The Maxlite 5 roller bags are way cheaper, a bit lighter, more spacious, and don't fall forward when packed.
Comparison
Luggage & Travel
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Carry-On
Best Lightweight Carry-On
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Carry-On (ASIN B07PHTRHXD) is a 5.0-lb softside carry-on with Travelpro's flight-crew-grade spinner wheels, 2-inch expansion, and a hang-up interior hook. Available on Amazon.ca at $199, it is the lightest full-size spinner carry-on from an airline-trusted brand.
7 mentions · 3 threadslast mention May 20258.4/ 10
ClearPick Score
Good
Score informed by 7 owner mentions across 3 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
5 positive1 mixed1 negative
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Best Lightweight Carry-On
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Carry-On
~$199 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you
Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
In addition to the official maximum dimensions there is also the question of whether or not the bag will actually fit in the overhead bins. I see plenty of people bring on bags that either don't fit at all, or will only fit if they turn them sideways and thus take up the space that could have been used for 3 appropriately sized bags. I do not want to be one of those people.
Mention
We are a family of 4. 4x maxlight 5 intnl spinners for our trips. Can wheel two back to back with one hand beside me no problem.
Praise
Yes, I hate it. The expansion is weird and only pouches out at the bottom. Makes it front heavy.
Complaint
If you're willing to forgo 4 wheels and go with their 2 wheel maxlite 5 carry on, it can 45L while meeting international carry on dimensions.
Comparison
I don't think it's a huge issue for me but it totally does tip forward. It's minor but it's real. I try to put my heavy stuff at the back and bottom. I also think the handles are on a weird side of the zipper. I like it ok but if you already pack in packing cubes it might be unnecessary. It's definitely super light and I measured it in person. Overall size is as advertised.
Complaint
I recently picked up a Travelpro Maxlite 5 compact 20" carry on spinner. It's 38L and strictly conforms to the 22" X 14" X 9" limits that are common for many US airlines. It's a nice bag, but small.
Praise
✅ What Works
- At 5.0 lbs, the Maxlite 5 is among the lightest carry-on spinners available—1.9 lbs lighter than the Samsonite Omni 2, which translates directly to 1.9 lbs more clothing or gear allowed within a 10 kg carry-on limit (WestJet, Porter) or more headroom before exceeding weight at check-in
- Travelpro's spinner wheels are the airline-rated standard used by flight crews—the pilot trolley brand's quality carries into the consumer line, and the wheels maintain smooth operation over rough airport tiles and outdoor pavement where cheaper wheels seize
- The hang-up hook on the interior packing panel lets you hang the bag in a hotel closet with it open for visibility and access, an organizational feature absent from most competitor carry-ons that requires separate packing cubes to achieve
- High-density nylon softside construction allows the bag to flex into overhead bins when partially full, avoiding the size-limit rejection risk that exact-dimension hardshells face when bins are diagonally packed
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Softside nylon shows scuffs and wear patterns after heavy travel use more visibly than hardshell; the dark colorways (black, slate green) hide wear better than lighter options
- The 2-inch expansion takes the bag to maximum airline tolerance—expanding to full depth may make the bag too large for some regional airline overhead bins; use expansion capacity for checked bag scenarios rather than as routine carry-on packing
- Travelpro's warranty claims are handled through the U.S. for Canadian customers, requiring shipping to a service center rather than local Canadian retail resolution
ClearPick Verdict
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 is the right carry-on for weight-conscious flyers who want professional spinner quality at 5.0 lbs—the category-best weight in this size. For frequent flyers on strict 10 kg total carry-on limits (WestJet, Porter, regional carriers), the 1.9 lb weight advantage over hardshell alternatives is practically significant. Travelers who prioritize warranty convenience should note Canadian warranty claims require U.S. service center shipping.
