Having a case fail to materialize on the carousel is one of the most nightmarish things that can happen to a traveller. However, pack everything you need into your carry-on luggage and it ceases to be a concern.

It sounds like an easy enough fix but in order to avoid recreating that scene from Meet the Parents as you try and fail to wrestle your battered old suitcase into an overhead bin, it’s a good idea to make sure your carry-on is properly suited to the job.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Jorrit Jorritsma, co-founder of Millican, a manufacturer of bags designed for adventure.

“The more you travel, the more you realize what you really need to take to make your journey as easy as possible,” says Jorrit Jorritsma, co-founder of adventure bag specialists Millian. “Invariably you need less and less.

“A bag designed with this in mind does make a real difference to your journey.”

Plus, let’s face it, having a heated argument with an air hostess about the dimensions of your bag probably isn’t the best way to start a romantic weekend away, a business trip, or any other type of excursion. Instead, invest in some proper carry-on luggage that completes your airport look and has the added benefit of letting you glide through arrivals with a smug look on your face.

A Spotter’s Guide To Carry-On Luggage

Selecting the right receptacle to accompany you on your travels can be harder to negotiate than North Korean customs, so to help you make a fully informed decision, we’ve rounded up the four main types of carry-on luggage to cover every possible set of roaming requirements.

The Backpack

Whether you’re a bearded nomad, an eight-year-old schoolkid or something in between the two, a backpack is nothing short of essential.

It’s arguably the ultimate carry-on companion, due to its ease of use and often surprising capacity. Plus, if you want to keep your hands free for drinking that obligatory 6am pint in the terminal, there is no bag better suited to the job.