So much to share here. I’m also in the market for a new carry on and the thing that seems to set brands apart is the warranty.
B&R won Wirecutter for that exact reason since it’s a lifetime warranty and if a wheel breaks they will FedEx you a replacement which you can change yourself. Rimowa is famously terrible now for their repairs and warranty and after so deep digging it looks like the wheels break off fairly regularly and leave owners with a 3 wheeled annoyance on their 5-star vacations. Woof. (Also, Rimowa and obvious luxury brands make your bag a target for theft.)
If you’re traveling with liquids in bottles with screw off tops, slip a peice of Saran or other plastic between the cap and bottle and screw it back on. Nearly eliminates the chances for spills.
I’m not on team-travel cube. Instead I follow ages old packing advice from the queen of early 00’s fashion travel herself, Nina Garcia, who once included it in a style book if I remember right. You lay your long items (the garment bag, jeans, etc. in first with the long parts alternating out the two long sides of the case. Then you fill in the middle with rolled, smaller items and your toiletry case and shoes in shoe bags. Finally you fold the two “ends” over the top and you’re done. It’s the best way to arrive with minimal wrinkles and maximum packing volume space. I don’t know why but it always takes less space this way.
Finally, I know it’s not stylish but since my own decade living in Europe and working in fashion was during the same time period when Rick Steve’s ruled the travel airwaves, I swear by packing extra large ziploc bags, a thin duffel bag I can roll up and use to check on the way back (breakables go into the carryon and clothing goes into the duffle), and this travel mask that perfectly blocks out light but doesn’t press on your eyes… I’ve repurchased this exact brand and style for 20 years and would cry if they stop making it: Bucky Eden Collection Lightweight Eye Shade Mask
Oh my god I love this so so so much. Yes, agreed on the lifetime warranty bit for Briggs; it's pretty darn impressive. Also I have to say, whatever it's made of is bonkers strong. As I mentioned, I've had mine for 15+ years and it looks almost annoyingly fresh. I was not into cubes until recently, tbh, but having specific places for smaller garments and say, workout clothes, is organizationally helpful for me. I don't worry about wrinkles so much because I always request a steamer in my room when I make the reservation. Lots of hotels just have them there now for this reason, at least in the States. Europe still seems to be more iron-centric.
I love the paravel cubes and pair them with a few compression cubes that I use to pack things that can get wrinkly (pjs/socks/fitness clothes). I also really love a zipped cord / electronics organizer for holding the 75 million cords I feel compelled to travel with. I got one off of Amazon for 20$ and it’s held up well. if you want to class it up you can take it to your local embroiderer and slap a monogram on it.
I have a cord bag in my carry-on too! It's from Cuyana and I'm pretty sure it wasn't specifically meant for that, but here we are! I also keep all my adapters in a zipped pouch in my "travel" box, which also has my carry-on necessities like wet wipes, bonine, etc.
Muji really is amazing...the packing cubes are ace and I’m glad to get a recommendation on the cases. I love the Antler suitcases - they have lasted so well over the last decade. I always pack a silk eye mask (stupidly luxurious but means I can tune out and actually nap!)
I have the same green Paravel suitcase. Best suitcase I’ve ever had and I travel a lot. I ended up getting the other pieces in the collections. I NEVER check bags and this fits everything I need.
I’m in team ‘clamshell style carry on with a soft half and a rigid half’. My current one (I get about a decade from them, with a lot of U.K. travel involving bashing them around trains and city centres) is an Eastpak Tranzverz in a gorgeous Liberty print. It’s technically a cabin size case but as I’m usually travelling by train I massively overpack. Did a 10 day trip to France with it and a small backpack last year, and it performed amazingly
I love Liberty prints with my whole heart. J.Crew did a whole collab and I got shirts for my oldest kid and loads of table linens too. Never thought about it for a suitcase, but that's quite lovely!
Hillary seriously how did you get through in 11 minutes?! I had my first connecting flight the other day and it took us like 20 minutes to even get off the flight?! What is your secret!
Also is that photo with the fam flying private? Niiiiice!
Desperate for an Away suitcase, but my Tripp’s are still going strong! (A huge rec for UK readers - they are the dogs bollocks)
Another packing cube swear-ee here. They are gamechangers.
Also going to try the app, thank you! Heard about melatonin for the first time last week, have you tried it?
Honestly, it was insane. I was sitting right by the door, so I was one of the first people off. I kept shouting "I'm going to miss my connection" as I ran past people. I'm a pro at security and have Global Entry, so passport stuff was a breeze. A bunch of people let me cut them in line at the re-check for security because it was clear I was panicked. Then my next flight wasn't too too far away from the gate where I entered, but still required me doing a full sprint through MSP. By the time I got to my gate, I had to stop and was gasping for air, like hands-on-my-knees gasping. And then when I sat in my seat and took of my sweater, I have the full 1980s style sweat-bib on my t-shirt. Just a joke.
Private? I wish! That's a local airline JSX that does short flights out of one of the smaller LA airports.
And yes, I love melatonin. I have a quick-release one that's like 3 mg from Olly that works quite well. I don't like to use it for longer than a couple weeks at a time, but I find that it work well, especially in conjunction with lots of direct light exposure in the morning.
I use an MZ Wallace Metro tote in medium as my personal item. It's an old one in Black Lacquer, but the new ones have a crossbody strap, luggage pass through and lots more pockets; I'm jealous. I check my bag, so I usually don't do a carry on as well, except maybe a bag of snacks and food to get us through the flight and the next day.
My son is going to Study Abroad next semester, so I am busy looking up reviews of a not expensive suitcase for him that hits the 62 inches total diameter. I did buy Air Tags on Prime Day, so I'm set there. I got him a Motherload Jr on the recommendation of a study abroad group; it looks like a backpack but packs like a suitcase, for weekend travel. I did get him an adaptor and a surge protector.
I have the exact same BR carry on and go through the same internal tantrum about not having 4 wheels but after viewing all the other styles in person- and hearing the same comment about Rimowa repair from the guys at the suitcase store- I’ve narrowed it down to BR or Tumi.
Ahahhahahah thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one having internal tantrums. The BR version that's a 4-wheel spinner is such a practical choice. That said, for hardshell, I've had really amazing experiences with our Tumi.
Loved this post. Thank you! I saved your jet lag app for the next time I travel. I am a bad airplane sleeper and jet lag so hard, so this is so helpful!!
One of our friends was using this app when we went to Portugal last summer and I teased him mercilessly for walking around without sunglasses for 5 hours so he could “adapt”. I had to send him an apology text when I saw this run down since more people have gotten onto the time shifter bandwagon 😂
Always enjoy your recommendations. Ty! Still love my Away carry-on. Last year I added the Lululemon backpack to my travel gear. It looks great, has a trolley sleeve and a good sized side pocket for my water bottle and it zips. Everything stays nice and neat while stored under the seat.
Love the AirTag idea and packing cubes! So good for traveling and so simple. Was looking at Tom Ford coffee table book. If you had to choose the ultimate starter coffee table book for a girl in her late 20’s what would you suggest? Looking for a gift for a girlfriend!
I recently bought the Harper Collective in the green carry on and I’ve done 2 trips with it so far and I’m loving it. It can easily balance a handbag/tote and moves very smoothly with just one hand.
Gonna drop a plug for Monos here. I have the larger carry on (pro) and so far I love it. (Took it all over Europe last winter.)
In deciding between Away and Monos I researched a huge travel group on Facebook. There were a handful of people that actually had experience with both, and all said their preference was Monos. (Some cited a sturdier handle as their reason.)
I also already have had good experiences with their warranty dept (they have a lifetime warranty). I realized during my trip that one of the pieces inside wasn't attached properly so I wrote them once I got home, and they shipped me a brand new suitcase! (Told me to keep/gift/donate the first one.)
So much to share here. I’m also in the market for a new carry on and the thing that seems to set brands apart is the warranty.
B&R won Wirecutter for that exact reason since it’s a lifetime warranty and if a wheel breaks they will FedEx you a replacement which you can change yourself. Rimowa is famously terrible now for their repairs and warranty and after so deep digging it looks like the wheels break off fairly regularly and leave owners with a 3 wheeled annoyance on their 5-star vacations. Woof. (Also, Rimowa and obvious luxury brands make your bag a target for theft.)
If you’re traveling with liquids in bottles with screw off tops, slip a peice of Saran or other plastic between the cap and bottle and screw it back on. Nearly eliminates the chances for spills.
I’m not on team-travel cube. Instead I follow ages old packing advice from the queen of early 00’s fashion travel herself, Nina Garcia, who once included it in a style book if I remember right. You lay your long items (the garment bag, jeans, etc. in first with the long parts alternating out the two long sides of the case. Then you fill in the middle with rolled, smaller items and your toiletry case and shoes in shoe bags. Finally you fold the two “ends” over the top and you’re done. It’s the best way to arrive with minimal wrinkles and maximum packing volume space. I don’t know why but it always takes less space this way.
Finally, I know it’s not stylish but since my own decade living in Europe and working in fashion was during the same time period when Rick Steve’s ruled the travel airwaves, I swear by packing extra large ziploc bags, a thin duffel bag I can roll up and use to check on the way back (breakables go into the carryon and clothing goes into the duffle), and this travel mask that perfectly blocks out light but doesn’t press on your eyes… I’ve repurchased this exact brand and style for 20 years and would cry if they stop making it: Bucky Eden Collection Lightweight Eye Shade Mask
Oh my god I love this so so so much. Yes, agreed on the lifetime warranty bit for Briggs; it's pretty darn impressive. Also I have to say, whatever it's made of is bonkers strong. As I mentioned, I've had mine for 15+ years and it looks almost annoyingly fresh. I was not into cubes until recently, tbh, but having specific places for smaller garments and say, workout clothes, is organizationally helpful for me. I don't worry about wrinkles so much because I always request a steamer in my room when I make the reservation. Lots of hotels just have them there now for this reason, at least in the States. Europe still seems to be more iron-centric.
I love the paravel cubes and pair them with a few compression cubes that I use to pack things that can get wrinkly (pjs/socks/fitness clothes). I also really love a zipped cord / electronics organizer for holding the 75 million cords I feel compelled to travel with. I got one off of Amazon for 20$ and it’s held up well. if you want to class it up you can take it to your local embroiderer and slap a monogram on it.
I have a cord bag in my carry-on too! It's from Cuyana and I'm pretty sure it wasn't specifically meant for that, but here we are! I also keep all my adapters in a zipped pouch in my "travel" box, which also has my carry-on necessities like wet wipes, bonine, etc.
Muji really is amazing...the packing cubes are ace and I’m glad to get a recommendation on the cases. I love the Antler suitcases - they have lasted so well over the last decade. I always pack a silk eye mask (stupidly luxurious but means I can tune out and actually nap!)
Do you have a favorite eye mask?
I just went through this exercise myself - ordered 6/7 different brands and landed on the away. Cheers!
To add - I ordered away once, thought I don’t like it, and then when nothing else I ordered measured up, I reordered and now love. Get it!!!!
It's funny how that happens sometimes!
I have the same green Paravel suitcase. Best suitcase I’ve ever had and I travel a lot. I ended up getting the other pieces in the collections. I NEVER check bags and this fits everything I need.
One of my best friends also swears by it!!!
I’m in team ‘clamshell style carry on with a soft half and a rigid half’. My current one (I get about a decade from them, with a lot of U.K. travel involving bashing them around trains and city centres) is an Eastpak Tranzverz in a gorgeous Liberty print. It’s technically a cabin size case but as I’m usually travelling by train I massively overpack. Did a 10 day trip to France with it and a small backpack last year, and it performed amazingly
I love Liberty prints with my whole heart. J.Crew did a whole collab and I got shirts for my oldest kid and loads of table linens too. Never thought about it for a suitcase, but that's quite lovely!
Hillary seriously how did you get through in 11 minutes?! I had my first connecting flight the other day and it took us like 20 minutes to even get off the flight?! What is your secret!
Also is that photo with the fam flying private? Niiiiice!
Desperate for an Away suitcase, but my Tripp’s are still going strong! (A huge rec for UK readers - they are the dogs bollocks)
Another packing cube swear-ee here. They are gamechangers.
Also going to try the app, thank you! Heard about melatonin for the first time last week, have you tried it?
Honestly, it was insane. I was sitting right by the door, so I was one of the first people off. I kept shouting "I'm going to miss my connection" as I ran past people. I'm a pro at security and have Global Entry, so passport stuff was a breeze. A bunch of people let me cut them in line at the re-check for security because it was clear I was panicked. Then my next flight wasn't too too far away from the gate where I entered, but still required me doing a full sprint through MSP. By the time I got to my gate, I had to stop and was gasping for air, like hands-on-my-knees gasping. And then when I sat in my seat and took of my sweater, I have the full 1980s style sweat-bib on my t-shirt. Just a joke.
Private? I wish! That's a local airline JSX that does short flights out of one of the smaller LA airports.
And yes, I love melatonin. I have a quick-release one that's like 3 mg from Olly that works quite well. I don't like to use it for longer than a couple weeks at a time, but I find that it work well, especially in conjunction with lots of direct light exposure in the morning.
I use an MZ Wallace Metro tote in medium as my personal item. It's an old one in Black Lacquer, but the new ones have a crossbody strap, luggage pass through and lots more pockets; I'm jealous. I check my bag, so I usually don't do a carry on as well, except maybe a bag of snacks and food to get us through the flight and the next day.
My son is going to Study Abroad next semester, so I am busy looking up reviews of a not expensive suitcase for him that hits the 62 inches total diameter. I did buy Air Tags on Prime Day, so I'm set there. I got him a Motherload Jr on the recommendation of a study abroad group; it looks like a backpack but packs like a suitcase, for weekend travel. I did get him an adaptor and a surge protector.
Bag of snacks is essential!
I have the exact same BR carry on and go through the same internal tantrum about not having 4 wheels but after viewing all the other styles in person- and hearing the same comment about Rimowa repair from the guys at the suitcase store- I’ve narrowed it down to BR or Tumi.
Ahahhahahah thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one having internal tantrums. The BR version that's a 4-wheel spinner is such a practical choice. That said, for hardshell, I've had really amazing experiences with our Tumi.
Loved this post. Thank you! I saved your jet lag app for the next time I travel. I am a bad airplane sleeper and jet lag so hard, so this is so helpful!!
Me too! I also think the trick of trying to book flights that lineup with your natural sleep helps so much too.
One of our friends was using this app when we went to Portugal last summer and I teased him mercilessly for walking around without sunglasses for 5 hours so he could “adapt”. I had to send him an apology text when I saw this run down since more people have gotten onto the time shifter bandwagon 😂
Ahahahahahahahahahahaha
Love this post and can so relate to all of the faces in the family travel photo 😅
I died laughing when I saw them. All very organic, though so silly it looks posed.
Always enjoy your recommendations. Ty! Still love my Away carry-on. Last year I added the Lululemon backpack to my travel gear. It looks great, has a trolley sleeve and a good sized side pocket for my water bottle and it zips. Everything stays nice and neat while stored under the seat.
Nice and neat while stored under the seat is so necessary. I have learned this the very hard way.
Love the AirTag idea and packing cubes! So good for traveling and so simple. Was looking at Tom Ford coffee table book. If you had to choose the ultimate starter coffee table book for a girl in her late 20’s what would you suggest? Looking for a gift for a girlfriend!
I recently bought the Harper Collective in the green carry on and I’ve done 2 trips with it so far and I’m loving it. It can easily balance a handbag/tote and moves very smoothly with just one hand.
Gonna drop a plug for Monos here. I have the larger carry on (pro) and so far I love it. (Took it all over Europe last winter.)
In deciding between Away and Monos I researched a huge travel group on Facebook. There were a handful of people that actually had experience with both, and all said their preference was Monos. (Some cited a sturdier handle as their reason.)
I also already have had good experiences with their warranty dept (they have a lifetime warranty). I realized during my trip that one of the pieces inside wasn't attached properly so I wrote them once I got home, and they shipped me a brand new suitcase! (Told me to keep/gift/donate the first one.)