I Couldn't Commit to a New Suitcase Until I Tried the Aer Carry-On Max

Get the Full StoryAs a professional travel writer, it's embarrassing to admit how long I held onto a cheap, falling-apart suitcase I scored decades ago at TJ Maxx. Every time I pulled it out ahead of a trip, I had to tighten the handle and fight with the zipper, and even then, I'd be snagging my sleeves on a loose screw by the time I got to the airport.

It's not that I didn't want something shiny and new; it's just that I have issues with commitment and decision-making, and I was afraid I'd be stuck with something I didn't like for the next 20-plus years. I was determined to find something that would fit in overhead bins on domestic and international flights alike, but I didn't want anything too small - a near-impossible ask, as it turns out.

Still, I spent hours sifting through options from brand after brand in search of my platonic ideal. Which, of course, didn't seem to exist, so I kept muddling through with my battered old Heys instead of biting the bullet and buying something else already. In the meantime, I bought and returned more than a few inexpensive Amazon picks and tried out models from travel-industry staples, like Away and Samsonite, none of which were quite right.

So when Aer launched its first carry-on and offered to send me a sample to test, I jumped at the chance. The buzzy AAPI-owned company is best known for its smartly designed, minimalist travel backpacks, so I had a feeling its first foray into luggage would be a successful one. And after using it for nearly a year, I can confidently say that instinct was correct, minus a minor quibble or two. Read on for my honest take on the Aer Carry-On Max 319 , from its design and functionality to flaws and dealbreakers.

What's the Criteria For a Good Carry-On Suitcase?

A good carry-on should roll smoothly and maneuver easily in pretty much any conditions, including crowded terminals, narrow escalators, bumpy streets and sidewalks, and slick or snowy ground.

It should be light enough to lift and place in an overhead bin, even if it's overstuffed side and top handles help with this . Once you've gotten it up there, it should slide into the allotted space easily without having to push or shove it in - and it definitely needs to be small enough to avoid the dreaded gate-check, at least 99.9 percent of the time.

Pockets are also key, particularly for overpackers and those of us who like to travel with carry-ons only. If you're cramming in an entire trip's worth of essentials, organizational details are a must-have.

There's always some debate between fans of hard-shell and softside luggage, and both have positives and negatives, so ultimately the choice of material comes down to individual preference. YMMV, of course, but personally I'll never buy a softside suitcase again for weather-related reasons alone.

Back in the day I was traveling during a storm, and my stuff got drenched on the tarmac, quickly making me a hard-shell convert and teaching me the difference between waterproof and water-resistant fabrics . . . but that's another story . Also, as a chronic overpacker, I've found I need a firm exterior to keep everything contained - that flexible outer pocket you'll find on most softsides is nothing but bad news for an overhead-bin fit.

What I Like About the Aer Carry-On Max

When it comes to functionality, the Aer Carry-On Max is one of the best suitcases I've used to date. It rolls so smoothly and silently, I occasionally push it ahead of me while I'm walking if I need to use both hands temporarily, and it glides like a dream. But the wheels also lock with the flip of a switch, helping to avoid any runaway-suitcase mishaps.

The main handle extends four levels, which comes in handy in different situations I like the lower settings on buses and shuttles and the higher settings when I'm booking it to, from, and through the airport , and for travelers of varying heights as well, I'd imagine. The zippers are sturdy enough that I don't worry about them catching or breaking, and the built-in combination lock adds an extra bit of security on the off chance I'm forced to gate-check.

Size-wise, I've used the Aer Carry-On Max on domestic and international flights, and it consistently fits well in most overhead bins. The only time I've had issues is on itty-bitty commuter planes, and even then, the bins were so tiny a smaller suitcase probably wouldn't have worked either. The Aer website does have an airline compatibility tool, so you can get a rough idea of your plane's storage before you leave for the airport.

Internally, the Aer Carry-On Max has plenty of pockets, including a tiny one for an AirTag or similar tracker that's so well hidden I had to look up pics online to find it. There's a compression pad one side of the case and a zippered compartment on the other, and when the pad is locked down and the compartment is zipped up, it makes closing the whole thing a breeze - I haven't had to kneel on it once, even when I've crammed in too much stuff. And the recycled nylon lining is an added bonus on the sustainability front.

On an aesthetic note, I really appreciate the minimalist look - the only visible branding is the company name on the front and handle, and even that isn't super-obvious. It's available in five colors, and all of them are tempting; I finally decided on the light pink, and I like it a lot, but part of me wishes I'd been bolder and gone with the bright orange which seems to be a popular choice - it's sold out at the time of writing, though a restock is supposed to be coming soon .

What to Consider Before Buying the Aer Carry-On Max

The Aer Carry-On Max has a tough polycarbonate exterior that's held up well to manhandling, but its matte surface does show more scuffs and dirt than you might notice on something shinier. While the dirt and grime cleans up fairly easily, deeper scrapes and scuffs are harder to remove.

The compression pad is billed as having a single-pull magnetic closure, and the idea of being able to open and close it with one hand is a good one; in practice, however, it's not the easiest to finagle, and it took me a minute to get the hang of it.

The Aer Carry-On Max does not have a built-in battery or charging station, so if that's one of your non-negotiables, you'll want to look at other options.

Who the Aer Carry-On Max Is Best For

The Aer Carry-On Max is great for all modes of travel, from subways and buses to planes and trains. I've navigated it through narrow aisles on sold-out flights and through icy parking lots in snowy Vermont, and it's performed well in every setting.

Given its capacity and overall size, the Aer Carry-On Max is particularly well suited to carry-on-only travelers, and its easy-rolling abilities and lightweight frame make it a solid choice for those with limited grip and or upper-body strength.

Between its sleek, minimalist style and lack of excessive branding, it should appeal to anyone who hates feeling like a walking billboard on their journeys. It's also ideal for travelers looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous models from Away, Calpak, Beis, and the like - the bright orange colorway in particular stands out in a crowd.

Additional Details About the Aer Carry-On Max

Aer currently makes two suitcases, the Carry-On and the Carry-On Max. While both have the same minimalist style and high-quality design elements, the Carry-On Max is slightly bigger and a few ounces heavier. I tested the Max.

The Aer Carry-On Max comes in five colors: Black, Dark Olive, Fog White, Safety Orange, and Pale Mauve. The smaller Carry-On is available in the first four only.

There's a removable compression pad with a pocket on one side of the Carry-On Max, but the pocket is slim and doesn't really stretch, so it's really only good for thin, flat items, like magazines and the fun bits of art I layered between them for protection on a recent flight home from Paris. That said, the pad does corral the loose odds and ends I usually Tetris into that side of the suitcase, so I prefer to leave it in place.

Both Aer Carry-Ons come with a branded leather luggage tag.

Where Is the Aer Carry-On Max Available?

The Carry-On Max is available on the Aer website, in Aer retail stores in San Francisco, New York, and London, and from select locations in the US, UK, and Japan.

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Maya Stanton is a freelance writer and editor based in New York, where she's covered travel, food, entertainment, culture, and wellness for PS, Lonely Planet, Budget Travel, Entertainment Weekly, and more.

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