There’s nothing worse than showing up to a meeting in a wrinkled suit or skirt.
Having the best carry on garment bag can keep your clothes smooth and wrinkle-free, giving you the professional look you need to get ahead.
Have you ever arrived at work or your hotel and pulled out your suit or dress, only to find wrinkled garments inside your bag?
This is not only annoying, it looks unprofessional, especially when your boss or client is focusing more on your disheveled appearance than they are on your presentation.
Having the best carry on garment bag can help remove this issue from your professional and personal life. These handy carry on bags can hold your clothing with little folding, keeping them exactly where you place them so they won’t shift and crease inside the bag.
Carry on garment bags also have the bonus of different carry options. You can choose a rolling garment bag, a shoulder garment bag, or a garment duffel bag, depending on your needs.
Best of all, these bags are made to meet the size restrictions on most or all airlines, so you don’t need to worry about lost luggage during your flights.
If you’re in the market for a new carry on garment bag, check out our reviews and buying tips below.
Best Carry On Garment Bags
Carry On Garment Bag Reviews
Samsonite Leverage LTE Wheeled Garment Bag
This Samsonite rolling garment bag is durable enough to last through even the roughest flights. It is made of strong ripstop Poly, which combines high-strength ripstop polyester with nylon. There are even extra strength fibers woven in at certain areas to reduce tearing even more. But despite the extra materials, this is still a lightweight garment bag.
The wheeled garment bag has smaller dimensions, making it easy to fit into almost every overhead compartment available. Inside are both pockets for shoes, extender panel for longer garments, mesh pockets and tie down straps to secure loose items. There is also a large outer pocket for the items you need close at hand.
There is an extender panel on the inside for the longer garments you don’t want to fold or wrinkle. Compression straps hold everything in place. And the hanger hook lets you take your clothes from the closet and put them directly in the bag, and vice versa.
The handle has a push button, which allows you to lock it when both extended and recessed. This keeps your handle in place at all times for easy traveling. The inline skate wheels turn smoothly on most surfaces. When pulling it isn’t an option, there is a carry handle on the top to keep your bag off the ground.
If you’re looking for one of the top upright carry on garment bags, this model is certainly a A-list contender.
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Tech Specs
Material: Ripstop polyester and nylon
Weight: 11.5 lbs (3.8 kg)
Dimensions: 24 x 21 x 9 inches
Additional Features: Extender panel, hanger hook bracket, compression straps, inline skate wheels, extendable handle
Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright
The best carry on garment bag has a high capacity in a strong frame. The Baseline Domestic heavy duty garment bag uses Ballistic nylon on the outside, which resists wear and abrasions to keep it intact. It also resists moisture and dirt, so your belongings will be clean and dry when you get to your destination.
The hybrid fiberglass frame is durable enough to hold its shape at all times, but is also lightweight, making the bag easy to carry. There are reinforcements on all the corners to reduce wear from bumps.
As a upright carry on garment bag the top carry handle is cushioned to keep it comfortable in your hands. There is also an integrated bottom fabric handle to make it easier to lift and store it in the overhead bin. Aircraft-grade aluminum keeps the handle safe from dings and bends, with 3 stop heights for those of all sizes to pull it comfortably.
Other great features of this roller garment bag include multiple pockets both inside and out, a large storage area, and a tri-fold suiter to keep your suits and other important garments folded perfectly and free of wrinkles. A hanger clip lets you transfer from the bag to the closet quickly, and compression straps hold everything else in place.
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Tech Specs
Material: Ballistic nylon
Weight: 8.9 lbs (4.0 kg)
Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Additional Features: Compression panels, built-in tri-fold garment folder, HideAway ID tag, low profile wheels, multiple pockets
Travelpro Crew 10 Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag
This tri-fold carry on garment bag from Travelpro is sturdy and dependable, keeping your garments safe and secure through any type of travel. The interior is designed to keep your regular clothing apart from your suits and garments.
These items can be adding in, hanger included, and then strapped in to hold them in place. The tri-fold system keeps then safe and secure, free of wrinkles. A large mesh pocket holds your shirts and other larger items, with little mesh pockets in the big compartment for your smaller accessories. There are also multiple outer pockets to hold your important travel documents, as well as larger items like sweaters and jackets.
The outer material is Dobby Duraguard coated nylon, which is durable enough to resist tears and abrasions. There are corner guards and skid guards, giving those high wear areas even more protection for a longer lasting garment carry on bag. The sealed ball bearing wheels roll smoothly over any surface.
Carry handles on the top and bottom of this wheeled garment bag make it easy to maneuver in and out of a trunk or overhead bin. The aluminum extension handle has a patented power scope, which reduces wobble when using it. It also has an ergonomic grip and cushioned touch points to make it more comfortable during longer travels.
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Tech Specs
Material: Dobby Duraguard Coated Nylon
Weight: 10 lbs (4.5 kg)
Dimensions: 14 x 21.8 x 9 inches
Additional Features: Multiple pockets, aluminum extension handle, garment clip, compression straps, corner guards, skid guards
Victorinox Werks Traveler 5.0 Wheeled Garment Bag – Best Carry On Wheeled Garment Bag
The best carry on garment bag is sturdy and durable, keeping your gear safe even during the roughest handling. This Victorinox garment bag is made using durable Ballistic nylon, with rear skid plates to keep abrasions to a minimum. It also has lockable YKK Racquet coil zippers, so your gear in the bag will be as secure as possible.
There is a dual-trolley handle system for increased control, plus 80mm inline skate wheels for the smoothest roll on just about any surface you travel over. An integrated ID tray will help you find your carry on in any baggage compartment, even with identical bags around it.
The interior folds completely open, giving you the room you need to pack your garments easily. There is a foam bolster compression strap to hold them in place and reduce wrinkling, plus an extension panel for those larger items. There are a couple mesh pockets inside, including 2 corner storage cubes that can be removed when needed.
A large storage pocket on the outside holds items you need access to during your flight. There is a detachable J-hook and an interior snap loop which work together to allow you to hang your bag in the open position in the closet or on the back of a door.
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Tech Specs
Material: Ballistic nylon
Weight: 8.5 lbs (3.8 kg)
Dimensions: 22 x 16 x 9 inches
Additional Features: Hangar clamp, foam bolster compression strap, extension panel, removable mesh storage cubes, multiple pockets, lockable zipper, dual-trolley handle system
Zegur Carry-On Travel Garment Bag
Whether your long trips are for business or pleasure, you need to make sure you have the right clothes for any occasion. The Zegur foldable garment bag is lightweight and slim to carry, but has more than enough capacity to hold up to three suits or dresses, plus every accessory you may need to go with them.
Though folded up it is less than 2 feet wide, this extra long garment bag opens up to a huge 43 inches. This means no suit and only the longest dresses will need to be folded to fight them inside. There are dual buckles to keep everything in place once packed. When the clothing is all inside, close the internal zipper to reveal 4 smaller pockets for shoes, ties, and other little items.
There is an outer pocket as well, for all your travel documents, plus space for pens, cards, phones, and cords. You can even fit a tablet in there to keep you busy while you wait for your flight.
For easy carrying, there are carry handles plus an adjustable shoulder strap. On the back of the waterproof garment bag is a luggage strap as well, to make it even easier to keep all your belongings secured together. When you reach your destination, there isn’t even a need to unpack. A hook allows you to hang the open bag in a closet with everything inside and wrinkle free.
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Tech Specs
Material: Polyester
Weight: 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
Dimensions: 23 x 22 x 4 inches
Additional Features: Carry handles and shoulder strap, EVA foam padded, interior dual buckle, multiple pockets, luggage attachment, waterproof
Tumi Alpha 2 Carry-On 4 Wheel Garment Bag
This Tumi carry on garment bag has 4 wheels instead of the standard 2, making it much more maneuverable in even the tightest of spaces. These dual spin wheels have a recessed design, turning easily without sacrificing the interior space you may need for storing your gear.
The outer material of the Tumi rolling garment bag uses their patented FXT ballistic nylon, which is extremely durable, handling all types of wear without showing it. Durafold construction adds much-needed reinforcements to the frames. Impact-resistant caps protect the corners from damage during rougher travels.
Inside is a large storage area that easily fits a suit or dress, with a hanger hook to make it easy to move it back and forth to the closet. Tie-down straps hold everything in place for wrinkle-free travel.
There is also more than enough room for a variety of other items. There are multiple pockets inside as well, with a couple of removable zippered pouches to make it easier to move your toiletries to the bathroom while still keeping them together. Multiple pockets of varying sizes on the outside hold the items you may need close at hand during your trip.
Tumi also makes some excellent full size luggage, you can read up more here in our Tumi vs Rimowa comparison.
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Tech Specs
Material: Ballistic nylon
Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg)
Dimensions: 14.6 x 22 x 9 inches
Additional Features: Multiple pockets, key leash, tie-down straps, telescoping handle, top and side carry handles, luggage tag
Mercury Luggage Executive Series Tri-Fold Garment Bag
A duffel garment bag can make it easy to pack your clothing in a short amount of time. This tri fold luggage bag from Mercury opens up to a huge size, letting you hang your clothing, from suits and shirts to dresses, skirts and blouses, in no time flat. There is no need to cram anything in either, since it all fits just one way.
Then use the tie-down strap to hold them in place before you zip the compartment closed. For your smaller items, there is a small zippered pocket on the outer bottom of the clothing compartment. When fully packed, do your triple fold and zip it closed.
On the outside of the bag is one large and one smaller zippered pocket. This gives you more than enough room for a few extra accessories you may need close at hand. This could include a more comfortable pair of shoes or a jacket if the temperature drops. All of your necessary papers and electronics can also be stored here.
For easy carrying, there is a comfortable carry handle with an ID tag attached. An adjustable and removable shoulder strap is also included. On the back of the tri-fold garment bag carry on is a zippered luggage strap, letting you open it as much as needed to place over a telescoping handle of your suitcase.
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Tech Specs
Material: Polyester
Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.4 kg)
Dimensions: 45 x 22.25 x 2.75 inches
Additional Features: Multiple pockets, carry handle, shoulder strap, ID tag, hanger loop, parachute clasp closure
Victorinox Luggage Werks Traveler 4.0 Garment Bag
If you want a simple garment bag to take on your next trip, this one from Victorinox is a great option. It has a large, full-length main compartment with room for both clothing and the hangers they come on. Those clothes zip into place with a large u-shaped zipper. There are a couple of internal mesh pockets, as well as a larger zippered pocket. These can hold shoes, ties, and all your other accessories.
On the outside of the bag are a couple of additional pockets. The front one is large and zippered for important documents or electronics. On the back is an open pocket that can also double as a sleeve for use with the handle system of a suitcase. There are a couple of carry handles as well as a removable shoulder strap for multiple carry options.
There are a few downsides to this travel garment bag, though. First, it claims to be a tri-fold but isn’t actually one of these. It folds in half instead, making the dimensions a bit larger than you may expect.
Another flaw is the lack of zipper on the outside of the bag. It actually closes using clasps, so isn’t entirely secure, especially if being handled by people other than you. But for who prefer simplicity to security, this may be the best carry on garment bag for you.
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Tech Specs
Material: Ballistic nylon
Weight: 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Dimensions: 23.6 x 22 x 3.5 inches
Additional Features: Multiple pockets, detachable J-hook, removable and adjustable shoulder strap
Delsey Luggage Helium Sky B/O Garment Bag
This Delsey garment travel bag lacks an outer zipper that would give it the security needed for checking it at an airport. But for a carry on, it may still work in your favor. It is made of lightweight but extremely strong micro ballistic material. There is also a vapor barrier to keep any moisture out of the bag and off the garments it carries.
A removable hanging hook on the outside of the bag lets you open it up and hang it in a closet or on a door for easy access to your clothing. It also has a universal hanging clip on the inside to accommodate the regular hangers in your closet.
The compact size of this carry on wheeled garment bag makes it seem like it won’t hold much, but when you undo the clasps, you don’t just open it once, but twice. On one side is a large area for suits and dresses, with a couple of mesh pockets at the top and a couple open ones at the bottom. There is even an extender panel for those extra long garments. On the other side are mesh, clear, and enclosed pockets for even more gear.
When you have everything packed and have closed up your Delsey garment bag, you’ll find a few extra outer pockets for the items you need to keep accessible. There is a carry handle on the top of the bag as well as a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.
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Tech Specs
Material: Micro Ballistic
Weight: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
Dimensions: 42 x 23 x 3 inches
Additional Features: Removable hanging hook, universal hanging clip, outer buckles, multiple pockets, vapor barrier, ID tag, extender panel
Code Alpha Hybrid Garment Duffel Bag
If you want a versatile bag that meets your needs at home as well as on the road, the Code Alpha Hybrid garment bag duffel is a great option. It can be used for those items you need for business trips, as well as gear for military or police use. It can even hold everything you need for the gym if required.
The sides of this duffle garment bag zip open, as does the top, revealing a long interior compartment to store those clothes you want to be kept clean and wrinkle-free. There is a zippered clothing space with a couple of crease-stop pads to hold your suit or other clothing in place. A loop holds the hangers, making it easy to move your clothing from the bag to the closet and back.
Two interior pockets hold your smaller accessories and toiletries. When everything is secure, zip up those three zippers again for a compact, easy to carry hybrid garment bag. Two large front pockets and slash pockets at each end hold any extra gear you need with you.
The material is durable polyester with vinyl backing for increased strength and moisture-resistance. Skid resistant pads on the bottom keep your bag exactly where you set it. There is an adjustable handle that you can add and remove as needed.
The bottom line is that you probably didn’t expect a duffel bag to be on the list of the best carry on luggage for suits, but this bag proves to be a winner.
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Tech Specs
Material: Polyester
Weight: 4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
Dimensions: 25 x 12 x 11 inches
Additional Features: Multiple pockets, removable and adjustable shoulder strap, skid-resistant pads, hanging hook, hangar loop, crease-stop pads
Henty Wingman Two-Piece Travel and Suit Bag – Best Garment Duffel Bag
For those who commute by bicycle or motorcycle, you need a bag that will keep your garments safe and dry as well as wrinkle free. In terms of versatility, the Henty Wingman suit travel bag is the best of them all.
It has a normal suit bag, which has the capacity to hold 1 suit of jacket and pants or skirt, plus a couple of shirts to match. When rolled up, it reveals an external pocket which can hold your files or other important items. There is also a removable padded sleeve for your laptop or tablet.
But this carry on suit bag also comes with an extra bag that rolls into it. This inner tube can be used for your other gear, like shoes, gym clothes, or toiletries. It is made of heavy duty tarpaulin, so won’t tear easily. It also has semi-rigid vertical ribs inside to keeps the bag from compressing when folded while reducing wrinkles in the garment bag.
Both bags have their own straps, so you can use them together or separately. The outer bag also has reflective piping and a webbing loop to use with a bicycle light, both of which keep you safe when riding at night. There is also a stabilization strap on this layer to keep your gear from bouncing around on a bike or on your back.
If you’re after the best garment duffel bag, this is our top pick.
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Tech Specs
Material: Nylon
Weight: 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg)
Dimensions: 22 x 8.6 x 9.8 inches
Additional Features: Waterproof rain jacket, inner tube bag, exterior pocket, removable 13-inch laptop pouch, adjustable and removable shoulder strap, stabilisation strap, reflective piping
Guide to Finding the Right Carry On Garment Bag
Types of Carry On Garment Bags
Traditional Garment Bags – Bi-folds/Tri-folds
Traditional garment bags are usually the lightest you can find. They are easy to pack, with a large compartment for your clothing. They usually fold down once or twice as well, to make it a much smaller package to carry.
The bi-fold garment bag will only have the one fold down the middle. They usually have the same features as the tri-fold garment bag, but the downside is that they are a bigger bag to carry even when folded. The tri-fold bags are much smaller when packed and ready to go.
The beauty of these bags is they don’t even need to be unpacked when you reach your destination. They usually come with a hook that can be used to hang on a door or in a closet, giving you full access to your clothing as needed. And they are cheaper than other garment bags, so can save you money as well as time.
Wheeled Garment Bags
Rolling garment bags can make traveling a bit easier on your back and shoulders. There are either 2 or 4 wheels on the bottom and an extendable handle on top. They are easy to maneuver over smooth surfaces, though they may not roll well over uneven areas like cobblestones or cracked pavement.
Wheeled garment bags also have the benefit of extra room. Upright carry on garment bags look more like a small suitcase, but open up fully to fit your suits or other delicate garments without multiple folds. This gives them more space for pockets to add your accessories and other travel essentials, even including shoes.
The downside to wheeled garment luggage is that they are heavier than regular garment bags. The wheels and handle also need to be durable and work properly. If they break, you’ll just have a heavier bag to carry during your flight.
All that said, for many the best carry on luggage for suits comes in the form of a wheeled garment bag.
Garment Duffel Bags
The duffel style model may be the best carry on garment bag in terms of versatility. These roll up smaller than the bi- and tri-fold garment bags. They are also smaller when packed than any wheeled bag you can find.
As well as carrying your garments, these handy bags can carry a variety of other essentials as well. The material isn’t rigid, either, so it can be compressed into smaller spaces when needed. They can also double as gym or utility bags.
The best garment duffel bags are lightweight, but also incredibly durable. The prices are usually decent when compared with the rigid wheeled models.
Carry on Garment Bag Rules for Each Airline
Before you pack your carry on garment bag and head to the airport, you need to make sure your bag fits into the size regulations created by the airline you will be flying with. To help, we’ve included the carry on size limit for each of the following airlines, and whether garment bags fit into their regulations.
- Alaska Airlines – 24 x 17 x 10 inches – Garment bags are included, as long as they can be folded to fit within these limits.
- Allegiant Air – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – This includes wheeled bags, garment bags, and tote bags.
- American Airlines – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – Soft sided garment bags can be used as long as they are up to 51 inches total, including the length, width, and height.
- Delta Air Lines – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – There is no mention of garment bags.
- Frontier Airlines – 24 x 16 x 10 inches – There is no mention of garment bags.
- Hawaiian Airlines – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – There is no mention of garment bags.
- JetBlue – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – There is no mention of garment bags
- Southwest Airlines – 24 x 16 x 10 inches – There is no mention of garment bags.
- Spirit Airlines – 22 x 18 x 10 inches – All garment bags must be within these carry on limits. They do charge $35 for a carry on.
- United Airlines – 22 x 14 x 9 inches – There is no mention of garment bags.
- Virgin America – 50 inches total (length + width + height) – There is no mention of garment bags.
For a more comprehensive list of airlines and their specific carry on suit bag rules, take a look at this useful guide here.
Advantages of Using a Carry On Garment Bag
There are a few reasons to invest in the best carry on garment bag for traveling. Checking your bags takes time, as does finding them when you reach your destination. After long flights, you probably don’t want to have to spend more time in the airport, so having a carry on suit bag with you at all times will speed up your journey.
Another reason to keep your travel garment bags with you is to reduce the possibility of losing one. As long as you are the only one with your hands on your gear, there is no chance it will be put on the wrong plane or left behind after your flight has left.
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You also get to keep all your belongings with you, just in case you need something during your flight. If your stuff is stowed away in the baggage area of the plane, you have no access to it until you land and pick it up from baggage claim.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Carry On Garment Bag
Bag Type
With a few different options on garment bags, it may be hard to figure out which one you should buy. But it’s an easier decision than you think. All you need to do is figure out where you’ll be using it.
For instance, air travel requires lots of walking through airports and planes, not to mention traveling by car or walking to your home or hotel when your plane lands. If you’ll be traveling for long distances over smooth terrain, the wheeled garment bags may be a better option. They are easy to maneuver through crowded areas and won’t cause strain on your back or shoulders.
For shorter trips or those that require a bit of time on rougher surfaces, the shoulder bags may be a better choice. These carry on suit bags are usually lightweight, so unless you over-fill them, they should be easy to carry for a bit before your muscles start to protest. These ones are also a bit cheaper, so you may save some money as well.
Size
If you plan on using your garment bag for work or personal trips as checked luggage, the size probably won’t be an issue. But of course you’re buying a garment carry on bag to do exactly that—carry it on—and you need to watch the size. As we’ve shown above, the most common size for a carry on is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The best carry on garment bag will fit within these limits to make your travels easier.
Of course, some airlines are bit lenient, letting you go an inch or two out of their restrictions, but you can’t rely on this with every one of them. If you happen to fly with different airlines all the time, be sure to check them out before you pack your bag.
The non-rigid bags can usually be compressed a bit if needed, so these ones are easier to make smaller. The hard-shell bags don’t have this luxury, so make sure it is small enough to fit anywhere you need it to.
Materials
When you’re traveling for business, your garment carry on bag will be carrying all the things you need for your trip. If it tears easily, it won’t be able to hold your gear properly. Things inside could be damaged or lost with an inferior bag.
The best carry on garment bag will use durable materials like nylon or polyester. This should be either ripstop or ballistic material. These are incredibly strong, resisting abrasions and tears during your travels.
You should also try to find one with corner guards. These areas are bumped during your travels, especially when walking in narrow corridors or when you are lifting them into an overhead bin. Corner guards offer extra protection to keep the corners from being damaged.
Fold or Roll-up
There are two types of folding garment bags. These are bi- and tri-fold bags. The bi-fold allow you to fold the bag right down the middle with the clothing inside. These are fine to use for your regular daily needs, but make a long garment bag that would be much too big for a carry on.
The tri-fold garment bags fold twice, making three layers of clothing inside. These come in both soft shell or wheeled garment bags, so you have a few more options in the kind of bag you want to use.
Roll-up garment bags are also called duffel garment bags. These let you lay the suit or other clothing inside. Then you roll it up. The benefit of these ones is you can usually add a few other items, like shoes or toiletries, inside as well and roll the bag up around them.
The best carry on garment bag for you really relies on your preference and the amount of gear you need to bring.
Organization & Pockets
Almost every type of garment carry on bag will come with a few pockets. There will be a few on the inside, sometimes of varying sizes. These give you the room you need to pack your accessories, like ties or shoes. There should also be room to fit your toiletries, makeup, or hair products. Everything you need to complete your look should fit in the bag.
Most of these bags also have pockets on the outside. Since these are carry on bags, you’ll need access to documents, tickets, or electronics during your travels. The outer pockets will be decently sized to fit all types of necessities.
Some of these bags even include a few extras, like removable laptop sleeves or inner cubes that you can take right out. The latter is handy for bathroom essentials, such as toothbrushes or razors. You can take them in there all together instead of trying to carry a bunch of smaller items in your hands.
Other Features
There are a few other features that turn a regular bag into the best carry on garment bag around. One is lockable zippers. These keep your belongings secure when they are out of your sight. This includes an overhead bin that many other people have access to.
Another thing you may want is water resistant or waterproof fabric. This will keep your gear dry when you are out in the rain or if you should happen to spill a bit of coffee or water on your bag.
Extra long handles make it easy to adjust them to your size. If you’re short, this won’t be an issue, but the taller individuals will be more comfortable with a handle that doesn’t make them lean at an awkward angle.
Compression straps keep your clothing in place, and universal hanger clips let you transfer your clothing right from your closet into the garment bag. Adjustable shoulder straps make this bag easy to carry, no matter what size you are.
Value
High-end garment carry on bags can be quite expensive. In fact, you can spend almost $1000.00 on the best carry on garment bag on the market today. But when shelling out this much money, you’ll likely be paying as much for the brand name as you are for the bag itself.
If you like garment bags with wheels, you’ll also likely spend more than you will for the regular bags. This is because the handles and wheels cost extra to include and install on these bags. These types of bags also have sturdier frames, more like a suitcase. These extras cost money, as do the inner pockets and other workings necessary.
If you want a cheaper bag, the shoulder or duffel garment bag models are usually priced lower. They may not have as much for storage on the inside, but they will still have adequate pockets to meet your needs.
Tips for Traveling with a Carry On Garment Bag
When you are traveling with a garment bag, don’t overpack it. These types of bags are for keeping your fancier clothes looking their best. They aren’t for jeans and t-shirts. If that’s the attire you need, use a regular suitcase.
Make sure your garment bag will hold the suit in the position you pack it in. Compression straps are almost a necessity since they will be closed over your clothing, holding them in place. Then when you fold or roll the bag closed, your suit won’t shift up or down, creating creases.
Make sure your clothing is clean and pressed before you pack it as well. This will ensure it is in the best condition possible when it comes time to put it on. Also, when you reach your destination, take the clothing out of the bag and hang them up in the closet or on the back of a door.
If the bag itself opens and hangs this way, you can leave the clothing in, so long as they are hung up. The longer the clothing is in the bag, the more likely it is that wrinkles will appear, especially in folded or rolled up positions.
How to Pack a Garment Bag for Wrinkle Free Travel
Before packing the best carry on garment bag, the first thing you need to do is wash the clothing you’re placing inside it. If those items need to be ironed as well, do this now. Also, make sure there are no missing buttons or faulty zippers. This will make sure you won’t need to worry about repairs when you unpack your bag.
Place tissue paper in the arms and legs of the clothing you’ll be packing. This will help them keep their shape and reduce wrinkling.
Lay your garment bag out on a flat surface. This could be a bed, table, or even the floor. Then begin to add the clothing. The order you pack should be the opposite of how you put the clothing on. For instance, you put the jacket on last, so it should be the first thing you pack. Then the pants and shirts, depending on which you put on first.
It is best to put the clothing in facing the back instead of the front. The creases show up where the folds are in the bag, so if any occur, they’ll do so on the back of the clothing.
When you have packed all the items you need, attach the hangers to the clip to keep them from shifting. Secure the clothing with the compression or tie-down straps inside the bag.
Pack any accessories in the pockets. Then fold, roll, or close up the bag. Add in anything you need to the outer pockets.
And there you have it, that’s exactly how to pack a suit in a carry on garment back—now you’re ready to go!
The Bottom Line: What’s the Best Carry On Garment Bag?
How you look when hiking the trails isn’t usually a big issue. But for more important events, like meetings with clients, weddings, or other fancier occasions, you need to look your best. And if you have to travel by air to these locations, you need luggage that will keep your clothes pristine and free of wrinkles while still being small enough to fit in an overhead bin. Having the best carry on garment bag can make this happen.
Stay Classic: Best Tri Fold Garment Bag for Carry On
If you are on a budget and need a low-cost garment bag for your personal and professional life, the Zegur Carry-on Travel Garment Bag has the lowest price of all the bags on our list. But it doesn’t skimp on the essentials, either. It holds multiple pieces, plus has a number of pockets to keep everything you need organized.
Get Rolling: Best Carry On Wheeled Garment Bag
For those that prefer a wheeled bag, the Victorinox Werks Traveler 5.0 Wheeled Garment Bag is a great option. It is durable enough to withstand even the most rugged trips, with lockable zippers to keep your belongings secure. This is also one of the lightest wheeled bags around, but still gives you plenty of room inside.
Modern Look: Best Duffel Garment Bag
In terms of versatility, the Henty Wingman Two-Piece Travel and Suit Bag works for all occasions. The fact that it has a suit bag and a utility bag that can be used separately and together gives you multiple uses, both for stylish clothing and everyday activities.
You can also read our guides to the top underseat bags, how to choose the right travel backpack and how to never loose your luggage with a tracker.