Your ‘Business Traveler’ Guide to the Season’s Best Carry-Ons

“Fashion or function?” is a valid question for anyone who boards a plane with regularity, but it is effortless to achieve both—once you zero in on the perfect style to suit your personality. We gathered five terrific carry-on pieces that might be chosen by five different types of travelers. What statement do you want to make with your carry-on? Consider this quintet of options.

Best for travelers who love sleek, tech-friendly chic

Porsche Design Carbon Weekender

Those who love to talk tech are sure to love this bag. Porsche Design crafts a wide range of fashion, watches and accessories that evoke the style and speed of the classic German auto, and this carry-on is no exception. High-tech in both design and look, the luxe piece is crafted of carbon fiber—which makes it exceptionally light, weighing slightly less than 3.75 pounds—and accented with black napa leather. The large main compartment is closed with a two-way zipper, while side press studs in black galvanized metal enhance its minimalist vibe.
Porsche Design Carbon Weekender in black carbon and napa leather; $1,800, at porsche-design.com

Best for travelers who are stylish but also organized

Away Bigger Carry-On

This piece has become the gold standard among frequent travelers, as any casual observation of a gate area might prove. This hard-shell suitcase is lightweight (though, at 7.4 pounds, admittedly not the lightest of all carry-on options) and offers features such as interior compression areas to pack enough for up to seven days of travel. There’s also a water-resistant laundry bag, TSA-approved combination locks and, in select colors, a handy USB charger that sits directly behind the telescopic handle. Last month, Away also launched a new fashion color, Teal (seen here), which feels undeniably upscale and distinctive.
Away Bigger Carry-On in Teal; $295, at awaytravel.com

Best for travelers who combine business with a weekend outdoors

Ogio Alpha Convoy 522s Travel Bag

This decidedly sporty piece offers a wealth of convenience features, starting with its distinctive front, which can be used as one large section or divided in half thanks to separate zippered mesh panels. This is ideal when you want to keep business attire away from sneakers and hiking or fitness gear (known as “lung-style” pockets, they also buckle for added compression). A 15-inch laptop pocket is positioned for quick access, especially when your carry-on is in the overhead compartment. A welcome bonus: All pieces in the Alpha Convoy collection are made from recycled materials.
Ogio Alpha Convoy 522s Travel Bag in Sage; $299.99, at ogio.com

Best for travelers who pride themselves on never checking a bag

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner

If you’ve ever packed for eight days and paused to ponder whether you could get away with carry-on luggage only, Briggs & Riley’s Baseline collection should be on your radar. This brand designed a proprietary system dubbed CX Compression-Expansion, which allows the piece to grow in depth when interior buttons are pressed, and then compress once the carry-on is closed. Other features include a zippered pocket between the rods of the aluminum handle, as well as a built-in garment folder with foam roll bar to pack up to two suits.
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner in olive; $699, at briggs-riley.com

Best for travelers who love the glamour of bygone days

Globe-Trotter Original Carry-On

The beloved British luggage brand is celebrating its 125th anniversary by updating a design that was released in 1897—with all modern conveniences, of course. From the Original collection, pieces are available in a rich chocolate brown with hardware in brass or nickel, but the brass adds an undeniable feeling of luxe (a navy/black combo and black-on-black styling are also available). Designed to suit a three-day trip—the same amount of time as the journey planned in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express—this piece is timeless and sure to turn heads.
Globe-Trotter Original Carry-On in brown with brass hardware; $1,345, at globe-trotter.com