I Own Dozens of Suitcases, but This One Changed the Way I Pack (It’s So Clever)

If you’re someone who likes to travel but loathes checking a bag, I have a hunch you’ve likely found yourself sitting at an airport gate only to realize you need something from your carry-on suitcase. You try to subtly slip your hand inside to fish it out, but the effort is futile. You have no choice but to lay down and fully open the bag, revealing all of its contents for the whole airport to see. It’s an unavoidable reality that comes with packing a carry-on only that opens clamshell style down the middle.

This scenario happened to me recently. I was waiting for a flight when my lips felt terribly chapped. I needed my lip balm, which was hiding inside my toiletry bag, packed well within the confines of my carry-on. Usually, this is where I’d groan about having to open up the suitcase just to retrieve what was probably the tiniest object in there. Fortunately, I was using the Bagsmart’s Getaway Front-Opening Carry-On — a suitcase that completely solves that middle-of-the-airport-opening-your-bag dilemma.

Instead of opening clamshell-style down the middle, this 20-inch carry-on features a reinforced front-loading lid that opens while the suitcase is standing upright. Two bridge suspension straps hold the lid in place, giving you room to peer inside without the flap collapsing onto the floor. The interior is split roughly 70/30 with a spacious main compartment for your bulkier items and a smaller front section for everything else. A padded divider separates the two sides, fully zips shut, and doubles as a protective sleeve for both a laptop and a tablet.

The rest of the design is just as thoughtful. Inside, you’ll find wet/dry pockets with a removable pouch, a dedicated AirTag holder, compression straps, and an expandable zipper for extra packing room. It also has a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree spinner wheels, soft top and side handles, and an adjustable aluminum handle with four height settings that takes up minimal interior space. The exterior is made from lightweight, dent-resistant polycarbonate that holds up beautifully against scuffs and scratches. 

I’m a professional travel writer who reviews gear regularly and owns dozens of pieces of luggage. I came across the brand when I needed compressible packing cubes and heard from fellow travelers that their Blast Cubes were the best at saving space and staying organized. When those lived up to the hype, I decided to try a suitcase, too, and one of the newest models in the Getaway line caught my eye. After using Bagsmart’s front-loading carry-on during recent air travel, I think it’s one of the best options I’ve tried as a carry-on only traveler. Here’s why it stands out.

The 70/30 split is brilliant. By giving one section significantly more room, it makes packing large or bulky items so much easier. I could fit extra-large, completely full packing cubes into the main compartment without wrestling the zipper.

The smaller front compartment is also incredibly useful. It’s a smarter place for tech than those bulky external laptop pockets you often see on carry-ons (which, in my experience, can make a bag too thick for overhead bins). Here, the laptop sits safely inside the suitcase without adding bulk. I also use the front section for slim shoes, purses, or toiletries, saving the larger area exclusively for clothes and bigger essentials.

The bridge-style lid makes a huge difference when you need to quickly grab something — especially in tight, crowded spaces like boarding areas or lounge seating. There’s no wide-open suitcase spilling its contents for all to see. Just unzip the front, retrieve what you need, zip it back up, and you’re done.

I also appreciate that Bagsmart offers this model in shades beyond basic black or dark navy. I have the Steel Blue, which is gorgeous in person, but it also comes in Beige and Shadow Gray. After multiple trips, mine still looks pristine.

• The front-opening design lets you access your essentials without the need to fully unzipping the carry-on.
• The lightweight polycarbonate exterior resists dents, scratches, and everyday wear.
• It has an expandable zipper, TSA-approved locks, smooth 360-degree spinner wheels, and a four-height aluminum handle.
• It has interior organization features, including compression straps, wet/dry pockets, padded divider that doubles as a laptop/tablet sleeve, and a removable pouch.

This carry-on is perfect for travelers who prefer to pack light and want a smarter way to access their belongings on the go. If you often find yourself reaching into your suitcase mid-transit, the front-opening design makes grabbing what you need hassle-free. It’s also great for anyone who values organization, thanks to the 70/30 split and built-in tech sleeve that keep everything neatly in place.

Buy: Bagsmart’s Getaway Front-Opening Carry-On, $179.99