A stylish and versatile carry-on bag can make your journey feel easy, getting you and your valuables to your hotel or destination with minimal effort.
Browse our top picks for women's carry on luggage in 2023 below, all perfect for the overhead bin to save your legroom.
Best Carry-On Bags for Women
Here we have our choice for the best carry-on bags for women by type and style:
Best Rolling Carry-On Bag 2023
Winner: Voyager Leather Carry-on with Wheels
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Hand luggage compliant.
- 16 inch laptop sleeve.
- Luggage tag included.
- Two exterior pockets for easy-to-reach items.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Designer travel bag.
- Can be personalized
Best Lightweight Carry-On 2023
Winner: Prime Leather Backpack
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- 14 inch laptop sleeve.
- Ideal for travel, and as a personal item.
- Multiple front zipped compartments.
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
Best Underseat Carry-On Bag 2023
Winner: Elegance Tote Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Compartment for up to 14 inch laptop.
- Spacious main compartment
- Internal pockets for essentials like your phone.
- Reliable YKK zippers.
- Durable cotton lining.
- Available in brown, black, red, and tan.
- Can be personalized.
Best Leather Travel Carry-On 2023
Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
- Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
- Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
- Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
- Unisex.
Best Small Shoulder Bag 2023
Winner: Isabella Shoulder Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Magnetic snap closure.
- Two large internal pockets.
- Internal zipped pocket.
- Perfect for travel.
- Detachable and adjustable shoulder strap.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
Best Large Duffel Bag 2023
Winner: Weekender Leather Travel Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- 16 inch internal padded laptop sleeve.
- Internal zipped pocket for travel essentials like your passport.
- Plenty of space for all your gear.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Perfect overnight bag.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
Best Expandable Travel Bag 2023
Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
- Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
- Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
- Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
- Unisex.
Best Garment Carry-On Bag 2023
Winner: Grand Leather Garment Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated garment carrier.
- Carry a suit and shirt without creasing.
- Large main compartment for other items.
- 16 inch laptop compartment.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
When To Use a Carry-on?
While this motivational slogan that the British government produced in the 20th century had absolutely nothing to do with carry-on luggage, we think flying without checked baggage is the best way to travel.
With all your belongings on board, you can rest assured you still have everything when the plane has touched down and isn’t heading elsewhere because it missed the connection or went astray on a tarmac in the rain.
Carry-on luggage spares you those anxious thoughts as you watch dozens of other people’s bags roll out onto the baggage claim carousel.
But carry-on-only going has other benefits, aside from reducing stress. A carry-on bag is far more manageable. Have you ever had to lug 50-pound luggage up four sets of broken escalators to catch a train about to leave?
In situations like these, you’ll be glad you didn’t bring those three extra pairs of shoes. If you’re an astute packer and can cram a lot into a small space, you won’t have to worry about weight restrictions as you would with a checked bag.
You can stuff a carry-on with bricks, and no one – except perhaps the TSA’s Insta account – will notice as long as you can compress it back to its original dimensions and lift it above your head without throwing your back out.
What is the ideal carry-on size?
Carry-on luggage must be under 35 pounds and no more than 10 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 24 inches high. Bags have to fit in the overhead compartments. Checked luggage must be under 40 pounds and a maximum of 62 linear inches (length + breadth + depth).
Related: Women’s Leather Travel Bags
Is a lady’s purse regarded as carry-on baggage?
As every purse is considered a carry-on item, it must adhere to the airline’s carry-on size restrictions. While each airline has its own rules, a bag must generally be no more than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches high to be accepted.
Most airlines will accept one under-the-seat personal item, as well as a carry-on bag for the overhead lockers.
This means that you can usually carry both a purse and a carry-on bag.
How many carry-on items can a woman bring on a plane?
On all American Airlines flights, passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item like a purse or a laptop bag.
Is it okay to bring two carry-on bags?
If you fly in basic economy class, airlines allow only one personal item and one carry-on bag. Nevertheless, we’ve all witnessed folks putting two bags in the overhead compartment or bringing on more luggage on board than what’s permitted. Don’t follow in their footsteps, but don’t be a “one-bagger” either.
Related pages:
- Best Travel Bags for Women
- Best Travel Bags
- Best Carry-on Luggage
- Best Travel Backpacks for Women
- Cute Leather Backpacks for Travel/School
- Laptop Travel Bags
- Travel Backpacks
- Crossbody Bags For Travel
- Travel Tote Bag
- Leather Travel Purses
What can’t you bring in your carry-on bag?
Bottles containing gels, liquids, or pastes that are greater than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) aren’t allowed on board, and neither are sharp things (knives, axes, razor blades) or ammunition, firearms (including BB guns and cap guns), tasers and stun guns.
What if my carry-on is too large?
You may be required to check your bag at the boarding gate and pay a fee. Except for Southwest, most airlines are currently charging people for checking in their luggage. Prices range from $25 to $35. Some airlines like United take it to the extreme and overcharge you at the gate if you have to check-in luggage you were trying to bring on board.
Related:
- Best Underseat Luggage
- Best Soft Sided Luggage
- Best Luggage for Men
- Best Carry On Luggage with Laptop Compartment
- Best Designer Luggage
- Best Time To Buy Luggage
- Best Luggage Brands
- Best Luggage for Business Travel
- Best Luggage for European Travel
- Best Carry On Luggage for American Airlines
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best travel bags for women.
If you have any questions or comments, contact us at info@vonbaer.com, or leave them in the comments.
Want to read more? Check out our Travel pages here.
See all bags for women content here.
Author: Albert Varkki
Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you. Connect on Linkedin
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