MAREN guide

Carry-on luggage for women: what actually matters

Most of what makes a good carry-on is the same for everyone: it has to fit the bin, roll well and close properly. A few things come up again and again when women shop for one, so here they are in plain terms.

A handle that fits your height

If the handle is too short you end up stooping; too tall and the case wobbles. A telescoping handle with several stops solves this. The Weekender carry-on has three heights, reaching 83 cm (32.6 in) from the floor at full extension, plus a top handle for lifting it into the overhead bin.

Somewhere for makeup and skincare

Toiletries and makeup are the things you reach for most and the things most likely to leak. A separate hard case keeps them out of your clothes. The Weekender Set includes a matching vanity case, 30 × 30 × 16 cm (11.8 × 11.8 × 6.3 in), that rides on the carry-on's handle via a strap on its back.

Four wheels, not two

Four spinner wheels mean the case rolls upright beside you and pivots in place, so you are not dragging its full weight behind you through a terminal. Each of the four wheels on this carry-on turns 360°.

A size that works for carry-on

The carry-on is 55 × 34 × 22 cm (21.6 × 13.4 × 8.66 in) including wheels, within the 22 × 14 × 9 in limit many US airlines use for domestic flights (see Delta and American). Rules change and vary by airline and fare, so check yours before you fly.

A color that is not another black case

Black is practical, and it is also what nearly everyone else is rolling. The set comes in Obsidian (black) or Lilac, a soft muted purple. Both pieces match.

Inside

The carry-on opens into two halves: a zip divider panel on one side and buckled cross straps on the other, which keeps folded clothes in place.

The set is $149 for both pieces, ships free from the US in 4–9 days, and can be returned within 30 days of delivery.