Photo by Patrick Cox; Collage by Andrea Edelman Kay
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When it comes time to major travel gear purchases, a checked bag typically tops the list in regards to both importance and price. It’s a staple for longer trips (anywhere from 10 to 14 days) and for anyone who wants or needs more room in their suitcase. And while large luggage tends to be relatively costly, a quality bag should last you for years to come, making it a worthwhile investment. That said, deciding which checked bag is best for you—whether you’re buying your first one or looking to upgrade from an older model—isn’t a decision to make lightly. You’ll want to consider a few factors:
Material: Hard-sided suitcases usually function as clamshells (giving you space to pack on both sides); soft-sided suitcases often have one large compartment and a few exterior pockets.
Organizational elements: If you're a packing cube devotee, you might not care about extra pockets; overpackers—or anyone traveling with bulky items—will likely want a bag with compression straps.
Wheel count: Two wheels are better for speed and rough terrain while four wheels cater to maneuverability. If you go with two wheels, you’ll be pulling your bag from point A to point B; four wheels give you the ability to push or pull, depending on your preference.
Cost: Checked luggage ranges anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand. A higher price tag can indicate more features and higher-quality materials, but there are occasions when you’re simply paying for the brand name.
To help you narrow down the search, our editors and contributors spent months reviewing models from top luggage brands like Away, Calpak, Paravel, July, and Béis to determine which ones we recommend most. Read on to discover the 15 best checked luggage pieces to buy right now—all of which have been thoroughly road-tested for durability, functionality, and capacity.
How we tested
To help us recommend the absolute best luggage to our readers, more than a dozen Condé Nast Traveler editors and contributors spent months (and in some cases, years) road-testing the newest and best-selling bags from top travel brands. These bags accompanied us near and far on planes, trains, buses, and cruises, from local staycations and Hamptons getaways to the Paris Olympics and Marlon Brando’s private island in French Polynesia. We packed these bags to the brim, lifted them into overhead bins, rolled them down cobblestone streets, and inspected every bump and scuff they endured. We considered each bag's weight, capacity, functionality, price point, and how well it held up after several trips. We also identified smart design features that make a bag stand out from its competitors, like having weight indicators, separate shoe compartments, or ample pockets. After traveling with each bag, we carefully reviewed them, keeping the aforementioned criteria in mind to determine which ones are worth the cost and a spot in our Luggage Week lineup.
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s second annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.
Weight: 10.4 lb. Capacity: 68.8L Dimensions: 26" x 18.5" x 11" (exterior) Expandable: No
Away has become known for its minimal yet functional luggage; it’s a reliable go-to for light, spacious suitcases that get the job done. Over the years, the brand has released upgraded versions of several of its classic bags, including The Medium, which associate editor Charlie Hobbs describes as the kind of bag made for “young people on the go.” After bringing The Medium on a trip to Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard, he confirmed it held enough clothes for a full two weeks (without doing laundry), and its four 360-degree wheels ensure the luggage is easily maneuverable. The suitcase’s interior features three mesh pockets as well as a small hanging pocket, so you’ll be able to maintain a certain level of organization—even without packing cubes. The only downside of The Medium is the highly scuffable polycarbonate hard-shell. Frequent travel, particularly air travel, may result in a less-than-flawless look.
Pros: Durable and easy to maneuver; the underside grab handle comes in handy when lifting the suitcase Cons: Scuffs easily
Weight: 10.2 lb. Capacity: 78–94L Dimensions: 28.3” x 17.7" x 11" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, two inches of extra space
“For the first time ever as an overpacker, I had room to spare,” says commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, who traveled with the Béis Medium Check-In Roller on a nine-day trip to Italy. A large part of that spaciousness comes from the hard-sided suitcase’s many compartments and its ability to expand an additional two inches to accommodate more volume. On one side, a U-zip flap and its two zip pockets keep contents securely packed away; the opposite side uses a detachable compression flap with another U-zip pocket and four-point compression straps to provide security and stability. There are also two more pouches—for small valuables and for dirty or wet clothing—which Kenny likens to having “built-in packing cubes.” One more handy feature: The suitcase features a weight limit indicator to ensure you don’t go over any weight limit specifications when flying.
Pros: Various pockets, compartments, and pouches aid in organization Cons: For two-week trips or longer, opt for the larger 29" style
Weight: 8.3 lb. Capacity: 80L Dimensions: 26" x 18.75" x 11" (exterior) Expandable: No
Tested by associate articles director Megan Spurrell on two long-haul trips—Peru and Antarctica—this bag rivals pricier options on this list and will blend in with them, too: “This July number is light, easy to lift, and a spacious interior means I can fit quite a bit inside,” Spurrell says. “It seamlessly pairs with two carry-ons I have, too—both navy blue, from Paravel and Arlo Skye—for a stylish set when I’m traveling heavy on a longer trip.” She notes that the wheels glide smoothly, particularly for a larger bag, and the solid, durable exterior means that it’s been able to take a number of rough unloadings without any issues. And while the suitcase itself is “simple in design,” she says, the bright colorways (especially the lavender, clay, and moss) are easy to spot at the baggage carousel. Some features, like the handles spanning over 20 different heights, feel nonessential, and the interior material, while spill-resistant, is stiffer and less luxe than pricier picks. The odor-resistant laundry bag and compression pad are welcome perks, though.
Pros: Unique range of colorways Cons: Interior material feels cheap
Weight: 11.75 lb. Capacity: 102.7L Dimensions: 30" x 19" x 12" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, two inches of extra space
The first thing you’ll notice about the Ambeur Large Luggage from Calpak is its size: The checked bag can carry up to 102.7 liters. “An individual traveler could easily get away with packing a week’s worth of clothes and accessories, possibly even two travelers with the right packing skills,” says Lara Kramer, Condé Nast Traveler’s former global director of audience development, who also shared that the suitcase is expandable by two inches, “ensuring you can bring home those extra souvenirs.” Overpackers—or those packing for multiple travelers—will appreciate the spacious main compartments, as well as the three additional zipper compartments that Kramer says are “perfect for packing your smaller or more delicate items.” The Ambeur Large Luggage is a great option if you’re headed abroad for a week or more, or traveling as a family.
Pros: Relatively lightweight in comparison to its impressive capacity Cons: Its size makes it a bit too bulky for solo travelers or shorter trips
Weight: 11.8 lb. Capacity: 77L Dimensions: 18.25" x 28" x 11" (exterior) Expandable: No
First tested while we were on the hunt for the best hard-shell luggage back in 2021, Paravel's Aviator Grand suitcase passed with flying colors. It's a solid, elegantly sleek, eco-friendly suitcase that's great for extended travel and business trips. Inside, it's spacious if minimalistic, with two open sides—you'll want to use packing cubes for added organization, though there are two zippered compartments on either side (one of those acts as a compression flap to secure the items underneath). It has since gone on three more international trips; senior commerce editor Madison Flager notes that “for the size of the bag—without an expansion system to add room—it fits quite a bit,” about 10 to 14 days' worth of clothes. While the double spinner wheels have continued to hold up well a few years in, the recycled polycarbonate shell “does scuff easily.” Though with the help of a Magic Eraser, you can polish your bag back up if the marks are bothersome.
Pros: Spacious, perfect for trips longer than a week Cons: Lighter colorways show a significant amount of scuffing after use
Weight: 12.6 lb. Capacity: 69L Dimensions: 26" x 18.9" x 10.6" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, 1.75 inches of extra space
When Away debuted its brand-new line of softside suitcases this summer, we immediately got to work testing the bags’ functionality. Global audience development manager Abigail Malbon brought the Softside Medium on a short train trip, and she shares that the material was surprisingly durable. “It’s made from a handy wipe-clean fabric that’s also water resistant, so if you get stranded in the rain you don’t need to worry about your belongings getting wet,” she says. The inside of the suitcase is also thoughtfully designed; it’s outfitted with a compression pad system, which Malbon “found useful to stop the case from bulging so much,” a laundry bag, and two accessible pockets on the front of the suitcase. Available in five classic Away colors—coastal blue, black, navy, cloud gray, and clay pink—it easily fits a week’s worth of clothes and shoes. Plus, says Malbon, “there’s an option to unzip and extend the size of the case, which means most people could probably travel for two weeks with it.”
Pros: Made of water-resistant, wipe-clean fabric Cons: Slightly heavier than other similarly sized suitcases
Weight: 10.5 lb. Capacity: 99.5L Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 12" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, Free-Flex zipper stretches up to one inch
Even travelers who rarely check a bag—like travel bookings editor Jamie Spain, who calls herself “not really a check-in luggage person”—occasionally need a larger suitcase for extended trips. She took the Arlo Skye The Zipper Check-In Large out for a few spins while transporting things in New York City and found it’s a great bag for overpackers or travelers embarking on a trip of a month or more. The main compartment design is, in her words, “nice and basic,” which allows for flexibility in packing technique. “You could fit so much inside without any pockets limiting how you pack. One side zips fully closed, with a zipper pocket on top of it, while the other side buckles closed with two zippered pockets on top,” she says. Before you pack the suitcase to its full 99.5L capacity, though, note Spain’s warning: “The shell is somewhat thin and light, and because of this it is definitely harder to roll and transport the suitcase once it's fully packed.” So while it would perform well for a domestic trip, you may want to reconsider bringing it on a European adventure, as carrying it up and down stairs could be difficult.
Pros: Lightweight, unique color options Cons: Not particularly sturdy, some difficulty rolling when fully packed
Weight: 10.1 lb. Capacity: 80–90L Dimensions: 26.5" × 18.5" × 11.2" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, 10 L of added space
Kenny, who has tested a few different luggage styles from Monos over the years, shares how much she appreciates the brand’s consistency and attention to detail when designing the interiors of its suitcases. When traveling with the Monos Expandable Check-In Medium, specifically, she took advantage of the useful, well-organized compartments. “One side of the suitcase features a zippered compartment with a large mesh section that lets you keep your items organized and separated,” she says. “On the other side, I kept my clothes in packing cubes and used the divider and compression straps to help everything fit.” Even as a self-professed overpacker, she said the straps, plus the expansion feature (which adds 1.6 inches of depth), gave her “plenty of room to spare” on a weeklong trip. And if your trip is even lengthier? Kenny says you’ll be covered: “You can easily fit several pairs of shoes, bulky sweaters, packing cubes, and even larger toiletry bags and hair tools inside.”
Pros: Expandable zipper, dent-resistant shell with a sleek design Cons: Minimal color options
Weight: 10.8 lb. Capacity: 122.3L Dimensions: 20.4” x 30.9” x 13.4” (exterior) Expandable: Yes, two inches of extra space
If you have a few international trips on the horizon, consider bringing along the Antler Icon Stripe Large Suitcase—which research associate Anna Gladwin describes as a “hard-wearing yet stylish case with a significant amount of storage space.” After traveling with the recycled polycarbonate suitcase to Turkey, she confirmed it’s fully outfitted with all the most valuable features for a long-haul trip: zippered mesh compartments (which are great for keeping items, like dirty laundry or shoes, separate), a TSA-approved lock, an adjustable top handle, and an expander zip for additional depth. It isn’t until you’re packed and in transit, however, that you’ll notice its standout factor—the 360-spinner wheels. “It feels far smoother to roll than any other suitcase I have used,” says Gladwin. This capability is particularly important when you’ve stuffed the bag to its full capacity. The only issue she found with the suitcase is one that’s pretty typical for hard-shell suitcases: Expect scuff marks after use, especially if you’re carrying a lighter colorway.
Pros: Wheels ensure it rolls smoothly and quietly Cons: Shell scratches easily
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Medium Expandable Spinner
Weight: 11.9 lb. Capacity: 87–104L Dimensions: 27” x 18.5” x 11.5-13.75” (exterior) Expandable: Yes, increases capacity by 25 percent
Editorial assistant Jessica Chapel tested the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Medium Expandable Spinner while traveling domestically to Montauk and internationally to Florence this summer. Her findings? If you’re willing to pay the $739 price tag—which she says is worth it for the lifetime guarantee—you’ll have a spacious, transportable (even on the cobblestoned streets of Italy), and stylish suitcase by your side for years to come. As its name suggests, the expandable bag comes with a “game-changing” feature that will be appreciated by every overpacker: one-touch expansion. Chapel says the simple process of pressing the two expander buttons and pulling up the sides of the suitcase is “satisfying and useful.” Along with the extra capacity option, the bag features adjustable garment compression panels that she found to be effective for preventing the contents from shifting or wrinkling while in transit. If you’re searching for one more reason to invest in this style, she also shares that it’s perfectly suitable for a solo traveler on a journey longer than a week, or for a couple who only wants to check one bag.
Pros: Easy expansion system, can be monogrammed Cons: High price point, lacking in organizational features
Weight: 8.9 lb. Capacity: 92L Dimensions: 29.92" x 15.75" x 13.39" (interior) Expandable: No
The Herschel Heritage Softshell Medium suitcase earned our stamp of approval for two key reasons. For starters, research director Alexandra Sanidad found it to hold up well on a weeklong trip to San Francisco. She also said the two-wheeled, soft-side suitcase’s “zippered mesh storage on the luggage flap and main compartment with garment straps that pull tight” are helpful on the organization front. Notably, however, the rest of the luggage’s features are “pretty basic compared to other luggage” she’s traveled with. Don’t expect this one to perform on a particularly rugged adventure, but it will work just fine for all other types of travel, from work trips to road trips.
Pros: Comfortable grab handles, no scuffing or scratching, low price point Cons: Basic design lacking in unique storage features
Weight: 12.3 lb. Capacity: 91L Dimensions: 28.3" x 17.3" x 14.5" (exterior) Expandable: No
Spurrell gave the Solgaard Check-In Closet Original a “big yes” after testing it on a three-week trip to Peru and a week-long trip to Mexico. The “genius” built-in shelving system is incredibly effective for keeping the contents of your suitcase orderly and neat. On one side, the removable accordion clothing organizer (similar to what you’d hang in a closet) holds folded shirts or sweaters. In Spurrell’s experience, it can be “packed full, then condensed to fit right into the suitcase.” Upon arrival, she says, “you can either stand the suitcase up and hang the contraption from the top of the handlebar, or string it up in the closet wherever you’re staying (my preferred method).” The other side of the suitcase is just as convenient; it features two shoe pouches and a mesh closure, plus room for other items that didn’t fit on the “closet” side. Sturdy, smart, and spacious, this bag is ideal for someone who appreciates organization—and having a variety of outfits to wear on their travels.
Pros: Clever shelving system, range of muted but fun colorways Cons: A bit bulky to move around (though the side handle is helpful for carrying the bag up steps)
Weight: 12.3 lb. Capacity: 108L Dimensions: 30" x 18" x 13.5" (exterior) Expandable: Yes, two inches of extra space
Before departing for a two-week trip around Europe, associate social media manager Kayla Brock confirmed the Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner was able to fit “about 14 different outfits,” in addition to holding a few more items in each side’s mesh interior pockets. Alongside its roomy main compartments, the polycarbonate hard-shell suitcase has a built-in TSA-approved lock, external USB A and C ports, and an external access battery pocket, which Brock found useful for charging her phone. Though the nearly $470 price is steep, she says the overall quality of the bag makes it worth it. Not to mention, it comes in seven different colorways, so you can get one that matches your personal style to a tee.
Pros: Impressive capacity, multiple interior pockets for organization Cons: Somewhat difficult to roll when entirely full
Weight: 11 lb. Capacity: 90.9L Dimensions: 29.9" x 20.1" x 11" (exterior) Expandable: No
If city escapes or resort vacations are in your future, you’ll do well with the Carl Friedrik Core The Large Check-In. Associate editor Matt Ortile, who has traveled around the world—from Canada to Saudi Arabia—with the bag’s heavier predecessor, tested this version on a six-day trip to Las Vegas and was immediately impressed with its high-quality materials (a polycarbonate shell, vegetable-tanned leather detailing, and recycled polyester lining) and overall slim nature. As for his absolute favorite aspect of the suitcase? It’s all about the structured interior layout. “Even though the clamshells are more shallow than the original suitcase, both sides have entirely zipped compartments (plus pockets on the zip-covers), meaning I didn’t have to wrestle with compression straps to secure my packing cubes,” he says. His final assessment came courtesy of the thick carpet in a Las Vegas casino; the suitcase’s 360-degree Hinomoto wheels rolled over it smoothly.
Pros: Light, maneuverable; design details ensure it’s easy to spot at baggage claim Cons: Would benefit from added compression straps
Weight: 9 lb. Capacity: 67L Dimensions: 27.17" x 15.75" x 11.81" (interior) Expandable: No
Some trips result in more luggage wear and tear than others—international flights, multiple layovers, and cross-country moves, to name a few. If you’re expecting particularly grueling journeys over the next couple of years, invest in the Herschel Heritage hard-shell. Two European adventures later, the impact-resistant suitcase has “held up very well” for Kenny: Scuffs are minimal, and there were no issues with the zippers or locks. Typically, two wheels are better for navigating cobblestones and less-than-even surfaces, but she noticed that the suitcase’s four inset Hinomoto wheels “rolled easily and quietly” through both the airport and the bumpy streets of Florence.
Pros: Wheels smoothly, durable Cons: No expandable feature
