gate 8 travel bag

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Design| Manufacture | Supply

GATE8 are a global supplier of crew luggage to airlines across the world.

Specialist for Airlines

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

We understand how luggage and travel accessories can enhance or curb the performance of your staff, so we work closely with you, your pilots and crew to understand and meet your specific requirements.

BUILT TO LAST

We build luggage to last, using hard-wearing and thoroughly tested materials and components, so you won’t have to fix or replace them for years to come.

TO YOUR BUDGET

We work hard to meet your budget without compromising on quality.

GLOBAL AIRLINE QUALITY STANDARDS

GATE8 are the only luggage brand in the world with a bespoke luggage test facility for airline crew luggage. We test crew bags according to how your crew will use them.

SUPPLY & DELIVERY

GATE8 will ensure your crew bags arrive when you need them.

AFTER SALES SERVICE

GATE8's Customer Service team ensures crew receive necessary after care and assigns named Account Manager with committed Service Level Agreements for customer service queries.

Luggage delivering crew operational performance

Packing efficiency Quality materials Sized (dimensions) to meet your needs

Connect With Us

The luggage of the future

We are recognised experts in cabin crew and pilot luggage and travel accessories. Our experience in designing luggage for multiple airlines - from entirely bespoke cases for easyJet, Emirates & Titan Airways to branded travel accessories for Japan Airlines - means you can trust us to deliver on your specifications, budget and timeline.

Deliver on every promise for every Airline

Client: ETIHAD

ETIHAD commissioned GATE8 to design a wheeled trolley bag that beautifully complimented their uniform. Using ultra tough 1680D Nylon along with pantone matched (using ETIHAD brand guidelines) colour lining and stitched embroidery logo.

Client: TITAN

TITAN Airways commissioned GATE8 to design and manufacture their crew luggage to ensure it would work across their mixed fleet of short and long haul crew layovers. A bag designed with multiple pockets to ensure “quick access” to tech, paperwork and accessories.

Client: EASYJET

EasyJet commissioned GATE8 to design a unisex laptop bag that complimented their portfolio of crew luggage and accessories and would enhance their uniform. Using ultra tough and lightweight fabrics (in recycled plastics) we went into production with this very stylish and highly practical laptop bag, that protects their tech, alongside overnight garments and travel items.

Easyjet commissioned GATE8 to design a crew satchel that would be used primarily by male crew, whilst their female colleagues enjoyed the handbag (also designed and manufactured by GATE8)

Easyjet commissioned GATE8 to design a crew satchel that would be used primarily by male crew, whilst their female colleagues enjoyed the handbag (also designed and manufactured by GATE8). The satchel uses pantone speficic easyJet orange lining and subtle piping.

Client: VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

Easyjet commissioned GATE8 to design both a four wheel (360 degree spinner) crew bag in addition to a matching lunch cooler bag.

ETIHAD chose GATE8 to develop both the crew and pilot trolley bags - using premium recycled materials, ensuring all elements of the bag complied with the brand and uniform guidelines

Client: VIRGIN

Virgin Atlantic commissioned GATE8 develop a prototype crew bag, using pantone prescribed colours for all trims and internal lining.

Client: LOT

Polish airline LOT asked GATE8 to develop a Tote bag to compliment their four wheel crew trolley bag

TITAN commissioned GATE8 develop their entire crew trolley and tote bags - using ultra tough 1680 denier Nylon.

crew and pilots use GATE8

Delivering quality luggage to 00000 + crew and pilots use gate8, our airlines.

Making the complex look easy

Easyjet Laptop Bag Proposal

Gate-8: A Luggage Everyone Should Own

It’s not very often that we test luggage -as we tend to find them a bit boring- however with this one we were excited to do so. So, why did we want to try out this luggage?

Because it has it all! (Explanation below with one picture).

3 things we really liked:

1/ The design : simple, yet elegant. Refined, yet robust.

2/ The “2-in-1”: a single bag that can become two. Its 2-in-1 design makes it the perfect bag for easyJet’s single bag policy. Travel from home-to-gate with the single bag and when on board, zip off the laptop backpack, keeping your tech and valuables close by throughout your journey.

3/ The practicality : it has it all. Several external pockets and well thought inside.

What the inside looks like

The perfect 4-wheel drive

The cabin bag designed to make your journey as hassle-free as possible. The 4-wheel, 360° spinner rotates in the palm of your hand, with no struggle to change direction.

Long story short, this luggage has been going through airports, train and tube stations not to mention on several types of pavements. And it never let me down.

Gate-8 range’s defining features include:

. Zip-off laptop bag – keep your valuables & tech to hand through the flight, travel light to your next meeting, bring onboard easyJet . For all airlines – our luggage is sized to comply with most major airlines’ hand baggage policies (yes, we even have a bag for Ryanair), giving you the confidence you can bring it onboard . Built to last – made from extra-durable materials that have been tested by airline crew standards, protected by a 5 year warranty.

Built to last it is protected by a 5 year warranty, this sturdy cabin bag will stay by your side for years to come.

Where to shop

Shop at www.gate8-luggage.co.uk

About GATE8

GATE8 specialise in designing the world’s most functional travel cabin bags and travel accessories. As seasoned travellers, they know the pain points and are obsessed about using clever smart design to make travel hassle-free as possible. Be it by helping one to avoid baggage check-in, keeping one tech and valuables secure or arriving with a suit that is ready-to-wear, each detail and feature has been carefully designed and tested to make one life easier, stress free and convenient.

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GATE8 2-in-1 Tri-Fold Garment Mate Bag Plus Zip-Off Laptop Bag, Black, International Carry-on

About this item.

• Suitable for 17-Inch laptops Plus iPAD/Tablets ( Plus Power Pack)
• Ultra padded non-slip shoulder straps
• 4 section trolley handle
• Crease-free garment storage
• Silent wheels

Product details

• Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 36 x 15 x 53 cm; 3.45 kg
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ May 29 2013
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Cathay Fenix Luggage (CA)
• Place of Business ‏ : ‎ London, EN TW3 2DL, UK
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003I15CW4
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ G8_TRI_Noir_53
• Department ‏ : ‎ luggage

Looking for specific info?

Product description.

The GATE8 tri-fold wheeled garment Bag with clever Zip-Away Laptop Bag is the ultimate Road Warrior companion. You can pack enough clothes for a 1-3 day business trip, they arrive ready to wear. Your technology (Laptops upto 17-Inch Plus iPAD and Tablets) travel fully protected in the zip away laptop bag.Board the aircraft and unzip the laptop bag to work in your seat. Arrive at the hotel and unzip the laptop bag to go to the office, the expo or conference and leave your clothes ready to wear in the hotel.This tri-fold is also a top quality wheeled Cabin Size Bag, GARMENT Bag that complies with airlines for carry-on hand luggage. Perfect for meeting those one bag limits, the garment bag keeps your clothes crease-free, plus shoe pocket premium ballistic luxury NYLON and extra strong YKK zips. The wheeled Garment MATE is designed for those wishing to travel with Hand Luggage only and avoid the costs and time involved with Baggage Check-In/Collection. This clever bag means you can travel with ONE bag that combines garments and technology, and then when you need to, you just zip-off the laptop bag and travel with one stylish bag. The zip-off laptop bag enables you to use Airlines that have a single bag carry-on limit without the need to pay extra, you board the aircraft with ONE bag that meets the airines hand luggage allowance. With ample garment and accessories storage, this cabin bag gives you the flexibilty to pack what you need and want safe in the knowledge you can carry-on onboard. Contains pockets for pens, paperwork and accessories PLUS Power Packs, all you need in a fexible zip-off laptop bag.

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I ordered in September 2022

I ordered in September 2022, and have not received my order yet. I send emails, but no reply. I called them, but no one answered and no return call for my message.

Date of experience : January 26, 2023

Keeps tipping over.

Great bag except, when fairly full, you try to stand it. It keeps falling over. The stabiliser on the bottom does not come out far enough and the bag keeps tipping over. Other then that it ticks all the box's for a busy traveller. Great pity that they didn't get this very basic, yet essential feature, right.

Date of experience : October 09, 2022

Was good. But does Gate8 even exist now?

This company has really good product ideas, and generally good quality. However, since Covid I have been unable to get any response from them with a product complaint, either by email or phone. Hopeless, as I have a case, purchased used twice, with a jamming telescopic handle rendering it unuseable for air travel.

Date of experience : March 24, 2022

Poor customer service response to a…

Poor customer service response to a faulty product. Don’t answer their phones or the email address on their website. When I finally get hold of them they refuse to accept my clearly valid warranty claim. My advice would be to avoid.

Date of experience : July 08, 2022

Didn't live up to expectation

The 5 day delivery didn't materialise and I had to chase to find out when being delivered. The product doesn't live up to expectation. If that is tried and tested then I'm not sure what those guys do but it isn't travel in the uk. Really disappointed overall.

Date of experience : August 31, 2017

Reply from GATE8 Luggage

Dear Ellie, Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. As discussed over the phone, we believe you received a faulty product. We can only apologies for this. When our new stock arrives, you are a priority and we will send your a replacement bag by courier delivery. Many thanks for your understanding and patience on this matter. Kindest regards Alistair, Chief Bag Carrier, GATE8.

Sadly doesn't deliver in (1) weight or (2) volume

Sorry - very disappointed. First, it's VERY heavy, especially compared to most modern baggage. Second, and worse, it simply doesn't provide the capacity claimed. My first and only attempt to use it was to pack a simple weekend bag for a wedding. 2 nights away in August. Light summer suit. 2 shirts. I pair black brogues. A few casual garments - shorts, polo. Er that's about it. No computer. Wouldn't pack. Eventually, with my cab to London City Airport sitting outside and the meter running I had to give up and dig out my old trusty Samsonite cabin bag. Which did the job with plenty of space to spare. Sorry Gate 8. Nice idea. Good marketing approach. Just not enough real capacity. You don't do what it says on the tin, sad to say.

Dear Bryan, Many thanks for your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that you had some packing issues with your bag. Did you use the internal hanging bar and your Shirt MATE carrier? We designed the Cabin MATE to be efficient with space so you shouldn't have had any trouble with the garments you mentioned. Here is a video where we pack similar items, including a laptop. We hope this helps: https://vimeo.com/214024283 If you need any further assistance or advice then we are always available to help. Best regards and safe travels Alistair Chief Bag Carrier GATE8

The case in theory should be good

The case in theory should be good, purchased on the 28th march, they have taken payment and I have heard nothing since, bought for business travel, the first trip being tomorrow and no case or contact. Being in digital marketing I wish online sellers would start to appreciate the importance of customer services and keeping the paying customer in the loop, bad reviews can damage companies, especially when so many sellers have the same products, I am a firm believer of building companies brands rather than Amazon's, but they have the CS and delivery right and you will lose many a customer to them....Really disappointed in the customer services especially as you were so quick to take my money!!!!! NOT GOOD!!

Date of experience : April 07, 2019

Good Response and Quick

They were quick to sort out my exchange and gave a good credit back with the speedy of service, Once down side is that we would have to ship the goods at out expense.

Practical at a price

Size, layout and ease of use are great but quality of materials feels cheaper than the price tag.

Hi Roy, Many thanks for your feedback. All our bags are made from tough 1680D Ballistic Nylon which is the same material used to make many more expensive cabin bags (some are 5 times the price). We take quality very seriously and test every feature to ensure it is up to the task. Check out our testing video here: https://www.gate8-luggage.co.uk/luggage-testing If you have any further questions about our testing procedures or products then please don't hesitate to get in touch. We are here to help. We're glad you like your bag! :-) Travel Safe Alistair Chief Bag Carrier GATE8

I was very happy from the start

I was very happy from the start. Good and solid product. After two flights the product went broken. I send feedback to the company and was asked to send photo on the broken item. I did that in April 2017 and I haven't heard from them since then.

Hi Claes-Peter, please accept our apologies for this issue. As discussed on the phone, we have now shipped a replacement shirt carrier to you which should arrive very shortly. We are very pleased you are happy with your GATE8 bag. Travel safe! Kindest regards Alistair Chief Bag Carrier, GATE8

Great Quality Hand Luggage

Great Quality Hand Luggage, it may be expensive but it certainly is well worth the investment. I was worried about going on a Ryanair flight but with this bag my worries dissipated when at both ends of my journey I wasn't stopped or my bag queried. I am actually looking into buying other Gate8 Luggage from the range. I would highly recommend this product to all.

Date of experience : September 01, 2017

Certainly the most versatile and useful …

Certainly the most versatile and useful piece of luggage I've ever owned. Both my wife and I have one each, and we've been really pleased with our cabin size suitcases. The factory need to take extra special care to ensure the personalisation is stitched on straight. One of ours was slightly crooked.

Date of experience : September 09, 2017

Just great!

I purchased several items from GATE8 over the years - and I have to say that I am more than satisfied from their quick and outstanding service which I experienced many times. They - literally - make the impossible possible. Thanks for all your support! Not to forget: Their products are just great and a must-have for all frequent travellers.

Good luggage with some small problems

Good luggage with some small problems. The zipping and unzipping the small laptop bag on top is quite inconvenient. When there is laptop inside the bag and it's attached, the suitcase is not completely stable. The zippers in general are not very sturdy.

Date of experience : September 12, 2017

Imagined the perfect bag... found a match in Gate8

Was looking for a bag for specific travel - I travel 4-5 times a year in EU and needed a case that could fit 3 days of clothes, but had a separate removable laptop case (so I could use that instead of bringing my suitcase to the office when I didn't need to. But I wanted them combined so I could use the suitcase/laptop case as my carry on and still have my small handbag separate. I didn't actually think I'd find anything that matched the description until I came across Gate8 on a Google search. Bought the Business Mate and is exactly what I wanted - also like the third party offers so I will also get private lounge access a low cost next time I travel :)

Date of experience : September 11, 2017

I love the gate8

I love the gate8 - its so useful. I often carry my camera and lenses in my carry on baggage as I don't trust it in the hold and the gate-8 has plenty of room for everything - including a few clothes for padding! The one negative point I had was the personalisation embroidery. There are real limits on the clarity of image you can produce with machine embroidery and I don't think the preview image you are presented with really represents that. To be fair - I was probably over ambitious with my choice of image! Everyone is really impressed with the design on my luggage - but they all think I sewed it myself! Maybe thats even better :-D

I have 2 products from gate 8

I have 2 products from gate 8, the cabin bag and the non wheeled suit carrier. They are well made, stylish and robust. There is plenty of room for 3-4 days worth of clothing, my iPad , kindle and assorted crap. I can also take my MacBook and headphones. The zip off laptop bag is an excellent addition and has come in very useful. If you are looking for bags that will last for years and stand the test of time, look no further.

Way to Go!!

Needed new luggage, that is built for the job, and Gate8 fits that bill exactly. Using the luggage is a delight, with every stowage request met, both in use and when packing. Unreservedly recommended.

As a business traveller the flexibility …

As a business traveller the flexibility the luggage provides as carry on is superb. The shirt folder is an essential addition , keeping them (if folded correctly) ready to wear. The quality is also first class .

Sorry. It has not been for me so I have reverted to my old and trusted carry on cabin bag for my travel long and short haul. It was worth a try.

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Carry On with Gate8 Luggage

By The Flying Pinto

Dealing with bag issues can definitely be hectic for both the flight attendants and passengers; making the travel experience less than pleasurable. Now, there is a solution: Gate8 Luggage.

The new easy, light, way to travel, Gate 8 Luggage provides passengers with the ultimate luxury travel experience. It is a clever new range of patent protected cabin baggage that not only meets the hand baggage criteria of ALL airlines, but also offers a stylish and practical way to carry technology, accessories and crease-free clothing, that saves time, money and frustration for travelers.

Gate8 baggage design cleverly folds out to form a wardrobe for a typical trip, making it effortless for customers to pack and go. For those who love to work and travel, the Gate8 bags come with a laptop case that unzips with ease, making it convenient to catch up on work while waiting to board their flight.

Gate8 offers a plethora of products for the customers who enjoy versatility. Their new bag “Cabin Max” is designed for cabin aisle wheeling and comes with a “zip-away” mobile office that protects technology, including laptops, iPads and Tablets up to 15″ + accessory pockets for Passport, Mobile Phone and all other accessories;. You just zip it on to travel and comply with single bag carry on requirements.

To find out how you can become a Gate8 traveler, visit www.gate8-luggage.com

Quite a nifty little bag 🙂

Great! seems to be a good stuff, soon will go for Gate8 Luggage, really I need one for my forth coming holidays…

As a Flight Attendant for a major U.S. Airline with over twenty years experience in the travel industry, I am here to offer advice on making your travels through the friendly skies..... well, more friendly! I will share my experiences with you and offer you a glimpse behind the galley curtain. I also created and co-host a popular podcast, The Crew Lounge Check out my media page too, I've been lucky enough to appear on several morning shows to get the message out. Questions? Join the conversation on twitter @theflyingpinto and on Facebook.com/theflyingpinto Cheers and Happy Travels!

The views expressed on this blog are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

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Home » Articles » Travel » GATE8 Flight MATE – the Perfect RyanAir Carry On Bag

GATE8 Flight MATE – the Perfect RyanAir Carry On Bag

Budget airlines are famous for their sneaky hidden charges and the most annoying one is when they whack on extra fees for the privilege of taking luggage on board.

Pack the wrong bag and when you arrive at the airport you may find that it’ll end up costing you more the flight did itself!

So, on a recent mini-break, I was thanking the heavens for GATE8 Flight MATE bag.

This surprising little suitcase alternative is a game changer for weekends away or to replace hand baggage in long haul flights.

At 40 x 25 x 20cm it’s small enough to fall into the ‘small personal bag’ category, permitted on board Ryanair and Wizz Air free of charge.

Not known for travelling light, I was dubious that I could get a weekend’s worth of belongings inside. But let me tell you, this is a bag Mary Poppins would be proud of.

Thanks to its intelligent design, with three roomy pockets, it was easily large enough.

The main compartment, for clothes and shoes, is surprisingly roomy.

It’s feels sturdy and well made, with features like its water-protected padded laptop sleeve and multiple clips, nets and pockets, my tech and travel documents were within reach and safe from any leaky toiletries.

It’s professional look makes it perfect for business trips as well as personal jollies, and it’s comfy to carry too – with dual handles or a padded shoulder strap.

Plus a loop on the back means you can stack it on the handle of a wheeled suitcase, if you are checking in luggage for a longer trip

My favourite thing a bag is the thoughtful design. Even in a busy airport situation, I could easily lay my hand on anything I needed at a moment’s notice.

And anything that makes travelling cheaper and less stressful has to be worth it.

GATE8 Flight MATE has an RRP of £85, and is on sale at www.gate8-luggage.co.uk

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Review - The GATE8 Cabin MATE

Billed as the Ultimate Road Warrior, I don't think that's an understatement. In an unusual four day trip across Holland recently, as the support for a small cycling team heading from the UK to Amsterdam, I gave it a serious work out.

 I logged - one plane, seven trains, one ferry, three hotels and about 6 miles walking with my friend in tow, across the Zeeland part of Holland, keeping up with the guys. I never really appreciated the need for quality wheels on a bag but I sure do now. You get what you pay for and this bag will take a lot of travelling. Cobble stones! No problem.

Gladly there were no incidents with the riders or their equipment, as I didn't carry any spares, just directions to the nearest bars and restaurants each evening (someone has to do it) but with this bag I sure had enough room to do so. I saw it more of a friend and companion as my pal cycled into the distance every morning, leaving me to contemplate the next leg of the journey to catch up with them 70 ish miles away. God bless the Dutch transport system, never let me down once, bang on time and great pre trip web access to plan the journey.

Wheeling it on to the plane you can see the jealousy in the cabin crew's eyes when you know the only thing better protected than my clothes was the black box... and that's just an assumption.

Technicals.

The first thing you need to know is that all the major airlines accept the GATE8 Cabin bag on board, so have comfort that you won't be making the walk of shame back to the luggage desk. It is two bags in one as you can unzip what would become your laptop bag and it turns into a rucksack. I had a laptop and tablet in mine as this was a working break and I had a portable office in it also, loads of file space built in.

The main bag weighs 2.2 Kg, size 50 x 38 x 22 cm with the detachable bag coming in at 0.76Kg and rest assured, a huge amount of thought has gone into ensuring every part of this bag is top quality and beyond fit for purpose.

For example in one station I bought a drink and then had to hurry for a train. I couldn't see a drink holder anywhere but by now I realised that this bag was not one to let me down on something so basic. A quick investigation of a zip with no apparent purpose and a drinks holder appears that can take an umbrella also, not at the same time of course. Subtle clever design and strength are hallmarks of this piece of kit.

On the inside there is a bar and zipped compartments to hang shirts trousers etc. Everything well thought out, top quality inside and out.

There are some essentials you need when travelling, plugs, bar directions, etc. but nothing more essential than the GATE8 in our family. We do have other cabin bags but they never see the light of day anymore, gathering dust in the loft, waiting for us to take the Christmas decorations out, while the GATE8 is ready to go at a moment's notice.

  For more information visit  GATE8 Luggage   

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

May be out of stock

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

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Gate8 Cabin Mate

The gate8 cabin mate is the ultimate quick get-away cabin bag..

The GATE8 Cabin MATE is the ultimate quick get-away cabin bag. With its clever Zip-Away fully padded Ruck-Sack it is the ultimate in modern streamlined hand luggage.

You can pack enough clothes for a 1-3 day Leisure or Business, and arrive ready to wear, using the internal innovative garment hanging bar.

Your technology (Laptops up to 16″ + iPAD and Tablets) travel fully protected in the zip-away laptop bag, that can quickly convert into a comfortable rucksack.

The GATE8 cabin MATE was designed with collaboration between female and male business/leisure travellers alongside Airline cabin crew. The goal was to design the most thoroughly thought-through piece of cabin-size luggage for those wishing to travel on business or leisure with hand luggage only.

Negotiate trains, planes and taxis with one bag, then unzip and take only your technology and essentials with you.

£149.00 & FREE Delivery in the UK – CLICK HERE TO BUY FROM AMAZON

Read our review: Luggage Review: Gate8 Cabin Mate

Hotel Review: Sunborn Super Yacht, Gibraltar

As paris floods, the louvre museum shuts to protect priceless artwork, related articles, enjoy 20% off gate8 hygiene kits: peace of..., digital luggage scale, personalised luggage, lat_56 road warrior 2 wheel carry-on suitcase, gate8 tri-fold garment mate cabin luggage, vango shuttle 40 travel bag, trunki ride on suitcase for children.

Protect Your Trip »

Carry-on luggage and personal item size limits (2024).

Just like checked bags, carry-on luggage size restrictions can vary by airline.

Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline

Key Takeaways

• The carry-on size limit for many airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
• Most domestic airlines do not have a weight limit for carry-on bags.
• You can typically bring a carry-on bag in addition to a personal item.
• Your personal item should be able to fit neatly under the seat in front of you.

If you're traveling with carry-on luggage and/or a personal item, you'll need to adhere to size restrictions in the same way you do with checked bags . These rules include the dimensions of your carry-on bag and, in some scenarios, even the weight.

What size luggage is a carry-on?

While carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline, several major carriers go by these dimensions.

Airlines calculate carry-on luggage size measurements using two methods:

• Height by width by depth:  Most – but not all – airlines measure bags by inches or centimeters using this formula: height by width by depth, such as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. (Note: The dimensions listed below, which are given according to that formula, may differ slightly from the way each individual airline formats its size requirements.)
• Linear inches:  A few airlines have linear inch restrictions for carry-on baggage, meaning the airline gives one number for the total of all three dimensions. As long as the combined height, width and depth don't exceed that number, you're in the clear.

Can a 24-inch bag be a carry-on?

Yes, a 24-inch bag can be used as a carry-on suitcase when flying with the following airlines: Frontier, Southwest and Sun Country . However, if you're shopping for new carry-on luggage, it's best to opt for something that meets the requirements for most major airlines (22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller).

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags?

Most major domestic airlines do not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags; however, several international airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage and, in some cases, personal items.

Carry-on vs. personal item: What's the difference?

A carry-on bag is typically stored in a plane's overhead bin, while a personal item should fit under the seat in front of you. Most airlines allow economy passengers to bring one carry-on and one personal item – such as an underseat bag – at no extra cost.

Carry-on luggage sizes by airline

Click on the major domestic and international airlines below to see their carry-on luggage size restrictions in inches for economy passengers – and note that any handles and wheels on your bags count toward size limits as well.

Domestic Airlines

Alaska airlines, allegiant air, american airlines, delta air lines, frontier airlines, hawaiian airlines, southwest airlines, spirit airlines, sun country airlines, united airlines, international airlines, all nippon airways, british airways, cathay pacific, klm royal dutch airlines, qatar airways, scandinavian airlines, singapore airlines, turkish airlines, virgin atlantic.

See all Alaska Airlines carry-on policies.

The fee is often around $20 if you pay for your carry-on baggage at the time of booking; it costs a hefty $45 if you add a carry-on bag later – and up to $75 at the gate.

See all Allegiant Air carry-on policies.

The above rules also apply to basic economy tickets.

See all American Airlines carry-on policies.

Note that if you're flying to or from Beijing or Shanghai, there is a 22-pound weight limit for a carry-on; for Singapore, there is a 15-pound limit.

See all Delta Airlines carry-on policies.

There are two instances where the carry-on bag fee is waived:

• You're an elite member of the  FRONTIER Miles rewards program .
• You bought a specialty ticket like the WORKS bundle.

Also note that carry-on bag fees, which typically start at around $30, depend on your destination, and that prices are cheapest if you add baggage when you make your booking. You'll pay more to add it later, especially if you do so at the airport. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to purchase a checked bag instead of a carry-on.

See all Frontier Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Hawaiian Airlines carry-on policies.

If you booked a Blue Basic ticket, you're only permitted to bring a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. If you bring a carry-on bag, you will have to pay $65 to check it at the gate (or up to $180 if you've already checked two other bags). However, select customers with Blue Basic fares can bring carry-on bags for free. These include:

• Active U.S. military personnel
• Unaccompanied minors
• Customers flying to London

If you purchase a higher-class seat or if you reach Mosaic status on JetBlue's TrueBlue rewards program , you can also bring a carry-on bag for free on a Blue Basic ticket.

See all JetBlue carry-on policies.

See all Southwest Airlines carry-on policies.

Spirit's carry-on bag fees vary between flights, but they tend to start at around $25 to $30 for U.S. domestic flights. If you need to bring carry-on luggage, it's always cheapest to pay for it when you first book your flight. It will cost you more to add a bag afterward – and at least double the initial fee if you do it at the airport.

See all Spirit Airlines carry-on policies.

The Sun Country Airlines fee for a carry-on bag is around $30 if you pay for it when booking, or more if you add it later.

See all Sun Country carry-on policies.

There's one notable exception for carry-on baggage with United: Passengers with a basic economy ticket can only   take one personal item on board – no carry-on bag. This policy applies to travelers flying basic economy domestically or between the U.S. and Canada. If you have a basic economy ticket and are going to Central or South America (including Mexico) or taking trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, you can bring a full-size carry-on bag.

See all United Airlines carry-on policies.

Aer Lingus' carry-on policy depends on where you're flying. For trans-Atlantic flights, you can bring one carry-on bag within the dimensions above, plus a small personal item for free. If you're flying within Europe on Aer Lingus, the rules are a bit different: You'll have to pay a fee to bring a carry-on with you on board, starting at 5.99 euros. However, you can check that same bag for free.

If you're flying Aer Lingus Regional (a service with smaller planes, flying mostly around Ireland and the U.K.), a smaller carry-on limit applies: 18.5 x 13 x 8 inches, with a weight limit of 15 pounds.

See all Aer Lingus carry-on policies.

All Aeroméxico customers can bring a standard carry-on bag and a personal item on board. Be careful with the weight limit, though: For international flights or basic fare flights within Mexico, these two items combined cannot weigh more than 22 pounds. So, if your carry-on bag weighs 15 pounds, for example, your personal item cannot be more than 7 pounds.

See all Aeroméxico carry-on policies.

While there's no weight limit for carry-on luggage, Air Canada says your carry-on bag should be light enough that it can easily be lifted into the overhead bin. Also note that airport purchases (for example, larger duty-free items) count toward your baggage limit.

See all Air Canada carry-on policies.

Note that both your personal item and carry-on bag (referred to as "hand baggage") combined must not weigh more than 26 pounds if you're traveling economy. The weight limit is 40 pounds for premium economy and other higher-class cabins.

See all Air France carry-on policies.

A variety of personal items (think a handbag and umbrella) are permitted as long as they fit under the seat in front of you; this includes any items purchased at the airport.

See all All Nippon Airways carry-on policies.

If airline staff put a yellow tag on your bag, it should be stored under the seat in front of you.

See all British Airways carry-on policies.

Cathay Pacific has shifted from a weight allowance to a piece allowance, and this policy varies by itinerary. Passengers are generally permitted to bring one carry-on bag plus a small personal item (and assistive devices like a walking stick), but it's best to check your booking carefully to confirm the exact allowance. You're asked to check in any baggage that's too heavy to lift into the overhead compartment.

See all Cathay Pacific carry-on policies.

Since easyJet is a budget airline, standard fares only allow customers to bring one personal item (called a "small cabin bag") aboard for free. Fees for standard carry-on bags are between 5.99 and 32.99 British pounds, depending on your destination and when you add an extra bag to your reservation.

See all easyJet carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to all economy passengers except those traveling from Brazil, whose carry-on luggage can weigh up to 22 pounds. Emirates only allows economy passengers to bring one item on board; whether you bring a carry-on bag for the overhead bin or a personal item to tuck under the seat, this bag must comply with the size limits.

See all Emirates carry-on policies.

Be aware that the 22-pound weight limit applies to both your personal item and carry-on combined. If your flight was booked through Iberia but is operated by Vueling, similar rules apply, but the size limits for your carry-on bags are slightly smaller.

See all Iberia carry-on policies.

If you're traveling on the cheaper Light ticket, you may be asked to check your carry-on bag for no extra cost, if space is limited.

See all KLM Royal Dutch Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Lufthansa carry-on policies.

The above rules apply to LowFare+ customers. Passengers who fly LowFare (comparable to Basic Economy fare) can only bring a personal item (underseat bag) measuring 15 x 11.5 x 7.5 inches.

See all Norwegian carry-on policies.

Qantas 

Economy passengers can opt to bring a nonrigid garment bag measuring 45 x 24 x 4 inches (or 73 linear inches) instead of a standard 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on bag. The above rules apply to all economy tickets and vary for higher classes on international and domestic flights with Qantas.

See all Qantas carry-on luggage policies.

Qatar Airways allows passengers to bring multiple personal items provided they fit under the seat in front of you. Unlike with other airlines, laptops and laptop bags do not count as personal items and must fit within your main hand baggage allowance. For tickets issued in Brazil, the carry-on weight limit is 22 pounds.

Be careful: Qatar doesn't accept carry-ons longer than 20 inches, which is shorter than many other airlines.

See all Qatar Airways carry-on policies.

Ryanair is a low-cost carrier, so unless you pay extra, you can only bring one small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, per the personal item guidelines above. To bring a larger carry-on bag, travelers need to purchase Ryanair's Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option, which typically costs between 6 and 32 euros depending on your destination.

See all Ryanair carry-on policies.

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Most (but not all) Scandinavian Airlines fares allow you to bring one traditional carry-on bag, plus a personal item, which SAS calls an "underseat bag." There's one exception: Passengers traveling within Europe on the Go Light fare must pay for a larger carry-on bag. If you booked a Go Light ticket for intercontinental flights, a carry-on bag is included.

See all Scandinavian Airlines carry-on policies.

Singapore Airlines has an unusual method for measuring carry-on bags – the dimensions of the bag must not add up to more than 45 linear inches total. For example, a bag measuring 15 x 15 x 15 inches would be suitable. All passengers can bring one bag of this size, plus a smaller personal item. The personal item, whose dimensions are specified above, does not count toward the 15-pound carry-on limit.

See all Singapore Airlines carry-on policies.

See all Turkish Airlines carry-on policies.

Virgin Atlantic lets every passenger bring a carry-on bag, including children younger than age 2. You can bring a bag weighing no more than 13 pounds for your child, in addition to a collapsible stroller and/or car seat. Each passenger is also allowed to bring a handbag or small backpack, an umbrella, a walking stick and airport purchases. Take note: Laptops do not count as personal items on Virgin Atlantic and should fit into your main carry-on bag. There's no specific size limit on the other personal items, but bags or airport purchases should fit under the seat in front of you.

See all Virgin Atlantic carry-on policies.

Note that the above rules apply to passengers who book a TimeFlex or Premium Fare, as well as anyone traveling with a child under age 2 and/or requiring special assistance at the airport.

See all Vueling carry-on policies.

See all WestJet carry-on policies.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a seasoned traveler who packs just one carry-on bag and a personal item – even when adventuring with her toddler . She used her personal experience and research skills to put together this guide, and notes that even if your carry-on bag meets size restrictions, you may still need to check it at the gate because of limited space in the overhead bin. Luckily, it's still free.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Carry-on Backpacks
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on?
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Airlines , Travel Tips

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