Here are the suitcases we have liked (or loved!) and why:
- Checked bag: Away’s “The Large”. The lightest large suitcase I’ve come across. Many large-sized suitcases weigh a ton, and therefore put you over the airline’s weight limit very easily. This one is hard-shelled, and can take a good beating, but is very light. One side is mesh-zipped and the other side is compression strapped. It works great for everything from clothes to arts/crafts to life jackets, and a combination of it all. It also keeps things dry if it’s rainy. Highly recommended. (If you do want to get one, you can use this link for $20 off)
- Carry-on hard-shell: Away’s “The Bigger Carry-on”. Similar to “The Large”, the carry-on version has a very light hard shell and on the inside, one side is mesh-zipped and the other is compression strapped. It also has a battery charger which can come in handy. The kids love jumping and riding on this one through airports. Also, if you forget anything fairly small, it has one waterproof pocket on the outside, which you can slide something into. That pocket has definitely come in handy as you’re racing out of the house and remember that last…hat, shirt, book, etc. FYI for people who use car seat straps with their rolling suitcases: this one is not as easy as a soft-shelled suitcase to attach a car seat strap to; it’s doable, but we have found that they slide down more easily on the hard shell. (Use this link for $20 off)
- Carry-on soft shell: These have been great IF you’re using car seat straps to attach a carseat, as the strap grips the softer bag better than the slippery hard-shelled bags. They’re less good if you’re in wet places, or if bags will be sitting in the rain somewhere. Some have compartments on the inside which can be useful, but if you’re using packing cubes, there’s no super upside to pre-created compartments. A couple of examples: Eagle Creek and Travelpro.
- Carry-on for kids: American Tourister Kids’ carry-on 18-inch. While it may seem ridiculous to get a kid their own rolling suitcase, it certainly can foster some independence and pride. A child can help to pack it (within some constraints or oversight) and they can wheel it through an airport. This one is a great size for 5+. Besides being Frozen-themed, which apparently makes anything in life awesome, it has a good amount of space inside, the zippers work nicely, the handle comes out well and isn’t too long, the wheels roll easily, and it’s not too heavy. The hard shell is protective, keeps things dry, and can handle kids sitting and stepping on it (or siblings who jump on it…). Our five year old used it on her first solo flight and has been in love with it ever since! And if Frozen doesn’t do it for your kid, it also comes in other Disney themes.
