The Ultimate Carry-on Luggage Combo For Your Next Trip

A few years back, my luggage went to China while I went to Vietnam. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with developing the perfect carry-on combo. I have tested several different combinations and believe I have developed the ultimate carry-on luggage combo for you to use on your next trip.

This carry-on combo is not a one size fits all solution. My ultimate carry-on combo consists of three primary pieces that can be used separately or in combination to provide just the right amount of space for everything you need, no matter the length of the trip. I once carried-on bags for a 12-day trip to Spain and Morocco, and that was before I perfected my combo!

So let’s check out the pieces!

Please note: some items below contain affiliate links for which we may receive a small commission.

21” Expandable Spinner Suitcase

This is a staple for longer trips where you plan to carry-on your luggage. A 21” suitcase is the maximum that will fit in the overhead bin. Anything larger and the flight attendant will let you know by her expression that you’re “one of those people.” The spinner wheels make it so much easier to pull through the airport and the expandable feature speaks for itself (hello shopping)!

There are a lot of suitcases out there that meet the above criteria, but I really like the TravelPro MaxLite 5 21″ Expandable Spinner Suitcase. It very lightweight and durable. This traditional top-zip case and fits easily on a luggage rack. I love my hard-side cases, but this one is easier for trips where you move around a lot and need to live out of your suitcase.

I also like the American Tourister Stratum XLT Hardside Expandable Luggage. It is rugged and durable, has a multi-stage trolly handle (something you don’t think about until you don’t have it), and a mesh divider with a zipped modesty pocket. It is also reasonably priced in case the airline scuffs it up, comes in a variety of colors, and has a 10 year limited warranty. This case is nice for trips where I am going to unpack and stay a while. Otherwise, I find it cumbersome to deal with.

Whether you select a soft or hard case, the most important things to consider are size, weight, it has 5 spinner wheels, and it is expandable.

Underseat Luggage with Trolly Strap

The second piece to create the ultimate carry-on combo is an underseat rolling bag. I live in a smaller city. That means I always take a smaller plane to another airport no matter where I go, and a 21” carry-on will not fit in the overhead bin. In fact, hardly anything fits in the overhead bin.

I love my Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage Bag. I have a friend with one, and it is a really great bag! It fits in most overhead compartments and under the seat in front of you – even on United Express Jets! The spacious main compartment will hold your clothing, toiletries, and an extra pair of shoes, and there are plenty of interior pockets for small items.

A lot of bags have the features described above. But the reason the Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On takes top honors is the handy trolly strap on the back! Most underseat bags do not come with this feature, but the ability to secure it to the top of a larger suitcase’s trolley handle adds a whole other dimension to the usefulness of the bag. This bag is a steal for the money and comes in a variety of colors.

Update: I still love this bag, but I found my husband and brother-in-law, who are both much taller than I, do not care for it. They say the handle does not extend long enough and they would rather use a heavy backpack. That is great for them, but my shoulders hurt when I carry too heavy a backpack so this little piece is still my go-to when traveling alone.

Backpack with Trolly Strap

The third major ingredient in the ultimate carry-on combo is a solid backpack with a trolly strap. Backpacks provide a great finishing touch to any luggage combo. Not only are they great for taking personal items on the plane, but they double as a day bag once you arrive at the destination.

I love my Kroser Laptop Backpack! It has a spacious interior that will hold a change of clothes and pair of shoes. The convenient front pocket works for personal items such as my phone, Kindle, mints, and lip balm. There is a laptop sleeve if I bring a laptop, but it is unobtrusive if I don’t. It includes a handy USB Port to charge devices and the all important trolly handle strap! Despite a very low price, it is made of quality materials and is both durable and comfortable. As long as I don’t fill it with super-heavy things, I can carry it long distances. This backpack is really hard to beat!

We all have different preferences when it comes to bags. For a large, structured bag, the Matien 40 L Travel Backpack is also a great option for a more heavy duty backpack. It has multiple pockets and holds up to a 17” laptop. For a more packable option, consider the Venture Pal Lightweight Packable 40L Backpack. If you prefer a shoulder bag, the Zipsak Boost by Biaggio is an incredible option. It is a well made product and comes in a variety of colors. It is also expandable, collapsible, and has the all-important trolly strap.

Creating the Ultimate Carry-on Combo

Once you settle on your three primary bags, you can mix and match them to meet the needs for each trip. Here are the possible combinations:

Backpack alone – This option is doable for a one night trip as long as I only bring the bare necessities. I have only done this once but it worked great!
Underseat Bag alone – This works well for a 1-3 night trip and is even roomy enough to throw in a pair of sandals.
Underseat Bag with a Backpack – This is my go-to carry-on combo! Both pieces fit in the United Express Jet overhead bins and under-the-seat so this combo is very flexible. Depending upon what I need for the trip, I can typically do 3-5 days with this combo.
Spinner Suitcase alone – This will generally work for a 3-5 day trip but I always add a small handbag for tickets, phone, and other items I need easy access to. This suitcase will fit in overhead bins for larger planes but I have to gate-check it for the Express Jet flights.
Spinner Suitcase with a Backpack – This combo took me to Spain and Morocco for that 12-day trip. I had everything I needed and didn’t have to worry with a larger suitcase while navigating planes, trains, and automobiles! But that backpack was stuffed and quite heavy.
Spinner Suitcase with the Underseat Bag – this is the largest combo you can create and still abide by airline policies. I bet I could survive a month on this. I have never personally carried on this much luggage for a trip, but as long as the underseat bag has a trolley strap it would be easy to do!

Add-ons to Your Combo

We covered the basic ingredients for the ultimate carry-on combo above, but there are always ways to make it better. Check out the following:

Packing Cubes will help you keep those cases tidy and your clothes wrinkle-free
Check out The Best Toiletry Kit to see everything you need to put together your toiletry kit!
Don’t forget your Complete Medicine Kit!
Electronics Bag with Cords
Initial Luggage Tag with Full Privacy Cover in case you misplace a bag.
Duolove Passport and Vaccine Holder Combo
The Perfect Travel Pillow

What is your ultimate carry-on combo?

Or do you prefer to Check Your Bags?

Tell us what you think below in the comments. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!