Low-cost travel has never been cheaper, with relatively new budget airlines like Zipair and Air Japan offering pocket-friendly fares to nearby travel hotspots. Couple this with the recent strength of the Singapore dollar, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for cheap overseas shopping trips – which means it’s time to get your hands on some lightweight carry-on luggage, if you haven’t already.
They’re a great way to keep your shopping haul safe from the elements and the whims of bellhops, taxi drivers and airport staff, who might not treat your suitcase with tender loving care.
But you also wouldn’t want to drag around a suitcase that’s heavier than necessary, as it would make keeping below pesky carry-on baggage limits that much harder. Just so you know, low-cost carriers like Jetstar and AirAsia limit the weight of cabin baggage at 7kg, while Scoot is a little more generous at 10kg.
There’s also the practical consideration of lugging a heavy suitcase or two when out and about. Japan, for example, is known for having train stations with staircases rather than lifts and escalators.
In this latest edition of Life & Living, we cover some of the sturdy, lightweight carry-on suitcases you’ll want to add to your travel luggage collection.
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1. American Tourister Argyle Spinner 55/20 TSA, $240 ($168 as of press time)
One of the cheapest items on our list (at press time) is American Tourister’s Argyle Spinner, which pretty much crams all you’d want in a lightweight carry-on luggage into a neat little 2.7kg package. The polypropene hardshell glides nicely on a quartet of double wheels and flips open to reveal 36L of carrying capacity – more than decent enough for a short jaunt, plus snacks and souvenirs for the family on the way home.
2. It Luggage World's Lightest 22" 8 Wheel Lightweight Carry-On – Cabin, $189
It Luggage’s aptly titled World’s Lightest range boasts a carry-on with an abrasion-resistant polyester soft-shell and hardy fibreglass frame, providing 35L of carrying capacity while weighing just 1.8kg. That’s the most impressive weight-to-volume ratio of any suitcase on our list, though you do give up some protection as a trade-off.
3. Travelpro Maxlite Air Compact Carry-On Hardside Spinner, $205
Travelpro is an American brand with plenty of street cred in its home country, where it is favoured by airline employees. Its Maxlite Air Compact Carry-On Hardside Spinner features winning qualities like an impact-absorbing polycarbonate shell, a zippered expandable compartment and a sleek, professional look to boot in a 2.7kg package. It doesn’t lack in the space department too, with 40L of room. You can get it on Amazon here.
4. July Carry-On Light Polycarbonate 21” Luggage, $325
The Australian brand July’s Carry-On Light suitcase drives a hard bargain, clocking in at just 1.8kg while maintaining a respectable 32L carrying capacity. It packs a hardcase polycarbonate shell that does the job of protecting your precious cargo while looking quite pretty thanks to its minimalist, pastel colour scheme. As a bonus, it boasts stability-increasing double wheels, made to glide silently as you make your way around the city. The suitcase is also crafted entirely from vegan-friendly materials.
5. Samsonite C-Lite Spinner 55/20 EXP, $890
For a lightweight carry-on suitcase with star power behind it, you can’t go wrong with a Samsonite C-Lite Spinner. The American brand is, after all, well-known for its long-lasting, hardy luggage – if you’re willing to pay a premium. This suitcase is cabin-friendly with a capacity of 36L (expandable to 42L), and weighs just 2.1kg thanks to its proprietary outer shell of Samsonite’s Curv material, said to be exceptionally hardy despite its lighter-than-usual weight. There are other nice features like its use of recyclable materials, smooth-gliding double wheels and an external USB port so you can charge devices with a hooked up portable charger on the go.
6. Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin S, $1000
Lightweight doesn’t mean you have to do without luxury. Enter Rimowa’s lightweight line, which retains its signature sense of style and characteristic parallel aluminium grooves. The Essential Lite Cabin S is feather-light at just 2.1kg, and, like the others on our list, glides almost effortlessly on a stabilising multi-wheel system. Though it lacks a little in volume compared to its competitors – its carrying volume is just 31L – it makes up for it with a dash of elegance.
Check out our handy comparison chart, complete with a couple of other lightweight suitcases that are worth an honourable mention.
| Name | Volume | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eminent Probeetle by Eminent Voyager IX | 40L | 2.5kg | $187 |
| It Luggage World's Lightest 22" 8 Wheel Lightweight Carry-On | 35L | 1.8kg | $189 |
| American Tourister Argyle Spinner 55/20 TSA | 36L | 2.7kg | $240 ($168 as of press time) |
| Travelpro Maxlite Air Compact Carry-On Hardside Spinner | 40L | 2.7kg | $205 |
| Lojel Voja Small | 37L | 3.2kg | $320 |
| July Carry-On Light Polycarbonate 21” Luggage | 32L | 1.8kg | $325 |
| Samsonite C-Lite Spinner 55/20 EXP | 36L | 2.1kg | $890 |
| Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin S | 31L | 2.1kg | $1000 |
