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We’ve traveled with sustainable luggage for one-night stays and many months away — these are our favorite carry-ons for any trip that are eco-friendly, easy to travel with, and made to last.
Whether you’re going on a weekend trip or traveling internationally, a quality carry-on is the most important piece of luggage to have. If you only invest in one bag, a carry-on should be the choice. You can fit them in most airplane overhead bins, they’re lightweight, and for most trips they are big enough to fit all your items without having to pay extra to check anything. If you’re looking for a new carry-on, consider these eco-friendly, durable options from the most thoughtful, well-made luggage brands we could find.
Why choose sustainable luggage?Â
Many luggage brands make their products with toxic materials, like phthalates and PVC, which are bad for us and bad for the environment as well. PVC, for example, is a common source of microplastics that contaminate ecosystems. And phthalates have been shown to have a detrimental impact on human health, especially the endocrine system. Thankfully, the carry-on brands on this list prioritize nontoxic materials that protect the earth and our health, too. These brands also promote safer, Fair Trade manufacturing processes that benefit the people who work to make your luggage. By purchasing sustainable luggage you support ethical practices, fair labor conditions, and a healthier planet!
Our criteria:
Our editors have researched and personally traveled with the top sustainable luggage brands on the market over the past ten years. For this guide, we’ve compiled our picks for carry-ons that are thoughtfully made, super convenient to tote around, and made to last for years. We frequently revisit this guide to add new brands that meet the following criteria:
- SUSTAINABLE/ECO-FRIENDLY | These carry-ons are made with recycled and sustainable materials that are nontoxic and safe for you and for the environment.
- DURABLE | These sustainable luggage brands prioritize craftsmanship and use long-lasting materials so each piece wears well for many years to come.
- EASY FOR TRAVELS | While many of these brands are handheld, we’ve also included options with 360-degree wheels and other thoughtful features to make your travels easier.
If you’re looking to build out your luggage collection, check out our favorite sustainable luggage brands for full-size pieces — and our guide to sustainable backpacks for that “one personal item!”
1. Paravel
Best For | Climate-neutral luggage
Features | Personalization offered, carbon neutral shipping, removable laundry bag, TSA-approved lock
Prices starting at | $525
Paravel offers three carry-on options, the Aviator, Aviator Plus, and Aviator 100, which vary by size and materials. All of the carry-ons are made from recycled materials, have four 360-degree turn wheels, and fit in most airplane overhead compartments. With TSA-approved locks, sturdy zippers and handles, and a scuff-proof exterior, the bags are high-quality and durable. Plus, you can personalize them with your initials so you can always find your luggage. Not only does Paravel have carbon-neutral shipping, but they also offset the estimated emissions of your first trip with your luggage. The brand has been certified Climate Neutral since 2021, and they have recycled over 8 million plastic bottles to date and turned them into products. They also partner with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant trees. We love that they have a transparent and strict code of social responsibility that lays out exactly what their values are, so you know your bag is not only quality but made intentionally.Â
Our Editor’s Review | “I can happily recommend this luggage, especially if you’re setting off on adventures that will bring you face-to-face with the unexpected. It might sound a bit dramatic, but having a reliable carry-on made a huge difference for me while navigating unfamiliar cities and language barriers on my own.” – Emily McGowan, Editorial Director [Read our full review.]
2. Away
Best For | Lightweight and sleek design
Features | Includes laundry bag, TSA-approved lock, personalization offered
Prices starting at | $225
Away has two styles of carry-ons — hard shell and soft shell — and both feature 360-turn wheels, an underside grab handle, TSA-approved locks, and a removable laundry bag. The Soft Shell Carry-on includes an exterior pocket and a water-resistant design. The hard shell options vary, as there are options with a front pocket, an expandable zipper for extra space, and a larger size. Away tests all of their suitcases for quality by putting the luggage through over 30 tests to ensure their products are durable and can withstand travel and extreme environmental conditions. Beyond their products, Away’s mission is “to create equitable access to the transformative benefits of travel.” They partner with Global Glimpse to offer travel and leadership programs and opportunities to high school students from diverse backgrounds.Â
Customer Review | “I have now used The Carry-On for multiple trips. It is the perfect size for a week-long trip; it fits much more than expected and I am an over-packer. It is super lightweight and I love the handle at the bottom of the bag to help get the bag from the overhead compartment.” – Monica H. (Read more reviews.)
3. Patagonia
Best For | Durable bags for outdoor travel
Features | Wheel axle repair kit included, weather-resistant fabric, oversized wheels
Prices starting at | $359
Patagonia is well-known for its transparency around sustainability and fair working conditions. The company even goes as far as outlining their footprint and showing exactly where on the map each product is made and what materials are in them. Their carry-on bags are no exception. The Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 40L is their carry-on approved roller duffle, which is made at a Fair Trade-certified factory in Vietnam. Its lining, body fabric, and webbing is made from 100% recycled materials. The bag is a great option for outdoor adventures — it’s weather resistant, with large wheels for rough terrain, an axle repair kit, multiple pockets, and exterior lash points for clipping on gear. Patagonia also gives back through 1% for the Planet and supports local environmental grassroots organizations through Patagonia Action Works.Â
Customer Review | “Took this on a month-long trek to New Zealand and Tahiti. Hiking/biking and lots of repacking. It was perfect for lots of movement. The perfect size.” – Shannon T. (Read more reviews.)
4. Quince
Best For | Several affordable options
Features | Includes laundry bag, TSA-approved lock
Prices starting at | $120
The carry-ons at Quince are affordable, durable, and lightweight, with 360-degree wheels, a TSA-approved lock, and a sleek design. They offer two carry-on sizes — 20 and 21 inches — and have options with or without a front pocket. They also have an aluminum carry-on, which is made entirely out of aluminum and features a double lock. One of Quince’s best features is the brand’s affordability. They use a direct-to-consumer model, small-batch manufacturing, and high-quality materials that encourage a low return rate to keep costs low. And they’re committed to sustainability too. They’re a part of the U.S. Green Building Council, meet the Global Recycling Standard, and partner with factories committed to paying fair wages and reducing damage to the environment.Â
Our Editor’s Review | “If I were shopping on a budget, Quince would definitely be my go-to choice for a bag that checks all the boxes. It looks chic and I’m confident it will last for years.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read our full review.]
5. Monos
Best For | Timeless pieces that last
Features | TSA-approved lock, 100-day trial, antimicrobial inner lining
Prices starting at | $265
Monos offers eight carry-on options, including the Carry-on Pro, which has a built-in front compartment that fits a laptop, and the Hybrid Carry-on, which is a zipperless, dual-lock suitcase with a polycarbonate shell and aluminum frame. There are also varying sizes and expandable options, depending on what you need for your travels. All of them have TSA-approved locks, 360-spin wheels, and recycled antimicrobial inner lining. Monos is Climate Neutral certified, made in Canada, and runs off Bullfrog Power, which uses renewable energy like wind, solar, and water. They also partner with Veritree to plant trees in Old Bonjoge Forest in Kenya and with 1% for the Planet, have donated to organizations like Earth Guardians, Ecotrust Canada, and Litter4Tokens in past years.
Our Editor’s Review | “…Monos feels a bit more expensive and I’m confident I will have this suitcase for decades.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read our full review.]
6. GOT BAG
Best For | Award-winning design
Features | TSA-approved lock, several pockets, 17-inch laptop pocket
Prices starting at | $300
The 31L cabin luggage from GOT BAG is equipped with TSA-approved locks, top and side carry handles, a padded 17-inch laptop compartment, and several interior pockets. It’s made from recycled water dispenser containers and other recycled materials and ships in eco-friendly packaging with carbon-neutral shipping. GOT BAG received a German Design Award 2025 for their bag designs. To date, they have collected over 1,800,000 pounds of ocean-impact plastic through their efforts in Indonesia, and they partner with organizations like Sea Shepherd, Cleanhub, and more that are cleaning up the ocean around the world.
7. Solgaard
Best For | Built-in organization
Features | Built-in closet system, integrated USB port, TSA-approved lock, zipperless design
Prices starting at | $325
Solgaard’s Carry-on Closet Original looks like any other carry-on suitcase, but inside, it has a pop-out closet system that has five shelves that you can compress and fit into your suitcase and pull out and hang from the bag’s handle when you’re at your destination. It makes packing and unpacking super easy, and helps you stay organized while you’re traveling, even if you don’t have a closet or drawers to unpack into. The bags are also equipped with a USB charging port so you can charge on the go, a TSA-approved lock, and frictionless wheels. For every product sold, the B Corporation cleans up 6 lbs of ocean-bound plastic from coastal communities, partnering with Sungai Watch, the Eco-Brick Project, and NextWave Plastics. So far, in collaboration with their partners, they’ve helped divert 2.1 million pounds of plastic from ending up in the ocean.
Customer Review | “You’ve thought of everything! Size & style are perfect. Love the packing closet, and the separate space for packing shoes. Looking forward to using the carry on closet and my backpack for many years to come!” – Sandra (Read more reviews.)
8. Roam
Best For | Completely customizable bags
Features | Customizable, TSA-approved lock, removable hanging compression panel
Prices starting at | $425
Roam’s carry-on luggage is colorful and durable. They offer a standard carry-on, as well as larger sizes, an expandable option, and options with front pockets. The Designer Collection bags come in bright colors inspired by different cities, from London (black with tan trim) to Monza (red with black trim). But if you want to build your own design, Roam offers fully customizable bags, where you can choose the colors of everything from the shell to the zippers. All models have 360-spin wheels, TSA-approved locks, and an inner lining made from 100% recycled, antimicrobial material. Roam luggage is hand-built in the U.S. and tested for quality and durability.
Customer Review | “I absolutely love my Roam carry-on suitcase! The quality is exceptional, with durable materials and a sleek, modern design that makes it stand out at the airport. What I especially appreciate is having my initials on the suitcase—it’s a personalized touch that adds a unique flair. The smooth-gliding wheels and spacious interior make packing and traveling a breeze, making it my go-to travel companion.” – Jessica B. (Read more reviews.)
9. Cotopaxi
Best For | Adventure-worthy luggage
Features | Large wheels, water resistant, multiple grab handles
Prices starting at | $350
Cotopaxi’s Allpa 38L Roller Bag has large wheels that work great for stairs, cobbled streets, and dirt roads. It’s also water-resistant, durable, and made with 100% recycled fabrics from pre-consumer waste, which is extra fabric from manufacturers that was discarded. Cotopaxi is a Fair Trade-certified company and follows a strict code of conduct. They also offer a lifetime warranty, lifetime repairs, and a trade-in option, where you can get gift cards for sending in products you no longer use, which then go to Cotopaxi Más Vida, their secondhand store (you also might be able to find a carry-on there, if you’re looking to shop secondhand!). And Cotopaxi is doing more than just selling high-quality products, the Cotopaxi Foundation gives grants to nonprofits that help communities facing extreme poverty around the world, assisting with access to education, health, and more. They’ve helped provide aid to an estimated 4.25 million people since 2014.Â
Customer Review | “I love this travel pack! The color is great, the pack is durable, yet not heavy, so toting it all around Korea from the plane to the subway to the train was great and the color made it easily identifiable!” – Margie W. (Read more reviews.)
10. TropicFeel
Best For | Rolling bags with backpack straps
Features | Rollerbag to backpack, durable soft shell
Prices starting at | $399
With backpack straps and wheels, this bag from TropicFeel is for those who like to switch it up. The backpack straps easily tuck in when you’re rolling it, and pop out when you want to carry it. The 68% recycled material bag is made with thermoform foam that protects like a hard shell bag but has the look of a soft shell. One cool feature of the TropicFeel “ecosystem” is that their Wardrobe system integrates easily into the bag for packing and pop-ups to hang in a closet at your destination. TropicFeel started out as a footwear company and shifted to travel gear, with the goal of “rewilding and regenerating a planet worth traveling.” The B Corporation prioritizes low-impact and ethically sourced materials, and they’re committed to reducing their carbon footprint.Â
Customer Review | “This roller bag enables you to use as a backpack if needed. Great for me for moveability around difficult terrain but not really wanting to carry a heavy backpack all the time. Access pockets for shoes, toiletry bag and laptop very useful. I already own the wardrobe system and nest backpack so I have expanded my Tropicfeel ecosystem to make my travels streamlined. ” – Deborah S. (Read more reviews.)
11. Calpak (Terra collection)
Best For | An affordable soft-shell bag
Features | Multiple exterior pockets, four wheels, laptop compartment
Prices starting at | $215
Calpak’s Terra Collection carry-ons are made from plastic bottles. The soft-sided bags come in either 30 or 45 liters and feature interior and exterior pockets, double grab handles, and 360-spin wheels. The 45L bag also includes a built-in 17-inch laptop compartment with padding, a hard-sided base, and a TSA-approved lock. Calpak has been creating luggage since 1989, when it was started by Edward and Judy Kwon in Los Angeles. Then called California Pak, it began as a handbag and wallet company. In 1997 it rebranded to Calpak and began to sell luggage, and since then it has evolved to a well-known and trusted luggage brand. We love Calpak for a soft carry-on option with wheels that is truly eco-friendly.
Customer Review | “I am pleasantly surprised at how well this packs. I’m normally a hard shell carry on girlie but wanted the entire terra collection and I have to say this bag does not disappoint.” – Tiffany D. (Read more reviews.)
Brianna Schubert is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade and the Digital Editor at Milwaukee Magazine. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or finding hidden gems at vintage and thrift stores. Say hi on Instagram!
