Best Lightweight Luggage & Carry-Ons Under 8lb

by Albert Varkki updated 02-01-2025

best lightweight carry on luggage

If you like to travel light, then you don't want your luggage weighing you down.

But what's the best lightweight luggage?

In this post, we'll give you our top picks for stylish yet lightweight carry-on bags and luggage, as well as how best to choose.

Our top picks:

1 Voyager Leather Carry-On Bag

Best for a smart rolling carry-on bag.

Voyager Leather Carry-On Bag

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2 10X Laptop Travel Bag

Best for a smart convertible laptop backpack.

10X Laptop Travel Bag

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3 City Laptop Bag

Best for a smart leather laptop bag.

City Laptop Bag

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4 Weekender

Best for a smart duffle style weekender.

Weekender

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5 Liberty Men's Leather Backpack

Best for a small, professional leather work backpack.

Liberty Men's Leather Backpack

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6 Grand Leather Garment Bag

Best for a professional looking garment bag.

Grand Leather Garment Bag

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7 Prime Men's Leather Backpack

Best for a professional laptop backpack.

Prime Men's Leather Backpack

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8 No.1 Briefcase

Best professional business briefcase.

No.1 Briefcase

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9 Elegant Briefcase

Best minimalist leather laptop bag.

Elegant Briefcase

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10 Essential Briefcase

Best for a modern leather laptop briefcase.

Essential Briefcase

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11 City Large Laptop Bag

Best for a 17-inch professional leather laptop bag.

City Large Laptop Bag

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Best Lightweight Luggage for 2023

Here are our top picks for lightweight luggage by style and type:

Voyager Leather Carry-on Bag with Wheels

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Best for effortless business travel with a touch of luxury - Voyager Leather Carry-On Bag with Wheels.

Voyager Leather Carry-On Bag Product Highlights:

Color OptionsAvailable in Elegant Black, Solid Brown, Classic Tan, and more
Laptop SleeveIncludes a sleeve for up to a 16" laptop
MaterialHandmade from premium vegetable-tanned Italian leather
Convenience FeaturesSmooth-rolling wheels, foldaway telescopic handle with two height settings, and easily accessible pockets
InteriorDurable cotton lining with small slots and an interior zipped pocket
Zipper QualityHigh-quality Japanese YKK zippers
SustainabilityCrafted sustainably with a focus on supporting local communities
Origin CertificateComes with a certificate of leather origin guaranteeing quality and origin
Travel-FriendlyCarry-on compliant with ample space for travel essentials
Additional FeaturesLuggage tag included for easy identification

Watch the Voyager product video below:

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10X Leather Laptop Travel Bag

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Best for business travel with a touch of luxury. The 10X Leather Laptop Travel Bag is perfect for carrying your essentials in style.

10X Laptop Travel Bag Product Highlights:

Product10X Laptop Travel Bag
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Sizeup to 15.6 inch
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsBackpack Straps and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width31 cm (12 in)
Height42 cm (17 in)
Depth17 cm (7 in)
Weight2 kg (0.9 lbs)
Personalization?Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the 10X product video below:

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City Leather Laptop Bag

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Best for business trips and city travel with a sleek leather design and spacious compartments for laptops and documents.

City Laptop Bag Product Highlights:

MaterialCertified Italian vegetable-tanned leather
Color OptionsSolid Brown, Elegant Black, Deep Red
Laptop CompatibilityFits up to 15.6-inch laptop
Inner LiningDurable Italian cotton lining
Zipper QualityJapanese YKK zipper for reliable access
OriginMade in Florence, Italy
SustainabilitySupports local communities and eco-friendly
DesignProfessional and spacious design for work or travel essentials
Adjustable StrapAdjustable and detachable shoulder strap
Inner PocketsStitched 100% cotton canvas lining
Compartments & Pockets1 large zipped main compartment divided by a zipped padded pocket
PersonalizedOption to personalize with initials or a special message.

Watch the City product video below:

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Weekender Men's Leather Weekend Bag

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Best for a stylish weekend getaway with friends, the Weekender leather bag is spacious and durable, perfect for packing all your essentials.

Weekender Product Highlights:

MaterialCertified Italian vegetable-tanned leather
DesignSpacious design perfect for gym and travel with a dedicated sleeve for up to a 16" laptop
InteriorDurable cotton lining with compartments for organization
ZipperJapanese YKK zipper for reliable access
ComplianceMeets airline size standards for carry-on luggage
CraftsmanshipHandcrafted in Florence, Italy by experienced craftsmen
Additional FeaturesAdjustable and removable leather shoulder strap, studs on the base for protection, solid brass hardware
PersonalizedOption for custom laser engraving
Use CasesTravel, gym, sports, weekend getaways
SustainabilitySupports local communities and eco-friendly practices

Watch the Weekender product video below:

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Liberty Men's Leather Backpack

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Best for urban explorers seeking a sleek and functional backpack for work and play - Liberty Leather Backpack.

ProductLiberty Men's Leather Backpack
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size 
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsAdjustable Straps
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width40 cm (16 in)
Height33 cm (13 in)
Depth12 cm (5 in)
Weight1.4 kg (0.6 lbs)
PersonalizedCustom Laser Engraving

Watch the Liberty product video below:

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Grand Leather Garment Bag

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Best for business travelers who want to arrive in style with wrinkle-free clothing, the Grand Leather Garment Bag is a must-have.

MaterialCertified Italian Vegetable-Tanned Full-Grain Leather
Garment Duffel BagCarry your suit in style and without creases
Interior LiningDurable Italian Cotton Lining
Zipper QualityJapanese YKK Zipper
Carry-On CompliantMeets airline size standards for carry-on luggage
OriginMade in Florence, Italy
SustainabilitySupports local communities and eco-friendly
CapacityCan fit 2-3 suits, shirts, shoes, accessories, and a laptop
Suit CarrierAttached to the travel bag
PersonalizedIt can be personalized with a custom laser engraving

Watch the Grand product video below:

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No.1 Men's Leather Briefcase

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Best for business travel with a touch of luxury. The No. 1 Premium Leather Briefcase exudes sophistication and practicality for the modern professional.

No.1 Briefcase Product Highlights:

MaterialCertified Italian vegetable-tanned leather
DesignSpacious triple-gusset design suitable for a laptop up to 15.6 inches
Interior LiningDurable Italian cotton lining
ZipperJapanese YKK zipper for reliable access
SecurityLocking feature for unattended safety
OriginMade in Florence, Italy
SustainabilitySupports local communities and eco-friendly practices
EngravingOption to personalize with engravings
Shoulder StrapPadded for extra comfort, adjustable and detachable
PersonalizedCustom engraving options available for a unique touch
UsageIdeal for professionals, travelers, and students; versatile for work, meetings, and travel

Watch the No.1 product video below:

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Elegant Slim Leather Laptop Bag

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Best for business travel with a touch of sophistication. The Elegant Slim Leather Laptop Bag is perfect for carrying your essentials in style.

ProductElegant Briefcase
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Sizeup to 14 inch
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsDetachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width40 cm (16 in)
Height30 cm (12 in)
Depth8 cm (3 in)
Weight1.1 kg (0.5 lbs)
PersonalizedCustom Laser Engraving

Watch the Elegant product video below:

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Essential Modern Briefcase

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Best for business trips with a modern edge. The Essential Modern Briefcase is sleek and functional, perfect for carrying your work essentials in style.

ProductEssential Briefcase
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Sizeup to 15.6 inch
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsDetachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width40 cm (16 in)
Height31 cm (12 in)
Depth10 cm (4 in)
Weight1.3 kg (0.6 lbs)
PersonalizedCustom Laser Engraving

Watch the Essential product video below:

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City Large Leather Laptop Bag

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Best for urban professionals who need to carry a laptop and essentials in style. The City Large Leather Laptop Bag is sleek and functional.

ProductCity Large Laptop Bag
MaterialFull Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Sizeup to 17 inch
LiningDurable Cotton Canvas
ZippersYKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?Handmade in Florence, Italy
StrapsDetachable and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?Yes
Width45 cm (18 in)
Height34 cm (13 in)
Depth8 cm (3 in)
Weight1.6 kg (0.7 lbs)
PersonalizedCustom Laser Engraving

Watch the City Large product video below:

Check Price of City Large

Softshell vs Hardshell

To protect your device, you should use either a hard or a softshell case. If you're unsure which one is right for you, let me help you sort it out.

Softshell bags are ideal for individuals who wish to maintain their travel arrangements in order in terms of weight and convenience. Hardshells just can't compete with the number of compartments found inside and out of softshell cases. Unfortunately they're not as powerful or durable. Another downside is if you're obliged to check a softshell bag, it may look like a pancake on the luggage carousel.

Compare this with a hardshell bag. In the case of an emergency, your carry-on bag can be checked. Each case will be made of high-grade materials and is quite durable. Designed to withstand airport baggage handlers, these bags are perfect for flying travel.

For choosing between the two, first identify the most important features to you, such as spinning wheels, an expandable capacity, dividers, and pockets. Choose the luggage that fulfills all of your requirements, then.

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Consider Size Limits for Travel Bags

Carry-on baggage comes in a variety of sizes and designs. Make sure your bag is carry-on size approved before you purchase.

Several sizes are available for each of the luggage I've detailed here. So far, I've concentrated on carry-ons because they're the lightest. Because of this, I only provided information about their weights and heights.

Choose Quality for a Travel Bag That Will Last

The material of the casing tells you a lot about its build quality and long-term usefulness.

In most cases you will get what you pay for, particularly with softshell bags.

With hardshell bags, you will likely end up with broken handles if you choose a lower quality bag, whereas softshell bags tend to wear down and can rip.

The best material for a softshell bag is leather, as it combines both durability and style.

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Alternatives to Lightweight Luggage

The most obvious alternative to a lightweight piece of luggage is something more heavy duty.

This could be a hardshell suitcase, or simply a bulkier backpack.

What is considered lightweight to you may be heavy to someone else, so try to weigh a bag that you're comfortable carrying at the moment, to give yourself a baseline of what you will be able to handle.

Conclusion

We hope you found our lightweight luggage article useful.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email info@vonbaer.com.

Related:

Want to read more? We have some great articles on Style, and Travel.

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.

We strive for the highest editorial standards, and to only publish accurate information on our website.

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