The Best Luggage of 2024 for Every Kind of Trip
Remember when shopping for the best luggage was as simple as borrowing an archaic wheeled contraption from family or friends, dusting it off, and calling it a day? In recent years, both classic brands (Tumi, Delsey) and newcomers to the suitcase scene (Dagne Dover, Away) have seriously upped the packing ante. Now, the best carry-on luggage, larger checked suitcases, and even carry-on backpacks have phone chargers, USB plugs, keychain doodads, TSA-friendly locks, and countless zipped compartments to stash all your travel accessories, allowing you to find your ideal match for any kind of getaway, be it one of the best vacations in the U.S., a weekend staycation in the country's best hotels, or crossing off a bucket-list getaway to the best golf courses in the U.S. or best ski resorts in the U.S.
For the 2024 Men’s Journal Travel Awards, we rounded up the best luggage picks across several categories, including best carry-on luggage overall, best weekender bag, best luggage for international travel, and more to match your travel needs.
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Among the best luggage on the market, Rollink Flex 360° Spinner scores highly across all metrics on our list, earning itself the No. 1 spot for its impact-resistant, ultra-durable hard shell; practically silent 360-degree spinner wheels; and a collapsible design that crams into even the smallest slivers of space—great for apartment-dwellers. Keep reading for more of this year's standouts.
Best Carry-On Luggage Overall: Rollink Flex 360° Spinner
Available in a host of colors, we appreciate that Rollink Flex 360° Spinner comes in four sizes (carry-on, international carry-on, medium checked, and large checked) to suit a range of scenarios. The biggest draw for this smartly designed bag is the fact it’s up to 75 percent thinner than the average suitcase, thanks to its collapsible structure, which makes storage a breeze. There’s even an adjustable band you can place around the collapsed luggage to make sure it maintains its svelte shape. Despite its lay-flat storage mode, this lightweight suitcase (the carry-on is just over six pounds with an impressive 40-liter packing volume) lets you cram a whole lot in the elegantly laid-out interior, complete with several pockets. Other perks include a water-resistant exterior, built-in TSA-approved lock, and five-year warranty. If you're seeking the best carry-on luggage of 2024, this is it.
Dimensions: 22’’ x 14’’ x 9’’
Best Travel Backpack: Nemo Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack
Nemo Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is a new, fully recyclable travel backpack that's so durable “it's designed to stay out of the landfill forever,” according to its proud makers. The abrasion- and water-resistant daypack comes in 20L, 26L, or 30L sizes, all with a moisture-wicking foam alternative for padding and a lifetime warranty. The cushioning is body mapped to sweaty areas, which comes in handy on hot hiking days. Flush with pockets and the like, it includes a large, expanding stash pocket; a tech compartment with an internal sleeve; a hidden security pocket; and an internal zippered organization pocket. Choose between Chai (shown) and Black.
Best Checked Luggage: Delsey Paris Raspail Large Wheeled Duffel
If you’re a chronic overpacker, you don’t need to change your travel personality; you need to change your checked luggage. Established in 1946, Delsey Paris knows big luggage. The brand’s Raspail Large Wheeled Duffel knocks it out of the park for its double punch of being both lightweight and able to hold a heck of a lot of stuff. Want numbers? The bag weighs all of just 6.59 pounds and can hold up to 71 liters of the stuff you know you can’t live without. Water-resistant and fashioned with the company’s patented Securitech (billing itself as being three times more resistant to break-ins than a standard zipper), the duffel’s fabric and lining are made with 38 recycled plastic bottles. In addition to two zippered pockets on the outside and a bonus pouch near the handle, the bag includes a huge interior pocket with two equal sized compartments for gearheads and fashion hounds to relish. It's some of the best checked luggage you can buy.
Dimensions: 28.75" x 14" x 12"
Best Hardside Luggage: Away The Large Aluminum Edition
If you travel with lots of gear, bless your travels with this behemoth. Away The Large is the brand’s largest suitcase—the best hardside luggage to add to your checked collection. For one thing, its aluminum hard shell means it will be your friend on the road for years to come. Secondly, its 360-degree spinner wheels help you navigate the hefty piece with ease throughout train platforms and airports. The interior boasts Away’s signature compression system and hidden laundry bag. Just note its aluminum construction celebrates dings and scratches, treating them like stamps on a passport. If you want your suitcase to stay pristine, this may not be the one for you.
Dimensions: 29" x 20.5" x 12.5"
Best Weekender Bag: Away The Weekender
Most travelers are on a lifelong quest to find the best weekender bag that holds just the right amount of stuff without being too bulky or compact. That search ends with Away’s fan-favorite Weekender—the largest in its best-selling bags line with a full wrap-around zip opening. Thoughtful specs include a water-resistant material, a 15-inch laptop pocket, and a detachable padded shoulder strap, in addition to top handles and a trolley sleeve for attaching to your wheeled luggage. An additional $35 lets you personalize your baggage with a monogram in the placement, color, and style of your choice.
Dimensions: 20.9" x 11.8" x 9.4"
Best Travel Bag: Dagne Dover Oslo Slim Laptop Bag
Think of the best travel bag as the sidekick to the best carry-on luggage; it serves as your personal item to safely hold your laptop, a slim notepad, and travel accessories like earbuds and hand sanitizer. Dagne Dover Oslo Slim Laptop Bag is sharply designed. Fabricated from 100 percent recycled materials, this stylish bag features an exterior phone and passport pocket for quick access, a key leash (no more digging for ‘em), and an interior laptop padded pocket. If you’re traveling with a roller bag, the built-in luggage sleeve is a nice design detail. The bags padded shoulder strap is also clutch for long days on the go.
Dimensions: 15.25” x 1.75” x 10.5”
Best Travel Duffel Bag: Designed By D’Amour “Alex” Navy Blue Vegan Leather Duffel Bag
The best travel duffel bag should turn heads, not just be a functional carry-all. “Alex” Navy Blue Vegan Leather Duffel Bag, a handmade piece by seamstress and designer Zon D’amour, does just that. Users will appreciate its savvy construction, complete with two zippered pockets and a removable shoulder strap, as well as plenty of interior space to pack everything needed for an overnight or weekend trip. Thanks to the use of vegan leather, this Black-owned business’ line of duffels are all cruelty-free.
Dimensions: 18" x 14"
Best Convertible Travel Bag: Nomatic Travel Pack
For serious versatility, look no further than Nomatic Travel Pack, available in both 14- and 20-liter versions (with the former expandable to 21 liters and the latter to 30 liters). In addition to providing up to 50 percent more packing space with its expansion zipper, this workhorse can easily be converted from a backpack to a horizontal briefcase-style bag with roller bag sleeve integration. Tons of pockets for designated items, like your sneakers, laptop, water bottles, valuables, clothing, and more, ensure you stay organized wherever your adventures lead.
Dimensions: 18.5" x 12" x 6-9.5"
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What You Should Look for in the Best Luggage
The best luggage for you depends on your specific needs, the duration of the trip, and budget. That said, there are some good guidelines to follow regardless of what kind of bag you’re purchasing.
Durability
When you invest in the best luggage, you want it to last. Whether you’re buying the best travel backpack or a large piece of checked luggage, prioritizing durable materials is crucial. We like ballistic nylon, ABS plastic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and canvas. Water-resistance or water-repellent material interests many travelers, so seek out brands employing these materials if it’s important to you. Durability also matters when it comes to any handles, pockets, and zippers, so prioritize high-quality options in these categories, too.
Wheels
If you’re going to be sprinting through DEN from gate B90 to B8, you’ll want to make sure your roller luggage is equipped with sturdy wheels built for hustle. For making quick, quiet turns and all around-maneuverability, 360-degree spinner wheels are your best bet. Even if you’re not racing across terminals to make a connection, having smooth-running wheels is a boon for getting around with ease. Similarly, telescopic handles attached to roller luggage should be easy to extend and collapse, with a durable, grippy material.
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Security Specs
A TSA-approved lock helps keep your belongings safe. It also means that if airport security needs to check the contents of your bag, they can use a master key that only the government agency has access to for opening your luggage without the risk of damaging it. In addition to a TSA lock, look for bags with tamper-proof zippers.
Other Considerations
Along with the above features, you may appreciate luggage with additional bells and whistles. One such option is expandability. If you’re heading home with more than you originally packed, additional space can be created on some bags by unzipping an expandable panel. On the other hand, size (as in compactibility) matters for those who live in tight living quarters and want to be able to store their luggage in a small closet or under the bed. If that's you, look for brands that make suitcases which collapse for easier storage. If you’re traveling by air, check the dimensions for personal, carry-on, and checked luggage listed on your air carrier’s website. Finally, your luggage is an extension of your wardrobe, so style ought to be a consideration. We made sure all of our picks here got a fashion editor’s nod. Did we mention that a monogram on your luggage is a very stylish touch?
How We Chose the Best Luggage
To evaluate the pieces on this list, I called in and tested as many carry-on bags, backpacks, and duffels as possible. On recent trips, I considered factors like bulkiness, maneuverability, durability, laptop padding, strap comfort, packing space, interior layout, and ease of opening. We also coordinated with brand representatives to learn more about the specs of each carry-on suitcase and pored over dozens of customer reviews to see what real-world users had to say about their experiences.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a New York City-based travel writer who has written hundreds of product reviews and roundups over the past decade. Dozens of these have focused on luggage and travel accessories. In addition to first-hand testing and reading a dizzying stream of customer reviews, I also regularly liaise with public relations professionals in the luggage space to learn about brands’ latest and greatest offerings.
