Beis has been on my radar ever since it launched in 2018. I waited months to get my hands on the brand’s Diaper Pack (9/10, WIRED Recommends) when my son was born, and I splurged on two different makeup bags from the company, in a fit of hospital bag packing nerves. My mom friend, meanwhile, rocks both the Ultimate Diaper Backpack ($188) and the included fanny pack. I consider copying her almost every day.
But the brand is best known for its suitcase rather than the diaper bags I adore. Dubbed the Carry On ($199), Beis’ hard-shell rolling suitcase is a popular choice among Instagrammers and the perpetually put-together people at the airport I aspire to be.
Originally, I ignored the Carry On in favor of the rest of Beis’ vast lineup of bags (if someone, anyone, could please buy me the Backpack Tote I’m certain would improve my toddler-run life). It looked similar to an older Calpak suitcase that I already had; why upgrade? What could possibly be so much better than my existing suitcase? I used to fly on a near-monthly basis, and I didn’t see a need to ditch my suitcase of choice now that I was flying less.
But I had battered my old suitcase one time too many, and it was time to try something else as I prepared to fly across the country. After ordering Beis’ Carry On, I was shocked with how much I was missing.
Organize Me
On the outside, the Carry On looks pretty much like every other higher-end polycarbonate hard-shell rolling suitcase. It reminds me of the Away Carry On (9/10, WIRED Recommends) or Calpak’s previous hard-shell designs. The easiest way to tell it apart is its busier line pattern and its wide array of fun pastels and chic neutral shades.
I chose the blue-toned Slate, replacing my baby-blue suitcase for something slightly more mature but equally easy to spot on a luggage turnstile.
Inside, there are some nice additions. One side has a zippered enclosure and two more zippered pockets, which is pretty standard. But inside one of those pockets are two drawstring bags, the larger of which is labeled Dirt Bag, which could be for dirty clothes or for shoes you don’t want touching other items.
The smaller is simply labeled Not Beisic, giving you the freedom to use as you please—Beis recommends it for small valuables, but I could easily fit my favorite flat slides into this bag, or perhaps my house slippers if I wanted to feel really comfy wherever I was going.
Photograph: Nena Farrell
