A Dreamy Trip Starts with These Must Have Carry-On Bags

TravelLifestyle

Jan 18

Written By Andrea | Chapter 50

luggage, weekender bag, suitcase, travel bag

Carry on Bags for the frequent and infrequent traveler

A carry on roller bag for $49!

Don’t you love it when you find a, “Did I read that right?” deal?

Before you take that bargain up to check-out, picture this airport day adventure…

You’re rolling up the tin-plank jet bridge for a 45-minute shuttle-flight from Seattle to Walla Walla.

{Yes, it’s an outdoors boarding process that involves a zig-zag walk-up plank, instead of down a warm enclosed jet-bridge. It’s a thang in the Northwest😊.}

UNLESS…

That bargain roller suitcase loses wheel #1 in the middle of the plank, wheel #2 starts wibbly-wobbly-spinning down the plane aisle, and by the end of that trip your new cool 4-wheel stand-up bargain bag is now a 2-wheel tug-along bag {wah-wah-wah}.

Some bargain bags do last more than 2.5 trips. But before you buy that carry-on roller, ask yourself what kind of traveler you are {or wanna be😉}.

What kind of traveler am I?

A 1 or 2 trip per year traveler
A gallivanting 5+ tripper a year OR
You walk through the TSA check point at your home airport and Bob has your favorite cinnamon bagel with homemade cream cheese wrapped and ready for you, kind of traveler

This week I went down the rabbit-hole of carry on bags since I’m in the market for new ones after 10+ years.

If you’re tired of walking {dragging} the plank with that self-made 2-wheeler bag, then scroll on down this jet bridge of bag goodness my friend…

First up – Shoulder Carry On Bags

Travel a little – travel a bunch – having good carry on bags give your travel days a touch more joy as you glide through the airport, long alleyways in London, or shopping in the Rome streets.

Tumi Shoulder Bag::

Long-lasting, stylish, nylon-y wipeable {in case you’re a spiller 🙋🏻‍♀️} If you like everything in it’s exact compartment then upgrade to THIS TUMI for organizational bliss. Priced between $110-425

TravelPro Weekender::

“Oh so pretty” matched with “Perfectly practical” is what travel dreams are made of. Quick front phone pocket availability, detachable shoe compartment, and slide-over slip pocket for the roller board. Price $375

Baggallini Fans::

A long-time travel standard, Baggallini bags are known for being the Zipper-Pocket Queen of carry on bags. This one works for the plane + around the city.

Favorites on this one ☞ water-resistant and comes with a RIFD wristlet when you want to go light around town. Price $130

Perfect Weekender Carry-on::

A quick trip needs just one bag.

All the right pockets with the all-precious shoe compartment on the bottom. Comes in 3 sizes and more colors than the rainbow.

BIGGEST PLUS for me is the external charging port so I can leave my portable charger in my bag and still charge my phone. Steal of a price at $35

Roller Carry On Bags

Whatever roller bag you buy should have AT THE VERY LEAST these 3 features to help it last you through 6,245 days of travel…

Hard shell outside {water-resistant is a plus}
360º-spinning wheels {avoid the 2-wheel pull-behind - 4 wheels give the option to push along versus just drag behind you}
Multiple compartments to keep packable’s separate {at least one zipper-close side}

Water-Resist Carry-on Roller Bag::

This one is sitting at the top of my list. Priced $218

The inside details sells it for me –

22” instead of most 20” size rollers {every nook-n-cranny counts for a carry-on}
compression compartment
zip-able side with 2 laundry bags to keep the ‘dirties’ from the "‘didn’t wears’
water-resistant hard shell {drizzling Seattle weather + plank boarding friends}
weight-limit indicator {my fellow over-packers}
TSA approved lock

Two others on the short list for me…

Snow White Reputation Has it’s Pull::

There is a strong pull to buy from reputation and this bag packs into that category for this traveler. What I love about this carry on roller bag priced at $150…

21” instead of 20”
double-360º spinning wheels
durable and strong with 10-year warranty to back it up
2 zip-able organizational pockets

Pretty + Less Scuffs Roller Bag::

My favorite features on this bag, priced at $110, besides the pretty factor {🙈can’t help myself}

double-360º spinning wheels
TSA approved lock
organizational pockets and tear-resistant lining

There’ya have it!

My top list of carry on travel bags for all the MidLife travels in 2024 {and decades to come}.

If you’re $49 bargain is still strolling with you after a decade I’m going to need that link from you😉

Do you like easy + FREE deliveries?

Scroll down and click into the Mid Life Refresh for a weekly Travel Tip, Style Idea, iPhone Photography Tip - with easy to follow videos and photos to make your middle years A LOT more fun ⬇↓⬇

Three more Mid Life Refreshments to go in your carry on bag::

Travel Accessories You’ll Thank Me For Later
If You Are Going to Rome, I have a POST for that too
7 Ways To Style Your White Shirt {You always pack a white shirt in your carry-on bag right?}

💖xo Andrea

✈️Sharing Chapter 50 Travel Shenanigans
💖A proud toting triple bag-lady on every trip
🏡Finder of small town cuteness
🍹Betty Buzz Fan Club President since last Dry January