Whether it’s a last-minute overnight trip or a weekend rendezvous, having a big bulky suitcase is not only impractical, but it’s overkill. Travelling in style means packing light and bringing a small carry on bag for the trip that won’t get in the way. We’ve scoured the internet in search of all the best small carry on bags from backpacks to suitcases and duffles, here’s our top picks.
2024’s best small carry on bag
- Belle and Bloom Wild Heart Weekender Bag, $289.90 at Shop with The Women’s Weekly
- Mahi The Eckhart Doctor Holdall Bag, $260 at Hard to Find
- Coowoz Large Travel Backpack, from $95 at Amazon Australia
The best small carry on bag 2024
01
Belle and Bloom Wild Heart Weekender Bag
from $289.90 at Shop with The Women’s Weekly
Best for: reason
Carry on luggage doesn’t get much more stylish than the Belle and Bloom Wild Heart Weekender Bag. Made from 100 per cent genuine leather is only slightly bigger than a tote handbag, but it has room to fit enough for a weekend trip away. The bag features internal zippers and external pockets to compartmentalise your belongings. It also comes with a handy crossbody strap for when you don’t feel like carrying the bag by its handles.
Key features:
- Genuine leather handbag
- Light gold-toned hardware
- Detachable leather shoulder strap
- Printed nylon lining
- Internal zipper and phone pockets
- External zipper pockets on front and back
02
Mahi The Eckhart Doctor Holdall Bag
from $260 at Hard to Find
Best for: a stylish men’s carry on bag
A stylish take on a vintage doctor’s bag, this Mahi The Eckhart Doctor Holdall Bag makes for the perfect gift for the man in your life. With plenty of room for overnight essentials including the capacity for a 15″ laptop, this is a great, light carry on bag. If you want to make this an extra-special gift, you can even get initials embroidered onto the bag for a touch of personalisation.
Key features:
- 100 per cent full grain leather exterior
- 100 per cent cotton lining interior
- Extendable detachable shoulder strap
- Small inside zip pocket
03
July Carry On
from $325 at July
Best for: a seriously sleek carry on bag
The July Carry On case might just be one of the best small carry on bags on the market. Weighing just 3.4kg, this bag is not only ultra-light, but for its size, it can still fit six to eight outfits. The bag also comes with an aerospace-grade, German polycarbonate shell, a stain-proof laundry bag, and an ejectable battery with USB-C so you can charge your phone at the airport gate. This small but mighty bag is not only light, it has an ultra-modern and sleek design that’ll look stylish wherever you’re travelling.
Key features:
- Ejectable battery with USB-C
- Aerospace-grade, German polycarbonate shell
- Reinforced bumpers
- 20-height multi-stop telescopic handle
- Integrated TSA lock
04
Coowoz Large Travel Backpack
from $95 at Amazon Australia
Best for: an affordable, light carry on bag
A great, light carry on bag doesn’t have to break the bank. Nor does it need to be a duffle or luggage bag either. This Coowoz backpack from Amazon is perfect for a quick overnight trip. Made of waterproof and durable polyester and fitted with two comfortable padded straps, this backpack is ready to be a low-fuss travel companion wherever your next trip may be.
Key features:
- Waterproof
- Laptop sleeve
- Separate shoe compartment design
- Built in USB charging port
05
American Tourister Curio 2
from $265 at Strand Bags
Best for: an eye-catching carry on bag
The American Tourister Curio 2 carry on is so light you’ll forget you have a bag in tow. Not only do they look stylish, but their hard polypropylene shell and 10 year warranty means that this bag will last you for years to come. It also has a built in TSA-approved lock for when you travel to the United States.
Key features:
- 10 year warranty
- Expandable
- Cross ribbons
- TSA combination lock
- Expandable
