What features should you look for when choosing the ideal carry-on suitcase?  I recently discovered the perfect carry-on suitcase. Continue reading to learn what is essential when selecting a carry-on bag along with details of how my new favorite suitcase measures up.

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In the past, I felt I had to choose between a durable, hard-sided carry-on suitcase that protected my belongings and a lightweight, soft-side bag that was easy to maneuver.  When one of the co-founders of the Chester suitcase brand reached out and offered me the opportunity to test drive their Minima suitcase, I jumped at the chance! I wanted to see for myself if one suitcase could really check all the boxes under what I look for in a functional, durable carry-on bag. When the suitcase arrived, it was boxed and wrapped in the custom-fit cover you see in the photo above. I quickly unwrapped it, took some photos, and packed it for my trip the following day.  

Features of the Best Carry-on Suitcase

Size Matters

If the suitcase you chose to pack is above the maximum measurements allowed by your airline you may be required to check your bag.  This negates the benefits of traveling with only carry-on luggage. To read more about why you should always opt to carry on your bags read my Top Ten Reasons to Pack Light and How to do it post. Check the airline you will be flying to verify the maximum size allowed as carry-on.  Remember that international flights often restrict the size of your carry-on more than domestic carriers. When measuring your bag be sure to include the wheels and handles in the measurements. Some airlines are pickier than others, but the best way to be sure you can keep your bag with you is to ensure that it fully complies with the allowed measurements.  The Minima by Chester measures 21.5” x 13.5” x 8.5” (including wheels) which meets the international carry-on size allowed by the major airlines.

Lighten Up

After exterior measurements, the next important factor to consider is the weight of the empty suitcase. If your suitcase is heavy when empty, it will be unbearable when fully packed. If your bag is too heavy to carry comfortably, you will struggle with it throughout your trip. The best way to ensure that your bag is as light as it can be is to start with a lightweight suitcase. The Minima by Chester weighs only 7 pounds.

Make it a Spinner

Trust me on this, a suitcase with four wheels that spin 360 degrees is far superior to a suitcase with two wheels.  A suitcase with these four spinning wheels is generally called a spinner. If you haven’t tried a suitcase with four wheels that spin independently in any direction, you are in for a treat. Moving through the airport with the suitcase upright beside you is vastly more comfortable than dragging a two-wheeled bag behind.  Not only does the upright suitcase with spinning wheels roll quickly, but it also makes a great place to carry your extra personal item. Check out the video of me wheeling the Minima by Chester through the airport, fully loaded, along with a large “personal item” carry-on bag on top. It moved effortlessly. The only reason I needed to have a good grip was to steer the bag; otherwise, it practically rolled itself! 

Strong on the Outside

A fabric suitcase may be lightweight but can be prone to staining, tearing, and if it rains the contents may get wet.  A hard-sided bag, on the other hand, protects the contents and keeps them dry if caught in an unexpected rainstorm. The exterior of the Minima by Chester is made of 100% polycarbonate, making it not only unbreakable and lightweight but also flexible enough to expand slightly for maximum packing space.

Divide and Conquer

A compartmentalized interior and pockets with zippers and zippered sides make the suitcase easier to pack and ensures that items will stay in place while traveling. The Minima by Chester was the perfect size for my packing cubes, allowing me to pack in an organized and efficient manner.  Read about how to pack the perfect carry-on for packing-light tips and tricks; you really can pack for a week-long trip in only a carry-on suitcase. Another great feature of this suitcase is the full, zippered cover on each side of the bag. I’m sure we’ve all struggled with packing the top part of the suitcase, closing the flap that is typically held in place by one or two clips, and then when you go to close the suitcase small items begin to slip out the sides. The full zipper on each side meant that I could close the packed suitcase without any small items falling out as I closed it.

Short to Tall

When selecting your suitcase, be sure to choose one with an adjustable, telescoping handle to allow you to comfortably roll the suitcase regardless of your height.  This adjustable feature also comes in handy when your kids start handling their own bags.

Easy to Grab

Look for a suitcase with grab handles both on the top and the side to make it easy to hold while lifting it to the overhead bin of the airplane. The Minima by Chester has durable handles both on the top and on the side. These handles lie flat when not in use, so they do not add to the overall dimensions of the bag.

Warranty

Finding the perfect suitcase won’t do you any good if it is not durable.  Choose a suitcase that is backed by a good warranty. Chester fully warranties their suitcases for ten years!  Paying a little more for a high-quality suitcase that will last years makes more economic sense than needing to replace a cheap suitcase many times. Chester’s warranty covers any damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that functionally impairs the luggage. They have done rigorous testing and are confident in the durability of their products. If anything breaks, they will fix or replace it.

Lock it Up

If you like the ability to lock your suitcase, look for a suitcase that has an integrated lock system.  The Minima by Chester has you covered on this point too. Once your bag is packed and you are ready to go, there is a handy lock integrated right into the suitcase — no external lock that can be lost or forgotten. Just zip this suitcase and press the zipper tabs into the lock receptacles, spin the three digit combination and your bag is locked. There is a keyhole for TSA agents clearly marked on the front so your bag will not be damaged if you decided to check it and it needed to be searched by TSA.

Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry

Another unique feature of the Minima by Chester is a coordinated dirty laundry bag. The laundry bag folds up and fits into a small zippered pocket on the inside of the suitcase. This comes in handy for bringing home soiled laundry at the end of a trip.

Look Good

Last but not least you want your suitcase to look good.  The Minima by Chester comes in seven different color choices: Black, Charcoal Grey, Aluminium Grey, Ocean Blue, Sky Blue, Pink, Sand.  I chose the Charcoal Grey as the perfect match for my charcoal Baggillini Avenue laptop tote travel bag. They make a great set. Coincidentally, as I was waiting to deplane when we landed in San Diego this weekend,  I noticed the guy standing behind me had the Ocean Blue Chester suitcase! It was also very pretty. I wanted to take a picture of our two bags next to each other but thought the guy would think I was a weirdo with a suitcase obsession, so I resisted.

Test it Out Yourself

As you can probably tell, I loved my experience with the Minima by Chester. I’ve recently returned from my long weekend test driving this carry-on. It is my new favorite suitcase, and I foresee many great adventures with it.  But, you don’t have to take my word for it. This company has an excellent trial period program. Try the suitcase for 100 days and if you’re not happy you can return it hassle-free! They will even send you a free shipping label to facilitate the return. I know that sounds too good to be true.  I even emailed the company to make sure I read that part correctly; it is indeed a 100 day trial period. 

Save With a Discount

Ready to try out this suitcase for yourself?  Check out the company website at Chestertravels and take a look for yourself. As a special thank you to my readers, Chester has agreed to offer a 10% discount.  Just enter the code EXPLORE during checkout. If you try out the suitcase be sure to report back and let me know what you think.

Closing Thoughts

A great big thank you to Chester for providing me with a sample suitcase to test.  This review contains my own, honest opinions. I initially liked this suitcase because of its lightweight, durable construction. In the past, I’ve chosen a soft-sided suitcase to enable me to have a lightweight bag.  However, this Chester hard-sided suitcase is the best of both worlds. Its unbreakable polycarbonate exterior protects the contents, and if I get caught in unexpected rain, my clothes will stay clean and dry. At only 7 pounds it is easy to carry, and the spinning wheels make it so comfortable to move around while navigating the airport and public transportation.

The small size is allowed in the cabin on all major airlines and eliminates the need for checked baggage. This came in extra handy on my return flight this weekend. I arrived at the airport and, once I was through security, I was dismayed to learn that my flight had been delayed. As I was waiting by the gates, I received another flight delay notice. It was already going to be a late night flight home, and now the situation was getting worse.  I checked flight schedules and noticed that there were other flights to Phoenix departing before my plane was going to be leaving. I decided to take a chance and approached the gate agent. I asked if it would be possible to switch to an earlier flight instead of my delayed flight. The first thing the agent asked was if I had checked a bag downstairs. I was able to answer “no, I just have my carry-on here.” He proceeded to rebook me on an earlier flight leaving in less than 40 minutes! I ended up getting home before my original flight had even departed. If I had been traveling with a large suitcase that I had checked upon arriving at the airport, I would not have been able to make that switch — just one more reminder of why I choose to always travel with only carry-on luggage.  

Did I miss any features that you think are essential when choosing a quality carry-on suitcase?  Let me know in the comments below!

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