The Best Carry-on Suitcase: Engineer Approved
Hello young professionals,
As I write this, I am sitting at Charlotte International Airport on a layover for business travel. While airports boast a melting pot of food, people, and destinations, everyone has one thing in common… we all have luggage.
Flashback to the days surrounding my college graduation. The start of my career was nearing and with the promise of travel involved, my mom suggested that my graduation gift be luggage. Little did I know that picking out my luggage would turn into a year-long pursuit for the perfect carry-on. Please save yourself the research and time by learning from my experience. The suitcase I found is a winner and I will explain all of the research that went into finding it, below.
2 wheels versus 4 wheels, hard side versus soft side, lifetime warranty versus limited lifetime warranty. The endless options sparked a heavy case of decision fatigue. As an engineer, quality and function were my top considerations. *Nerd Alert* I used my experience from Strength of Materials and design to narrow down the multitude of options. Let’s break down the main categories.
Wheels: 2-wheel roller vs. 4-wheel spinner
The 2-wheeled suitcase is a classic, but the reinvented 4-wheeled spinner is a modern front runner. The 4-wheeled type looks sleek and effortless when maneuvering between crowds which is why I was initially drawn to this type. However, I was looking for a suitcase to last, so I looked at the people who fly the most… Flight Crew. After some observation, it was clear that the Flight Crew relied only on 2 wheeled suitcases.
Some light research explains that 2 wheels hold up better because they are built into the frame and usually are bigger/more rugged than spinner wheels. Since I knew I would possibly be traveling to locations that had either cobblestone or unpaved roads, I set my sights on a 2 wheel option. During my search, I also found out that people put skateboard wheels onto their luggage to increase the durability and ease of movement.
Body Material: Hard-sided vs. Soft-sided
When it comes to body material, there are a few considerations. Hard-sided luggage provides more crush protection and is more resistant to the elements. However, a hard shell does increase weight a bit. If you are flying internationally, this also becomes a consideration for carry-on bags. Soft-sided luggage is a great option for the over-packer, as it can flex to fit the contents in your suitcase. Also, when your bag is inevitably dropped by airport crew, the flexible material is able to spring back showing minimal signs of impact. A hard-sided suitcase could not do the same. If you do go with a hard-sided option, opt for polycarbonate.
My initial interest in hard-sided luggage was due to the extra protection and clamshell-style interior. However, no hard-side luggage that I could find was made with two wheels. The search continued. Knowing that I would need to get a soft-sided suitcase to have two wheels, I wanted to choose one that was made of the most tear-resistant material. The best material to look for is ballistic nylon followed by nylon if you can’t find the ballistic kind. Avoid Polyester, if you can, as it is a cheap and soft material that will show wear faster.
With my decision to look for a two-wheeled soft-sided suitcase, I began narrowing my search. I had initially chosen the Travelpro Crew Versapak Global Rollaboard because of its incredible warranty program. However, after multiple unanswered customer service messages about the stock of the bag, I moved on to other options. And wow I am glad I did!
I found what I believe to be the most well-designed 22 inch carry-on: Timbuk2’s Medium Copilot Luggage Roller. This post is in no way sponsored; I am simply in love with the thought that has gone into designing this suitcase.
Not only is this a two-wheeled suitcase that is made with skateboard wheels, but it also is half hard, half soft-sided with a clamshell-style opening. The hard back side of this suitcase provides the crush protection benefits of hard-sided luggage and the soft front of the bag allows for more wiggle room when packing an entire trip into a carry-on. To add weatherproofing to the soft side of the bag, there is a water-resistant coating on the front and top pockets. This coating even allowed me to wipe off oil that my suitcase had picked up from being stored under the plane during my most recent flight.
I especially love the clamshell style for efficiency in packing. The two zipper-close compartments are compacted with mesh that is attached to neoprene which allows for extra flexibility in stretching the suitcase’s capacity. One side of the mesh has two built-in mesh pockets for extra storage.
Being that the handle and wheels are going to see the most wear, I loved that the three contact points (2 wheels and one handle) were all connected with a sturdy metal frame. For added support, the bike grip handle is connected with two telescoping poles.
Extra features that made this bag stand out:
- A grab handle on all four sides of the bag
- A large ‘quarantine’ pocket on the front top of the bag. I love using this for dirty shoes and charging cords.
- A padded 13 inch laptop pocket on the front flap of the bag that allows for easy access in case you want to get some extra work in or remove your laptop for TSA.
- A front access zipper that opens a flap to one of the two main compartments without needing to open your entire suitcase in the middle of the airport.
While I do love this suitcase, I will acknowledge that I wish it came in more colors. A 22 inch black suitcase is the most common suitcase which can prove hard to differentiate in case of lost luggage. So, be sure to add something distinguishable to your bag.
As this is something I will get lots of use out of, I was comfortable with a budget of 200-300 dollars. The medium size of this suitcase comes in at $249. Pro tip: You can get an extra 10% off and free shipping by signing up for their mailing list. I had a snag with getting the shipping applied and contacted their customer service. They quickly processed a refund to me for the shipping cost. My experience with their customer service teams was one of the best I’ve ever had which reinforced my choice of buying from this brand.
The stream of never-ending travelers provides a catwalk of suitcases to compare. Some people prefer form over function, these usually exhibit scratches, dents, and dings. Then there’s always a four-wheel spinner bag with one wheel wiggling for its life across the polished concrete floors. I am giddy knowing the thought and craftsmanship gone into my bag will allow me to use it for many years to come. It has successfully been used to store everything I need for a month-long trip in addition to a couple of shorter trips.
Check out the Timbuk2 website for more information including details on the bag’s warranty. Please let me know if you want any updates on how the bag is holding up after my upcoming trips to India!
