America.

Really well done!!

Thanks sir

The pricing on the lykke is bogus?

Thank you for this review video! It's super helpful!

Can i have one of your bags and ship it to philippines?

Hi Nik, any thoughts on the best convertible rolling bag?

If going carry-on only, which I always try to do, I'd never use a spinner as it loses so much volume compared to recessed double wheels. Weight counts but so does packing space.

Thanks so much! Appreciated this video!!! Have you reviewed the Samsonite Essens Carry-On Spinner?

Have you looked into Cabin Zero or Cabin Max??

Glad to know I made the right choice! love my Travelpro so much I bought one for my daughter too. My only tiny beef is the telescoping handle - I wish it had a third setting.

Thank you ! Super video!
We enjoy all of your honest comments!

It might be $240, but the BEST carry-on soft is TOTE AND CARRY roller! 😉 👍🏾♦️👌🏾💫

That handle on the Max LIte soft is really weird and a deal breaker for me...thin, 73 years old, and don't need to twist my wrist like that!

In India we have Samsonite 72h DLX which is a soft sided luggage and weighs only 1.8kg or 3.97 pounds. Had heard great about it. Was surprised not a mention about it in the video.

I have been a big Travelpro fan for years and have both soft and hard cases, but Icelandair international baggage size for carry-on is shockingly small, specifically it can’t be wider than 7.78 inches. A huge thank you to you for introducing me to the July carry-on light, which meets the dimensions for Icelandair. I realize the colors are very limited right now, but for a two week carry-on only trip to France, It will do just fine. Together with my Sherpani travel backpack from REI, I should have all I need. Thanks!

I wish I would have watched before buying my solgaard luggage. The carry on closet is super heavy if I ever have to weigh…thanks for the video!

Keep in mind that Ryan Air depth is the narrowest at 20cm! Most of these bags other than July are deeper than that!

The Lykke bag wheels look like they are waiting to be knocked off if checked. I wish you would have tested wheel durability.

With all your travels, do you prefer soft side or hard side luggage?

ANY RESEARCH ON HEYS PRODUCTS?

This is great, we've been trying to improve of packing / traveling game, and always seems we fall short, we often if not always bring back bottles of booze from our travels, could you review travel with wine suitcases please?

Carry-on sizing has become more restrictive. Both American and Alaska list maximum carry-on dimensions of 22"x14"x9". The "best overall" choice TravelPro Maxlite 5 has overall dimensions of 23"x14.5"x9". I wouldn't worry too much about being asked to use the sizer when flying domestically on these carriers, but it could absolutely cause problems with an ultra low-cost carrier or when flying internationally.

I love my carry on - Samsonite Airea. Much lighter than all the rest - only 1.8 KG. It has a few versions, mine is the strict one, there is an expandable version as well. it is the best for international travel, and somehow it's been overlooked in all the reviews I see online, and for no good reason. Used it for 2 years already, and I highly recommend it.

Great reviews!

This was a very helpful video. I am a bit new to your channel and I wonder if you have ever reviewed any of the backpacks that Rick Steves sells, one with wheels.

I think the reason why you do not seeing a brand like Briggs & Riley on this list is the lifetime warranty they offer. My guess is that long-term durability is going to suffer when you go for the lightest weight. Travelpro may have figured this out, but I would be skeptical of most of the other brands.

Thanks for the solid info. When I was researching this a while back and these were items I thought were important, concerned about or avoided:
avoid wobbly handles
Wheels should steer straight
Avoid single wheels
How far it will roll, should roll freely
Avoid heavy bag, light is good
Dont buy just because its attractive
Must have space/expanse below top of bottom wheels, i.e. embedded wheels are better
Poor quality zippers - should glide smooth
Side handle needed, and on correct side for you
Inside should have space all the way into corners

Travelpro is my favorite brand, for any luggage. Less expensive than Samsonite, and better quality in my opinion.

I just bought the July carry on lite and checked lite. Customer service was great! They had a 15% off sale, so I took the plunge. Next year I’ll be traveling to New Zealand and Australia and carryon bags are limited to 15 pounds. I purposely chose non expanding so I wouldn’t be tempted to overpack and then have to pay extra fees. I’ll be wearing a ScottE vest on the plane as well. I often travel solo and it will be great to have two bags that are not heavy.

I really appreciate this review as I've spent hours researching this exact category online. Have you done a review of the Biaggi Runway Hybrid? If so, please point me to it. Thanks so much!

I’d love a review of the smallest and lightest carryon bags. Expandable and non expandable. I think most people agree that a side handle is necessary, nice wheels, good organization, non wobbly handle, decent price. lol. Does such a bag exist?

I've been using my TravelPro Maxlite Air for 2 years as a primarily carry-on only traveler and it's been great. It's been on 30+ flights both as a carry-on and checked bag and it still looks brand new. For me it's great for taking it as a carry-on to a vacation place and then expanding the storage and using it as a checked bag for any sourvenirs you want to take home.

The only complaint I have is that the texture of the bag is really rough on your hands especially when grabbing it from the side or top since the handles are very tight causing the top of your hand to grate against the luggage.

Also for anyone who has American Express be sure to look for Amex offers since you usually can get $30 off of travelpro luggage.

Every bag should have litre capacity, how much can you fit in the bag! Size really matters

We have two of the Maxlite 5 two wheel version which has more capacity and we love them.

I still have my roller carry-on but recently bought a small backpack with luggage handles and disappearing straps. It's lighter with more capacity and more useful for adventure travel. I will be using this going forward. Wheels and a telescoping handle take up lots of space.