{"id":11526,"date":"2018-05-21T10:00:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T14:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=11526"},"modified":"2024-06-18T07:36:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T11:36:01","slug":"checked-vs-carry-on-luggage-and-why-checked-is-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/checked-vs-carry-on-luggage-and-why-checked-is-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Checked vs. Carry-On Luggage: Which is Best?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For two whole years of full-time travel, I proudly toted everything I owned around the world in a carry-on bag. (Here was my carry-on packing list<\/a>). Since then, I reverted back to checked luggage on long-term trips for a variety of reasons, which I’ll outline here. And again since originally writing this post, I’ve reverted back once again to team carryon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the pros and cons of checked vs. carry-on luggage, along with some criteria to help you make the best decision for your own travel needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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NOTE: My luggage suggestions in this post have not been influenced in any way; in most cases I purchased all luggage on my own (unless I mention otherwise), and any luggage suggestions that I have not owned personally have been road-tested and endorsed by friends and colleagues. <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you click any of the luggage links in this post, I will earn a small commission for your subsequent purchase; your own price is not affected, and I thank you in advance for supporting The Professional Hobo<\/a> this way.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n


THE CASE FOR CARRY-ON LUGGAGE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh, to gallivant around the world without a care, and just a light bag that never leaves your side. To enjoy the freedom of being able to handle anything your travels throw at you, without the weight of the world (or at least, a checked bag) holding you back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the benefits of traveling with carry-on luggage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s Stress Free.<\/b> No more worries about whether your checked bag made it on the same plane as you; it’s a sure thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faster Airport Arrivals<\/b>. You’re golden once you’ve cleared customs and immigration. I once clocked 15 minutes from the plane landing in a new country to my walking out of the terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving Around Isn’t a Hassle.<\/b> Changing accommodation<\/a>\/location frequently? Walking your stuff a little further than you thought? Navigating a cobblestone street? No problemo. Packing up is easy (since there’s not much to pack, after-all), and your carry-on luggage is light enough that you can carry it over rough terrain\/stairs\/etc with ease, even if it doesn’t have backpack straps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my first 12 years of full-time travel when I had no official home base, I did two standalone trips with carry-on luggage, before ditching my checked luggage for good and spending the next two years living out of a carry on case: I spent three months sailing the Caribbean<\/a>, living on five boats spanning three countries. To do so with a 20kg checked bag would have been a nightmare. The other was a sponsored trip through Europe where I traipsed through eight countries in three weeks<\/a>; traveling at that pace would have been miserable with a lot of stuff in tow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Packing is Simple.<\/b> Even if your carry-on luggage is chock-a-block, there’s still just not that much to pack. Hence, the process is quicker and easier.
(See also: Pro Packing Hacks – These are the Best Travel Accessories<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll Save on Checked Luggage Fees.<\/b> With airlines separating out more and more fees (like meals, seat selections, and bags), you can save a few bucks by not having to pay for a checked bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Best Scenarios for Carry-On Luggage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’re Going Somewhere Warm.<\/b> Hot, preferably. The lighter your clothing requirements, the more packing options you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fixed-Length (Short) Trips.<\/b> I’ve packed for trips as long as five months with carry-on luggage only. Having said that, I’d suggest the ideal carry-on trip length would be one month or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a Busy Trip.<\/b> The more you have to pack up and move from one destination to another, the better you’ll appreciate traveling light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Best Carry-On Luggage Types<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With increasingly stringent airline carry-on luggage restrictions, the lighter your bags, the better. Here are some specific luggage types and suggestions:

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Wheeled Luggage<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I prefer wheeled luggage in general; I’m spared of back pain, wear-and-tear on my clothing (from hauling on and off a backpack all the time), and call me vain, but I simply prefer the image of rolling luggage vs. backpacks. While some people might argue that wheeled luggage is impractical over rough terrain (like cobblestone or dirt roads), being carry-on sized, it’s light enough to carry by the side handles when necessary.

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WHEELED CARRY-ON LUGGAGE SUGGESTIONS<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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My own carry-on travels have been made pleasurable by the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP21 Anti-Theft Wheeled Carry-On<\/strong>, which I absolutely adore to this day. It’s lightweight, has all kinds of awesome security features, and has super sturdy wheels for rolling all over the place. I’ve had it for 10 years and it’s still going strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 NOTE: Tragically, supply chain issues forced Pacsafe to discontinue their lineup of anti-theft rolling luggage. <\/strong>
While mine is still going strong, I’ve also tried the Osprey Daylite Carryon Wheeled Duffel 40L<\/a>. While it’s not anti-theft in the same way as Pacsafe, Osprey makes excellent bags and luggage and I stand by the brand. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, I’ve been dabbling with hard-shell spinner luggage; specifically the Grace EXT 20″ expandable rolling carry-on by Level8, available exclusively on Amazon, here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s why I adore Pacsafe<\/a>, with a deeper exploration of various anti-theft features they offer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Keep reading for a section further down dedicated to hard-shell spinner luggage, and my recommendations therein.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backpacks<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I’m not a backpack girl for many reasons (which I outline here<\/a>). But if you’re going to travel with a backpack, a carry-on backpack makes the most sense. They’re generally the most lightweight form of luggage you can find, allowing you to allocate the most weight and space for your stuff. Aim for a 40 litre (or so) backpack, which will give you the most space while adhering to (most) carry-on luggage rules.

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CARRY-ON BACKPACK SUGGESTIONS<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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The Osprey Porter 46<\/strong> is the largest carry-on backpack you’ll likely find at 46L. (In fact it’s so large that it doesn’t always qualify as carry-on, depending on the airline).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osprey makes solid luggage and is particularly adept in the backpack department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop for the Osprey Porter 46 at Osprey<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For something a little smaller, and massively popular amongst my carry-on travel colleagues<\/em>, check out the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack<\/strong>. People love it for its versatility, organizational features, and harness comfort (with multiple sizes to choose from, depending on your own size\/stature).
Buy on Osprey<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women will appreciate the almost-identical Osprey Fairview 40 Carry-On Travel Pack<\/strong> with a suspension system built for ladies.
Get it from Osprey<\/a> or Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Personally, I love Pacsafe, and would consider the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Carry-On Travel Backpack<\/strong> for its security features (like slashproof material and tamperproof lockable zips), its light weight, and great amount of space. It also has a front pocket with lots of organization power, and Pacsafe’s signature locking cord so you can lock the bag to a secure fixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 backpack at Pacsafe<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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