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Peak travel season is almost upon us, and between bachelorette parties, weddings, work trips, family obligations, and summer vacations, it’s going to be busy. If you’re gearing up for a trip later this spring or summer, now is the time to check on the state of your travel bags. You don’t want to realize the night before your trip that your suitcase is literally bursting at the seams or that the handle is dangerously close to snapping off entirely. Whether you’re jetting off on a quick weekend trip or crossing time zones for a weeklong vacation, you’re going to need bags that can handle everything from airport security to hotel checkout and back again. So if you’re still rocking worn-out luggage from 2010, it’s time for an upgrade.
Our editors do a lot of traveling, so we know a thing or two about what makes a good travel bag. Over the course of many (many) trips, we’ve found that some options are up to the challenge, while others won’t survive a weekend trip. So if you’re wondering which travel bags are worth your money, let us help. Below, you’ll find all the criteria to look for in travel bags, plus our picks for the best options out there, no matter what kind of trip you’re taking.
In this article 1 What to Look for in a Travel Bag 2 The Best Travel Bags for Every Type of Trip
What to Look for in a Travel Bag
Your carry-on suitcase, checked luggage, personal item, and accessory bags need to stand up to whatever you (or airport personnel) throw at them. That means the inevitable airline-induced wear and tear, inclement weather, and even your tendency to overpack. For your luggage, you’ll want bags made of a durable material (like polycarbonate or nylon) with sturdy, comfortable handles and wheels that are easy to maneuver. Also, pay attention to the weight of the bag itself—lightweight luggage means you can pack more while staying under the airline’s weight limit.
When shopping for other travel bags—like a backpack or personal item—make sure it fits the size limits for your airline, and prioritize options with lots of pockets and zippered compartments for easy organization. And for things like toiletry bags, look for ones made with waterproof materials to save yourself the headache if anything leaks mid-flight.
The Best Travel Bags for Every Type of Trip
Carry-On Bags
Traveling with just a carry-on requires some strategic packing, but it’s worth it to save time, money, and hassle at the airport. These carry-on suitcases will hold everything you need and fit seamlessly in the overhead bin:
Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase
This carry-on suitcase from Quince packs all the features of more expensive luggage brands but at a much more affordable price. The interior features multiple mesh pockets, a compression panel to maximize space, and a removable laundry bag. And for a hard-sided suitcase, it’s surprisingly lightweight. It’s no wonder this product sells out almost constantly.
8 colors available
BÉIS Carry-On Roller
Our editors love the BÉIS brand for their smart organizational features and chic colorways. Their bestselling carry-on suitcase has a durable hard-shell exterior and tons of compartments inside, including a zip pouch for valuables and separate pouches for dirty clothes, shoes, and damp clothing. It even has a built-in weight indicator so you can easily check if you’re over the limit.
10+ colors available
AWAY The Carry-On
Away’s suitcases are hugely popular for a reason. This hard-sided carry-on bag has tons of interior organization, including a compression panel and several pockets. As an added bonus, it also comes with a water-repellent laundry bag and a black leather luggage tag.
10+ colors available
CALPAK Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
With an easy-access front pocket and a durable polycarbonate shell, this suitcase offers the best of both soft- and hard-sided luggage. The front compartment opens out to reveal a padded laptop sleeve and extra pockets for quick access to your essentials. Inside, you’ll find three more mesh pockets and adjustable cross straps to keep your packed items in place.
7 colors available
Open Story Hardside Carry On Spinner Suitcase
For an under-$100 option, this carry-on suitcase from Target is a great pick. The interior features a zippered compartment with a mesh pocket on one side and cross straps on the other to help you pack more in. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly that will get the job done (and look pretty doing it), this is the suitcase for you.
5 colors available
Amazon | Travelpro Softside Expandable Carry on Luggage
If you prefer soft-sided luggage, this one packs in a ton of organization for a pretty affordable price. It includes two exterior front pockets, a full-length pocket inside the lid, and adjustable compression straps in the main compartment. It is also incredibly lightweight and features handles along the side and bottom, so you can easily hoist it into the overhead bin. Plus, the exterior material is water- and stain-resistant, so it’ll stand up to whatever your travel day throws at it.
10+ colors available
Checked Bags
For trips overseas or vacations that last more than a week, you’ll definitely appreciate the extra packing room and less-strict TSA rules that come with checking a bag. These are the best checked bags for those big bucket-list trips:
BÉIS Medium Check-In Roller
If you’re worried about going over the weight limit for checked luggage, this is the suitcase for you. The medium size is slightly smaller than the other checked options on this list, and there’s a weight indicator built into the handle that’ll tell you when you surpass the 50-pound limit. No more frantically trying to repack in front of the check-in counter.
10 colors available
AWAY Large Suitcase
The larger version of Away’s popular luggage, this hardside suitcase features smooth-rolling spinner wheels, an interior compression system, and a hidden laundry bag. It is generously sized to fit two-plus weeks’ worth of clothes and features a TSA-approved combination lock for added security.
7 colors available
Quince Large Check-In Suitcase
At less than 10 pounds, this checked suitcase from Quince is one of the most lightweight options for luggage of this size. That means it’s easier than ever to stay under the weight limit while still fitting in everything you need for a two-plus-week trip.
7 colors available
CALPAK Hue Large Suitcase
This editor-favorite large suitcase from CALPAK features a TSA-approved lock, an interior divider, and several zippered pockets to fit all your accessories. Plus, the minimalist design comes in several fun colors, from classic neutrals to brights.
6 colors available
Open Story Hardside Checked Suitcase
The internet is obsessed with this hardside suitcase from Open Story, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it look super sleek, but it also has several useful compartments and a combination lock. Plus, it comes with a removable compression pad, solving the problem of last minute purging to make all your clothes fit.
4 colors available
Amazon | Samsonite Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
This checked luggage from Amazon has 28,000 reviews and a near-perfect rating. Travelers love it because it’s super lightweight yet durable, featuring a scratch-resistant exterior, telescoping handle and straps to secure clothing on the interior.
10+ colors available
Weekender Travel Bags
For road trips and long weekends away, a weekender bag is the way to go. These editor-approved weekenders are perfect for short trips where you’re only staying a few nights:
BÉIS The Weekender Bag
This tote from BÉIS is basically the gold standard for weekender bags. It’s made from durable, water-resistant canvas, and it has a clip-on shoulder strap that makes transportation even easier. Plus, the bottom zippered compartment is perfect for keeping your shoes and toiletries separate.
8 colors available
CALPAK Luka Large Duffel
This travel bag is made of a soft, puffy material that makes it super lightweight compared to other weekenders. It features tons of pockets inside and out, including a zippered shoe compartment to keep footwear separate from your clothes. The standard size can fit under an airplane seat as a personal item, while the large size is perfect if you need a little extra packing space.
10+ colors available
Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Weekender
If you want something that looks a little more polished but still packs in tons of organization, this gorgeous leather weekender from Quince is the perfect option. It features three separate zippered compartments, plus several pockets inside and out for stashing everything you could possibly need. And since it’s made from genuine Italian leather, it’ll instantly elevate any airport outfit.
3 colors available
Open Story Weekender Bag
For a stylish and durable weekender bag that won’t break the bank, you can’t beat this under-$100 option from Open Story. Packed with tons of pockets and compartments, it has dedicated spots for your laptop, water bottle, sunglasses, keys, and more.
2 colors available
Amazon | BAGSMART Weekender Duffel
For an under-$30 travel bag, this duffel has a shocking amount of organization features. This personal item-sized bag has an external zippered compartment, side pockets for water bottles, three interior slip pockets, and a waterproof pouch for keeping wet items separate. And thanks to the strap on the back, you can easily slip it onto your luggage handle.
9 colors available
CUYANA Recycled Weekender
Cuyana is known for their high-quality canvas and leather bags, and this weekender made from recycled plastic is no different. This spacious tote features three interior pockets and two zippered compartments on the outside, so staying organized on the go is no problem. Plus, the whole thing is machine-washable for easy cleaning. For a splurge option, this one can’t be beat.
2 colors available
Travel Backpacks
You can’t beat the convenience of traveling hands-free. Stash everything you need in one of these travel backpacks to make going through security and navigating a new city so much easier:
Béis Backpack
If you’re looking for a backpack that can literally do it all, your search is over. Because the main compartment zips all the way open, you can fit so much into this little bag. Whether you’re heading out on an overnight trip or a longer vacay, this serves as the perfect personal item with its dedicated laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets, and front compartment.
8 colors available
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Made from super-durable, water-resistant fabric, this backpack is perfect for frequent travelers. It has tons of interior pockets to streamline organization and comes in multiple sizes to suit your needs.
10+ colors available
Amazon Travel Backpack
If there’s one thing that can make or break a travel bag, it’s pockets. And this backpack from Amazon has tons of them. With separate spots for clothes, shoes, wet stuff, and a laptop, it works perfectly as a personal item or as your main bag for shorter trips. Plus, the adjustable straps on the sides help you compress the contents down in case you overpack.
10+ colors available
CALPAK Laptop Backpack
This chic yet durable backpack is ideal for anyone on the go—from students to moms to commuters—and it works perfectly for travel as well. The zippered back compartment can fit a 15-inch laptop, while the many interior pockets help you stash everything else.
10+ colors available
Toiletry Bags
Sure, you could rely on whatever basic toiletry items your hotel room stocks, or you could invest in one of these toiletry bags to easily take all your favorite products with you.
Amazon | BAGSMART Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag
Hanging toiletry bags have been coming in clutch since our summer camp days. This grown-up version from Amazon is perfect for storing any and all travel essentials. With elastic straps to keep items in place and four large zippered compartments, it’ll easily hold your entire skincare routine and more. And at less than $20, it’s super budget-friendly, too.
10+ colors available
Amazon | EACHY Travel Makeup Bag
This chic toiletry bag opens flat so you can easily see what’s inside, then zips back up compactly so it takes up minimal suitcase space. The inside features multiple compartments that are perfect for storing cosmetics and brushes, while the faux leather material on the outside makes it waterproof and stain-resistant.
10+ colors available
CALPAK Clear Cosmetics Case
Being able to see everything you’ve packed makes staying organized way easier. This clear cosmetics case opens like a book to reveal two zippered compartments for storing makeup, beauty products, and more. When you zip it back up, you can easily check to make sure you packed all the essentials.
4 colors available
Caraa Cosmetic Bag
This cosmetic bag from Caraa has a classic yet trendy look, with a waterproof interior that simply wipes clean. A separate zippered pocket inside lets you safely store jewelry and protect it from any potential product spills.
Fawn Design Train Case
Beauty lovers: this one’s for you. This toiletry bag features interior elastic bands that allow you to store products upright and in place—which means no spills or leaks mid-flight. Not to mention the faux leather material will look gorgeous on your hotel bathroom counter.
3 colors available
Accessory Bags
It’s the little things that will take your packing game to the next level. Our editors swear by these extras to take the stress out of packing:
Amazon Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are absolutely essential to make packing easier and keep your suitcase organized while traveling. This budget-friendly set from Amazon is perfect for maximizing space in your carry-on. Thanks to the double zipper design, you can compress the contents of each packing cube down by about half.
6 colors available
Amazon | BAGSMART Clear Toiletry Bag
If you’re still packing your carry-on liquids in a quart-sized Ziploc baggie, it’s time for an upgrade. These clear zippered pouches are sized to meet TSA regulations and are way more durable than single-use plastic bags.
Amazon | Hibag Travel Compression Bags
These compression bags from Amazon are lifesavers for those whose suitcases are constantly bulging. Simply place your clothes inside, zip up the top, and roll the bag to squeeze out extra air and compress the contents. I like to use these for dirty clothes while I’m traveling so repacking before heading home is super easy.
AWAY The Tech Case
Gone are the days of untangling countless cords and wires while unpacking. Away’s tech case organizer comes with a mesh pocket for laptop chargers, plus elastic loops for earbuds and charging blocks.
