Our readers named the Travelpro Maxlite 3 their favorite rolling carry-on back in 2016, and the line is better (and lighter) than ever with the release of several new Maxlite 5s.
The Maxlite line comprises a variety of carry-ons, including rollaboards, spinners, and totes, but by way of comparison, let’s look at the weights of a few comparable carry-on bags:
- Travelpro Crew 10 22" Rollaboard: 9 pounds
- Briggs & Riley International Carry-On: 8.9 pounds
- Away 22" Spinner: 7 pounds
- Travelpro Maxlite 3 22" Rollaboard: 6.3 pounds
- Travelpro Maxlite 4 22" Rollaboard: 6 pounds
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 22" Rollaboard: 5.4 pounds
So it’s light...so what, you ask? Until recently I would have agreed, but having just booked a Norwegian Airlines transcontinental flight, I’ve been exposed to the apparently common-in-Europe practice of weighing carry-on baggage. A 10 kg (22 pound) combined limit between your carry-on and personal item is masochistic, which means it’s probably just a matter of time until the scheme arrives on our shores. When that day arrives, you’ll be glad that your bag doesn’t take up half of your weight allotment by itself.
Beyond its light weight though, the 22" carry-on I demoed is a Travelpro bag, which is to say it’s a very good piece of luggage. Its shell doesn’t feel as rigid as the Crew 10 (that weight had to come from somewhere), but it’s got all the pockets and organizational tools you need, a surprising amount of interior volume, excellent zippers and wheels, and a limited lifetime warranty. Plus, its checkerboard interior lining is color coordinated to whatever exterior color you choose, which is a surprisingly stylish touch.