I've Got the Whole World...In My Pack

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

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
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

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 Soubleback 26-inch Wheeled Backpack

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
Main bag: 30" x 12" x 14"
Daypack: 18" x 11" x 6"

Total: 5 lb 11 oz (93L)
» Details

COMPACT BAGS (Under 45L)

Eagle Creek Flip Switch Wheeled Backpack 22

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