The coolest carry-ons

FROM luxurious Louis Vuitton to a sizzling Samsonite number. Be the envy of the airport and travel in style with the world's coolest carry-on luggage.

Blow your money ... Louis Vuitton's sexy Eole rolling duffle is named after the Greek god of the winds

THERE'S runway models – and then there's airport runway models.

Fashion has found its way from the catwalk to the departure lounge, with the world's best designers revolutionising carry-on luggage style and functionality.

Many carry-on pieces today share some common characteristics. First and foremost, a carry-on bag must fit in an airplane's overhead bin, meaning it cannot exceed certain dimensions. The ones typical to most airlines are 9 inches (depth) by 14 inches (width) by 22 inches (height). However, with the exception of obviously small bags, it's always a good idea to check with individual airlines for dimension requirements and weight restrictions.

These vary not just domestically and internationally, but also airline by airline. Aircraft size itself can be a factor in what you're allowed to bring on board, too.

Most – but not all – carry-ons today are "roll-aboards," with pull-out trolley handles that enable you to wheel the suitcase. (The style originated with a Northwest Airlines pilot in the late 1980s.) But otherwise, it's anything goes – especially in terms of the way a bag looks. Our selection of cool carry-ons was made on the basis of toughness, layout (from outside pockets to interior compartments), and style.

Long distance design

Aldo Aramini, general director of legendary Italian luggage line Mandarina Duck, points to the brand's symbol, the mandarin duck, as decisive in guiding his line's new styles: "It's able to fly for thousands of miles, it is monogamous and brightly coloured; and therefore it symbolizes the values of loyalty, colour and the long distance traveller." Moreover, he adds, "these values determine every choice taken by our designers during the creative process, and why our products have recognizable features: a touch of colour, a special fabric, an innovative detail, a new function, a sophisticated design."

Urban sophistication

Founded in Bologna in 1977 by Paolo Trento, Mandarina Duck never ceases to dazzle and delight travellers who have a hard time settling for the humdrum. Aramini says his customers look to the brand to actually help define who they are. "It's not just a choice of functionality, it's a choice to have function and design meet in one solution. Our travellers state their personality with all the products they choose."

It's no surprise that Mandarina Duck is one of the top-selling brands at trendy travel store Flight 001, but that's not all the store (with outposts from New York to Dubai) has on offer. There are sleek Samsonites made with cutting edge ballistic nylon and polycarbonate materials, marvellous shiny and sturdy pieces from Japanese designer Hideo Wakamatsu, and the latest looks from hot German brands Bree, Titan and Rimowa.

If the consumer must navigate a sea of choices, at least he or she can take comfort in the fact that, at least at higher-end stores like Flight 001, the goods have been pre-screened by some of the best in the business. "We look at every detail, from durability to affordability, and we ask if this is a bag for a frequent or occasional traveller," says Depiero.

"Urban sophisticated is the basis on which we select merchandise."

The name's Bond

So which do you choose: a hard or soft option? Devotees of the latter may be surprised at just how light and nimble hard luggage is these days. Not to mention ultra-cool. Consider the Titan X2 two-wheel Matte International Carry-On. It weighs in at 7.3 pounds, comes in champagne, silver or black, and has a 100% polycarbonate shell that is more durable than ballistic nylon: your basic Bond bag.

Then there's the lusciously ribbed Rimowa, which from afar looks like metal but is actually lightweight plastic. Its nearly indestructible polycarbonate case returns to its original shape as soon as the pressure is released.

On the softer side, Kipling is a colorful Belgian brand that was founded in 1987 in Antwerp, one of Europe's most fashion-forward cities. Back then it was just backpacks, but now its luggage, workbags and even a bodacious new line of handbags, Fergie for Kipling (yes, that's the Fergie of My Humps fame). The Kipling brand uses bright, durable fabrics and sturdy oversized zippers, and each bag comes with a fun, furry gorilla keychain attached.

And bright is good if you want easy recognition of your bag, so you won't be plucking it off a baggage carousel for most of you holiday.

But with so many cool carry-ons to choose from, every traveller knows it's always best to leave your bags closed and your luggage options open.