Luggage Size Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Luggage Size

Luggage Size Guide: How to Pick the Perfect Luggage Size

You’ve got your trip all figured out. Flight plans? Scheduled. Hotel reservations? Booked. An itinerary that meticulously tracks everything you’re going to do every waking hour? Primed and ready. But when it comes to luggage sizes, you’re feeling a wee bit lost.

Why is it so tough to pick which suitcase to bring with you? We get it! With so many suitcase sizes to choose from, it can be challenging to figure out which one will best suit your journey. But have no fear — we’ve got some tips to help make that choice a little easier. Here’s our handy dandy luggage size chart guide. 

PERSONAL ITEM

A personal item is typically a purse, briefcasebackpack, travel backpackcrossbody bag, or tote that you can take on your flight without paying an additional fee.

However, some rules apply in terms of what is considered a “personal item.” For starters, it has to fit under your seat, yet there are still individual size requirements depending on which carrier you’re flying with. As a ballpark figure, the dimensions are roughly 6-9 inches in width, 10-14 inches in height, and 17-18.5 in length, but always double-check with your airline first. 

Not sure how to figure out your suitcase size? Whether you need to know small travel luggage size or large, simply use a tape measure to record the height (up and down), width (left to right), and depth (front to back). 

CABIN BAG (UP TO 16”)

Ideal for long weekends and short business trips, cabin bags are more comfortable to maneuver than bulky satchels, or handbags. They can easily fit in the overhead bin, so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of checking your bag. You don’t need to worry about not having enough space as some of our cabin bags, such as the Medium Two-Wheel Expandable Brief, provide a little extra room so you can mix business with pleasure if need be.  

multiple images of MEDIUM 2-WHEEL EXPANDABLE BRIEF

CARRY-ON BAG (19-22”)

Don’t assume that the same carry-on you brought on your flight to L.A. will fit in the overhead on your trip to Hong Kong. 

Every airline has its restrictions for carry-on luggage sizes and weight, so make sure you check your airline’s guidelines before you pack to save a lot of hassle (and moolah) by checking. 

Of course, you want to get the most out of your bag, and our Essential 2-Wheel Carry-On can fit up to four more days’ worth of clothes than standard carry-on luggage without breaking those pesky height restrictions. Briggs & Riley’s patented CX TM Technology allows you to expand, pack more, compress, and go — because yes, those “just in case” outfits are sometimes necessary. Check out other carry-on bags in our Baseline collection, as well as our weekend bags, for convenient luggage options that match your style and travel needs.

multiple images of ESSENTIAL 22" 2-WHEEL EXPANDABLE CARRY-ON

Flying may be measured in miles, but packing is a game of inches. While typical domestic flights will allow you to take a carry-on that’s up to 22” in height, if you’re flying beyond borders, make sure you bring both your passport and a smaller suitcase, as most international flights only allow a max height of 21”

MEDIUM SIZE CHECKED LUGGAGE (25-27”)

A medium-sized suitcase is essential for those in-between trips that are more than a weekend getaway but don’t quite take you into multi-country tour territory. Even so, that doesn’t mean you can’t pack more and worry less about what you’re leaving behind. Our Medium Expandable Spinner is a heavy hitter, letting you carry enough clothes to last 6-10 days compared to the 4-6 days you’ll get from other medium spinners!

multiple images of MEDIUM EXPANDABLE SPINNER suitcase

LARGE SIZE CHECKED LUGGAGE (29-31”)

For truly epic adventures, look no further than our Extra Large Expandable Spinner. It can carry up to a whopping 10-12 days’ worth of clothes, a world away from what other large spinners can hold. Gone are the days of worrying about what gets left hanging in the closet. Now you’ve got room for everything. 

Regardless of where you travel, always be aware of your airline’s luggage limitations. With features like CX™, our bags will allow you to pack more — but it's up to you to make sure you've double and maybe even triple (we’re not judging) checked that your checked bag size fits within the airline's size restrictions. With packing power comes tremendous packing responsibility, too. 

multiple images of EXTRA LARGE EXPANDABLE SPINNER suitcase

GUARANTEED FOR LIFE

No matter which luggage you choose, rest assured that any piece from Brigg’s & Riley comes with a  lifetime guarantee. If your bag is ever broken or damaged, we’ll repair it free of charge without you needing to show proof of purchase or having to answer any questions.

Our products are designed to last a lifetime: “Engineered for Reality,  Guaranteed for Life.


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