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Ever looked at airline baggage rules and wondered: what exactly is a carry-on “personal item”? Find out what it is, how to choose one, and a few of our top picks!

 


How to Choose a Carry-On Personal Item

Written by: Josie Reim


 

 

Table Of Contents

 

 

What is a carry-on “personal item”?

 

 

Most airlines allow you to take two pieces of luggage on board with you that you don’t have to check-in. This is the general guideline on major flights:

  1. One carry-on bag, max size of 14 x 22 x 9, such as a suitcase, duffle, backpack, etc.
  2. One personal item, smaller than a carryon such as a shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag or other small item.

 

Some airlines only allow one carry-on bag and no personal item especially on budget or domestic flights. TFG has an airline baggage allowance cheat sheet but sizes are constantly changing. Always check your airline’s website for their rules before traveling.

Your carry-on personal item is small but can accomplish many things! While your main carryon luggage should be able to fit in the overhead bin, your smaller personal item should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. 

The type of bag you choose to use depends on the length of your trip and your planned activities. Take the time to pick out the right piece for your unique needs. 

 

A handy tip: use a packing cube in your personal item to keep your belongings and in-flight essentials organized for your journey!

 

Here are some things to consider when choosing a personal item:

 

Size – Don’t waste your carry-on personal item on a small clutch – but that doesn’t necessarily mean you leave the clutch at home. Pack it away in a bigger piece! If you have a larger bag, you’ll have the room to consolidate smaller, important items, like a small purse, cosmetics, or electronics.

A large bag with some wiggle room is great for placing any last-minute items you need to bring but forget to pack. Use organizers like these in different shapes and sizes to keep everything in place!

 

 

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Baggallini Avenue Carry-on Tote

 

Always check with your airline about the maximum dimensions you’re allowed to bring for a personal item. This can vary as well as the staff that enforces certain rules. At the very least, make sure it’s not too bulky and would comfortably fit underneath an airplane seat.

Trolley Sleeve: If you’ve wondered how to attach your personal item to a rolling suitcase, a luggage sleeve is the answer! Many bags today have this stellar option so you can securely negotiate busy airports and not be weighed down with a backpack or tote.

Wheels: Many travelers find a wheeled bag can be more convenient than a regular shoulder bag or backpack. In fact, these under the seat wheeled styles offer the most spacious interior maximizing the space available for your belongings! And some TFG readers have even managed to travel with just their under-the-seat bag!

 

Take a look at our readers’ top recommendations for the best travel bags and backpacks all with trolley sleeves!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Vera Bradley Iconic Travel Weekender Bag

 

Shape – Find a carry-on personal item with an open design that allows you to put multiple items inside. Something with a bucket-like feel that can grow or minimize with your packing needs gives you more options than a bag that’s completely compartmentalized and sectioned off. The more flexible the shape, the easier it is to bring whatever your travels require including random items you throw in last-minute such as food or a bottle of water you buy at the airport.

Fabrics – You might also want to stick with fabrics that are easy to clean – whether it gets dirty from the floor or from your feet resting on it on the flight. Leather and nylon are travel-friendly materials.

Closures and Pockets Something with a zipper is key! You don’t want the bag to accidentally open while it’s under the seat in front of you – nothing can ruin a trip like a lost passport or keys. Plus, it’s not the easiest thing to stick your head under an airplane seat and search for items – it’s pretty cramped and the person sitting next to you may not appreciate you in their space.

Pockets are also useful because they’re like built-in packing cubes because of the way they corral your items into designated spots. The more pockets you have (inside and outside the bag), the more organized you can keep your stuff while you’re on the go!

 

 

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Herschel Classic Backpack

 

A gym bag or a diaper tote can also make a great carry-on personal item – they have multiple pockets and are large enough to house a variety of things. If you don’t have either one in your closet and want to go a bit fancier, choose a bag that’s more stylish and cute, yet still practical! 

 

Here’s a great round-up of bags, from totes to backpacks, or duffles, these can serve as your carry-on personal item which hits all the points we’ve mentioned above:

 

 

Best Tote for a Personal Carry-On Item

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Nordstrom | Bloomingdale’s

 

Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag 

 

Classic in style, Longchamp is a brand known for quality and design. The Le Pliage tote is made from water-resistant nylon with embossed leather trim.

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Editor-in-chief Alex with her Le Pliage tote

 

This best-seller is versatile enough for everything, including your carry-on item. It comes in a range of chic shades and has enough storage to store your in-flight things. It’s definitely TFG editor-in-chief approved!

 

Read our Longchamp purse review and find out why female travelers love this brand!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Nomad Lane

 

Nomad Lane Bento Bag

 

This is the ultimate under-seat bag at only 2.9 lbs! The Nomad Lane Bento bag opens up like a suitcase and has several organizational pockets. You can pack your laptop (15”), pens, earphones, all the way to light toiletries you might use in-flight. 

 

 

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Editor-in-chief Alex with her Bento bag

 

It’s sleek, sturdy, and manages to hold a ton of stuff while being lightweight and easy to carry and also fits under many standard US airline seats a. With a detachable shoulder strap and a trolley sleeve, this is the perfect personal item for business travelers, or anyone who wants to keep organized!

 

Read my full review on the Nomad Lane Bento Bag to find out why TFG readers and I have become such great fans of this bag!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Lo & Sons

 

Lo & Sons O.G. 2 Bag With Trolley Sleeve

 

The Lo & Sons O.G. 2 bag is a major reader fave for airline travel, as it’s a perfect size yet super spacious. It’ll keep you organized as can be with plenty of pockets, a laptop sleeve, and a shoe compartment, too!

 

 

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Getting read to fly with my Away Carryon and Lo & Sons O.G.Bag

 

It’s sturdy, water-resistant, and really pretty, too, made of sleek nylon with soft leather accents. It’s available in both a medium and a large size!

 

Find out why our readers love their Lo & Sons bags in this review!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Walmart 

 

Scarleton Stylish Reversible Tote Handbag

 

This adorable, fashionable tote from Scarleton is reversible (in two colors), allowing you to adopt different looks or moods depending on what you have planned on a travel day. It’s also roomy enough to fit your travel essentials.

Made of vegan leather, it comes with a cute coin bag and has lovely gold hardware detailing that makes it chic, yet classic. Choose from nine different shades to fit your personal style!

 

For more versatile but stylish choices, see our post on the best travel tote to bring your essentials on board!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

BOSTANTEN Large Leather Travel Totes

 

While nylon is very practical for travel, leather offers a chic addition to any outfit. Business travelers might like this style by BOSTANTEN. It fits up to a 15” laptop and has a zippered enclosure. Plus, it’s available in various colors.

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Nordstrom | Amazon | Zappos

 

Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Bag

 

The Tumi Voyageur strikes the right balance between a carry on tote and purse very well. Designed with travelers in mind, this lightweight design folds down small but opens wide enough to hold a laptop, a purse, a jacket, and a bottle of water.

 

Find out what our readers have to say about their Tumi Bags in this review!

 

 

Best Crossbody Bag for a Personal Carry-On Item

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

Travelon Heritage Hobo Bag 

 

TFG readers love the convenient size and storage of this Heritage hobo bag that can be converted to crossbody is large enough to store a tablet in without looking bulky. This piece is ultra-spacious and comes with a zippered RFID blocking pocket and two open-top wall pockets to provide additional organization.

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

  

Neatpack Crossbody Bag With RFID Pocket

 

This affordable and versatile piece from Neatpack is a terrific option for your travels. Not only will this piece give you storage to keep your essentials neat and organized, but with its thoughtfully designed exterior and interior pockets, you also have got style and security with RFID!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Zappos | Kipling

 

Kipling Alvar Crossbody Bag

 

The compact Alvar Crossbody bag from Kipling can fit conveniently into larger travel bags, providing travelers with a bit more storage and organization along their journey.

Our readers love how this bag is small enough that it’s not bulky to carry around but big enough to comfortably pack your essentials.

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Zappos 

 

Baggallini Hobo Tote

 

Baggallini is a huge favorite among Travel Fashion Girl readers with the Hobo tote being a popular selection from the brand. It’s stylish and uber practical!

This one has a wide assortment of pockets and sleeves and it can hold a lot while still remaining lightweight. A functional option for on or off the plane!

 

Suss out more picks with this list of best crossbody purses for travel!

 

 

Best Backpack for a Personal Carry-On Item

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Nordstrom | Rebecca Minkoff

 

Editor’s Pick: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack

 

The Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack is ideal for many needs. It’s stylish, versatile, and perfect for carrying all your essentials. Although this backpack-style purse wasn’t necessarily designed for travel, it has various features that make it the ideal traveling purse for women looking for an alternative to the popular cross-body bag.

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

TFG editor-in-chief Alex with her Rebecca Minkoff bag

 

TFG editor-in-chief Alex has had hers since 2015 (and bought other colors since then) and it works for all her needs; she uses it for everything. She even used it to travel for one-week luggage-free! (Don’t forget to read our full review on the Rebecca Minkoff backpack!)

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Nordstrom | Bloomingdale’s | SELFRIDGES&Co

 

Longchamp ‘Le Pliage’ Backpack

 

The Longchamp Backpack is a super popular bag for toting around on a flight or for sightseeing. It’s water-resistant, packable, and lightweight, at less than a pound! Though not a ton of pockets in this one, it does have a lot of space to hold various things. It does have a small pocket that can fit a phone and sunglasses. 

Check out a comparison of the Le Pliage backpack and the Rebecca Minkoff in this review!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

Knomo London Dalston Backpack

 

This simple Knomo backpack can easily be used for business or casual travel. It features a generous amount of space and can fit a 15” laptop. It’s made out of an ultra-lightweight, water-resistant fabric and would work super well as your personal carryon item!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Zappos | Nordstrom

 

Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

 

TFG readers love the Fjallraven Kanken backpack for travel. Beyond the classic mini and regular sized versions, the brand also makes a backpack with a separate padded compartment that can fit a 15” laptop in case you want to use yours in-flight. Bonus: the whole bag weighs about a pound!

 

Get more daypack inspiration with these top picks!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

 

Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

 

This Matein backpack is incredibly functional for travel, with a 15.6” laptop sleeve, ample storage space with organizational pockets and sleeves, and durable, waterproof fabric to keep everything inside safe as can be. It also boasts a USB charging port,  comfy shoulder straps, and a trolley sleeve, all while weighing a mere 1.5 lbs!

 

 

Best Duffle Bag for a Personal Carry-On Item

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

ECOSUSI Weekender Duffle Bag

 

The ECOSUSI duffle bag is the perfect onboard item or useful to store souvenirs on the way home. It has an adjustable padded shoulder strap to wear as a satchel or cross body. The trolley sleeve allows you to slide it over the handle of your suitcase with ease and is water-resistant and has a soft fabric lining, with a special pad to protect your electronic screens. It can also fit quite a few packing cubes to help keep things organized! 

 

Find out why the ECOSUSI duffle bag is one of our readers most popular personal item!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon 

 

Fordicher Foldable Travel Bag

 

If you prefer a duffle for your personal item, then perhaps the Fordicher Foldable Travel Bag is the answer to your prayers. It can hold a lot inside it, but can also be zipped into its own little folding pouch making it easy to take along just in case it’s needed. And it comes in lots of cute patterns! 

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

Arxus Fodable Duffle Bag 

 

The Arxus is a great bag to carry on to the plane. It’s lightweight, with multiple pockets, and is made of waterproof and tear-resistant fabric. It can fold up after use. Also, it weighs less than a pound!

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon | Walmart

 

Wandf Foldable Travel Duffle Bag

 

The Wandf duffle bag is a lightweight duffle bag packable that can act as your personal item. It weighs ways just over 1 lb and is wearproof, waterproof, and tear-resistant. Users say the quality is nice and it comes with its own carrying case!

 

Find our why our readers think the Wandf is the surprising winner in the world of duffles in our review

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Shop: Amazon

 

iLotusBAG Travel Duffle Bag

 

The iLotusBAG duffle is durable and ultra-lightweight at only 0.47 lbs. It’s easy to carry around the airport with a luggage sleeve or its two top handles. It meets most airline requirements and is waterproof, wearproof, and tear-resistant. To clean it off, just slip it into the washing machine. 

 

Check out more selections of the best duffle bag for travel!

 

 

Product Comparison Chart

 

BRAND | MODEL FEATURES | REVIEWS RATING | PRICE
Best Tote for a Personal Carry-On Item
Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag The Le Pliage tote is made from water-resistant nylon with embossed leather trim. Check Price
carry-on-personal-item Nomad Lane Bento Bag This is the ultimate under-seat bag at only 2.9 lbs! It opens up like a suitcase and has several organizational pockets. Check Price
carry-on-personal-item Lo & Sons O.G. 2 Bag With Trolley Sleeve It’ll keep you organized as can be with plenty of pockets, a laptop sleeve, and a shoe compartment, too! Check Price
Scarleton Stylish Reversible Tote Handbag It comes with a cute coin bag and has lovely gold hardware detailing that makes it chic. Check Price
BOSTANTEN Large Leather Travel Totes It fits up to a 15” laptop and has a zippered enclosure. Plus, it’s available in various colors. Check Price
Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Bag The Tumi Voyageur strikes the right balance between a carry on tote and purse very well. Check Price
Best Crossbody Bag for a Personal Carry-On Item
Travelon Heritage Hobo Bag  This piece is ultra-spacious and comes with a zippered RFID blocking pocket and two open-top wall pockets to provide additional organization. Check Price
Neatpack Crossbody Bag With RFID Pocket This affordable and versatile piece from Neatpack is a terrific option for your travels. Check Price
Kipling Alvar Crossbody Bag The compact Alvar Crossbody bag from Kipling can fit conveniently into larger travel bags, providing travelers with a bit more storage and organization along their journey. Check Price
Baggallini Hobo Charcoal Tote This one has a wide assortment of pockets and sleeves and it can hold a lot while still remaining lightweight. Check Price
Best Backpack for a Personal Carry-On Item
Editor’s Pick: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack It has various features that make it the ideal traveling purse for women looking for an alternative to the popular cross-body bag. Check Price
Longchamp ‘Le Pliage’ Backpack It’s water-resistant, packable, and lightweight, at less than a pound! Check Price
Knomo London Dalston Backpack It’s made out of an ultra-lightweight, water-resistant fabric and would work super well as your personal carryon item! Check Price
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack TFG readers love the Fjallraven Kanken backpack for travel. Check Price
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack This Matein backpack is incredibly functional for travel, with a 15.6” laptop sleeve, ample storage space with organizational pockets and sleeves, and durable, waterproof fabric to keep everything inside safe as can be. It also boasts a USB charging port,  comfy shoulder straps, and a trolley sleeve, all while weighing a mere 1.5 lbs! Check Price
Best Duffle Bag for a Personal Carry-On Item
ECOSUSI Weekender Duffle Bag It has an adjustable padded shoulder strap to wear as a satchel or cross body. The trolley sleeve allows you to slide it over the handle of your suitcase with ease and is water-resistant and has a soft fabric lining, with a special pad to protect your electronic screens. It can also fit quite a few packing cubes to help keep things organized! Check Price
Fordicher Foldable Travel Bag If you prefer a duffle for your personal item, then perhaps the Fordicher Foldable Travel Bag is the answer to your prayers. Check Price
Arxus Fodable Duffle Bag  It can fold up after use. Also, it weighs less than a pound! Check Price
Wandf Foldable Travel Duffle Bag Users say the quality is nice and it comes with its own carrying case! Check Price
iLotusBAG Travel Duffle Bag It meets most airline requirements and is waterproof, wearproof, and tear-resistant. To clean it off, just slip it into the washing machine.  Check Price

 

 

carry-on-personal-item

Compass Rose Packing Cubes

 

How to Organize Essentials in a Carry-On Personal Item

 

Once you decide on your personal item, it’s time to pack it! One way to organize your essentials is by using packing cubes. These can hold things like wet wipes, makeup, or even things like sleep masks and earplugs.

We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything which is illustrated in this video below.

 

Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!

 

We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!

Now, here are some tested ways (I’ve done them all) on how to pack your carry-on personal item:

  • Bottom –  Place heavier items that you won’t be using right away, such as snacks and entertainment, near the bottom. I rarely use my jewelry or my chargers when I’m on the go so I usually put those items at the bottom.
  • Top – You’ll want to pack any items you need to show security (e.g. the 3-1-1 bag of liquids and identification) at the top of the bag so you can easily take it out and put it back in.  You can rearrange it after you’ve gotten through security so that your in-flight necessities are easy to reach.
  • Pockets – Pockets are great for keys and other important documents.  The act of zipping up is a good way to ensure that any important items are secured into your bag.

 

When it comes to carry-on luggage, the main piece gets all the attention. The hand luggage is the quiet sidekick but its potential is so much greater than most people give it.  Hope these tips help you make the most of your luggage workhorse: your carry-on “personal item”!

 

 

Editor-in-Chief Alex and Her Favorite Carry-on Personal Items

 

 

 

 

 

 


On your next trip, don’t forget these tips so that you can maximize that extra piece of luggage that the airlines let you carry on!

What kind of bag do you use for your carry-on personal item? Please comment below!


 

For more packing tips, please read:

 


 

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Author Bio: Josie Reim has been traveling the world with a carry-on luggage since 1995 and has visited 18 countries. She loves immersing herself in the local culture, including learning the language and seeking out local wildlife. Packing is a way of life for Josie as she and her husband move their home around the United States often.