Category: Travel Essentials

Your luggage is the piece of travel gear you touch the most and think about the least. It rides with you from the curb to the check-in desk, gets lifted into overhead bins, bounces over sidewalks and sits open on a hotel luggage rack for days. A good bag makes all of that quietly easy. A poor one breaks a wheel in the first terminal, blows past the airline’s size limit by an inch, or weighs so much empty that you hit the checked-bag limit before you pack your shoes. This guide explains how to choose travel luggage that actually fits the way you travel: carry-on versus checked, hardside versus softside, wheels, handles and weight, how airline size rules work, when a backpack beats a suitcase, and a short list of well-known suitcases and sets worth a look at different budgets. It is also the hub for our travel gear guides, so wherever a bag leads to a related question, from neck pillows to passport holders, you will find a link to the detailed guide.

The short answer

If you only buy one bag, make it a carry-on spinner that fits the strictest airline you fly regularly, with a light empty weight, a handle that locks firmly and wheels that roll quietly. Add a personal item, such as a backpack or tote that fits under the seat, for the things you need during the flight. Buy a checked case only if you regularly take trips longer than a week, travel with bulky gear or pack for a family. Choose hardside if you check bags often and want crush protection; choose softside if you want outside pockets, a little give for overstuffed bins and a lighter bag for its size. Before you buy anything, measure it against your airline’s published limits, including wheels and handles, and check those limits again before every trip, because they change.

Start with how you travel, not with the bag

Most luggage regret comes from buying for an imagined trip instead of the trips you actually take. Four questions settle most of the decision:

• How long are your trips? Weekend and business trips of up to about five nights fit comfortably in a carry-on for most people. Trips of one to two weeks can still work carry-on only if you do laundry once; beyond that, or in cold weather, a checked bag starts to make sense.
• Do you check bags or avoid it? If you want to walk off the plane and straight to the train, everything you own has to fit the carry-on and personal item limits. If you check bags anyway, you can choose a lighter, cheaper cabin bag and put the bulk in the hold.
• What surfaces will you cross? Smooth airport floors and hotel corridors favor four-wheel spinners. Cobblestones, gravel, stairs, ferries and old train stations favor two-wheel cases or backpacks.
• Which airlines do you fly? A bag that fits a major North American carrier’s carry-on limit may be too big for a European budget airline, and some basic fares only include a small under-seat item. Size the bag for the strictest airline you use often.

Answer those honestly and the rest of this guide becomes a series of easy trade-offs rather than a wall of options.

How airline size and weight rules work

Every airline sets its own limits, and they change often enough that any number printed in a blog post can go out of date. The principles, though, are stable:

• There are usually two cabin allowances. A carry-on for the overhead bin and a smaller personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. Some basic or ultra-low-cost fares include only the personal item, and charge for the overhead bag.
• Limits include wheels and handles. A case advertised as “22 inches” may measure more once you count the wheels, the handle housing and a full front pocket. Measure the real outside dimensions yourself.
• Many large North American airlines publish a carry-on limit close to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (roughly 56 x 36 x 23 cm), while many European and low-cost carriers are smaller or add a weight limit for cabin bags. Treat that as a starting point only.
• Checked bags have size and weight limits too. Economy checked bags are commonly limited to around 23 kg (50 lb), with fees or refusal beyond that, and a combined length plus width plus height limit. Premium cabins and elite status often allow more.
• Gate agents have the final say. On a full flight, even a compliant carry-on may be gate-checked if the bins fill up. Keep medications, documents, chargers and valuables in your personal item so they stay with you.

Check the official page for your airline before you buy a bag and again before you fly. Useful starting points: Air Canada carry-on baggage, WestJet carry-on baggage, Delta carry-on baggage and American Airlines carry-on bags. If you fly budget carriers in Europe, read their cabin bag pages closely, since the free allowance is often a small under-seat bag. Our guide to Delta carry-on size rules walks through one airline in detail.

Bag types compared

There is no single best bag, only the best bag for a trip. This table sums up the main options and who each one suits.

Hardside or softside?

Hardside

Hardside cases are made from plastics such as polycarbonate and ABS, or from aluminum at the premium end. Polycarbonate is generally the better plastic: it flexes under impact and springs back, where cheaper ABS shells are lighter but more likely to crack. Aluminum cases are very tough and look great, but they are heavy, dent visibly and tend to be expensive. Hardside cases protect fragile items well, shrug off rain and wipe clean after a trip. The trade-offs are that most open like a clamshell, which needs space on a small hotel floor, they rarely have outside pockets, and the shell will scuff. Choose a textured or matte finish if scuffs bother you.

Softside

Softside cases use woven nylon or polyester fabrics. Higher-denier ballistic nylon resists abrasion best. Fabric bags usually have front pockets for a jacket, a book or a quart bag of liquids, they often expand with an extra zipper, and they compress slightly to squeeze into a full overhead bin. They hide wear well and are easy to repair. They offer less protection from crushing and can absorb water in heavy rain, so pack electronics in the middle and consider a light rain cover if you walk a lot outdoors.

If you mostly carry on, softside is often the more practical choice. If you mostly check bags and worry about baggage handling, hardside earns its place.

Wheels, handles and zippers

These three parts fail first, so they deserve the most attention in the store.

• Spinner wheels (four wheels that rotate in every direction) are easiest in terminals and let you push the case beside you without carrying weight on your wrist. Double spinner wheels roll more smoothly than single ones. They are less happy on rough ground and can roll away on a sloped platform or a moving train.
• Two-wheel inline cases are pulled behind you. They handle curbs and cobbles better, the wheels are recessed and less likely to snap off, and you gain a little packing space inside. They put more strain on your wrist over long distances.
• Handles should lock firmly at more than one height and not wobble. Tall travelers should check the fully extended height. Side and top carry handles matter every time you lift the bag into a bin or a car trunk.
• Zippers should be large, run smoothly around corners and have sturdy pulls. A split zipper is one of the most common ways a bag fails mid-trip.

If you can, test a bag in person: extend the handle, roll it in a circle, lift it by each handle and open it on the floor. Thirty seconds tells you more than a long product description.

Weight: the spec people ignore

Empty weight matters twice. On airlines with cabin bag weight limits, every kilogram the bag weighs is a kilogram you cannot pack. In the hold, a heavy empty case pushes you toward the checked weight limit, where fees get steep. A light bag is also simply easier to lift into an overhead bin, carry up station stairs and haul into a hotel without an elevator. When two bags seem equal, choose the lighter one. A cheap luggage scale is worth packing on long trips, since it lets you check the weight before you reach the airport.

Suitcase or backpack?

For many trips, the right main bag is not a suitcase at all. A travel backpack with a clamshell opening packs like a suitcase but carries on your back, which is a real advantage on multi-city trips with trains, ferries, stairs and old streets. Our guide to the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L covers one of the best-known carry-on travel backpacks, plus how to size and pack any travel pack. If you are heading into crowded cities, look at anti-theft backpacks, which add locking zippers, hidden pockets and cut-resistant materials. For trips built around trails rather than terminals, a proper frame pack with a hip belt carries weight much better; see our guide to hiking backpacks.

Business travelers often split the difference: a carry-on spinner for clothes plus a laptop bag as the personal item. If your shoulders object to a heavy tech bag, a rolling laptop bag can slide over the handle of your suitcase and roll through the terminal with it.

Suitcases and sets worth a look

The bags below are well-known models at different price points. They are starting points, not a ranked test: sizes, weights, colors and prices change between versions and retailers, so check the manufacturer’s current specifications against your airline’s limits before you buy.

Budget carry-on: Wrangler 22-inch hardside spinner

Wrangler’s hardside spinner carry-on is an affordable choice for occasional travelers who want a simple four-wheel case in the classic 22-inch carry-on size. It suits weekend trips and people who fly a few times a year. At this size, confirm the full outside dimensions against your airline’s limit, since 22-inch cases sit right at the edge of many carry-on allowances.

Budget basics: Amazon Basics hardside carry-on and checked spinners

Amazon Basics sells plain hardside spinners in carry-on and checked sizes, including a compact 21-inch expandable case and a larger 26-inch checked bag. They are no-frills options for travelers who fly now and then, want a matching carry-on and checked pair, and would rather spend their budget on the trip. Keep in mind that an expandable carry-on may no longer fit the airline’s limit once expanded.

Compact carry-on: SwissGear 7366 hardside spinner

The SwissGear 7366 is a compact 19-inch hardside spinner. A smaller case like this is a smart choice if you fly airlines with tight cabin limits, travel for short trips, or want a case that fits more easily in small overhead bins on regional jets. It holds less than a full-size carry-on, so it rewards light packers.

Frequent-flyer softside: Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on

Travelpro has long been associated with flight crews, and the Platinum Elite is its well-known softside line for frequent travelers. A softside carry-on of this kind suits business travelers and anyone who likes outside pockets for quick access. Check which size of the carry-on fits the airlines you use, since the line comes in more than one cabin size.

Premium spinner: Briggs & Riley 22-inch spinner

Briggs & Riley sits at the premium end and is known for durable softside luggage backed by a lifetime guarantee. A 22-inch spinner from the brand is an investment for people who travel often enough that a bag lasting many years outweighs a much higher price. Read the current guarantee terms on the manufacturer’s site before you buy, so you know what is covered.

Stylish set: Delsey Paris Chatelet two-piece set

Delsey’s Chatelet line pairs hardside cases with vintage-inspired styling, and the two-piece set gives you a carry-on and a larger checked case that match. It suits travelers who care about how their luggage looks as much as how it rolls, and couples who want one cabin bag and one checked bag for longer trips.

Value sets: five-piece expandable luggage sets

Multi-piece sets bundle several sizes, often from a small carry-on up to a large checked spinner, at a price per bag well below buying separately. They are good value for families or anyone starting from nothing. The catch is that you may never use every size, sets often use lighter materials, and the “carry-on” in a set is not always within the airline’s limits. Check the dimensions of each piece, not just the set’s description.

Build a system around the main bag

A suitcase is only half of a comfortable trip. The small things you pack in and around it decide how the journey feels. Our travel gear guides go deeper on each of these:

Tech and work

• Organize cables, chargers and adapters with our list of laptop travel accessories.
• If you work on the road, a folding travel keyboard can turn a tablet into a workstation.
• Cut down on charging bricks with a 3-in-1 Apple charger for phone, watch and earbuds.
• For long flights, noise-cancelling headphones for flying make a bigger difference than most upgrades.

Comfort in the air

• Choose from our guide to neck pillows for flying, and keep it clean with a travel pillow bag that clips to your luggage.
• On long-haul flights, compression socks for long flights are worth considering; talk to a doctor if you have circulation concerns.
• For better rest on overnight flights, read our guide to sleeping better on flights, which covers routines, seats and light, and why any medication decision belongs with a doctor or pharmacist.

Clothes and shoes

• Walking is most of travel; pick from our guide to walking shoes for travel.
• For beaches, pools and hostel showers, see eco-friendly travel flip-flops.
• Pack fewer, better pieces with our guide to travel pants for men.

Documents and valuables

• Keep cash and cards close with a money belt.
• Protect your documents with one of our passport holders.
• Organize cards, cash and boarding passes with our picks of travel wallets for women.
• Keep necklaces untangled and rings together in one of the travel jewelry cases we cover.

Health and personal care

• Pack a compact travel first aid kit for scrapes, blisters and headaches.
• Plan ahead with our guide to travel-friendly feminine hygiene products.
• Traveling from or to India? See our list of travel essentials for Indian travelers.

Packing a bag so it works

• Use packing cubes. Cubes keep a suitcase or backpack organized, compress soft clothing and make unpacking at a hotel a two-minute job.
• Roll soft items, fold structured ones. Rolled T-shirts and knits take less space; shirts and blazers crease less when folded flat.
• Heavy items at the wheel end. Shoes and toiletry bags near the wheels keep a rolling case stable and stop it tipping forward.
• Liquids where you can reach them. Cabin liquids generally have to fit the security rules for your departure airport. In the United States, see the TSA liquids rule; in Canada, check CATSA’s what-can-I-bring page. Keep the bag of liquids in an outside pocket or at the top of your personal item.
• Leave room. A bag packed to the zipper on the way out has nowhere to put anything you buy. Aim for about 80 percent full.
• Keep a day in the cabin. If you check a bag, put a change of clothes, medication and chargers in your carry-on in case the checked bag is delayed.

Locks, security and smart luggage

If you lock a checked bag when flying to or within the United States, use a lock that security officers can open with a master key, usually labeled as TSA-accepted, so the lock is not cut if the bag needs inspection. The TSA’s What Can I Bring? tool covers specific items, and CATSA publishes the equivalent guidance for Canadian airports. A lock is mainly a deterrent against casual opening; for real valuables, the answer is to keep them in the cabin with you.

So-called smart luggage with built-in power banks is a special case. Lithium batteries are regulated in aviation: spare lithium batteries generally must travel in the cabin, not in checked bags, and many airlines require a smart bag’s battery to be removable. The FAA’s PackSafe guidance on lithium batteries explains the rules. If a bag’s battery cannot be removed, you may not be able to check it or even gate-check it, so read the airline’s policy before buying. A small Bluetooth tracker tucked inside a pocket is a simpler way to keep tabs on a checked bag.

If your bag is delayed, damaged or lost

• Report it before you leave the airport. Go to the airline’s baggage service desk, file a report and keep the reference number.
• Photograph your bag and its contents before trips. Photos make a claim far easier, and a picture helps staff identify the bag.
• Keep receipts for essentials you buy while waiting for a delayed bag; airlines often reimburse reasonable expenses within their policy.
• Know your rights. For flights to, from and within Canada, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations set out airline obligations, including for baggage. International itineraries may also fall under international conventions with their own time limits for claims, so file promptly.
• Label inside and out. A tag with your phone number and email outside, and the same details on a card inside, helps a bag find its way back if the outer tag is torn off.

Care, repairs and warranties

Luggage lasts longer with a little care. Empty and air out softside bags before storing them, wipe hardside shells after a trip, and store bags somewhere dry. Push the handle fully down before lifting by the side handle, and do not sit on a spinner. Check wheels and zippers a week before a trip, not the night before. Many manufacturers sell replacement wheels, handles and zipper pulls, and a local luggage repair shop can often fix a broken wheel for much less than a new bag. Warranties vary a lot: some cover only manufacturing defects, while some premium brands also cover damage from airline handling. Register the bag if the brand asks you to, keep the receipt, and read the warranty terms before you choose between two similar bags.

Common luggage mistakes

• Buying the biggest carry-on on the shelf. The biggest case that technically fits a North American airline’s limit may not fit a regional jet’s bins or a European carrier’s rules.
• Ignoring empty weight. A heavy case eats into your weight allowance before you pack anything.
• Expanding a carry-on and still carrying it on. Most expandable carry-ons exceed the limit once expanded.
• Checking valuables. Laptops, cameras, jewelry, medication, passports and spare batteries belong in the cabin.
• Choosing a black bag with no marking. Every third bag on the carousel is black. A bright tag or strap saves time and prevents mix-ups.
• Skipping the personal item. A good under-seat bag holds your flight essentials and keeps the carry-on’s contents in reserve if it gets gate-checked.
• Buying a set you do not need. Three bags at a bargain price is not a bargain if two of them live in the closet.

Frequently asked questions

What size luggage is allowed as a carry-on?

It depends on the airline and the fare. Many large North American airlines publish a limit close to 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, while many European and budget airlines are smaller or include only an under-seat bag on basic fares. Always check the airline’s official page before you fly.

Is hardside or softside luggage better?

Neither is better for everyone. Hardside protects contents and resists rain; softside is flexible, has outside pockets and often weighs less for its size. Frequent checkers tend to prefer hardside, carry-on travelers often prefer softside.

Are spinner wheels better than two wheels?

Spinners are easier on smooth floors and let you push the bag beside you. Two-wheel cases handle rough ground and curbs better and their wheels break less often. Choose based on where you will be rolling.

Should I buy a luggage set or individual pieces?

A set is good value if you will use every piece, such as a family that needs several sizes. If you mainly want one carry-on and one checked bag, buying the two pieces you want lets you choose quality and size precisely.

How long should good luggage last?

It depends heavily on how often you fly and how much you check bags. Quality construction, replaceable wheels and a good warranty all extend a bag’s life, and basic care helps any bag last longer.

Can I bring a backpack as a personal item?

Usually yes, as long as it fits the airline’s personal-item dimensions and goes under the seat in front of you. A large travel backpack usually counts as the carry-on, not the personal item.

Do I need a TSA-accepted lock?

If you lock checked bags on flights in or to the United States, a TSA-accepted lock lets officers inspect the bag without cutting the lock. It is a deterrent, not real security, so keep valuables in the cabin.

Is smart luggage allowed on planes?

Often, but many airlines require the lithium battery to be removable, and spare batteries generally travel in the cabin. Check the airline’s policy and the FAA’s PackSafe guidance before you buy.

Once the bag is sorted, the trip is the fun part. Compare fares on our flight search, including flexible dates that can make room in the budget for better gear, find a place to stay on our hotel search, and pick up a car with room for your luggage on our car rental search. Allow enough time for bag drop with our guide to airport arrival times for international flights, and if you are testing a new carry-on on a city break, a trip to Paris with our guide to things to do in Paris is a fine place to start.