Have you ever ordered a lot of cotton bags only to discover that the product you got wasn’t what you expected? Perhaps the logo printing didn’t look right, or the fabric was thinner than promised. You’re not alone if this sounds familiar to you.
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Let’s look at a straightforward scenario: You are the owner of a sustainable boutique. You choose to sell cotton bags that bear your logo. You trust a supplier’s catalog and samples when you place an order with them. However, you discover that the delivery was delayed by two weeks when the bags arrive, and they are ill-stitched and have faded colors. You’re rushing to clean up the mess as your store opens in a few days. It is possible to prevent situations like this, which occur far too frequently.
For any company looking to provide premium, environmentally friendly bags, locating trustworthy cotton bag manufacturers is crucial. However, you must ask the right questions up front in order to make the best decision. We’ll go over ten useful questions in this post to help you save money, stay on top of things, and make sure your bags live up to your expectations.
Examine a manufacturer’s product line before discussing pricing or customization. While some make drawstring pouches, shoulder bags, or even cotton backpacks, others concentrate on making simple totes. Your unique business needs will determine which kind of bag is best for you.
Asking about features like handles, side gussets for extra room, or additional pockets is also beneficial. Ask them if they can create the design you have in mind.
Reputable producers of cotton bags typically have a catalog or pictures of their earlier work. You’ll have a better idea of what they can produce as a result.
The thickness and strength of cotton bags can vary greatly. Grams per square meter, or GSM, is the unit of measurement for the fabric. A sturdy bag for everyday shopping might be 200–300 GSM, while a lightweight one for giveaways might be 120–150 GSM.
Find out what fabric weights your supplier offers. If necessary, are they able to provide recycled or organic cotton? Which type of cotton—calico, muslin, or canvas—do they use? In order to avoid shrinking, is the fabric pre-washed?Based on your intended use of the bags, reputable cotton bag manufacturers will assist you in selecting the appropriate fabric.
Your bags should represent your personal style, and branding is important. Find out if they can print any artwork or your logo. Verify the printing techniques they employ, such as digital or screen printing.
Finding out how many colors they can print, how detailed the artwork can be, and whether they can match colors is also crucial.
To help you avoid surprises, some cotton bag manufacturers even send a digital layout or sample of your design before production begins.
There is a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for each manufacturer. For larger companies, this might be acceptable, but for smaller ones, it could be difficult. Find out the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for both plain and custom-printed bags.
Make sure their MOQ fits your budget and storage capacity if you only need a few hundred bags. Flexible orders are welcome from many cotton bag manufacturers, particularly if they anticipate repeat business.
Timelines are crucial. You need your bags on time whether you’re getting ready for a marketing event or a store opening. Find out how long it takes to produce your design after it is accepted.
The complexity and size of the order can affect lead times. Additionally, see if they factor in delays during busy times or holidays.
Professional cotton bag producers will keep you updated at every stage and be truthful about their schedules.
Your supplier should care about sustainability if it is significant to your brand. Inquire about their ethical and ecological practices. Do they use cotton that has been certified organic? Do they adhere to fair labor standards?
Seek out producers who provide certifications such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). These certifications attest to the bags’ ethical production and lack of dangerous chemicals.
Selecting ethical cotton bag producers helps you gain the trust of your customers and gives your brand more legitimacy.
Purchasing in bulk without first seeing a sample is never a smart idea. Request one so you can inspect the fabric, stitching, and general quality, either with or without your logo.
The sample may cost a little, but it’s a wise investment. Finding problems in a single sample is preferable to discovering them after thousands of bags have been delivered.
Reliable cotton bag manufacturers will usually support sampling and be open to feedback.
A consistent level of quality is crucial when placing large orders. Find out how quality is checked during production. Is every bag inspected prior to packing? What occurs if a few bags are broken?
Additionally, look into their refund or replacement policy. An effective quality control system helps prevent issues later on.
Reputable producers of cotton bags take quality very seriously and frequently send inspection reports or pictures prior to delivery.
A significant portion of your total cost may go toward shipping. Inquire as to whether shipping is handled by them or if it is your responsibility. Depending on your location and level of urgency, look into options like courier, air freight, or sea freight.
Talk about who is in charge of customs for international deliveries, tracking availability, and packing standards.
In order to guarantee seamless delivery and affordable prices, seasoned cotton bag manufacturers frequently collaborate with reliable logistics partners.
A dependable supplier will stay in touch even after delivery. Ask if they offer help with reorders, customer support, or product queries.
Find out if there’s a dedicated person to talk to in case you have issues or want to make changes later on.
Long-term partnerships with cotton bag manufacturers work best when there’s clear communication and ongoing support.
Buying cotton bags in bulk is an important decision that shouldn’t be made hastily. By asking the right questions early on, you can avoid unanticipated problems, reduce waste, and get exactly what you need.
From choosing the perfect fabric and design to confirming deadlines and quality control, every question helps with decision-making. In a world where consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, partnering with the right cotton bag manufacturers can also help your brand.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, quality-conscious, and customer-friendly supplier, we can help. Contact us at this time to discuss your needs and obtain a quote that suits your business.
Together, let’s build something intelligent and sustainable.
This bag has the largest capacity on this list and a great compression system so you can fit everything you need for your international getaway.
The suitcase weighs 10.5 pounds on its own, so be mindful of packing heavy items so you don’t go over your airline’s weight limit.
If you’re going away for a long international trip and want to bring along all the comforts of home, this spacious suitcase is large enough to hold two weeks' worth of your favorite outfits and plenty of shoe options, too. The largest bag in July's entire range of luggage, this suitcase has a built-in compression feature that is durable enough to keep clothes from falling out regardless of which side you open it from. It also has many zippered pockets that are great for keeping smaller items organized, a laundry bag, and a water-resistant and stain-proof nylon lining. Just keep in mind that the bag may go over your airline’s weight limit if you pack it full since it’s pretty large.
We were especially impressed with how smoothly the wheels glided over various surfaces during our tests, seamlessly transitioning from concrete pavers to carpet and maneuvering easily through our human obstacle course. Despite its large size, the bag was easy to roll around people, and the handle was easy to pull without leaving a strain on our arms or backs, even when packed full. We also loved how the handle has the ability to adjust to any height rather than set modes, so it’s customizable for different family members to share. The outer shell felt pretty sturdy, although there were some light scuffs and grazes after we threw it off a counter multiple times fully packed. However, the contents inside didn’t budge, and the bag did not dent even after we hit it repeatedly with a metal baseball bat.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 30.25 x 19.75 x 12.5 inches | 10.5 pounds | 110-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
Why We Love ItIt's compact enough to easily fit in the overhead bins but is still surprisingly spacious.
It is not expandable, so there isn't much wiggle room if you overpack or want to bring items home.
Away is one of our favorite luggage brands, offering sleek bags that feel just right. We love this carry-on for many reasons, including its compact size with plenty of packing space that makes it ideal for international travel. We were impressed during testing with how spacious the bag was, allowing us to fit everything on our packing list with room to spare so we didn't miss an expansion feature, and its capacity doesn't make it feel heavy or bulky. On the contrary, this bag is remarkably light and easy to lift into overhead bins even when packed full. It also rolls smoothly over various surfaces, including carpet and tile.
The organizational features of this carry-on are simple but get the job done. It has a 50/50 clamshell opening with a compression panel and straps on one side to hold everything down, plus a small zippered pocket inside. The compression panel also has two zippered pockets that can hold smaller items like socks, underwear, or paperwork. You can zip the other compartment closed with a mesh cover that has a zippered pocket on top. The hardside bag is also made from strong polycarbonate that stood up well to our durability tests, so we feel confident it will protect your belongings trip after trip.
The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 7.5 pounds | 39.8-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
Why We Love ItThe built-in compression panels and 2-inch expander help fit even more into this medium-size checked bag.
We wish the handle could be adjusted a bit shorter to accommodate travelers of different heights.
A medium checked bag can be the perfect go-to piece of luggage for just about any trip, and our favorite is the Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-in Hardside Spinner. This bag easily fit everything on our packing lists with very little thought given to organization thanks to the built-in compression panels. It also expands 2 inches so you could give yourself even more room if needed for longer trips.
While this is a high-capacity bag, it's still lightweight and easy to maneuver (although we wish the handle could adjust to more than just two heights). We love how easily the wheels glide over any surface. We were even able to smoothly twirl the bag as well as both push and pull it over carpeting, concrete, and more. After our durability testing, it shows one minor scuff but otherwise looks great, and all of the items inside were well-protected.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 27.5 x 17.5 x 11 inches | 8.5 pounds | 89-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
Why We Love ItThis trunk is the largest bag on this list and can easily be shared by multiple people.
Because it's so large, it may be hard to stay within your airline's weight limit when packed full.
If you need a large checked bag that's up to the challenge of keeping your things safe, it'll be hard to find an option better than this one from Briggs & Riley. This substantial trunk is the largest on this list and was dubbed an "absolute monster" during testing (in a good way) for its 123.9-liter capacity and 32.5-inch height. We were able to fit our entire packing list easily and felt like we could fit it again four times over if needed, making this a great option for people who are going on long trips or packing for a family.
This bag has an 80/20 lid that opens to reveal two deep compartments with compression panels and zippered pockets. The polycarbonate hardside shell did dent when we hit it with a baseball bat during testing, but we still feel like this bag is more than strong enough to protect your things during travel. We were a little worried about navigating this bag due to its size, but we found it surprisingly easy to wheel around even when packed full. The bag itself only weighs about 10 pounds when empty, which leaves you lots of wiggle room to pack within your airline's allotted weight limit, although the massive interior of the bag can make it difficult to do this. Overall, we were impressed with the size and maneuverability of this bag, and we think it's an excellent option for anyone who needs a lot of space in their checked luggage.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 32.5 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches | 10.4 pounds | 123.9-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
Why We Love ItThis backpack has plenty of packing space and is comfortable to carry.
There is minimal structure, so you have to pack strategically to avoid sagging.
It's a tall order to find a backpack that can replace your carry-on bag, but the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is up to the challenge. This bag opens like a suitcase, so it's easy to pack like one, too. It has a relatively unstructured style, but we found this useful for squishing things into every last bit of space. There are several zippered pockets and compartments for organization and help keep everything in its place. It also has a designated laptop pocket that can hold devices up to 15 inches.
The shell of this backpack is made from TPU-coated nylon and comes with a rain cover to ensure your belongings stay dry. It's easy to lift at any angle, thanks to handles on all four sides. The back is padded and comfortable for extended periods of wear and has a waist belt for additional support while traveling. We think this is a fantastic bag for replacing your carry-on if you're comfortable packing light and don't want to wheel a suitcase around.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 12 x 10 inches | 2.94 pounds | 35-liter capacity | 15-inch laptop sleeve | Recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon, recycled 840-denier ballistic ripstop nylon, recycled ripstop polyester lining
Versatile carrying straps allow you to wear this as a backpack as well as a duffel.
The glossy look of the water-resistant exterior may not appeal to everyone’s sense of style.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Huicheng sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Looking for a duffel that can function as either a carry-on or personal item? How about one that also converts into a carry-on backpack for versatile carrying options? If so, you’ll love Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel as much as we do. It boasts a 40-liter capacity and a spacious pocket under the lid, as well as external zippered compartments for easy access to travel essentials like your passport and boarding pass. The rugged, ripstop fabric is thick to the touch and didn’t scratch or scuff in the slightest during our durability testing. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate that this lightweight duffel is ready to take on any adventure thanks to its extremely water-resistant construction — plus, it’s made from eco-friendly recycled materials. Best of all, it collapses down into a small inner pocket for easy, convenient storage in between trips.
The Details: Carry-on | 19.7 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches | 2.1 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Recycled polyester ripstop with a recycled TPU-film laminate
Why We Love ItThis ultralightweight bag is just over 4 pounds when empty, making it easy to carry.
The zippers and wheels could run more smoothly.
If you're team softside luggage, you'll have a hard time finding a lighter carry-on than the Antler Soft Stripe. Weighing just over 4 pounds, it's one of the lightest pieces of luggage we've ever tested, making it a safe pick for airlines around the globe with strict weight requirements. It's pretty compact as well, which means you'll need to be mindful while packing, but we didn't feel like this was a major issue. It has a flap opening with one main compartment and two large pockets: one on the front of the opening flap and one on the back. While softside bags are flexible and make it easier to squeeze in an extra item or two, it would be hard to make this bag feel very heavy.
"This carry-on feels weightless when it's empty and still pretty lightweight when fully packed," says T+L Senior Testing Editor Jackie Cucco. "It was so easy and effortless to lift the fully packed bag above my head into the overhead bin on our airplane set. The grab handles are large and padded, too, which makes it even easier. I could basically swing the bag around over my head without any effort."
We did notice some sticking when pulling the zippers and felt the wheels could roll more smoothly. Keep that in mind if you're planning a trip that involves a lot of walking with your bag, but we still recommend this carry-on when weight is a priority.
The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 13.8 x 8.3 inches | 4.19 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | 4 dual spinner wheels
This softside bag has more flexibility than most hardside bags if you tend to overpack, and you can expand it even more.
The handle can be a bit difficult to adjust.
We love this spacious suitcase, designed with multiple interior and exterior pockets to keep all of your items organized. Because it's a softside bag, it has a bit of give that naturally expands as you need to make sure it easily zips closed, and it also has a 2-inch expander if you need the extra packing space. While this suitcase is rather heavy at 10 pounds, it wasn't overly cumbersome. It was easy to pull and push the bag over different surfaces as the weight evenly distributed itself. We also love the thick exterior fabric of the bag that proved to be tear- and scuff-resistant throughout our durability tests. The handle was the only feature that seemed less sturdy as it got caught on occasion, but it worked well when needed. Whether you're planning a long trip or packing for a family, this is a high-quality, functional bag that is sure to withstand anything you throw at it.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 29.8 x 20 x 11.5 inches | 10 pounds | Expandable (2 inches) | Recyclex | 4 dual spinner wheels
Why We Love ItThis bag can be compressed flat enough to stick in the bottom of a checked bag.
It only has two fixed wheels and doesn't roll as easily as many four-wheel suitcases.
Packing a foldable backpack or duffel bag in your luggage to have room for more souvenirs to bring home works well enough, but those bags are usually pretty thin and have minimal structure. If you want to get serious about your extra bag hack, consider the Lipault Foldable Plume Cabin. Aside from the back skeleton, the bag is fully compressible — you can fold it down to a remarkably flat size. The handle presses down into a zippered pocket, and the wheels even have buttons on the bottom to release and fold them inward. You can travel with the compressed bag at the bottom of your checked suitcase to give you a fully functioning carry-on when you need it (especially useful for long-haul trips if you plan to come home with more than you departed with).
Although this bag can be flattened, it doesn't feel flimsy. We thought the softside nylon fabric felt sturdy, and all the components stood up well to our durability tests, which included hitting it with a baseball bat and throwing it off a table multiple times. Inside, you'll find two large zippered pockets on the opening flap and a long zippered pocket on one side of the interior compartment. There is also a large exterior pocket. We had no issue finding enough space to pack our things and thought everything felt secure while rolling the bag around. Because this suitcase only has two fixed wheels, it's not as easy to roll around as some four-wheel bags that have 360-degree spinner wheels, but it's very lightweight and doesn't feel cumbersome to move around corners. We think it's a unique option that's great for travelers who want to bring a second suitcase back home but don't want to purchase one on their trip.
The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 14.6 x 8.7 inches | 5.2 pounds | Nylon | 2 standard wheels
Its easy-to-use brake system prevents the suitcase from rolling away from you in busy airports or on public transport.
It's fairly large and may not fit in the overhead bins on smaller planes.
This sleek, minimalist carry-on suitcase is crafted from a durable polycarbonate shell and features an ergonomic handle with four settings. Its integrated brake system, which is without a doubt the bag's standout feature, can easily be enabled by pressing a button at the base of the handle. This is particularly useful for traveling on public transport or when stopping on an incline, as it prevents the suitcase from rolling away from you.
The bag opens evenly like a clamshell, with one side featuring a zippered half great for storing smaller or loose items, and the other sporting a Y-shaped compression pad. There’s also a small hidden pocket ideal for discreetly packing a Bluetooth tracking device. The suitcase also features TSA-approved locks and comes with its own leather luggage tag, which we think is a nice touch. Its four dual spinner wheels are among the smoothest that we’ve tested, and they glide like butter on all surfaces, even when the suitcase is fully packed. While its packing capacities are ample, it is on the larger side and may need to be checked on smaller planes. That being said, we absolutely love it for train travel.
The Details: Carry-on | 22.7 x 15 x 9 inches | 8.4 pounds | 48-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels | Integrated break system
This bag is strong but still very lightweight.
We wish there were more pockets for organization inside.
This carry-on from trusted brand Samsonite is compact enough to fit in most overhead bins, even international ones, and it's lightweight at just over 5 pounds. This means it's easy to carry and lift, and we were happy to see the weight didn't mean a compromise on durability either — aside from a few scuffs, all parts of the bag stood up supremely well after we hit it repeatedly with a metal baseball bat. The zippers ran smoothly with zero snagging, and the wheels rolled like a dream over carpet, tile, and concrete curbs. It also has a few handy features to make travel more convenient, including expandable sides; an ergonomic carrying handle; and a built-in, TSA-approved lock.
Inside, you'll find two equally sized compartments that both close with zippered covers to keep things from falling out. There aren't many organizational features though, so we recommend using packing cubes to make sure everything has a place. While we'd love to see a few more pockets, the lack of extra hardware inside helps the bag stay lightweight, so we still think this is a great option for international traveling on airlines with strict bag weight policies.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 5.07 pounds | Expandable (1 inch) | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
This backpack is well padded and durable but squishes down to a small size for easy packing.
We wish there were sleeves or pockets on the outside for a water bottle.
Packable backpacks are great to tuck into a suitcase for extra storage when heading home from vacation, but many are flimsy and lack structure. This isn't the case with the Bellroy Lite Daypack, which is well-padded but able to lie quite flat when empty. During testing, we were able to fit our entire packing list for a day out with room to spare. The main compartment has a few organizational features for small items, including two elastic pockets, a zippered pouch, and a laptop sleeve. We were missing side pockets for a water bottle but appreciate the slim pocket on top that's perfect for sunglasses or keys.
All the zippers ran smoothly, and we thought the backpack was comfortable to wear when packed full. The shoulder straps aren't bulky but well-padded with a breathable mesh material that also lines the back of the bag. The minimalist design also looks nice and could be worn in a variety of situations. Overall, it looks and feels like a high-quality backpack with the added bonus of being packable for travel.
The Details: Personal item bag | 18.9 x 10.6 x 7 inches | 12.4 ounces | 20-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant
You can choose to either roll or carry this duffel, and it comes with a handy packing cube for easy organization.
There’s no frame to support the bag, so it won’t stand up on its own.
Designed with an extremely large capacity, this 130-liter rolling duffel is spacious enough to fit multiple weeks' worth of clothing with ease (if you’re flying with it, just be sure to check your airline’s weight restrictions). Heavy-duty external compression straps keep everything in place, while extra rugged wheels are made to ease the pain of lugging heavy loads across campsites or through the airport. We loved the storage bag that’s included, which you can use as a packing cube to help keep things organized.
There’s no exterior frame to support this bag when standing upright — and while this may be an inconvenience to some, we found it to be a huge plus because it makes the bag supremely lightweight for its large size. It’s also easier to wear as a backpack because of this, as there’s no hard frame digging into your back if you opt to convert the bag.
The Details: Checked bag | 34 x 13.75 x 15 inches | 4.44 pounds | 130-liter capacity | 800D nylon dobby, D ballistic polyester, recycled 200D polyester | 2 standard wheels
Why We Love ItIt has deep, spacious compartments, and the option to add on packing cubes with interchangeable labels.
You have to pay extra for the packing cubes.
The Paravel Aviator Trunk is a dream for organization. With a 95-liter capacity, you'd think packing two weeks' worth of clothing inside this spacious trunk would get messy, but there are plenty of special features to keep everything in its rightful place. It features a compression board, a removable laundry bag, and interior pockets, as well as the option to add on a suite of seven packing cubes (five large and two small) with interchangeable labels. While the cubes add an additional cost, we love how they helped us pack and stay organized from the get-go. The suitcase’s interior features a 70/30 split, with the shallower side featuring two zippered pockets. The deeper side is perfect for holding the packing cubes.
We especially loved the trunk's vegan leather accents and handles as a luxe feature and thought the recycled zippers glided smoothly. The exterior is crafted from recycled polycarbonate that overall feels quite sturdy. It also rolled quite easily, even when fully packed, which is ideal for navigating busy airports. We wish that its recycled aluminum handle had three instead of two settings so that we could pull it from a taller, more comfortable height. Another important thing to note is that given the trunk’s large size, it could be easy to overpack, so you may want to pick up a portable luggage scale to keep track of its weight while traveling.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 31 x 16.67 x 13.88 inches | 12.3 pounds | 95-liter capacity | Recycled polycarbonate and vegan leather | 4 dual spinner wheels
We've tested so many pieces of luggage that there are some other pieces we can recommend for some travelers, although they weren't quite suited for our main list.
Tumi International Dual Access 4-wheeled Carry-on: Dual-access compartments are convenient for accessing your belongings, but ultimately we docked points as they eat into the main compartment space in this compact carry-on.
Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-on: This carry-on is compact yet spacious and comes with a removable charger, but the wheels and handle didn't function as smoothly as some other bags on this list.
Peak Design Travel Backpack: Generously sized and comfortable to carry for long periods, this is a great backpack for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the sporty aesthetic may not appeal to everyone's sense of style.
Beis The Small Carry-on Roller: This little bag provided a decent amount of packing space for its size, and we thought it would be useful for staying organized on short trips. That being said, the wheels didn't roll smoothly, and it was hard to maneuver.
Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 26-inch Trunk: We loved how this trunk is split 80/20, which is ideal for separating your wardrobe from accessories, shoes, toiletries, and more. We also appreciated how there's a handy weight indicator built into the handle to help you avoid overweight baggage fees. Our main gripe with this trunk, however, is that we wish there were more pockets and compartments to keep everything organized.
Calpak Hue Trunk Luggage: Though we love the Paravel Aviator trunk in our main list above because it has better organizational features for a long trip, this is another great trunk option for a lower price — and it’s expandable.
The T+L team tested nearly 700 carry-on and checked suitcases, and other travel bags including backpacks, duffels, and more in our New York City lab. We recreated an airplane set to best test carry-on bags just like we would on a real plane. Our first task was weighing the bags ourselves to make sure they were in line with their product descriptions, and then we performed a range of tests to assess the capacity, design, value, and durability of the bags. We also took careful note of their maneuverability, portability, and how comfortable they are to carry. We packed each size with a different amount of clothing and toiletries, from a week’s worth of essentials for a checked bag to two days of clothing for weekenders.
To see how the bags would perform in a real-life setting, we rolled them around on a variety of different floor types, including an obstacle course designed to test their maneuverability. We also hoisted them into overhead bins on our mock airplane, slung them over our shoulders, and stuffed them under real airplane seats. Next, for durability testing, we shoved each piece off a high countertop repeatedly and struck it all over with a metal baseball bat in order to evaluate potential wear and tear. The pieces that earned the best feedback in all testing categories were selected for this roundup. After our initial tests, we continued to see how the bags fared over the course of six months in the real world.
It’s crucial to consider what kind of journey you’re most apt to take when searching for the ideal international luggage. After all, three months of continent-hopping calls for a very different setup from a week-long trip to a cosmopolitan capital. If you’re prone to shorter jaunts or know yourself to be a light packer, consider a classic carry-on or something even more compact, like a backpack or duffel bag. If you’ll be traveling longer term or have a hard time paring down your outfit options, opt for a larger carry-on or a checked bag.
The standard size carry-on for domestic flights in the U.S. is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, but some airlines will allow bags to be wider but shorter with dimensions of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. International airlines often require bags to be even smaller, but this will ultimately depend on your airline and route. Whenever you travel, it's important to check with the airline to make sure you have a bag that won't be unexpectedly checked at the gate. This information is usually listed on the airline's website, but you can also call or to confirm ahead of your trip.
No one wants to waste their baggage weight limit on a hefty piece of luggage. For softside suitcases, polyester and nylon materials are often the most lightweight, while hardside shells made of polycarbonate, polypropylene, and ABS are great options as well. Standard carry-ons weigh in around 7 pounds, with the lightest-weight options ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 pounds when empty. Checked suitcases are slightly heavier, typically ranging from 8-11 pounds. If you’re looking for something seriously lightweight, consider alternative options to a classic suitcase — think duffels, weekenders, or backpacks, which can weigh as little as 2 or 3 pounds.
Typically, the weight limit for carry-on luggage is around 35 pounds domestically, although carry-on weight limits are often only enforced on budget airlines. International flights may have stricter restrictions, so be sure to check your airline. When it comes to checked luggage, the rule of thumb is 50 pounds — but you can usually pack up to 70 pounds for an added cost.
Suitcases are evolving to make packing easier than ever, boasting everything from designated laundry bags to zippered pockets for your tiniest trinkets. Some add-ons may be more relevant to your travel style — compression boards and packing cubes could be non-negotiables for overpackers, while tech lovers may have easy-access exterior pockets and charging ports at the top of the list. And remember, if you fall in love with a suitcase that doesn’t have everything you need — say, compression compartments or built-in security — you can always buy packing cubes or a combination lock separately.
International airlines each have their own size and weight limits for baggage, so we cannot stress enough the importance of looking up your specific airline carrier’s requirements before traveling. To be safe, if you plan on flying with a carry-on, we'd suggest getting as compact of a suitcase as possible, but that won't be reasonable for all travelers (you can always check a larger bag, though). We've included several compact options on the list above that are under 22 inches tall, including the Antler Soft Stripe Carry-on and the Lipault Foldable Plume Cabin. Check out our list of the Best International Carry-ons for the most compact suitcases we've tested.
There’s a whole bunch of stuff you can’t bring in your suitcase — just take a peek at TSA’s Instagram account for a glimpse (and a good laugh). Other than the obvious ones, like weapons or explosives, there are some specific items that are prohibited in carry-ons and checked luggage alike when traveling internationally, from certain amounts of liquids to alcoholic beverages, e-cigarettes, meats, dairy products, drones, and more. If you’re not sure about a certain item, be sure to check your airline’s (and destination’s) guidelines before packing.
Oftentimes, yes! While most domestic carry-ons can weigh up to 35-40 pounds (and may never be weighed), many international airlines only allow carry-on bags of up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) and could strictly enforce this. You can often purchase more capacity ahead of time for a discounted price, but be sure to keep the restrictions in mind if you’ll be puddle jumping frequently, as the baggage costs can add up quickly. Checked luggage typically has the same weight limit internationally, offering up to 50 pounds for economy seats before added fees kick in.
Most luggage brands offer warranties, but you'll want to read the fine print carefully. Warranties will vary by brand and often cover manufacturing defects like faulty zippers, broken wheels, or handle issues that are present while the luggage is still new or occur within a set time frame (i.e. within six months of purchasing). They usually don't cover damage from mishandling by airlines, cosmetic damage, or general wear and tear. Because of this, you should inspect your luggage carefully before using it, as some warranties become invalid once you have traveled with the bag. If you're worried about your bags getting damaged during transit, we'd recommend purchasing travel insurance. You can find warranty information for your luggage by visiting the brand or retailer's website, or by contacting the company directly.
For this article, T+L contributor Sophie Dodd researched every aspect of luggage suited to international travel, from TSA-approved dimensions to key organizational features and which materials are the most lightweight. She also relied on testing insights from the T+L team, who spent six months analyzing each bag on this list. We will continue updating this article as we test more bags worth recommending for an international trip.
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