So much importance is placed on your outfits when packing for trips that you often forget to consider the most important item of all: your luggage. Luggage is undoubtedly the most necessary investment for travelers, yet it’s frequently overlooked. Look at it this way: do you really want to deal with a flimsy zipper or broken wheels when racing to your connection at JFK? Or when your iPhone dies on your train to Rome, wouldn’t it be nice to have a suitcase with a built-in portable charger? (Yeah, that exists––where have you been?)
It’s okay, we get it. With so many options in the market today, deciding which brand is right for you can feel more overwhelming than trip planning, so you’ve given up altogether. Fret not, we’ve got you covered.
Products in the Guide
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Best Overall: Horizn Cabin M5
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Best Check-In: Horizn H&
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Best Affordable: Herschel Heritage Hardshell Suitcase
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Best Affordable Duffle: Outfitter 30L Duffle
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Best Compact Overhead Luggage: Montblanc MY4810 Light Cabin Compact Luggage
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Montlanc Meisterstuck Soft Grain Small Duffle
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Best Luxury Duffle Bag: Montblac Meisterstück Duffle
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Best Upgrade Aluminum Suitcase: Rimowa Cabin S Carry-On
Best Gift for Jet-Setters
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Best Luxury Carry-On: Rimowa Cabin S
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Best Cross-Body Bag: Rimowa Polycarbonate Cross-Body Bag
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Best Aluminum Carry-On: Away The Bigger Carry-On – Aluminum Edition
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Best Flexible Check-In : Away The Medium Flex
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Best Check-In for International Travel: Away The Large Suitcase
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Best Affordable Duffle: Away F.A.R Duffle 55L
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Best Weekend Trip Bag: Away The Packable Carryall
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Best Designer Suitcase: Louis Vuitton Horizon 55
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Best Designer Duffle: Louis Vuitton Horizon Soft Duffle 55
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Best Designer Carry-On: Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 Bandoulière
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Best Carry-On for Laptops: Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max
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Best Luggage Pet Carrier: Arlo Skye The Pet Carrier
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Best Locked Check-In Suitcase: Arlo Skye The Frame Check-In
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Most Style-Forward Suitcase: Floyd Cabin
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Most Colorful Trunk: Floyd Trunk
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Most Colorful Check-In Suitcase: Floyd Check-In
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Best Polycarbonate Suitcase: July Carry On Pro
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Best No-Frills Duffle: July Daybreak Weekender
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Best Carry-All: July Carry All Weekender
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Best Affordable: Samsonite Elevation Plus Medium Glider
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Best With Built-In LEDs: Samsonite Stryde Carry-On Spinner
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Easiest Access: Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case
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Best Overseas Carry-On: Tumi International Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-On
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Best Two-Wheeled Suitcase: Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case
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Best Two-Wheeled Suitcase for Check-Ins: 80L Check-In Travel Case
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Best Suitcase With Combination Lock: Monos Hybrid Carry-On Plus
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Best Check-In Suitcase With Combination Lock: Monos Check-In Large
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Best Vegan Leather Duffle: Monos Metro Duffel
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Best Expandable Carry-In: Briggs & Riley Domestic 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
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Best Wheeled Carry-On Bag: Briggs & Riley 2-Wheel Cabin Bag
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Most Stylish Duffel: Calpak Luka Duffel
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Calpak Hue Carry-On Luggage
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Best Packing Cubes Set: Calpak Packing Cubes 5-Piece Set
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Best Stylish Pet Carrier: Paravel Cabana Pet Carrier
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Lightest Backpack: Paravel Fold-Up Backpack
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Most Useful Packing Cubes: Paravel Compression Cubes
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Best Bargain Carry-On: Lojel Voja Small
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Best Bargain Check-In: Lojel Cubo Medium
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Best Convertible Bag: Lojel Eblo – All Day Set
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Best Tote Bag: Beis The Weekender
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Most Comfortable Handle: Beis The Carry-On Roller
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Best 8-Wheeled Suitcase: Spectra 3.0 Frequent Flyer Carry-On
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Best Suitcase With Divider: Airox Medium Hardside Case
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Best Minimalist Suitcase: Muji Adjustable Handle Hard Carry Suitcase 36L
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Best Minimalist Check-In: Muji Adjustable Handle Hard Carry Suitcase 88L
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Best Smart-Feature Carry-On: Zero Haliburton Edge Lightweight Continental Carry-On
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Most Lightweight Trunk: Zero Halliburton Portable Trunk
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Best Attaché: Zero Halliburton Medium Attaché Case
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Most Stylish Carry-On: Globe-Trotter Centenary Carry-On – 4 Wheels
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Most Stylish Check-In: Globe-Trotter Centenary Large Check-In – 4 Wheels
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Types of Luggage
Carry-On
By now, you should know that a carry-on is a must. No matter where you’re headed or for how long, traveling with a carry-on is the easiest way to get around. You never have to worry about waiting in long bag check lines between connecting flights or the airline losing your luggage. It’s simple and by far, the best way to travel. Besides, you know you always wear less than you pack.
Checked Bag
A checked bag is reasonable if you’re traveling for an extended period of time– let’s say, a month or longer. Or if you’re headed on a ski trip or cold weather destination, this will inevitably require more space due to bulkier sweaters and coats. We’ll let you off easy here and allow you the option of a checked bag,judgment-free. Look for lightweight ones or those closer to the ground for better balance and mobility.
Backpacks
Many Gear Patrol staffers trust backpacks over suitcases for short trips. In fact, they’d argue you don’t need a carry-on, just a checked bag, and that some backpacks can take their place.
Duffle Bags, Weekenders
Suitcases aren’t the only luggage to consider when planning your investment. You’ll also want to look into a brand with duffles or weekender bags for short weekend getaways or to use as your personal item in addition to your suitcase. For this, consider bags with a trolley sleeve or padded laptop compartment. Or maybe a separate shoe compartment to keep things nice and tidy. Organization, comfort and easy access are the three key pillars to consider when choosing your personal item.
Pet Carrier
Traveling with a pet? Tons of luggage brands are designing stylish pet carriers for your furry friends that are as comfortable for them as for you to tote around. Seriously, they’ve thought of everything– from side pockets for treats, washable liners, interior leash compartments, and of course, mesh panels for airflow.
Choosing the Right Material
Material is another factor to examine when investing in luggage, with the three most popular being aluminum, polycarbonate or soft shells in either nylon or polyester.
Aluminum
The most durable are hard shells made of either aluminum or polycarbonate. While aluminum suitcases are typically the most sought-after, they’ve become more of a status symbol than anything– thanks to luxury brands like Rimowa or Tumi. While they look great and definitely do their part in protecting your stuff, they’re heavy, expensive and have absolutely no give for the over-packer.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is almost just as durable as an aluminum suitcase (unless you’re planning on running your luggage over with a dumpster truck, your polycarbonate suitcase should be just fine) and can look just as sleek, but it’s lighter weight and more affordable than aluminum, so this would be our pick between the two.
Soft Shell
If you haven’t hopped on the hard shell train, a soft shell, while less durable as it’s typically made of nylon or polyester, can be just as worthy of investment– especially if it comes with a lifetime warranty, as some brands on this list do. There’s also more flexibility in the design of soft-shell suitcases, as many have exterior pockets or offer expandable options.
Best Overall: Horizn Cabin M5
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$445.00 (11% off)