Buying a Travel Suitcase

A travel suitcase is one of the most important things to buy when you’re planning a trip. Whether you need a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, there are plenty of options available.

Our popular Latin America Traveling Suitcase encourages students to recognize shared cultural and historical elements while also appreciating individual country differences. It includes food items such as beans, coffee, and palmitos as well as musical instruments and dance samples.

1. Delsey XL Carry-On Luggage

A favored choice of frequent travelers, this stylish carry-on suitcase offers a convenient front pocket that can fit up to a 15.6 inch laptop as well as a padded sleeve for other electronic devices. Its deluxe interior features a lined divider and tie-down straps to keep contents secure and organized.

In addition to its sleek aesthetic, this sturdy suitcase is one of the most durable bags in our test suite. Its exterior withstands rough handling with minimal scuffing and scratching, and the soft interior lining resists stains and dirt. It’s also a good choice for budget-minded travelers, as it costs less than many of the other hard-shell suitcases we tested.

Founded in Paris in 1970, Delsey Paris is known for its hard-sided suitcases that blend French elegance with innovative features and durability. Its CHATELET line is made from virgin polycarbonate formulated for high levels of impact and heat resistance, which helps to minimize damage from bumps lunch box for kids and drops during transit. It also has a patented overweight indicator built into the front handle that turns red when packed to the airline’s standard 40-pound limit. This feature is especially useful for overpackers who may not realize they’re close to their airline’s weight limit. Other perks include a comfortable, telescoping handle, a durable TSA-approved lock, and a handy pocket on the back of the case for holding toiletries or other small items.

2. Duffel Bag

A duffel bag is a great choice for a quick trip. A smaller version, like Thule’s 35-liter Aion, holds about a week’s worth of clothing and supplies and is carry-on-compatible, saving you the hassle (and potential cost) of checking a bag. This model also has a range of pockets to keep your stuff organized.

For longer trips or expeditions, consider a larger duffel bag in the 80- to 150-liter range. We’ve tested several models of this size, including the Patagonia Black Hole and Gregory Alpaca. Both passed our durability tests, with water beading right off their 900-denier fabric and the Black Hole even resisting wear from being dragged over rough surfaces.

The WaterField Packable Duffel bag is another excellent option, offering a spacious interior and self-sealing waterproof zippers. We love the way the WaterField’s 900-denier Taslan material feels on your back as you haul it, and its expandable zipper adds a full three inches of space when not in use.

While a duffel is pliable and has less built-in protection for fragile items than a hard suitcase, many travelers still prefer it because of its convenience. Look for a duffel with features that make it crossbody bag manufacturer easier to transport, such as dedicated shoe compartments, external water bottle holders, and padded laptop sleeves. Also, look for hybrid options that combine a duffel’s functionality with the mobility of a backpack.

3. Travel Bag

Travel bags come in a variety of shapes, capacities and sizes. They’re ideal for a weekend getaway, night out and other short trips that require a compact bag that’s easy to carry. These carry-ons and backpacks are usually smaller than suitcases but have ample space for clothes and toiletries. They may also include features like a laptop compartment or padded laptop sleeves.

Waist bags, which strap around your waist or double as slings, are ideal for keeping personal items safe when you’re sightseeing, shopping and hiking. Pakt’s Travel Bag comes with a detachable waist bag, which is perfect for your cell phone, wallet and other essentials.

The largest in July’s line, this pack looks unassuming from the outside but is loaded with thoughtful travel-ready features. It’s designed to be carry-on compliant when compressed to 35 liters, and you can expand it up to 45 liters with the help of clever folds and zippers. It’s also designed with access points at the top, side, front and rear for easy retrieval.

The Global Travel Bag is built by Topo Designs, a company that’s relatively under the radar but makes exceptionally well-made and good-looking packs for commuting, travel and more technical pursuits such as biking and climbing. This particular pack has a number of outstanding features that make it stand out, including a back panel that doubles as a tablet and laptop sleeve, multiple interior zippered pockets, a laundry bag and compression traps.

4. Wheeled Luggage

Whether you’re packing for the weekend or in it for the long haul, your luggage will make or break your trip. Look for durable fabrics, sturdy handles, and a design that will help you maneuver around tight corners or in crowded airports. Considering the empty weight of your bag is also important, as a heavier design can add to the difficulty of hoisting your suitcase into an airplane’s overhead bin.

If you’re on a budget, opt for a spinner model with four large rubberized wheels. These will perform well on most flat-surfaced terrain but may struggle to maneuver over cobblestones or dirt. If your travel will be more rugged, consider a model that incorporates hard ABS ribs in the shell. This adds rigidity to the bag while keeping it lightweight, and can help protect your gear from damage that occurs when the bag is dragged up stairs or banged into walls.

Editors’ note: GearLab Reviews Editor Myrha Colt spends weeks every year living out of her suitcase. She’s a fan of the outdoors and loves adventuring to unique corners of the globe, from mountain hideaways to remote beach villages to city skyscrapers and all the backcountry trails, waterfalls, museums, and taco stands in between. She’s a strong advocate of traveling light and testing the limits of our gear.