Best Carry On Bag for a Woman – Luggagist’s Picks

Carry-on bags are a necessity when traveling, and even if you’re not planning on doing so, having one or more at home is a huge plus as they can be used in any circumstance where you need to move your belongings from one place to the other.

Like any product on the market, there is a massive variety of carry-on bags to choose from. They differ in features, build quality, colors, and a lot more, and in order to help you pick the best carry on bag for a woman, we’ve decided to review what we think are the 5 best carry-on bags out there for ladies.

Without further ado, here our picks for the title of the best carry on bag for a woman.

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Best Carry On Bag for a Woman – Our Picks

#1 – Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner

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First up on our list of the five best carry-on bags for women in 2020 is the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner. Rocking a scratch-resistant, micro-diamond texture on the outside, the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner is one of the best carry-on bags out there. Its build quality will ensure that it withstands anything to might damage it, especially in the harsh environment of airports. And in addition to being highly durable, this bag is super elegant looking and stylish.

The bag also features a full zip interior, a divider, and cross-straps which will help you organize all of the things the way you want without worrying about them moving. Moreover, the bag comes with some added expansion, which will allow you to easily fit all of your belongings while also leaving some space between them for extra protection and accessibility.

It doesn’t stop there, though, as this bag also comes with a retractable handle, super lightweight 360 spinner wheels, alongside mounted TSA lock for more security. If we were to choose a group of people who’d fit the look of this bag, it’d be those who are seeking to look professional and stylish at the same time.

This carry-on bag is also an excellent choice for anyone who seeks to keep their belongings, both well-organized and well-protected. So for any women out there who are looking for the best carry on bag for a woman, one that is both durable and lightweight, the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner is the one to go with.

What we like about it

In case you can’t tell already, we dig a lot of stuff about this bag. First off is the scratch-resistant exterior that’ll prove useful in all situations, especially in airports. There is also the size of the bag, which is perfect, it’s not small which will give you trouble when trying to put your belongings, and it’s not that big, which can be troublesome when trying to store it. All of those features and more are what gained this bag a spot on our “best carry on bag for a woman” roundup.

#2 – DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels

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Next up on our list of the best carry-on bags for women is The Desley Helium Aero Carry-On Spinner, which is yet another fantastic, TSA approved bag, and one of the best carry-on bags any woman can ask for. For starters, the bag is reasonably lightweight given its great size and is entirely made from polycarbonate, a super durable, cracking-resilient material. And for all of you females out there who care about security a lot, the bag comes with a side-mounted TSA lock, which mainly designed for airport personnel to open your bag without damaging it.

Any woman out there would surely appreciate how easy it is to maneuver with this thing. It is definitely one of the best carry-on bags when it comes to maneuverability. The double spinner wheels on each side coupled with the two-position handle system make the task of getting around the easiest it can ever get.

Another great feature that makes this model potentially the best carry on bag for a woman is the 2-inch expandable pocket, which is perfect for storing any important souvenirs bought by the owner while traveling. In addition to this pocket, the bag also rocks a two extra-large fully lined pockets on the inside that are excellent at storing all of your belongings.

Moreover, the two side handles that this bag comes with are perfect for carrying it or lifting it if necessary.  In conclusion, this is an all-around great bag, especially for women who are looking for one of the best mid-range carry-on bags that they can find in the market right now, and it also comes with a ten-year warranty!

What we like about it

For one, this bag is a TSA-approved product, which is a great thing to have these days. It’s also pretty lightweight yet durable, which is a much-appreciated combination in bags. The inclusion of the pockets and the two side handles further ameliorate the versatility of this bag, making it a worthy contender of the title of the best carry-on bag for women.

#3 – Osprey Packs Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack

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The Osprey Farpoint is considered by many to be one of the best carry-on backpacks for women, and it is also one of the best, if not the best product that Osprey came up with.

Osprey backs this backpack up with their “All Mighty Guarantee” which is basically a warranty for life, in other words, Osprey promise that they will fix any damage or defect in your backpack, regardless of the cause, for free. They also claim if that if they somehow fail to perform a full repair on your backpack, they will replace it.

Additionally, the backpack has good size, too, which is perfect for traveling. It includes a sleeve for a laptop or/and a tablet, stowaway straps, external compression straps, and carry handles. It also has a suspension system which is a light wireframe with a mesh back panel, solely made to keep you cool at all times while wearing the backpack.

What we like about it

The backpack isn’t too big, it has a number of solid features, which make it an all-around great bag for women who are constantly traveling. And in addition to being an excellent functioning backpack, the Osprey Farpoint also comes with a warranty for life. All these great features gained this product a spot on our list of the 5 best carry-on bags for women in 2020.

#4 – Polare 23” Duffle Retro Thick Cowhide Leather Weekender Travel Duffel luggage Bag

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Even though some people wouldn’t want to travel with a duffle bag us included, we have to admit that this bag is quite an elegant looking bag. It comes in three colors, a sleek black, a dark brown, or shiny rust, the three of which are leather-based.

Additionally, the bag features a dedicated pocket for laptops of up to 15.6″ in size. There is also an adjustable shoulder strap for an easy and comfortable cross-body carry. And it also has two handles in case you want to hold it by your side. It even comes with a luggage tag, in case you think you want one.  If what you were looking for is a lightweight carry-on bag, though, then we are sad to tell you that this isn’t it. Owners of the bag often mention how heavy it is, but if weight isn’t your issue, then this bag is a great choice since all that extra weight is compensated with the bag’s quality and durability.

The bag’s main compartment is spacey, with plenty of room for packing anything from cubes to toiletries. However, the bag doesn’t feature any exterior pockets, which might be an inconvenience for some. On the other hand, the bag has a zippered pocket on the inside, alongside some pen pockets. To conclude, this vintage-looking bag is a great duffle bag, if that’s your thing, and is an all-around great bag from Polare, gaining it a spot on our list of the 5 best carry-on bags for women in 2020.

What we like about it

The first thing you’ll notice when you get this bag is the fact that it’s quite elegant looking, gorgeous in away. Further, it comes with a large pocket for your laptop, an adjustable strap, and a padded shoulder strap. It also has additional top handles for more security and easier handling when on the move.

Another great feature about this bag is the fact that it’s entirely made out of genuine leather. Not to forget the spacey interior which will allow you to store all of your belongings without having to worry about running out of the room. It’s easy to see why we believe that this model is a strong candidate for the title of the best carry on bag for a woman.

#5 – MATEIN Business Travel Backpack

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Finally on our list of the five best carry-on bags for women in 2020 is the MATEIN Business Travel Backpack. This backpack is the one for the tech-savvy, the business traveler, or basically anyone who’s looking for a sleek looking backpack with a lot of pro-organization features.

For one, it comes with three distinct pockets that open almost all the way in order to make it easier for you to reach anything in them. The backpack’s largest compartment comes with a padded sleeve for your laptop(s), up to 15.6 inches of size. There is also a smaller sleeve for a tablet with some room for clothes and such. In the middle of the backpack, you’ll find a mesh pocket for smaller items. The front pocket, on the other side, is great for carrying all kinds of cords, pens, and your phone.

Like most heavy-duty backpacks out there, the MATEIN features two mesh pockets on the outside, for an umbrella or a water bottle, etc. One feature we really like is the IT cabin baggage which comes with an external USB port, which will allow you to charge your phone anywhere.

The only real inconvenience about this feature is the fact that you’ll have to buy the external battery yourself. Additionally, in case you’re bringing carry-on bags along, this backpack comes with a luggage strap which allows you to fasten it to the handle of your carry-on luggage easily.

Although the backpack is somewhat lackluster when it comes to security, it still features an anti-theft pocket on the back of the bag which sits against your back. It’s a small one where you can keep your passport, phone, and such, away from grabby hands. It’d have been way better if the backpack had a hip belt, but worry not since the shoulder straps and the back panel have plenty of padding in them to help ease the load on your shoulders. Finally, because of the bag’s size, you could pass it off as a personal item in flights, and bring another bag as your actual carry-on.

To conclude, these features are what gained this backpack a spot on our list of the 5 best carry-on bags of the current year.

What we like about it

The first thing that will probably attract people to this bag is its inexpensive price tag, which by itself, makes the bag a steal. It also features some great organizational pockets, padded shoulder straps and back panel for easier carrying, and a USB charging port. Further, the bag comes with a luggage strap which allows you to secure it to other bags easily.

The backpack is made of water-resistant fabric, but we don’t recommend wearing in during downpours anyway. Finally, with all these features packed into a backpack, one would expect that it’s heavy, but in reality, it’s a pretty lightweight bag.

Choosing the Best Carry on Bag for a Woman – Buying Guide

What makes a suitcase or a backpack worthy of the title of the best carry-on bag for women is a long list of different things. And in order to help you with your shopping adventure, we’ve decided to take a detailed look at a number of the things that you should look for and keep in mind when looking to buy the best carry on bag for a woman.

Size of the Best Carry On Bag for a Woman

If you’re not just purchasing new luggage for the sake of having a carry-on bag, but you’re planning on using it as your only travel bag, then size really does make a difference. In fact, for most people, we included, size is the most important thing to keep in mind when looking for the best carry-on bags for women out there.

The thing is; there is no agreed-upon maximum size for carry-on luggage, they can come as big as you imagine. Unfortunately, however, most airlines have set requirements concerning the size of luggage, that’s why we recommend that you check with your airline before getting a new bag. However, if you’re choosing one of the five bags that we review above, then worry not as all of them are accepted by most airlines.

The optimal size of a carry-on bag is a hot topic between women. Some say that the best size of a carry-on bag is the one that’s the biggest you can get while meeting the airline’s requirements. Others prefer to have lighter bags, so the smaller the bag is, the better. And at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. So, before you make your purchase and get your best carry on bag for a woman, consider how much of your belongings you’d like to fit in the bag, which will give you an idea of what size of luggage you’ll need.

As we’ve mentioned before, above are some reviews of the best carry-on bags for women right now, some of them are for people who prefer bigger bags while others are for people who like smaller ones, the choice is yours.

Weight

Another thing that airlines are super strict about, which is heavily linked to size, is weight. Even getting the best carry-on bags on the market can cost you some precious baggage allowance. Most airlines will charge you an extra fee if your luggage is over the weight limit that they have set.

Fortunately for you, if you’re planning on choosing one of the aforementioned products as your best carry on bag for a woman, we’re happy to tell you that some of them are on the lighter side of things. And even the heavier ones won’t cause you an issue if you handpick the right belongings.

Type

Now that you’ve read our list of the best carry-on bags found in the market right now, it is now time to choose which type would serve you better.

When it comes to carry-on bags, there are only two main types that you can get, either a suitcase or a backpack. They obviously differ in a multitude of ways, and each has its pros and cons when using it as your carry-on luggage.

A suitcase, for one, usually features wheels, which make it easier to transport, but as we all know, this isn’t always the case. Stairs, cobblestones, and crowded alleys, for example, are arch-enemies of the suitcase. And using a backpack in such situations is a better option.

Additionally, in most cases, suitcases weigh more than a backpack, which isn’t ideal if it’s the only bag that you’ll be traveling with. On the other hand, suitcases are super great for storing clothing as personal items, as most of them offer some options to ease access to such belongings. Usually, a quick unzip will do the trick, whereas most backpacks will require you to open various straps and go through a few compartments to find specific things.

To conclude, as is the case with any of the characteristics that we’ll be dealing with here, the type of carry-on bag that you should go with eventually comes down to nothing but personal preference.

Wheels

If you decide to go for a roller suitcase, then wheels are an essential factor to consider. When wheeling a big, heavy, bag around a busy airport, you’d want it to be as maneuverable as possible. So trust us when we say that if you happen to find a carry-on bag that costs a bit more than others because it offers “better wheels,” it’s worth it.

Having a roller suitcase with bad wheels will only leave you frustrated and tired while on the move. During the flight, you won’t be thinking about your destination but rather about how painful it’ll be to have to wheel that bag around once you make it. Back in the day, most carry-on suitcases offered two wheels, today, however, the best carry-on bags that you can get your hands on usually have four.

Two-wheel suitcases, also known as rollers, require you to tilt the bag a little in order to move it. Most rollers suffer when trying to go through narrow spaces or around corners. Even the best of the best two-wheel carry-on bags have a tendency of falling over when left, even for a slight second.

However, two-wheelers do come with some advantages. For one, they’re usually easier to pull behind you, and most of the time, people will prefer pulling their suitcases behind them instead of pushing them. And as with the cobblestone issue that we’ve mentioned before, well, most modern two-wheel carry-on bags are usually more than capable of handling cobblestones and uneven surfaces in general.

Then we have four-wheel suitcases, also known as spinners, which are becoming the standard nowadays. This is happening mainly due to the fact that this type of suitcases is way easier to maneuver with, especially in crowded spaces like airports.

Another great feature of four-wheelers is the fact that they can be moved in any direction, without an issue. In other words, pulling a 4-wheeled carry-on bag around the corner is super easy.A small push on the handle is usually all that you’ll need to move a 4-wheeled suitcase around, and you won’t feel the weight as much as 2-wheeled suitcases, as you’ll not technically be pulling the bag around.
Getting one of the best 4-wheeled carry-on bags will also guarantee you some super easy and smooth wheeling through narrow spaces such as a plane aisle, something you won’t enjoy when using a 2-wheeled suitcase.

Hard or Soft

Another feature that can divide carry-on bags into two groups is whether the luggage is hard cased or soft cased.

Soft-shell bags are super common, more common than hard-shell bags in fact, which makes them super easy to squeeze into overhead compartments. Some of the best soft carry-on bags usually come with an expandable pocket, which can prove useful in many situations.

Hard-shell carry-on luggage, however, will obviously provide you with better protection of all your belongings. The sole disadvantage that comes with this extra protection is weight, which can be an issue for some. But you can always look for a more lightweight option if hard-shell bags are your thing.

Compartments

Having expandable compartments in your suitcases is always great. The more expandable the storage is, the easier it’ll be for you to store your belongings while traveling. And even if you decide to pick some souvenirs during your travels, you won’t find yourself in need of an extra bag, which might cost you more than usual since you’re a “foreigner.”

Many of the best carry-on bags for women come with numerous expandable compartments, and pockets for your smaller belongings. One typical example of these compartments, which you’ll find in most carry-on bags nowadays, is a dedicated compartment for your laptop. It’s designed as a dedicated space for your computer, and it will help keep it both safe and secure during your travels.

Handles

You can’t really claim that a suitcase or a backpack is one of the best carry-on bags in the market, without it having a handle(s) that help you to carry it easily.

Unfortunately, some suitcases might come with handles that are somewhat difficult to use; they might not retract easily and quickly, for example. This isn’t an ideal thing to have, especially if you’re in a crowded alley in the airport, or you’re trying to load the bag on to the airplane. However, many suitcases come with telescoping handles, which are usually tall enough to allow for pulling your luggage at a comfortable arms-length easily.

Suitcase or backpack, just make sure that the bag has a top and side handle at least, in order to make it easier for you to load it and move it around.

Straps

If you’re purchasing a backpack as your best carry on bag for a woman, then you’ll probably need to make sure that it’s comfortable to carry first. The best carry-on backpacks will have a good strap system which will evenly spread the load of the bag across your bag.

Things to keep in mind when looking at straps include padding, removability, adjustability, breathability, whether they stow away for plane travel or not, etc.

Water Resistance

Having a bag that’s water-resistant is great, as it is quite literally a form of extra protection, especially if you’re traveling in wet weather. But you have to keep in mind that being water-resistant doesn’t equal being water-proof. In other words, the sole goal of water-resistant bags is to give you a little extra time to seek shelter without having to worry about the integrity of your belongings.

Picking the Best Carry On Bag for a Woman – Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Finding the best carry on bag for a woman may seem like a daunting task, considering that you need to nail both the practicality and aesthetics aspects. Worry not, though, as all you have to do is check our reviews and read our buying guide thoroughly, and the best carry on bag for a woman of your style and elegance will be apparent.

References:

• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/how-to/a39190/easy-bag-hacks-style-hacks/
• https://thesavvybackpacker.com/travel-europe-packing-list/
• Our own travel experience, guides, and reviews