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How To Choose the Right Sized Travel Bag for Any Trip

Finding a properly sized travel bag is a key part of any successful trip, from a simple weekender to a month-long adventure.

Getting Started

There’s a travel bag out there for everyone, and we’re here to help you find it. The process can be a little overwhelming, but narrowing down what needs to fit into your pack is a great place to start. In this post, we’re going to be talking about different bag sizes and their uses. By the time we’re done, you’ll know just what size pack you need (or at least be headed in the right direction).

We’ll cover everything from 1L slings that keep your pockets free all the way up to 60L outdoor adventure packs for carrying the whole shebang. Whether you’re searching for the perfect pack for daily commutes or are ready to jump off the deep end into backpacking across Asia, we’re psyched to help you get started.

Before we get into it, there are a few essential things to consider. When we mention liters, we mean it in terms of volume, not dimensions. Two different 40L travel bags may not fit the same amount of gear. This is highly dependent on the built-in organization, available compartments, and shapes that the pack implements. We notice the most significant differences between different brands, but sometimes even two travel backpacks made by the same company will differ in packability. Ensuring all your gear will fit inside is one of many critical pieces to the intricate puzzle of picking your next travel bag.

Here at Pack Hacker, we have a ton of travel gear reviews, guides, and how-to videos that will help get you started, continue your journey, or find your magnum opus.

Okay—now let’s get into the fun stuff.

Pocket Dump Sling (1L)

Starting off on the small end of the spectrum is the 1L sling, or what we like to call the Pocket Dump Sling. It might seem tiny, but we promise, 1L is bigger than you think! It’s small enough for you to wear it all day without getting uncomfortable, but it will fit just about anything you usually store in your pockets (hence the name).

Use it to carry your daily essentials: a cell phone, keys, wallet, headphones, and even a small point-and-shoot camera or snack. We also love using these packs while traveling to store a passport, earbuds, travel wallet, and other travel documents like a boarding pass. Pocket dump slings are great at the airport because instead of removing all the items from your pockets and slowing up the line, everything is already in the sling. Just throw it on the conveyor belt and continue through the checkpoint.

From this category, we recommend the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Hip Pack . It’s pretty versatile, as you can wear it as a sling or on your waist, and it packs away nicely for compact storage when not in use.

The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Hip Pack all packed up.

We’ve also found that a sling of this size is great for walks around a new town, city, or nature area while abroad. You can throw your essentials (and maybe a friend or partner’s essentials too, if you’re feeling generous), head out on the town, and keep your hands and pockets free the whole time.

Pockets Plus (2.5L)

If you love slings like we do but crave a little more space, try something around the 2.5L size. We call them Pockets Plus because they fit all the items we usually carry in our pockets, plus a few extra goodies.

This size is excellent for daily use and while traveling because it offers a little more flexibility in what you can bring along with you. Similar to a Pocket Dump Sling, you can leave your pockets empty when you head through a TSA checkpoint. You will also have additional space to bring entertainment like a Nintendo Switch or a small tablet, a couple of snacks, a battery bank, and a few cables to keep everything charged up while you’re on the move. We’ve even been able to fit a packable rain jacket and set of wet wipes, so long as they have a small enough form factor!

The Aer City Sling 2 all packed up.

We love the Aer City Sling 2 , which comes in right at 2.5L. It’s one of the more comfortable carries that we’ve tested, and it has ample space for stowing your gear. We also love its low-profile design, especially while traveling to ensure that we don’t look too touristy. While on the plane, have quick access to entertainment like a Nintendo Switch without digging around below the seat. You can even hook it onto the seat in front of you using a HeroClip for easier access. You’d better stow it during turbulence, though!

Messenger Bag (13L)

If you need to bring along more gear than a basic sling allows, we recommend you grab a messenger bag between 9L and 13L. These packs are great for when you don’t necessarily want the weight of a backpack, but your list of essential items is a little larger, like on short hikes or day trips to nearby towns abroad. If you are set on carrying a sling, there’s also a travel bag subset that's a cross between a messenger bag and a sling.

A 13L messenger bag is a good pick for commuters who want something that won’t take up much space on trains or buses. It’s also a low-profile option if you’re exploring a new city and need more space but don’t want a full travel backpack. These bags are also great for cycle commuting because they aren’t too heavy and allow access to your gear while in transit.

There are many different styles to go with, so it's essential to think about which features are important for your usage needs. A pack with a large main compartment will hold the most gear but lacks the organization that some crave. A pack with more organization may not have as much room for larger items, but each item has a home.

The Peak Design Everyday Messenger all packed up.

In the 13L range, we like the Peak Design Everyday Messenger pack, as it can fit all of our daily go-to gear inside the large main compartment. It does have some organizational capabilities with the included FlexFold dividers, but in our experience, the dividers aren’t the most durable. As we said, it all depends on your specific usage needs.

Daily Bag (15L)

Some people don’t like slings and would prefer to wear a backpack while commuting to work or exploring a new city, which is just fine by us. For a travel bag you can wear every day and carry most of your work essentials, we recommend something between 15L and 18L. This should give you enough space to bring all the gear you need, plus a little bit extra.

Although just a minor step-up from the 13L messenger, we’ve found that those two to five liters can make all the difference. Not only can a daily bag carry everything you need for work, but it will also be versatile enough for extracurriculars, too. So much room for activities!

Hit the gym after work, stop at the coffee shop for a drink and to get your side-hustle on, or even head out for a hike somewhere on the way home. The biggest draw of a daily bag over the smaller packs listed above is the ability to do an abundance of different activities without stopping home to drop off and grab more gear.

The Tom Bihn Luminary 15 all packed up.

We recommend the Tom Bihn Luminary 15 , Able Carry Thirteen Daybag , and Away Small Zip Backpack in this range. Each of these packs will be able to carry a laptop, water bottle, packable jacket, and even a few extra goodies like a tech pouch, phone, wallet, or change of clothes. They all keep a pretty low profile, so you won't feel like you're lugging around a giant travel bag.

Personal Item Backpack (20L)

Shifting from a daily bag to a personal item bag is another small jump, but we’ve found that a 20L travel backpack has just enough space for a weekend trip, or longer if you pack smart. We like this size travel bag because it will likely fit under the seat in front of you on a flight, which means no pesky carry-on fees or worrying about your bag getting lost, which is a big plus. They're great for heading straight to the airport from the office, as they can handle your work needs with your travel accessories added in, too.

It's important to note that it's ultimately up to your airline to decide whether or not a travel bag is allowed to be used as a personal item, but we’ve found that most packs around 20L will fit the bill. It's always a good idea to check the specific rules and dimensions of who you'll be flying with before you start packing, though. There isn't much worse than getting to the airport to find out that your personal item has evolved into a carry-on and that you're stuck with the bill.

After you've stowed your laptop and other travel essentials, you should have room for a packing cube or two. This is great for organization and ensuring that you have all the items that you need for the duration of your trip. If you pack minimally and strategically, you can make a personal item backpack work for week-long trips, too!

The Bellroy Tokyo Totepack all packed up.

In this range, we recommend the Bellroy Tokyo Totepack . It has an open main compartment that is great for getting the most out of the volume. Toss in a few packing cubes and a tech pouch, and you're ready to take on the weekend!

Daypack/Travel Backpack Hybrid (30L)

We love the daypack and travel backpack combo because it enables you to pivot between everyday activities and traveling with ease. We like travel bags around 30L for this purpose because anything larger will be a bit too big for daily use, and anything smaller won't have enough gusto for longer trips. Finding that happy medium is vital for a comfortable journey without sacrificing any essential gear along the way.

For us, a good daypack and travel backpack combo needs to fit a laptop, tablet, toiletry kit, several small or medium-sized packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other various odds and ends. However, your packing list may vary depending on how you like to travel.

We keep an eye out for ways to compress or expand a hybrid travel bag because this enables it to be more versatile. Compression straps and compression zippers are both great features that will allow you to adjust the size depending on your needs at the time, but not all brands include these options.

When you arrive at your destination, take out packing cubes and other items that don't need to be with you at all times. Then you can compress the pack (if it has that feature), fill it with what you need for the day, and head out into adventure mode. When it's time to head home, load the gear and cubes back up with any souvenirs you picked up along the way and go to the airport. If you've picked up too many presents for your family back home, a travel backpack with attachment points is great because you can clip additional pouches and accessories on the outside of the pack.

The Knack Pack Series 2 all packed up.

The Knack Pack Series 2 is a pack with a lot of features for more efficient travel. Uncompressed, the pack is 35L, a great size for traveling, but it sizes down to a handy 24L for daily usage. It has a ton of internal organization, ensuring that every item will have a home and nothing will get lost on the journey. Both of these features make it a great contender to get you to and from your destination stress-free, which means you will be able to enjoy your trip more.

Travel Backpack (40L to 45L)

We're now on the edge of what can be considered a carry-on bag, and we have to admit, we’re loving every minute of it. Most 40L packs are about as large as you’ll be able to bring onto the plane, but adding a few more liters is worth it if you can (and want to) check a travel bag.

These packs are the standard size for one-bag travelers who will be away from home for extended periods of time. Suppose you will be spending a few months bouncing around different countries in Europe, a year exploring what Asia has to offer, or country hopping through Central and South America. In that case, this size travel bag has your name all over it!

Now that we’ve made our way to the larger end of the size spectrum, we tend to look for a few features that add quality of life. We like clamshell packs because they give you the ability to see the entire main compartment at once, rather than digging through to make sure you have everything you need for a day's work or specific adventure. It's almost like a suitcase you can wear on your back, and we find we can be most organized and comfortable this way.

The Osprey Fairview all packed up.

One of our favorites in this category is the Osprey Farpoint. The pack comes in both men’s ( Farpoint ) and women’s ( Fairview ) styling at 40L. Our team has tested this travel bag for over a year in over a dozen different countries worldwide and found that it can hold all of our gear and remain comfortable in almost every situation. No bag is perfect, but a quality travel backpack will quite literally be by your side through it all, so ensuring that you get all the features you need is essential.

Gear Hauler (60L)

Ah, finally. The granddaddy of them all.

Have you ever heard the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink” and thought, well, what if I want to bring the kitchen sink, too? Then you're in the right place. A gear hauler is a great fit for a road trip where the size of your travel bag isn't the biggest concern. This normally comes in the form of a duffel, but there are a couple of colossal travel backpacks out there if that's your preference.

In the 50 to 60 L range, gear haulers are also great for outdoor adventures and hobbies that require a lot of equipment, like camping. Another great use for such a pack is to transport coats, snow pants, boots, and skiing and snowboarding gear in the winter.

We’ve also run into on-the-move creators who find them useful when packing audio and video equipment alongside their clothes on trips where they won't be able to stop back at home between gigs. The great thing about a huge travel bag is that you don't need to worry about what you’re bringing because of the sheer volume these packs offer. Unless you quite literally bring your kitchen sink, odds are, it will fit.

The YETI Crossroads 60L all packed up.

In this range, we like the YETI Crossroads 60L Duffel . It has a monumentally large main compartment that's complete with two stowable dividers, which is great for separating different kinds of gear. You could do clothes in one, camera equipment in another, and food and snacks in the last one for an epic cross country photography road trip. Or you could fill all three sections with the Pokemon cards you've been collecting since you were a kid and stow it on the top shelf of your closet so your partner thinks you finally got rid of them after all these years. The opportunities are endless!

Wrapping Up

As you can probably tell, there are a ton of travel bags out there, and each one thrives in a different setting. Odds are, you’ll have a use for almost all of the packs we listed here, but it’s about figuring out what works best for you and your specific usage needs. Be sure to check out our gear reviews , guides , and blog for more assistance finding your perfect pack!

January 31, 2022

Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

Luggage Sizes: Understanding And Choosing The Best For You

You want to buy a new suitcase but you are not sure which size to get? I’m here to help! In this post, I will tell you everything you need to consider, in order to get the perfect suitcase size.

I will also show you some good luggage options at the very end. Be sure to check those out, if you’re not sure which suitcases are worth buying.

Suitcase Sizes: The Basics

The traditional suitcase sizes range from 18” to 32”. So, there are a lot of different luggage sizes to choose from.

Each different size of luggage also has a specific luggage volume you can calculate to see how much you can fit inside it.

Let’s take a look at the breakdown.

Small Suitcase Size / Carry-On Size

• 19-22 inches
• Weekend or business trips

Suitcases that are up to 22” are considered carry-on luggage. While all larger bags are considered checked luggage .

But this is not always the case – some airlines allow larger bags inside the cabin , and will accept a 23” suitcase as a carry-on.

Medium Suitcase Size

• 25-27 inches
• Long weekend or week-long trips

A Medium sized suitcase tends to be between 25″-27″ and can easily fit everything you need for a weekend or even a week’s beach holiday.

If you are packing for a variety of climates or need cold weather gear for a ski holiday, then I find it a struggle to fit everything in. That is where a large luggage size comes in.

Large Suitcase Size

• 28-31 inches

A large luggage size is handy for when you go on trips longer than a week or just need more variety of clothing or gear with you. They are obviously larger and heavier, so be careful you still stay within the luggage weight limits for your airline.

Extra-Large Luggage Size

• 32 inches or more

For those of you who are going for even longer vacations or have bulky clothing like winter jackets or lots of different outfits, then the 32″ sized luggage is the size you want to look at. Different manufacturers have various sizes in this league, but 32 inches is the starting point.

Luggage Collections

With most luggage collections, you will see either three or four different sizes for one suitcase. That’s usually 21”, 25”, 28”, and sometimes 31” . Obviously, this is not a rule – with some brands, you’ll see smaller suitcases, and with others, you’ll struggle to find anything under 25”.

The right size for you depends on a lot of different factors, and I will do my best to cover them all in this post. And hopefully, by the end of this post, you’ll be 100% sure which size is just perfect for you!

Packing 101: Understanding What Size Luggage You Actually Need

I have a friend who I love dearly. But whenever we go away, she has three pieces of luggage. And guess what – she winds up actually using only about 40% of the items she packed.

Don’t pack for “what if” scenarios. I used to make these mistakes when I was a lot younger, and boy did I learn from them. The thing that sobered me up was when I had to carry an over-packed 30” suitcase with a broken wheel on a ferry and a train. And I had another bag that held my 70-lb laptop, and everything that did not fit in the suitcase.

I had sore arms for the next three or four days. And all of that because of the “what if” packing – turns out that the chances you will need a proper jacket and rain boots in a seaside town in the middle of July are non-existent.

You need to understand what you actually need, and what you don’t. You don’t need the third pair of jeans or the fifteenth pair of socks, or even your compression socks . And you certainly don’t need that shirt you haven’t worn since your graduation.

Once you have a really good understanding of what you actually need, you will be able to pack for long trips in small suitcases. Especially if you know some really cool packing hacks.

How Good Are Your Packing Skills?

Over the years I’ve learned to pack for two weeks in a small carry on . And you can too – it takes some time, practice, and a Marie-Kondo understanding of the things you actually need.

There are lots of useful tips and tricks you can learn that will tremendously reduce the amount of space you actually need in a suitcase. One of the best tricks I learned was to roll my clothes – if you haven’t tried this already, you’re missing out!

The next time you go pack your suitcase, try rolling your clothes instead of folding them. Not only will it save you a lot of space in your luggage, but it also keeps the clothes from wrinkling.

Another incredibly useful trick I learned was to put my underwear and socks into plastic bags and then stuff those inside my shoes. I also realized that this doesn’t work with all kinds of shoes, like soft Converse sneakers or espadrilles. But it works like a charm with bulkier footwear, and it really helps you utilize your suitcase to the max.

I don’t know about you, but before I learned this trick I used to pack my socks and underwear in the mesh zippered pockets on the cover of a softshell, or on the divider of a hardshell suitcase . Now I use that space for cosmetics, towels, or swimsuits, depending on what I’m packing for.

When you get really good at packing, you will realize that you don’t actually need a 32” suitcase for a two-week holiday.

How Are You Travelling?

Are you flying somewhere, or are you taking a train/driving?

And if you are flying, does your ticket allow for a checked bag? I find it easier to justify packing a big suitcase to myself if I’ve bought a ticket that includes a checked suitcase. But that’s not always the case, especially with short flights and budget airlines.

In this case, I’d say that the size of your suitcase depends mostly on your ticket. If you already paid for a checked bag, then by all means bring a 28” suitcase and pack everything you want inside it. But if your ticket doesn’t allow for checked luggage, you will save time and money if you opt for a carry-on. Especially if you’re going on a shorter trip, and you don’t need to bring too much stuff in the first place.

But if you are traveling by train or bus, then you’re better off getting a smaller suitcase. Think about it –you’ll have to drag that thing to the train station, then all the way to the hotel. Maybe you’re even switching between trains, or getting on a ferry at one point?

The lighter your luggage is, the easier it is for you to move around. You won’t be stressed out and you won’t be in pain if you’re not carrying a 40-lb suitcase.

If you’re driving somewhere, think about the trunk space . Sure, there’s plenty of room for your luggage if it’s just you and your partner, but if you’re going away with a group of people… One time I went on a holiday with 4 friends, in one car. None of us were allowed to bring a big suitcase because there simply wasn’t enough room in the trunk. Talk about being squashed like sardines.

This is something you need to think about – if you are getting in a car with three or four more people, you really need to pack light. The trunk will fill up really quickly, and there will be very little (if any) space in the back seat. And trust me, you don’t want to ride for 5 hours with your bags under your seat.

What Do You Need The Suitcase For?

Do you need a suitcase for a specific trip, or are you just looking to expand your luggage collection?

If you are buying a suitcase for one particular trip, then it makes sense to get a size that is just right for that trip. If you’re going away for a really long time, then you need a large bag. But if your trip is two weeks or under, you can manage with a 25” suitcase.

If you are buying a suitcase because you want to add another one to your existing luggage collection, make sure you get something you will use . Don’t get a 32” suitcase just because you don’t own one – if you’ve got this far without it, chances are you won’t use it too often. And if you are not using it often, then you are not getting your money’s worth.

Instead, consider which size you’re currently using most frequently. And then get another one – it’s good to have a backup if your favorite suitcase gets damaged beyond repair . Plus, if you’re always traveling with a 21” carry-on, then you will definitely get your money’s worth if you buy another one of those.

It’s kind of like buying perfume online – would you rather buy another bottle of your favorite perfume, or order something you’ve never smelled before and risk not liking it?

When Do You Travel Most Often?

Are we talking about the summer or winter holidays? Because the difference is huge.

Summer clothes are lightweight, thin, and take up very little space. But winter clothes are bulkier and heavier – one down jacket will take up as much space as a pair of jeans, a couple of tops, and a beach towel.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense to buy a larger suitcase if you’re going away to the mountains. Especially if you want to go skiing or snowboarding, and you need all the additional equipment. This is actually one of the few scenarios where I will tell you that it’s better to buy a really big suitcase.

For most other scenarios, you will rarely need something larger than 28” max. Especially in the spring and summer, when you’re packing thin and lightweight clothes, and you can wear that one jacket you want to bring.

Who Are You Travelling With?

Do you travel alone? With friends? With a spouse?

If you travel alone, it makes more sense to get a small suitcase. You don’t really have people that can carry it for you, and it’s a lot easier to go places with small and lightweight luggage.

But if you’re traveling with a partner or just one other person, then your best bet is splitting a suitcase with them. I always recommend this to couples and they always thank me – why would you bring two small suitcases, when you can fit clothes for both of you in one large bag?

You can alternate who carries the suitcase so neither of you gets too tired, and both of you can also have a backpack or a smaller duffel for any additional stuff you need.

This is a very useful trick for air travel – you don’t have to pay for two big suitcases. Instead you can have one checked bag and two carry-ons. And that can hold enough things for about a month.

How Much Do You Shop?

Do you only buy a couple of souvenirs , or do you go cray-cray if you see a hot sale?

If you plan to do a lot of shopping on your trip, then definitely go for a larger suitcase, preferably one with expandable capacity.

But don’t go too big – go for one or two sizes larger. And don’t pack it fully. Leave some room inside, so that you can fit all the things that you buy on your trip.

Even if you don’t normally shop too much on your trips, you will benefit from having an expandable suitcase. You never know – maybe you’ll find that one pair of sneakers you’ve been eyeing for months but are sold out everywhere else.

Where Are You Staying?

Are you staying in a hotel or AirBnB ? Maybe you’re even visiting a friend or family?

Here’s why I’m asking – if you’re staying someplace where you have a washer, you don’t need to bring too many clothes. Instead of packing 7 shirts for 7 days, you can just bring 4 and then wash them and wear them again.

So, if you have access to a washing machine, you can pack less stuff in a smaller suitcase. But if you’re staying in a hotel, then you don’t have that luxury. In that case, you will probably need a large suitcase size, which can fit all of your clothes.

Most Important Points

• Always go for the smallest suitcase size you feel comfortable with
• Don’t buy a giant suitcase just because you don’t have one
• Don’t pack for “what if” scenarios – if you wind up missing something, you can always buy it
• If you’re traveling with a partner or a friend, the two of you can split a really big suitcase
• If your plane ticket includes a checked bag go nuts
• If your plane ticket doesn’t include a checked bag get a carry-on
• If you’re traveling alone get a small suitcase
• If you are traveling in the winter, get a bigger suitcase because boots, jackets, and sweaters take up a lot more space than sundresses and shorts.
• If you have access to a washing machine, you don’t need too many clothes

I think that covers most of what I was saying earlier. Anyway, let’s check out some suitcases.

Top Product Overview

Best sized suitcases for travel, american tourister curio.

This is one of my favorite budget options. It’s a hardside suitcase, and it is available in three sizes – 20”, 25” and 29 ”. All of the suitcases are  made from polypropylene , and they are really lightweight. The only downside to these is that they don’t have  expandable capacity , and you will need to make the best of what you get.

At the moment, all three Curio suitcases are discounted and are under $100. SEE ALSO:  American Tourister Curio Detailed Review

Delsey Helium Aero

Delsey’s Helium Aero luggage is a  great durable option . The suitcases are  made from Polycarbonate,  which is the sturdiest material for luggage. It bends upon impact – you can literally dent the shell and then pop it back in place. These suitcases are  available in four different sizes , and they all feature e xpandable capacity.

Overall, a great choice for air travel.

SEE ALSO:  Delsey Helium Aero Full Review

Samsonite Solyte DLX

The Samsonite Solyte DLX is definitely one of the best and most durable soft side suitcases you can get. It’s made from 100% rugged polyester weave, which is a very popular material for sturdy soft luggage. It has excellent tear resistance , and it is also water-resistant, which is why it’s so popular.

Samsonite Solyte DLX suitcases are available in  three sizes,  they feature spinner wheels and all of them have the expandable capacity.

Travelpro Crew 11

Travelpro is a brand that manufactures luggage for airline employees. If it’s good enough for them, then it’s good enough for you, right?

The Crew 11 suitcases are a very popular option. They are  softshells with spinner wheels and multiple compartments  and pockets. The suitcases are made from  ballistic nylon , and they are very durable.

You can get these in a lot of different sizes, but the four I featured are the most popular options.

SEE ALSO:  Travelpro Crew 11 Review (Softsides & Hardsides)

Samsonite Omni PC

The Samsonite Omni PC is a very popular suitcase. It’s a Samsonite that you can get for less than $100  – I think that’s what appeals most to people.

These are  hardside suitcases , with a rather unusual shell design. But thanks to their diamond-pattern exterior, they are very scratch-resistant. All three Omni suitcases feature s pinner wheels, double packing compartments and expandable capacity.

If you’re looking for a high-quality suitcase at an affordable price, the Omni is the way to go.

Luggage Sizes FAQ

In this section, I’ll cover some of the most frequently asked questions about luggage sizes regarding both carry-ons and checked bags.

Are Suitcases Measured Diagonally?

No, suitcases are usually not measured diagonally . Instead, if airline personnel think your bag is too big for a carry-on, they will ask you to put it in a sizer that restricts height and depth of luggage. In practice, this means that you can get away with luggage that is an inch or two wider than it should be.

Also, suitcases are measured with wheels, handles, and other protrusions, so when you are shopping for a suitcase, be sure to look for external dimensions and not case dimensions.

Case dimensions only account for the size of the packing compartment – they don’t account for the wheels and handles. In general, the wheels and handles add about 1.5” to the bag, and that’s your difference between a carry-on and checked luggage.

Additionally, some airlines will restrict luggage based on linear size . Instead of measuring the diagonal, liner size is just adding up all the different dimensions. For example, most airlines will restrict checked baggage to 62” linear – this could be a 27” x 21” x 14” suitcase, or a 26” x 20” x 16” one.  For carry-ons, the usual restriction is 45” linear.

What’s The Biggest Suitcase Size?

The biggest suitcase size is 32”. These are extra-large checked suitcases that often measure 31-32” with the wheel and handle, and they are rare. Most brands will have a 28” suitcase as their biggest option – these bags often have a capacity of 90-100 liters, which is more than enough for the average person.

Why doesn’t everyone make extra-large checked because? Because they’re not very popular. A 28” suitcase is still big enough to get you through a 20-day trip, but it’s significantly lighter and easier to maneuver than a 32” one. Also, the bigger and heavier your luggage is, the more likely you are to go over the weight limit for checked bags and incur a penalty fee.

The actual biggest suitcase in the world was built in 1999, and it measures 13.33 x 8.75 x 4.16ft. It’s obviously not for sale and it was built just for the purposes of getting a Guinness World Record, but hey – now you know a useless fun fact!

What Is Carry-On Suitcase Size?

The maximum allowed size for a carry-on suitcase is determined by the airline, but in most cases it is 45” linear. For most airlines, the maximum height of a carry-on suitcase is 22”, including the wheels and handles. However, and I can’t stress this enough, it is very important that you always check what the policy of the airline you are flying with.

Some will allow only bags up to 21”, others won’t let you carry on anything wider than 15”, and some (like Southwest) will let you carry on bags up to 24”. It varies from airline to airline, but a 21” suitcase is generally considered a carry-on almost everywhere.

What Is The Smallest Suitcase Size?

The smallest suitcase size is 18” for proper suitcases . These are mini carry-ons that work best for overnight trips because they have a very small capacity. Also, this is the standard size of suitcases for children . You can go even smaller, but then we’re not really talking about proper suitcases.

Instead, we’re talking about underseat bags. Some brands will put as much effort into these as they put into their other luggage, so you can buy a proper underseat suitcase with a multi-stage handle, spinner wheels, and two packing compartments. These mini suitcases are usually 16” or smaller.

What Happens If Carry-On Is Too Big?

If your carry-on suitcase is too big and you’re not allowed to bring it inside the cabin, you will be forced to check your bag . If your ticket allows for a checked bag and you don’t have one, you don’t need to pay an extra fee. But if your ticket doesn’t include checked luggage, you will need to pay for it.

Make a point of checking the carry-on restrictions of any airline you travel with, and you will avoid nasty surprises. It’s especially important to this if you’re flying with a local airline that uses smaller aircrafts. Smaller planes have smaller overhead bins and even standard carry-ons won’t always fit inside them.

It’s worth noting that slightly oversized carry-ons make it inside the cabin all the time. It depends on how strict the airline is with enforcing the rule, but also who’s working that particular day, and whether they’re in a good mood. As long as your carry-on is not visibly oversized (bulging, extended, etc.), you can easily sneak it onto the plane.

What Happens If Carry-On Is Too Heavy?

If your carry-on suitcase is too heavy, you will most likely be forced to check it at the gate. This will also incur a checked baggage fee, and depending on the weight of the carry-on, you might also get an overweight baggage fee. But the latter will happen only if your carry-on exceeds the maximum weight for checked bags, which is usually 50 lbs.

Considering that carry-ons have a significantly smaller capacity than checked luggage, it’s almost impossible to make them weigh more than 50 lbs.

Most airlines have a weight limit of 20 lbs for carry-on bags but be sure to double-check if this is the case with the airline you are traveling with. Some airlines don’t have any weight restrictions for carry-ons, and you could get away with a suitcase that’s entirely packed with bricks. It generally depends on the size of the aircraft – if you’re flying in a small plane, an overweight carry-on is trouble.

You can avoid all of this by simply weighing your carry-on at home and taking out any items that are making it overweight. Additionally, a few ounces or even a pound extra shouldn’t really matter – most airlines don’t even weigh carry-on luggage, unless it’s obvious that it is too heavy.

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Standard Luggage Sizes? – A Guide To Typical Suitcase Dimensions & Average Measurements

Last Updated on February 25, 2021

Did you ever stop to wonder why references to luggage sizes typically only give one dimension?

People talk about a “30-inch suitcase” or “25-inch luggage” but one measurement alone doesn’t tell us how big a suitcase is.

It reminds me how very young kids don’t realize that a tall thin glass doesn’t always have more juice than a short thick glass.

Jimmy is fooled because the tall container just looks bigger to him.

As adults, we know you can’t tell how much juice is in the glass from only the height.

But enough developmental psychology, the point is it’s the same with luggage sizes, to know the capacity of a suitcase you need to know the three dimensions, height, width, and depth.

These measurements are also crucial when it comes to airline size restrictions.

Don’t assume that if a manufacturer calls a suitcase a “checked bag” it is under the airline size limits for checked luggage . Travelers get hit with charges for oversize checked luggage all the time.

The same goes for the “carry on bag” label. It’s pretty meaningless since many bags labeled as carry-on size could land you with the cost of being forced to check it for being an inch too big .

So don’t trust the labels and also don’t assume that the bag with the bigger headline number will hold more clothes when packing.

Average Suitcase Sizes Chart By Type (Dimensions & Capacity)

Luggage manufacturers don’t always count the wheels and handle in their specifications. Airlines do count wheels and retracted handles! So this luggage size chart measures luggage dimensions from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the collapsed handle.

Personal Items & Under-seat Luggage

Personal Items are usually a purse, handbag, briefcase, or laptop bag that is taken on board in addition to a carry-on.

But since low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and United Basic Economy stopped allowing carry-on bags for free the personal item has become somewhere you might pack your clothes to save money.

Personal items need to be small enough to go under the seat. Check your airline to see what their size limits for personal items are.

A weekender bag often fits under the seat and as the name suggests these are good for 2 or 3 nights away.

But it’s possible to travel for extended vacations carrying only a personal item if you follow our traveling light tips . Basically, you need to pack quick-drying clothes and be prepared to do a bit of hand washing.

International Carry-On Size

If you are traveling internationally then the limit for your carry-on bag can vary tremendously. A good carry-on bag size for international travel is 21 x 14 x 8 inches. These measurements will be compliant with many airlines around the world. If you know the airlines you’ll be using you can check international carry-on luggage size limits before you travel.

Make sure you get a lightweight carry-on if you will be globetrotting. Airlines around the world often have restrictive weight limits for carry-on luggage.

Domestic Carry-On Size

The most common size limit for domestic carry-ons is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Unless you fly exclusively on Southwest there is no good reason to buy a larger carry-on for travel within the US.

Carry-ons are great for business travel, short trips, or weekends away. Taking your luggage into the cabin saves time because you don’t need to wait at the baggage claim carousel.

It’s also easier to make sure your bag doesn’t get lost or valuables damaged if you keep your bag close in the cabin.

However cabin luggage introduces a little stress since space in the overhead bins is limited. Priority boarding helps with this since you get to the overhead lockers before the crowd.

Small Checked Bags

Small checked bags are basically over-sized carry-on bags. Often manufacturers “forget” to count the wheels or a protruding handle. This can mean that a strict airline will force you to check that bag.

Or perhaps you simply prefer the experience of checking luggage. It’s easier to board a flight if you are not worrying about getting your suitcase into the overhead bin.

Medium Checked Bags

The maximum size for checked luggage is often given as 62 linear inches. This means that height + width + depth must not exceed 62 when summed.

People often wonder how medium checked suitcases compare to the larger checked suitcases.

It seems like a reasonable question. How much space does a 25-inch suitcase have compared to a 32-inch suitcase?

But remember the story about the juice. One dimension doesn’t help us determine how big a case is. Taller isn’t always bigger.

The suitcase with the largest capacity for checked luggage would actually be a perfect cube 20.66 inches x 20.66 inches x 20.66 inches. That box would be under the 62 linear inches limit and have a capacity of 144 liters.

This very extra-large 32-inch checked luggage from IT Luggage is exactly 62 linear inches and has a capacity of only 90 liters. That’s a lot less than the perfect cube would be.

So the capacity of the bag doesn’t only depend on how tall it is. Width, depth, and how chunky the bag is matters a lot.

Large Checked Bags

Given the rectangular nature of most suitcases, 32 inches is about as high as they come. The largest checked bags will be in the 28-32 inch range.

A 28-inch suitcase can hold more than a 32-inch suitcase if the width and depth are greater.

Heck a 20-inch suitcase can hold more than a 32-inch suitcase, see the cube above.

With large checked bags in this range, you need to make sure that the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 62 linear inches .

It’s also more likely that you will hit a weight limit. Penalties can be expensive if that happens so it’s always best to weigh your luggage .

22-inch, 25-inch, & 30-inch Luggage Bag Sizes Visually Compared

I get it. Online shopping is tough and sometimes you just want to eyeball it. Here are 4 common suitcases stood next to two people.

But if you really want to know how big the suitcase is your need to do the math.

Suitcase Size Calculator

Don’t worry, I did the calculations for you!

The model assumes 0.5 inch thickness of the suitcase. It also assumes you need 10 liters for things like your toiletries, your shoes, and laptop.

The remaining capacity is used to figure how many days worth of clothes you will fit into each size of bag depending on the season.

FAQ’s

A standard large suitcase size will be 30 – 32 inches in height. Sum the three dimensions and check they are under 62 to qualify as checked luggage.

Medium checked suitcases are around 25 – 26 inches.

The answer really depends on if you are willing to do laundry or not. If you have no intention of doing laundry and are traveling for many days you’ll need a large checked suitcase. If you are willing to wash clothes quick-drying fabrics can be washed quickly in the evening and will be dry in the morning. You can manage with a small carry-on even on long trips.

A carry-on suitcase can typically hold around 35 – 40 liters.

The size of a 25-inch suitcase depends what the other 2 dimensions are. Use the suitcase capacity calculator on this page to get the capacity in liters.

Multiply the three dimensions to get the size in cubic inches. Then convert cubic inches to liters.

A 28-inch suitcase is the same height as 4.5 dollar bills laid end to end. But you need to know all three dimensions to know how much clothes you’ll be able to pack.

A 62-inch suitcase would be massive, around the height of a teenager. A 62 LINEAR inch suitcase can be many different heights. The sum of the three dimensions needs to be be 62 inches. For example 32 x 20 x 10 inches.

There are 28.3 liters per cubic foot. A large suitcase will be at most 4 cubic feet.

Well… is it hot or cold where you are going? Do you need a different sweater for each day or can you wear the same one twice? Are you only packing clothes or do you need a laptop and 6 pairs of shoes? The size of suitcase you need for 10 days depends on the weight and volume of 1 days worth of clothes. Divide your suitcase capacity by how many liters you think 1 days worth of clothes is.

Will you be wearing shorts or jeans? Are you a size XXL or small? To determine the size of suitcase you will need try to figure what size a bundle of clothes for 1 day will be in liters. Could you imagine 1 days worth of clothes rolled into a 2 liter soda bottle? 14 days x 2 liters would mean you require 28 liters for clothes. Then add on your laptop, your toiletries, and your shoes to get the total capacity you require.

The Verdict

You can’t judge the size of a suitcase on only 1 dimension.

You need to multiply the three dimensions to get an idea of the luggage capacity.

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Set off on your next vacation with the ideal travel companion from Argos thanks to our fantastic variety of medium suitcases. For people who can never decide between packing the additional pair of shoes or that bulky jumper, they're just right - not too big, not too little. 

Enter the world of IT luggage , where featherlight technology and toughness collide. They are fashionable enough to draw attention at the luggage carousel yet strong enough to withstand the rough and tumble of baggage handlers. 

Our large suitcase selection is your new best friend if you find you need more room because, let's face it, who doesn't bring back more than they take? These roomy numbers are like portable closets, prepared to eat up half of your wardrobe with room left for souvenirs. 

Children travelling with you? Their knight in shining armour, or rather, hard-shell plastic, is a Trunki . Airports are now more like playgrounds than headaches thanks to Trunki’s entertaining ride-on luggage. They are cabin-approved as well, so your kids can keep their treasures close from take off until touchdown. 

We also provide cabin bags that are perfect for the stylish business traveller. These clever pieces are made to fit snugly into overhead compartments, protecting your well-pressed clothes from getting squashed. 

The ideal medium suitcase from Argos will lend a little excitement (and practicality) to your travels, regardless of your packing style, whether it’s minimalist or you like to pack the kitchen sink. Start your trip on the correct wheel and shop now! 

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Luggage Size Chart: Ultimate Guide to Carry On & Check-in Baggage

The importance of a luggage bag size chart cannot be overstated, as improperly sized luggage can transform an anticipated journey into a hassle at the airport. From incurring additional fees for oversized and trolley bag to facing restrictions on carry-on access, understanding and adhering to additional questions related to luggage size limits is pivotal. Before heading to the airport, a quick review of our comprehensive luggage size guide ensures a smoother travel experience.

Which luggage to take when traveling?

There are tons of questions regarding selecting the right type of luggage for travel can be a daunting task, as various factors come into play to ensure a seamless journey. The duration, distance, and destination of the trip are crucial considerations. For short trips, a compact carry-on, duffle backpack  or office bag may suffice, offering convenience and avoiding check-in hassles. Longer journeys, especially those involving multiple destinations, may require larger suitcases to accommodate ample belongings. The type of travel, be it business, leisure, or adventure, further influences the choice. A well-informed decision on luggage size and type not only caters to practical needs but also enhances overall travel comfort and efficiency.

Luggage Size Chart

Explore our comprehensive inch luggage size chart below, providing detailed dimensions for various bag types, ensuring you stay well-informed for your travel packing needs.

When to Opt for Checked Luggage

Choosing checked luggage is often the preferred option for extended trips where a larger wardrobe is essential. Business travelers, especially those with formal attire or multiple outfits, may find checked bags more accommodating. Vacationers planning for diverse weather conditions or various activities could also benefit from the extra space. Additionally, when carrying larger items or specific equipment necessary for the journey, opting for checked luggage ensures a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.

Top TSA-Approved Checked Luggage

• Cabin + Medium + Large

Checked Baggage Allowances and Restrictions

When to opt for carry on bags.

Carry-on bags are the perfect choice for travelers in specific situations, such as short trips or weekends away. Their compact size and lightweight nature make them ideal for quick getaways. Opting for carry-on bags offers several advantages, including convenience, cost savings, and the ability to bypass the often time-consuming baggage claim process. Travelers can enjoy swift departures, avoiding the hassle of waiting for checked baggage.

Best Carry On Bags Within Airline Limits

Carry on luggage size chart , personal items limitations.

Airlines typically designate a specific space beneath the seat for personal items, such as laptops , medications, books, or other essentials. This space is intended to provide convenience for passengers during the flight. However, exceeding the allotted space may necessitate the use of the overhead bin and, in some cases, could lead to additional fees. It's essential for travelers to be mindful of the dimensions and limitations imposed by airlines to ensure a smooth and hassle-free boarding experience.

In conclusion, understanding luggage size guidelines is paramount for a seamless travel experience. The choice between carry-on and checked luggage depends on factors like trip duration and specific needs. Adhering to airline regulations prevents unnecessary fees and ensures swift boarding. The convenience of personal items beneath the seat is advantageous, but travelers must be mindful of space limitations. To assist in making informed choices, it is recommended to refer to our comprehensive luggage size chart in kg or luggage size chart in cm. By consulting this, travelers can sidestep common pitfalls, enjoy cost savings, and embark on their journeys with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 3 sizes of luggage?

• Luggage generally comes in three main sizes: small, medium, and large. Small luggage, often referred to as carry-on, is suitable for short trips, while medium and large sizes cater to longer journeys with increased packing capacity. 

What is the size limit for carry-on luggage?

• The carry-on luggage size chart varies among airlines, but common dimensions range around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm). It's crucial for travelers to check their airline's specific requirements to ensure their carry-on meets the size restrictions and avoids any inconvenience during boarding.

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Check In Baggage Rules You Need to Know in 2024

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The Best Suitcases for Checking

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

For many travelers, the frequently discussed dream is to never check a bag. But life doesn’t always cooperate—sometimes you need a bigger suitcase.

After researching 30 pieces of checked luggage and testing eight finalists over many years, we can still say that the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who plan to check a bag.

The bag easily holds two weeks’ worth of clothes, and it looks and feels fantastic. And it comes with a limited lifetime warranty against airline damage.

Everything we recommend

Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner

The best checked bag for most travelers.

This bag provides a luxury feel at a reasonable price, with a capacity, warranty, and reliability that should suit most travelers. The 25-inch model should offer plenty of room for most travelers, without going over airline weight limits.

Buying Options

Travelpro Platinum Elite 29″ Expandable Spinner

Same suitcase, but bigger.

If you need a checked bag that gives you the maximum allowable space, and you don’t mind paying an overweight-bag fee, the 29-inch model is the way to go.

Away The Medium

The best hard-sided checked suitcase.

This great-looking, relatively resilient piece of hard-sided luggage matches our hard-sided carry-on pic. It has the same top-of-the-line components—including wheels that roll as smoothly as any we’ve tested.

Away The Large

The best large hard-sided checked suitcase.

If you need to maximize your allowed space, and you aren’t worried about weight limits, this bag is, as the name implies, the largest one Away makes. Apart from its extra capacity, it’s identical to The Medium.

Upgrade pick

Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner

Hefty luggage for a heftier price.

This bag provides the most satisfying packing experience money can buy. It can fit an additional week’s worth of clothing, when compressed, in the same amount of space as the Travelpro Platinum Elite bag offers.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Extra Large Expandable 31″ Spinner

The same durable bag, but bigger.

This bag is for anyone who needs a somewhat ludicrous amount of space. Fully expanded, this bag is the biggest we’ve found. Fair warning: If you fill it full of clothes, you’re all but guaranteed to exceed airline weight limits.

Monos Hybrid Trunk

This type of luggage brings back the classic silhouette of upright steamer trunks. Due to their design, trunks are considered by some to be easier to pack and to maneuver. However, airlines may flag the Monos as oversize.

Testing takeaways

We’ve found that the stated dimensions and weights of checked suitcases tend to be more accurate than those of their carry-on counterparts.

Wheel quality can affect how well carry-ons roll, but this is less true for checked bags—their weight smooths out the ride.

Handle shape and size often dictate a carry-on’s usable space. In roomier, checked bags, however, they’re less of a factor.

We considered how well a suitcase handles when it’s fully packed, how durable its materials are, and whether it’s comfortable to use.

The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the larger, checked-luggage version of our Travelpro carry-on top pick , and everything we like about its diminutive sibling applies again here.

It’s made of a hard-wearing nylon that’s both sleek and durable. And it looks and feels like a bag that costs a lot more than it actually does.

For a checked bag, it’s also surprisingly nimble. That’s thanks to the height-adjustable handle and the magnetically locking MagnaTrac wheels, which make the bag noticeably easier to maneuver—especially when it’s loaded with 50 pounds of stuff. And this suitcase is protected by a lifetime warranty, with stated protections against airline damages.

Internally, the Platinum Elite is well organized, and it includes a built-in garment folder for formalwear, with a removable folding board (similar to the one in our upgrade pick ). If you need a little more space, consider the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29″ Expandable Spinner .

Note that with luggage this capacious, it’s easy to overpack and exceed the 50-pound (22-kilogram) weight limit imposed by most airlines. But if you’re willing to pay the fee, the Platinum Elite can easily withstand the extra weight.

For anyone who enjoys the look and simplicity of hard-sided luggage—as well as the comfort of knowing that this one is virtually impossible to overpack— The Medium suitcase from Away is an excellent choice with an excellent warranty.

Soft-sided luggage typically has a longer lifespan than hard-sided bags, typically made of ABS plastic or polycarbonate. And soft-sided luggage typically has features like exterior pockets, making organization easier. However, the differences in durability and utility between hard- and soft-sided luggage are increasingly marginal, and plenty of people prefer the aesthetic and additional color options of polycarbonate suitcases.

Away builds its luggage with high-quality components. We tested the Away bag for three years before first recommending it. This suitcase has been our pick for over six years now, and we are confident in its long-term durability and the reputation of Away’s limited lifetime warranty . Away also makes a bigger checked-luggage model, The Large . We’ve found, however, that it’s very easy to overpack suitcases of this size, even ones that are hard-sided.

If you identify as a frequent flier or a serious overpacker, or if you have a large family and are willing to invest in higher-quality luggage for traveling, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 25″ Spinner .

Although the Travelpro Platinum Elite is great for the price, the Briggs & Riley Baseline bag is great, period. Every detail is made to the highest standards of any luggage maker—from the zippers to the wheels to a unique compression system (which lets you fit an additional week’s worth of clothing into the same volume as offered by the Travelpro bag).

You won’t get the unique styling that other luxury brands specialize in, but Briggs & Riley’s reputation for reliability and durability is unmatched. The bag also includes a garment folder, as the Travelpro bag does.

If things go awry, user-replaceable parts and a network of repair centers located around the world make quick fixes easy, and the reliable lifetime warranty covers repairs for any kind of damage. We’ve traveled with this durable bag for six years now on multiple national and international trips. And it’s still in great shape and a dream to pack. Also, its expanding capability has rescued us more than once when we wanted to bring something extra home.

Trunk luggage, including the Monos Hybrid Trunk , replaces the 50/50 split of a clamshell design with a deeper central compartment. It’s a small change, and it makes packing this type of case very pleasant.

However, this luggage seems best for destination travel, when you pack up once and unpack once. Living out of a trunk requires more layers of packing and unpacking. So using trunk luggage across multiple stops could seem potentially onerous, compared with using a bag that has a typical clamshell design. Also, at least one traveler we know was dinged with an oversize fee for their Hybrid Trunk.

Monos continues to impress us with its luggage lines and construction. But the Hybrid Trunk stands out for its reinforced aluminum frame and denser-feeling polycarbonate, and it has a lifetime warranty for any damage that renders the luggage unusable.

The research

Why you should trust us, how we picked and tested, the best checked luggage: travelpro platinum elite 25" expandable spinner, our pick for the best hard-sided luggage: away the medium suitcase, upgrade pick: briggs & riley baseline expandable spinner, the best trunk pick: monos hybrid trunk, other good suitcases for checking, the competition, what to look forward to.

I’ve been covering luggage and travel-bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. Over the years, we’ve also spoken with plenty of experts : flight attendants for major airlines; product designers and creative directors for luggage and gear companies; and travel writers. My conversations with these people have helped shape our coverage, and we owe much to their collective knowledge.

We’ve spent more than 160 hours researching luggage, continually testing to understand what makes good luggage. In the nearly eight years we’ve covered this category, the products have evolved—and so has our thinking about what kind of luggage is best for most people. Based on what’s available and what different travelers prefer, we think the following travel bags are the best checked luggage you can currently find.

There may be thousands of different types of checked luggage available for sale. Even after we excluded models that didn’t meet our basic criteria—a reliable warranty, reputable luggage reviews, and quality materials—we found hundreds of bags worth testing. And we went on to evaluate the choices between nylon and polyester, the difference in wheel-bearing designs, why alloys in telescoping handles matter, and more.

Besides the suggestions from our experts, we researched editorial and user reviews of luggage, making sure to include popular brands, such as Samsonite and Tumi, as well as more-esoteric names, like Hideo Wakamatsu. In addition to our interviews with experts, we’ve spoken with assorted salespeople, brand engineers, and media-relations folks, to make sure we found the best models from each company.

If you want a general rundown of our testing process, check out the corresponding sections from our best carry-on luggage review , since our testing of the larger bags mirrored that process. But we did uncover some differences—mostly having to do with the larger size of checked luggage—that led us to modify our analysis.

The smaller the luggage, the more intricate the design must become to accommodate travelers’ needs. While testing carry-on luggage in the past, we found that company claims of luggage weight and measurements weren’t exactly precise, with capacities exaggerated and weights minimized. Oddly, for checked bags, we didn’t find so much fudging of the numbers. Our best guess is that with the looser size and weight restrictions for checked luggage, manufacturers aren’t as motivated to manipulate their figures when advertising their larger bags.

When we tested carry-ons, we noticed the varied and individual way that each bag handled rough surfaces, depending on their wheels and build quality. With checked bags, this wasn’t a problem. When any checked bag was fully packed, the weight carried it over the roughest of surfaces, without a strong discernable difference between models.

With bags this large, the subtler points of comparison aren’t as pronounced. For instance, the handle’s size and shape can significantly change a carry-on bag’s usable space and your overall packing experience. But when space limits aren’t an issue, this doesn’t really matter. As a result, we focused on the obvious design comparisons, including how these bags handled when full, how durable their materials were, and whether the bags were comfortable to use.

For the majority of families who fly less than 25,000 miles a year together, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the best choice for checked luggage.

It’s the bag to compare others against. The Platinum Elite suitcase is a durable, attractively styled, well-organized bag for a reasonable price. It holds a full seven days’ worth of clothes for two people, and it’s protected by a warranty that covers carrier damage, as long as you register the bag within 120 days of purchase. (The registration is a very simple process, and it can be done in 5 minutes with a smartphone: Simply take a picture of the registration code, which comes with the luggage; send that picture to a number Travelpro provides; and fill out the form in the response link .)

During a trip to New Zealand, our tester was able to pack two weeks’ worth of clothes—without a laundry stop—and several pieces of camera equipment into the Platinum Magna (the previous, largely identical model of the Platinum Elite) without issue. Like every large piece of checked luggage we tested, the Platinum Elite comes only in a four-wheel (or “spinner”) configuration. More wheels mean more bits with the potential to break (as well as some reduction of interior space), but that’s a necessary compromise for bags this size, if you want any hope of managing them in a busy airport.

It shrugs off wear and tear. The Platinum Elite’s exterior is made of ballistic nylon, which can take more overall abuse than polycarbonate and will show less wear in the long run. As we’ve said with regard to carry-ons , we don’t think polycarbonate hard-shell bags are as versatile or durable as soft-sided nylon bags. (Travelpro tests its bags by filling them with 70-pound loads and passing each handle through 7,500 automated lift tests.)

Hard-shell bags usually weigh about 4 pounds less than soft-sided equivalents. However, their increased failure rate and affinity for displaying scratches and wear aren’t worth it, unless the bag’s contents really need the extra protection from sharp jabs.

The soft fabric design allows for extra flexibility and the inclusion of exterior pockets, for quick access to small items. The Platinum Elite has two pockets: a flat one (suitable for documents and boarding passes) and an accordion-style one (which provides extra storage for miscellaneous small items; this can be a lifesaver if you’re traveling with kids and need quick access to extra-small toys, coloring books, clothes, or other supplies).

Organization makes the dream work. During her three-week trip in New Zealand, photographer Caleigh Waldman said of the earlier, nearly identical model in the Platinum line, “On this trip I never stayed in the same location for more than three days and was forced to constantly unpack, repack, and maneuver [the bag]. Usually living out of any suitcase makes me crazy, but the many zip compartments [of this bag], both inside and out, make it easy to compartmentalize your things. The pockets, zippers, and interior liner seemed sturdy, and the large pull-back cover allowed me to access everything I had in the bag with ease.”(Full disclosure: Years later we married, but I don’t think that influenced her review.)

Similar to its smaller Travelpro sibling, the Carry-On Rollaboard , this suitcase has a built-in garment folder (or “suiter”). Additionally, a 2-inch-wide expansion zipper runs along three sides of the Platinum Elite, allowing the bag to accordion-open a touch, if you need the extra space (though we found this more useful as a way to compress what you’ve already packed than as an additional-space-providing feature).

It moves through the world with ease. The Platinum Elite handles beautifully for its size. Its aluminum handle extends to three different heights (38 inches, 40 inches, and 42½ inches). Although every bag we tested for this guide had similar levels of maneuverability, the Premium Elite’s MagnaTrac wheels, which align in the same direction, rolled past the rest of the competition with ease. On smooth surfaces, like those found in airports, it felt as if the bag were almost directing itself across the floor.

During her trip, Caleigh appreciated this suitcase’s smooth rolling, even when the bag was overpacked, saying, “It was not always easy to maneuver on rough or gravelly surfaces. Overall, though, given the limitations of traveling with this much stuff, I thought [this bag] did a great job moving through a variety of environments.” And it has sealed wheel bearings; these extend the wheels’ life by preventing dirt and grime from entering and breaking down the components as quickly. That’s a feature not usually found on cheaper bags. And chances are good that if a bag isn’t clearly advertising sealed bearings, you should assume it doesn’t have them. If, for whatever reason, the wheels do break, you can easily swap them out yourself with Travelpro’s readily available replacements .

It’s light yet cavernous. The Platinum Elite weighs 9 pounds 8 ounces when empty, which is average to heavy among checked bags. That’s a workable weight, though, for the bag’s spacious, 6,982-cubic-inch interior—twice what its carry-on sibling can hold! But when you’re selecting luggage this large, weight shouldn’t be your primary concern because all of the bags we tested felt about equally heavy once fully packed. The important thing is that, in our testing, the Platinum Elite swallowed up a week’s worth of clothes for two people with no problem, with a good deal of room to spare.

Travelpro also sells a Platinum Elite model that’s 29 inches tall . It’s important to emphasize just how absurdly large this suitcase is for most people. Given its capacity of 7,710.6 cubic inches (143 liters), the challenge here is to pack without breaking airline weight limits. I suppose if you were on a (very) long cruise, a bag this size might make sense.

How the Platinum Elite has held up

After my wife’s world travels, a neighbor borrowed this bag for their children’s college travels (Hawaii to New York), making several trips over the past few years. The Platinum Elite is still going strong.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We should note that bags of this size can hold almost too much. The Platinum Elite bag already weighs over 9 pounds. So when you pack it to its limits, it may be hard to keep it below the 50-pound weight limit of most airlines—and that means extra fees. But this is true of all checked luggage.

During her New Zealand trip, Caleigh Waldman packed the Platinum Magna 2 (29-inch model) for two weeks, with enough clothes, toiletries, and different types of shoes and activewear for the terrain. Though she didn’t fill the bag completely, she still found that her luggage came in over the 50-pound limit. “Every flight I took, I had to cough up the overweight-baggage fee, and it was a monster to carry up stairs and toss into car trunks,” she said.

We still think most travelers would be better off with one of our soft-sided picks than with a hard-sided carry-on. That’s because soft-sided luggage shows less wear and typically lasts longer than hard-sided luggage. But if you prefer the look of hard-sided luggage, or you want the security of knowing you can’t overpack your suitcase, Away’s The Medium is the one we recommend.

From wheels to warranty, it’s the best polycarbonate option. Its wheels and zipper are as well made as those of our soft-sided picks, and its polycarbonate showed fewer scratches than its hard-sided competitors. And it’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

It provides more than enough space. The Medium weighs 9.9 pounds and measures 26 by 18.5 by 11 inches—a fairly standard weight and size for checked luggage this size. (By comparison, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch bag weighs 9.8 pounds and measures 28 by 18.5 by 11.75 inches.) If you need extra room,  Away’s The Large offers the maximum allowed space in a piece of checked luggage. The Large weighs 11.6 pounds and measures 29 by 20.5 by 12.5 inches. But with bags this big, it’s easier to overpack and exceed airline weight limits, which is why we recommend the Away Medium for most people.

Don’t sweat the flex. The Away bag’s modern and minimalist look comes at a cost: Its polycarbonate shell is ultimately—according to every luggage designer we’ve ever interviewed—more likely to break than the nylon fabric of our other picks is to tear. Still, the shell feels similar to those of higher-end (and significantly more expensive) suitcases, such as the $1,000-plus Rimowa Essential Check-In M ; it’s strong and flexible, and the Away bag itself feels good in your hands.

Away builds its luggage with impressive components. The wheels are noticeably better than those on any of the hard-sided competitors we’ve tested. We’ve rolled these wheels across every conceivable surface, from cobblestone streets to the smoothest airport surfaces, and they were always a pleasure to use. When we first started testing The Away bag, in 2016, we found that flexibility to be a liability, especially on airport carpets. The first version of this bag that I tested tended to flex into itself and jam up its own wheels when I pushed it in front of me. But I haven’t had that issue with any of this suitcase’s latest models.

Its interior matches its minimal exterior. The Away bag’s interior is almost as bare-bones as its exterior. Unlike our other picks, this bag has no included suiter or suit folder, but you can buy one for $85 . The interior is split in half: One side closes with a zippered flap, and the other side has a built-in compression panel and straps, which work decently well.

It’s better to stick with the basics. We tested Away luggage for three years before making our recommendation. We traveled with it ourselves across the country, and we lent models of the bag to several testers and frequent travelers to see how they enjoyed using them. Away makes two similar models of checked suitcases with an expandable zipper: The Medium Flex and The Large Flex . For all intents and purposes, these are the same overall bags as the standard Medium and Large, except for the expanding center zipper and the price (they each cost $50 more). Personally, I’m not a fan of expanding zippers. They feel like potentially just one more thing to break. Also, they can increase the likelihood of exceeding the airline’s weight limit. But some people may prefer having the extra flexibility.

Like our other picks, the Away pairs with its matching carry-on : The models are virtually identical, except for their sizes. Matching your luggage sets is visually appealing. But the real value in matching your carry-on to your checked luggage is that the smaller suitcase can, when you’re back home, nest within the larger one. (This holds true for every set of luggage we’ve ever tested. Here’s why: Nesting luggage is the most economical way for luggage manufacturers to ship their wares from their factories overseas.)

The lack of a suit panel for important items, like dresses and suits, may limit this suitcase’s appeal for some travelers. With a bag that has this much space, though, there are other ways to pack fancy clothes (video) without wrinkling them.

If you fly more than 25,000 miles per year, it’s worth investing in luggage that goes beyond the minimums and somehow improves your travel experience. The Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 25″ Spinner is that kind of bag. It costs more than twice as much as our top soft-sided pick, but after using all of these bags side by side, I’m sure there’s more than twice as much value hidden within this luggage: This is one of the best checked luggage systems we’ve found for international travel.

It has the best compression system. This suitcase’s most impressive feature is its compression system. Briggs & Riley’s proprietary compression system is superior to anything else we’ve seen—it allows you to fit an additional week’s worth of clothing into a bag with the same external dimensions as those of the Travelpro Platinum Elite suitcase. To manage it, you pull upward on two plastic handles inside the bag; this extends its depth by a full 2½ inches. Load the bag as full as you need to, and zip it closed without putting stress on the zippers. Then you simply push on the bag to compress it back down again, and a latch mechanism keeps it securely in place. Unlike cheaper zippered expansion systems, which are either fully open or closed (like the Delsey bag’s ), this one can lock in at variable degrees of expansion or compression. This suitcase is unique and satisfying to use. (If you prefer a polycarbonate shell, Briggs & Riley has designed a similar compression system around a hard-shell case, for its Sympatico Spinner line. Still, we prefer the pliability of a soft-sided shell for any compression system.)

Measuring the extra capacity of the Baseline isn’t exact. The bag’s base (that is, where the wheels are) measures an inch deeper than the top of the bag (where the handle is); this design is, I believe, to make the base of the bag heavier when fully packed. At the base, the exterior of the Baseline Medium measures 25 by 18.5 by 10 inches; expanded, it measures 25 by 18.5 by 12 inches.

It takes hits like a brick. The Baseline Medium’s exterior is wrapped in 1,680-denier ballistic nylon, which is durable and puncture resistant. (Denier is a measure of the fiber thickness in a fabric.) But even more impressive is what’s underneath the nylon. The Baseline Medium’s frame is the strongest we’ve seen among any of the soft-sided luggage we tested. This bag can take considerable pressure from any angle. Like the Travelpro Platinum Elite, the Baseline Medium has two external pockets: a small one for tickets and passports and a larger one for small items or light outerwear. Briggs & Riley also makes a 31-inch Extra Large version of this bag, with nearly 10,000 cubic inches of interior space. It’s a good bag, but we can’t see the point of something this large. As it is, you can easily exceed most airlines’ weight limits packing the Medium to capacity.

Similar to its carry-on version, the Baseline Medium’s handrail tubes are on the outside of the bag; this makes the inside back wall almost completely flat, so packing is easier because there are no crevices to work around. We liked this feature for lighter carry-on luggage, since exterior plastic handrail tubes can protect the bag when it’s going over an edge, without risking too much damage. However, that all changes when you’re bouncing a 50-pound bag over a curb; in that case, an exposed handrail system seems like an unnecessary risk, especially since there’s so much room for an internal rail system.

Trunks are a welcome new addition (reimagined from a somewhat older tradition) to checked-luggage lines. Longer than they are wide, modern travel trunks—including our pick, the Monos Hybrid Trunk —stand out against the more-common squat, square luggage of the last few decades.

It has a pleasant shape, and it’s easy to maneuver. The Monos Hybrid measures 30 by 15.7 by 14.3 inches, with a capacity of 6,735.3 cubic inches, and it weighs 13.2 pounds. Imagine something like a small steamer trunk, except without the team of stevedores to move it.

In our early testing, we’ve found that the Monos Hybrid, with its taller, narrower shape, is easier to wheel around than other checked luggage. There’s something about the four wheels’ relative proximity to one another that gives the trunk a remarkable agility across most surfaces. Its wheels make it handle more like a carry-on bag than the other checked luggage we tested.

It’s a pleasure to pack. This element is harder to explain. Packing the trunk somehow just feels more pleasant than packing other types of luggage. Maybe it’s the main compartment’s higher walls, which give a comforting feeling of placing your clothes deep within the confines of a box. Or perhaps it’s the shape’s somewhat vintage appeal, bringing up nostalgia for a type of travel you’ve never experienced except in movies. Packing clothes into the Hybrid Trunk for a long journey is like stepping back in time just for a moment.

That said, unlike the steamer trunks of yore, the modern Monos Hybrid doesn’t have a ton of extra organization. One side has a fabric cover that completely zips in the contents; the other side has a compression panel with two zippered pockets. That said, for most modern travelers using (I hope) a good set of packing cubes , these simple dividers should be plenty to keep everything in the right place.

The Hybrid Trunk does away with the standard zipper closure, opting instead for an aluminum frame that runs along the seam of the luggage, where a zipper might have been. The case has two TSA locks, which close with a satisfying latch. We’ve reviewed a few bags with latches like this, and they’re great. Our only concern is that these locks have lots of small moving components, which could be a weak point over time.

It’s made for long, tough journeys. The only trunk models we’ve seen so far are made of polycarbonate. The Monos Hybrid immediately stands out with three details: an aluminum frame around the center seam that reinforces the body of the luggage, aluminum corner guards, and a reassuringly robust polycarbonate.

The Monos Hybrid Trunk, like our other picks, is protected by a lifetime warranty.

• We’ve heard from one traveler we know that Delta charged them an oversize fee when they checked their Monos Hybrid Trunk. Other airlines have, in our experience, been more lenient. If your chosen airline has a reputation (as Delta does) for being persnickety, maybe skip this bag.
• Another potential flaw we’ve found so far (we’ve tested trunks for only a few months) is that a trunk design may require more packing and unpacking to find what you need if you’re making lots of stops while traveling. A suitcase with a clamshell design, on the other hand, has both sides more or less open to you for easier access.
• Like the Away, the Monos Hybrid Trunk doesn’t have a dedicated suit folder or suit compartment for dresses or formal wear. Again though with this much space to pack in, there are a number of ways to protect clothes like this.

If the Monos Hybrid Trunk is unavailable: Consider Away’s The Trunk , which has a similar design (apart from having a zipper, instead of latches) for a similar price. However, though we’re generally fans of Away’s luggage, The Trunk isn’t as satisfying to use as the Monos Hybrid . The Away Trunk’s shell is flexible and its body is light, so it lacks the robust feel of the Monos Hybrid.

The Delsey Helium Aero , our previous hard-sided pick, comes in a 25-inch and a 29-inch version, so you can choose how much capacity you need. Like the Away suitcase, this bag is made of 100% polycarbonate, so it should last longer than cheaper, less-durable ABS plastic suitcases. However, Delsey’s 10-year limited warranty doesn’t match Away’s limited lifetime warranty.

Briggs & Riley makes excellent luggage, but we don’t think you need to spend this much on a hard-sided case without any extra frills, like the Briggs & Riley Torq Medium Spinner .

The Delsey Peugeot Large Trunk Spinner has a similar zipperless design as the Monos Hybrid, but the Peugeot bag lacks the corner guards and, more importantly, the lifetime warranty. Instead, the Peugeot is backed by a 10-year warranty.

Rimowa defined hard-sided luggage in the 1940s and redefined it in 2000, when it introduced polycarbonate luggage. But paying just over $1,000 for “virgin German polycarbonate” is silly. These bags, including the Rimowa Essential Check-In M , are smart-looking, though.

If you’ve ever wondered how much people pay for those handsome aluminum pieces of luggage, we’ll tell you: at least four figures. The Rimowa Classic Check-In M is twice as expensive as a ticket to Europe, yet it’s little more than a status symbol.

We also tested and dismissed Pelican and Samsonite suitcases that have since been discontinued.

We’re taking a look at the Level8 Voyageur Check-In . Its standout feature is the unusually wide handle, which seems to help its handling. The Level8 bag is less expensive than other luggage of its size and apparent quality. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. To make a decision, however, we do need to study the handle and the build quality a bit longer.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

We’ve Loved Luggage From Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Line for a Decade. Here’s Why.

by Kit Dillon

Travelpro Platinum Elite is our most loyal travel companion.

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by Wirecutter Staff

Here are the 100 things our readers loved most in January, from carry-ons to humidifiers and more.

Are Away Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

Although we still prefer the better durability of soft-sided luggage, if you want the look and feel of a hard-sided case, we recommend the Away Carry-On .

The Best Carry-On Luggage

After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry.

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The 10 Best Luggage Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

No matter what size or style you want, these are the best luggage brands to fit your needs.

In This Article

• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Our Decision Process
• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

No matter where you're going or how often you travel, luggage can make or break your trip. It helps with planning, packing, and staying organized while away — and sometimes determines whether you can bring back souvenirs. There's a wide range of checked suitcases, carry-on bags, duffels, weekenders, underseat bags, and backpacks on the market. Beyond that, you've got hardside and softside options with various organizational features. Amid what you might call the Golden Age of luggage, it can be hard to sift through your offerings.

To figure out what brands stand out from the rest, our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage ranging from carry-ons and checked suitcases to duffels, weekenders, garment bags, and other types of travel bags — assessing capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design through a series of tests and simulations. We've rolled suitcases through obstacle courses, threw them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to see how well they'd perform in different travel scenarios like rough baggage handlers. We even recreated an airplane set in our New York City lab to lift bags into real overhead bins and underneath seats. We continue testing each bag in our real-life travels for a minimum of six months to make sure it stands up to planes, trains, automobiles, and anything else life may throw at it.

Our team has tested bags from many different brands, and below you'll find our current favorites. We will continue to update this article as we test even more luggage brands and new bags.

Best Overall

Backed by a 10-year warranty, Samsonite luggage is compact yet spacious, easy to maneuver, and exceptionally durable.

Because Samsonite has such a wide variety of designs and price points, some bags perform better than others.

After our most recent set of luggage tests, Samsonite has risen to the top as our favorite overall luggage brand. Samsonite luggage is generally lightweight and compact on the outside, with spacious interiors to maximize packing and a variety of styles to choose from. We especially love the brand for its versatility, with an impressive variety of bags at different price points so you can find whatever suits you whether you're looking for something affordable or luxurious.

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on holds the spot as the best overall carry-on we've ever tested, while the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside takes the cake as our favorite checked suitcase . We also loved the organizational features — including multiple tech sleeves and included packing cubes — of the Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner .

Almost all of the suitcases sustained hardly any damage after we hit them with a baseball bat and shoved them off a table. Samsonite luggage also maneuvers without a fuss, even on carpeted floors and gravel. Prices are more than reasonable, and while you'll have to make any returns within 30 days, the brand backs its products with a 10-year warranty.

Sophie Mendel, Editor

"As a travel editor, I've tried my share of luggage brands. But the bag I reach for again and again is my trusty Samsonite carry-on , which has stood the test of time, traveling with me to the bustling roads of Cairo to the peaceful fields of Botswana and beyond. I can always count on Samsonite for high-quality, long-lasting, and (extremely) durable pieces that I won't have to worry about breaking or damaging, wherever I'm headed."

Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Overall, Runner-up

The suitcases are durable, smooth-rolling, and spacious, and the brand has a generous 100-day return policy.

Some are harder to pull on two wheels, and the checked models are a bit heavy. 

All Travelpro luggage we tested earned high scores for maneuverability, durability, capacity, and overall design. The brand's hardside and softside models were a hit in the T+L lab, and there are both carry-on and checked options with spacious interiors and expandable capacities. We also appreciated the various organizational features, like zipper panels, cross straps, and pockets.

With self-aligning spinner wheels and sturdy telescoping handles, Travelpro luggage is also easy to maneuver on hard floors, carpet, and even gravel (though some suitcases are slightly harder to roll on two wheels than four, especially when packed full). We particularly love the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner with its sleek wheels and a textured handle that helps maintain a comfortable grip, and we think the Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner makes a stylish investment piece if you're looking for something large, durable, and built to last. Even Travelpro's rolling garment bag impressed with its high capacity for the size. And, while the carry-ons are generally lightweight, one thing to note is that the larger checked models weigh almost twice as much when empty.

After shoving the suitcases off a table and whacking them with a baseball bat, we were pleasantly surprised by their durability. We only noticed a couple superficial marks — no scratches or dents, and nothing that wouldn't wipe clean. Travelpro offers a generous 100-day return policy and backs its luggage with warranties ranging from 10 years to a lifetime, though it can be difficult to connect with their customer service department to initiate returns or repair requests at times.

Merrell Readman, Senior Writer

"I've always leaned into traveling with a carry-on bag or a duffel, so when I first tried out the Travelpro Maxlite 5 , I was floored with how lightweight, spacious, and easy to navigate it was. The nearly weightless construction makes it so I can pack to my hearts content without exceeding airline checked bag weight limits, plus, I've been exceedingly impressed with how well the brand has taken on the wear and tear of travel without hardly incurring a dent or scratch."

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best for Staying Organized

Beyond aesthetic appeal, Away flaunts plenty of pockets and compartments that keep all of your items in place.

The hardside suitcases might scratch under heavy use.

Away luggage has a minimalist-modern aesthetic and a sophisticated yet practical appeal. We're huge fans of the brand's suitcases and weekenders and particularly love The Everywhere Bag that's perfect for overnight trips, quick weekend adventures, and use as a personal item on longer trips. The checked baggage and hardside carry-on luggage pieces are light yet durable and easy to wipe clean. They didn't sustain any dents from our baseball bat tests, but there were a few scratches after we shoved them off a table. There are so many sizes to choose from, including one of our favorite trunks we've ever tested. We liked the dual main compartments, compression systems, expanders, and dirty laundry satchels of the roller bags.

The suitcases were a breeze to maneuver on their 360-degree spinner wheels, and carrying The Everywhere and The Garment Bag was comfortable with the padded shoulder straps. The Garment Bag also has interior padding that keeps all of your longer clothing items protected and helps to minimize wrinkles. Away is certainly not the cheapest luggage brand out there, but it's also far from the most expensive. Considering the 100-day return window, lifetime warranty, and stylish designs, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to pretty much any traveler.

Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor

"I'm partial to hardside luggage, and in my opinion, Away makes the best there is. I've owned Away's The Bigger Carry-On for years, and even loaned it to a family member for her two-week honeymoon in Thailand. It came back to me durable as ever. Each suitcase is well-crafted and built to last. What's equally impressive is the internal organization of their luggage, which helps the perpetual overpacker in me keep track of my things during week-long trips. Make no mistake though — their hardside suitcases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their impressive lineup of products. They also make some of our favorite toiletry bags, garment bags, duffels, and more. I continue to be impressed by what this brand brings forth every launch."

A perfect choice for organized travelers, Paravel luggage has lots of added features and a sophisticated appeal.

The suitcases don't expand, and the lighter colors are prone to scuffing.

Perfect for organized travelers , Paravel takes the cake for additional features. We loved the dual compartments, many pockets, dividers, and removable laundry bags. While the suitcases don't expand, the compression pads make fitting everything a cinch. The Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus was one of our top carry-on bags thanks to its sleek design, roomy interior that makes packing a breeze, and slick wheels that were great on every surface. We also love the super cute Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack that earned perfect scores in every category, as well as our pick as best overall mini backpack . Not only does the bag fold up small so you can pack it in larger bags, but it also has a high capacity that can even fit a tablet, making it the perfect eye-catching style to wear on any vacation.

Most Paravel luggage pieces held up well during our durability tests, though the lighter-colored hardside models are prone to scuffing. The suitcases are also easy to pull, push, and roll over various flooring materials. What's more, Paravel luggage is undeniably stylish with a sophisticated appeal and a cool mid-century flair. Prices are somewhat steep, but in the end, we think it's worth the investment, especially give its 10-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Lydia Price, Senior Editor

"I put my luggage through a lot. As a New Yorker, rushing over subway grates, maneuvering thick crowds, and being tossed about in taxi trunks is all in a typical travel day's work for my suitcases. My Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus has been rock-solid through it all. In addition to a hardy build and smooth-glliding wheels, the Aviator won me over with thoughtful organization and a tough zipper that holds up when I need to fit just one more pair of shoes inside. The timeless aesthetic is also a huge draw for me — I have the carry-on in the scout tan color that always feels in style, no matter where I am in the world. I also appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainable practices, like using mostly recycled materials and ensuring production is carbon neutral."

People / Jhett Thompson

Most Spacious

The brand's large-capacity suitcases are impressively spacious yet lightweight, with built-in expanders and smooth-rolling wheels.

The hardside models are prone to scuffing.

Delsey is a go-to for large-capacity luggage . This brand carries both hardside and softside suitcases, including surprisingly spacious carry-ons and checked baggage in multiple sizes so you can find the best design for your needs. We were thrilled by how much they fit, noting that they could easily pack all items on our packing list with room to spare, even without expansion functions.

The suitcases maneuver well on their four spinner wheels, even over carpet, cracks, and bumps. Most models are also lightweight, so lifting them into an overhead bin is no problem. We checked the Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on and matching Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Checked bag on four different long-haul international flights and each time they made it to the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that were easily wiped away. We appreciate Delsey's accessible price points, plus the brand backs its luggage with warranties ranging from five to 10 years along with a 30-day return policy.

Taylor Fox, Editor

"I'll admit: when I'm choosing luggage, I often go for aesthetics over functionality. Lucky for me, I found the Delsey Chatelet collection, which offers both! Every Delsey bag I have adds style and a sense of luxury to my trips, but the bags themselves are also protective with plenty of pockets and features to keep me organized. I have traveled to Egypt, Morocco, and Italy with the Angora Chatelet carry-on and checked bag and they still look great, are easy to clean, and roll like a dream wherever I go."

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Colors

They come in both neutrals and so many colorful designs, including limited-edition options.

Some of the carry-ons are on the smaller size.

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store with all of the colorful suitcase options from July — and if you tend to gravitate toward neutrals, July has those, too. After we tested over a dozen bags in our lab on on our airplane set, some of our favorites included the July Carry On (includes a portable charger), the July Checked Plus (the largest suitcase in July’s range), the July Checked Plus Light (a great lightweight option), and the July Trunk Set (a stylish, zipperless two-piece set). 

We found the bags to be very durable against our baseball bat tests, although we noticed that the bags with aluminum corner bumpers tended to scuff more easily specifically on the corners. One of our favorite features was that some bags, including the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve , feature a multi-stop telescopic handle that you can adjust to 20 different heights, when many suitcase handles only stop at three heights.

Different bag styles are available in different colorways, and you can choose from delightful shades of blues, greens, pinks, reds, shadow lavender, plum, yellow, sand, and more, most of which will easily stand out on any baggage carousel. We did notice that some of the carry-ons tend to be much more spacious than others, so be sure to check the dimensions to find a size that will fit everything you need. Also, note that while there's a limited lifetime warranty on luggage, there's a five-year warranty on soft bags and accessories and a two-year warranty on small leather goods. All products have a 100-day return policy.

Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor

"I think luggage should be fun, and July has so many eye-catching styles whether you’re team carry-on or checked. I personally have the Checked Plus Light suitcase, which I love for the curved eggshell design that is built for durability and nesting (if you have multiple suitcases from the Light line, you can nest the different sizes inside each other for storage). The smooth wheels made a world of difference when I had to haul the suitcase over cobblestones and zip through airports in a rush, and I can trust that my luggage is going to arrive at my destination in one piece while still looking stylish. It’s also a plus that the prices are reasonable and not too expensive for suitcases that will likely last a lifetime."

Best for Smaller Bags

Calpak luggage is compact yet still spacious enough to hold the essentials, and maneuvering it is a piece of cake.

The two-year warranty is substantially shorter than most other brands.

If you're looking for something you can stash in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, Calpak might be your best bet. We loved the duffles, backpacks, and suitcases with a particular appreciation for the Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage , our best overall underseat bag . We love that it glides smoothly, has a sturdy exterior, and can even fit a laptop, making it perfect for weekend getaways or even business trips.

Even when packed full, we found each Calpak suitcase to roll beautifully on both two wheels and four. The Stevyn Duffel Bag was very comfortable to tote with its shoulder strap and features a separate shoe compartment to keep your items clean if you're in the market for something smaller. Though the two-year warranty is shorter than most other brands, we think Calpak's prices are more than fair (and appreciate the 30-day return policy).

Hillary Maglin, Updates Editor

"I'm always so impressed with how different Calpak is from other brands, yet it's still so durable, spacious, and compliant with airline size limitations. For example, the brand's Ambeur line features thin, lightweight, almost canvas-like hardshells — something I've never seen or felt from any other brand — but they remain dent- and scratch-free through drops and shoves. Another example is the Luka Duffel (my personal favorite Calpak piece), which squishes down nearly flat for storage, all while remaining structured and sturdy enough to carry everything from shoes to a laptop to a water bottle. It almost seems like the construction of Calpak luggage defies logic, but it always holds up to rough luggage handlers and looks stylish in the process."

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Splurge

This splurge-worthy luggage brand boasts expandable main compartments, ample pockets, impact-resistant exteriors, and smooth spinner wheels.

The price might be hard to justify, and the checked bags are somewhat heavy when empty.

If you want the crème de la crème of luggage, Tumi is where it's at . The suitcases and underseat bags fared better than the duffel we tested, but all in all, we were impressed. Our favorite by far is the Alpha International Expandable 4-wheeled Carry-on that looks compact but includes plenty of organizational compartments and even comes with its own removable garment bag. There was plenty of space to pack everything on our list in every Tumi bag, even without the expanders. This brand also stands out for its organizational, smart, and security features. We're talking ample pockets, removable garment bags, laptop sleeves, USB ports, lockable zippers, and TSA-approved locks.

Whether you go softside or hardside, you can count on reliable durability — we even jumped on the bags and rode on top of them and not one feature broke or dented. We observed virtually no scuffs or scratches after whacking the bags with a baseball bat. Tumi luggage is easy to maneuver, thanks to the spinner wheels, but bear in mind the checked sizes are pretty heavy when empty. If you can swing the steep price, we think the brand is an excellent choice for long trips, frequent fliers , and those who like to stay organized, and bags come with a five-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director

"Luggage is an investment and anytime I’m asked what brand I would stand by, I answer Tumi without hesitation. I have items that are nearly 20 years old (!) and, not only do they still work perfectly, I still use them. I love their thoughtful features like carry-ons with a built-in garment bag or suitcases with dual-access to stash a sweater inside, and Tumi's aptly named Just in Case line of foldable bags shouldn't be missed either."

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Most Durable

Briggs & riley.

With ballistic nylon or shock-absorbing polycarbonate exteriors, Briggs & Riley suitcases can really take a beating.

This is one of the more expensive brands, and the checked models are slightly heavy when empty.

The most durable luggage we tested comes from Briggs & Riley . The brand carries softside suitcases with ballistic nylon exteriors that resist premature wear and tear, as well as hardside models with shock-absorbing polycarbonate shells that promise to protect your cargo from getting crushed. We were impressed by how well they stood up to our shoves and bat swings — no dents or scratches to speak of.

Durability aside, Briggs & Riley suitcases roll effortlessly on hard floors and carpet, over bumps, and around tight corners. They also have decent capacities, many with built-in expanders. This is one of the more expensive luggage brands, but it's backed by a lifetime guarantee. We wouldn't be surprised if the suitcases last 10 or more years. Not only that, but there are a few options for remedying potential damage, including self-repair kits, authorized repair centers, or shipping back to Briggs & Riley for a tune-up.

Anna Popp, Associate Editor

"As a member of the checked-bag-only club, I have brought my Briggs & Riley large spinner on more than 30 flights in the last few years and it's been an absolute champion. After watching this suitcase fall off of the conveyor belt leading into the airplane cargo hold, I am convinced that the hardshell material is impermeable when it comes to rough handling. I don't typically bag fragile items in a checked bag (for obvious reasons) but I feel comfortable placing all kinds of products in my checked bag knowing that everything is safeguarded by the durable construction and materials the brand uses. I know the prices are a bit high upfront, but I promise you will spend more in less-durable suitcases over time, which makes it worth it in the long-run."

People / Tamara Staples

Best Design

Thoughtfully designed, each Béis bag we tried comes with extra, often removable, features so you can customize your packing.

These are large bags and we had a hard time fitting some weekenders under airplane seats.

Shay Mitchell's luggage brand quickly won our hearts with each bag's thoughtful design, customizable inserts, and removable compartments. The bags are certainly large and can fit everything you need for a long vacation or quick weekend getaway — just be mindful that not all of the duffel-style bags will work as personal items. The Weekender is one of our favorites: like Mary Poppins' bag of wonders, this tote seems to expand as you pack it, fitting every item on our list.

When it comes to rolling bags, the 29-inch Large Check-in Roller is our best checked bag for organization . Similar to its weekenders, carry-on bags, and backpacks, Béis' check-in bag is huge and can fit everything you need and more. All of the Béis suitcases we tested also sported durable wheels that smoothly navigated different types of surfaces without getting stuck, as well as easy-to-use handles that make running through the airport a breeze. All products are backed with a limited lifetime warranty as well.

Emily Belfiore, Senior Editor

"Once you try a piece of Beis luggage, you’ll immediately wonder how you ever traveled with anything other than these well-designed suitcases. Every item from the brand is meticulously crafted to stand up to the wear and tear of travel and offer the user a hassle-free experience. I’m a big fan of the Beis Carry-on Roller , which has a sturdy hardshell exterior and an expandable body that offers an additional 2 inches of packing space, which is a godsend for an overpacker like me."

Travel + Leisure/

Other Luggage Brands We Liked

Even though these brands did not make our main list, they still have some worthwhile suitcases and bags to consider.

Monos :  Monos items have a nice, sleek look that are generally easy to maneuver. However, when we tested its large check-in suitcase, we found that it carried less items than some of its competitors.

Arlo Skye :  We love this brand's smooth design and stand-out colors, but considering the higher price-point, these bags don't roll quite as smoothly as some other brands.

Roam : We're big fans of Roam's The Check-in hardside suitcase as well as the designs of other Roam bags; however, after one-month of real-world travels, we found these luggage pieces to be more prone to scratching than other brands we tried.

The T+L team has tested more than 508 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, weekenders, garment bags, backpacks, and more in our New York City testing facility. We've tried at least six models from many top-rated brands, performing a range of assessments to evaluate the capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and overall value. We weighed each bag, then packed it with enough clothes and personal items to get through a four-day trip (more for the larger checked bags).

To see how the luggage would perform in a real-life environment, we rolled them on different flooring materials, across gravel and carpets, over bumps, and around corners. We also threw each piece off a table and whacked it a few times with a metal baseball bat to test for potential wear and tear and how prone it was to scratching or denting. In addition, we recreated an airplane set in our lab, where we hoisted the carry-on suitcases into real overhead bins and stuffed them underneath seats to see how easy they were to lift and how portable they felt.

After lab testing, each suitcase and bag was sent out for real-world testing, and our T+L editors brought the bags on vacations, weekend trips, and overnighters. To test each bag's true durability, convenience, and longevity, we tested each bag on planes, trains, buses, and even cruise ships, checking in after one month, three months, and six months to give our feedback. Considering standout features, size, and price, we created categorized ranked lists of every luggage piece we tested. The luggage brands with the highest average ratings were ultimately chosen for this list of our favorites, which we will continue to update as we test even more luggage.

How We Chose These Brands

The T+L team tested at least six bags per brand on our winners list to ensure a broad sample size. We tested underseat luggage , checked luggage, and carry-on luggage as well as duffel bags, garment bags, and backpacks, and gave each individual bag a score based on its capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and overall value.

Next, we created rankings based on the total average scores of all the bags we tested for that brand. We also thoroughly read through all of the tester insights on each luggage item from these three tests to evaluate each bag's details and features. Finally, we determined whether or not we would recommend a bag and its overall brand.

Tips for Buying Luggage

Get to know the brand.

When it comes to researching a new luggage brand, you're already well on your way. For more information on a specific brand, you can check out its website, read customer reviews on products you like, or even take a peek at the items in person. Buying new luggage (whether a singular piece or luggage set ) can be a pricey investment, so be sure you like a brand's style, warranty options, and overall quality before you make that purchase. This is especially important when it comes to splurging on luxury luggage pieces .

Know your organizational preferences

Material and size are important, but some of the best luggage brands stand out for their organizational features. This may include dual main compartments, various pockets, a shoe separator, zippered sections, a toiletry bag , a removable laundry bag, a garment bag, a laptop sleeve, and maybe even a USB port with a power bank pouch — some Arlo Skye luggage includes the power bank itself. While it's not a top priority for all travelers, this can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier.

Look for durability

The best luggage stands up to wear and tear for several years to come. Both softside and hardside luggage options can be very durable. It's really a matter of whether you want to safeguard your packed items from getting crushed or protect the exterior of the suitcase from superficial blemishes (though many softside and hardside models we tested check all the boxes).

Think about mobility

You should also think about maneuverability. When you're running into the airport to check your bags before heading to security, you'll want a suitcase that doesn't hold you back. Four-wheel spinner suitcases tend to be easier to pull and push over different surfaces compared to suitcases with just two wheels, and they're even better if they have a sturdy telescoping handle. Grab handles and padded straps are ideal for other types of luggage, and a lightweight design will make your travel experience much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll see a range of hardside and softside models when browsing luggage, and many of the best brands offer both. What you purchase really comes down to personal preference. Some people appreciate how crush-resistant hardside suitcases protect their belongings. They're also easy to wipe clean and have a sleek, modern appearance.

On the other hand, softside suitcases are typically (but not always) lighter in weight and more flexible, so you can often pack more in them. After testing both types, we can tell you they're often just as durable as hardside options, and they won't dent like hardside bags do. Although a textile exterior might be trickier to clean, it can be better at concealing scuffs and dirt. Regardless of the type of luggage, you can find several effective products to clean suitcases available.

Size limits for carry-on luggage vary among airlines . That said, most allow suitcases no larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some are a little more strict, with limits set around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Keep this in mind if your suitcase has an expander, as the additional inch or two could put it over the allowed size limit. We recommend checking the airline's website if you're not sure whether your luggage will pass as a carry-on.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, freelance writer Theresa Holland pored over our in-house testing insights, checked return policies, read the fine print for warranties, and evaluated price ranges to create a comprehensive roundup of the best luggage brands out there today. Theresa has extensive experience writing about travel essentials as well as products in other commerce areas. Our Travel + Leisure team also collaborated to name their personal favorite brands from the hundreds on the market today.

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The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Right Luggage Size For You

Whether you’re spending the holidays at your parents’ home, taking a girls’ weekend in Miami, or taking off for a city getaway in Amsterdam, all of these trips have a very different packing list. So when choosing a vessel, which luggage size works best for each? 

If you’re at home procrastinating on packing, we can help. Our luggage  size guide will break down the dimensions, differences, and dos and don’ts of each suitcase size. No matter your trip, there’s a bag to fit.

What Are the Standard Sizes for Luggage?

Even if you’re traveling by car or train, your luggage options are probably limited to airline size standards. Why? Airplanes have very specific luggage weight and dimension requirements for all baggage items. Carry-on luggage   and hand luggage must fit within the cabin, while check in luggage must stay underweight. To be sure your luggage collection fits the bill for just about any trip, stick with flight-approved sizes.

Almost all standard types of luggage sizes can be broken down into three categories:

• Hand baggage (or personal items) – Small bags to stow underneath the airplane seat in front of you.
• Carry-on luggage – Medium-sized bags to fit in the overhead compartment of airplane cabins.
• Checked luggage – Large bags checked prior to your flight for stowing in the airplane’s cargo compartment.

Every airline has its own size standards for each category. However, they mostly hover around the same dimensions. If you’re aiming to be a savvy traveler, it’s best to own at least one of each category. That way, you’ll be able to pack like a pro for any trip.

Hand Luggage or Personal Items

Work briefcases, convertible backpacks , your fave crossbody satchel—all count as personal items, or hand baggage, when traveling. 

H and luggage is like a cross between a purse and a suitcase. It’s meant to hold all of the must-have items on your journey, from phones to chapstick. Most importantly, handbags have to fit under airplane seats to travel above ground with you.

Looking for your next all-purpose purse to bring onboard? Let’s discuss which size, design, and other bag characteristics to seek out so that you make the best decision, especially if you are between a carry-on vs personal item bag.

Size Standards

If bringing a tiny purse aboard, then you don’t have to worry about size limits. But if you want to maximize packing space, then you should know the typical dimensions for hand luggage.

On most domestic flights, personal items can range anywhere from 17x10x9 inches to 18x14x8 inches. While you might be able to get away with stuffing a larger backpack underneath, it’s best to stick within this size range. Opt for a large purse, mini duffel, or zippered tote like our Naturals Tote —it packs a sturdy design and style into one compact bag.

Hand Luggage & Personal Item Examples

This isn’t your daintiest designer clutch. A personal item is meant to withstand travel . That includes all bags or cases that protect and hold space for your belongings, such as:

• Larger purses
• Laptop bags
• Small backpacks
• Mini totes or duffels

Remember—the term “personal item” has a wide definition on airplanes. Your umbrella, coat, or any furry companion might even be considered a personal item. Just make sure your hand luggage plans account for the airline’s specific policies.

Uses and Benefits

Sure, you could forgo a personal item onboard or on-the-road. But these bags almost always come in handy. Consider traveling with your favorite tote in tow for these benefits:

• On-hand items – On flights or road trips, everyone needs their essentials (phone, earbuds, chocolate-covered pretzels, etc). A roomy handbag keeps those items within reach. If your trip is any longer than one hour, it’s a must-have bag.
• Valuables protection – Sometimes, you don’t want to risk a lost-and-found scenario. For those precious valuables, stash them in your hand luggage. They’ll stay right by your side (and in your sight) the whole trip.
• Free space – Who would give up free cargo space? When flying on a budget, every inch counts. Make the difference between an approved carry-on and an overweight fee with your hand luggage. That extra space could end up saving you money and peace of mind.

Carry-On Luggage

Not too big, not too small—out of all the different luggage sizes, carry-on bags are your happy medium. 

Carry-on luggage, or cabin luggage, is just spacious enough for that weekend beach getaway or midweek business trip—no checked bags necessary. If traveling long-term, they provide sufficient (and sometimes free) packing space onboard. Combine with a checked bag, and you’ll be set for any continental tour. 

All travelers need a carry-on bag. But when’s the best time to use it? And how many outfits can it take? Let’s unpack the ins and outs of this mid-size cabin luggage.

Like with hand luggage, airlines also maintain standard sizing rules for carry-on bags. The result? Plenty of mid-size suitcase options that should occupy relatively similar dimensions.

Although it would certainly make our lives easier, there is no universal standard suitcase size for cabin baggage. Each airline has its own specific measurements, ranging around 22x14x9 inches to 24x16x10 inches. 2 Maximize your bag’s use across a variety of airlines by leaning on the smaller side. That way, you’ll never worry about it fitting into an overhead bin or getting stopped at the check-in gate. 

Carry-On Examples

From duffels to hiking packs, a carry-on bag should fit inside a plane’s cabin space easily, whether it be in an overhead bin or under-seat area. That means staying away from bags that have zero structure or zip sliders—you don’t want any items to spill out or squish while flying.

To maximize space while staying within size limits, look for these common carry-on bags :

• Roller suitcases
• Larger backpacks
• Roller backpacks
• Zippered totes

Versatility is the name of your cabin luggage’s game. On flights, your carry-on baggage can offer zero baggage fees, extra packing space, and accessibility to your belongings. Consider packing cabin luggage on your next trip for these benefits:

• Lightweight luggage for short trips – Planning a long weekend nature retreat? How about a quick Thanksgiving trip back home? A carry-on bag is the perfect vessel. There’s just enough room for a weekend’s worth of outfits and all your necessities.  
• No checked baggage – Sure, checking your bags means zero lifting and hauling onboard. But with checked bags always comes the dreaded baggage carousel. A small bag that you can carry-on helps you avoid the hassle of running to the carousel post-flight—or even worse, discovering your checked bag is MIA. 
• Free packing space – If your ticket qualifies for a carry-on bag, that’s free cargo space! Unless you absolutely need a checked bag, take advantage of that packing room. Even if you have to pay a carry-on fee, you’ll save at least a few dollars over checking your bag.
• Backup items – Once onboard, it’s all a guessing game. You might get sweaty, cold, thirsty, hungry—who knows?! When your personal item can’t hold everything, a carry-on has your back. Keep that cozy cardigan or eye mask close by packing them in your cabin luggage. 

Checked Luggage

Finally taking that dream, month-long vacation in little ol’ Paris? Then you’ll need more than three to four outfits. That’s where your checked luggage bag comes in. 

Checked bag sizes are more about minimums than maximums. Once a suitcase outgrows cabin luggage dimensions (around 24x16x10 inches), then it’s considered checked luggage. 

So how large can a checked bag be? For some airlines, the sky’s the limit. Others might pass a maximum length of 62 inches. While there are no standard suitcase dimensions for checked bags across the board, here are a few typical sizes and their packing capacities:

• Small checked bag – 24x17x10.5 inches; ideal for 4 to 7-day trips
• Medium checked bag – 27x18.5x14 inches; ideal for 7 to 10-day trips
• Large checked bag – 32x22x14x inches; ideal for 7 to 14-day trips

Keep in mind that most airlines have a weight limit for checked bags—usually around 50 to 70 pounds. 3 When packing your largest roller, start with your heaviest items and build from there. 

Checked Luggage Examples

With larger luggage, you need functional designs that prioritize organization and mobility. Otherwise, you might find yourself dragging your suitcase across the airport floor. For checked luggage, look for suitcases and travel bags with some of these features:

• Roller wheels
• Wide shoulder straps
• Outer zipper compartments
• Inner mesh compartments (for delicate belongings)
• Durable yet lightweight materials (plastic, polyester canvas, etc.)

The main reason for checked luggage? Space, space, and more space. 

Whether you’re driving, flying, or catching a train, a checked suitcase offers the most room for the least amount of bags. However, to maximize space even in a larger bag, you’ll want to learn how to pack a suitcase efficiently . Lengthy trips often need that extra packing room (or you might wind up washing your clothes in the hotel sink). Plus, for those who hate feeling weighed down when traveling, a checked bag keeps your hands free from hassle—no need to haul and lift your suitcase across the airport.

Size Up Your Travel With BEIS

Whether you’re off on a weekend getaway or month-long sabbatical, the right size suitcase can make all the difference. Make travel a breeze by keeping a few different sizes on hand. From tiny satchels to roller duffels, every suitcase has its destination.

Want luggage that’s just as trendy as it is practical? With BÉIS, you’ll never have to sacrifice style for smart packing. Our luggage sends you out on the open road while looking your best, with designs like monochrome plastic encasements to sleek grey luggage and vegan leather straps. Lift, roll, and carry in fashion with BÉIS suitcases and bags.

• Ditaranto, Jamie. “Carry-on and Personal Item Size Limits for 32 Major Airlines.” SmarterTravel , 27 July 2020, www.smartertravel.com/personal-item-vs-carry-on
• Miller, Alex. “Carry-On Luggage Size Chart for 58 Major Airlines [Dimensions, Sizes & More].” UpgradedPoints.Com , 4 June 2021, upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/carry-on-luggage-size-chart
• Chua, Alyssa. “What’s the Largest Size for Checked Luggage – 29 or 32 In?” Clever Journey | Travel Gear Reviews, Packing Tips, Travel Advice , 11 Nov. 2021, www.cleverjourney.com/largest-size-checked-luggage
• Eagleman, James. “Standard Luggage Sizes? – A Guide To Typical Suitcase Dimensions & Average Measurements.” Traveling Light , 25 Feb. 2021, travelinglight.com/standard-luggage-size

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Types of Luggage

Ready to find the type of luggage that is right for you? In this guide, we break it all down for you including sizing, features, and wheel type.

How to Clean a Suitcase

Cleaning a suitcase can feel like a daunting chore but it doesn't have to be! Read more for easy ways to clean your luggage.

Hard vs Soft Luggage

There are plenty of luggage options out there but it can be difficult to know if you should get a hard or soft shell. Learn more about both types here.

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• UNIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN - 2 main compartments with mesh pouches and elastic bands hold bottles upright. Different size elastic straps fit for sizes of bottles, easy to grab exactly what you need.
• MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPARTMENTS - Fully open with transparent design that gives you a comprehensive glimpse of your stuff. Four different compartments keep your toiletries and in place, and a front zipper pocket provides additional storage with convenience.
• STURDY HOOK DESIGN - Special U-shape zippers design, take out the toiletries or zip up the toiletry case quickly. No more unpacking, digging through one bag, and laying your stuff on the bathroom counter. Just hang the bag up, grab what you need, and put it back in it.
• SOFT & LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIEAL - The outside material of the toiletry bag is soft to the touch and lightweight. You can pack this reasonably flat if you don't pack too much stuff, making it more suitable for travel. Definitely an ideal Christmas gift for yourself, your family, and your friend.

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PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)

Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies the percentage of recycled content and tracks it from the source to the final product.

Product Description

Nishel toiletry bag.

Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 4.5 x 10.5 inches; 1 ounces
• Department ‏ : ‎ Women
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CXDVNL64
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ China
• #2 in Toiletry Bags

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Honest review of this travel toiletry bag

Courtney Grim

My 6 Month Review of the NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag

Verified Review by Jhoanna

The BEST toiletry travel bag!

My honest review of the Nishel travel toiletry bag

Beautiful hanging toiletry bag that's great quality and helps conserve space during travel

Katie's Amazon Finds

Honest Review of the NISHEL Large Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag

✅ The Schneiders ✅

Honest Review of NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag

Gabby Miller

Family of 6, can it all fit?

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Honest Review after 1 year of use!

2 Year Review of NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag for Women Travel Organizer, Hanging Makeup Case, Pink

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Customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 86% 10% 3% 1% 1% 86%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 86% 10% 3% 1% 1% 10%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 86% 10% 3% 1% 1% 3%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 86% 10% 3% 1% 1% 1%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 86% 10% 3% 1% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the space, quality and size of the cosmetic case. They mention that it fits a lot of products inside, is leak proof and highly functional. They appreciate the size, portability and appearance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the space provided by the cosmetic case. They mention that it has several compartments and can fit all their toiletries, makeup, and other items. The size is perfect and it frees up counter space.

"...Travel classy and conveniently. So many pockets for toiletries , jewelry, etc. Love the color and the material. Great value for the price...." Read more

"...This frees up so much counter space and keeps my kids from knocking everything on the floor.I love the color and it seems very durable!..." Read more

"...I was surprised by the amount of items it holds . So nice to be able to put all of my toiletries And make up in one bag!..." Read more

"...True to description, true to pic. Fits ALL of my toiletries (I have quite the skincare routine)...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the cosmetic case. They mention it's leak proof, sturdy, and highly functional. Some appreciate the clear pockets and the hanger function. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

"...Love the color and the material. Great value for the price . I will be buying as a gift for friends!" Read more

"...I love the color and it seems very durable! Absolutely great deal for the price !" Read more

"...Very comfortable, leak proof & Sturdy and excellent quality . Very happy with this purchase." Read more

"...Great quality, very durable , & such a space-saver!..." Read more

Customers like the size of the cosmetic case. They say it's the perfect size for their family of three, and compact enough for optimized packing space. Some say it fits all sizes of bathroom bottles and is an amazing space-saver.

"...Besides great for organizing, it’s also an amazing space-saver ...." Read more

"...very easy to stow away in my suitcase; once it is zipped up, it is quite compact . Great quality, very durable, & such a space-saver!..." Read more

"...I could easily fit body care items , hair care items, make up, etc in this tote. I ordered a medium, but the actual dimensions measure as a large...." Read more

"This travel bag is amazing! Much larger than I expected and plenty of space!..." Read more

Customers find the cosmetic case portable and helpful for traveling with its roomy zippered pockets. They say it's a great addition to traveling accessories and the best travel bag ever.

"...No more multiple pouches of things scattered in my bag. Travel classy and conveniently. So many pockets for toiletries, jewelry, etc...." Read more

"This bag is perfect for daily use and travel . I was surprised by the amount of items it holds...." Read more

"...creates super easy access to all of the compartments, making it a breeze to pack ; it truly is very convenient...." Read more

"This travel bag is amazing ! Much larger than I expected and plenty of space!..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the cosmetic case. They mention that it has a beautiful mauve color, and the quilting gives it more uniqueness. The case has plenty of pockets, and a nice one on the outside, so you can have some privacy. The interior is great, and it comes in many different colors. Overall, customers recommend it as a great product.

"...So many pockets for toiletries, jewelry, etc. Love the color and the material . Great value for the price. I will be buying as a gift for friends!" Read more

"...I love the color and it seems very durable! Absolutely great deal for the price!" Read more

"...I recommend this bag and such a great color . No issue with leakage and would recommend to for any traveling occasion" Read more

"...No messes in your suitcase as you have this great cosmetic bag to keep your shampoo, tooth paste, etc from leaking on your clothes...." Read more

Customers like the zipper of the cosmetic case. They mention that it works well, is durable, and smooth. They appreciate the small zipped up sections and mesh compartments. Customers also mention that the bag works very well and keeps their products sealed in.

"...Very comfortable, leak proof & Sturdy and excellent quality. Very happy with this purchase." Read more

"...bottles, tubes, sprays, medicines etc, and the zipper closures ensure each section stays in place ...." Read more

"...photo shows only a partial of what I was able to fit, and it zipped without problem !!" Read more

"... Zippers , plastic is sturdy, outer fabric is soft which makes me just want to pet it...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the organization of the cosmetic case. They mention that it is very logically organized, easy to organize, and holds everything they need. The hanger feature is also helpful. Customers say that the pockets and the quality of construction make it easy to separate their items. They also say that it prevents messes in their suitcase.

"...So many different compartments make organizing everything so simple !Besides great for organizing, it’s also an amazing space-saver...." Read more

"...It appears durable and well constructed . The pockets are better for containing items than the elastic strap that other styles have...." Read more

"...This bag kept our stuff organized and easy to find! I wish I would have bought this sooner!!..." Read more

"...It’s so convenient and makes everything stay organized , especially if you are planning on moving from place to place to place!..." Read more

Customers find the cosmetic case easy to use. They mention it's convenient, easy to access, and easy to manipulate. Some say that the hanging hook is a must have. Overall, most are satisfied with the ease of use.

"...Travel classy and conveniently . So many pockets for toiletries, jewelry, etc. Love the color and the material. Great value for the price...." Read more

"...This case makes it so easy to quickly get ready for a day/night, and after a long day of activities, this case makes it super easy to quickly wash..." Read more

"...It’s so convenient and makes everything stay organized, especially if you are planning on moving from place to place to place!..." Read more

"...This keeps everything in a neat spot that’s easily accessible and easy to pack...." Read more

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