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Best Lightweight Carry-on Suitcases at 5lbs and Below

lightweight carry-on suitcases below 5lbs

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Here at Her Packing List, we are huge advocates of packing smart and more importantly, packing light.

The benefits of packing light include:

  • Easier to carry luggage
  • Fewer items to lose
  • More space in your luggage for keepsakes
  • No need to check-in your luggage

The biggest benefit, of course, is not having to check-in your luggage.

This saves you money from having to pay extra baggage fees, saves you the worry of how the airline ground staff is handling your bag, and provides you the luxury to step out of the airport as soon as you clear immigration.

Of course, if you’re planning on traveling with just a carry-on, you need to also have a lightweight bag. Did you know that most airlines across the globe also have a weight restriction attached to the size restriction of a carry-on (or cabin) bag?

Don’t waste some of that precious luggage weight allowance on the luggage itself! Here are some of the lightest carry-on suitcases available in the market today.

Lightest Luggage: IT Luggage Los Angeles

Ultralight luggage: IT Luggage Los Angeles
Ultralight luggage: IT Luggage Los Angeles

Price: $79.99 | Weight: 3.81 lbs

If it’s lightweight suitcases you’re after (and not a backpack), look no further than IT Luggage. This brand specializes in super lightweight luggage that does not cost you an arm and a leg.

The Los Angeles luggage is one of the lightest models and unfortunately, to achieve this weight and price, it only has two wheels. If this is something that you’re okay with, it’s a good, solid choice.

Cheapest Lightweight Luggage: Jetstream 18 Inch

Cheap and lightweight carry-on luggage: Jetstream 18 Inch
Cheap and lightweight carry-on luggage

Price: $44.99 | Weight: 4.4 lbs

The cheapest in our list, this Jetstream carry-on is only 20” high. You can be sure that this bag is passing even the strictest cabin baggage limitations.

It has two front zippered pockets and a retractable handle that extends up to 41” from the bottom of the wheel. It also has a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty against product defects.

Best for Students: SKYMOVE 19 inches Wheeled Rolling Backpack

Lightweight wheeled backpack: SKYMOVE 19 inches Wheeled Rolling Backpack
Lightweight wheeled backpack

Price: $61.99 | Weight: 4.6 lbs

If you’re going to be attending school or working on the road and need to bring plenty of stuff but can’t risk hurting your back, this is a great bag to have.

It’s basically a wheeled laptop backpack, but it is roomy enough to have space for your books or clothes if you are traveling (or having an intense overnight study session at a friend’s house).

It has a built-in laptop sleeve and pockets and compartments to fit your school and office needs.

Unfortunately, it’s not recommended for anybody taller than 6 ft. 

Best All-Around Suitcase: Aerolite Carry On MAX 

Best all around lightweight luggage: Aerolite Carry On MAX
Best all around lightweight luggage

Price: $59.99 | Weight: 4.62 lbs

This bag has a huge interior at 20.5”x14”x9” and 41l capacity. Aerolight is known for its light yet durable suitcases. All of their products are backed by their 10-year guarantee.

The best feature of this bag is its backstrap, which lets you secure it on top of your bigger, check-in luggage, so it’s easier for you to navigate through a crowded airport.

Best Hard-Side Luggage: Samsonite Neopulse Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels

Lightweight hard case 4-wheeled luggage: Samsonite Neopulse Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Lightweight hard case 4-wheeled luggage

Price: $168.27 | Weight: 4.90 lbs

Based on the list so far, it’s already been established that to have the lightest luggage there should only be two wheels and be soft-side. 

Luggage leader Samsonite defies this by offering a super lightweight hard-side luggage with four spinner wheels, and an integrated 3-digit TSA lock.

Of course, to have all this, you need to splash out a bit more money for your luggage. If you’re always traveling, think of this as a great investment.

Best for Rugged Travel: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior

Lightweight luggage for adventure travel: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior
Lightweight luggage for adventure travel

Price: $249.00 | Weight: 5.03 lbs

If you’re still up for an adventure, but your back is beginning to say no, this is the perfect compromise.

The Eagle Creek Gear Warrior has the room to carry all of your gear and it’s very light, so you can cram it all in without worrying too much about baggage weight limits. Its size guarantees that you will be rolling this into the plane cabin without any problem.

This is also made with sustainable fabrics, including 100% recycled PET ripstop. Like all Eagle Creek bags, this is covered by the company’s No Matter What Warranty.

Best for Business Travel: Unitravel Business Suitcase 

Lightweight luggage for business travel: Unitravel Business Suitcase
Lightweight luggage for business travel

Price: $79 | Weight: 5.07 lbs

This is a really great value suitcase for its price and features. It has multi-layer storage so you can easily organize your items. It has four spinner wheels and even a built-in TSA lock.

Aside from being lightweight, this is also small enough to fit under the seat, so you won’t have to wrestle with people for space in the overhead bins.

Did we miss your choice of lightweight suitcase?

We’re sure there is plenty more ultralight luggage available in the market. What are your choices? Sound off in the comments below!

SuitcaseFast Facts
IT Luggage Los Angeles
lightweight-it-luggage
Lightest Luggage
Weight: 3.81 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
Jetstream 18 Inch
cheapest-lightweight-luggage
Cheapest Lightweight Luggage
Weight: 4.4 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
SKYMOVE 19 inches Wheeled Rolling Backpack
light-weight-wheeled-backpack
Best for Students
Weight: 4.6 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
Aerolite Carry On MAX
best-lightweight-luggage
Best All-Around Suitcase
Weight: 4.62 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
Samsonite Neopulse Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
light-weight-hardside-luggage
Best Hard-Side Luggage
Weight: 4.9 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior
lightweight-adventure-travel-luggage
Best for Rugged Travel
Weight: 5.03 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>
Unitravel Business Suitcase
lightweight-luggage-business-travel
Best for Business Travel
Weight: 5.07 lbs

BUY ON AMAZON >>

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Written by Nina

Nina Fuentes splits her time between Manila and Bulusan, Sorsogon in the Philippines. She is one of the pioneering female travel bloggers in the country and her blog, Just Wandering, has been recognized as the Best Travel Blog at the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and at the 2011 Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards. She has recently started Just Wandering Tours, offering customized tours of Bulusan and the province of Sorsogon.

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Travel Resources

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Handbag Packing Masterclass – Learn to pack your lightest bag ever in this revolutionary packing class run by HPL founder, Brooke.

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