Buying guide
Carry-on or checked: which do you need?
A carry-on suits short trips and tight connections. The cases we stock run from 14 × 21.75 × 9 in (TUMI 19 Degree International) to 22 × 14 × 10–12.25 in (Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential 22"). Checked cases suit longer trips, with capacities from 64.9 L to 126 L in the tables below. Always confirm your airline’s current limits.
When should I choose a carry-on?
Choose a carry-on when you want to skip baggage claim, the trip is short or you are changing planes. Expandable carry-ons give extra room for the trip home: the TUMI 19 Degree International carry-on expands from 9 to 11 inches deep, and the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential 22" expands up to 25% and then compresses back to carry-on size.
When is checked luggage better?
Check a bag for longer trips, family travel, bulky gear or anything you cannot carry in the cabin. If you mostly drive or carry heavy loads, upright duffels such as the Briggs & Riley ZDX Upright Duffel (8.9 lbs, 90.3 L) and the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler wheeled duffel are lighter options.
What about garment bags?
For suits and dresses, TUMI offers the Alpha Garment Carry-On ($1,050) and the Large Garment Checked ($1,495). Briggs & Riley’s Baseline Deluxe Wardrobe Spinner holds hanging clothes in a 103 L wheeled case.
How do the carry-ons compare?
| Case | Price | Exterior size | Expanded depth | Weight | Capacity | Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUMI 19 Degree International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry On | $795 | 14 × 21.75 × 9 in (W × H × D) | 11 in | — | — | Recycled polycarbonate |
| Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential 22" Front Pocket Carry-On Expandable Spinner | $799 | 22 × 14 × 10–12.25 in | incl. in range | 10.45 lbs | 44–55 L | Polycarbonate; expands up to 25% then compresses back |
Other carry-on options include MZ Wallace Metro travel totes and duffels and TUMI Alpha garment carry-ons; see all carry-on luggage.
How do the checked cases compare?
| Case | Price | Exterior size | Expanded depth | Weight | Capacity | Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Briggs & Riley Compact 24" Checked Expandable Spinner | $799 | 24 × 16 × 12–14.5 in | incl. in range | 11.8 lbs | 64.9–79.6 L | Ballistic nylon |
| Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Expandable Spinner | $679 | 26 × 18 × 12–14 in | incl. in range | 10.7 lbs | 78.7–94.8 L | Woven nylon |
| TUMI 19 Degree Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case | $950 | 17.5 × 26 × 10 in (W × H × D) | 12 in | 10 lbs | 67 L | Recycled polycarbonate |
| TUMI Voyageur Leger Short Trip Expandable Pack Case | $950 | 26 × 17.8 × 13 in | 15 in | 12.1 lb | 81 L | Nylon |
| Briggs & Riley Sympatico Medium Expandable Spinner | $799 | 27 × 18.5 × 11.5 in | — | 11.9 lbs | 87–104 L | Recycled polycarbonate |
| Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Upright Duffel | $729 | 27 × 15 × 15 in | — | 8.9 lbs | 90.3 L | Upright wheeled duffel |
| TUMI 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case | $1,050 | 20 × 30.5 × 11 in (W × H × D) | 13 in | 12.25 lbs | 99 L | Recycled polycarbonate |
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner | $929 | 29 × 20 × 12–14.5 in | incl. in range | 13.6 lbs | 100–122 L | Ballistic nylon |
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Deluxe Wardrobe Spinner | $1,125 | 23 × 24.5 × 13.5 in | — | 16 lbs | 103 L | Wardrobe case |
| TUMI Voyageur Leger Extended Trip Expandable Packing Case | $1,050 | 29 × 20 × 13 in | 15 in | 13.6 lb | 116 L | Nylon |
| TUMI Alpha X-Large Dual Access Expandable Checked | $1,395 | 31 × 22 × 13 in | 15 in | 17 lb | 126 L | FXT® Ballistic Nylon |
The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler duffels come in 60 L ($169), 90 L ($189) and 130 L wheeled ($249) sizes. Shop all checked luggage.
Common questions
Will my carry-on fit the overhead bin?
Airlines set their own limits and change them, so check your airline before you fly. Compare its limit with the exterior size of the case, wheels and handles included. In a customer story shared by the store, the TUMI International Carry-On is described as fitting the overhead bin requirements of many airlines across the US, Europe and Asia.
What size checked bag do I need?
Our checked cases run from about 65–80 L (Briggs & Riley Compact 24") to 126 L (TUMI Alpha X-Large) and 130 L (Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 130L). Smaller cases suit roughly a week of packing and larger ones longer trips, but your packing style matters more than the label. Bring your packing list to the store and we will help you compare.
Hard-side or softside?
Hard-side cases such as TUMI 19 Degree (recycled polycarbonate) and Briggs & Riley Sympatico (polycarbonate) protect what is inside. Softside ballistic nylon such as TUMI Alpha and Briggs & Riley Baseline adds outside pockets and gives a little when packed.
Does London Harness offer free shipping?
Yes. Orders of $250 or more ship free. Most orders ship directly from the Wellesley store, and online orders are processed within 24 to 48 hours with tracking sent when the order ships.