What Is the Best Travel Backpack for Carry-On Only Trips in 2026?
In the US, the best travel backpack for carry-on only trips fits the 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit American and United publish, opens like a suitcase and carries well. Check ShopBack US before you buy so part of the price comes back as cash.
In the US, the best travel backpack for carry-on only trips is one that fits your airline's carry-on limit, opens fully like a suitcase, and carries comfortably with a padded hip belt, then check out through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. American Airlines and United both cap a carry-on at 22 x 14 x 9 inches including handles and wheels, according to each airline at the time of writing. Measure the bag when it is packed.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores as cash you can withdraw. You open ShopBack before you check out, and after the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your account. Join ShopBack US for free, then open a store such as Samsonite, Bellroy or Vera Bradley before your next luggage order.
What is the best travel backpack for carry-on only trips?
The best carry-on travel backpack fits the size limit first, then makes packing and carrying easy. A bag you love that gets sent to the hold at the gate defeats the point of traveling carry-on only. These are the published limits for two of the biggest US airlines at the time of writing:
| Airline (per its own baggage page) | Carry-on bag limit | Personal item |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels | 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), must fit under the seat |
| United | 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels; 45 linear inches combined | Must fit under the seat |
A bag at exactly 22 x 14 x 9 inches encloses about 2,770 cubic inches, which works out to roughly 45 liters. Backpacks are soft and bulge when full, so read the listed dimensions, not only the liter count, and leave some room.
What to look for once the size is right:
- Clamshell opening. A main compartment that unzips fully lets you pack it like a suitcase and use packing cubes.
- Hip belt and sternum strap. These move weight off your shoulders when you walk from the train to the hotel.
- Separate laptop sleeve. It makes security screening quicker if you are asked to take electronics out.
- Easy liquids pocket. The TSA allows a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels and creams in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per item in your carry-on. An outer pocket for that bag saves time at the checkpoint.
- Lockable zips and a stowable harness if you might need to check the bag on a small plane.
The short version: measure against your airline's limit, choose a clamshell bag with a hip belt, and keep liquids where you can reach them.
Best travel backpack 2026: brands and where to buy them in the US
For 2026, the best travel backpack is the one from a brand whose size, fit and warranty suit your trips, bought from a store you can go through ShopBack for. Here is how some well-known names compare on their own strengths:
- Bellroy sells backpacks, luggage, travel bags and packing cubes, and its site lists a luggage repair program. It suits travelers who want tidy organization and a slim look. Bellroy is on ShopBack US.
- Vera Bradley lists travel backpacks, laptop backpacks and carry-on luggage on its site, with its own prints and colors. Vera Bradley is on ShopBack US.
- Samsonite owns several backpack and luggage labels, including Gregory, which Samsonite Group describes as a technical backpacking brand founded in 1977, and High Sierra. Samsonite is on ShopBack US.
- Osprey is a well-known backpack brand that is not on ShopBack US at the time of writing, so compare its price directly with the options above.
Other US stores on ShopBack US that sell bags and luggage include Macy's and Kohl's.
Osprey vs Bellroy: best travel backpack price comparison
Compare like for like: the same liter size, the same carry-on dimensions and the same warranty length, then the final price after shipping. Both brands make carry-on sized travel backpacks. The difference that matters is your effective price, which is what you pay minus any cash that comes back. Bellroy has a ShopBack US page and Osprey does not at the time of writing, so on two bags at the same shelf price, the Bellroy order can end up costing less after ShopBack.
What is the best travel backpack for women?
The best travel backpack for women is the one that fits your torso and shoulders, not one chosen by color or label alone. Fit decides comfort on a long walk far more than the name on the bag.
How to check fit:
- Torso length. Measure from the bony bump at the base of your neck to the top of your hip bones. Many technical travel packs come in more than one back length.
- Shoulder straps. Narrower, curved straps sit better on narrower shoulders.
- Hip belt height. The belt should sit on your hip bones, not your waist, so it carries the weight.
- Packed weight. A full carry-on bag gets heavy fast. Try the bag with weight in it if you can.
Brands on ShopBack US worth trying on include Vera Bradley, which lists travel and carry-on backpacks, and Bellroy. Samsonite Group also owns Lipault, which it describes as a French luggage brand aimed at women. Check ShopBack before you check out at whichever store has the bag that fits you.
Which luggage brands are actually worth the money?
A luggage brand is worth the money when the bag suits how you travel and the brand backs it with a clear warranty and repair route. Price alone tells you little; a bag that lasts many trips costs less per trip than a cheap one you replace.
Facts that help you judge, from the brands' own pages at the time of writing:
- Samsonite was founded by Jesse Shwayder in 1910 in Denver, Colorado, and describes itself as the world's best-known and largest travel luggage company, according to Samsonite Group. Its group brands include Samsonite, TUMI, American Tourister, Gregory, High Sierra, Kamiliant, Lipault and Hartmann, which spans entry level to premium.
- TUMI has made business and travel bags since 1975, per Samsonite Group.
- American Tourister started in 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island, with the aim of a quality suitcase at an affordable price, per Samsonite Group.
- Bellroy lists a luggage repair program and product warranties on its customer care pages.
How to decide if a brand is worth it for you:
- Read the warranty. Check how long it lasts and whether it covers airline damage or only manufacturing defects.
- Check repair options. Wheels, handles and zips wear first. A brand that sells replacement parts or runs repairs extends the bag's life.
- Match materials to use. Hard shells protect fragile items; soft sides squeeze into tight spaces and often have outside pockets.
- Compare the effective price. What you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns is the real price of the bag.
Samsonite vs Osprey: price comparison
Samsonite and Osprey suit different trips: Samsonite covers wheeled suitcases from budget to premium, and Osprey is known for backpacks. For a price comparison, line up the same type and size of bag. Samsonite has a ShopBack US page and Osprey does not at the time of writing, so check the Samsonite page on ShopBack for the live rate before you pay.
When are the best luggage sales, and where should I look?
The best luggage sales in the US usually fall on big sale weekends, and the biggest left in 2026 is Black Friday on Friday, November 27, with Cyber Monday on Monday, November 30. Department stores and luggage brands often discount travel gear in that week, ahead of holiday trips.
Where to look:
- Department stores. Macy's and Kohl's both sell luggage and run large holiday sales. See our Macy's Black Friday and clearance guide.
- Brand sites. Samsonite, Bellroy and Vera Bradley run their own sales on their sites.
- Warehouse clubs. Costco carries luggage sets and single cases from several brands.
Sale price plus money back through ShopBack is the usual way to pay least during big sales. Go through ShopBack first, then add the sale item to your cart and check out. For more dates, read our US sale calendar and Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday.
Which luggage sets are the best value?
A luggage set is the best value when you will use every piece; otherwise two well-chosen single bags usually cost less per bag you actually use. Sets look cheap per piece, but a large checked case you never take is money spent for nothing.
A quick way to compare:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Price per piece you will use | A three-piece set where you use two pieces costs more per useful bag than its label suggests |
| Carry-on piece size | It should fit the 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit American and United publish |
| Large case size | It should stay within your airline's checked bag limit (62 linear inches on American at the time of writing) |
| Warranty | It should cover each piece in the set, not just the largest |
Costco says its luggage range includes Samsonite, Kirkland Signature, Away and SwissGear, and Macy's and Kohl's also sell sets. Go through ShopBack before you buy a set, and compare the effective price per piece.
What is the best checked luggage that holds up to airline handling?
The best checked luggage for rough handling has strong wheels and handles, a sturdy zip or frame, and a warranty that covers airline damage, and it stays inside your airline's size and weight limits. American Airlines lists 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 pounds (23 kg) for a standard checked bag on most routes at the time of writing; overweight or oversize bags cost more.
What to compare:
- Shell material. Hard shells resist knocks and protect fragile items; soft sides flex and absorb impact.
- Wheels. Four spinner wheels roll easily on smooth floors; two inline wheels sit inside the case and are less exposed.
- Zips and frames. A thick zip or an aluminum frame closure resists splitting when the case is full.
- Warranty terms. Read whether airline damage is covered and how a claim works.
Samsonite Group notes that Samsonite introduced the Ultra Transporter in 1997, the first upright case with a balanced four-wheel system. Today most brands offer spinners, so pick on build and warranty.
What is the best luggage for international travel?
The best luggage for international travel is a carry-on that fits the strictest airline on your trip, plus a checked case within its weight limit. Airlines outside the US can set tighter carry-on sizes or weight limits, so check every airline on your route before you buy, not only the first one.
Tips for long trips abroad:
- Size to the strictest leg. A regional flight abroad may have a smaller limit than your long-haul flight.
- Weigh your bag. On American, routes to and from Australia and New Zealand have different checked weight rules than other regions, per American Airlines.
- Keep valuables and medicine in your carry-on. That way a delayed checked bag does not leave you without them.
The last step before you book flights or hotels: open ShopBack. Read how to earn Cashback on travel bookings and how to plan a travel budget.
Is Costco luggage good quality for the price?
Costco luggage is usually from well-known brands, and Costco backs what it sells with a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise, according to Costco. Costco says its luggage range includes Samsonite, Kirkland Signature, Away and SwissGear. Quality depends on the brand and line you choose, so compare materials and warranty as you would anywhere.
What Costco membership costs and gives, according to Costco at the time of writing:
| Membership | Annual fee | Key perk |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 a year, plus sales tax | Access to Costco warehouses and Costco.com |
| Executive | $130 a year, plus sales tax | Annual 2% reward, up to $1,250, on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases |
If you would join only to buy one suitcase, count the fee in your cost.
Is shipping luggage ahead cheaper or easier than checking bags?
Shipping luggage ahead is mostly about ease; whether it is cheaper depends on your quote versus your airline's bag fees. Luggage Forward, which says it has shipped bags since 2004 to more than 200 countries and territories, picks up from your home, office or hotel and delivers door to door, including to cruise ships and golf courses.
According to Luggage Forward at the time of writing:
- You book online or by phone and choose pickup dates and pricing options.
- It serves every US zip code, including Alaska and Hawaii.
- Its on-time guarantee refunds double what you paid for any bag that does not arrive by the end of the scheduled delivery day, barring customs delays or extreme weather.
Compare your Luggage Forward quote with the checked bag fees your airline lists, and count the time you save at check-in and baggage claim. Luggage Forward is on ShopBack US, so open it through ShopBack before you book.
How ShopBack lowers what you pay for luggage
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.
The current Cashback for each store is shown on its ShopBack US page before you buy.
How to use it:
- Open the store's page on ShopBack US, such as Samsonite or Vera Bradley.
- Activate it and shop on the store's site as usual.
- Check out.
Using ShopBack with sales and card rewards
You can usually earn ShopBack cash and your card's rewards on the same order, because they come from different places, and ShopBack usually applies to the sale price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel backpack for carry-on only trips?
The best one is a backpack that fits your airline's carry-on limit, opens fully like a suitcase and has a padded hip belt for longer walks. American Airlines and United both list a maximum of 22 x 14 x 9 inches including handles and wheels at the time of writing. Check ShopBack US before you buy so part of the price comes back as cash.
What size backpack can I bring on a plane as a carry-on?
On American Airlines and United, a carry-on can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches including handles and wheels, according to each airline at the time of writing. American also lists a personal item limit of 18 x 14 x 8 inches, which fits under the seat in front of you. Other airlines set their own limits, so check yours before you fly.
Which luggage brands are actually worth the money?
A brand is worth the money when its bags match how you travel and come with a clear warranty and repair route. Samsonite, founded in 1910 according to Samsonite Group, also owns TUMI, American Tourister, Gregory, High Sierra, Lipault and Hartmann, so one group covers budget to premium. Compare warranty terms on each product page before you pay.
When are the best luggage sales?
Big US sale weekends are usually the best time, with Black Friday on Friday, November 27, 2026 and Cyber Monday on November 30, 2026. Department stores and luggage brands often discount travel gear then. Sale price plus money back through ShopBack is the usual way to pay least during big sales.
What is the best travel backpack for women?
The best travel backpack for women is one that fits your torso length and shoulder width, with a sternum strap and hip belt that sit comfortably, rather than a bag sold by gender alone. Vera Bradley lists travel backpacks and carry-on luggage on its own site, and Bellroy sells backpacks and luggage. Check ShopBack before you check out.
Which luggage sets are the best value?
A set is the best value only if you will use every piece. Work out the price per bag you will actually use, check that the carry-on piece fits the 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit American and United publish, and compare warranty terms. Costco, for example, says its luggage range includes Samsonite, Kirkland Signature, Away and SwissGear.
What is the best checked luggage that holds up to airline handling?
Look for a case with strong wheels and handles, a sturdy zip or frame, and a warranty that covers airline damage, and keep it within your airline's size limit. American Airlines lists 62 linear inches and 50 pounds for a standard checked bag on most routes at the time of writing. Read the warranty terms before you buy.
Is Costco luggage good quality for the price?
Costco's luggage range includes well-known brands such as Samsonite, Kirkland Signature, Away and SwissGear, according to Costco, and Costco lists a 100% satisfaction guarantee on merchandise. Quality depends on the brand and line you pick, so compare materials and warranty. Costco membership costs $65 a year for Gold Star or $130 for Executive, per Costco.
Is shipping luggage ahead cheaper or easier than checking bags?
Shipping ahead is usually about ease: Luggage Forward picks bags up from your home, hotel or office and delivers door to door, and says it will refund double what you paid for any bag that arrives late, barring customs delays or extreme weather. Whether it is cheaper depends on your quote versus your airline's bag fees, so compare both.
Can I earn ShopBack Cashback on luggage?
Yes, at stores with a ShopBack US page, such as Samsonite, Bellroy, Vera Bradley, Macy's, Kohl's and Luggage Forward. Open the store's ShopBack page, activate it and finish your order.
What is the effective price of a suitcase after ShopBack?
Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. The current Cashback is shown on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.
Related reads
Check ShopBack before you check out at: Vera Bradley · Macy's · Samsonite · Bellroy · Kohl's · Luggage Forward
About this guide
Carry-on and checked bag limits come from the American Airlines and United baggage pages. The liquids rule comes from the TSA. Brand history comes from Samsonite Group's About Us page. Costco membership and luggage details come from Costco.com, Luggage Forward details from its How It Works and On-Time Guarantee pages, and brand ranges from Bellroy and Vera Bradley's own sites. Prices and rates change, so this guide points to the live rate on each store's ShopBack page instead of quoting one.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Airline baggage rules, membership fees, warranty terms, sale dates and Cashback eligibility vary by airline, merchant and time and are subject to change. Check your airline's rules and the current Cashback on each merchant's ShopBack US page before you buy. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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