Our Editors Reveal Their Favorite Luggage Choices

Best Hard-Sided Luggage

Not one, but two of our editors highly recommend the Open Story Hardside Carry-On Spinner Suitcase. Senior editor Taylor Rock has been using hers for almost three years, and it was her primary suitcase during a month-long European trip (think: airplane journeys, train rides, and plenty of cobblestone streets).

Its impressive maneuverability is due to its spinner wheels, which make gliding effortless, as well as its lightweight design, weighing just 7 pounds. It also features handles on both the top and side, is expandable (even Rock confirms it can hold enough clothes for a month!), and comes with a smooth telescoping handle.

Vice President Kate Geraghty vouches for its dependability, durability, and packing capacity, sharing that this suitcase has accompanied her on over a dozen trips, both domestic and international, whether by plane or train. She swears by it, though she notes a few downsides: it lacks a TSA-approved lock, occasionally gets gate-checked on smaller flights (for example, when traveling from NYC to Boston), and the handle can be a bit wobbly.

Additional Hard-Sided Luggage We Recommend

While this hard-sided suitcase is a favorite of ours, we've also highlighted two other editor-approved picks: the Away Carry-On and the Quince Carry-On. Senior Editorial Director Meg Lappe recommends the Away for its perfect balance of storage space, ideal for a weekend in Boston, five days in London, or even a week-long safari in South Africa. Thoughtful features like a zippered mesh separator for shoes, four-wheel gliding, a laundry bag, and a battery charger truly set it apart.

If you're looking for luggage that stands out from the typical black bags, shopping writer Jamie Fischer swears by the Quince Carry-On. She’s been impressed by how much it fits, and its four-wheel design makes it a breeze to maneuver.

Top Soft-Sided Luggage Picks

Finding stylish soft-sided luggage can be a challenge, as many options tend to be less than attractive. However, the London Fog Kensington Expandable Spinner defies this trend. It combines both fashion and functionality, and it’s my go-to travel companion for monthly trips.

I have both the carry-on and the check-in bag, and I've used the carry-on for over 24 trips. I’ve never had trouble fitting it into an overhead bin (even fully expanded by two inches), and no matter how much I pack, it always accommodates everything I need.

As other reviewers have highlighted, the 360-degree spinner wheels are revolutionary. The airport I visit most often—Phoenix Sky Harbor—has long walks from security to the gates, and being able to roll my luggage beside me is a convenience I can't do without. The adjustable telescoping handle also adds extra comfort.

Unlike our hard-shell luggage options, this one comes with a front pocket that I’ve used for storing laundry, my laptop, or any pamphlets and papers I pick up on my travels. Together with the two internal shoe compartments, these thoughtful features really help me keep my things organized. I also love that it gives off a Hartmann luggage vibe but at a much lower price.

Other Soft-Sided Luggage Options We Adore

Alongside my personal choice of luggage, I’ve also highlighted four additional options that I’d consider if I were in the market for a new set. After extensive research, these selections stood out for their top-notch organization, stylish design, special features, and value for money. For instance, the Calpak Terra 45L Carry-On Luggage is ideal if you're looking for plenty of external pockets for quick access to your travel essentials (it even boasts a durable hard-sided base for added protection!). Alternatively, the Plume Medium Trip offers a striking monochromatic design and unique color options, making it easy to spot at the luggage carousel.

Top Duffel Bags

When it comes to duffel bags, one essential feature is a sleeve to fit over the handle of your luggage. The Luka Duffel not only includes this but also provides nine different pockets to keep your items neatly arranged. These include a dedicated shoe section, a laptop sleeve, and a water bottle pocket. After nearly four years of use, Mytour’s VP and Associate Group General Manager, Courtney Mason, shares that her Luka Duffel remains in excellent condition.

She appreciates that it has enough room for clothes for one to two nights, with plenty of interior compartments for chargers, makeup, and sunglasses, as well as an exterior pocket that’s ideal for stowing a book. Though it’s showing signs of wear after years of use, the gold color she selected still provides a striking pop.

Other Duffel Bags We Recommend

Other great options? The Slightly Alabama Jackson Highway Duffel and the Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall. Lappe explains that she switched to using her leather duffel for most of her travels due to its convenience of being stowed away in overhead compartments or under the seat in tight spaces. It also folds up nicely, a must-have since she lives in a small studio apartment with limited closet space. The top straps of the bag allow her to carry jackets easily, so when transitioning from a cold NYC winter to a warm San Diego day, she doesn’t have to carry her jacket separately or find extra space for it in her bag—just strap it on.

Fischer, on the other hand, says her Dagne Dover duffel is the most frequently used gift she’s ever received, quickly becoming her go-to carry-on for weekend trips and nearly every vacation. The durable material and reliable zippers let her pack it to its limit (and sometimes beyond), and the straps are supportive and comfortable for long days of travel.

Top Weekender Bags

The Beis Weekender is a staple in any weekender bag discussion. Geraghty has used her Beis bag as her sole luggage on several weekend trips over the past year, and it has served her well. She appreciates how the bottom compartment keeps bulkier items, such as shoes (packed in shoe bags), toiletries, or a larger packing cube of clothes, separate from smaller items. She loves the extra space for organization.

In her view, the bag offers just the right amount of pockets—two inside and one on the exterior, plus a luggage sleeve that conveniently zips up and doubles as an additional pocket. Though it might not be suitable for packing more than two or three outfits, the padded shoulder strap ensures comfort, even when the bag gets a bit heavy.

Our Favorite Weekender Bags

While our editor prefers the Beis Weekender bag, I also suggest exploring the four alternatives below, each offering a unique style. The Metro Weekender stands out with its sleek leather design and ease of maintenance. Meanwhile, the Soft Weekender Bag from A New Day is perfect for those seeking an affordable yet comfy option, ideal for long travel days when you need a soft place to relax.

Expert Tips for Choosing Luggage

Category

When it comes to traveling, most people opt for one piece of luggage and a personal item, as this combination is typically sufficient for almost any journey. Here’s what to keep in mind before selecting your travel gear.

Hard-Sided vs. Soft-Sided Luggage

• Hard-Sided: Hard-sided suitcases are perfect for protecting your items from damage, especially if you frequently check bags and worry about them being tossed or compressed under other luggage. They’re also fairly resistant to rain and easy to clean—just wipe them down after your trip. However, their rigid structure can make them less adaptable for fitting into tight overhead compartments.
• Soft-Sided: Soft-sided luggage offers more flexibility, making it easier to maximize space. These bags often feature expandability, allowing you to increase your packing capacity by several inches. Plus, they’re still compressible enough to fit in tight spaces like overhead compartments.

Soft-sided bags often feature exterior pockets for easy access to items like laptops, passports, or anything else you want to keep handy. However, they can be vulnerable in rainy weather, may tear over time, and aren’t always the easiest to clean.

Weekender Bags vs. Duffel Bags

While weekender bags and duffel bags have a lot in common, they differ in their shape, style, and capacity.

• Weekender bags: As the name implies, these bags are designed for short weekend getaways, so they tend to be smaller than duffels. They also have a sleeker look, often come with a separate compartment for shoes, and resemble a tote bag, making them ideal for work trips or quick vacations.
• Duffel bags: Duffels can hold up to 100 liters of gear and some models can even convert into a backpack (a great option for those who prefer not to use a shoulder strap or need to carry a lot of stuff). However, they lack the structured form of a weekender and can become too bulky when overstuffed, making them harder to zip, carry, and organize.

Features

Here's a breakdown of features that are considered nice-to-have and those that are absolute necessities in a side-by-side comparison:

Luggage

• Weight Indicators: These can be a lifesaver for habitual overpackers. You might not mind carrying your bag and stepping on the scale to subtract the weight, but if that gets old, we suggest placing this on the “must-have” list. The Beis Roller is a great choice if you prioritize this feature.
• Wheels: If we had to pick the most important feature, it’s definitely four 360° spinning wheels. This is a total game-changer for ease of travel. Without them, you're dragging your suitcase, but with them, you can move around effortlessly in any direction, without straining your arm or bumping into your ankles. Every suitcase on our list comes with this must-have feature.
• Built-in Locks and USB Chargers: We’ve used suitcases both with and without these features, so we’d classify them as “nice-to-haves.” While they offer peace of mind with built-in charging and added security, it’s also easy to buy portable chargers and TSA-approved locks separately if your chosen suitcase doesn’t come equipped with them.
• Expandability: A little extra space goes a long way! An additional inch or two can make all the difference when trying to fit in those last-minute items.

Personal Item

For weekender bags and duffels, there are two essential features we highly recommend:

• Luggage Sleeve: A luggage sleeve is a must. Without it, you’ll be stuck carrying your bag by hand all the time—whether boarding, walking to your gate, or arriving at your destination. Attaching your bag to your suitcase helps distribute the weight, relieving pressure from one side of your body and preventing an uneven gait, especially when your bag feels heavy.
• Number of Straps: We suggest having both a crossbody strap for hands-free carrying (extra points if it’s padded) and regular carrying straps to easily pull your bag from car trunks and under your airplane seat.

Size

Of course, you’ll need both carry-on and checked luggage at various points depending on your trip's duration and destination. While we won’t dictate how much you should pack for how long (that’s up to you), we can say that checked bags are typically designed to hold 15 to 18 outfits for trips lasting two weeks or more. Carry-ons can accommodate about 5 to 7 days’ worth of clothing for trips up to 10 days, depending on your packing skills. (Some of us have managed month-long trips with just a carry-on by being strategic with what we pack.)

Questions You Might Be Curious About

Are packing cubes essential for packing?

Although packing cubes aren't strictly required, they have proven to be incredibly effective for organizing luggage and simplifying the packing process. Packing cubes allow you to compress your clothing and keep everything organized, which helps both in maximizing space and eliminating the confusion of where your items are when you unpack. Additionally, if you prefer to plan your outfits in advance, using a separate packing cube for each day can be very useful.

For a cost-effective organizational tip, Lappe suggests reusing the bags that boots come in. These bags work great for organizing items like socks, bathing suits, and workout gear. It’s also wise to keep an extra laundry bag handy to separate your clean clothes from your dirty ones.

What luggage is the most durable?

In general, hard-sided luggage is better at absorbing shock and maintaining its shape when tossed around on baggage carousels, carts, or in cargo holds. It also holds up well against moisture, like rain or spills.

That said, I've owned my soft-sided London Fog luggage for two years, and the carry-on still looks almost new. (My checked bag has a few scuffs and imprints, but it’s luggage after all.) There’s no reason why soft-sided luggage can’t last just as long, especially since hard-sided luggage is more prone to cracking, denting, or chipping.

Since it's impossible to anticipate damage or accidents no matter what type of luggage you choose, it's a good idea to check the warranty before buying to understand what it covers. For example, Beis’s limited lifetime warranty covers damage to the shell, handles, zippers, and wheels.

Which color is ideal for a suitcase?

As Jamie Fischer, our writer, pointed out, choosing a vibrant luggage set can make a difference in spotting your bag on a baggage carousel, especially if you’re a frequent traveler who checks in luggage. However, if you prefer darker shades like black, a brightly colored luggage tag or ribbon can help you quickly identify your bag in the crowd.

If you're concerned about how different colors hold up over time, don’t completely discount lighter shades. While darker tones tend to conceal marks better, senior editor Taylor Rock’s light gray Open Story suitcase has held up for nearly three years, with almost no visible scuffing or discoloration.

Hear It From Us

This piece was authored by Camryn Dilger, associate editor at Mytour, who brings a wealth of hands-on expertise in researching, testing, editing, and evaluating a wide variety of products. In 2023, she relocated to California, planning to return to her home state once a month in order to experience the best of both worlds. 

Since then, she has flown on more than 24 planes, with an equal number of trips through airport security and packing and unpacking suitcases. Drawing from her own travel experiences and consulting her team about their most trusted items, she curated this list. You can be sure of your purchase, as every product here has been highly recommended by real people facing real-world challenges.