The Best Suitcases
As much as we love going on vacation, getting there can be a struggle. From long airport lines to mediocre dinners on board, there's a lot of cause for worry when we book our flights, but our luggage shouldn't be one of them. Investing in a good suitcase will ensure you always have what you need without paying extra for size or weight restrictions. And while the investment might seem like a hefty one at first, a durable piece of luggage can last a decade if it's treated right. Whether you're looking for a lightweight, durable suitcase or something that stands out at baggage claim, we've got the bag for you. Check out our top selection of suitcases below to take the weight off before you fly.
Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage
Tough for tough travels
Luggage isn’t just an investment — it’s also a companion for your travels. And if you’re an experienced traveler, then some of those destinations can be quite rough. That’s why a good suitcase should be durable enough to withstand a few beatings over the years. Fortunately, the Samsonite Winfield 2 is designed with roughness in mind thanks to its polycarbonate construction, which absorbs whatever impact is thrown at it. All the while, your clothes stay super organized inside thanks to the interior dividers and pockets that keep everything in place. Best of all, you can get all this durability and ease of use in either a checked bag or carry-on size to accommodate your particular packing needs.
Pros:
- Comes with a soft cover to protect against scuffs
- TSA-approved side locks for extra security
- Compression and expansion feature keeps clothes neat
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a side handle
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Luggage
Fit more with less effort
As much as we’d like to take only what we need for our trips, it wouldn’t really feel like a vacation if we didn’t have some options. But if we’re taking half our wardrobe with us, we’ll end up paying more at the check-in desk. Here’s where a super-light but spacious suitcase like this hardside suitcase by Samsonite can be of help. With a cross-ribbon and divider inside to keep your stuff organized, there’s room to fit plenty in this case that also expands and compresses to match your packing load. At the same time, the lightweight design and four multi-directional spinner wheels will make your suitcase glide just as easily when it’s full as it is when you’re first loading it up.
Pros:
- Twelve different color options available
- 360-degree upright rolling
- Push-button locking handle
Cons:
- Higher cost
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Luggage
Super savings on super suitcases
Traveling changes as we get older. While our younger selves could traverse half of a continent with a backpack on our shoulders, we need a bit more comfort if we’re traveling with our families at a later age, So here’s where bundling up on a luggage set can make a difference. Invest in long-term flexibility when you fly with this two- or three-piece set of sleek luggage by American Tourister. Combining style and function, each suitcase in the set has a durable, ABS hard shell available in a variety of colors and all-over prints. Moving it is easy thanks to the single spinner wheels and a telescoping handle that works at the push of a button. Most importantly, you’ll get this full set for almost half the price of other single suitcase purchases.
Pros:
- Smooth, quiet rolling
- Tie-down straps inside keep things in place
- Zipper pocket for small items
Cons:
- Has a slight “new” smell in the interior (which some may actually find pleasant)
Hanke Expandable Foldable Suitcase
Fly and fold
As convenient as big suitcases are for transporting our things, they’re a pain to store afterward, especially if you’ve downgraded in living space. Thankfully, the designers over at Hanke constructed a clever suitcase to solve this exact problem. Their expandable, foldable suitcase easily converts between a 20-inch handbag size all the way up to a 28-inch checked bag option in a few easy zips, giving you more versatility between outbound and inbound flights. Best of all, when you get to your destination, you can simply fold down the bag to its most compact size and slide it under the bed in the handy storage pouch.
Pros:
- Great cost value
- Tear and scratch-resistant polyester lining
- Sturdy zippers
Cons:
- Suitcase will tip over if filled with heavier items at the top
Lily Bloom Pattern Suitcase
Designed to draw the eye in
One of the worst things about flying is awaiting the sight of our checked luggage on the baggage belt. And waiting for a bag that looks just like everyone else’s makes this problem even worse. Well, now, with a super vibrant, patterned suitcase like this one from Lily Bloom, you won’t have to. Choose from six fun prints including Tropical Pineapple, Playful Garden, and Furry Friends to help you always spot your luggage the second it rolls onto the conveyer. But good design isn’t just about looks — this baby has wide wheel positioning to provide better resistance against falls, meaning your suitcase will be as stable as it is stylish.
Pros:
- Fully-lined interior
- Reinforced handle poles for extra strength
- Rolls in any direction
Cons:
- Has a hard time going over bigger bumps
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a soft or hard suitcase?
It depends what kind of travel you’ll be using your suitcase for. Softshell luggage has more give, meaning it can be squeezed into tighter spaces and can also be stuffed a bit more if you really need that extra pair of pants. Hardshell suitcases, on the other hand, are much better at protecting fragile contents but also lack flexibility — unless they have an expandable section, that is.
What should I look for in purchasing the right suitcase for me?
The main factors to look out for are size, design, features, and how easy it is to identify. Make sure your luggage will fit where it needs to — for example, in an overhead bin or within checked luggage size restrictions — while also fitting everything you need inside. Next, consider the design, particularly how light it is, how durable it is, and how easily you can move it. Third, take into account the features you need. From handles and built-in locks to internal dividers, suitcases these days have a lot of perks, so make sure to find the right ones for you. Lastly, a suitcase that stands out from the crowd is better for easy spotting at baggage claim. Alternatively, you could have a very visible ID tag on a neutral suitcase to also claim it as your own.
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