The 11 Best Travel Trunks of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Wheeled suitcases are a modern marvel; up until the late 20th century, luggage was a clunkier (albeit far more fashionable) affair. Travel trunks were the suitcase of choice for long-haul journeys by land, sea, and air, thanks to their sturdy construction and generous storage capacity. Today, they’re my go-to for the same reasons — and thankfully they’re equipped with modern must-haves like spinner wheels, multiple handle heights, compression straps, and more travel-friendly details, all while maintaining a stylish aesthetic that stands out from the sea of basic black luggage. Trunks are typically taller than traditional suitcases, with deep compartments that often have a split ratio of 70/30, 80/20, or an even 50/50 clamshell-style opening.

We hand-picked our favorite travel trunks out of 698 carry-ons and checked suitcases that we’ve tested in the Travel + Leisure lab, ultimately selecting those with the most impressive capacities, best organizational features, practical designs, smooth maneuverability, strong durability, and fair values. After we tested them in our lab, which included hitting them with baseball bats and zig-zagging them through obstacle courses, we sent them out to various editors to travel with over a six-month period. Whether you’re hopping aboard a train journey or flying across the ocean, you’ll find an option for your personal style and budget with one of our favorite travel trunks.

PHOTO: Paravel

As soon as we tested this suitcase from Paravel, it quickly secured our vote as the best trunk we’ve ever tried. We could rave about it for days: it’s stylish and sturdy, with impeccable organizational features and a truly impressive capacity. And while its timeless exterior is swoon-worthy — it comes in six classic color combinations, all made of durable recycled polycarbonate and accented with chrome and vegan leather — it’s what’s inside that really wowed us.

A compression board, several pockets, and a removable laundry bag make it easy to keep everything in order, and if you’re willing to splash out a little extra, the Trunk Packing Suite is a worthwhile upgrade. This set of seven packing cubes are custom made to fit like a glove inside this ultradeep 70/30 trunk; the type A packers among us will love that the cubes come with prefilled and customizable labels, too.

During testing, we took this trunk’s durability to bat — literally; we whacked it repeatedly with a metal baseball bat and hardly left a scuff mark. The reinforced bumpers held up well, too, providing excellent protection on the corners. “From the wheels to the handle, this bag is so hardy and sturdy, but it feels weightless to roll, which really impressed me,” says T+L Associate Editor Anna Popp. Our only gripe is that we wish the handle could be adjusted a bit higher.

PHOTO: Away

Smooth wheels make all the difference when it comes to good luggage. Despite their small size, spinner wheels have a massive impact on a suitcase’s quality, and these are the best of the bunch that we tested — the smooth, silent type. We found that whether we were maneuvering this trunk tilted on two wheels or evenly on all four wheels, it rolled almost effortlessly, and its tall, rectangular shape provided more stability than a traditional suitcase. We raced it around sharp turns, through busy obstacle courses, and over rough surfaces like carpet and gravel; in each situation, it glided smoothly along and never caught on anything or felt heavy. Given the 70/30 ratio of the trunk’s opening, it’s crucial to evenly distribute weight while packing, or it may feel off-kilter.

“The bag is shockingly lightweight for the large size, so I loved how easy it was to glide,” says Popp, who tested this bag as well. It boasts a 107-liter capacity, easily fitting more than two weeks’ worth of clothing, shoes, and accessories. To make the most of all that space, there are convenient organizational features like compression straps and zippered mesh pockets to help keep you organized.

Though it has gotten pretty scuffed after traveling with it multiple times over the course of a year, we still found it to be one of the most durable pieces that we’ve tested from Away. I personally own luggage from Away, and it has stood the test of time.

Hartmann Reserve Medium Expandable Trunk

PHOTO: Luggage Pros

Why We Love It

Included packing cubes, removable dividers, and a garment bag elevate this beautifully designed clamshell trunk.

Hand-painted wheels, waterproof pockets, and timeless leather accents set this trunk apart as a proper luxury item. We found the telescoping handle to be particularly sturdy and stylish, featuring a beautifully curved design and a dozen height options for maximum comfort. The trunk is also equipped with three leather grab handles on the top, bottom, and side, making it easy to pick up from any angle despite its size and weight. After we checked this bag on a trip to Seoul, we noticed the decorative leather trim had cracked a little, so it will be difficult to keep this trunk pristine. Crafted from sturdy polycarbonate, the suitcase is a bit stocky, yet we found it surprisingly easy to maneuver when we rolled it around the lab and through obstacle courses.

It features a 50/50 clamshell design with ample features to make packing easier, including three snap-in dividers that you can remove to create one large, open cabin for bulkier items. When zipped close, that half of the suitcase includes two waterproof pockets, which are ideal for stashing small essentials and toiletries. The other half of the trunk features a large, removable garment bag, which you can use to store the two included packing cubes and shoe bag. There’s no shortage of thoughtful extras, including leather straps that keep your belongings secure while in transit. Though we loved how much this trunk can hold, it does get heavy when you pack it full since it weighs 14 pounds on its own.

PHOTO: July

Light packers and carry-on-aficionados will love July’s glossy, ultramod Carry On Trunk. Thanks to its lightweight polycarbonate exterior, it’s a breeze to lift into an overhead bin, even when fully packed. During testing, we loved handy packing features like dividers, mesh pockets, compression straps and a zip pocket that made it easy to stay organized. It has latch closures instead of zippers. Editor Hillary Maglin owns this bag and was able to fit enough for a five-day trip with some space to spare. “I love how many subtle pockets it has, and it’s something that honestly surprised me,” she says. “While packing, I kept finding more and more pockets and space for my things.”

We loved how smooth this was to maneuver on carpets and pavement alike, gliding effortlessly on two and four wheels. Our favorite detail was the unique customizable handle, which is incredibly sturdy and features 20 different heights. The bag also has charging capabilities, and even comes with its own ejectable battery. The sturdy hardside shell proved highly durable after a year of travel, and we felt like it protected our belongings completely, though the glossy color options tend to collect tons of black scuff marks, particularly on a baggage claim (even though it’s a carry-on, we checked it a few times). The marks did come off, but it takes a bit of elbow grease. The trunk also comes in matte finishes, which we did not test, but we think they’d be less likely to scuff than the glossy design we tried.

PHOTO: Calpak

Why We Love It

Multiple zippered pockets make for easy separation of shoes, clothes, and intimates, and there’s ample storage space even without the expander.

For longer journeys or shopping trips, a little extra packing space can go a long way. This Calpak trunk is spacious enough on its own, but you can also expand it an additional 2 inches when you need to squeeze in a few more items. It has a 50/50 split, with compression straps on one side that we felt were ideal for holding our packing cubes in place and a zippered overlay on the other side, as well as plenty of pockets and zippered sections inside for organization.

“I am definitely an overpacker, and this trunk gave me plenty of space for bulky items on a trip to Jackson Hole, including hiking gear, cowboy boots, and a puffer coat,” says Testing Editor Jackie Cucco. “I didn’t need the expander on the way there, but it was a saviour for my return trip after I did some damage shopping in town.”

Given its size, we were impressed by how easily we could glide and lift the trunk, even when packed full. The handle has three heights, but we also found ourselves wishing it went up a little taller. After checking one of the lighter colors on several flights, we noticed that it gets scuffed with black marks easily, but selecting a darker color may help disguise that better, and it has not dented after six months of use. It’s also one of the more affordable options on this list.

Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 26 Inch Trunk

PHOTO: Delsey

Fashion meets function with this elegant Delsey bag. Our love for this suitcase goes beyond its trademark two-tone exterior, which comes in classic neutral shades as well as pink and blue. It’s roomy enough to fit a two-week packing list, and the 80/20 split features a deeper compartment that is perfect for larger items like ski boots or beach towels. We appreciated that the shallow compartment has two divider flaps with zippered pockets that are helpful for keeping track of travel documents or accessories, but we wish there were more a few more — we’d recommend using packing cubes to avoid losing any items in the larger compartment.

After wheeling the trunk through our obstacle course and traveling with it for six months, we found that the wheels glided smoothly in all directions. We were pleasantly surprised by this bag’s durability, suffering no dents or scratches after we hit it relentlessly with a baseball bat, tossed it off a ladder, and checked it on multiple flights. Our only gripe is the handle doesn’t go up very high, but that wasn’t a deal breaker.

PHOTO: Travelpro

If durability is the most important feature you’re looking for in your luggage, this hefty Travelpro trunk is built like a tank, resisting our baseball bat hits and table throws with ease. “The outer shell is reinforced with metal on the corners to prevent cracks and dents,” says editor Taylor Fox, who tested this suitcase in our lab. We wish the straps inside were easier to adjust, but we love that both sides of the interior zip closed, which helps to keep everything in place. There are also several pockets with zippers to stash smaller items, as well as a water-resistant pocket for packing toiletries or damp clothing.

This large trunk is ideal for a long trip or a moving day, but will likely cost you in overweight baggage fees given its impressive size and weight (over 12 pounds when empty). Still, we found it easy to push and pull through our obstacle course and on various surfaces even when fully packed. The ergonomic handle is comfortable and has four height adjustments, but we think the suitcase itself might be a bit awkward for shorter users to wield.

“It has a pretty hefty price, but I do think this will last forever,” says Fox. “For anyone willing to invest in their luggage, and use the same bag over and over, this is a good price.”

PHOTO: Delsey

Reliable luggage can be costly, but this Delsey trunk is a durable option that won’t break the bank. We found it to be extremely spacious, with compression straps that easily condensed several days’ worth of clothes, including a very bulky puffer jacket. The interior is fairly straightforward, with compression straps on one side and a mesh zippered compartment on the other — for those craving a little more organization, packing cubes would be great here. The standout feature is a built-in weight indicator, which is designed to help avoid overweight baggage fees and turns red if the trunk gets too heavy.

Even when we filled this suitcase to the brim, we found that it maneuvered extremely well and easily made tight turns. It’s incredibly sturdy, and the polycarbonate shell and spinner wheels didn’t show any signs of wear and tear after our durability tests. The telescopic handle was easy to use, though we’d have appreciated a few more inches of length. It’s not especially luxurious or gimmicky, but we thought it was high quality at an affordable price.

PHOTO: Carl Friedrik

For a proper investment purchase, look no further than this elegant, zipperless Carl Freidrik Trunk. It’s a particularly useful piece for anyone looking to keep their wardrobe organized on the go, as it’s equipped with handy extras like a trio of packing cubes and two collapsible dividers in the main compartment. You can personalize your level of organization with the dividers, and the design details are especially nice for such a large trunk to keep items from moving all over the place in transit. “This was probably the most well-organized piece of luggage I’ve ever tested,” says editor Hillary Maglin.

The bag’s exterior is also designed to weather the classic airport rough-and-tumble; during our testing, we only found a small scuff after hitting it with a metal bat. Each aspect of the trunk — from its premium aluminum latches to the sturdy handle — seems well-constructed to stand the test of time. Weighing over 13 pounds, this is one of the heftier trunks on this list, and it felt heavy to maneuver at times wheel wheeling it on all four wheels. However, it didn’t feel as cumbersome to roll on two wheels, given its elongated silhouette. After testing it for three months on various flights, we noticed that white scuff marks appeared on the corners, but they didn’t affect the structural integrity of the bag.

PHOTO: Briggs & Riley

“This bag is an absolute monster,” says editor Sophie Mendel, who tested this suitcase in our lab. “The trunk is enormous, though the weight of the empty bag is less than I would expect for something this large at just 10 pounds — less than other suitcases I own.” This gargantuan trunk is essentially a personal trailer, with more space than any of the bags on this list. Given its size and shockingly lightweight construction, we think this would be ideal for long trips or for couples or family members who prefer to pack together rather than take separate bags.

The 80/20-split design makes one side ultradeep, and a zippered compartment helps keep belongings in place, while compression straps give added security. Given how large this trunk is, we appreciated how smoothly the wheels glided in all directions and on various terrains, making it easy to maneuver. Although the hardware seemed durable, the outer shell dented easily, both when we hit it with a bat in our lab and when we checked it during long-term testing, so you can expect a few dings over the years. Luckily, Briggs & Riley has one of the best lifetime guarantees in the game as well as multiple repair centers (but read the guarantee in detail because that does not cover cosmetic wear or cleaning odors or stains).

Delsey X Jeep JH002B Large Expandable Spinner Trunk

PHOTO: Delsey

Jeep owners, this one’s for you. The car brand’s collaboration with Delsey marries Jeep’s rugged aesthetic with the luggage brand’s reputation for quality and durability, making this a must-have for the adventure traveler in your life. The hardside shell features protective reinforced corners that are designed to withstand harsh conditions, and we also loved the extra-tough wheels. “I can tell the wheels were designed with traction in mind for tougher surfaces, and they definitely did their job,” says Senior Editor Lydia Price, who tested this trunk in the lab. While great for dirt paths or cobbled streets, the ridged wheels didn’t roll as smoothly on floors or tiles as other Delsey luggage we’ve tested.

This trunk is also enormous, with a 121-liter capacity and a 70/30 design that can easily accommodate bulky sporting gear, plus up to three weeks of clothing and supplies without ever using the expander. Even when packed, the sturdy handles on the front made it easy to lift and carry. If you’re looking to protect your gear while on the go, rest assured this heavy-duty ABS/polycarbonate blend is up to the task. It passed our durability tests with flying colors, with no dents or scratches after throwing it and whacking it with metal bats.

Table of Contents

Other Travel Trunks We Liked

Given that we’ve tested nearly 700 pieces of luggage, not all of the trunks we’ve tried could make it into this article — but there were several others that very nearly made the cut.

July Checked Trunk: This is the checked version of the July carry-on on our main list above. Though we did love it, it scuffs and scratches quite easily when you check it, which is why we prefer the carry-on version. You can also get them together as a set.

Travel + Leisure

Herschel Heritage Hardshell Large Luggage: This no-frills clamshell trunk fits an impressive amount of clothing and performed well in the lab, but it’s fairly basic and doesn’t have as many unique features to compete with the trunks on our main list. We’d still recommend it, though, if you’re looking for a straightforward design.

Travel + Leisure

Monos Hybrid Trunk: Aluminum bumpers offer excellent security and protection from unexpected drops or dings, but we found it concerning that one of the latches opened when we hit it with a baseball bat.

Travel + Leisure

Delsey Turenne Medium Trunk Spinner: This trunk’s lightweight and slim design is perfectly suited to shorter trips, but we found that the zippers and wheels were a bit stickier than the other suitcases we tried.

Travel + Leisure

Delsey Rempart Medium Trunk Expandable Spinner: We liked this as a medium-size checked trunk, but the zippers were a bit hard to maneuver, and some of the colorways are partially translucent, and some travelers may not want people seeing inside their luggage.

Travel + Leisure

Our Testing Process

Our team of frequent-flying editors has tested nearly 700 travel bags, assessing and gathering insights on every style of suitcase in our lab and in the real world. During luggage testing, we first verify each bag’s dimensions and weight, then thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior elements, looking for special features like smooth zippers, multistop handles, interior pockets, and built-in weight indicators.

We evaluate the storage capacity of each trunk by packing it with clothing, shoes, and toiletries; carry-on bags were assessed for a four-day trip, while larger trunks were packed for journeys of a week or more. Organizational features are also taken into careful consideration, such as dividers, pockets, and included packing cubes.

We then simulate real travel situations in order to assess each trunk’s portability and durability — we maneuver it over carpets and concrete, see how well the wheels turn through obstacle courses, shove the bags off of tables, and whack them with metal baseball bats to check for damage or dents. For carry-on sizes, we lift them into overhead bins on an airplane set that we built in our lab to see how lightweight or heavy they feel and how sturdy the handles feel.

For this article, we handpicked our favorite trunks out of the suitcases we’ve tested, only selecting ones that performed well. After lab tests, we send editors home with luggage to travel with on their own trips for a minimum of six months to ensure the bags continue to function properly over time.

Travel + Leisure

Tips for Buying a Travel Trunk

Choose the size and features that fit your needs

Trunks come in a variety of shapes and styles these days, ranging far beyond the clunky rectangles of yore. Travelers have their pick of carry-on and checked options, which are typically available in one of three designs: a classic clamshell, which features a zipper or buckles straight down the middle, or a traditional split-size design of 70/30 or 80/20, in which one compartment is deep enough to transport bulky or oversized items like shoes, jackets, boots, sporting equipment, and more. Decide if you prefer a zipper or latches for opening the trunk, how many handle heights will work best for you, and what size capacity will suit you best (often measured in liters). While we love the aesthetic of vintage-inspired trunks, some of them fall short in terms of modern additions such as wheels, telescopic handles, and multiple carrying handles.

Look for lightweight construction

Most domestic airlines don’t have a weight limit on carry-on luggage, but if you’re flying internationally, you’ll want to check with your carrier to confirm their individual baggage restrictions. Low-cost carriers such as RyanAir or WizzAir typically allow for a 10-kilogram or 22-pound bag (versus a more standard 12-kilogram or 26-pound allowance). For checked bags, there’s a standard 50-pound limit for travelers in economy class on almost every airline (while passengers in business and first-class are often allowed a greater weight allowance on checked bags).

Trunks themselves can be quite hefty, so it’s best to pick a design with lightweight construction — that way, you don’t lose half of your baggage allowance to the trunk’s weight and can confidently hoist it into overhead bins or roll it along all sorts of terrain. Heavier trunks can be difficult to wheel, particularly on unpaved roads. If you often fly business, first-class, or private, or hold status with airlines, the weight may not matter to you as much.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can my travel trunk be?

Travel trunks come in carry-on and checked sizes, so there are a variety of options to suit your needs and preferences. Carry-on trunks are typically 20- or 21-inches in length (including the shell and the wheels), which sticks to most airlines’ requirements. Most range in weight from about 7-9 pounds.

Checked trunks typically range from 26-31 inches tall and can be quite hefty. When choosing a height for you, consider your own height because if you’re small in stature, it may be more cumbersome to wheel around the tallest, heaviest option possible. Again, most airlines have a 50-pound weight limit on checked luggage, so be sure to consider the trunk’s weight — most that we tested range from 10-14 pounds.

Why should I pick a travel trunk over a checked suitcase?

Whether you’re heading on a weeks-long cruise or moving apartments, you’ll appreciate the spaciousness and sturdy construction of a travel trunk, which is designed to move easily even when fully packed. Compared to classic suitcases, they feature deeper compartments that are ideal for transporting large or oddly shaped items, like ski boots or camera gear. Some are designed in 80/20 or 70/30 style, with one cavernous compartment and a shallower side that keeps smaller or more fragile items secure and easily accessible. They are usually taller, and sometimes thinner, than standard checked luggage, which can make them easier to maneuver in crowded spaces.

How do I clean a travel trunk?

It’s always a good idea to wipe down your luggage after a trip through a germy airport and to give the interior a good deep clean once in a while. Most travel trunks are made from polycarbonate, so you can clean the outer shell with the same cleaning products for standard luggage, then disinfect it with antibacterial wipes.

To keep the interior in good shape, vacuum any dirt or sand with a handheld vacuum, then wipe it down with a wet cloth or treat any stains with a soapy solution. For pesky odors, sprinkle a bit of baking soda inside, and air it out. Some trunks have removable pockets and linings, which you can toss in the washing machine. Just be sure to let everything dry out before shutting and storing your luggage. Between trips, you can cover your trunk with a dust bag or luggage cover to keep it in prime condition.

How do I know if my trunk comes with a warranty?

There is not one singular warranty across all luggage companies, so you should always check directly with the manufacturer to see all of the fine print and details. If you go to the manufacturer’s website — like the luggage brand Away, for example — you can search for the warranty at either the very top or bottom of the page.

Some warranties will cover manufacturing faults and defects, like if a suitcase arrives with a broken handle or if compression straps break, but most will not cover damage that may occur while traveling due to mishandling the bag or general wear and tear (including many scratches or dents, which are natural while traveling). In order to claim the warranty, most luggage companies will require proof of purchase, so we recommend always keeping your receipts and buying directly through the manufacturer rather than a reseller. It’s always a good idea to lightly test your luggage at home before you travel with it to make sure everything works properly because you can’t always return it after you’ve been traveling with it for years.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, writer Sophie Dodd reviewed testing insights from our team of T+L editors, who thoroughly examined dozens of travel trunks in order to select those with the best design, maneuverability, organization, capacity, and overall value. Each trunk was assessed in our lab and in the real world. Dodd added in her own additional research for each piece of luggage, highlighting travel-friendly details like smooth spinner wheels, removable garment bags, telescoping handles, and more. Dodd owns luggage from several of the brands tested, including Away, July, and Monos.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

link

The 11 Best Travel Trunks of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Other Travel Trunks We Liked

Our Testing Process

Tips for Buying a Travel Trunk

Choose the size and features that fit your needs

Look for lightweight construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

The 12 Best Garment Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Here Are My Honest Thoughts on Delsey Luggage After a Year of Use

The best waterproof backpack of 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The 12 Best Garment Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

3 ways to experience Val d’Aran, Catalonia’s adventure playground

MoneyHero Introduces Three-Click Travel Insurance Purchase

The 50 Best Adventures in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada

8 Ways To Enjoy Your Vacation

Other Travel Trunks We Liked

Our Testing Process

Tips for Buying a Travel Trunk

Choose the size and features that fit your needs

Look for lightweight construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

More Stories

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You may have missed