For fabric carry-ons
The Best Softside Carry On Luggage (2027)
The best softside carry on luggage in 2027: fabric carry-ons with exterior pockets, expansion, and squeeze-in flexibility for tight bins.
The short answer
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 is the best softside carry on luggage for most travelers in 2027: lightest here, expandable, and pocketed. The Samsonite Solyte DLX is the mid-price fabric alternative, while the Briggs & Riley Baseline is the premium softside with ballistic nylon and a lifetime warranty covering airline damage.
Our top picks at a glance
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Expandable SpinnerThe crew-favorite softside: light, expandable, proven.Best overall softside
- Samsonite Solyte DLX Softside Carry-On SpinnerA practical softside spinner with exterior pockets and expansion.Best mid-price softside
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-OnThe lifetime-warranty softside, even against airline damage.Best premium softside
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On (21 Inch)A premium nylon softside with magnetic spinner wheels, a drop-in suiter, and USB passthrough ports.Best featured softside
- it luggage World's Lightest Los Angeles 22in Softside Carry-On (2 Wheel)A 3.81 lb softside carry-on built around a fiberglass frame.Lightest softside
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Soft bodies squeeze into bins and sizers that would reject a rigid case of the same size
- Outside pockets keep travel documents reachable without opening the whole bag at the gate
Common complaints
- Fabric exteriors need spot cleaning after rain, spills or a dirty cargo hold ride
- Soft sides offer little crush protection for electronics or gifts packed inside
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Exterior | Weight | Material | Expansion | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Expandable Spinner | Best overall softside | 21 x 14 x 9 in | 5.4 lbs | Polyester softside | Up to 2 in | Four spinner |
| 2 | Samsonite Solyte DLX Softside Carry-On Spinner | Best mid-price softside | Carry-on size, 21 in class | - | Polyester softside | Expandable main compartment | Four spinner |
| 3 | Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On | Best premium softside | 22 x 14 x 9 in | - | 1680D ballistic nylon | CX compression-expansion | Four spinner |
| 4 | Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On (21 Inch) | Best featured softside | - | - | High-density nylon with DuraGuard coating | - | 8 magnetic self-aligning spinners |
| 5 | it luggage World's Lightest Los Angeles 22in Softside Carry-On (2 Wheel) | Lightest softside | - | 3.81 lb | Polyester softside | - | 2 inline |
Best overall softside
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Expandable Spinner
The crew-favorite softside: light, expandable, proven.
The Maxlite 5 is the softside benchmark here: 5.4 lbs, polyester fabric with a stain-resistant coating, 2-inch expansion, and exterior pockets, trusted by airline crews.
Strengths
- Very light at 5.4 lbs for a spinner
- 2-inch expansion adds meaningful packing room
- Durable polyester with stain-resistant coating
- Long-trusted by airline crews
Limitations
- Softside offers less impact protection
- Exterior pockets add bulk when stuffed full
- Wheels are good but not the smoothest in class
| Exterior | 21 x 14 x 9 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.4 lbs |
| Material | Polyester softside |
| Expansion | Up to 2 in |
| Wheels | Four spinner |
Best for: Frequent flyers who want softside flexibility, expansion room, and genuinely light weight.
Skip if: You want hard-shell protection for fragile contents.
Best mid-price softside
Samsonite Solyte DLX Softside Carry-On Spinner
A practical softside spinner with exterior pockets and expansion.
The Solyte DLX brings the classic softside formula at a mid price: a fabric body that gives a little in tight bins, exterior pockets for quick access, expansion for the return leg, and four spinner wheels.
Strengths
- Softside body squeezes into tight overhead bins and sizers
- Exterior pockets keep documents and small items reachable
- Expandable main compartment adds room for the trip home
- Four spinner wheels for easy terminal maneuvering
Limitations
- Softside offers less impact protection than a hard shell
- Fabric needs spot cleaning after wet or dirty trips
- Exterior pockets add bulk when stuffed full
| Exterior | Carry-on size, 21 in class |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester softside |
| Wheels | Four spinner |
| Expansion | Expandable main compartment |
| Features | Exterior pockets, interior organization |
Best for: Travelers who want softside flexibility, exterior pockets, and an established brand at a mid price.
Skip if: You want hard-shell protection for fragile contents or the lightest possible bag.
Best premium softside
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On
The lifetime-warranty softside, even against airline damage.
The Baseline is a genuine softside in 1680D ballistic nylon, with the CX compression-expansion system and a lifetime warranty that covers airline damage. It is premium and heavier than the Maxlite 5, and the warranty is why you buy it.
Strengths
- Lifetime warranty covers airline damage
- CX compression-expansion system adds packing room
- 1680D ballistic nylon resists abrasion
- Outsider handle frees flat interior space
Limitations
- Premium price tier
- Heavier than ultralight spinners
- Softside offers no hard-shell protection
| Exterior | 22 x 14 x 9 in |
|---|---|
| Material | 1680D ballistic nylon |
| Warranty | Lifetime, covers airline damage |
| Expansion | CX compression-expansion |
| Wheels | Four spinner |
Best for: Travelers who want the famous lifetime warranty that covers airline damage.
Skip if: You want hardside protection or a budget price.
Best featured softside
Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On (21 Inch)
A premium nylon softside with magnetic spinner wheels, a drop-in suiter, and USB passthrough ports.
The Platinum Elite is Travelpro's top softside: high-density nylon with DuraGuard coating, a drop-in suiter, magnetic self-aligning wheels on a 4-stop handle, and USB passthrough charging.
Strengths
- Precision Glide System with magnetic self-aligning 8 spinner wheels and a 4-stop PowerScope handle
- High-density nylon with DuraGuard coating and a drop-in suiter for suits and dresses
- External USB A and C ports with a dedicated power bank pocket
- Tapered 2-inch expansion backed by a limited lifetime warranty and Trusted Companion coverage
Limitations
- US carry-on sizing; overall height exceeds many international sizers
- Softside gives less crush protection than a hardside
- Power bank for the USB ports is not included
| Case dimensions | 21 x 14 x 9 in |
|---|---|
| Overall dimensions | 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 in |
| Capacity | 46 L |
| Material | High-density nylon with DuraGuard coating |
| Wheels | 8 magnetic self-aligning spinners |
| Model | 409186101 |
Sources: Travelpro product data, Amazon listing, CamelCamelCamel
Best for: Frequent flyers who want crew-grade softside features in the standard US carry-on size.
Skip if: You fly strict international sizers often; at 23.5 in overall it is a US-size case.
Lightest softside
it luggage World's Lightest Los Angeles 22in Softside Carry-On (2 Wheel)
A 3.81 lb softside carry-on built around a fiberglass frame.
The softside for weight-watchers: a polyester body on a fiberglass frame at 3.81 lbs with 6 pockets, trading spinner wheels and depth for the lowest weight in this guide.
Strengths
- Just 3.81 lb, the lightest carry-on in this guide by a wide margin
- Fiberglass frame design keeps the soft body structured at feather weight
- 6 pockets for organizing a small case
- Backed by a 10-year limited warranty
Limitations
- Two inline wheels, so it pulls behind you rather than rolling alongside
- Slim 7.3 in depth limits bulky packing
- Softside polyester gives modest impact protection
| Weight | 3.81 lb |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.8 x 14.2 x 7.3 in |
| Material | Polyester softside |
| Wheels | 2 inline |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
Sources: it luggage product data, Desertcart product data, CamelCamelCamel
Best for: Travelers on strict cabin weight limits who count every ounce before packing.
Skip if: You want spinner wheels; this is a 2-wheel upright you tilt and pull.
Questions, answered
Softside or hardside: what is the real trade-off?
Softside is lighter, expands, has exterior pockets, and squeezes into tight bins and sizers. Hardside protects fragile contents better and sheds rain more easily. Pick softside for flexibility and weight, hardside for protection.
Why do exterior pockets matter on a carry-on?
They keep boarding passes, a book, snacks, and a laptop reachable at security and at the gate without opening the main compartment. Hardside cases rarely offer them; softside cases almost always do.
Can a softside bag really squeeze into a full overhead bin?
Yes, within reason. A fabric body compresses a little against other bags and odd bin shapes where a rigid shell will not fit. Do not rely on it if the bag is overstuffed or expanded, since sizers still measure the outside.
How durable is softside fabric?
Quality fabrics hold up well: the Maxlite 5 uses coated polyester trusted by crews, and the Baseline uses 1680D ballistic nylon that resists abrasion. Fabric can scuff and absorb spills more than a hard shell, so wipe it down after dirty trips.