The 12 Best Garment Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

0
The 12 Best Garment Bags of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Most of us have a protective garment bag hanging in our closets to preserve our formalwear, but a solid garment bag is also an underrated travel essential. As someone who got married in Belize, I really underestimated the importance of garment bags until I needed to drag a wedding dress onto multiple airplanes and through a handful of airports. Whether you’re heading to a destination wedding, a multi-night business trip, or traveling with more delicate clothing, a garment bag is a must-have for making sure your most important clothing items arrive safely (with minimal wrinkles).

We tested 28 garment bags in our New York City lab and on flights, roadtrips, and cruises to find the best options for every traveler. From bags that convert into duffels to water-resistant hanging sleeves, these garment bags will keep your items wrinkle-free and in sharp condition. That way, you can spend less time ironing and more time enjoying your trip.

Amazon Nomatic Garment Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

We brought the Nomatic Garment Bag on trips to Amsterdam, Madrid, and more throughout four months of tests, and we’re incredibly impressed with the bag’s quality. We stuffed it into packed cars, in airplane storage bins, and train overhead compartments, and it did not sustain any damage. We used this garment bag when traveling to a destination wedding and packed it with four pairs of pants, three suit jackets, four dress shirts, and even a tuxedo. It also fit our shoes and accessories thanks to its many pockets.

We’re continually impressed by the sturdy and reinforced zippers, as well as the overall craftsmanship of the bag. Even when packed full, it never feels overstuffed or difficult to carry. The over-the-shoulder strap is very padded and comfortable; plus, there is a handle for when you want to carry it by hand. For those who are heading off on a longer trip and may want to pair this with rolling luggage, there is a luggage strap that allows you to easily hang this from carry-on and checked bag handles.

The Details: 21 x 2 x 21 inches | 2.9 pounds | Nylon | Up to 3 hangers

Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag
PHOTO: Mark & Graham

We love a multi-functional garment bag that converts into a duffel bag, and this design from Mark & Graham is one of the easiest to use. When fully unzipped and laying flat, the garment bag compartment is easy to pack. We were able to fit one suit, a button down shirt, dress pants, and two dresses. We then folded the bag and zipped it into its duffel form and fit an additional belt, water bottle, pair of loafers, pair of heels, and a bag of accessories. It also has a zippered pocket on one of the outer sides of the duffel and two compartments that can be secured with buttons on the other side.

We loved that the zippers run smoothly and don’t slide open even when the bag is fully packed. The outer materials of the bag felt high-quality enough to check if necessary. The bag felt lightweight when we packed it, and the padding on the shoulder and hand straps made carrying a breeze. After our tests, the bag did not have any scratches, rips, or other signs of wear and tear.

The Details: 22 x 10 x 10 inches | Nylon and leather

Amazon Briggs & Riley Baseline 21-Inches Carry-on Wheeled Garment Spinner
PHOTO: Amazon

If you’re a frequent business traveler, or simply love preserving your vacation formalwear, this rolling garment bag from Briggs & Riley is a great choice. The bag comes with plenty of special features, which initially required some time to fully understand, but we absolutely loved once we got used to them. The bags’ design is deceptively large and there are corner pouches, a shoe pouch that sits beneath your hanging clothes, and zippered pockets that provide extra room for non-hanging items. On the outside of the bag is a laptop compartment as well as a “power pocket” for a phone charger and additional tech accessories.

While you do need to fold longer dresses and pants when hanging them in the garment bag compartment, the area zips closed to keep your nicer items separate from shoes and accessories. We also love the bag’s durable outer shell that withstood all of our travels and being shoved into overhead bins. The wheels were sleek and easy to maneuver, and we found this to be a high-quality bag that would be perfect for frequent flyers.

The Details: 16 x 21 x 9 inches | 11.9 pounds | Nylon | Up to 3 hangers

Travelpro Platinum Elite 50-inch Check-in Rolling Garment Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

If you’re like me and prefer to check a bag, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 50-inch Check-in Rolling Garment Bag is the one for you. While certainly large, it’s a great choice for those who may want to board with just a personal item. Like other convertible garment bags we tested, this one folds open so you can easily pack your hanging items, but as an added bonus, the hanger hook locks into place so you can be sure your clothes won’t fall or tangle up in transit.

Because of the slick wheels and adjustable handle, this bag is incredibly easy to transport over carpet, sidewalks, and other surfaces. We were able to pack this large bag with two suits, dress pants, a dress shirt, two dresses, three pairs of shoes, a water bottle, and a toiletry bag and we still had plenty of room for more. In fact, you can store up to 15 hangers in the latched compartment. After all of our tests, the bag showed no signs of wear and tear, so you can check this bag with peace of mind.

The Details: 22 x 24 x 10.5 inches | 13.4 pounds | Nylon and leather

Monos Garment Sleeve
PHOTO: Monos

This versatile garment sleeve is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a simple garment bag to pair with their larger luggage. The outer materials are thick, but light, so they protect your items without weighing you down. We also found the bag to be quite spacious. We loved that there is a zippered pocket perfect for accessories — it was possible for us to fit a pair of flats, but they stuck out of the top of the pocket.

When fully packed, it was easy to fold and carry, but we did note that our longer clothing items were folded as well, which left creases in longer dresses. If you’re traveling by car or transporting your clothing from one hotel room to another, this bag will certainly protect your items and keep them wrinkle-free.

The Details: 18.4 x 12.2 x 1.2 inches | 1.34 pounds | Nylon | Up to 3 hangers

Halfday Travel The Garment Duffel
PHOTO: Halfday

When it comes to convertible garment bags, Halfday’s The Garment Duffel is one of our favorites. After more than two years of regularly traveling with this bag by train, bus, on road trips, as well as using this as a carry-on and personal item, the bag still looks good as new. We’ve even gate checked it in a pinch and all of our items arrived safely and the bag suffered no rips or tears.

An upgrade from your standard hanging garment bag, this convertible duffel is easy to pack and fold up into its duffel form and fits plenty of items for a long weekend or week-long trip alike. While your clothing may need to be ironed once unpacked, we still love that the thick materials are protective and keep everything secure. The bag handles are also comfortable to carry and the shoulder padding is just enough for when you’re carrying this for long distances. Whether you’re using this duffel on its own or pairing it with rolling luggage for longer trips, we think this is a great option for frequent flyers and those who want all of their formal items to arrive at their destination safely.

The Details: 22 x 12 x 12 inches | 2.3 pounds | Polyester and taslan

Zegur Suit Carry On Garment Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

This heavy duty garment bag is perfect for anyone who travels often with various formal items. There are plenty of pockets inside and outside the bag and the main garment pocket fits a suit jacket, pants, two shirts, a belt, and even dress rooms with plenty of room left over. It also features a hook where you can attach your hangers to ensure everything stays in place while traveling.

While this is a carry-on sized bag, it has so many organizational components, travelers won’t need another bag if they’re going on a quick overnight or long weekend trip. It can be carried by the handle like a brief case or using the padded shoulder strap that is comfortable to use. We also love the overall quality of the bag. The one downside is that the outer materials prioritize durability over style, so it’s not the most sleek-looking bag. Still, the durability is impressive and great for those who use their bags frequently since it is even water-repellent.

The Details: 23 x 4 x 22 inches | 2.9 pounds | Polyester

MZ Wallace Michael Garment Bag
PHOTO: MZ Wallace

Of all the garment bags we’ve tested, this one turned heads from the very beginning. Not only is the exterior stylish thanks to the quilted fabric, it’s also a great size and easily fits a full suit along with a few extra shirts. While we do wish there was a space to hook the hangers inside the bag, it is still easy to carry as long as you grab your hangers along with the bag’s handle.

One of the features we especially loved was the quiet zipper, which wasn’t something we had even considered before noticing this sleek design. It also has a small side pocket that is perfect for small accessories like glasses, socks, or even cufflinks.

The Details: 22 x 3 x 39 inches | 1.6 pounds | Oxford and leather

WallyBags 60 Inch Deluxe Travel Garment Bag
PHOTO: Target

At five feet long, this bag is great for transporting long dresses or suits. We love that the top of the bag features a clamp to keep your hangers secure in individual spots, so they aren’t clinking together as you walk. While we were able to fit six hangers, the bag is only designed for three, so overpack at your own risk.

We love the durable exterior fabric that shows no signs of rips or tears after our testing, although the fabric did absorb a bit of water. Still, as a personal item or even a carry-on, this is a great garment bag that will get your clothing to your destination safely with minimal wrinkles thanks to its superior length.

The Details: 60 x 22 x 3 inches | Nylon | Up to 3 hangers

Misslo 43-inch Gusseted Travel Garment Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

If you’re in a pinch and need a garment bag for an upcoming business trip or destination wedding, the Misslo garment bag is the perfect choice. While the materials aren’t as durable as others we’ve tested, the bag still survived all of our testing without a scratch. With a straightforward design, it took no effort to pack this bag. We were able to fit two dresses, a dress shirt, a pair of pants, a suit jacket, and even a belt.

After packing this bag, we noticed that there are handles on both the top and the bottom of the bag, which makes it especially easy to fold and transport. The handles are also sturdy enough to support the weight of the fully packed bag and are comfortable to carry for long periods of time. While there really aren’t any organizational features, this simple bag is a great option for travelers who want to transport their nicer clothing alone.

The Details: 21 x 2 x 21 inches | 2.9 pounds | Nylon | Up to 5 hangers

Degeler SkyHanger Velocity Nylon Garment Bag
PHOTO: Amazon

We love a bag that is compact and lightweight without sacrificing durability and the Degeler Garment Bag is the perfect combo. After our tests, the bag shows no markings or stains at all and all of the clothing items we packed remained in place with minor wrinkling.

This bag is super easy to pack and features a hanger hook with a button latch that prevents any hangers falling to the bottom of the bag while in transit. The bag also features an interior mesh pocket that zips up and is the perfect size for storing shoes. When it’s time to head out, the bag folds easily and stays secure thanks to button closures and the leather carry straps are soft and comfortable to hold. While this bag is a pricier option for a garment sleeve, we think it’s a perfect premium option for frequent travelers as it is sure to last for years to come.

The Details: 21 x 2 x 21 inches | 2.9 pounds | Polyester | Up to 6 hangers

Dagne Dover Monaco Garment Duffel
PHOTO: Dagne Dover

The Monaco Garment Duffel from Dagne Dover is one of our favorite choices for organization and special features. It has plenty of pockets in addition to the garment sleeve including a 16-inch padded laptop pocket and two outside pockets. It also comes with a bonus shoe bag. We love that it unfolds like other convertible garment bags and easily folds back up with just a few snaps and zips.

When you’re running through the airport, you’ll love the padded handles, shoulder strap, and luggage sleeve that easily slips over the handle of larger luggage items. Plus, the durable recycled polyester fabric is sure to protect your items wherever you’re headed.

The Details: 21 x 10 x 13 inches | 4.13 pounds | Recycled polyester

Others We Like

We tested over two dozen high-quality garment bags, and while they did not all make our top list, some others could still be good options for certain travelers.

Away The Centerfold Garment Sleeve: This garment bag has a fairly simple design, so it’s best for those who want to protect just one or two garments while traveling.

Travel Select Amsterdam Business Rolling Garment Bag: This large rolling garment bag is a good option for those looking for a carry-on bag, but for anyone who wants a true garment bag, this may be a bit much.

WallyBags Solutions Rolling Garment Bag: While this bag is sturdy and high-quality, it is one of the pricier bags we tested and is so large you will likely need to check it.

Dagne Dover Capri Garment Bag: This is a sleek garment bag that matches other Dagne Dover bags, but it has a less structured and more simple design than others we tested.

Our Testing Process

Over a six-month period, we’ve tested 28 garment bags in our New York City lab and while traveling all over the world. From destination weddings to anniversary vacations to business trips, we brought each garment bag on planes, trains, buses, and even the New York subway.

Travel + Leisure


After opening up each garment bag, we packed it using all organizational features and components. For hanging bags that featured hanger hooks, we hung as many items as could fit. For convertible garment bags, we packed our hanging items and then followed the bag’s instructions on how to fold it up and then used all provided pockets to pack shoes, belts, toiletry bags, and other clothing items. Once the bags were packed, we noted how easy it was to zip up and carry using handles, shoulder straps, and luggage sleeves. For wheeled garment bags, we also noted how easy it was to pull and how reliable the maneuverability of the bag was when moving through an obstacle course.

After walking around with our garment bags, we unpacked each bag and, using the heel of a shoe, we attempted to scratch the inside of each bag and noted any signs of damage. We also sprayed bags that are waterproof or water-resistant with water to see how they held up to moisture. Once our lab tests were completed, we sent each garment bag out for travelers to take the bags with them on trips over the course of four months.

Tips for Buying a Garment Bag

Pay attention to the length

Not all garment bags are the same length and, as such, not all bags will fit your longer clothing item without folding. If you’re packing long gowns, jackets, or pants, you’ll want to make sure your garment bag can fit the length of your items to prevent wrinkling as much as possible.

Travel + Leisure


Consider organizational features

For frequent travelers, organizational components may be more important than preventing wrinkles. If that’s the case, a convertible duffel/garment bag may be the best choice for you as it will be able to hold everything you might need for an overnight or even weekend-long trip.

Prioritize portability

Above all, you want to make sure your garment bag is easy to carry. Whether that means choosing a garment bag with a luggage sleeve to pair with rolling suitcases or getting a bag that has padded handles and shoulder straps, your garment bag shouldn’t be burdensome (otherwise, you’re more likely to skip the bag and stuff your clothing all into one rolling bag).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does a garment bag count as a carry-on item?

    Depending on your airline, many garment bags count as carry-on bags. Rolling bags will likely be a carry-on bag (or even a checked bag), but many duffels can work as a personal item bag if they’re small enough. As for traditional sleeve style garment bags, check with your individual airline as many will allow you to lie a folded garment bag flat on top of other suitcases inside the overhead bins.

  • What is the best way to pack a garment bag?

    Many garment bags feature loops or clips where you can store your hangers without having them shift around while traveling. To pack your garment bag, utilize those hooks to securely store all hanging items. If the bag has additional pockets, feel free to pack any important accessories in those as well, but make sure you don’t weigh down the bag too much. For convertible garment bags, once your hanging items are stored, you can fold it up into a duffel and continue to pack as you would any other personal item bag. Just be aware not to overpack either style of bag as it can become difficult to zip up an overstuffed garment bag, which may then lead to snagging.

  • Where on the plane should I place my garment bag?

    Most garment bags will count as carry-on bags. If that’s the case, store them in the overhead bins. It may help to wait until others have stowed their larger carry-on bags and then lay your flat garment bag on top to prevent any squishing or wrinkling.

You Might Also Want

While the goal of a garment bag is to limit wrinkles, it’s nearly impossible to prevent them altogether when you’re traveling long distances. We like to pack these essential items to give us that extra wrinkle-releasing help once we arrive at our destination.

Electrolux Steamer: One of the most compact steamers we’ve tested, this handy device also has the largest water capacity of all the steamers we’ve used, making it the perfect choice for those who have multiple items to care for.

The Bounce Touch Up Wrinkle Release Spray: Not only does this simple spray help remove wrinkles, it also limits static and leaves a fresh, clean scent.

Mossio Shoe Bag: We consider a shoe bag to be an essential item to prevent stains and keep your clothing away from shoes. This shoe bag is sturdy and has enough capacity to fit up to two pairs of shoes.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Fox is a Travel + Leisure editor where she focuses on product reviews and outdoor gear. She has been a travel writer for over ten years and had a destination wedding herself, so she knows the importance of packing formalwear to be as wrinkle-free as possible. For this article, she tested many of the bags in the T+L testing lab and two of the bags on her own travels over the past two years.

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

link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *