LUGGAGE WEEK 2024: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SUITCASES AND BAGS
Wherever you're headed—be it on a bucket list trip across the globe or a lowkey staycation in your own city—you're going to need luggage. Minimalists and overpackers alike need durable and easy-to-carry suitcases and bags to safely transport clothes, travel accessories, and any souvenirs picked up along the way. As travel editors, we have high expectations for our gear—requiring that reliable, long-lasting bags accompany us on every journey.
To zero in on the absolute best luggage to recommend to our readers, we put the newest and most talked-about luggage on the market from beloved brands like Away, Calpak, and Paravel to the test. After carefully evaluating each piece, we compared them to previously tested bags and longtime favorites. With this, we bring you our second annual Luggage Week: An honest review of the best checked suitcases, carry-ons, weekenders, and backpacks in the biz. Below, the tried-and-true luggage we strongly recommend to our readers and travelers everywhere for every type of adventure.
The testing process:
More than a dozen Condé Nast Traveler editors and contributors spent months (and in some cases, years) road-testing new and best-selling bags from top travel brands. These bags accompanied us near and far on planes, trains, buses, and cruises, from local staycations and Hamptons getaways to the Paris Olympics and Marlon Brando’s private island in French Polynesia. We packed these bags to the brim, lifted them into overhead bins, rolled them down cobblestone streets, and inspected every bump and scuff they endured. We considered each bag's weight, capacity, functionality, price point, and how well it held up after several trips. We also identified smart design features that make a bag stand out from its competitors, like having weight indicators, separate shoe compartments, or ample pockets. After traveling with each bag, we carefully reviewed them, keeping the aforementioned criteria in mind to determine which ones are worth your dollars, and a spot in our 2024 Luggage Week lineup. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor
Our guide to Luggage Week
- The essentials
- Hard-shells vs. soft-sided bags
- More bags to consider
- Shop by brand
- Long-standing favorites
- Accessories
The essentials
Checked luggage
Checked bags are a staple for longer trips (anywhere from 10 to 14 days) and for anyone who wants or needs more room in their suitcase. We found durable options you won't have to worry about saying goodbye to at check-in.
Carry-on suitcases
Carry-ons are arguably the piece of luggage travelers pull out most often. These are the lightweight yet sturdy carry-ons we turn to time and time again.
Coming soon
Weekenders
Our favorite duffels, expandable totes, and garment bags to take on on weekend getaways, overnight stays, and use as a personal item on flights. These have smart features like separate shoe compartments, trolley sleeves, and adjustable straps.
Coming soon
Backpacks
Whether you're hopping on a bike, trekking across rugged terrain, sightseeing, shopping, or jetting off to a business meeting, the best travel backpacks give you the freedom to explore hands-free.
Coming soon
The great debate: hard-shell or soft-sided?
Hard-shell suitcases
Hard-shell suitcases can handle the wear and tear of going through baggage claim. These are the sturdy cases that will last for years to come, from trunks to lightweight spinners.
Soft-sided bags
Soft-sided luggage is extremely durable and usually offers ample amount of exterior pockets that hard-shell cases typically don't have. The flexible fabric can also be maneuvered into small overhead bins or car trunks more easily.
Coming soon
Soft-sided luggage is trending—here's why
With top brands swapping shells for fabrics, the underdog choice is becoming trendy again. We're breaking down the advantages that are drawing so many travelers to the soft side.
Coming soon
More bags to consider
Our favorite tote bags
From roomy canvas carryalls to sleek leather work bags, a good tote is a travel essential. These are the bags we bring for office commutes, beach trips, and souvenir shopping.
Personal items
We're breaking down what travelers need to know about size restrictions and airline guidance; plus, our editors' go-to bags. Here are the duffels, totes, and backpacks we bring on every flight.
Kids luggage
Investing in the best kids luggage won’t make traveling with children as easy as traveling without them, but it will make the whole endeavor a lot less chaotic. These are the bags frequent travelers trust for their little ones.
Travel experts' favorite brands
We've found our favorites, but we also wanted to know which luggage brands industry experts swear by. Seasoned travelers, adventure seekers, and digital nomads share their top picks.
Coming soon
Our readers' favorite brands
We asked, you answered: These are the best luggage brands to bring on your travels, according to Traveler readers. From Arlo Skye to Away, here are the brands you trust the most.
Shop by brand
Our favorites from Calpak
Our editors have tried out a variety of bags and travel accessories from Calpak and we've never been disappointed. Here's the functional and sleek luggage from the brand that we love most.
Coming soon
Our favorites from Away
Mixing durability, dependability, and style, Away changed the way we look at packing. We rounded up our editors' most-used Away bags and accessories.
Coming soon
Our favorites from Béis
Actor and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell's brand Béis has seen continued viral success since first launching a few years ago. Our editors have several favorite pieces from the brand, from roomy weekenders to a hands-free water bottle sling.
Our favorites from Amazon
Quality luggage usually comes with a hefty price tag, but luckily, you can find some great pieces on Amazon that are both affordable and built to withstand years of wear and tear. Find top-notch carry-ons, luggage sets, weekenders, and more.
Dagne Dover's first rolling collection
You're probably familiar with Dagne Dover’s ubiquitous Dakota backpack. This past June, the brand launched its first-ever line of rolling luggage—and we're a little bit obsessed.
Our long-standing favorites
Madewell's leather tote is built to last
Associate editor Matt Ortile has been traveling with Madewell's best-selling Transport Tote for years. It's functional, versatile, and built to last.
Calpak's Luka duffel keeps me organized
Calpak's popular Luka duffel has previously racked up a 44,000-person-deep waiting list. It's commerce editor's Meaghan Kenny's go-to duffel for weekend trips and to use as a personal item—yes, it fits under the seat in front of you.
The suitcase I've been using for nearly a decade
Traveler contributor Samantha Leal has flown over 400,000 miles with Away's original carry-on. It’s held up trip after trip, mile after mile.
Lauren Burvill, commerce editor for Condé Nast Traveller UK, swears by Antler's overnight bag. It's water-resistant, holds a ton, and features a laptop sleeve.
Chances are, you've seen Béis's viral weekender bag all over social media. Senior commerce editor Madison Flager loves that it features a separate shoe compartment, a trolley sleeve, and a water-resistant lining.
Shown in beige
Australian luggage brand July has developed the world’s lightest carry-on. Weighing in under four pounds, the July Carry-On Light is a minimalist's dream.
The Adventure Bag from Stubble & Co is perfect for weekend trips and long-haul flights. It features a separate waterproof shoe compartment, compression straps for maximum storage, and is large enough to replace your carry-on, making it a great option for more rugged trips.
Pond LA's Transform Air tote is stylish, well designed, and so versatile. It can be worn four different ways: as a shoulder bag with its sturdy carry handle, as a crossbody with its longer adjustable strap, on top of your carry-on using its trolley sleeve, and—my personal favorite way—as a backpack.
The Parallelle makeup bag is a total game changer for travel; my products have never been more organized, secure, and easy to reach. I finally found a cosmetic case that I actually love.
An ode to the Vera Bradley tote
There's something special and nostalgic about Vera Bradley's floral printed travel bags. Associate editor Charle Hobbs agrees—that's why he proudly carries around his grandmother's Vera Bradley tote.
Coming soon
Travel accessories
Packing cubes
These Traveler-tested sets will save space and maintain order in your carry-on. We considered their size, how much they hold, and how compressive they are.
Dopp kits
With the right toiletry bag, you can avoid spills, simplify your packing routine, and stay organized—no more digging around to find what you need. Even better, Dopp kits make it less likely that you'll forget any of the essentials at home.
Makeup bags
The best travel makeup bags keep your beauty and skincare essentials secure and organized while in transit, and help protect the rest of your belongings from accidental spills and leaks. Whether you're looking for a small pouch for a weekend's worth of essentials or a well-organized case for a destination wedding, we have a cosmetic bag that will hold everything you need.
Tech organizers
Whether you’re working remotely or not, chances are you’re bringing your entire digital setup with you on most trips. With these smart tech organizers, you never have to worry about tangled cords or missing chargers.