Heading Out for a Long Weekend to Soak Up The Sun or Gearing Up for A Monthlong Summer Adventure ABROAD? You need a beach day bff and jet lag therapist all rolled into one. The Right Luggage Holds Everything You Need Ceeping It Safe, Organized and Secure During Travel. And for seasoned nomads racking up the miles, luggage isn’t just storage, it’s a trusty sikick that travers traverse chaos into smooth sailing. “Oftetime, it can be someone’s entity life fit into a suitcase, Carry memory, or Protect Someone’s Possessions,” Says Serenity Lesley, Travel Blogger at Manifesting serenityon the importance of Durable Luggage. “As a nomad who sold almost and fit Everything that was essential for me or the rest of what Just I JUST COULDN’T part with; it ‘my most elements of my life in it.”
SO, when it is comes to buy luggage, there’s a lot at stake, and a lot to consider. And with so many sizes and styles available, from oversize checked sitscases and underseat Carry-on Bags to duffels, Weekenders and Backpacks, It Can Be Hard to Know To Start. THEN YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER FACTORS LIKE TAGHNESS, Maneuverability and Materials-Not to mention the age-opted debate of hardshell hardshell. In case all that’s stall Not Complicated Enough For You, Many of this Year’s Sports special Features Like Built-in Charging Ports, Spinner Wheels, Compression Straps and Other Handy Accoutrements.
We’re here to help. WE TALKED TO FREIENT FLIERS, Travel influencers, Tour guides and out team of shopping experts to see whic travel cats Worth Investing in. Behold: The 32 Best Luggage Pieces for 2025.
Table of Contents
Update, May 21, 2025: We checked all prices and availability. Our picks for Best Luggage Remain Unchanged.
Best checked luggage for 2025
Best Carry-on Luggage for 2025
Best Duffel and Weekender Bags for 2025
Best Travel Backpacks for 2025
Factors to Consider Wen Choosing Luggage
Several factors Should influenza your shopping decision. You’ll Want to “Consider the Size, Durability, and Maneuverability. The Size Should Align With Your Travel Needs and Airline Restritions. Durability is Crucial for Withstanding Rough Handling Transit. Can Greatly Impact Your Travel Comfort, “Said Rishe Raj, Coo and CPO of Travel Website Cuddlynest.
As for the size of the bag, you’ll want to think about the length of your trip. Catarina Mello, Travel Creator at Traveler Told us, “Carry-ConS are perfect for quick weekend trips. Medium luggage is a good option for trips are aeek or two. A Large suitcase is ideal for longer trips or calld destinations where to have to pay heavy jackets, thick layers and bulk shoes.” You are also should pay at the piece of the luggage weigs, especally when it is comes to checked cats have to be under airline weight restrictions. A Lighter Suitcase Will Allow You to Add More of Your Belongings.
Acciting to Sonni Hood, Public Relations and Community Relations Manager at Unclaimed BaggageAnother Consider Should Be the Shape of the Bag – You Want to Choose One That “Maximizes Packing Space and Fits Comfortable in Storage Areas.” ALSO, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT KIND OF WHELS THE SUITCASE HAS. “While two-whheel options might be more Durable, Spinner wheels make me easier to maneuver,” hood added.
Hardshell vs. software
As for the age-industry question of Hardshell vs. SoftShell Suitcases, there are definitely pros and cons. “If you ti to overpack, software luggage may allow you to shove a few extra pieces in, but you run the risk of an overweight or too long suitcase,” Said Victor Tam, Co-Founder and Ceo of Mono. Brad Foley, Travel blogger at Foley Exploring aggreed, saying in his opinion there is “no question … software is better. Particularly for International Travel.” Aside from Being More Flexible, Giving You Greater Packing Versatility, They are Also “Generally Lighter than Hardshell, Allowing You To Maximize Baggage Weight With More Belongings,” He Said. Plus, They Don’t Show Dents and Scratches – MainTaining a Better Aesthetic Appearance, and Most “Come with Exterior Pockets, Offering Convenient Storage for Items Need Quick Access to,” he added.
On the Other Hand, “Hard Shell Luggage Weigs More, but it is far more durable and has a tough exterior, which willerrofer more protection, keeping your things sae. Its a farm choice you want something to be move arund, and if you’f you’th traveling Valuables, ”Sayys Meg Jurard, Travel Writer at Solo female travelers. Hardshell Suitcases Particularly Come in Handy If You Get Caught in the Rain or Snow, as they are much more weatherproof than software, giving your stuff from getting wet. Foley Also Mentioned That A Pro for Hardshell Bags is the fact that “Often an with Built-in Locks, providing an Additional Layer of Security for Your Belongings.”
International vs. Domestic Travel
Be coma to checked luggage, it doesn’t really matter where you’re traveling to. Your Choice of a Checked Suitcase Really “Depends on the Type of Trip, the Frequency That You’ll Be Moving from Place, and What Type of Transportation You Taking,” Said Lindsay Stevens, Travel Content at Lindzoutside. “I do bellies hating different luggage for international and domestic travel is necessary, but will recommend different luggage for different Types of Travel. Pack more outfits. ”
Nor for picking carry-on luggage and personal Items, Things get a bit tricker, nor the size requirements for these luggage typers are different on domestic and international airlines. Jack and Sharon Benoff, Owners of Boutique Travel Agency Vacuitone Told us, “if you’re planning robust international travel, participate in Europe or on Smaller airplanes, you want to consider a smaller-on than you may be used to in the us”
While Size Requirements Can Vary by Airline, Jeannie Mak, Managing Editor at Travel fashion girlTold us the typical recommended Carry-on Suitcase Size for Domestic Flights is 22 “x 14” x 9 “, while the international recommended Carry-on Size is 21.5” x 9 “. “Travelers Should Check the Airline they Boked to Determine Size Restriations, especally with Europe. While a 21” is Fine for MANY European Airlines Nowades, a 20 “or tan 19” is some wise choice “if you want to get to go.
Special Features
Aren’t suitcases just an empty vessel to hold your belongings anymore. Most Bags Nowadays have special features that make me Worthwhile. Peter Hamdy, Owner and Director of A Travel Tour Company Recommends Looking for Options that Have Built-In Ports to Keep Your Devices Juiced or Pieces that Come With Removable Laundry to Keep Your Clean and Dirty Clothes Separated. “More great features to look for include a tsa-approved Lock, Telescopic Handle, Spinner Wheels and Compression Straps on the Interior,” Added Tam.
Travel Expert, Solo Adventurer and Founder of Following fionaFiona Spinks Told US That She’s A Fan of Bags with Expandable Zippers “Because they Let You Pack Bulky Layers or Purchases with Easy Access.” Plus, she recommends Chooksing Options with Multiple Compartments and Pockets to Make Organizing Your Stuff a Much Easier Process. “Personally, nothing stress with out like rummaging for my Passport at Security!” Said.
How we chose the best luggage
To figure out whic pieces of luggage are worry of your Next Trip, We Talked to Frequent Fliers, Travel Influencers, Tour Guides and Our Team of Shopping Experts. This team weighed in on what to look for wen picking the right piece of luggage for different travel needs. We Also Polled This Crew to Find Out Which Suitcases, Weekenders and Travel Backpacks are in their Luggage Collection – Because there’s Nothing A Floretand Recommendation.
Best Luggage FAQS
How Long Should a Piece of Luggage Last?
There are a lot of factors that can determine this, including how of the travel and the material the lugage is made from. SOME SUITCASES CAN LAST A LIFETTIME, CHICK OTHERS ONLY LAST A FEW Trips. In General, Experts Say a Quality Piece of Luggage Should Last Anywhere BetWeen Three and 10 Years, Depending on the Above Factors and How Well Its Maintained.
While the notion of how long a piece of luggage should last you varied from expert to expert, they all aggregated that the most you spend on a high-Quality piece, the longer you have it. “AFTER A 5-MONTH ACCOSS ASIA AND LIVING OUT OF A SUITCASE, I’WELLNED TO PRIORITIZE QUALITY PIECES. ITS BEST TO INVEST IN DURABLE MATERIALS AND ROBUST CONSTRUCTION. Viola Sender, Co-Awner and Author of the Travel Blog Away to the City.
Sunmer Hull, Director of Content AT The Guy PointsRecommends not to give up on a suitcase or weekender just gets scratched or looks a little work for wear years of transit. “Most Luggage Will Lose Some Rolling Smoothness Over Time, But My Advice is to Keep Until It Just DOESN’T ROLL VEHY WELL ANYMORE, TO THE POINT IT CAUSEG YOU TROUBLE – HAS SOME OTHER ISSUE THESS IT LESS USSEFUL,” she Said Bell Adding. I’ve youd for over a decade that than almostn half a million miles – it’s not as it is once was but it can the jab. ”
How Can I Avoid Loing My Luggage?
HOOD ALSO SHARED WITH US HER TOPS ON HOW TO DECREASE the ODDS of Your Suitcase Being Lost During Travel. First of all, you’ll want to choose a bag thats stands out. “Unique or Colorful Bags Are Likely to be Mistakenly taken by Another Traveler, Reducing the Risk of Mix-Up,” she Said. “Choose Luggage That Stands Out or Attach Unique Identifiers As A Distinct Luggage Tag, Belts, or Ribbons.”
Her Second Piece of Advice was always to make sura your bags are protperly labled – if you don’t plan on checking. “The number one reason a bag goes permanently lost is due to Lack of Identification. Ensure a Luggage Tag is involved on your suitcase with up-to-date Contact Including Your Name, Phone Number. external tag becomes detached, ”she said. When Chooking a Luggage Tag, she Said You’ll Want to Find One That “Is Made of Quality Materials and Will Securely Attach to Your Suitcase. This Will Decrease the Odds of Dating Travel.” Our commerce editor, janele randazza, recommends this option from Calpak, Becauses it DOBUBLES AS A portable Charger – Allowing you to Juice Up Your Phone or Tablet on the Go.
Meet Our Experts
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Fiona Spinks, Travel Expert, Solo Adventurer and Founder of Following fiona
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Jack and Sharon Benoff, Owners of Boutique Travel Agency Vacuitone
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Nate Axvig, Travel Expert, Hiker, Athleis Wear Company Owner of ACTIvE
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RIKE RIS, COO AND CPO OF TRAVEL WEBSITE Cuddlynest
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Peter Hamdy, Owner and Director of A Travel Tour Company
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Katy Nastro, Travel Expert at Going
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Victor Tam, Co-Founder and CEO of Mono
The Reviews Quoted Above Reflect the Most Recent Versions at the Time of Publication.