Always in a hurry? As with many carry-ons, stashing this ten-inch-deep roller in overhead bins is fast and simple. Unlike with many, extracting it is just as quick: A strategically placed bottom handle puts an end to frustrating yank-athons. The Vienna is a petite 2,150 cubes, yet its compression-strap system torqued down everything I needed for a ten-day schlep through France. During rail transits, the detachable overnight kit was a breeze to access, making it easy to hit the WC before going to town. Travel guides, maps, and other paperwork zip neatly into an organizational sleeve. www.kelty.com.
Bonus: Sleek aesthetics can pass muster in business class.
Bummer: A convenient suitcase-style side handle is MIA.