I’m a Chronic Overpacker, and This Carry-on Fits Everything

I’m what you would call a chronic overpacker. In fact, up until about two months ago, you might have thought I didn’t know the meaning (or existence) of carry-on luggage. My Away suitcase was checked ahead of every flight, even if said trip was a quick 24-hour stint. Trust me, I found a way to fill it. 

My over-packing problem, though, is the very reason I found myself in Target’s travel section on the hunt for a relatively inexpensive carry-on. Let’s just say I did a little too much clothes shopping and needed a bag to fit the overflow after my original suitcase hit its capacity. I decided on the American Tourister NXT Checkered Hardside Carry-on, with the hard part being settling on one of the eight stunning color options and the easiest being that it cost just $85. Little did I know it would blow my much pricier models out of the water.

American Tourister NXT Checkered Hardside Carry-on Spinner Suitcase

The lightweight 20-inch spinner suitcase from American Tourist’s Checkered Collection is deceivingly roomy. I was so pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to lift into the overhead storage bin and roll through what can often feel like miles in the airport terminal. 

When I went to pack for my next trip, I decided to leave my usual bulky luggage at home and finally got to experience the bliss of traveling without a before- and after-flight pitstop for checked bags. The expandable suitcase fit everything I needed, including an entire week’s worth of clothes, shoes, toiletries, and other essentials. The inner compartments make it easy to store small, important items, while the multi-directional spinner wheels were able to keep up with my New Yorker-level walking skills. 

I’m not the only fan of the American Tourister carry-on suitcase. Hundreds of Target shoppers have given it a five-star rating, with one reviewer gushing over the bag’s “capacity to fit” so much and calling the luggage “easy to maneuver.” Other customers dubbed it “durable” with the right “amount of space,” and my fellow self-proclaimed over-packers said it “fit everything” they wanted “to bring.” 

While I might not ever overcome my over-packing problem, at least I’m no longer paying the checked baggage fees associated with it. Grab the American Tourister NXT Checkered Hardside Carry-on Spinner Suitcase for yourself, and pick up a few other essentials while you’re at it, like my favorite hanging toiletry bag or this five-piece compression bag set that will fit great in your new carry-on bag. Keep scrolling for more travel products to add to your digital cart. 

Open Story Small Hanging Toiletry Bag 

Open Story 2-pack Key Luggage Lock 

Open Story 5-piece Compression Bag Set

Open Story Light-blocking Sleep Mask