Our Favorite Luggage Brands for Lightweight, Durable and Stylish Travel

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A conveyer belt at baggage claim at an airport is packed with dozens of suitcases and luggage.
Photo credit: anek.soowannaphoom via Shutterstock

It’s hard to say goodbye to your favorite suitcase. It’s been by your side for your greatest travel adventures…except for that time, it got lost on its way to Puerto Rico! But, there’s nothing worse than packing one last thing on your way out the door and…the zipper breaks!

If you’re in the market for a new bag, we’ve looked at the best luggage brands on the market to help you find your next BFF. Many offer “how did I ever live without” features like built-in compression systems, 360-degree spinner wheels, and light-as-a-feather roll-aboard.

And the best luggage brands offer coordinating bags so you can build a fun and functional suitcase wardrobe. Buy a hard-side carry-on and tote today; commit to a matching checked bag next year.

Here are the top luggage brands on the market and what makes each special.

Away

Away brand travel bags are thoughtfully designed by travelers who “get it.” This line of luggage includes everything from carry-on luggage to varying sizes of checked luggage, duffel bags and backpacks. The company even sells travel accessories. Our must-have? The Away packing cubes!

Frequent flyers everywhere flock to Away products because of their durable build, sleek design and valuable extra features. Besides the included laundry bag, the interior compression system is another big win. By compressing your clothes, packing is a cinch.

Because Away luggage is made from polycarbonate, aluminum or water-resistant nylon, it remains lightweight and easy to lift into airline overhead bins.

These are just a few of our favorite Away travel bags, including The Carry-On, which is a great pick if you’re looking for a super lightweight carry-on suitcase.

Our Away Top Picks

Amazon Basics

In case you didn’t already know, Amazon has its own line of products.

With a budget-friendly price tag, Amazon Basics luggage is a smart choice. Included in the product line are soft-side luggage, hard-side luggage, wheeled duffel bags, garment bags and just about any other type of luggage. Even better, Amazon Basics start at a lower-than-standard price point.

If you’re worried that the budget price tag means you’ll get a bare-bones, low-quality product, let me put your fears to rest. Several of the Amazon Basics luggage products are highly rated by travelers and come with awesome features like a scratch-resistant finish, four double spinner wheels and a telescoping handle. Some bags are even expandable, meaning you can buy more souvenirs using all of the money that you saved!

Our Amazon Basics Top Picks

Samsonite

Samsonite has been crafting high-quality luggage for more than 100 years. It’s a luggage brand that travelers trust and it’s not hard to see why. The classic designs are both stylish and durable. Plus, many of the styles include features like double spinner wheels, retracting top and side carry handles and built-in TSA combination lock and ID tag.

When it comes to space, Samsonite knows how to make the most of it. Here are a few of our favorite well-organized and spacious luggage options.

Our Samsonite Top Picks

Tumi

Have you ever wanted to design your own travel bag? With Tumi, you can come pretty close to a customized luggage experience. Make it yours with complimentary monogramming on a variety of products, including luggage, backpacks, bags and accessories. Plus, with tons of add-on products to choose from, you can build out your bag with extra pockets and other fun accessories. You can even add a pop of color with bright color accent kits!

Beyond the extras, get ready to experience some pretty incredible luxury brand features on your Tumi bags. Could you use an interior hanger bracket for your dress clothes or a complimentary product recovery program to help reunite you with your lost or stolen luggage? If you answered “Yes, please,” check out this list of our favorite Tumi items below.

Our Tumi Top Picks

Travelpro

Designed by a pilot, Travelpro features luggage that is durable, lightweight and organized. Built to keep you moving, many of the Travelpro products feature built-in TSA locks, 360-degree spinner wheels and external USB A & C ports with fast-charge capabilities. A great option for business travelers or frequent travelers alike! In fact, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 was named one of our best carry-on luggage options on this lightweight luggage list.

Travelpro also offers a free 100-day trial period, a limited lifetime warranty and free shipping on orders over $99.

Our Travelpro Top Picks

RIMOWA

Available in an assortment of fun colors, sizes and materials, RIMOWA luggage is fashionably unmistakable across its entire product line. Choose from a high-end anodized aluminum alloy or a polycarbonate hard shell. No matter which travel gear you pick from RIMOWA, the quality of materials and customer service on this luxury luggage remains high.

Because RIMOWA stands behind its products, you can enjoy a lifetime guarantee on suitcases. If something happens to break or is in need of repair, you can easily find a RIMOWA retailer or client care center on their website to assist you in person. The company even offers online tutorial videos to help you set your built-in TSA lock combination.

We adore many of the luggage sets from RIMOWA, but these are our top picks.

Our RIMOWA Top Picks

Delsey Paris

Designed with the free-spirited traveler in mind, Delsey products are lightweight and durable. But the company didn’t stop there: common additional features include built-in TSA locks, USB charging ports and an antimicrobial lining to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.

With matching luggage sets, duffel bags, pet carriers and more, you may have a hard time walking away with just one piece of luggage! To get you started, here are just a few of our favorites.

Our Delsey Top Picks

American Tourister

Dapper, funky and even Disney-themed—if you’re hoping to find a piece of luggage that stands out on a crowded luggage carousel, look no further than to American Tourister. With a collection consisting of both soft-sided suitcases and hard-sided suitcases, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for here.

While American Tourister does have some mellowed down options, it’s known as THE PLACE to go if you’re looking for a Minnie Mouse or Star Wars luggage set. Seriously, how amazing are these top picks?

Our American Tourister Top Picks

Briggs & Riley

Yes, timeless pieces of luggage are still being created and you can find them at Briggs & Riley. Coordinating with the classic colors seen on the exterior, inside your Briggs & Riley bag you’ll find soft and luxurious details. Likewise, the handles on many of the luggage options are designed to be soft to the touch with a textured grip for more comfortable carrying. Pair all of this with smooth riding double spinner wheels and you’re ready to jet-set off to your next glamourous destination with ease!

Our Briggs & Riley Top Picks

Want to try your luggage out in person before bringing it home? We’ve found that Nordstrom carries several of the brands on our list. Plus, you may even find a duffel bag or toiletry bag to match from brands like ROYCE New York and Porsche Design.

Mary Moore is the retro ­loving mother of two young children who enjoys the freedom of driving the open road in search of adventure. She and her family are working their way through the backroads and cities of America in their seafoam green 1950s Bel Air. You can read more about their lifestyle and adventures on the blog Raising Dick and Jane.
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