It's big, beautiful, and built to last. The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" continues to be our team's favorite overall suitcase over the past several years for more reasons than I can fit into a few small paragraphs. This bag is huge — I calculated the main compartment at 117 liters, and it weighs 12.2 pounds.
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Even when packed to the gills, the Platinum Elite glides like a speed skater. Its proprietary MagnaTrac spinners self-align using magnets, pointing forward as you roll along. It has smooth zippers, stylish accents, and a very rugged nylon shell. I think both business travelers and family vacationers can appreciate the sleek, stylish aesthetic of this versatile bag.
SPECIFICATIONS Weight (Measured) 12.2 lb Exterior Dimensions 29.5" x 20.0" x 12.75" Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 117 L The Platinum Elite is practically a closet on wheels. When I need maximum real estate — like if I'm traveling internationally for several weeks — this bag rules. It has great packing and organization options for any type of traveler, including a removable fold-away suit or dress bag and a removable toiletry bag. Slim pockets tucked along the sides are an asset to packers who appreciate the organizational options, without forcing the “cram it all in and go” travelers to adopt a new system of packing.No other checked-size luggage we tested matches the performance and price of this seriously impressive bag. The Briggs & Riley Baseline and the Rimowa Essential Check-In can rival the style and organizational utility of the Platinum Elite — but both are far more expensive.
Read more: Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" review
The Away The Large is an excellent hardsided bag that performs impressively well for a price that's worthwhile to the moderate-to-frequent traveler. I calculated it has 99.2 liters of packing space and measured 62 total linear inches — perfectly matching the majority of airline checked bag dimension restrictions. Empty, it's slightly above average weight, at 11.6 pounds.
The Away sits on four solid double-wheeled spinners that glide easily over smooth surfaces — though I wish they were slightly taller for better navigating uneven surfaces. The polycarbonate shell is dense and is well-suited to the rigors of baggage claim. It offers a sturdy trolley handle, tough zippers, and a great packing system. It looks smart enough for professional travel but is burly enough for chaotic global adventures. I've accidentally bashed this thing into walls, curbs, poles, and stairs. I've probably treated it worse than the baggage handlers do. But this bag just rolls with it. It's super tough.
SPECIFICATIONS Weight (Measured) 11.6 lb Exterior Dimensions 29.0" x 20.5" x 12.5" Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 99.2 L The design of the Away's internal compression panel is great. It cinches down tightly over clothing, saving space and keeping everything secure in transit. This is the same system used on higher-end models like the Rimowa Essential Check-In L. In fact, the Away's overall packing system is nearly identical to the Rimowa, at a fraction of its price.The price of the Away is still on the high side for a “budget bag”, but if you're looking for a suitcase that will travel the globe with you for years, this one is well worth the investment. If you don't travel that often and aren't sold on its price, I recommend checking out the Samsonite Freeform or Samsonite Omni, which offer similar external structure, though they aren't quite as rugged and don't have as good of internal organizational features as the Away.
Read more: Away The Large review
The SwissGear Sion embodies the spirit of your favorite soft-sided checked suitcases with its classic softshell design and “back to basics” approach. The features and amenities are more bare-bones than some suitcases we tested, and its fabric shell is thinner and noticeably less sinewy. Its wheels aren't as tall as the top-performing spinners and have a tendency to rattle when rushing through the airport. That said, this bag is made decently well and is durable enough to get tossed around a bit by TSA.
SPECIFICATIONS Weight (Measured) 11.1 lb Exterior Dimensions 28.5" x 17.25" x 12.5" Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 87 LThis bag's packing system isn't nearly as plush as other softshells we tested, but it offers nice, wide-open space that can swallow up enough clothes, shoes, and accessories for a long trip. Its compression system is basic, with just two narrow straps (it doesn't expand), and it has minimal internal pockets. Despite its relative simplicity, I really like some of its features, like its two external pockets and the detachable toiletries bag. You get what you pay for with the Sion — a good deal that does well enough for less frequent travel.
This isn't the bag I'd recommend for frequent, extensive travel, but it offers a solid balance of cost, quality, and functionality that makes it a great choice for intermittent traveling. If plan to travel more or are hard on your belongings, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" is well worth the investment. On the other hand, if you like the Sion but want a step up in quality, the TravelPro Maxlite 5 25" is a great softshell option.
Read more: SwissGear Sion 29" review
Rolling smoothly alongside you, pivoting on a dime across smooth surfaces, and negotiating gravel and cobblestones using only average strength, the four-wheeled Briggs & Riley Baseline is a seriously impressive soft-sided suitcase. It screams high quality without looking flashy. It fits within checked bag restrictions, but requires thoughtful packing, as it's above average in baseweight.
Three loading handles give it an edge when lugging it off the baggage claim carousel, but what really sets this bag apart is its spot-on organizational features. A tri-fold garment envelope has two zipped pockets that fold out to accommodate delicate fabric while minimizing wrinkles. Compression panels and an ingenious expansion system in the main compartment secure your belongings in place. They then compress easily, allowing you to pack far more than meets the eye without making the bag any bigger — just be mindful of your bag's weight if you plan to check it.
SPECIFICATIONS Weight (Measured) 13.7 lb Exterior Dimensions 29.0" x 20.25" x 12.5" Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 92.5 L The telescoping handle is very sturdy and has four height settings, and the unique compression system ensures that the Baseline Spinner is never out of balance. Its four wheels track easily and roll smoothly, allowing you to easily transport even oversized loads.This case is understated yet stylish, and super convenient. It is the best for keeping clothes fresh en route because of its excellent organization and innovative expansion system. Yes, it's pricey, but it continues to be one of my favorites — I've used it extensively, and it just never lets me down. I didn't go easy on this bag during testing, pushing it down stairs during testing and checking it in airlines across the world, but it still looks as good as the first day I unboxed it.
This bag can be vulnerable to bouts of extended rainfall, which isn't uncommon for a soft-sided bag. If you want more water protection from your premium suitcase, the hardsided Tumi 19 Degree and Rimowa Check-In are excellent top-tier options. Both of these bags sailed through our testing with ease and wowed our pro traveling team — and both have the high price tags to match.
Read more: Briggs & Riley Baseline review
The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle excels at gobbling up gear and keeping it snugly in place with its straitjacket compression system. This two-wheeler is specifically designed to carry a wide variety of outdoor gear to just about any corner of the globe. Complemented by a supporting cast of a padded ballistic nylon shell, massive sealed-bearing wheels, and a comprehensive metal frame, this bag is well-suited for rigorous adventure travel.
The fact that the Sojourn Shuttle is shaped and compartmentalized like a backpacking pack makes it even more convenient for traveling with gear. It's also ergonomically bowed, making it extremely suitable for transportation by pack animal, porter, or luggage rack. Even better, it's super tough and incredibly lightweight, earning it one of the higher weight-to-volume ratios on our list (8.7 pounds and 99 liters — main compartment only). Its total of 67 linear inches is technically larger than most airlines allow (62 linear inches), though it perhaps is less noticeable as a squishy duffel. I've lugged this bag all over the U.S. and Europe without any problems.
SPECIFICATIONS Weight (Measured) 8.7 lb Exterior Dimensions 30.7" x 19.3" x 17.0" Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 99 L If you're simply looking for one of the toughest gear haulers available, this is an A++ choice. It's perfect for adventure traveling like ski trips or climbing trips. It easily makes the transition from baggage claim to porter — even to pack animal. A full-length interior metal frame and super tough fabrics don't come cheap, so expect to pay a little more for the top-tier quality. However, I wish this bag had protective bumper rails like the ones on the back of The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28. These rails allow bags to slide rather than tumble end over end when falling down staircases or landing on hard surfaces.Read more: Osprey Sojourn Shuttle review
We traveled across the West, from California's Yosemite and Eastern Sierra to Central Oregon, Utah, and Colorado, with plenty of stops in between. We visited Europe, Korea, Nepal, and Tibet and spent more hours in airports and airplanes than we care to count. We research the best candidates each year before handpicking our lineup of the best, most popular, and most intriguing models. We then purchased all of these bags and took them everywhere we went over the course of several months. We rolled them along sidewalks, through the airport, over cobblestone pathways, and deep out onto rocky backcountry roads. We traveled with them in the back of trucks, SUVs, and tucked into vans. At home, we set up obstacle courses, rolling them over and around different objects and hucking them down stairwells and onto concrete. We even hosed them down with water to see which could repel light rain. In total, our bags saw thousands of miles of travel and hundreds of combined hours of testing. Read more in our complete how we test article.
Our comprehensive testing was divided into four testing metrics:
• Capacity (35% of overall score weighting)• Design and Functionality (20% weighting)
This thorough testing of suitcases is led by GearLab Review Editors Jason Wanlass and Myrha Colt. Both are frequent travelers, spending many weeks each year living out of their suitcases. It is not uncommon for Myrha to be on the road for nearly half (or more) of any given year, with days spent traveling between mountain hideaways, remote beach villages, city skyscrapers, and all the backcountry roads, trails, museums, waterfalls, and taco stands she can squeeze in between. Jason loves adventuring in unique corners of the globe, particularly mountainous regions. He enjoys the thrill of hiking in the most famous mountain ranges in the world, which usually involves lugging boatloads of gear around in hefty, gear-hauler suitcases. Mountains are his first love, but airports are a close second. Jason loves all things travel and is on the go whenever he can find the time. Both of our reviewers have traveled to five or more continents, exploring big cities, small towns, and rugged high-country destinations. Each of them tests gear for a living and knows a thing or two about packing their bags and what makes a good one.
We compared our tested suitcases across four key metrics and evaluated them side-by-side in the field and at home. We packed the same set of clothes and gear in each to compare their storage and organizational capacity. We rolled them around trip after trip to see how easy they were to transport, carry, and load. We pushed them hard to see their reliability, weighed them, and took stock of their style. Read on to learn more about how each performed to help inform your final purchase decision.
Often, you get what you pay for, and we've rarely come across a high-quality, low-cost roller case. If you want well-made luggage that's likely to last, it will likely be expensive. That said, some of these bags are well-made and reasonably priced. The Timbuk2 Copilot isn't the most or least expensive of the roller suitcases we tested, but it scored very well in our tests and has a middle-of-the-road price as well as the multi-terrain functionality of a two-wheeler. It's still an investment, but we think it's a good one.
It's a good idea to check out the manufacturer's warranty to see if you'll have any options for repair or replacement if your bag breaks.Some of the best value buys, in terms of volume per dollar, are some of the wheeled duffel bags. In particular, The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28 and the Dakine Split Roller 85L perform pretty well and can get you where you need to go for less.
If a duffel bag isn't for you, the Away The Large or the Samsonite Freeform Large are pretty reasonably priced and offer great performance and value. They both caught our attention when it came to their durability for a spinner suitcase. Lastly, though they didn't score as well as some of our top performers, we do want to mention the Showkoo Expandable Hardside Set 28" and Travelers Club Chicago 28". Both ship as full three-piece and five-piece luggage sets (respectively), which brings added value for both products.
Comparative Details Across Checked LuggageWe compared each model's volume, compartments, pockets, compression, and organization straps. To do so, we packed, unpacked, and hand-measured each bag's interior dimensions and weighed each to determine its weight-to-volume ratio. Bags that offered either thoughtful organization or ample storage capacity scored higher in this category.
One of our favorites for this metric is the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29". Its main compartment offers 117 liters of volume and an extensive storage and organizational system. The Samsonite Freeform Large is also a standout in this metric, boasting 112.5 liters of volume and standing tall as our most spacious hardshell.
The Delsey Paris Titanium 29" (98 liters) is another affordable hardshell that also offers a ton of space. We also really liked the capacity of the TravelPro Maxlite 5 25". It's not the biggest capacity in our test group, but has an appealing weight (hence the Maxlite name). It's one of the lighter checked bags we've tested, which means it has a better weight-to-packing ratio.
These bags are followed closely by the Timbuk2 Copilot and its 99.5-liter interior. In particular, the Copilot is a soft-sided suitcase, but at the same time, it is unique among softshells for offering a clamshell design, unzipping down the middle so you can load gear evenly on both sides.
Unlike most similar clamshell-style suitcases, the Copilot one has both sides covered with a zippered mesh panel, so nothing spills as you open it, and a couple of additional mesh pockets for interior organization. You can also access your packed items from a U-shaped opening across the topside, which we love.
Well-known for their massive interiors are the duffel-style rollers or gear haulers. These two-wheeler cases traditionally offer a softshell duffel top that is supported by a more dense hardshell-type tray bottom. Primarily designed to transport a mix of clothing and outdoor gear, these bags offer wide-open main compartments.
The most voluminous duffel roller on our list is the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 32", offering 108.5 liters of main compartment packing space. This wide mouth can swallow an entire 75-liter backpack and still have room for everything else you plan to take to base camp.
Other top-performing gear haulers in this metric are the Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 (we measured 99.5 liters), Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L (99 liters), and the The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28 (96.7 liters). The ORV Trunk is a great choice for adventure travel, thanks to its many pockets and practical organizational features. This soft-sided case offers a lot of storage, an expandable wet/dry compartment, and easily holds bulky items. This is a great option if you need to bring big boots or camera gear on a long travel mission. It even has a bungee cord and daisy-chain loops to attach a helmet or other gear to the outside of the bag if you run out of space inside.
Our testers used The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28 extensively for international adventure travel. They fell in love with its capacity to haul everything from clothing to souvenirs to gear. Although its main compartment doesn't boast the largest packing volume, this bag offers a layout, a very sturdy compression panel, and a large exterior zippered compartment.
Similarly, the soft-sided Dakine Split Roller 85L (77.5 liters) is a roller duffel with a clamshell design that includes mesh panels for interior organization. Although it offers ample storage space and organizational options, in the end, the Split Roller scored lower because it lacks the convenience of the top-sided entry that proves so valuable on the Timbuk2 Copilot.
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner is one of the more spacious premium suitcases on our list. It offers close to 92.5 liters of storage and a unique expansion and compression system that lets you add volume by growing the main compartment, packing it full, and then compressing the entire bag down again. It works surprisingly well. There's also a tri-fold hanging compartment, nicely placed external pockets for day-of organization, and an attachable SmartLink strap to help you carry a second bag. This is an excellent option for the frequent flyer who likes to see and access what's in their luggage easily.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" has a very similar setup to the Briggs & Riley Baseline, but instead of expanding and compressing, it provides an external expansion zipper that reveals a tapered opening along the front lid, offering some additional capacity toward the base of the bag. The overall impact on packing space is limited, and this isn't the ideal place to carry such extra weight, as the bag can easily become front-heavy and start to tip when standing. However, the pockets are quite well-organized, and the internal hanging compartment will help keep your nice clothes less wrinkly in transit.
The Away The Large, Amazon Basics 30" Hardside, and Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 28" are all hard-sided and feature clamshell designs with a fair amount of space. Of these, we like the Away The Large bag (85.2 liters) the best for including an internal compression panel similar to those found in the Rimowa Check-In. It maximizes packing space along with a zippered panel enclosure, which allows for great double-sided packing. It even includes a separate laundry bag to keep your dirty clothing separate.
Lastly, our testing resulted in top scores in this metric for the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85. Our measurements of its main compartment calculated a slightly smaller packing space (78 liters) when compared to many others we've tested. But what makes this bag unique is its weight. Tipping the scales at just 6.8 pounds, the Daylite is the lightest bag of them all, which translates to an amazing weight-to-volume ratio. This basically means that more of the bag's overall weight at the check-in counter is made up of your stuff, not the bag itself.
Any wheeled luggage should be able to navigate the polished floors of an airport. But, as we all know, your luggage will also come across cracked sidewalks, steep curbs, and gravel-laden pavement. If you're traveling abroad in remote countries or into the outdoors, it's quite possible you'll also encounter dirt roads, cobblestone streets, and rocky trails. To see how our tested products hold up, we rolled each case over all types of terrain, taking note of which provided the smoothest ride.
In general, four-wheeled spinner options are ideal for smooth, hard surfaces since they can pivot and spin around any obstacle. Several of those in our lineup actually have eight wheels, two at every corner connected by an axle. However, our testing also took into account each case's ability to track (stay straight), wheel smoothness, handle smoothness, and ability to maintain balance when standing upright, fully loaded.
If we specifically look at wheel performance, our top rollers include the Rimowa Essential Check-In, Travelpro Platinum Elite, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip. Each of these bags is on the expensive side (some are on the very expensive side), but there is no denying their effortlessly smooth glide.
Another absolute top performer in this metric is the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large. We love it because it remains compact and well-balanced no matter how much you pack. Its superior wheels roll smoothly whether you're cruising through baggage claim, strolling down a city sidewalk, or heading for hotel check-in.
The rest on our list work reliably well on smooth ground. And when you tilt them up on two wheels, they can also manage cobblestones and even short gravel stretches. Additional models like the Away The Large and the Samsonite Freeform prove that you don't have to spend a fortune on your luggage to get a smooth ride. Both offer double-wheeled spinners that cruise very well.
If you spend any real time on rough surfaces, you should consider the two-wheeled roller bags. They aren't as responsive and nimble as spinners at the airport since they require wider turns, but they tend to have bigger wheels that fare better in rowdy, uneven terrain.
Among the duffel rollers in our lineup, the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L is an off-road roller dream, with substantial all-terrain wheels and a selection of grab-and-go load handles that make it among the easiest to handle and load under the most varied conditions. The Eagle Creek ORV is similarly outfitted with a variety of well-placed handles to aid in the transition between asphalt, trail, and vehicle or hotel. You can also haul the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT and the Patagonia Black Hole by their multiple handle options, and the Cargo Hauler XT even offers backpack straps. However, when it comes to transport options, we absolutely loved traveling with the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85. Not only is it super lightweight, but it also has large all-terrain wheels, and it can be carried as a duffel or backpack. We feel it's one of the more versatile bags in our lineup.
We spent several weeks in Nepal and Tibet with our The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28. We fell in love with its smooth ride, sturdy trolley handle, and five easy-to-grab exterior handles. Snagging this bag from the baggage claim carousel is easy peasy.
If you're seeking a gentle ride that won't vibrate your arm off when navigating between city sidewalks and cobbled streets, check out the Timbuk2 Copilot. This bag uses skateboard wheels that feature a broad, stable base and a very smooth glide. Also, consider a bag with higher clearance. The Briggs & Riley Baseline is untouchable in this regard among the traditional spinner bags.
Let's face it — there is some terrain that you won't be able to roll any of these bags over. So we paid attention to how hard they are to carry. We appreciate the spinner bags with at least three haul handles — one on the top, another on the bottom, and one on the side. The Briggs & Riley Baseline meets this requirement very well, as do the Travelpro Platinum Elite and the SwissGear Sion. Among the duffels, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler has several rugged load handles and lays claim to a set of detachable backpack straps hidden inside a small front zip pocket. The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle, Eagle Creek ORV Trunk, Dakine Split Roller 5L, and Patagonia Black Hole are surrounded by excellent grab handles that can be accessed from nearly every angle.
Lastly, the Cotopaxi Allpa 65L Roller is compact, lightweight, and easy to transport. It's covered in handles, so a perfectly balanced handgrip is always available for boarding, loading, or jumping a curb. This bag is a little smaller than the other checked luggage on our list, so it maneuvers a lot like a carry-on bag.
You need reliable luggage. Once you drop it off at the airport, you have no control over how well it's handled. Then you're going to drag it over rough terrain, pull it up and down flights of stairs, and toss it in and out of vehicles. Zippers, handles, and wheels are typically the most vulnerable points where suitcases may break down. We evaluated the craftsmanship of each case in our lineup and tested them with a minimum of two months of travel.
If you're considering dropping hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line model, you should start by looking at the outer material. In general, suitcases are divided into two categories — hard and soft.
Counterintuitively, hard cases are generally more susceptible to visible wear and tear than soft-sided options. The hard cases in this review include the Samsonite Freeform, Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip, Away The Large, Rimowa Check-In, Amazon Basics 30", and the Kenneth Cole Reaction. The first four are made of 100% polycarbonate, a fairly durable plastic, with the Samsonite Freeform boasting a particularly scratch-resistant micro-diamond hardshell exterior. The remaining pair are made of less durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). We particularly loved the toughness of the Away The Large bag. Regardless of the abuse it endured, it was always ready for more. We consider it one of the most rugged hardshells in our lineup.
Soft cases stand up better to abuse overall since they can flex with impact. They are more prone to break-ins, though, since they are relatively easy to cut or puncture. The soft-sided bags in our test are made of nylon, polyester, or both. To determine how durable the polyester bags might be, look at the denier or D rating (such as "800D nylon").
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The Briggs & Riley Baseline and Osprey Sojourn Shuttle both employ ballistic nylon, which was developed during World War II to make flak jackets for airmen. So, it's pretty tough. Since the Osprey Sojourn is more of an adventure bag, we decided to really put it to the test, and we were very happy with its performance. This bag is super rugged and suitable for worldwide travel.
The Eagle Creek ORV is suited up in a proprietary and tactically appropriate combination of Helix Poly Twill and Bi-Tech Armor (TPU-coated polyester). Its lighter-weight cousin, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, is built of similarly strong Helix Poly Twill and TPU-covered poly. We know less about the construction of the Timbk2 Copilot, reported simply as “nylon and polyester,” yet we've seen it withstand years of use with very little wear. This leads us to believe that even these soft-sided cases and roller duffels in our lineup are built to last.
Finally, one of the toughest bags in our lineup is the The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder. We lugged this monster all over Korea, Nepal, and Tibet and were thoroughly impressed with its performance. Its shell is made from very dense, recycled -denier polyester. It withstood three weeks of being shoved, tossed, tied, and yanked and never once showed any signs of giving. All of our travel did leave a fair amount of scuffs on our North Face (purely cosmetic), but our testing team thought this only made the Rolling Thunder look cooler and added to its legitimacy as a true adventure bag.
We placed a blue industrial paper towel strip in each of our suitcases (blue because it shows moisture) and then hosed each contender down on full blast for about three minutes, with another three spent targeting the most vulnerable entry and connection points. The external materials of some of the test cases were largely impervious to water under testing, but nearly all suffered from moisture infiltrating at handle joints and through zipper teeth or pull connections, leaving various amounts of water pooled toward the back and bottom of each suitcase, and often in the exterior pockets as well. Any that kept water out of critical areas, like the watertight Timbuk2 Copilot, whose padded front sleeve and liquids pocket remained dry through testing, scored the best overall in this category.
Several of the large rolling duffels — the Eagle Creek ORV, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, Osprey Sojourn Shuttle, The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder, and the Patagonia Black Hole — did relatively well against our simulated downpour. The recessed construction and awning-like fabric flaps help wick water away from vulnerable components, providing the bag with a base amount of protection from the start. Top performers were the Travelpro Platinum Elite, Briggs & Riley Baseline, Rimowa Essential Check-In, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip. The takeaway? None of the bags in this test suite can offer guarantees, but if you need decent water resistance for your travels, look for hardshells with reinforced zippers or set your eye on options with protected zippers and water-repelling materials.
In general, two-wheeled options use larger wheels that are simpler and often more durable. Four-wheeled models often have smaller wheels with more complex construction, which means there's just more to break. But regardless of their potential breakability, the four-wheeled spinners, in particular those that are double-wheeled spinners, provide the smoothest, quietest, most worry-free ride. Unfortunately, this type of quality will always cost you more.
Among our favorite wheels in the test are the skateboard rollers on the Timbuk2 Copilot. If they can stand up to skateboarding, you best believe they can roll your clothes around. They're solid, stable, and easy to change out. We also loved the wheel systems on the Travelpro Platinum Elite, Briggs & Riley Baseline, Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip, Away The Large, and Rimowa Essential.
Among the more affordable spinners on our list, we were quite pleased with the Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29", Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner, Coolife Hardside Expandable 28", Showkoo Expandable Hardside Set 28", and the Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner. In particular, the Amazon bag offered double-wheeled spinners that had a very smooth ride; however, we are still a little unsure about their overall construction quality. Another less expensive favorite with solid wheels is the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29".
Other two-wheeled options that came close include the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle, The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28, Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel, REI Co-op Big Haul Rolling Duffel, and the Eagle Creek ORV. Each has sturdy, oversized wheels that move easily up and over obstacles, with the Osprey Shuttle touting the tallest wheels of all the bags in our review. The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT also has large, treaded wheels, but they are built into a protective wheel housing that significantly reduces the bag's clearance, making it harder to navigate varied terrain and leaving the bag susceptible to damage from catching on objects in motion.
Lastly, we also really loved the cruising ability of the Cotopaxi Allpa 65L Roller. Its two independent, oversized, all-terrain wheels can handle just about any rugged surface but are also refined enough for a smooth ride in the airport or down a city street.
A good handle should retain its strength and shape even under considerable packed weight and average travel use. In our testing, the handles of nearly all cases proved to be impressively resilient during use tests, even up to 50 pounds. Among the burliest are the Osprey Shuttle, Eagle Creek ORV, Travelpro Platinum Elite, Briggs & Riley Baseline, Rimowa Essential, and The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder. The rest of the handles jiggled and flexed more substantially under pressure, particularly when fully extended, but still delivered where it counts — in motion.
One of the worst things you can do to your luggage — and your stairs — is to drag your case up, banging the backside of the case on each step. It's better just to carry your luggage up if you can. If you can't or don't want to, look for models with protective plastic rails that run from the wheels up a large length of the case. These also help protect the bag from general wear and tear when laid to rest or shoved across the ground. Cases like Patagonia Black Hole, The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 8, and Briggs & Riley Baseline all have this feature.
The Timbuk2 Copilot has an exterior handle housing set up to serve this purpose, but the metal material quickly becomes scratched when dragged along cement or wooden edges. The Eagle Creek ORV and Cargo Hauler XT also do reasonably well, but they primarily rely on their oversized wheels to keep the bag from banging destructively up stairwells in transit.
When it comes to stairs and other rough terrain, we expect the The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder, Eagle Creek ORV, Osprey Sojourn Shuttle, REI Co-op Big Haul Rolling Duffel, and Cotopaxi Allpa Roller to stand up the best over time. They all have super burly outer materials with handles and wheels that are durable, well-clearanced, and easy to change out. We also expect the Briggs & Riley Baseline to last. If durability and reliability are what you seek, these are our favorites. Other all-around well-built options include the Timbuk2 Copilot, Away The Large, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler, and Patagonia Black Hole.
Here, we considered the overall look and the versatility of each bag. Because of the subjective nature of style, we polled as many people as possible and considered as many viewpoints as possible. Since luggage is such an investment, we mostly gave points for looks we thought would last. We considered the variety of places each is well-suited to and would both do and look at home in. We tested every feature for usability and gauged how convenient each aspect is.
When you approach airport baggage claim, you usually spy a sea of black roller bags, all with similar designs, duplicated in various aspects across many brands. But there are others that we think look better and will certainly be easier to pick out at the airport.
Hard cases seem to be a favorite among the fashion-forward, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip and Rimowa Essential spinner bags don't disappoint — but their price tags just might. They both offer very striking patterns and a chic design to catch the eye of anyone looking to stand out at baggage claim. You'll pay extra for their looks, but if style is important for your travel aesthetic, you won't be disappointed with either of these options.
The Away The Large and the Samsonite Freeform also stand out as stylish, modern options, appealing to everyone who tested them. Specifically, the Away The Large's matte finish and choice of contemporary color palettes allow you to express yourself. The Travelpro Platinum Elite is a good-looking soft-sided bag that also has a ton of organizational features designed for urban exploration. The Briggs & Riley Baseline isn't far behind, with a sleek, professional design that isn't flashy but just looks good. Its pockets and organization are similarly designed for business travel or heading to a black-tie event.
The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder has a very appealing sporty/adventure vibe and was an instant crowd-pleaser, as was the REI Co-op Big Haul. The Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel has a sleek, lightweight design, and the Timbuk2 Copilot is a lot less flashy, but its compact shape and pulled-together style always made us feel polished. The Patagonia Black Hole isn't winning our hearts for its style, but as a cavernous roller duffel, it allows you to put together your own customized packing system or simply stuff everything in all at once — you decide.
Still, other contenders offer an outdoorsy, casual look, including the Dakine Split Roller, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, Osprey Shuttle, and the Cotopaxi Allpa Roller. In particular, we love the Cotopaxi Allpa for its unique, colorful, patchwork design. Both brand-name lovers and shoppers who aren't that picky will fall in love with this stylish and functional bag. It was certainly a fan favorite in our group of testers.
The most technical and tactical-looking bag in this review is the Eagle Creek ORV. This soft-sided option isn't fashionable in an urban city sense, looking instead like the bag you'll take on your next big expedition. However, we still love its organization and functionality, and it's right at home, bumping down a dirt road to our next camping site. However, if forced to choose between the Eagle Creek and the REI Co-op Big Haul, many of our testers would choose the REI model. It has a sleeker look, a simpler packing system, and lots of extra stylish reinforcements.
Here are four key considerations to help narrow down your next luggage selection based on size, organization, material type, and features.
The first step to finding a suitable piece of luggage is considering your average belongings and the length of trips you plan on taking. Overpacking or bringing an oversized bag can diminish an otherwise great vacation or trip. Factors such as checking in your bag or using a carry-on will dictate an appropriate size, along with how much walking between places you plan on doing. It's also important to consider weight restrictions, as the larger your bag, the more likely you will run out of allowable weight.
Different luggage will offer various levels of organization to provide easy access and maximize space. For folks who need to access belongings more frequently, luggage with convenient pockets and storage can make a significant difference. Additionally, organizational pockets can provide more storage to make sure you leave nothing behind. Looking for features such as interior pockets, dividers, and access points, which are all good areas to consider for those needing plenty of organization.
When deciding on luggage, a hardshell will provide increased durability and resistance to impacts. If you plan on checking your bag, a hard shell will provide extra peace of mind when it's not in your possession. A softshell will be lighter, allowing more flexibility when packing items. Ultimately, the items you travel with and the type of travel will dictate what style is best for your needs.
For travelers who plan on navigating hubs such as airports and train stations, luggage with smooth rolling wheels, telescoping handles, and ergonomic features will enhance your travel experience. Consider whether you prefer four-wheeled luggage with more maneuverability vs. two-wheeled bags with increased stability. Also worth considering is the length of the handles for different-sized folks and to help reduce strain on hands and arms.
There is seemingly no end to the luggage options available to you today. In this review, we take a critical look at some of the best available options. Remember to start by deciding if a roller or a spinner bag will be best for your travel purposes. Then, figure out your budget and think about if there are any “must-have” features you need. We hope this review helps you narrow down the details to find the luggage that best fits your travel plans.
Like a great vacation, your luggage should be memorable for all the right reasons. Style and comfort make for a great vacation, and the same can be said about suitcases and travel gear.
We’ve asked 24 globetrotting experts what luggage has worked best for them, from luxury travelers and adventurer seekers to weekend jet-setters and digital nomads. After all, if you’re going to listen to anyone’s advice on travel gear, it should come from industry professionals and seasoned travelers.
From sturdy checked bags to flexible carry-ons, these tried-and-true pieces of luggage have gotten our experts through their travels with ease, functionality, and in most cases, style. Let’s dig through their top picks for the very best luggage brands.
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s second annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.
“I am in love with my Briggs & Riley Baseline spinner. The CX compression and expansion allows me to adjust to my travel needs. It’s lightweight for a bag of its size, plus I love the colors—my bright blue allows me to spot my suitcase quickly amongst the sea of black bags. For a carry-on, I love my It Luggage replicating cabin roller bag. It’s sleek, light, and very reasonably priced.” —Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
“I always rely on my Rimowa carry-on. The blend of durability and sophisticated design makes it a perfect travel companion. Whether I’m navigating busy airports or heading to remote, beautiful destinations, Rimowa’s lightweight yet sturdy build allows me to pack everything I need while keeping my travel experience seamless and stress-free.” —Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO of Club Med North America & the Caribbean
“Airports can be a bleak setting, but seeing my SteamLine Luggage is a reminder of romantic travel days past. It always brings a smile to my face. Travel is amazing, but the process of getting places can be stressful. With SteamLine Luggage, I can take a bit of that control back and add some beauty to the process of getting away.” —Leora Novick, founder of Persephone Social, a hospitality-focused social media agency
“Paravel has a wide selection and a core focus on producing sustainable, carbon-neutral luggage. I particularly like the Aviator collection, which is made from recycled materials yet feels luxurious and timeless. Paravel offsets all emissions in the production process from sourcing to delivery, so I like knowing that I’m contributing to a good cause when buying its products.” —Joan Roca, CEO and co-founder of Essentialist, a members-only travel service
“For smaller items, I really like Tumi. My backpack and carry-on trolleys are all Tumi. For larger suitcases, you can’t go wrong with a Samsonite lightweight hard-top. The brand's customer service is exceptional—it replaced my two-year-old suitcase recently because the airline ripped off one of the wheels, no questions asked. Checked-in bags get pounded and beaten up and I would not want to spend a lot of money on an item that has to be replaced after a few years (if you travel frequently).” —Gary Portuesi, president and owner, Authentic Italy
“Every summer, we travel to Europe, and now that we have a toddler, we carry so many more things, so having the right luggage that is sturdy, lightweight, and smooth makes our life so much easier. From the sleek lines and vibrant colors to the durable materials and eco-friendly practices, every piece from Monos is crafted to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. This summer felt extra special because I got to travel with my own luggage I designed with Monos from Los Angeles to Paris. We traveled with the Trunk, Check-in Large, Check-in Medium, and Carry-on, and it was the smoothest travel day we’ve ever had.” —Julie Sariñana, fashion and lifestyle influencer who recently created the new Monos x Sincerely Jules Collection
“As someone who travels full-time, clocking in hundreds of thousands of miles every year, durability isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity. The wheels, especially on my Spectra 3.0 luggage, are an absolute standout feature. Whether it’s being dragged across the cobblestones of Europe or through the rough roads of remote regions, the wheels glide as smoothly today as they did on day one. I’ve had countless bellhops and fellow travelers comment on how effortlessly the bag rolls—and that’s after years of use. And then there’s the expandability. I travel light, but I’m always collecting items along the way—sometimes unexpectedly. Victorinox luggage has saved me more than once by expanding to accommodate souvenirs or extra gear.” —Valerie Joy Wilson, travel expert and on-air travel host
“I travel to Kenya every month for business, and I have used the same Eagle Creek bag for the past 10 years. It has served me well—in and out of bush planes, in and out of good weather and bad, dragged along bumpy paths, fallen off the back of a vehicle in the middle of nowhere, and it has survived and thrived. A proper 4x4 bush bag! At the airport, I see people casting envious looks, and I have to keep a sharp eye that it is not lifted off the luggage carousel.”—Nicky Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Kenya's Angama Mara safari experiences
“I love my tiny, lightweight carry-on from Lipault. It has wheels, is soft-sided, and can squeeze into most overhead compartments. It's perfect for connecting commuter flights because its soft structure enables me to wiggle it into tinier overhead bins on smaller aircraft. And, despite it being soft-sided, it’s more durable than you think. One time we forgot to load it from the driveway to the car and ran it over, but it survived! I also like how it fits in car travel as it’s more malleable for a road trip, or even in a rental car, when we are low on luggage space.” —Mary Celeste Beall, owner, Blackberry Farm
“Delsey’s suitcases are inexpensive, lightweight, and have great wheels. They’re also French—and all that implies.” —Richard Bruce Turen, owner and managing director, Churchill & Turen LTD
“I love the Tumi carry-on, the largest model—it expands or shrinks, depending. There’s also the Rimowa aluminum, which I love. It’s the trunk suitcase on wheels.” —Mary Jean Tully, founder and CEO, Tully Luxury Travel
“I’ve used Travelpro for the last four years, and I love it. Its luggage is made from really sturdy ballistic nylon, wears extremely well, and most importantly, it has solid construction of the zippers and wheels. It’s also washable! After a particularly dusty trip, like our African safaris, I will hose it down, scrub it a bit with fabric shampoo, and let it dry in the sun. And it looks like new.”—Jeff Gundvalson, co-founder of Brand g Vacations, a luxury LGBT+ tour group
“When it comes to luggage, I need something multipurpose without being clunky. Whether it’s a weekend trip or just packing outfits to bring to a set, my Eastpak Transit'R bag has been the perfect go-to. It has a really solid frame, sturdy handles, and smooth wheels, while the softer shell keeps the bag super lightweight. For any creative working in a city like New York, you probably have a lot of equipment or things overall you need with you to do your job, so you need reliable pieces like these to take your stuff from point A to point B. Typical luggage can be a bit overboard or clunky, and other bags can be too flimsy or hard to carry. I fit six different outfits in my luggage for the last shoot I was helping out with, and this bag was perfect for it.” —Edward Park, model and fashion influencer
“I’m a fan of Arc’teryx, especially the Carrier 75 duffel. I just came back from a multi-day hike in Peru, going through parts of the Inca Trail that nobody visits, and the duffel bag was my main point-to-point bag. I had to schlep this through three airports, and it held up great. Plus, it’s weather-resistant, so you can take it out in the rain. It also comes in two colors—one of which is not black, so you can find it on the airport carousel easily.” —John Montgomery, co-founder of Landed travel specialty group
“I love Ghurka luggage, which is made in the US. Beautiful, simple, and by now, part of me.” —Francis Ford Coppola, director and hotelier
“For me, multi-day treks are the name of the game, and the Fairview Trek is my dream pack. I lead multi-day hiking trips in Patagonia, and I use my Fairview Trek 50 every time. My pack has been dusted, muddied, blown, rained on, snowed on, and still it perseveres even through the toughest Patagonian weather. I love the main clamshell style, so I don’t have to blindly dig into the depths of my pack any time I want to access my gear. The dual water bottle pockets are absolutely clutch, not just for water bottles, but bear spray, trekking poles, or even my iPhone when it’s not in my pocket. Above all else, it is so comfortable, even with 20-30 pounds of weight day after day after day.”—Jackie Nourse, founder of the podcast Jump with Traveling Jackie and of Jump Adventures tour group
“I don’t have just one [kind of bag]. My Patagonia roller duffel is handy. I almost always have my North Face duffel, since you can make it big or small with straps, and reduce it to a carry-on. We recommend unusual colors so that you can find your bag easily. Having one that’s waterproof is super handy, since we can go from plane to boat to kayak. And with active travel, it’s nice to have two bags—one for more formal, clean stuff, and the other for shoes or gear or dirty clothes. It’s very important to have good bag tags so that on arrival, staff can make sure that the right bags get into the right room. Always helpful to have a lock as well!” —Cari Gray, founder, Gray & Co.
“I have a Bric’s rolling duffel that I particularly love. Because we travel to distant lands, and I’m sometimes flying on small planes that have limited overhead bin space, this duffel can be a lifesaver. Often standard rolling bags won’t fit in those bins, and I can pack this duffel a bit loosely so that it can be smushed down a bit to fit into those bins. No gate-checking needed!”—Brian Van Wey, co-founder of Brand g Vacations, a luxury LGBT+ tour group
“I love my Head travel bags. They are huge and fit a lot of stuff—not just my tennis racquets—in special compartments for my long trips.” —Taylor Fritz, top-ranked US men’s tennis player
“For travel and day bags, I love Métier London. The bags are discreet and do not shout for attention, yet people always notice them, especially on airport transit buses. Every design detail is minutely observed and purposeful, from hidden pockets for phones and travel documents to modular packing cases and gorgeous brass hardware. I use them for carry-on weekend, short-haul trips to Bordeaux and Berlin, and around London for meetings. The bags are constructed to last forever and to age beautifully: they look even more wonderful after a few years.”—Jannes Soerensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and The Kepler International Hospitality Academy
“I think it’s important while traveling to blend in and not call attention with jewelry, dresses, or accessories—so I stick with basic suitcases like Travelpro. I’m also a fan of Baggallini; my go-to travel tote, backpack, and purse are all Baggallini. I also always have my passport in a RFID-blocking passport holder.” —Linda Allen-Speer, owner, Cruises by Linda
“Within the last month I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico, biking in Norway, and now in route to Dallas, Texas,” says Myron “Mylo” Fowler, a National Geographic photographer, mountain biker, and an activist for Navajo Nation. “The Thule Aion allows me to pack gear, clothes, laptops, battery banks, and my water bottle much more efficiently with the layout of the bag, and it is incredibly comfortable. From the heat, rain, or the travel shuffle, the Thule Aion is my favorite travel bag for various assignments. And, the materials it is made of are absolutely durable.” Another perk: Thule's Aion collection is Bluesign certified and made from 100 percent recycled materials. —Myron “Mylo” Fowler, a National Geographic photographer, mountain biker, and an activist for Navajo Nation
“Being on the road frequently, I have a system where I take three Hunter pouches on every trip: one has skincare and toiletries, one has makeup, and the other shampoo. I also use a small Hunter to organize in-flight essentials like wipes, ear plugs, and chargers. I love that the pouch easily holds everything I need to throw in for travel, it's water-resistant, and I’m able to slip in small things like hair ties and contact lenses into the side pockets. I’ve been using Dagne Dover for years, and now it’s become an essential part of my travel routine, from the duffel that slides onto my roller suitcase, to the sling that carries my ID and , to the tech organizer I can’t live without.” —Christine Chang, co-CEO and co-founder of Glow Recipe
“My Away bag is perfectly designed for someone who loves organization. The only downside of Away is that since it's so perfect, everyone in my family now has the same bag. I recently bought my family new luggage tags in different colors so we can quickly identify whose luggage belongs to whom! Away recently collaborated with the fashion brand La Ligne; I now use it to carry my full makeup kit so when I'm going on set for a photo shoot or doing a celebrity's makeup, I just roll in with my very chic Away bag. No one's makeup kit is as cool as mine.”—Bobbi Brown, makeup artist; hotelier and founder, Jones Road Beauty
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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