In a world where “carry-on only” has become the travel gospel, we’re here to confess something a little scandalous:
We’re checking bags. On purpose.
We know, we know — everyone from minimalist influencers to seasoned nomads is out here preaching the carry-on religion. And listen, we get it. We wanted to be part of that club. We really tried.
In fact, all of my belongings fit perfectly into my Monos Carry-On — a sleek, hard-sided, whisper-rolling beauty of a suitcase that basically packed itself. But once I lifted it? Yeah… we had a problem.
It weighed in at 11 kg.
That’s fine if you’re flying North America-style. But in Europe, many budget airlines — looking at you Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet — have strict 10 kg limits for carry-ons. In Southeast Asia, that limit drops to 7 kg. I could maybe get it down to 10 kg by sacrificing that extra pair of shoes, but 7 kg? Not for 1 year of travel.
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Why Everyone Is Talking About Carry-On Only
The “carry-on only” lifestyle is trending hard — and for good reason. It’s fast, light, and avoids the dreaded baggage carousel. But for long-term or family travel, it’s not always the best fit.
There’s a growing myth that carry-on travel is “free” and “easier.” But is it?
Wait… They’re Charging for Both Now?
If you’re feeling like there’s no winning anymore — you’re not wrong. With recent changes in airline pricing structures, many carriers now charge for both carry-on and checked baggage, especially budget airlines in Europe and Southeast Asia. Even traditional carriers are starting to follow suit, adding fees for carry-ons that used to be free.
What used to be a simple choice — “carry-on to save money, check to bring more” — is now a confusing game of price comparisons, weight limits, and hidden fees. In some cases, the fee for a carry-on is more than a checked bag. (Yes, really).
Here’s a quick reality check (pun intended):
| Airline | Carry-On (7-10 kg) | Checked Bag (15-20 kg) |
| Ryanair | $30-45 CAD | $35-55 CAD |
| Wizz Air | $35-50 CAD | $40-65 CAD |
| Air Asia | $25-40 CAD | $30-55 CAD |
| Scoot | $28-45 CAD | $35-60 CAD |
| EasyJet | $30-50 CAD | $35-60 CAD |
So We Checked. Here’s Why.
Yes — it’s totally possible to travel for a year with only a carry-on bag. But after test-packing, we realized we value comfort and flexibility over being part of the minimalist club.
We decided to each take a medium checked suitcase (Monos Check-In Medium, if you’re curious), and here’s what tipped the scales (literally and emotionally):
✅ Pros of Checking a Bag:
Weight freedom – No panic at the scale.
More room – Not to overpack (okay, maybe a little), but to pack comfortably.
Liquid liberty – Bring that full-size sunscreen, shampoo, or bottle of wine.
Room for souvenirs – Yes, we’re thinking ahead to Turkish rugs and Thai elephant pants.
❌ Cons of Checking a Bag:
Waiting at baggage claim – We’ll read a book. Or argue. Or both.
Lost luggage risk – This is why we always pack 1 outfit and essentials in a personal item.
Fees – Sometimes checked bags are slightly more expensive than carry-ons.
Less nimble on travel days – But honestly, we’re team UBER or Grab or whatever gets us from point A to point B.
Why We Love Our Monos Suitcases
We went with Monos because:
Sturdy but lightweight shell
Smooth-as-butter wheels (seriously, they glide)
Interior compression panel (aka: packing magic)
Sleek minimalist design that says, “I may have kids but I still have style”
They’re not sponsored (yet), but we’d swipe right on them again in a heartbeat.
A great alternative to the Monos Medium Checked Bag is the Samsonite Freeform Hardside. Samsonite has long been one of the most trusted names in luggage, known for its consistent quality and durability.
And Yes, I Packed a Travel Steamer
Okay, okay… I did pack one non-essential item: a tiny travel steamer. Because linen may be cute, but after living out of a suitcase for 48 hours, it turns into what I can only describe as “sad origami.” I have needs.
Also, I wanted room for a full-size sunscreen bottle — because apparently in the Maldives, a bottle of sunscreen can cost you $40 USD or more. (Yes, you read that right. I researched. I cried.)
Side Note:
My husband is currently putting a new CarryX personal item bag to the test 👀✈️. It’s a compact, duffel-style bag designed to fit under the seat (on most airlines), and he’s using it as his go-to personal item for this trip. Early impressions are promising—but the real test is airline compliance, comfort, and convenience in the wild.
👉 Stay tuned for a full verdict once we’ve logged some flights and lived out of it.
The Syps Survival Summary
Could we have survived the year with carry-ons only?
Absolutely.
Would we have been happy?
Debatable.
We’re not on a vacation — we’re on a family gap year. That means our goal isn’t just to survive airports, it’s to survive each other. The fewer meltdowns (ours or our luggage zippers), the better.
So for now, we’re team checked bag.
Maybe we’ll regret it. Maybe our bags won’t always arrive when we do. But one thing’s for sure: The Syp’s are rolling the dice – and rolling those bags – all year long.
Will we survive checked luggage?
Stay tuned.