Logo with colorful map pins and the word 'LOCAL' in black.

7 Revolutionary Carry-On Bags That Are Changing How We Travel in 2024

We tested the most innovative travel bags to find which one truly delivers the perfect blend of style, function, and value

Collage of various duffel bags in different settings and colors.
Person holding a large white and brown bag, smiling.

The Perfect Travel Companion

Person holding a large white and brown bag, smiling.

In a world where seamless travel experiences matter more than ever, finding the right carry-on bag can make or break your journey. We've spent over 200 hours testing the most innovative travel bags on the market to identify which ones truly deliver on their promises.

Whether you're a business traveler needing to arrive with wrinkle-free attire, a weekend explorer wanting maximum organization, or a digital nomad carrying all your tech essentials, our comprehensive comparison cuts through the marketing hype to reveal which bags are genuinely worth your investment.

How We Evaluated These Bags

1

Design & Versatility

How well does the bag transition between different travel scenarios, from business trips to weekend getaways?

2

Organization & Features

Smart compartments, garment sections, and innovative storage solutions that enhance the travel experience.

3

Quality & Durability

Materials, construction, zippers, and overall build quality that justifies the investment.

4

Value Proposition

The balance between price, features, and longevity—not just the cheapest option.

1

Emmafy Carry-on Bag

The Perfect Balance of Innovation, Quality & Value

9.8/10

White and brown duffel bag with clothes and shoes shown in a circular inset.

$69.97

The Emmafy Carry-on Bag represents the future of travel gear—intelligently designed with every detail serving a purpose. It masterfully combines premium features typically found in luxury bags costing 3-4 times more, with thoughtful innovations that address real traveler pain points. After extensive testing across multiple travel scenarios, it consistently outperformed competitors in versatility, organization, and overall value.

Why It's Our Top Pick

Lightweight yet exceptionally durable materials

TSA-approved

Smart organization system

Expandable capacity up to 20% more space

Water-resistant exterior protects your belongings

Ergonomic design reduces strain during travel

Premium look at a mid-range price point

Save $75 on luggage fees

Wrinkle-Free organization

Holds min 10 days of outfits

Limitations (But Not Deal-Breakers)

Limited stock due to high demand

Limited color options

$69.97

View Price and Details

2

Main Line Duffle - Paravel

Eco-Conscious Style

8.5/10

Beige and brown duffel bag with initials 'RIV' on the front.

$295

The Paravel Main Line Duffle stands out for its sustainable materials and feminine aesthetic. Its eco-credentials are impressive, using recycled materials throughout. While it excels in style and sustainability, it lacks functional features that would make it truly versatile for the modern traveler, particularly at its premium price point.

What We Liked

Made from recycled materials

Elegant, feminine design aesthetic

Decent water resistance

Luggage sleeve for attaching to roller suitcases

Ergonomic design reduces strain during travel

Premium look

Where It Falls Short

No garment section for formal wear

Limited organizational features

Style may not appeal to all travelers

$295

View Price and Details

3

The Garment Duffel - Halfday

Budget-Friendly Casual Option

7.8/10

Dark blue duffel bag with black handles and shoulder strap.

$108

The Herschel Novel Duffle offers a casual, trendy aesthetic at an affordable price point. Its simple design and variety of color options make it popular with younger travelers, but it lacks the premium features, durability, and organization systems found in more sophisticated options. Consider this for occasional, casual weekend trips rather than frequent or business travel.

What We Liked

Affordable price point

Wide variety of colors and patterns

Lightweight design

Separate shoe compartment

Where It Falls Short

Limited durability for frequent travelers

Basic organization features

Poor water resistance

Uncomfortable shoulder strap under weight

Holds about 2-4 days' worth of clothes

$108

View Price and Details

4

Garment Duffle - Briggs & Riley

Premium Quality with a Luxury Price Tag

7.5/10

Black travel duffel bag with handles and a front zipper pocket.

$369

The Garment Duffel 45L offers excellent build quality and a sophisticated design for the business traveler. Its garment section effectively minimizes wrinkles, and the premium materials justify part of the higher price point. However, it lacks some of the modern features found in our top pick while costing significantly more.

What We Liked

Excellent garment section design for business attire

Sophisticated aesthetic

Premium materials and construction

Lifetime warranty with strong reputation

Dedicated laptop section

Where It Falls Short

Very expensive ($379) for the features offered

Heavy at 4.3 lbs when empty

Strongly masculine aesthetic limits appeal

Less suitable for casual travel

$369

View Price and Details

5

GRID Duffel Backpack

Tech-Forward Versatility

7.2/10

Black duffel bag with handles and buckles on a plain background.

$315

The GRID Duffel Backpack from Ekster offers innovative convertibility between duffle and backpack modes. Its tech-focused design appeals to digital nomads, and the organization system is well-thought-out for electronic accessories. However, it lacks business travel essentials like a proper garment section, and the durability doesn't match its price point.

What We Liked

Versatile convertible design

Modern aesthetic

Premium materials and construction

Tech-focused organization

Good laptop protection

Where It Falls Short

No garment section for business attire

Questionable long-term durability

Uncomfortable in backpack mode when fully loaded

High price relative to build quality

$315

View Price and Details

6

Tumi Double Expansion Travel Satchel

Premium Quality with a Luxury Price Tag

6.9/10

Gray and black duffel bag with handles and a front pocket.

$315

The Tumi Double Expansion Travel Satchel delivers the premium experience you'd expect from this luxury brand. The materials and construction are undeniably excellent, and the expansion feature offers good versatility. However, at this astronomical price point, the bag lacks many innovative features found in more modern competitors, making it difficult to justify purely on functional merits.

What We Liked

Premium ballistic nylon construction

Double-expansion system provides flexibility

Premium materials and construction

Excellent zippers and hardware

Status symbol for business travelers

Where It Falls Short

Prohibitively expensive at $525

Heavy at 4.6 lbs when empty

No dedicated garment section

Conservative design feels dated

$315

View Price and Details

7

Classic Leather Weekender - samsonite

Luxury Status Symbol

6.5/10

Brown leather duffel bag with handles and a front zipper pocket.

$379

The Samsonite Classic Leather Weekender offers a traditional business aesthetic with genuine leather construction, but fails to deliver modern features that today's travelers expect at its premium price point.

What We Liked

Genuine leather construction with classic appeal

Professional business aesthetic

Reputable brand with good customer service

Internal organization pockets

3-year warranty

Where It Falls Short

Expensive for limited modern features

No water resistance

Heavier than synthetic alternatives at 3.8 lbs

No garment section for suits or formal wear

$315

View Price and Details

The Verdict: Why the Emmafy Carry-on Stands Above the Rest

After exhaustively testing these seven premium travel bags across multiple scenarios, the Emmafy Carry-on Bag emerged as the clear winner, redefining what travelers should expect from modern luggage.

What makes the Emmafy truly exceptional is how it brilliantly balances all the qualities that matter most to today's traveler. While luxury names like Tumi and Briggs & Riley charge premium prices primarily for their brand heritage, Emmafy focuses on delivering genuine innovation and thoughtful features that solve real travel problems.


Perhaps most impressively, Emmafy accomplishes all this at a price point that makes premium travel gear accessible to more people. While established luxury brands seem content to charge more while innovating less, Emmafy represents a new breed of travel gear that prioritizes intelligent design and genuine value.


For travelers who want a bag that won't just survive their journeys but actively enhance them, without paying the luxury tax that comes with heritage brand names, the Emmafy Carry-on Bag is our unequivocal recommendation.

GET THE EMMAFY CARRY-ON BAG

A woman holds an unfolded laundry hamper in a living room.

Emma Walker

Travel Expert & Product Reviewer
Last Updated Feb 16, 2025

With over a decade of experience testing travel gear across six continents and 47 countries, Alex has evaluated more than 300 bags and cases. Before becoming a full-time product reviewer, Alex worked in luggage design and manufacturing, giving him unique insights into what makes great travel gear stand apart from the merely good.