If you can avoid flying, that is the best option for the planet. Aviation is responsible for 2.5% of global carbon emissions, and aircraft emissions could double or triple by 2050. But many journeys cannot be made by rail, sea or hot-air balloon, so flying remains a reality for plenty of travellers.
When a flight is unavoidable, one practical way to reduce your carbon footprint is to choose a cabin bag instead of hold luggage. A smaller bag usually means packing less, which makes the load lighter and reduces the fuel needed to carry it. There is also a financial benefit: cabin bags can help you avoid some of the extra fees airlines charge for checked baggage.
That idea sits behind a test of the best carry-on luggage in the UK, where a seasoned traveller took cabin bags through an assault course to assess how well they coped with real-world demands. The line-up covered a broad mix of styles, including hard-shell cases, budget models, wheeled bags and lightweight options.
What was tested
The aim was to find cabin bags that balance practicality, durability and ease of use. Different travellers need different things from hand luggage, so the test considered a range of designs rather than focusing on a single type. Some bags were chosen for affordability, while others were included for their lighter build or more robust construction.
Testing bags on an assault course is a good way to see how they handle the kind of knocks, lifts and awkward manoeuvres that can happen in busy airports or while rushing between connections. A cabin bag has to do more than simply look neat in a departure lounge. It needs to roll smoothly, survive being bumped around and remain easy to carry when necessary.
Best picks
The overall winner was the July Carry On luggage, selected as the best cabin bag overall. For travellers looking to spend less, the Tripp Holiday 8 cabin suitcase was named the best budget cabin bag.
Those two picks reflect the two priorities many people have when choosing hand luggage: dependable quality and lower cost. The best option for one traveller may not suit another, but the test aimed to identify bags that perform well in the situations that matter most.
For anyone booking travel and trying to keep costs down, cabin luggage can be a useful place to start. It may not remove the need to fly, but it can make the journey a little easier, and a little cheaper, once you do.
