I've Got the Whole World...In My Pack
![Lots of suitcases](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/suitcases-long.jpg)
How to travel with a carry-on-sized bag as your only piece of luggage, and still have room for souvenirs
![Eagle Creek Switchback 22 Wheeled Convertible Luggage](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/ec-switchback-22.jpg)
A bag like the Eagle Creek Switchback 22" travel backpack not only fits into the overhead bin (so you needn't check any luggage), but it can hold everything you need for any trip—and it comes with a zip-off daypack.
The best all-around luggage choice is—brace yourself—a carry-on-sized backpackwith a zip-off daypack (or a seperate small backpack).
Hard-backed suitcases are cumbersome and heavy, huge frame packs are for hikers, and both need to be checked on airlines—a wholly unnecessary hassle.
With a carry-on-size pack, you can hop on and off the plane, sling your stuff on your back whenever you need to hoof it, and it’ll force you to pack light.
“Carry-on size” is determined by each airline individually, but is always measures by adding together all the dimensions (length plus width plus height).
Note that for many lately it has been slipping from the old 60" to around 45" total , so when shopping for a bag make sure it fits those smallest requirements. That way just about any airline will O.K. it. (Hint: With soft-sided bags, you can get away going over by a few inches, since you can squish them into acceptable-looking dimensions.)
(The bags featured below under "Carry-on Travel Bags" meet the requirement, as do—for ultra-light packers—the last two smaller bags.)
The best travel bags
CARRY-ON SIZED BAGS (40L–60L)
Wheeled bags
Eagle Creek Switchback 22"
22" x 14" x 9"
7 lb, 4 oz (40L)
Daypack: 19" x 12" x 6"
» Details
High Sierra AT3 22"
22 x 13.5" x 9"
10 lb, 3 oz (52L)
Daypack: 16.5" x 12" x 5.75"
» Details
eBags Mother Lode TLS Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel
21.5 x 15" x 9"
8 lb, 11oz (45L)
» Details
Backpacks (no wheels)
Eagle Creek Digi Hauler
22" x 14" x 9"
1 lb, 14 oz (44L)
» Details
![eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/ebags-motherlode-tls-weekender.jpg)
eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender
22" x 14" x 9"
3 lb, 15 oz (54L)
» Details
Osprey Porter 30
20" x 13" x 8"
2 lb, 1 oz (34L)
» Details
SLIGHTLY LARGER BAGS (55L+)
![REI Stratocruiser Wheeled Convertible Luggage 25-inch](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/rei-stratocruiser-25.jpg)
REI Stratocruiser 25"
Main bag: 25" x 15" x 10.5"
Daypack: 18" x 11" x 5"
Total: 10 lb 6 oz (80L)
» Details
Eagle Creek Doubleback 26"
Main bag: 26" x 14" x 10"
Daypack: 18.5" x 11" x 6"
Total: 7 lb, 12 oz (57L)
» Details
![Eagle Creek Rincon 90L](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/ec-rincon-90L.jpg)
Eagle Creek Rincon 90L
Main bag: 30" x 12" x 14"
Daypack: 18" x 11" x 6"
Total: 5 lb 11 oz (93L)
» Details
COMPACT BAGS (Under 45L)
Eagel Creek Flip Switch Wheeled Backpack 22
22" x 14" x 9"
6 lb, 8 oz (36L)
» Details
Victorinox CH 97 2.0 20 Tourist Carry-On
20 x 14 x 9"
7 lb, 3 oz (37L)
» Details
![Travelpro Maxlite 2 20-inch Expanding Spinner](https://www.reidsitaly.com/images/planning/packing/travelpro-maxlight-20.jpg)
Travelpro Walkabout Lite 4 20"
20" x 16" x 9"
9 lb (47L)
» Details
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This article was by Reid Bramblett and last updated in Macth 2013.
All information was accurate at the time.
Copyright © 1998–2013 by Reid Bramblett. Author: Reid Bramblett.