The lightest carry-on luggage available can weigh as little as 1.6 kg (about 3.5 lbs), with brands like Kathmandu's Feather Flight Carry-On, designed for maximum space with minimal weight, and July's Carry-On Light being top contenders for soft-sided bags, while hardshell options are around 1.8-2.0 kg. Aim for bags under 5 lbs (2.27 kg) to leave more room for your belongings within airline weight limits, which often hover around 7kg (15 lbs) total.
The lightest carry-on luggage typically weighs around 4 lbs (1.8 kg) and includes models like the July Carry-On Light, praised for its ultra-light weight and German polycarbonate shell, and the Kathmandu Feather Flight Carry-On, known for its huge 40L capacity at just 1.6 kg. Other contenders are the Heys Xero Elite 2.0 (around 4 lbs) and softside options like the Travelpro Maxlite 5, which focus on minimal weight through advanced fabrics like recycled PET or ripstop nylon.
Best Carry On Luggage for Travel
The most lightweight luggage to use as a carry-on is ideally under 5 pounds. While a soft-sided bag tends to be lighter than more structured alternatives, Kipling has a few hardshell luggage options that also do the trick.
Softside luggage is usually lighter than the hardshell bags. For example, our Maxlite® 5 21″ spinner weighs 5.4 pounds empty, and it's one of the lightest carry-on bags in the industry.
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.
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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).
Yes, for budget airlines like Jetstar, a handbag (or personal item like a laptop bag) is generally included in the 7kg carry-on allowance, meaning the total weight of both your main carry-on and your small item must not exceed 7kg. Some full-service airlines, like Air New Zealand, offer a 7kg allowance for Economy but often permit an additional small personal item (like a handbag) on top of that, depending on your fare and status, but always check your specific airline's rules.
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.
The it Luggage World's Lightest suitcases are available in 3 sizes. Our cabin bag weighs 1.8kg, making it the lightest suitcase in the world. Our medium size weights 2.05kg, and the World's Lightest large suitcase only weighs 2.4kg!
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.
Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry-on baggage with a maximum total dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22in x 14in x 9in) and maximum weight of 7 kgs. (15 lbs).
Here's a quick lowdown: hard cases offer total protection for your belongings, they keep things nicely organised, they're easy to clean and some models expand for more room; soft cases are tough, the side pockets are great for quick access, the material is long-lasting and it's easy to stuff in a little bit extra at ...
In most cases, you can fit 6–8 outfits into a cabin bag 7kg, depending on the fabrics. Lightweight summer pieces take up less room, while winter clothes need careful planning.
Jetstar have weighed our carry on at the boarding gate every time and have an EFT machine to charge $50 per kg overweight. Only allowed 1 bag. Ive only had them weight them at check in. They are fairly strict on the 7kg though.
Always put your chargers and spare batteries in your carry-on before you head to the airport.
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.
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
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.
Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet are more restrictive. Ryanair's free carry-on bag size is limited to 15.7” x 7.9” x 9.8” (40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm), much smaller than the standard. These airlines also tend to have strict weight limits and may charge fees for larger bags.
International carry-on bags are slightly smaller in length but wider than standard domestic carry-ons. While international carry-on sizes are around 21.5in x 15.59in x 9in, the biggest difference is the allowed weight. Most domestic airlines don't publish weight limits for carry-on baggage.
I took note of how long it took me to grab things when I needed them, particularly at cash registers and while going through customs.
Here are some hacks to make the most of the only luggage you have!