Even if you think your packing routine is perfect, you might not be using a piece of luggage you should consider: the under seat bag. An under seat bag that fits neatly under the seat in front of you will make your travels easier and more organized. Additionally, you can keep a closer eye on your valuables with them safely stowed at your feet.
My personal preference has always been to travel “light”, usually with only a carry-on. However, my wife was a different story; she was definitely an over-packer — two carry-on bags and two suitcases.
Our first extended trip together was a 15-day vacation from Hawaii to Maryland and Pennsylvania and then back to Hawaii. As you can imagine, she packed for this long and exciting journey. However, she didn’t fully realize how much she had packed until we were schlepping it through BWI airport at the end of the first leg of our trip and a total stranger said, “I think you overpacked.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah. There isn’t much argument against that.
Among the many benefits of traveling with a carry-on are:
- It’s much easier
Traveling with a small, carry-on suitcase is so much easier, and there’s nothing more liberating than cruising through an airport with all your stuff with you.
- It’s easier to get around
You can get around much more easily and for much lower costs if you use a small, manageable bag. You can take shuttles and buses or walk if you wish.
- No baggage fees
I’m so happy when I’m saving money! Taking a carry-on bag means not paying even one cent more to the airlines. That means more money for the fun stuff.
- No lost bags
Unprecedented demand for travel combined with unprecedented labor shortages caused a spike in lost luggage numbers recently. That’s why experts recommend attaching an Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag to your checked bags. Carry-on travelers don’t have to worry about any of this.
- No wasted time at the baggage carousel
Waiting at the baggage carousel is annoying and time-consuming, whether you just arrived at a new destination or just returned home. That’s assuming your bag makes it out at all.
The majority of airlines still allow you to board with two pieces of luggage, a suitcase, and one personal item, without charge. But if you want the most out of those two pieces, you should invest in a smart under-seat bag that fits easily but still holds tons of stuff so you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips.
Unlike other bags, an under-seat bag is made specifically for this purpose. If your bag slides nicely into place, you won’t have to push and shove it into place, causing its contents to spill out. There’s no better option than this. There is usually a strap on the back of under-seat bags that allows them to be attached to your rolling suitcase.
Here are some recommendations
Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port
Travel with ease with the Samsonite Spinner Underseater with USB Port. Under the seat or in the overhead, this spinner carry-on saves you money on carry-on fees. It’s small enough to be considered a personal item.
American Tourister 4 Kix Expandable Softside Underseater
Weighing only 7 pounds, the 4 Kix lightweight carry-on spinner suitcase is easy to pack. There is plenty of room for everything you need for a 2-3 day adventure inside the large interior compartment and in the exterior packing pockets. With its ease of mobility and compact yet roomy design, the 4 Kix carry-on spinner suitcase meets most airlines’ carry-on sizing requirements.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Lightweight Rolling Underseat Tote Upright 2 Wheel Bag
This will be your new favorite bag. The Maxlite 5 rolling tote is ultra-lightweight and super smart and can be used as both a carry-on bag and a compact suitcase. With multiple pockets throughout, including a quick-access front flap and roomy interior, packing is easy and organized. For hands-free mobility and secure stacking, the rear stacking strap and ball-bearing wheel design provide complete flexibility.
Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage Bag with Wheels
The Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage Bag fits easily into most airline overhead compartments and under the seat, and it is available in a variety of colors. Access to travel essentials is easy thanks to the front organizer. Unzip the luggage to reveal a spacious main compartment with several interior pockets. With inline skate wheels, the rolling luggage glides effortlessly from point A to point B.
Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-On Luggage
The exterior of the Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater is made of quilted polyester fabric. Clothing and shoes can be stored in the large main compartment. Small essentials can be kept handy and organized in two slip pockets and two zippered pockets. A full lining with a retractable handle makes it easy to store. Bags can be quickly retrieved from overhead bins or underneath seats with hand-held handles. The back side has a strap that can be attached to the wheeled carry-on piece.
