Staff Picks For Best Travel Suitcases

SHAY'S BEIS CARRY ON ROLLER - JANICE FARRIS

Shay Mitchell, young actress and now entrepreneur, took the luggage industry by surprise when she released her stylish, quality, and affordable luggage line. Every influencer on TikTok raves about Shay’s BÉIS Carry-On Roller, so I had to give it a try.

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PROS ✅

I adore the look of this carry on. It is a pink, shimmery color and I have gotten so many compliments on it. I love that the handle has extra padding to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible. My other carry-ons tend to tip over when I have my backpack attached to them, but this one is able to stay upright and even be rolled on the 4 wheels with a heavy backpack on it. That was a game changer for me. The interior has tons of organization, comes with two compression bags for dirty clothes, and includes a pocket made of PVC so you don’t have to worry about those liquids leaking.

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CONS ❎

Unfortunately, I have found that the pink color is easy to scuff . Th is carry on is slightly larger than the size required by most airlines, so there is a chance that you’ll run into some problems if a gate attendant decides to measure it. I primarily use carry-on bags for airplane travel for work or pleasure, but luckily, I have not had any issues with this one yet.

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LUGGEX CARRY ON ROLLER - BRE BUTLER

PROS ✅

This bag has a modern, sleek look to it. I love the outer front pocket of this bag – it’s great for easy-access to a laptop or other smaller items. I also like the TSA-approved locking functionality for security in case I need to gate-check my bag unexpectedly. The bag is a standard carry-on size, seems durable, has an expandable zipper, and rolls quite effortlessly. It’s easily become my go-to option for 2-3 day trips.

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CONS ❎

The interior of this bag has a few compartments, which can be great for separating items. However, I have found that the compartments make it difficult to pack in larger/thicker items, such as chunky boots. Also, I have found that I’m not able to pack as much in this carry-on when compared with my older carry-on, which is slightly larger – so this bag might not be suitable for longer trips.

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MONOS CARRY ON SUITCASE - SARAH MOSS

After an exhaustive search for the best carry-on luggage, I decided to spend the money and get the Monos Carry-On Plus. Crafted from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, the Monos shell stands out for its exceptional combination of durability and lightweight design.

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PROS ✅

The 360-degree spinner wheels on this bag provide a very smooth and quiet ride. The telescopic handle feels very sturdy when compared to my previous Calpak luggage and the zipper offers a waterproof coating, which is rare. They offer great color options and I genuinely love each one. Inside, the volume is just right for my work week trips – it surprisingly fits more than I thought, considering I tend to overpack! While this may not be directly related to the bag, it’s noteworthy that Monos places a strong emphasis on sustainability and is the first luggage brand to be certified climate neutral.

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CONS ❎

The Monos luggage has a striking resemblance to my Away luggage, which isn’t necessarily a downside, but it doesn’t exactly push the boundaries of design innovation. Also, I did think that Away’s compression and interior divider system are a bit better. Opting for the ocean blue color, I’ve noticed some marks after just a few trips – so I’m sure the lighter shades will show even more marks and scratches. The 100-day return policy, however, is a bit tricky. It sounds generous, but in reality, you can only return it if you’ve given it a test run at home. Once you take it on a trip, that return offer becomes null and void. And lastly, in my research, a common gripe that kept occurring was about Monos customer service and the inability to reach a representative if you encounter any problems. I cannot attest to this since I haven’t faced any issues with my Monos luggage, but I think it’s good to be aware of potential hurdles in case you ever need to reach out for assistance.