Yes, 3kg (about 6.6 lbs) is very light for a suitcase, especially a larger checked bag; many are around 2.7-4kg for large checked luggage and even lighter for carry-ons, making 3kg an excellent weight for minimizing your bag's empty mass.
What is considered lightweight luggage? The weight of luggage is relative, but according to the luggage we've tested, a decent lightweight carry-on may weigh between 4-6 pounds. while checked suitcases may weigh slightly more since they're larger (our favorites still weigh under 7 pounds).
Large lightweight suitcases tend to weigh between 8.5 and 13 pounds, measuring approximately 30 inches. Most medium-lightweight suitcases, on the other hand, weigh between 5 and 7 pounds. The best lightweight carry-on bags can weigh even less, or as little as 4-6 pounds total.
No, 3.2 kg (about 7 lbs) is not heavy at all for an empty large suitcase; in fact, it's considered very lightweight for check-in luggage, with some large spinners achieving this weight while being spacious (e.g., 101L). What matters more is the total weight (suitcase + contents) compared to airline limits (usually 20-23kg/44-50lb), but a light empty bag like this leaves you more allowance for your belongings.
Most airlines will allow one main check in piece up to 50lb and not exceeding 70lb but can vary depending on airline and travel class. Regular packing with normal items in a large suitcase will generate a weight between 44lb to 57lb. Medium suitcases will generate a weight between 33lb to 44lb with regular packing.
Your allowance is based on size and weight, or by number of pieces and weight, depending on where you're flying to and the cabin you're flying in. Your baggage needs to fit within maximum size, and ensure no single piece exceeds 32kg (70lb).
Digital Bathroom Scales – If you're at home, place the gear on the scale to check the number. If your bagage is too large, measure yourself first, then assess yourself while holding the bag and subtract the difference.
Flight attendants often advise against hard-shell suitcases, especially for checked bags, because they crack under pressure, and soft-sided bags with expansion zippers for carry-ons, as the expansion can cause them to be gate-checked or not fit overhead bins; instead, choose soft-sided luggage with two wheels or a durable duffle bag for carry-ons, and consider bright colors for checked bags (but avoid plain black).
Suitcase 1:
When buying luggage, avoid heavy, poorly constructed bags with flimsy handles, wobbly wheels, or weak zippers; prioritize lightweight yet durable materials like nylon or polycarbonate, check for strong stitching and good organization (compartments, compression straps), ensure it meets airline size/weight rules, and test features like wheels and handles before buying. Don't sacrifice functionality for style or buy from unverified sellers to avoid counterfeits and voided warranties.
Bulky items like jeans, heavy-thicker pants, hoodies, jackets, and high on the heavy list is shoes. Obviously you can't put them all on, but wearing several of your heaviest items, especially heavy shoes will take several pounds off your luggage. Traveler's tip – Shoes, shoes, shoes and jeans are the heaviest items.
Airlines don't have a preference for hard or soft luggage; they only care about size and weight limits, but many travelers prefer hard-shell for checked bags (better protection) and soft-shell (more flexible/lighter) for carry-ons, with soft-sided often being lighter and offering expandable pockets for international travel convenience, while hard-shell protects delicate items but can be heavier and less forgiving in tight spaces, according to this source from a travel blog and Reddit discussions.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Airlines factor in these protrusions when checking size compliance. How to Avoid: Always measure the height from the floor to the tallest point, including wheels and handles. For carry-ons, verify that your bag fits the airline's sizer, which accounts for these features.
For the absolute lightest luggage, brands like July (with their Carry-On Light at 3.9 lbs) often lead for carry-ons, while Samsonite (Proxis, C-lite, Oc2Lite) and Travelpro (Maxlite 5) are consistently top contenders for overall lightweight options, using advanced materials like Curv® or German polycarbonate to balance minimal weight with strength, though the "lightest" can vary by model and year.
For the best suitcases in Australia, top brands consistently recommended for reliability and quality include Samsonite, Away, July, and American Tourister, with specific models like the Samsonite C-Lite (durable) and July Carry-On Light (lightweight) standing out, alongside premium options like Rimowa and Australian-focused brands like Aidan and Nere for value. The ideal choice depends on your needs: hardshell for protection (Samsonite, Away), softshell for flexibility (Bellroy), or lightweight for air travel (July, Travelpro), with many offering great features for different budgets and travel styles.
For a 23kg (50lb) checked bag, the most common size limit is 158cm (62 inches) in total linear dimensions (Length + Width + Height), with medium to large suitcases (around 71-81cm tall, 43-51cm wide, 26-30cm deep) fitting well, but always check your specific airline's policy as dimensions vary slightly, even if weight is standard.
It's therefore important to choose a suitcase that isn't exceptionally heavy to start with, before adding any clothes, shoes and toiletries. If you're after a large suitcase, try to buy one weighing less than 4kg to maximise your packing allowance.
For the best lightweight luggage, top-rated options include the ultra-light July Carry-On Light (under 4 lbs), the durable and stylish Samsonite Proxis (around 4.6 lbs), and the budget-friendly, versatile Travelpro Maxlite 5 (5.4 lbs), with brands like Antler, Rimowa, and Delsey also offering exceptional lightweight models for both carry-on and checked sizes, focusing on premium materials and smooth wheels for easy handling.
In some cases, hard shells can be lighter than soft shells because they don't always have interior reinforcement, but then you could be sacrificing durability for weight.
5 be respectful of other passengers. 6 High heels, flip flops, and slides. 7 avoid extremely flammable synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon. 8 Over-sized coats can make economy class feel claustrophobic.
Airlines generally prefer soft-sided luggage. Their flexibility allows for better space optimization in cargo holds, leading to fuel savings and increased efficiency in baggage loading.
The most confiscated items at airports are usually everyday items people forget about, primarily oversized liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs), along with knives, sharp objects (like scissors, multi-tools), and lighters, due to carry-on restrictions, with firearms also frequently found in checked bags despite strict rules. Batteries (especially lithium) are also common, needing to be in carry-ons, and even items like protein powder can be flagged for extra screening.
Shoes, coats and towels are usually the heaviest items. Putting them at the bottom of the suitcase will make everything you put on top of them wrinkle much less. If you are staying at one of our hotels you do not need to bring towels of any kind.
✈️💼 With our smart luggage app, you can weigh your suitcase from your phone. Packing made smarter, travel made easier.
You'll need to pay an excess luggage charge if your luggage is heavier than your allowance when you check-in. Each airline also has a restriction on how heavy each piece of luggage can be, and some airlines will only allow 1 piece of hold luggage per person. Please check directly with the airline for details.