Whether you’re a first-time or frequent flyer, the right bags can mean all the difference. Is your carry-on too big? Is your dop kit leak-proof? Is there enough room in your purse for all-day adventure? To help you get ready to take off—and thereafter—we went ahead and compiled a list of 15 of the best travel bags around, from hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases to weekend duffles and toiletry bags. So get those passports ready and read on to find your next favorite travel bag. Bon voyage!
15 of the Best Travel Bags You Need for Your Next Vacay
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Published May 16, 2022
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How To Choose The Best Travel Bag
Domestic vs. International Travel Carry-Ons
We know that you’ve probably gotten away with taking a suitcase that definitely was not regulation carry-on size. Typically, domestic flights are a bit more lenient with your luggage dimensions, but a good rule of thumb for domestic flights is to make sure your carry-on bag fits within 22-inches by 14-inches by 9-inches. This size ensures that your bag—along with everyone else’s—is going to fit in the bins overhead on your flight. If you’re flying internationally however, these airlines are more likely than not going to be stricter. We suggest finding a carry-on that is 20 inches or shorter to take on your international flights. And always check with your airlines.
Soft Shell vs. Hard Shell Luggage
If you’re a no-fuss kind of traveler, a soft-shell suitcase is for you. They’re able to withstand a bit more wear and tear whether you’re taking it glamping or stuffing it in the overhead compartment. On the other hand, if you are packing items that need some added protection (think: a pair of heels you don’t want to break or a beloved designer bag), we suggest going with a hard-shell suitcase so that none of your valuables sustain any damage.
Two-Wheel Luggage vs. Four-Wheel Luggage
If you have ever been down-to-the-last-second late for a flight and almost missed it because you had to drag your heavy suitcase behind you, we suggest you get a spinner suitcase. A spinner has four wheels, which tend to be multidirectional, helping you not only have full control over your bag, but also allowing you to comfortably glide your luggage alongside of you as you maneuver through security to your gate. On the other hand, two-wheeled suitcases typically have wheels that are inside of the main compartment and required being tilted on their side to drag through the terminal.
Best Travel Bags At A Glance:
- Best Overall: Calpak Hue Luggage
- Best Checked Travel Bag: Béis Check-In Roller
- Best Carry-On Travel Bag: Away The Carry-On
- Best Backpack Travel Bag: Rains Waterproof Backpack
- Best Duffle Travel Bag: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
- Best Laptop Travel Bag: Lo & Sons The Seville Aire Tote
- Best Purse Travel Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag
- Best Eco-Friendly Travel Bag: Paravel Aviator
- Best Soft Shell Travel Bag: Yeti Crossroad Luggage
- Best Travel Bag Set: Samsonite 3-Piece Luggage Set
- Best Budget-Friendly Travel Bag: Amazon Basics Spinner Suitcase
- Best Splurge-Worthy Travel Bag: Rimowa Cabin Suitcase
- Best Toiletry Travel Bag: Everlane The ReNew Catch-All Case
- Best Weekend Travel Bag: Baboon to the Moon Small Go-Bag
- Best Customizable Travel Bag: Roam the Jaunt
Calpak
1. Calpak Hue Luggage
Best Overall
She’s sleek, she’s stylish and she has a little bit of everything: A TSA-approved lock that keeps your valuables safe in transit, multi-directional wheels for back-ache-free transportation, interior compartments for peak organization, a large front pocket to stow any essentials you need in close reach and a price tag that won’t make too big a dent on your checking account.
Beis
2. Béis Check-in Roller
Best Checked Travel Bag
You get to the airport, lift your suitcase onto the scale, stare in horror as the red numbers flash “58 lbs” and proceed to spend the next five minutes on the floor, suitcase open, stuffing as much as you can into a spare bag. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. So while this bag has all of your usual perks, the red light that turns on to indicate it's over the 50-pound weight limit makes this guy unbeatable as a checked suitcase.
Away
3. Away The Carry-on
Best Hard Shell Suitcase
This is one of our tried-and-tested favorites. We love how protective its sleek styled shell is and it earns extra points for having a security lock for extra safety. Plus, it has a USB charging port so no more desperately searching for an outlet that’s close to your gate.
Rains
4. Rains Waterproof Backpack
Best Travel Backpack
This is made of durable, waterproof neoprene and has enough room to fit all your gadgets and gizmos. Bonus points for its hidden back pocket to help keep your valuables safe and secure.
Dagne Dover
5. Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
Best Duffle Travel Bag
Whether you’re taking this by bus, train or plane, this duffle’s expandable design offers ample room so you’ll have a spot for literally everything. Case in point: the pocket specifically made for holding your phone and interior compartments for storing water bottles, shoes and everything else in between.
Lo & Sons
6. Lo & Sons The Seville Aire Tote
Best Laptop Travel Bag
Cushioned padding protects the thing most precious to you: your laptop. Plus, the thoughtful pockets keep things organized while you're on the go—no more franticly digging through your bag for your AirPods for a Zoom you have to join in two minutes.
Lonchamp
7. Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag
Best Purse Travel Bag
This cutie is going to keep you looking stylish whether you’re grabbing after-work drinks or jet-setting to Europe. It’s the ideal size if you’re searching for a style-savvy carry-on that can easily stow your laptop alongside other daily essentials and makes for a roomy tote even when you’re not using it for travel.
Paravel
8. Paravel Aviator
Best Eco-Friendly Travel Bag
Looking to get your hands on a sustainably sourced option? This fashion-forward carry-on may be easy on the eyes, but it's entirely made up of recycled material—from the interior lining and exterior polycarbonate shell to the zippers.
Yeti
9. Yeti Crossroad Luggage
Best Soft Shell Travel Bag
Yes, Yeti delivers some of the best on-the-go travel mugs, but did you know Yeti produces some stellar luggage, too? This one in particular is especially worth the investment, thanks to its durable hard-shell exterior, 70/30 split dividers for keeping all your things secure, packing cubes for added organization and front pocket for stashing all the things you need to keep within close reach.
Amazon
10. Samsonite 3-piece Luggage Set
Best Travel Bag Set
Durable hard shell? Check. Spinner wheels? Check. Three different sizes? Also check. This set comes in three different sizes, with one carry-on and two checked size suitcases.
Amazon
11. Amazon Basics Spinner Suitcase
Best Budget-Friendly Travel Bag
Luggage is notoriously expensive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t budget-friendly options out there to help you glob trot and save some money. Case in point: Amazon Basics’ travel bag line. This one in particular caught our eye, thanks to the durable hard shell, multiple packing compartments, TSA-approved lock and array of pretty colors.
Rimowa
12. Rimowa Cabin Suitcase
Best Splurge-Worthy Travel Bag
Before luggage brands started producing aluminum suitcases by the dozen, there was this one. The first of its kind, the Rimowa Cabin Suitcase’s iconic silver exterior is made from anodized aluminum and built with ball-bearing mounted wheels. Translation: this durable workhorse is going to last you for years to come.
Everlane
13. Everlane The Renew Catch-all Case
Best Toiletry Travel Bag
Don’t be fooled, this toiletry bag might not be massive, but it can fit way more than you think. It’s got interior pockets to keep products nice and tidy, low maintenance fabric that’s easily cleaned and an expandable design that can handle being packed to the max with your skincare and beauty goodies.
Baboon to the Moon
14. Baboon To The Moon Small Go-bag
Best Weekend Bag
We love this guy for more reasons than we can list. Not only is it TSA-approved for carry-on size, but its water-proof shell has backpack straps, different sized handles, an over-the-shoulder strap, a lockable zipper, comes with four different pockets and easily stashes three-to-five day’s worth of your gear.
Roam
15. Roam The Jaunt
Best Customizable Travel Bag
If your goal is to avoid mixing up your suitcase with someone else's, having a personalized travel bag is where it’s at. From the option to monogram the exterior shell down to custom colors you can select from, you can personalize this puppy in a myriad of ways for luggage that matches your vibe perfectly.