The Very Best Luggage Brands, According to Seasoned Travelers

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The Very Best Luggage Brands, According to Seasoned Travelers

Like a great vacation, your luggage should be memorable for all the right reasons. Style and comfort make for a great vacation, and the same can be said about suitcases and travel gear.

We’ve asked 24 globetrotting experts what luggage has worked best for them, from luxury travelers and adventurer seekers to weekend jet-setters and digital nomads. After all, if you’re going to listen to anyone’s advice on travel gear, it should come from industry professionals and seasoned travelers.

From sturdy checked bags to flexible carry-ons, these tried-and-true pieces of luggage have gotten our experts through their travels with ease, functionality, and in most cases, style. Let’s dig through their top picks for the very best luggage brands.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s second annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.


Discover travel experts’ favorite luggage brands:


Image may contain Baggage Adult Person Suitcase Accessories Bracelet and Jewelry

Suitcases

Briggs & Riley

“I am in love with my Briggs & Riley Baseline spinner. The CX compression and expansion allows me to adjust to my travel needs. It’s lightweight for a bag of its size, plus I love the colors—my bright blue allows me to spot my suitcase quickly amongst the sea of black bags. For a carry-on, I love my It Luggage replicating cabin roller bag. It’s sleek, light, and very reasonably priced.” —Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Briggs & Riley Global 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Briggs & Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Rimowa

“I always rely on my Rimowa carry-on. The blend of durability and sophisticated design makes it a perfect travel companion. Whether I’m navigating busy airports or heading to remote, beautiful destinations, Rimowa’s lightweight yet sturdy build allows me to pack everything I need while keeping my travel experience seamless and stress-free.” —Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO of Club Med North America & the Caribbean

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Rimowa Essential Check-In Medium

SteamLine Luggage

“Airports can be a bleak setting, but seeing my SteamLine Luggage is a reminder of romantic travel days past. It always brings a smile to my face. Travel is amazing, but the process of getting places can be stressful. With SteamLine Luggage, I can take a bit of that control back and add some beauty to the process of getting away.” —Leora Novick, founder of Persephone Social, a hospitality-focused social media agency

Steamline The Editor rolling carry-on

SteamLine Luggage The Diplomat Spinner

Paravel

“Paravel has a wide selection and a core focus on producing sustainable, carbon-neutral luggage. I particularly like the Aviator collection, which is made from recycled materials yet feels luxurious and timeless. Paravel offsets all emissions in the production process from sourcing to delivery, so I like knowing that I’m contributing to a good cause when buying its products.” —Joan Roca, CEO and co-founder of Essentialist, a members-only travel service

Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage

Samsonite

“For smaller items, I really like Tumi. My backpack and carry-on trolleys are all Tumi. For larger suitcases, you can’t go wrong with a Samsonite lightweight hard-top. The brand’s customer service is exceptional—it replaced my two-year-old suitcase recently because the airline ripped off one of the wheels, no questions asked. Checked-in bags get pounded and beaten up and I would not want to spend a lot of money on an item that has to be replaced after a few years (if you travel frequently).” —Gary Portuesi, president and owner, Authentic Italy

Samsonite Elevation Plus carry-on spinner

Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner

Monos

“Every summer, we travel to Europe, and now that we have a toddler, we carry so many more things, so having the right luggage that is sturdy, lightweight, and smooth makes our life so much easier. From the sleek lines and vibrant colors to the durable materials and eco-friendly practices, every piece from Monos is crafted to elevate your adventure while minimizing your environmental impact. This summer felt extra special because I got to travel with my own luggage I designed with Monos from Los Angeles to Paris. We traveled with the Trunk, Check-in Large, Check-in Medium, and Carry-on, and it was the smoothest travel day we’ve ever had.” —Julie Sariñana, fashion and lifestyle influencer who recently created the new Monos x Sincerely Jules Collection

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Victorinox

“As someone who travels full-time, clocking in hundreds of thousands of miles every year, durability isn’t just a perk—it’s a necessity. The wheels, especially on my Spectra 3.0 luggage, are an absolute standout feature. Whether it’s being dragged across the cobblestones of Europe or through the rough roads of remote regions, the wheels glide as smoothly today as they did on day one. I’ve had countless bellhops and fellow travelers comment on how effortlessly the bag rolls—and that’s after years of use. And then there’s the expandability. I travel light, but I’m always collecting items along the way—sometimes unexpectedly. Victorinox luggage has saved me more than once by expanding to accommodate souvenirs or extra gear.” —Valerie Joy Wilson, travel expert and on-air travel host

Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case

Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Frequent Flyer Plus Carry-On

Eagle Creek

“I travel to Kenya every month for business, and I have used the same Eagle Creek bag for the past 10 years. It has served me well—in and out of bush planes, in and out of good weather and bad, dragged along bumpy paths, fallen off the back of a vehicle in the middle of nowhere, and it has survived and thrived. A proper 4×4 bush bag! At the airport, I see people casting envious looks, and I have to keep a sharp eye that it is not lifted off the luggage carousel.”—Nicky Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Kenya’s Angama Mara safari experiences

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Eagle Creek international carry-on

Lipault

“I love my tiny, lightweight carry-on from Lipault. It has wheels, is soft-sided, and can squeeze into most overhead compartments. It’s perfect for connecting commuter flights because its soft structure enables me to wiggle it into tinier overhead bins on smaller aircraft. And, despite it being soft-sided, it’s more durable than you think. One time we forgot to load it from the driveway to the car and ran it over, but it survived! I also like how it fits in car travel as it’s more malleable for a road trip, or even in a rental car, when we are low on luggage space.” —Mary Celeste Beall, owner, Blackberry Farm

Lipault Lost In Berlin Cabin Spinner

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Delsey Paris

“Delsey’s suitcases are inexpensive, lightweight, and have great wheels. They’re also French—and all that implies.” Richard Bruce Turen, owner and managing director, Churchill & Turen LTD

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 checked luggage

Delsey Paris Chatelet hard-side carry-on in chocolate brown

Delsey Paris Chatelet hard-side carry-on

Tumi

“I love the Tumi carry-on, the largest model—it expands or shrinks, depending. There’s also the Rimowa aluminum, which I love. It’s the trunk suitcase on wheels.” —Mary Jean Tully, founder and CEO, Tully Luxury Travel

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Tumi Alpha Continental Dual Access carry-on

Tumi International Carry-on

Travelpro

“I’ve used Travelpro for the last four years, and I love it. Its luggage is made from really sturdy ballistic nylon, wears extremely well, and most importantly, it has solid construction of the zippers and wheels. It’s also washable! After a particularly dusty trip, like our African safaris, I will hose it down, scrub it a bit with fabric shampoo, and let it dry in the sun. And it looks like new.”—Jeff Gundvalson, co-founder of Brand g Vacations, a luxury LGBT+ tour group

Travelpro Maxlite Air Carry-On

Associate social media manager Kayla Brock recommends this expandable roller for three to four day trips. “The first thing I loved about this luggage was the combination lock on the outside of the case. Whenever I traveled, I would place a small lock on my carry-on and keep the key on me, constantly paranoid that I was going to lose it. Now, I don’t have to worry about that.” Brock is also a fan of the mesh zip compartment and zip-lock compartments inside, which make organizing clothes, accessories, and toiletries simple. “Although it originally looks like my clothes wouldn’t fit (I’m guilty of overpacking), the suitcase closed with ease.”

Travelpro Platinum Elite expandable carry-on

Sometimes, you just want a trusty classic, and Travelpro, created by a former commercial airline pilot, always delivers. This expandable softside bag has a telescopic handle, spinner wheels for easy gliding, and an external USB port for charging devices on the go, plus two front zip pockets to keep both important items and odds and ends close. Impressively, of its nearly 3,000 Amazon reviews, 85 percent are five-star.

Eastpak

“When it comes to luggage, I need something multipurpose without being clunky. Whether it’s a weekend trip or just packing outfits to bring to a set, my Eastpak Transit’R bag has been the perfect go-to. It has a really solid frame, sturdy handles, and smooth wheels, while the softer shell keeps the bag super lightweight. For any creative working in a city like New York, you probably have a lot of equipment or things overall you need with you to do your job, so you need reliable pieces like these to take your stuff from point A to point B. Typical luggage can be a bit overboard or clunky, and other bags can be too flimsy or hard to carry. I fit six different outfits in my luggage for the last shoot I was helping out with, and this bag was perfect for it.” —Edward Park, model and fashion influencer

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Eastpak Transit’R 4 L suitcase

Duffel bags

Arc’teryx

“I’m a fan of Arc’teryx, especially the Carrier 75 duffel. I just came back from a multi-day hike in Peru, going through parts of the Inca Trail that nobody visits, and the duffel bag was my main point-to-point bag. I had to schlep this through three airports, and it held up great. Plus, it’s weather-resistant, so you can take it out in the rain. It also comes in two colors—one of which is not black, so you can find it on the airport carousel easily.” —John Montgomery, co-founder of Landed travel specialty group

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Arc’teryx Carrier 75 duffel

Ghurka

“I love Ghurka luggage, which is made in the US. Beautiful, simple, and by now, part of me.” —Francis Ford Coppola, director and hotelier

Ghurka Cavalier III No. 98

Osprey

“For me, multi-day treks are the name of the game, and the Fairview Trek is my dream pack. I lead multi-day hiking trips in Patagonia, and I use my Fairview Trek 50 every time. My pack has been dusted, muddied, blown, rained on, snowed on, and still it perseveres even through the toughest Patagonian weather. I love the main clamshell style, so I don’t have to blindly dig into the depths of my pack any time I want to access my gear. The dual water bottle pockets are absolutely clutch, not just for water bottles, but bear spray, trekking poles, or even my iPhone when it’s not in my pocket. Above all else, it is so comfortable, even with 20-30 pounds of weight day after day after day.”—Jackie Nourse, founder of the podcast Jump with Traveling Jackie and of Jump Adventures tour group

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The North Face

“I don’t have just one [kind of bag]. My Patagonia roller duffel is handy. I almost always have my North Face duffel, since you can make it big or small with straps, and reduce it to a carry-on. We recommend unusual colors so that you can find your bag easily. Having one that’s waterproof is super handy, since we can go from plane to boat to kayak. And with active travel, it’s nice to have two bags—one for more formal, clean stuff, and the other for shoes or gear or dirty clothes. It’s very important to have good bag tags so that on arrival, staff can make sure that the right bags get into the right room. Always helpful to have a lock as well!” —Cari Gray, founder, Gray & Co.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel

Bric’s

“I have a Bric’s rolling duffel that I particularly love. Because we travel to distant lands, and I’m sometimes flying on small planes that have limited overhead bin space, this duffel can be a lifesaver. Often standard rolling bags won’t fit in those bins, and I can pack this duffel a bit loosely so that it can be smushed down a bit to fit into those bins. No gate-checking needed!”—Brian Van Wey, co-founder of Brand g Vacations, a luxury LGBT+ tour group

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Bric’s X-Travel rolling duffel bag

Head

“I love my Head travel bags. They are huge and fit a lot of stuff—not just my tennis racquets—in special compartments for my long trips.” —Taylor Fritz, top-ranked US men’s tennis player

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Personal items

Métier London

“For travel and day bags, I love Métier London. The bags are discreet and do not shout for attention, yet people always notice them, especially on airport transit buses. Every design detail is minutely observed and purposeful, from hidden pockets for phones and travel documents to modular packing cases and gorgeous brass hardware. I use them for carry-on weekend, short-haul trips to Bordeaux and Berlin, and around London for meetings. The bags are constructed to last forever and to age beautifully: they look even more wonderful after a few years.”—Jannes Soerensen, founder of Kepler Hotel Group and The Kepler International Hospitality Academy

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Métier London Mariner zippered tote

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Métier London Nomad Weekend bag

Baggallini

“I think it’s important while traveling to blend in and not call attention with jewelry, dresses, or accessories—so I stick with basic suitcases like Travelpro. I’m also a fan of Baggallini; my go-to travel tote, backpack, and purse are all Baggallini. I also always have my passport in a RFID-blocking passport holder.” —Linda Allen-Speer, owner, Cruises by Linda

Baggallini Securtex Backpack

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Baggallini Metro backpack with RFID phone wristlet

Thule

“Within the last month I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico, biking in Norway, and now in route to Dallas, Texas,” says Myron “Mylo” Fowler, a National Geographic photographer, mountain biker, and an activist for Navajo Nation. “The Thule Aion allows me to pack gear, clothes, laptops, battery banks, and my water bottle much more efficiently with the layout of the bag, and it is incredibly comfortable. From the heat, rain, or the travel shuffle, the Thule Aion is my favorite travel bag for various assignments. And, the materials it is made of are absolutely durable.” Another perk: Thule’s Aion collection is Bluesign certified and made from 100 percent recycled materials. —Myron “Mylo” Fowler, a National Geographic photographer, mountain biker, and an activist for Navajo Nation

Thule Aion travel backpack 28L

Travel accessories

Dagne Dover

“Being on the road frequently, I have a system where I take three Hunter pouches on every trip: one has skincare and toiletries, one has makeup, and the other shampoo. I also use a small Hunter to organize in-flight essentials like wipes, ear plugs, and chargers. I love that the pouch easily holds everything I need to throw in for travel, it’s water-resistant, and I’m able to slip in small things like hair ties and contact lenses into the side pockets. I’ve been using Dagne Dover for years, and now it’s become an essential part of my travel routine, from the duffel that slides onto my roller suitcase, to the phone sling that carries my ID and phone, to the tech organizer I can’t live without.” —Christine Chang, co-CEO and co-founder of Glow Recipe

Dagne Dover Hunter toiletry bag

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Dagne Dover Arlo Neoprene tech organizer

Away

“My Away bag is perfectly designed for someone who loves organization. The only downside of Away is that since it’s so perfect, everyone in my family now has the same bag. I recently bought my family new luggage tags in different colors so we can quickly identify whose luggage belongs to whom! Away recently collaborated with the fashion brand La Ligne; I now use it to carry my full makeup kit so when I’m going on set for a photo shoot or doing a celebrity’s makeup, I just roll in with my very chic Away bag. No one’s makeup kit is as cool as mine.”—Bobbi Brown, makeup artist; hotelier and founder, Jones Road Beauty

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This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.


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