Your Next Vacation Deserves These Editor-Approved Rolling Suitcases
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Your Next Vacation Deserves These Editor-Approved Rolling Suitcases
Sure, duffel bags and weekenders have their place, but when you're making ~serious~ travel plans, there's no better carryall than a suitcase on wheels. Rolling luggage is just necessary when you're going on a trip that's a) more than a day or two in length, or b) requires you to be doing a lot of walking. If you've ever woken up on vacation and felt like you did the hardest arm workout of your life when in reality all you did was lug around a 25-lb. bag, then you get it—and you should keep reading.
Rolling luggage is elite for a few main reasons, the most important of which being the spinner wheels (duh), the internal organization and compression systems, and the durability factor. But not all suitcases are made equally, which is why I decided to test out a bunch for you to find the best of the best. I then picked my nine faves, broken down by categories like "Best Short Trip," "Best Features," "Best Set," and more. Here's a little preview of what we're working with:
Scroll down for a more in-depth description of all the 'cases that made the cut, with info on specs, features, and some glowing reviews. Warning: I can't promise you won't blow all your money on flight tickets immediately after you close this tab.
Courtesy - 2/10
Away The Bigger Carry-On
awaytravel.com
$295.00
Yes, Away's suitcases get plenty of hype, but that's because they deserve it. The brand name alone gets travelers excited to book their next trip, and Away's sleek luggage options are sturdy enough to survive even the most aggressive baggage handlers. The Bigger Carry-On is the brand's best-selling model, designed for four- to seven-day long trips. It fits all the essentials and more, and you'll never have a problem sliding it into a cramped overhead compartment.
If you're looking for durability, look no further. Whether you're pulling it down a jet bridge or across a cobblestone street, you can trust that both the suitcase and your belongings will remain intact once you arrive at your final destination.
Sexy specs:
- Available in 9 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Interior compression system
- 100-day trial policy
- Included water-resistant laundry bag, luggage tag
Glowing review: The best bag investment I’ve ever made. Worth every penny. By far the easiest and most convenient bag we have owned. And we travel a ton. It’s held up very well and still looks new after 4 flights.
Away - 3/10
Monos Check-In Large
Monos
monos.com
$330.00
Jetting off for a month in Europe? I want to be you. Plan to spend the summer down south/out east? I could cry. If you're just generally a lucky human with plans for a prolonged getaway, then we need to talk about this suitcase.
Monos is an all-around incredible luggage brand, with great products for every stage of your travel journey (I'm personally in love with their sling bag, which I wear everywhere). The large check-in—the biggest suitcase they offer—is built for trips that are one- to three-weeks long, and has all the bells and whistles to make the travel process smooth and simple, despite the extra baggage.
No only are the wheels whisper quiet, but the super-sturdy handle is telescopic, the outer shell is made from an unbreakable polycarbonate material, and an anti-microbial laundry bag for dirty clothes (and two shoe bags) is included with every purchase.
Sexy specs:
- Available in 10 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Compression flap and straps
- Handle has 4 height settings
- 100-day trial policy
- Included anti-microbial laundry bag, two shoe bags, and vegan leather luggage tag
Glowing review: My entire life I've traveled with hand-me-down suitcases, weekender bags, or various duffles... even when flying overseas. Can I please tell you how dumb I feel for not ever investing in quality luggage before now? Can I also tell you how legitimately impressed I am with this piece that I'm about to immediately pull the trigger on a matching Carry On Pro? ... I couldn't be more thrilled about deciding on Monos. The interior layout and design was really the deal maker for me, but I also wanted something that looked as good as it functioned. For me, Monos hit the perfect balance of everything I was looking for.
Monos - 4/10
Beis The 26" Check-In Roller
beistravel.com
$278.00
Shay Mitchell has been globetrotting for years now (that's why she named her first child Atlas, duh), so she knows a thing or two about what great travel gear entails. That's why her travel brand, Beis, has some of the best luggage on the market.
This checked bag is chock full of thoughtful features, like a padded top handle that makes dragging it through the airport a lil more comfy, and the weight limit indicator that lets you know if you're over/under that 50-pound mark.
I also just get *so* many compliments whenever I travel with this bad boy, normally to the tune of, "OMG, is that Shay Mitchell's luggage brand?!" Frankly, this roller deserves the acclaim.
Sexy specs:
- Available in 4 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Compression flap and straps
- Weight limit indicator on handle
- Expands an extra 2"
- Included pouch set for dirty clothes
Glowing review: What I love about Beis luggage is that it is practical and well organized. You can tell that the product team really thought about the travel experience when creating this collection. It’s the thoughtfulness of the cushioned handle, and the small details like garment bags. It’s everything you need in one suitcase.
Beis - 5/10
Calpak Ambeur Medium Luggage
calpaktravel.com
$245.00
This metallic suitcase from Calpak looks so much more expensive than it is—and for that, I want to buy one in every single shade (gold, silver, and black included). Honestly, I never feel like more of a travel influencer than when I'm rolling this bad boy through JFK Airport.
Beyond being hella chic, this bag is also super practical, especially for week-long vacations. It's bigger than a traditional carry-on, but isn't so big that you feel like you're walking around with a wardrobe on wheels. And despite looking heavy, it's actually pretty damn light.
This rolling suitcase is also perfect for any getaway where you expect to be leaving with a little more than you came with (AKA most of them, if you ask me) due to the fact that it's expandable. Simply unzip the expansion feature, and you instantly have an extra two inches for all of your added souvenirs.
Sexy specs:
- Available in 4 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Compression straps
- Expands an extra 2"
- Interior divider and pockets
Glowing review: I am in love with this suitcase! It’s coming with me on all my trips. It’s so beautiful and has lots of handy features. Who can resist rose gold luggage?!?!?
Calpak - 6/10
Away The Daily Carry-On with Pocket
awaytravel.com
$245.00
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're well aware that airports are...not the most organized places right now. Delayed and (gulp) canceled flights are the norm, and checked bags are getting lost like never before. That being said, if you can get away with using a single carry-on, you should. Especially for short trips.
This suitcase right here is the ultimate travel companion for quick getaways. It's smaller (and therefore lighter) than your average carry-on bag, but it still has plenty of room for necessities thanks to its thoughtfully designed interior pockets.
This model is also perfect for you if you're a ~business trip girlie~. The front pocket has a 13" laptop sleeve for easy storage, and there's a detachable three-compartment accordion system on the inside that lets you access important documents in a flash. So practical! So chic!
Sexy specs:
- Available in 2 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Compression flap straps
- Exterior pocket with laptop sleeve
- 100-day trial policy
- Included water-resistant laundry bag
Glowing review: This workhorse when paired with my everywhere bag is the perfect thing for a weekend excursion. Very well thought out, and deceptively roomy- I give it 5 stars without hesitation. The interior organizer had me at the start. The size and convenience sealed the deal. For us minimalist packers, we’ve found nirvana. Just saying.
Away - 7/10
Travelpro Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage Set
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travelpro.com
$511.99
Just over $500 for three suitcases? Yeah, you read that right. I tout TravelPro to everyone because they have GREAT quality pieces for such a solid (almost unbelievable?) price tag. This set features a carry-on, as well as a medium- and large-sized check-in made with a super-durable polycarbonate exterior. The interiors are also crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and you know we love a sustainable sitch!
This set is perfect for long trips, and would make the perfect gift for anyone with major travel plans in their future. Think: moving away for school, heading out for a semester abroad, or taking a job in another city. Between the three suitcases, you can fit preeeetty much everything you could ever need (AKA your 800 pairs of shoes, if you're anything like me).
Sexy specs (for each piece):
- Available in 6 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Interior divider panels with pockets
- Expands an extra 2"
- 100-day trial policy
Glowing review: Just received this luggage and I love it!! ... The luggage is very light but appears to be well made, and I like the arrangement of pockets, etc. inside.
Travelpro - 8/10
Roam Luggage The Carry-On
roamluggage.com
$550.00
Fact: Roam suitcases are more like masterpieces than they are like pieces of luggage. That's because you can customize pretty much every damn aspect of it—even down to the color of the zippers.
For the carry-on, you can choose the color of the front shell, back shell, zippers, binding, wheels, and carry handles. You can also add a monogrammed patch, and make the luggage expandable. The suitcase is also incredibly sturdy, well-made, and ultra light, weighing in at just 7.3 lbs.
Yes, it's a little pricey, but it's a high-quality piece that'll be 100 percent y-o-u by the time you're done ordering your bag. Plus, with so many customizable options to choose from, you'll never be confused as to which suitcase is yours at baggage claim.
Sexy specs:
- Available in ~almost infinite~ colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Compression flap and straps
- Option to make it expandable
- 100-day trial policy and lifetime warranty
Glowing review: I have three sizes of Roam luggage (LOVE them all) - but this is the piece I use most often. It is the perfect size, lightweight and of course, custom color designed! Easy to spot on the baggage carousels. It rolls so easily as well—cobbled streets and all.
Roam Luggage - 9/10
July Carry-On Trunk
july.com
$395.00
Trunks may have predated the modern-day suitcase (just look at vacation photos from the 19th century), but that doesn't mean they don't have a place in today's travel environment. This carry-on trunk from July—a popular Australian luggage company that has made its way to the U.S.—is a contemporary take on the trunks of yesteryear.
In an effort to remove tricky zippers from the equation, this suitcase closes with two one-click latches, both of which are equipped with TSA-approved locks so you can feel extra secure. Other cool features? A "crush-proof" outer shell, an internal Y-strap compression system, and a handle that has 20 different height settings. Love!
Sexy specs:
- Available in 5 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- 2 TSA-approved locks
- Interior divider panels with pockets
- Compression flap and straps
- Handle has 20 height settings
- 100-day trial policy and lifetime warranty
- Included stain-proof laundry bag
Glowing review: This luggage Is not only beautiful to look at but it is tough and lightweight. Incredibly easy to roll and it holds so much. It is by far the best luggage I have ever owned. I travel every week and now I look forward to packing. It has changed the way I travel. Love it.
July - 10/10
Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage
Hue Collection
calpaktravel.com
$165.00
Sometimes you don't need a checked bag or a regular-sized carry-on. And for those moments, you need this smol bb. Calpak's Mini Carry-On is perfect for those one- or two-day trips when you want to keep things light, but still would rather roll your bag than hike it up on your shoulder.
This is personally my go-to bag when I'm taking the bus back to my BF's parents house for the weekend. It holds the necessary couple outfits and my embarrassingly large makeup bags, and fits right under the seat ahead of me so I don't have to worry about storing it under the bus. Calpak also tested to confirm that this bag will fit under most airline seats (you're good to go unless you're flying Virgin or Jetblue, both of which have smaller underseat capacity).
Sexy specs:
- Available in 7 colorways
- 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- Interior divider with pockets
- Compression straps
- Up-right straps (so it can hinge open)
Glowing review: I usually always have to carry my old high school basketball bag and it would become so heavy on my back. I wanted something that was small but I didn’t have to carry the weight as much and this was amazing. The 360 wheels are great and I’m so happy I bought it, even my family is trying to take it from me now!
Calpak