Traveling out of a suitcase that doesn’t work for you — in a word — sucks. Without the best suitcase, your clothes get wrinkled, your gear gets scrambled, and more and more time goes down the drain as you pack and repack endlessly. The best vacations, weekend getaways, or day trips only seem to go so well with the best luggage on hand.

　　But selecting the best luggage can amount to taking on the internet itself. There is a huge array of options, from wheeled suitcases to weekender bags, travel duffels, and backpacks. To choose one is to untangle this knot, relating characteristics of a suitcase to your travel needs and guesstimating durability, comfort, and more.

　　GearJunkie’s suitcase testers brought 30+ combined years of experience in travel-oriented lifestyles to this roundup. Interests and focuses vary widely among the team: Crossfit, water sports, running, adventure racing, rock climbing, tradeshows and conferences, and general pleasure travel have all caused us to act on airline app alerts.

　　You can head straight to our comprehensivebuyer’s guideandFAQat the bottom of the article. Ourcomparison chartcan also help you make a decision. Otherwise, read our complete gear guide below.

　　The Best Suitcases in 2024 Best Overall Suitcase: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel Best Budget Suitcase: NEMO Vantage 30 Adventure Backpack Best Wheeled Duffel: 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L Best Weekender Bag: Peak Design Travel Duffel 35 Best Travel Duffel: Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 Liter Duffel Bag Best Travel Backpack: Rab Depot 28L Daypack Best Commuter Backpack: Thule Subterra 2 27L Backpack Best Overall Suitcase Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel 30” Specs Dimensions 29” x 16” x 12” Weight 8 lbs., 11 oz. Sizes Carry-on, Carry-on (convertible), Medium checked, Large checked (30”) Material 600D polyester Features Offroad wheels, reinforced corners and seams, skid plate, removable inner divider

　　Pros Dimensions: 29” x 16” x 12” Weight: 8 lbs., 11 oz. Sizes: Carry-on, Carry-on (convertible), Medium checked, Large checked (30”) Material: 600D polyester Features: Offroad wheels, Reinforced corners and seams, Skid plate, Removable inner divider Cons Pricey Sam Anderson For the vast majority of us, life detours away from feckless airport floors and paved roads. Our testers haven’t found a better bag for all kinds of travel than the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel 30” ($429). 

　　The XE gains off-road chops from its lugged rubber wheels, metal axles, and skid plate. Robust, water-resistant fabric comes with reinforced corners and seams to counteract scuffs, grit, and grime. Four carry handles — top, bottom, left, right — help make it easy to grab and go no matter what. MOLLE-style webbing, quick-access pockets, and a hideaway mesh front stuff pocket provide packing options. 

　　With all that, though, the suitcase doesn’t lack the cultivation most travelers require. Inside, there’s a laptop pocket plus zippered mesh compartments for bath supplies, cords, trimmers, and any other odds and ends. A removable mesh divider with pockets bisects the main compartment, adding structured storage. Adjustable stay straps in an H-shaped design help clothing stay neat and folded.

　　A zippered expansion panel adds up to 15 liters of extra room. Security-oriented travelers will also find zippers that not only lock, but lock to an anchored point near the middle of the suitcase. 

　　During our testing, we appreciated the durability of the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel 30”. Even when stuffed to the brim, there was no concern of the bag bursting or breaking in any way. Plus, the carry handles on every side made it easy to toss into an overhead compartment or drag out of a pickup truck.

　　Four sizes are available, from a smaller, 4-wheeled carry-on to a large 30” checked bag.  

　　$429 at REI$429 at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry Best Budget Suitcase NEMO Vantage 30 Adventure Backpack Specs Dimensions 19” x 11” x 11” Weight 3 lbs., 1 oz. Sizes 30L Material Proprietary PET, EVA Features Shoe compartment, tech pocket, duffel zip

　　Pros Ideal for city or off-road travel Very durable Made from recycled material Excellent price for what you get Cons Water bottle pockets are too small Sam Anderson While NEMO’s promises of sustainable, high-performance materials will attract some, the NEMO Vantage 30 Adventure Backpack’s ($130) real distinction comes from its cross-activity design. It’s a full-on digital nomad pack with multiple compartments, including the now-familiar work compartment — as well as one the company built for running or hiking shoes. 

　　Functionality revolves around a center-zip, duffel-style opening up front that holds clothes for a weekend trip. Two zippered pockets inside help keep small items put. Outside mesh pockets can hold (very) small water bottles or an umbrella. The compartment NEMO designed for shoes zips open behind the main pocket — from the bottom of the pack. 

　　Finally, the tech compartment includes mesh and segmented pockets for the usual array of cords, earbuds, notebooks, pens, etc. The laptop pocket is also mesh, which is an unusual choice. In practice, the storage compartments are an excellent blend. We were able to store electronics and delicate items in the tech compartment, as well as our clothes and other gear in the duffel-like area on the bag’s posterior. 

　　The only issue that we had during testing was that the mesh water bottle pockets were puzzlingly slim. They’ll fit disposable water bottles, but we ended up just throwing our Nalgene’s in the pack itself. It’s a small problem, but an irritating one. 

　　In all, the NEMO Vantage 30 Adventure Backpack seeks to bridge a gap many of us are already in: the one between the professional and outdoor worlds. And at $130, it offers more backpack per buck than any other suitcase on this list.

　　$172 at REI$230 at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry Best Wheeled Duffel 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L Specs Dimensions 28.75” x 16” x 13” Weight 14 lbs. Sizes 90L Material 1050D nylon, 1680D ballistic nylon Features 150 lb. capacity, interior frame rails, rollaway top divider, Velcro patch attachments

　　Pros Huge Durable Plenty of external pockets Cons Heavy Sam Anderson If 5.11 Tactical built a tank, this would be it. The 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L ($285) is a beast in all regards. Some of our testers could easily climb into it and travel for free as checked baggage — we’ve lived in comparably-sized vehicles. 

　　The duffel can swallow over 5,500 cubic inches worth of gear, and its wheels support a robust 150 pounds. (Watch that weight at the ticketing counter.) The retracting handle, a potential weak point, was more than up to the task. We loaded up the Mission to the brim, and the handle didn’t even bend when fully extended. 

　　Skid rails add support on the base, and fiberglass rods help keep the sides stiff as the payload piles up. 5.11 specs 1680D ballistic nylon to weather the brunt of long-range missions.

　　But the Mission Ready 3.0 isn’t all bulk and burl. Multiple exterior pockets help users keep track of cords, handheld devices, and anything else you might need on hand. And a rollaway divider between the top loader pocket and main compartment can help you keep a clean outfit or suit separated. 

　　You can even customize the 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L, with exterior Velcro attachment points for patches or nameplates. There’s a clear vinyl pocket for important documents up top, and even a clear business card holder in one corner. 

　　Check Price at 511tactical Best Weekender Bag Peak Design Travel Duffel 35 Specs Dimensions 22 x 14 x 10 Weight 2 lbs. Sizes 35L, 65L Material 600D nylon canvas shell, 900D bottom liner Features Configurable backpack/hand/duffel carry, main compartment frame, water-resistant zippers, companion packing cube/camera bag inserts

　　Pros Excellent organization Plenty of camera-specific features Durable Multiple carry options Cons Main compartment wants to close on its own Sam Anderson Peak Design looks to help travelers look suave and savvy from the airport to the gym and the glampsite with its Peak Design Travel Duffel 35 ($140). 600D nylon canvas creates a handsome shell, with a DWR treatment to keep sensitive gear safe inside. Leather accents set off the aesthetic, and reinforced stress points and Hypalon (UV-resistant poly rubber) zip pulls add durability. 

　　But as a talking point, Peak Design’s cultivated aesthetic is as well-known as it is tired out — actually, the Travel Duffel stands out in the details.

　　A padded shoulder strap and handles reconfigure on webbing loops for hand, shoulder/crossbody, or backpack carry. With C-shaped metal hooks, the straps don’t have moving parts as weak points, like buckles or carabiner gates. 

　　Overall, there’s plenty of attention paid to durability, with a 900D waterproof base and sewn webbing carry handles that inspired our tester’s confidence. Frame rails sewn into the sides keep the shape consistent. However, the stiffness didn’t allow the bag to stay open. This made it a bit of a pain to load.

　　Four exterior pockets with water-resistant zippers include several mesh pockets to keep the essentials in order. A charming “luggage tag holder” hides inside one pocket with a Velcro closure. Modest interior mesh pockets provide room for small devices, notebooks, or a few toiletries. The high-viz gray lining was exactly that: bright threads glinted even in low light.

　　Modularity is also a relatively strong trait of the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35 ($140). The hand straps work as a pass-through for a roller bag handle, and Peak Design makes a padded divider rig (sold separately) to turn it into a camera bag.  

　　$140 at REI$140 at AmazonCheck Price at Peak DesignCheck Price at Backcountry Best Travel Duffel Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 Liter Duffel Bag Specs Dimensions 22.5” x 12.5” x 12” Weight 1 lb., 12 oz. Sizes 45L Material 600D poly Features Removable straps, exterior compression, Inner mesh pockets

　　Pros Easy to load/stuff Tough zippers Cons Awkward to carry when heavy Backpack carry created pressure points Sam Anderson Months of testing in contexts as disparate as international air travel, jungle hiking, and after-work crag sessions made the Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 Liter Duffel Bag ($160) stand out in stark relief for our tester — in both its strong and weak points. 

　　The Traveltopia fulfilled every bit of the workhorse requirement of a duffel. Our tester found it very easy to pack, stuff, and generally cram with gear of any kind in any configuration. Unlike many duffels that aim for cross-category function, the Traveltopia’s panels have relatively classic shapes. With straight lines, no pleats or frame components, and recognizable backpack-style straps, it’s as straightforward as a duffel gets. 

　　For our tester, that was both a strength and a weakness. 

　　Because the shaping is relaxed rather than aggressive, the opening stayed open easily while our guy simply chucked gear in. This was extremely useful during last-minute packing, races against check-out time, and other rushed packing tasks. The zippers held up to a few bulging loads, and the coarse-woven bottom panel never sustained a scuff.

　　Amid the chaos, pockets provided just enough order to make sense of it all. The narrow exterior pocket was exactly right for a passport or phone. Four equally-sized inner mesh pockets trimmed with elastic kept valuables separated, and the length-of-the-bag mesh pocket on the other side swallowed the rest. (Note: there is no laptop pocket or padded area.)

　　However, heavy loads tended to get awkward. Even though the compression straps (one top, one bottom) worked well to tighten down the contents, the Traveltopia could still feel like a pig to carry. A key shortfall was the carabiner-style strap clip in the backpack configuration. Each one landed right on the pointy part on top of our tester’s shoulders. Jack Wolfskin confirmed designers were aware of the problem, and that a later design of the Traveltopia would feature a solution.

　　Wolfskin could perhaps improve the carry even more with fancy design tricks — but that’s not what this bag is about, and it shouldn’t be. The Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 Liter Duffel Bag’s main strength is its status as a standby duffel. Huck stuff in, zip, shoulder, and go.

　　$124 at Amazon Best Travel Backpack Rab Depot 28L Daypack Specs Dimensions 21.5” x 12.5” x 9” Weight 2 lbs., 8 oz. Sizes 28L, 22L, 18L Material 50% recycled ballistic nylon Features Top drop-in pocket, pleated front panel, exterior compression, water-resistant laptop pocket

　　Pros Easy to organize Comfortable all-day carry Tough shell Cons No side carry or roller bag handle Can become top-heavy Sam Anderson Full disclosure: our tester made the Rab Depot 28L Daypack ($150) do a lot of things it’s not designed to do. Weeks of travel in sweltering southeast Asia tested the Depot 28’s ability to deny ingress from sand, its back panel’s sweat wicking qualities, and the limits of its versatility and capacity.

　　In every metric, it exceeded expectations. Only a couple shortfalls keep the Depot 28 from being our tester’s all-time go-to in a travel backpack. 

　　The Depot 28 made strong impressions right away, with a boxy shape at the top of the front panel that made overloading seem unlikely. Four zippers surround the top carry handle, promising plenty of chances to keep key gear separated. The tech pocket unzips all the way to the pack base on one side — which our tester wished the main compartment did. However, the roomy interior largely offset the complaint. 

　　We found the high-visibility burnt orange (gold?) lining could be admittedly loud, but didn’t let anything hide in the pack’s depths. And with a spacious drop-in pocket at the top, we didn’t tend to get stuck rooting around for the essentials. The rolltop, “water resistant” laptop pocket seemed like overkill — but on the other hand, if you’re in a rainy environment, why not? Plenty of padding kept our tester’s computer safe. 

　　The multiple tested contexts highlighted the Depot 28’s unexpected strong points. Improbably, the back panel stayed comfortable and refused to saturate even on 90°F hikes that felt like walking underwater. The zippers denied sand and grit on beach hangs, keeping laptops and chargers functional for impromptu work sessions. The coarse front panel stood up to it all, and no loose stitches resulted. 

　　Shortfalls include the lack of a side carry or roller bag carry handle. While the Rab Depot 28L Daypack proved comfortable to wear under many conditions, our tester eventually yearned to unburden himself of it. Another unfortunate design quality was the pack’s tendency to slouch. We tended to load it heavily at the top, thanks to the robust and easy-access storage there. Unless it was full, the pack then wanted to develop a dent in the middle. Compression straps helped, but didn’t fully resolve, the dysmorphology. 

　　But this was more of an aesthetic gripe than a functional issue. With the rest of the Depot 28’s merits, our tester found it easy to dismiss. 

　　Check Price at Rab Equipment Best Commuter Backpack Thule Subterra 2 27L Backpack Specs Dimensions 20” x 13” x 9.5” Weight 2 lbs., 13 oz. Sizes 26L Material Nylon, polyester Features Clamshell or top load, included packing cube

　　Pros Plenty of storage options Comes with integrated packing cube Durable Expandable Cons Thin shoulder straps get uncomfortable when fully loaded Sam Anderson It’s hard for us to deny an in-house design ingenuity award to the Thule Subterra 2 27L Backpack ($160). The pack is a Rubik’s cube of lids, clamshell and bucket openings, expandable and removable compartments, and carefully placed pockets. But it’s one you can solve. 

　　A rear clamshell zipper reveals the tech pocket and main compartment, which contains a packing cube. Many will find the tech panel, with its various pockets and sleeves, familiar. Remove the packing cube to expand it and pack its various mesh compartments with clothes, toiletries, small gear, etc. Either that or load the front compartment conventionally. 

　　That’s one way to load the Subterra 2. You can also top-load it with the flip-up lid. Notably, the packing cube also attaches to the pack lining with snaps, becoming another top-access compartment. 

　　Which is handy, because the interior storage compartment is cavernous. When we first opened the bag, it looked like a roller bag, albeit without wheels. While it’s spacious, we could easily see ourselves looking for smaller items in it. 

　　The cube and the pack both expand to add room. (According to Thule, the expansion adds 6 liters of space for a total of 32.) Diagonally zippered side pockets follow the contained aesthetic. A small, discreet zippered sleeve behind the back panel fits a passport just right.

　　Our type-A tester loved this pack during multiple flights and cross-country road trips. The ability to separate items and keep everything organized was a huge plus. 

　　The Thule Subterra 2 27L Backpack’s streamlined nature was also a big plus. It never took up too much space in an overhead compartment or car trunk. Plus, its smooth exterior prevented it from getting snagged or caught on airplane seats, jostling crowds, or other bags.

　　Check price at Thule Suitcases Comparision Chart

　　The author giving his test bag a rest on a trip to Singapore; (photo/Sam Anderson) How We Tested Suitcases Travel amounts to a second full-time job for most gear testers, and GearJunkie’s team is no different. Our frequent fliers packed their suitcases for everything from day commutes to weekend junkets to weeks-long international adventures. Needs came from a wide variety of travel tasks: remote work at beachside bars, multi-stop airport connections, rock climbing, road trips, and casual city outings.

　　Key factors were capacity and comfort, versatility of use, and the suitcase’s ability to help the tester stay organized. Our testers made notes on style but paid the most attention to what each suitcase most helped them accomplish. Bulky, heavy-duty suitcases work best for cramming with mounds of gear and clothing in a race against check-out time; low-profile suitcases with plenty of pockets and compartments can make for smooth day trips.

　　Our testers paid special attention to how each suitcase performed in differentiated environments. The best wheeled carry-on luggage might still roll if we took it between international airports and sandy beach towns. A duffel bag can make a great high-volume gear bag, but cramp your style (and shoulders) if you’re facing a long walk.

　　We mostly used suitcases for their intended purpose, but did allow for some crossover use. The Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 duffel, for instance, did duty as a general gear cache, a carry-on for weekend getaways, and even a crag pack.

　　Why You Should Trust Us Each tester involved in this article travels frequently for professional and recreational reasons. Since the mid-2000s, testers have crisscrossed the United States and the planet to pursue stories, sporting events, trade shows and conventions, lifestyles, and adventures.

　　Lead tester Sam Anderson has lived out of suitcases for months of his life — between extensive rock climbing travel, long-distance relationships, and friends and family scattered across the U.S. Sam has learned on the job, stuffing bags with equipment as varied as burly trad racks, cameras and laptops, and dress clothes for weddings.

　　His packing lists need to be precise and complete — and so does the way he configures his bags. Choosing the right bag is also key. Sam has pitted his suitcases against desert dust at Red Bull Rampage, torrential rain in Yosemite National Park, and too many delayed flights to count.

　　Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose a Suitcase Size To size a suitcase, you should start with what you know you need to bring with you. Try concentrating your needs and wants in the gear department, then consider the suitcase when you’re done.

　　For most people, volume doesn’t mean anything — if you know what 35 liters worth of clothing looks like, you (like us) may need help. Instead, focus on dimensions.

　　Carry-on luggage size limits, generally, are the following:

　　U.S.: 22” x 14” x 9” International: 21.5” x 15.5” x 9” (though it varies more). Most roller bags like the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel 30” are designed specifically for air travel, so they follow these general guidelines. But not all luggage does.

　　If you’re not traveling on an airline and you don’t have to care, we recommend focusing on weight and details like handles and reinforcement. You might frequently find yourself yanking, shoving, and carrying your luggage from here to there. You don’t want it to be any more awkward than it has to be.

　　Were fans of the Eagle Creek Gear Warriors burly zippers; (photo/Billy Brown) Fully loaded, the biggest bag on this list, the 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L, weighed more than some of our testers. You don’t want to have to shoulder one of those bad boys in a busy foreign bus station or boat ramp.

　　Roller Bag or No? There’s no denying it, roller bags have become the international standard. Trying to calculate the number of roller bags sold each year would take precious years off the life of anyone trying to count.

　　And they’re great for some things — and awful for others.

　　The 5.11 Tactical Mission Readys heavy-duty wheels and castors are ideal for carrying heavy loads; (photo/Billy Brown) Conventional roller bags with cheap plastic casters do just fine on light duty from the jetway to the rideshare trunk. But if you take one on a potholed rural street, a beach, or a hiking trail, you’re risking a busted wheel and a very uncomfortable carry.

　　If you tend to get into the nitty gritty while traveling, try roller bags like the 5.11 Tactical Mission Ready 3.0 90L, with its lugged wheels that support 150 pounds.

　　Handles/Carry More and more, luggage designers appear to be asking one worthy and overdue question: why not put a handle on every surface of this thing? And even: why not make it a sturdy one?

　　Gone are the days when a suitcase or backpack should only have one handle on the top. Most suitcase builders now include a side carry handle attached to otherwise unused space. Some even put a carry handle on the top, bottom, left, and right side of the rig — like the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 2-Wheel 30”.

　　Material If you’re worried about airlines damaging your luggage, stop now: SITA reported as recently as 2019 that baggage handlers damage less than 1/1,000th of bags.

　　That doesn’t mean it’s not important to consider what your suitcase is made of. A lot depends on what you will do with the luggage. Hard-sided suitcases don’t suffer snags or rips like soft-sided units do, but they can also crack if they end up at the bottom of a heavy pile.

　　The Jack Wolfskin Duffel is simple, durable, and gets the job done; (photo/Sam Anderson) The best soft bags are made with durable external materials like Cordura or nylon. The NEMO Vantage 30 Adventure Backpack is made with durable recycled PET, and the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35 is made with 600-denier nylon. Both have held up very well to rough travel. But even if they dont abrade, soft bags can be crushed. So dont keep your Fabergéeggs in there.

　　Durability Durability in a suitcase often comes down to choosing the right unit for the use cases involved. For suitcases that will live a rough-and-tumble life, pay attention to areas that absorb a lot of abuse: corners and bottom panels. A kick plate, between the wheels on a roller bag, usually isn’t a bad thing. And reinforced corners and stitching can also help.

　　There’s also no getting around the fact that any suitcase, duffel, or backpack is only as good as its zipper. Try to reduce the strain on your bags’ zippers by avoiding overloading.

　　Compartments How organized do you need to be? Entries in this article range from techy backpacks with dedicated shoe compartments to straight-up duffels with a few pockets, like the Jack Wolfskin Traveltopia 45 Liter Duffel Bag.

　　The Thule Subterra 2 is a backpack with a roller-style clamshell-style opening; (photo/Billy Brown) The reality of the matter is, sometimes you don’t need to keep it all that tight. In those instances, a main compartment and a pocket or two is plenty to stay happy. For the most businesslike travelers, highly-compartmentalized units like the Thule Subterra 2 27L Backpack can feel more appropriate.

　　FAQ Which is more durable: hard-sided or soft-sided? As we mentioned in the previous section, hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases resist different types of damage better. Insofar as durability requires retention of quality over time, it’s important to consider what kind of hazards your suitcase will face.

　　Hard-sided cases can slip past snarls and snags easily. And they can, arguably, protect what’s inside better. Hard-sided cases can’t give way and squeeze a tube of hair gel or lotion until it pops open. But they can also crack, and when that happens, you’re left in a predicament.

　　Soft-sided suitcases can stretch and flex more easily among other bags and gear. But you could also get a nasty tear on a sharp corner, exposed nail, etc. Also note that hard cases can resist water better than soft cases, depending on the zipper.

　　What is the carry-on size limit for a suitcase? Carry-on size limits actually vary by airline, so there’s no real standard. A good starting place is to go by general TSA standards:

　　U.S.: 22” x 14” x 9” International: 21.5” x 15.5” x 9” (though it varies more) Do suitcase locks work? First we should answer, do suitcase locks work against what? Lost or delayed luggage amounted to about six bags out of 1,000 in 2022. The San Francisco Standard attributed these losses to luggage theft, but suggested plenty of ways to protect yourself from luggage loss.

　　While you can purchase TSA-approved suitcase locks, you can take plenty of other steps to protect your gear. First of all, the Standard suggested, place a smart tracker like a Tractive GPS tracker in your bag. Developed to help locate lost dogs, Tractive links to a satellite array and thus has no range limit (unlike Apple Airtag). Open your app and, bingo!

　　Also consider keeping all your valuables in your carry-on or personal item. In this case, the importance of any lock diminishes.

　　The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024 Carry-on luggage comes in a variety of styles, from the hardshell classics to soft-sided, duffel bags. Whether you value features like external pockets or 360-spinner wheels, internal compression, or TSA-approved locks, we’ve got you covered with our wide selection of the best carry-on luggage of 2023.

　　The Best Men’s Travel Pants of 2024 We’ve tested the best wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and comfortable men’s travel pants of the year. Pack your bags and get ready for adventure.