The 5 Best Aluminum Carry-Ons You Can Buy

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Rimowa/Away/Carl FriedrikTumi luggage comes with a hefty price tag (we told you these would be expensive!) but it truly will last for a very long time. When it comes to material, it doesn’t get more durable than this aircraft-grade aluminum, from which the exterior of this suitcase is made. Even the three-stage telescoping handle is made of aluminum.But what’s even better about this carry-on is that, if you do end up needing more room (and the hard outer shell won’t budge because it’s just that damn sturdy), you can expand it and add two more inches of depth—yes, that means you probably won’t be able to use it as a carry-on after expanding it, but it’s a good option for when you want a smaller checked bag or like having the ability to pack more on your way back.ColorsSilverDimensions22" x 14" x 9"Weight13 lbCapacity33 LWe can’t talk about aluminum carry-ons without mentioning the most famous of them all: Rimowa. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it will probably get a few dents over time. But Rimowa’s aluminum luggage is the best of the best in terms of style, durability, and recognition. Take it from Esquire’s senior director of commerce and partnerships, Krista Jones:“When it comes to investment pieces, it all boils down to one argument. Why buy the mid-range level when the top-level is better quality? If you want a suitcase that will last you a lifetime—and this will—why spend $500 once on something you have to replace in five years? You might as well spend [$1,550] on something you don’t have to replace again. Rimowa offers that with a lifetime guarantee, and will repair your bag, too.”Colors4Dimensions21.7" x 15.8" x 9.1"Weight9.5 lbCapacity35 LAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowBest-Looking Aluminum Carry-OnWhen it comes to style, Away takes the cake for me. I’ve always loved the simplicity of the brand’s signature look with clean lines and smooth, rounded corners, and that look translates beautifully onto the aluminum version of Away’s classic carry-on. The shell is made from premium anodized aluminum, and the handles have gorgeous leather detailing—and the included leather luggage tag is a nice touch. This carry-on is also proof that aluminum suitcases don’t always have to come in silver. Yes, the silver colorway is a classic, but if you want something different, I’m obsessed with this deep metallic blue.Colors5Dimensions21.5" x 13.5" x 9"Weight10.5 lbCapacity32 LEarlier this year, Carl Friedrik joined the conversation and launched an aluminum luggage line of its own. In keeping with the brand’s Scandinavian minimalist roots, the carry-on has a simple aluminum exterior with leather detailing—but inside, it has a lot more going on. The interior boasts a zipped garment compartment on one side and an open section with a compression pad and straps on the other, as well as two zippered pockets for all the small things you want to keep organized.ColorsSilver/black, silver/chocolate, silver/cognacDimensions21.7" x 15" x 9"Weight10.8 lbCapacity41 LAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWant a true aluminum carry-on without the $1,000 price tag? Nobl makes one for under $400, if you can believe it. It doesn’t have the glitz and glam of the Rimowa, but it works just as well and genuinely holds up. Plus, it comes with a free Nobl Air, a trackable chip that goes in your carry-on so you know where it is at all times—just in case you have to gate check it at the last minute.ColorsSilver, blackDimensions19.8" x 15.6" x 8.3"Weight9.9 lbCapacity32 L