Best Deals on Carry-Ons, Weekenders, Backpacks, and More

The Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner is the only hard-shell carry-on luggage model in our ratings to earn a top mark for usability. That’s in part because it can be expanded and because its handle can be raised to six positions, a boon to travelers of varying heights. This hardy road warrior also is stellar for durability and performs admirably for opening, closing, packing, carrying, and pulling. Special features include a compartment divider, lock, and built-in USB port for connecting power sources (that you provide) to your electronics. Just note that the manufacturer’s listed dimensions of 23x15x10 inches—with telescopic handle stowed—might not meet the carry-on dimension requirements of some domestic airlines.

This expandable hard-shell carry-on from Delsey is easy to use and performed well in most of our tests—though it suffered in some of our impact tests. Its 10-year limited warranty is not as generous as some other brands’ lifetime warranties, but it’s not as stingy as some others. It comes in pink, navy, black, and graphite.

At 5.7 pounds, the American Tourister Wavebreaker 20" Spinner is the lightest hard-shell carry-on in our ratings. Yet, it’s a sturdy traveler. We found it to have top-quality construction, and it performed admirably in our evaluations of impact resistance, ergonomics and design, and safety. But with just two interior pockets, no built-in lock, and no expanding middle, it’s only so-so for usability. Its telescoping handle has only two positions, which contributes to a middling score for carrying and pulling. The manufacturer’s listed dimensions of 23x18x11 inches—with its telescopic handle stowed—are a bit bigger than the carry-on dimension requirements of most domestic airlines.

The Hartmann 21" Vigor Carry-On Spinner earns very good scores in our tests of construction quality, impact resistance, ergonomics and design, and safety. Its middling score for usability is due in part to its telescoping handle, which only has two positions—compared to as many as six for other models—and to the fact that the suitcase itself doesn’t expand. On the plus side, it has four inner compartments, a built-in lock, an integrated address tag inside, and a relatively large interior volume. The manufacturer’s listed dimensions of 24x15.75x9 inches—with its telescopic handle stowed—are a bit higher and wider than the carry-on dimension requirements of most domestic airlines. This model has a 10-year limited warranty, which is respectable but not outstanding.

This affordable Herschel weekender comes in fun, youthful colors and patterns (tie-dye! florals!). It’s water-resistant, light and easy to carry, and simple—no confusing bells and whistles here. A separate compartment for shoes keeps your clothes clean, but other than that, this is a straightforward, affordable bag to get you from point A to point B.

This weekender bag from L.L.Bean has minimal features but hardy materials and a rugged look—it would be right at home thrown in the back of a Jeep en route from a camping trip. It’s the largest weekender bag we tried (with the exception of an expandable weekender bag), so it’s a good option for slightly longer trips or cooler-weather travel. It has a handful of pockets and handles that are long enough to be worn on the shoulder, as well as a removable crossbody strap.

With lighter loads, this Osprey Daylite hydration backpack is a very comfy carry, especially for shorter jaunts under 2 hours. The longish back panel and adjustable sternum strap make this pack easy to fit long or short torsos, and two stretchy side pockets are large enough for carrying a water bottle or two if you want to ditch the reservoir during the week. The Daylite’s interior is large enough to accommodate both a paperback and an iPad Mini. The main hold is roomy enough for spare clothes and more, and has a reservoir sleeve that’s padded, so it doubles as a laptop slot (for up to 15-inch models). The HydraPak Shape-Shift 2L reservoir worked seamlessly with this pack. 

The CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack has two quick-release straps that allow you to attach a rain slicker or another light outer garment, and its rear pocket has decent internal organization, where you can store an energy bar, snacks, and a multitool. Keep in mind: Its reservoir—smaller than some others we tried—is harder to dry out, and sometimes its drinking tube would kink. Otherwise, it’s a great pared-down pack for a young person.

HydraPak’s Shape-Shift 2L is an oversized envelope of a hydration backpack. It has a top that seals with a sliding bar, and because its top opens wide, it’s easier to turn the whole thing inside out when it’s not in use, so you can hang it in a bunch of places, from a clothesline to a dish-drying rack. And if you expect hot weather, you can freeze the bag (another fun perk) to cool your back as you wear it. Its hose is easy to remove and reconnect when you’re cleaning it, too.

The Teton Sports Oasis 18L has a handy bungee cord on its exterior that allowed us to quickly lash a rainproof jacket onto the rear of the pack while we used it. At the back of the pack there’s a lower pocket, which can readily hold your multitool and sunscreen, while its upper pocket is great for sunglasses. Although the Oasis is a bit sporty for commuting, you can swap the reservoir out and slot in a laptop instead (it’ll fit a 13-inch MacBook Air without fuss).

The Travando Austin RFID-blocking wallet is a faux leather wallet, great if you’re looking to move away from leather products (most of the other nonmetal wallets we tried were made of real leather). It features a full-sized—nonremovable—money clip inside of it, as well as a window sleeve, a front sleeve that exposes part of the card held there, and enough pockets to hold 11 cards.

The Serman Brands’ 1.0 RIF Blocking Wallet is great in lots of ways—it’s a nice-feeling, suede-like accessory to add to your collection—but what we really loved is its elaborate packaging, making it a great choice for gifting to someone special. It also comes with a pull strap that cleverly lifts up cards inserted in the compartment behind the photo ID window.

The Ekster Senate Cardholder features a design that keeps that pop-up switch level with the aluminum cardholder. It includes a cash strap and single cardholder with the company’s logo emblazoned on the front to hold your bills on the outside and keep a card on the outside, such as a public transportation ticket for tap-to-go. Thoughtfully, the company includes an extra strap without the cardholder, to slim things down even further, inside a very beautiful box.

This Nimalist slim wallet accommodates Apple products by incorporating Apple’s puck-shaped, rounded-top tracking device, sold separately, into its design. AirTags aren’t the greatest shape for slim wallets, and the indent is very noticeable when put in the front or back pocket. However, this is an otherwise great wallet, with soft leather and seven very thin pockets that hold up to 12 cards.