The Search for the Best Carry-on Bag
About two months ago, I was lucky enough to go to Tuscany and Paris for 12 days.
All summer long, travel news was dominated by two main stories: the astronomical price of gas and the absolute shit show that is air travel, specifically checked baggage.
Given that very little is in our control while we travel, I made the decision that I was not going to check a bag—and bring everything for almost two weeks and a wedding in carry-on luggage only.
While I had a suitcase that would work as my main carry-on, I needed a suitable “personal item” that could fit under the seat in front of me.
Next, I did what any normal person would do—I asked my Instagram followers if I should order a bunch of bags and review them for all of us.
After a resounding yes, I ordered a total of 11 bags to test and review.
The Details
After I received the bags, I packed as though I was leaving for my trip. I laid out everything I was hoping to get into it and then packed each. Once packed, I tested carrying both on my suitcase and manually.
Each bag was given a score out of 10, and while I only intended to keep one, I ended up keeping two 10’s!
Now, let’s get to the reviews…
Calpak Terra 26L Backpack Duffel $145
Calpak finally got me hook, line and sinker with their targeted ads—but did the bag live up to the hype? HELL YA IT DID!
This backpack is a multitasker like no other and the TL;DR of it all is that this bag gets a 10/10. Here’s why:
✔️SUSTAINABILITY - she’s made out of 27 water bottles!
✔️DESIGN - super cute and every single pocket had a job that understands the assignment. Color range is so cute too.
✔️ PRICE - Under $150!
✔️ SIZE - IT DOES MATTER, damn it! 😏 But it’s also what you do with said size and Calpak knows what it’s doing with all the things
✔️ VERSATILITY - this bag is going to Italy & Paris with me this time but it could go camping super easily
✔️ WATERPROOF
✔️ LIGHTWEIGHT - not only is it light as a feather, it’s not stiff as a board (I’ve heard their backpacks can be overly structured)
I’m so obsessed with this bag! Great work Calpak, you won the trip to Europe!
Personal item or dance recital bag? 🧳🩰 Whatever it is, it fits a whole helluva lot!
Today I’m reviewing the second @calpak bag I purchased—and one I’m trying very hard to return ATM but back to that later (in the cons).
This bag caught my eye because of its $92 price point and the highly coveted separate bottom section!
This bag has a TON of space so it fit all my items with room to spare, but it’s so big that I really doubt it would work for a personal item. This is ultimately why it got a lower score than others and is going back.
PROS:
✔️Price
✔️lots of space
✔️quality
✔️ wide tooth zipper!
CONS:
❌ no computer sleeve
❌ black inside which = black hole, especially in a bag this big
❌ The Calpak return process is by far the worst of the bags I’ve purchased so far. I submitted for a return like 10 days ago but still haven’t received a return label. I emailed yesterday and still nothing. Next step is DM / comment on social and I really don’t like to do that, especially over something as minor as a return.
While I liked a lot about this bag, in general the return process has soured my taste to Calpak a bit. You know who’s was amazing though? Lo& Sons. Of course I want to keep buying and reviewing Calpak (cosmetic bags are next), but this part gives me pause.
What do you think? Is a tough return process a dealbreaker?
BAG SCORE: 8.3/10
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Tote $205 (Got it on sale for 102.50)
PROS:
- Separate bottom section with removal padded liner for added protection. The mid section also has the ability to unzip and connect with the top of the bag for a deeper tote.
- QUALITY!!!! I’m so impressed with Lo & Sons materials and construction. The bags are simple but I can tell will last forever
- Size: this bag fits a shocking amount for its size.
- Gray interior! We hate black holes!! ⚫️
CONS:
- no computer sleeve
BAG SCORE: 9/10!
And she’s being kept. While it didn’t get to come as my carry-on to Europe, it did get to come on the trip as my sisters!
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe $215 (Got it on sale for $107.50)
PROS and CONS:
- Same as the Tote, except it’s a fair amount bigger. This could be a pro or con, depending on your use. As a personal item carry-on, the bigger size is a no go.
BAG SCORE: 8.5/10
I am a big fan of the Lo & Sons brand (BIPOC and family owned / run), product and process (returns were super easy) and would definitely recommend them. I’m actually planning to use my Catalina Tote this weekend on a trip to the Bay Area!
Away Everywhere Bag $195
The Away Everywhere Bag is a very beloved personal item—just not by me!
Of all the bags I tested, this one fit the smallest amount of items. The worst part? My favorite feature is also what makes it a no-go.
Everywhere PRO’s:
✔️ Wide mouth opening + gray interior allows you to clearly see what you’re packing and where
✔️ Quality and construction
Everywhere CONS:
❌ way too small! One of the smallest personal items I reviewed
❌ wide mouth opening gives the illusion you can fit more than you can
BAG SCORE: 6/10
I had high hopes for this bag, but after testing the Monos Metro right before it, I’d say that bag is a much better choice for only $10 more.
THAT SAID—I just saw they sell an Everywhere Medium (and large, but that one looks way too big for a personal item) for $225 and I wish I would’ve tested that one instead of this one.
Want $20 off your Away order? Use my referral link and you’ll get $20 off at checkout.
Dagne Dover Medium Landon Neoprene Carryall Duffel $185
When I got this bag, I thought “this is so small it’s going to fit NOTHING” and I was proven wrong!
I liked it much more than I thought I would—and it fit more than I thought it would. The material is super soft and very flexible, which is kind of nice and also kind of annoying.
PROs:
✔️ A computer sleeve in a duffel is not easy to find!
✔️ Shoe pockets
✔️ Removable mesh bag
CONS:
❌ It’s a black hole! ⚫️
❌ The only outside pocket is for your phone
BAG SCORE: 7/10
Do I have kids? Only the kind with four legs. But lots of people and reviews recommended it for travel, so who am I to judge? Actually that’s exactly what I’m doing here…
ANYWAYS! This backpack is cute and cavernous, so I was relatively optimistic about the packing—and it exceeded my expectations, big time!
Obviously, I have pretty specific needs for this trip and those needs really come down to size and ultimately how much it can fit. Sadly, this baby (see what I did there) didn’t quite make the cut but it got really close!
PROS:
✔️Love the open wide mouth 😬
✔️Included bag for baby goodies translates to a clutch and additional bag that is my flight buddy, packing with headphones, phone, snacks, wallet, external charger and charging cords
CONS:
❌ It’s really deep so you kind of have to dig (not that big of a deal thanks to the wide mouth!)
❌ Didn’t fit my shoes or straightener
BAG SCORE: 8.5/10
Monos Metro Duffle $205
The Metro Duffle came in a beautiful dust bag, the first of many little touches that Monos has clearly done right. Overall, this bag is very high quality and well thought out.
PROS:
✔️ Outer removable pouch
✔️ Spacious main section with lots of useful pockets
✔️ VERY high quality, construction and materials are 💯
CONS:
❌ Opening isn’t wide enough to see when packing and/or accessing
❌ Not big enough for my needs
OVERALL SCORE: 8/10
LOVEVOOK Laptop Backpack $56.98
I’m gonna be honest, when it came, I gave it like a 4/10 in my brain. It looked small and the quality was so so.
Then, I started packing. It fit a shocking amount! On top of that, the pockets are super useful. My shoes even fit!
PROS:
✔️ Wide mouth, structured opening at the top
✔️ Super deep, which is a pro because it fits a lot but also a con because then you gotta dig
✔️ STRIPED, LIGHT INTERIOR! We love to see it!!
✔️ External charging spot
Cons:
❌ Price reflects in the quality, it’s not a low quality bag by any means but I don’t know if it would last a long time
BAG SCORE: 7.5/10
coowoz Tech Backpack $39.99
This baby is about $40 (Amazon prices fluctuate so not precise) and for that price, is a solid value.
When I first got this in the mail, my mind was blown by the amount of pockets happening with this backpack, but as we’ve seen with other bags, sometimes the best part is also kind of a curse. By the end, I had no idea what was where, which could be a big issue while flying.
PROS:
✔️ Lots of compartments and pockets
✔️ Fit everything except my speaker
CONS:
❌ No idea where my stuff is
❌ Quality is not the highest
BAG SCORE: 7.5/10