I discovered a new carry-on suitcase from Bellroy that's incredibly lightweight and folds nearly flat for storage — here's how it stacks up for travel

Bellroy's new Lite Carry-On and Transit Carry-On luggage pieces are a natural addition to the longtime bag and wallet company's product line. The aesthetic and attention to detail on these travel bags match that of its backpacks and other carry items (you can read our full Bellroy review for more). In fact, the Lite Carry-On is almost a replica of the Lite Travel Pack, but with wheels and a handle added on. If you've spent any time with the brand, you should have an idea of what you're getting.

For those who are new to Bellroy, you can expect streamlined sophistication. These bags don't have as many pockets and compartments as some of the picks on our best carry-on guide, but they make the most of their space.

I've spent the last decade writing about technology, gadgets, and the bags to carry that gear in. My wife would tell you I have an obsession with finding the perfect backpack and weekender, though I think obsession is a strong word. Beyond putting these two luggage pieces through the standard tests, I took them on an actual trip to see how they fared in real-world use.

The design and specs of Bellroy's new luggage

The hard shell Bellroy Transit Carry-On will probably be the more popular option because of its four spinning wheels and traditional form factor. However, I was drawn to the Lite Carry-On because of its potential for extra versatility. Its exterior dimensions of 20.1 x 13.6 x 9.1 inches make it compact enough to be carried onto any airline — no caveats required. Plus, its 38-liter capacity makes it very workable for up to a five to seven-day trip, depending on the person or occasion.

The Lite Carry-On has a telescoping handle that locks at 14, 16, and 20 inches tall. There's a zipper cover to fully enclose the handle when it's not in use. But most of all, I like its light 4.6-pound weight. If I'm going to need to hoist a bag into an overhead bin, I want it to be as light as possible. Its magic power is that it can also be squashed flat when it's not in use, either at home or at the hotel. It has the combined benefits of a duffle bag and a wheeled carry-on.

On the hard shell side, the Transit Carry-On weighs 6.8 pounds, has a 34-liter capacity (41-liter overall volume), and external dimensions of 21.9 x 13.8 x 8.9 inches. Its telescopic handle locks at slightly different heights of 12, 14, and 18 inches.

Both of these bags come with Bellroy's 10-year warranty for workmanship and material defects.

If you want even more storage space, there is an identical Transit Carry-On Plus option with a 39-liter capacity. Though bigger, that one has some airline conditions that may cause you to check it if strict enforcement occurs.

Flying and driving with Bellroy's new luggage is a dream

On first inspection, the prospect of filling the Lite Carry-On with clothes for a weeklong, seven-day trip seemed daunting. It's physically smaller than the hard shell version and doesn't look cavernous inside. However, I was able to stuff it with two pairs of jeans, two pairs of shorts, two pairs of lounge pants, seven T-shirts, a bathing suit, running shorts, a fitness shirt, socks, underwear, a toiletry bag, and a few other odds and ends. It stretched comfortably without ever seeming like it would break as it accommodated my clothes.

The large main compartment is the majority of the bag's storage, but the opening flap's two zippered compartments are well-portioned for practical use. The smaller top one is ideal for holding socks and underwear, but it could also be used for other toiletries or travel documents. I used the larger pocket below it for my workout clothes on the way out to my vacation, and put some dirty clothes I wanted separated in it on the way back.

Importantly, even with the flap compartments fully packed, it didn't significantly reduce the packing space in the single exterior pocket. I was able to fit a Bluetooth speaker, snacks, and a rolled-up belt in that pocket.

Even before putting the bag into use, I really liked its flexible fabric. It feels thick enough to be protective, but I was unsure of how it would hold up. As I dragged the bag through airports, plopped it onto conveyor belts, and lifted it into overhead bins, I made sure to watch how the exterior fared across these travel conditions. It was shoved into rental cars and fully unpacked at my destination.

The zippers are smooth and never got caught on clothes or pieces of the bag itself. Even when my bag was flagged by TSA and I needed to open it and reseal it in a mild panic, it closed perfectly.

After a weeklong trip, it showed the most signs of wear on the plastic rest bar underneath the bag. That piece got visibly scratched up, but the backside of the fabric only showed faint signs of being touched, even though it took the brunt of sliding against stairs and other places.

My wife used the hard shell Transit Carry-On for our trip. She was skeptical about its non-expandable 34-liter capacity, but managed to make it work for a seven-day trip. As someone new to packing cubes, she was unsure about keeping both of the cubes attached initially. But she did fill them and even managed to squeeze a few items underneath them to use even more space. After the first leg of the trip, she commented that the luggage worked better than she expected. It fit enough and was functionally elegant.

Maneuvering the hard shell bag through the airport, into an overhead bin, and into the trunk of a rental car worked great. It never felt flimsy or showed signs of bending too much.

Repairability is the standout feature

From first impressions through actual use on a weeklong trip, the materials of both pieces of luggage stood out. Nothing about either bag felt cheap, despite being relatively plain and simple. That's what you would expect from bags starting at $270, but small touches do make them both feel worthy of their cost. For example, the button to collapse the telescoping handles is underneath the top grip, instead of on top of it. I found I never accidentally pushed it, the way I have with the buttons on top.

But in terms of real uniqueness, the standout item is each bag's ability to be user-repaired. The company has a 10-year warranty for normal workmanship issues, which is the longest coverage among its products. In the case of a broken piece under warranty, Bellroy will ship a replacement piece to you, and it should be swappable in 10 minutes or less. If a repair is not under warranty, the prices of parts range from $19 to $49.

Cons to consider

There was very little I didn't enjoy or find convenient about either bag while using them out on the road. If anything, it's only inconsequential details that I can nitpick. The top of the Lite Carry-On doesn't make for the best place to set a backpack or personal bag because of its lightweight, flexible fabric. It can work for a backpack with a dedicated handle strap, but otherwise, it doesn't balance anything well.

The integrated packing cubes in the hard shell Transit Carry-On are a boost to organization, but they aren't exactly fast to unhook or re-hook back in. The two cubes attach to the shell and each other via six hooks, and if you need to undo all of them, it can be a little tedious. Still, the hooks are probably a better choice over velcro or metal snaps.

What are your alternatives?

It's hard to go searching for a piece of carry-on luggage without seeing options for Away, Monos, and even Quince — all brands we've highlighted in our guide to the best luggage. I've liked my original Away Carry-On I've had since the company's debut, but its exterior is thinner and feels flimsier than the Bellroy Transit Carry-On.

Aer's Carry-On is a direct competitor to Bellroy's Transit Carry-On, both in price and materials. This one features a more traditional compression panel inside, which may not be for everyone. But it does innovate with a complete wheel locking system so that you can keep it from sliding away with the flip of a switch.

For people who aren't crazy about the Lite Carry-On's ultra-soft shell, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On might be a good alternative. It has plenty of pockets and built-in USB charging ports. It's our top pick in our guide to the best carry-on bags.

The bottom line

After traveling with the Bellroy Lite Carry-On, I'm even more impressed with it than I thought I would be. Its large, rollerblade-like wheels rolled smoothly, while its compact size was still bigger than it seemed and able to hold plenty of clothes. It has terrific appeal for people who want a lightweight bag that also flattens and stores with a minimal footprint. I have yet to test the bag's long-term durability, but it held up great after my first trip, and the company backs it with a 10-year warranty.

For people who prefer four rolling wheels and more organizational flexibility, the Bellroy Transit is a viable option. It includes internal packing cubes, which are a neat way to use all its space. Plus, they can be removed completely and used in other bags if you want.

The $270 starting price for the Lite Carry-On makes these bags a premium option compared to Quince or Samsonite, but the price isn't outrageous compared to the wider competition. Consider me sold on Bellroy's entrance into travel luggage.

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