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This Spacious Samsonite Carry-on Is My Secret to Getting 3 Weeks of Clothes in 1 Bag — and It's on Sale

It’s the reason I never have to check a bag.

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Published on March 25, 2024 12:00AM EDT

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Suitcase — Photo:
Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

As a frequent traveler, there are two questions I constantly receive: What’s your favorite destination? How do you only travel with a carry-on? The answer to the first changes frequently depending on where I’ve just returned from or perhaps on a day that I’m particularly nostalgic for a certain city, but the latter — that never changes.

I’ve been traveling with Samsonite’s Freeform Carry-On for four years now, and it’s absolutely become my go-to carry-on suitcase for trips over a week. In fact, I’ve used it for a three-week trip across Asia and a two-week trip in Italy (I had to check it on the way home due to obtaining a few bottles of wine and EVOO) and even traveled to the end of the world with it full of all the necessities for an Antarctica trip. P.S. It also happens to be marked down in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale — making now the perfect time to snag your own.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-on Luggage

Buy on Amazon $180 $150

Though the hardside suitcase’s exterior dimensions (21 inches by 15 inches by 10 inches) conform to the carry-on allowances of most major airlines — thus it may look similar to other hardcovers from the outside — there is an unbelievable amount of space on the inside (20 inches by 14.5 inches by 10 inches). As the old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Every time I open the Freeform to pack for a longer trip, I get excited about how I’m going to arrange everything as it always fits perfectly. The two sides of the suitcase are divided by a lightweight zippered partition that houses a half-zippered pocket for thin items like undergarments and accessories. I appreciate that the two spaces are separate so I can keep my clothing neatly packed on one side versus my shoes and toiletries on the other — it not only maintains organization but also cleanliness.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-on Luggage

Buy on Amazon $200 $144

Another way I keep things organized is with packing cubes. I tend to use medium and large Veken packing cubes on the unzippered side of the suitcase for my clothing. Usually, the large cube holds all my daytime outfits while the medium cube is reserved for my nighttime ensembles. They fit so perfectly together on one side of this particular suitcase that there’s usually even room under them for a pair of flats, sandals, or accessories like belts, flat hats, or a workout resistance band that I like to travel with. Being able to tuck these small items out of sight and under the cubes allows me to fully take advantage of every inch of the suitcase.

The zippered side of Samsonite’s Freeform Carry-On that fits my shoes and toiletries is usually a bit roomier as I like to leave a little space for last-minute additions and space for dirty laundry while on the road (again, the zipper is convenient for separating the clean from the dirty outfits).

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-on Luggage

Buy on Amazon $200 $150

When it comes time to close the suitcase, one of my biggest tricks is to never open the one-inch expansion until the return trip. This ensures there’s always room for some destination-specific shopping or in case I’m not as meticulous when re-packing my bag for the journey home. It’s also lightweight at only 6.5 pounds so even when I add new items and open the extension, I know I’ll still be within my weight limit.

Aesthetically, I love the black style as it shows less dirt and scuff marks; it goes with everything, including the ever-rotating color of my personal item. But there are also unique shades like purple on sale that you won’t get mixed up with another traveler’s bag. Plus, the double, 360-degree spinning wheels make it easy to roll through airports as well as city sidewalks.

So that’s it — that’s how I only travel with carry-on thanks to Samsonite’s Freeform Carry-On making it so seamless. But it’s far from the only spacious carry-on model from the popular brand. If you’re feeling inspired to be a carry-on-only traveler, read on for more spacious Samsonite luggage you won’t have to check, all at low prices thanks to the Amazon Big Spring Sale.