Found your new favorite carry-on for hat lovers.
This post was not on my agenda, but I recently traveled to Asheville, NC and I made a post on Instagram carrying my travel hat box around at the airport and I got lots of comments and DMs asking about my travel hat box, so I think I will share it here.
Summer definitely feels like the most perfect season to getaway, and whether I head off I always have a travel hat box with me. As a hat connoisseur, I try to have a perfect hat for each of every outfit that I plan to wear on my trips. Not to say there is anything wrong with just having one hat for the entire trip, but I do aim to always carry about at least 5-6 hats a trip and it seems I’ve been successful in finding a solution that fits my lifestyle. Bonus, my hat brims and crowns are protected, my hats look so sharp and ready to wear when I arrive at my travel destination.
So, there are many travel hat boxes in the market, but I will focus on the ones that you can use as a carry-on and fit perfectly on a plane’s cabin overhead compartment. Below, I’ve rounded up the best selects from my favorite travel hat boxes, plus I’ve shared my thoughts about pros and cons for each one. Whether you have a tropical getaway or a bucket-list trip coming up, it looks like it’s going to be the most practical and stylish travel season yet.
Calpak:
This is the first brand that introduced me to travel hat boxes. They have the whole jet set gear from luggage to packing cubes to neck pillows. Their hat travel cases ”Baye collection” come with two sizes (they used to make three sizes; small, medium and large), these days you can find them in small and large. I own two hat box luggages; medium and large. The medium size is 17”W x 15 ½”H x 7 ½”D which make it perfect for a hardcase travel hat box to carry on an airplane. I use this one all the time because it fits perfectly in the cabin on the airplane. Baye medium is great for fedoras, boater hats, floppy hats, bucket hats, caps and all short brim sun hats. While Baye large is good for large beach hats, extra wide brim straw hats and cowboy hats. The Baye large, I use it for a road trip because it’s definitely too big for the cabin on the airplane and you can’t put it under the passenger’s seat either. You can check in your hat luggage, but the box looks so luxurious, so I don’t want to ruin it through the process of checking my bag in. The large size is 20”W x 19 ½”H x 8 ½”D. There is also the Baye small which measures 14”W x 13 ½”H x 7”D. I don’t have this one, but the size of the hat box is very decent and you can carry a bunch of short brim hats with it. Safe to say that, you can throw this round hat box on an airplane cabin and put it under your seat during flight.
Pros:
- Baye collection is made from lightweight and durable water-resistant hardshell so it’s very easy to carry around and the hard case protects the hat brims from getting damaged.
- Removable and adjustable strap makes it practical to travel with hats as you prefer. I personally love the strap, so I have my hands free to do other things.
- There are 2 elastic pockets and 1 zippered pocket inside the travel hat case, so you can use them to store additional accessories; for example jewelry, makeup, personal essentials or any of your desirable choices.
- Stylish travel hat box that won’t break the bank, but only keep you traveling in style.
Cons: It’s unfortunate that Calpak doesn’t make Baye medium hat boxes anymore, because I think this is the best size of carry-on hat luggage for globe trollers.
SHOP BAYE TRAVEL HAT LUGGAGE COLLECTION
Steamline Luggage:
Elegance and romance, oh my! Steamline Luggage makes me feel like I’m traveling back in time with their vintage inspired design in all their travel luggages. I’ve just discovered this brand not long ago and I’m in awe of various collections of luggage and hat box cases. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to discover the entire travel luggage is matched and cohesive, so it really elevates the packing experience to another level.
They also only carry two sizes of the travel hat luggage; the small one measures 12”W x 11”H x 4”D and the large one measures 15”W x 14”H x 6”D which is just a couple inches bigger than the small one. They are good for short brim fedoras, baker boy caps, baseball caps or small fascinators. I believe these hat box cases are easy to carry on-off an airplane.
Pros:
- I’m obsessed with their world-class design from inside and out – the most elegant way to take off hats from your hands.
- Their travel hat cases have been engineered specifically to be lightweight and flexible – approximate weight from 3-4 lbs.
- Removable and adjustable strap to attach to the side of your handheld case for carrying over your shoulders or cross body.
- A small strap for securely attaching your handheld case to the handle of your wheeled telescopic luggage for convenient transport when together on the move.
- Two classic buckle clasps elegantly secure your hat box.
- There is 1 elastic pocket inside the travel hat box for additional personal belongings; for example sleep mask, slippers, or any of your desirable choices.
- The bags meet most international and domestic carry-on size requirements.
Cons:
- Their travel hat suitcases are made from either linen-cover case or vegan-leather case in light colors, so they might get dirty easily.
- Their hat boxes’ sizes are small. If most of the time you travel with wide brim hats, the box may not fit with the hats you have. So, before you purchase any travel hat boxes, measure your hats’ diameters.
SHOP STEAMLINE LUGGAGE TRAVEL HAT BOXES
Gigi Pip:
Gigi Pip hat label has been on my radar with its collection of straw hats and felt hats which exude a key to looking effortlessly stylish. They’ve just recently launched their travel hat case which measures 17 ½”W x 17”H x 8”D – a pretty good size.
Pros:
- The size of the hat is perfect for a carry-on that you can store your standard wide brim hats.
- The shell is 100% cotton canvas with 100% polyester lining, so it makes the case super light and easy to carry.
- Removable and adjustable strap to attach to the sides, so you can carry on your shoulders or cross body.
- Easy to slide the trolley sleeve on to your luggage handle, when you need your hands free.
- There is a zipper pocket on the back for your hat accessories.
Cons:
- As the shell is not a hard-case shell, make sure not to put the hat box next to heavy suitcases that can be slided and crush the shape of your hat box and perhaps your hats too.
- The shell is made from natural cotton, so it can get dirty easily, plus it’s not water-proof. So, the hats can be wet on a stormy day.
SHOP GIGI PIP HAT TRAVEL CASE
You can also find travel hat boxes from third parties like Etsy, Ebay and Amazon. I don’t know about their pros and cons, but I thought I’d share them anyway.
SHOP MORE TRAVEL HAT CASES
I hope you get some shopping inspiration and learn which travel hat works for you. Let me know in the comments below which hat box you’re going to pack away and go adventures with.
