The best made travel plans can go awry with a poor choice in luggage. Regardless of the type of traveling you are doing, your trip can be made easier by having the best travel luggage to pack all your essential items. Thanks to the numerous brands available, you will be able to find a reliable, stylish, and sturdy travel suitcase. There are great designs and choices, from roller to carry-on travel luggage and duffel bags.
With so many travel luggage brands available, knowing what will be best for you can be a challenge. Like choosing a travel backpack, choosing a brand that makes ethical, sustainable products will extends your positive impact.
This article has all the best travel luggage brands and the products you need to go and explore the world. Read on!
Travel Luggage Buying Guide: What to Look For
The best travel luggage brands create products that make it easier to explore the world. They are easy to carry, durable, and have enough space and the right kind of space, for your essential items. Here are some factors to consider to ensure you have reliable travel luggage:
Size and Weight
Travel suitcases range from 18-32”, and choosing the best size is crucial. The standard size for international travel luggage is 20 inches. For U.S. domestic travel, you can choose a suitcase up to 22 inches.
Generally, a small suitcase is always a good option. They give you the option to easily alternate between checked baggage and carry-on, depending on your preference.
Weight
Most airlines are strict on weight restrictions. A heavy suitcase means you have to pack less to stay within those restrictions. Travel luggage made from lightweight materials will serve you well. Also, you don’t want the burden of carrying heavy luggage around.
Wheels
Have you ever rolled your travel luggage over a concrete surface only for the wheels to snap? Or tried pulling your suitcase, but it wouldn’t roll smoothly? Well, wheels might seem less important, but they dictate the behavior of the luggage. Travel luggage without strong wheels is bound to fail, while poorly designed wheels make the luggage difficult to move around.
There are lots of wheel options to choose from. Spinning wheels allow you to move the bag sideways but aren’t as durable as upright rolling wheels.
The number of wheels also matters a lot. 4-wheeled suitcases are designed to be rolled on four wheels. They are ideal for smooth surfaces, while two-wheeled suitcases are ideal for rougher services.
Zippers and Locks
If you want to purchase the best luggage for travel, you have to consider its security features. Travel luggage that can lock, secures your essential items from being compromised when traveling.
Always choose a suitcase with a locking system, whether internal or external. While locks are not foolproof, it’s still better to have them to deter theft.
It’s imperative to ensure your luggage has sturdy zippers that don’t snap when opening or closing. Heavy-duty zippers may not be something you think about when buying your luggage, but they ensure that your items remain safe, and your suitcase can withstand being opened and closed for years to come.
Side Handles
While the luggage can easily be pulled or pushed on wheels, the side handles enable carrying when it’s inconvenient to move on wheels. Most travel luggage gets damaged easily when carried by their side handles, therefore, it’s best to choose luggage with strong, durable side handles that can withstand the weight of your belongings.
Easy Access and Organization
Luggage gets thrown around by airline handlers and other people moving your luggage from place to place, and can easily get messy when everything is scattered in it. It’s best to choose travel luggage with internal pockets and pouched compartments that allow for easier organization. External pockets come in handy for storing easy-access items, like travel itineraries and documents.
Soft vs. Hard Travel Luggage
There is always a discussion around soft vs. hard travel luggage. Soft travel luggage is ideal for carry-on as it is more lightweight. You can easily fit it in an overhead bin without much of a hassle. The downside is that they don’t completely protect your belongings, especially when mishandled during security checks.
On the other hand, hard-sided luggage protects your belongings better. However, they can more easily crack or break, and can be tougher to squeeze into tight travel compartments.
Our Favorite Travel Luggage Brands
We’ve researched the best travel luggage brands that will give you great bags for travel. These luggage choices are not only well made, with great organization, but they’re good for the planet too:
Paravel– Best Travel Luggage Brands for International Travel
Paravel ranks among the best travel luggage brands that offer sustainable packing solutions. It is dedicated to helping you explore the world with a minimal impact. Paravel operates under strict social responsibility, animal welfare, recycling, fair wages, and ethical materials codes.
Our Pick: Paravel Aviator Grande
The Paravel Aviator Grande travel luggage fits your packing needs for all the right reasons. It’s great looking and is made from high-quality, durable materials. Its aircraft-grade recycled aluminum handle and sturdy zippers ensure it holds up well.
This travel luggage has 360° double spinner wheels with carbon steel bearings for easy maneuverability and to provide a smooth ride regardless of the terrain. The smart interior pockets help with organization and easy access.
Measuring 19.7 inches, this luggage is an ideal travel partner as it meets luggage restrictions. Also, it comes with a 5-year warranty for structural damage and wear and tear.
Solgaard– Best Carry On Travel Luggage Brand
Solgaard is an adventurous brand committed to helping travelers find the ultimate gear for their needs. It provides both check-in and carry-on suitcases. It uses innovative eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastics to make extra-sturdy travel luggage.
Our Pick: Solgaard Carry-On Closet
The Solgard Carry-On Closet travel suitcase features an internal shelving system that extends to help keep you organized when you get where you’re going. The six-shelf shelving system allows you to pack and unpack in seconds without much of a hassle. After packing, you can carefully use the compression strap to fit your belongings inside the luggage.
The outer shell is designed to bend but never break. The polycarbonate shell reinforced with an aluminum frame makes it virtually indestructible. It’s scratch resistant and waterproof, and you don’t have to worry about damaging your valuables.
Unlike most travel luggage that comes with zippers, the Solgaard Carry-On Closet has a TSA-approved lock backed by a 10-year guarantee.
Kathmandu Outdoors– Best Luggage Brand for Adventure Travel:
Kathmandu offers a wide variety of travel bags, from carry-on luggage to duffel bags. They use a range of highly-innovative yet sustainable materials to satisfy all your travel needs.
Our Pick: Split Level 100L Wheeled Luggage Trolley v2
The Split Level Trolley V2 travel bag provides a large space to stuff your items. This bag has a unique interior organization and integrated packing cells for easy organization and access. It has internal compression straps to secure items in transit.
The exterior features 6 handles that make it easy to grab and go. The double-wheeled trolley system makes it a perfect choice for crowded airports as you can maneuver easily.
eBags– Best Brand for Innovative Travel Luggage
eBags is an industry leader when it comes to travel luggage and backpacks. It offers a wide range of excellent, high-quality luggage to help you explore the world sustainably. Its products are durable and come with big warranties.
Our Pick: Eco Advance Wheeled Underseater
The Eco Advance Wheeled Underseater travel luggage is designed to help you travel sustainably in style. It’s engineered with Recyclex® fabric made from 100% rPET bottles (recycled polyethylene terephthalate plastic) for the eco-conscious traveler. These materials are environmentally friendly, flexible, and highly durable. To top it all, it has YKK zippers with 5x abrasion resistance to withstand numerous years of daily use.
The suitcase’s internal organization gives it space while allowing it to be an underseater. This means it fits under the seat of an aircraft when traveling. The multiple organization is suitable for travel and business as it has handy pockets for storage.
Sustainable Travel & Living– One-Stop Shop for Recycled Travel Luggage
Sustainable is a one-stop shop for cool travel luggage. It provides unique travel bags from various sustainable manufacturers who use either recycled or upcycled materials.
Our Pick: Recycled Polyester Light Durable 20″ Hybrid Carry On
The Recycled Polyester 20” Hybrid carry-on travel luggage from Lite Gear is suitable for all your travel needs. Made from recycled polyester, this bag features a high-density molded foam technology that makes it super durable and light.
The innovative locking telescopic handle makes this bag highly portable. It provides excellent versatility as you can lock it at different lengths, depending on how and where you want to use it. Thanks to the inline skate wheels with sealed ball bearings, it moves around comfortably.
This piece of travel luggage has a padded handle on the top for comfortable carry. If you want to organize your stuff, you can use the three zippered pockets and the large inside mesh pocket to store documents.
Eagle Creek– Most Secure Travel Luggage Brand
Eagle Creek is a top travel luggage brand committed to sustainability and reducing landfills. It makes eco-friendly travel suitcases through responsible supply chain management and ethical manufacturing.
Our Pick: Caldera™ Convertible International Carry On
The Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible Carry On travel luggage is a highly convenient carry-on-sized duffel with plenty of features. It has a generous main compartment, padded laptop sleeve, and large front compartment to secure your travel gear. The large front compartment helps secure valuables and essential items from the easily compatible main compartment.
Made from 100% recycled Cordura® poly, it has extreme resistance to tear and abrasion, alongside great water resistance. The PU coated zippers are water and rust-resistant as well.
This travel luggage is reinforced by aluminum hardware and tuck away side straps. It has grab and go handles to latch on for easy carry.
Besides the packing capabilities, this travel luggage comes with TripSync™ technology that allows you to track it in case it gets lost.
Patagonia– Best Brand for Recycled Travel Luggage
Patagonia is an eco-friendly travel brand focused on manufacturing a wide range of travel luggage, bags, and packs for all travel needs. Patagonia provides the bags you need to cover thousands of miles, whether you are out for a backcountry trip or overseas travel.
Our Pick: Patagonia Black Hole® Wheeled Duffel Bag 70L
Made from recycled fabrics, the 70L Black Hole® Wheeled Duffel Bag is the perfect travel partner for an eco-conscious traveler. The bag uses 87% of recycled materials to support minimal environmental impact. The recycled fabric is weather-resistant and highly durable.
For more effortless organization, this bag has multiple pockets. A large main compartment, external mesh, and zippered external pockets take the mess out of your luggage. It also comes with internal compression straps to hold your belongings and fit perfectly.
The luggage’s exterior features reinforced haul handles and stout wheels that provide smooth, comfortable travel.
Monos– Best Brand for Durable Travel Luggage
Monos is one of the most aesthetic travel luggage brands out there. It’s famous for its revolutionary designs, whether it’s clothing, bags, or travel accessories. The timeless designs, ethical manufacturing, and social responsibility make Monos a top travel luggage brand for many sustainable travelers.
Our Pick: Monos Hybrid Carry-On
The Monos Hybrid Carry On is a highly durable, unbreakable travel suitcase. Made from a combination of aerospace-grade aluminum and polycarbonate, this suitcase was designed never to break. That’s further cemented by the lifetime warranty that comes with it.
The exterior of this travel luggage has two TSA-approved locks, a sturdy telescopic handle, and whisper-quiet wheels. The telescopic handle has four adjustable heights for easy carry.
The interior of this bag is made from 350D anti-microbial fabric that’s ultra-soft. Unlike most travel luggage, the Monos Hybrid Carry-On has no zippers. It comes with a well-thought-out locking system to help secure your items.
Osprey– Best Brand for Hybrid Carry-On Travel Luggage
Osprey is your go-to travel luggage brand if you want tough, travel-centric luggage with innovative designs, color, and ergonomic handles. Besides being an eco-friendly luggage brand, the superior quality and sustainable approach make this brand a favorite with many travelers. Osprey also makes backpacks and duffels.
Our Pick: Osprey Transporter® 4-Wheel Hybrid Carry-On
The Osprey Transporter® is a hybrid carry-on travel suitcase designed to provide durability and protection while being lightweight. Made from TPU-Coated fabric, the shell has a very sturdy construction.
The interior pocket allows 36L storage that can expand to 41L. The internal main compartment mesh pocket divides your contents, keeping everything organized. An under-panel mesh pocket is ideal for packing smaller items like socks, underwear, and personal items.
The Bottom Line
Are you looking for the best travel luggage brand? These brands will provide the ultimate travel suitcases you need for your adventure. They provide high-quality products while being highly sustainable and innovative.
