But, these days, choosing the best luggage is a little like shopping for a new mattress. It’s often way more complicated than it needs to be. The dizzying variety of options on the market can make shopping for a new suitcase, backpack, duffel bag, carry-on, or carry-on backpack feel like driving through a dark tunnel without a navigation system. Our guide to the best luggage brands will help shine a light on your trek, so you can choose the right baggage for your budget.
What to Consider
Durability
The quality of every bag directly affects its long-term durability. Everything from the materials used to the craftsmanship determines whether a piece of luggage will last a lifetime or fall apart after just a handful of trips. It’s hard to rate the durability of luggage on a simple scale of, say, 1-10. But there are a few key factors that we look for in any luggage we recommend. For hard-sided luggage, we suggest a shell made of a durable metal like aluminum or a rugged synthetic material like polycarbonate. It’s waterproof and resists cracks, fading, chemicals, and temperature extremes better than polypropylene. Soft-sided luggage buyers should look to synthetics like polyester or nylon for maximum durability, water resistance, and reliability. Natural materials like leather and canvas often look great but won’t hold up to the rigors of frequent travel in the long run.
Maneuverability
Smooth-rolling luggage can mean the difference between breezing through every airport and fighting with your luggage all day. The two essential components for the easiest-to-maneuver luggage? A telescoping handle and smooth-rolling, 360-degree spinner wheels. Nearly all hard-sided luggage (including all of our best luggage brand picks below) features telescoping handles these days but look for one that’s sturdy and smooth. The key, then, is to find the brands with the best wheels. It might seem like a simple thing, but trust us, not all wheels are created equal. This is another reason we recommend shopping brands and retailers with a generous return policy, as you may want to test out your new luggage well ahead of your trip to see if the wheels live up to the manufacturer’s promises.
Overall Dimensions
Travelers fall into one of two categories: Those who travel with only carry-on luggage and those who check at least some of their bags. When shopping the best luggage brands, it pays to be honest about your personal luggage requirements and just how much space you need. Buying carry-on-sized bags can not only save you money upfront but also in the long run, on baggage fees and the headache that comes with frequently checking your luggage. But if you’re a serial overpacker or you just know you need that extra space because that’s how you roll, be sure to opt for luggage that’s labeled as “checked” or “check-in.”
Also note that many international airlines have different requirements for what constitutes a “carry-on” bag. Sometimes, it’s only a matter of inches, but it can make all the difference between breezing through your trip with smaller, carry-on size luggage and having to check your bags to and from your destination.
Additional Features
The luggage from today’s best brands includes features like exterior pockets with dedicated laptop sleeves, integrated battery banks (these aren’t always allowed, so you’ll want to check with your favorite airlines ahead of time), durable TSA-friendly locks, and clever designs that expand with a single zipper so you can pack a few extra souvenirs for the flight home. Some of these are gimmicky, while others are legitimately useful. Here, too, you’ll want to consider your own personal travel style to determine which features are most important to you.
Price
You want to consider how much you’re willing to pay for your suitcase. Some suitcase brands are expensive because they’re billed as “high fashion.” But suitcases can also be expensive because they’re known to last a long time (it’s worth mentioning the best luggage brands often have a kind of timeless style). A few of the best luggage brands that require a significant investment include Rimowa, Tumi, and Filson. If you’re looking for suitcase brands that offer the best overall value (relative to the price you pay), consider makers like Samsonite, TravelPro, and our favorite, Victorinox.
Warranty
Lastly, take note of each luggage brand’s warranty. This could help get your suitcase replaced or fixed if it has any issues, such as a broken wheel or damaged handle. Most brands offer decent warranties these days—typically ranging from five to 10 years—but a lifetime warranty is always the best option.
Warranties are especially important for frequent travelers, as suitcases wear down faster with high usage. If you’re a frequent traveler or someone who wants the best warranty possible, opt for a luggage brand that offers a lifetime policy. Premium brands are more likely to provide lifetime warranties, so this can be another reason to invest in an expensive suitcase. You might spend more upfront, but it could save you from having to buy new luggage every few years.
How We Selected
I’m a veteran outdoors and travel writer who has taken jaunts of all kinds—from kayaking in Antarctica to South Africa to Mexico. With my vast years of globetrotting on assignment, I worked with Men’s Health editors who are constantly on the go. Over the past four years alone, we as a group have vetted well over 40 brands with real-world testing to find the perfect luggage.
After we do testing in the field, we bring the luggage back to our office to thoroughly inspect each bag and determine which design notes surprised us and which could use more work. We also consider how each luggage brand appeals to specific types of travelers, rather than making generic assumptions that all travelers’ needs are the same. We take into account everything from checked bags and carry-ons to duffel bags and travel backpacks. Travelers who come to us will gain a full understanding of the luggage landscape and how it fits their lifestyle.
Here, I bring you the six best luggage brands of 2025 in one clean guide based on all our combined experience and research, with Victorinox commanding our top spot of the best luggage brand overall due to its outstanding durability, clean design, and wallet-friendly price. No matter if you’re looking for a one-size-fits-all bag or an entire luggage set, these are the best luggage brands on the market that will get you cruising without the stress of schlepping some raggedy old case. Ready to see the list?
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Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
Cons
- Limited colorways
It turns out the maker of the OG Swiss Army Knife makes some pretty fine luggage, too. After testing dozens of luggage brands across a variety of styles, sizes, and price points over the last few years, Victorinox was an easy pick for us here at Men’s Health as the best overall luggage brand of 2025.
Our team overwhelmingly loved the Airox Advanced collection. The hard shell features a rock-solid polycarbonate construction that’s built to last. The telescopic monopole handle pops and retracts effortlessly, and the dual-caster spinner wheels make rolling it from A to B a dream, even for long-haul airport treks.
The Airox Advanced Frequent Flyer Carry-on features a just-right 37-liter capacity that’s versatile enough for all but the longest trips. For lengthier vacations, we also like the Airox Advanced Medium Case and Large Case. These two checked bags offer ample capacity, plus expandable zippered designs for extra souvenirs. Elastic, X-shaped compression straps throughout the line-up keep your clothing and valuables secure. The Werks Traveler 6.0 Weekender makes an excellent soft-sided companion (or a standalone option for minimalist overnighters) to any of the above luggage pieces. The design slides neatly over the handles of any standard suitcase. Plus, the roughly 20-inch length is roomy enough for a laptop, a change of clothes, and all your tech essentials.
We especially love the midrange price point of Victorinox’s Airox Advanced luggage line. Nearly every bag is affordable, making it a solid option for both frequent and infrequent travelers. Plus, the brand offers a lifetime warranty on all its travel gear.
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| Price ($-$$$) | $$ |
|---|---|
| Durability | 100% pure virgin polycarbonate |
| Maneuverability | Lightweight monopole handle; large (60mm), quiet wheels |
| Hardsided Available? | Yes |
| Softsided Available? | Yes |
| Additional Features | Combination lock; expandable design |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Cons
- Worst-in-class 1-year warranty
- Bland aesthetic feels like a budget luggage set
- Limited color selection compared to more premium brands
From home goods to active apparel to travel essentials, Amazon’s in-house Amazon Basics line proves that decent products don’t have to cost a fortune. So, too, with its collection of luggage. The Amazon Basics 3-Piece Hardside Luggage Set ticks all our must-have boxes, including a solid, scratch-resistant construction, smooth-rolling spinner wheels, and a good mix of suitcase sizes for every type of travel(er)—all at a very approachable price point.
The ribbed hardshell features a comparable design to most other budget luggage brand offerings. It’s clean and simple, if a little too basic. It’s not going to win any design awards, especially compared to the sleek sets from the likes of Away, Calpak, and Tumi. But, we’ve found the ABS cases hold up reasonably well, even for frequent travelers. Ours have survived dozens of trips with only a few scuffs, scrapes, or scratches along the way.
We love the variety of sizes, particularly in this three-piece set. The smallest carry-on is great for weekend trips, the largest checked bag for all-out weeks-long vacations, and the middle is “just right” for everything else. Amazon keeps the interior simple, too, with a few zippered pouches and a compression strap to lock everything down in transit.
There’s nothing ground-breaking about this luggage set. But what sets it apart—the reason why we love it so much—is the price-to-feature ratio. It offers everything we need (and recommend for you in a good set of luggage), and nothing we don’t, all at a better price than its competition. Our only real gripe? The sad, one-year warranty is the worst in this guide. (For a soft-sided alternative, check out Amazon Basics 3-Piece Softside Luggage Set.)
| Price ($-$$$) | $ |
|---|---|
| Durability | ABS hard shell |
| Maneuverability | Telescoping handles and multi-directional wheels |
| Hardsided Available? | Yes |
| Softsided Available? | Yes |
| Additional Features | Expandable design (up to 25% more space) |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Cons
- Most popular styles and colorways sell out fast
You’ve no doubt heard about the magic that is Away luggage. Every one of its bags features a simple yet modern design you’ll love to travel with. Away’s claim to fame originally came from its built-in battery packs. While it no longer offers this feature (blame the airlines and TSA!), it still maintains that same tech-forward design ethos that made it famous.
Our Fashion Director, Ted Stafford, is a huge fan of Away due to the brand’s attention to detail in the design process. “The interior of the suitcase has a streamlined design, which offers ample space to fit all your necessary items in an uncluttered and organized way,” says Stafford. “Plus, Away’s suitcases are extremely lightweight, so you can easily maneuver to and from your destination without pulling your muscles or overexerting unnecessary energy. To me, that kind of ease is invaluable at a price that’s very fair.”
Our go-to Away luggage is the traditional carry-on option or the Bigger Carry-On for those airlines that allow it. Both offer plenty of capacity with zero wasted space, plus simple organizational features like interior zippered pockets, compression straps, and slim interior laptop/storage pouches. For longer trips requiring checked baggage, The Medium is our go-to option, while the longest trips of two weeks or more call for the aptly named The Large. Like most of Away’s luggage, it features a featherweight design and 360-degree spinner wheels, making for easy transport and long-haul airport treks. We also appreciate the underside grab handle and included laundry bag—both nice-to-have’s.
The brand also innovated on its hard-sided luggage collection and now makes a full line of soft-sided durable ballistic nylon and outer pocket additions. We supplement the above luggage with The Weekender—a just-right duffle with room for a 16-inch laptop, generous interior and exterior storage pockets, and a water-resistant shell.
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| Price ($-$$$) | $$ |
|---|---|
| Durability | 100% polycarbonate shell |
| Maneuverability | 360-degree wheels; premium, adjustable-height trolley handle |
| Hardsided Available? | Yes |
| Softsided Available? | Yes |
| Additional Features | Three mesh pockets; one interior pocket; underside grab handle; water-resistant, drawstring laundry bag |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Cons
- Very expensive compared to every other bag we tested
- Should include a lifetime warranty at this price point
Tumi is for the slick traveler who appreciates timeless, luxurious design as much as function. Founded in 1975, every new piece of luggage from the brand helps to solve common travel qualms. Tumi’s carry-on bags and backpacks are made with several easy-access zippered compartments to help breeze through TSA lines, and its add-a-bag sets are designed to effortlessly tote around two to three pieces of luggage at a time with one hand.
Our go-to luggage set from Tumi centers around the International Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry On. For longer trips, we’ll take the Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case. Despite the name, it’s perfectly sized for most trips longer than a weekend. Both options offer great interior organization, including multiple pockets and compartments to wrangle your clothing and essentials. We pair either or both with Tumi’s Double Expansion Travel Satchel, a versatile 13-inch duffel with a large, expandable center compartment and smaller media and zip pockets for phones, keys, passports, and snacks.
It’s no secret Tumi is one of the more expensive luggage brands. But if you’re willing to splurge, you’ll be happy knowing you’ll have a sleek bag that may be one of the last you ever need to buy. Our only real gripe? We expect a lifetime warranty (not just five years) at this price point.
| Price ($-$$$) | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Durability | Proprietary PX6 (high-denier nylon) fabric |
| Maneuverability | 3-stage telescoping handle; top, side, and bottom grab handles; 4 dual spinner wheels |
| Hardsided Available | Yes |
| Softsided Available | Yes |
| Additional Features | Removable garment sleeve; built-in USB-C charging port; built-in Tumi Tracer recovery tag |
| Warranty | 5-year limited |
Calpak’s popularity is on par with Away. But the major difference is in Calpak’s organizational approach. Almost all of its luggage features separate sleeves for shoes, zip pockets for smaller items, compartments for magazines, and straps to keep everything in place. For travel organization nerds (like many of us here at Men’s Health) or perennial overpackers, it’s a dream. If you’re someone who has to frequently sit on your suitcase to close it, then opting for Calpak will help turn you into an efficient packing pro. The brand’s packing cubes and organizers are excellent at categorizing items, and the suitcases are deep and roomy.
Plus, Calpak makes some of the best matching luggage sets around, including a full line of accessories that make packing easier. Our go-to pick over the last year has been the Evry Starter Bundle, which includes a carry-on, a large check-in bag, a five-piece packing cube set, and a luggage tag. True to its name, it’s the perfect “starter” pack for anyone looking to upgrade their existing luggage collection. Bonus: We love the handsome retro-modern aesthetic of this set in Pistachio!
Christen Nicole, a FORA Travel Advisor and travel blogger, told us the Astyll 3-Piece Luggage Set has been her go-to for years. “I’ve loved how the polycarbonate shell has kept my belongings secure, and how the spacious interior pocket dividers have kept everything in its place,” she says. When it comes to naming her favorite bag in the set, she finds the carry-on to be the best piece overall due to its combination of generous 45-liter capacity and light weight (just six pounds!) build.
Calpak’s prices, especially for its luggage sets, make it a great value brand. They often fall on the low side of “midrange,” making them a great option for budget-conscious travelers. Our only real gripe is that five-year warranty. It’s good, but not great compared to many of the brand’s competitors offering lifetime warranties.
| Price ($-$$$) | $$ |
|---|---|
| Durability | Polycarbonate |
| Maneuverability | 360-degree spinner wheels; telescopic handle; bottom grab handle |
| Hardsided Available? | Yes |
| Softsided Available? | Yes |
| Additional Features | Matching packing cubes (included in the set); expandable design (up to 2 inches) |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Best New Aluminum Set
Monos
We love Monos for all the same reasons that we love Away: The modern minimalist aesthetic, the solid, lightweight construction, and the simple but thoughtful design features that make our travel experience as effortless as possible. Monos offers similar pricing to Away, too, with most bags priced between the $300’s and $400’s for carry-ons and checked luggage, respectively. The main reason to buy one brand over the other often comes down to personal preference.
While we give the ultimate nod to Away as one of our best luggage brands overall, our team absolutely loves Monos’ latest Aluminum Collection. Each of the four bags in the collection—the Carry-On Plus, the Check-In Medium, the Check-In Large, and the Trunk—feature a sleek aluminum shell with a timeless, handsome look that stands out. For travelers rocking this collection, no one is going to mistake your bag for theirs at the baggage carousel. The unadorned, brushed-finish metal with riveted corners elevates the look of the brand’s luggage well above its upper-mid-range price tag to compete with the likes of Tumi, but at a much more affordable price point.
| Price ($-$$$) | $$ |
|---|---|
| Durability | Anodized, electroplated aluminum hard shell with riveted aluminum corner guards |
| Maneuverability | Adjustable-height telescopic handle; 50mm 360-degree spinner wheels |
| Hardsided Available? | Yes |
| Softsided Available? | No |
| Additional Features | Anti-microbial lining; soft-release side grab handle; color-matched components throughout; dual TSA combination locks |
| Warranty | Lifetime (with a 100-day trial) |
Is Hardsided or Softsided Luggage Better?
The most popular luggage comes in either a hardsided or softsided structured bag. The pros and cons of both depend on what you prioritize when you pack. Soft-sided luggage typically has more room and flexibility for movement, more organizational pockets, and can compress to fit into tight spaces (like the overhead bin of an airplane). It usually opens with a top flap zip, placing the bulk of storage at the bottom. Softsided luggage offers more packing room, but it can throw off the balance of your goods when it’s tossed around and stowed away by airline employees. Basically, softsided luggage does not provide as much protection as hardsided bags—but it is usually roomier.
Due to advances in making polycarbonate more durable and lighter, hardsided luggage has gained popularity in the past few years. Hardsided luggage features a 50/50 split opening (also called a “book opening”), making each side an equal stabilizer with a rugged outer protective shell. Polycarbonate shells are typically better for business travel. They stack easily but are usually rigid, with zero room to expand like a softsided bag. The latest hardsided bags look sleeker and are easier to clean and move—but they require you to be more strategic in your packing.
Other features that you’ll want to consider are weight and wheelability. Many modern suitcases are designed in the lightest possible form, along with telescoping handles and four spinner wheels that can swivel 360 degrees to make rolling around the airport, pavement, or hotel floor a breeze.
How Much Should I Pay for a Good Suitcase?
Luggage brands offer products at a wide variety of price points these days. You’ll find entry-level options from the likes of Amazon Basics for under $100, while ultra-premium brands like Tumi and Rimowa offer suitcases and bags that run well north of $1,200. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a small fortune to secure a good luggage set.
We looked closely at the price points when curating our roundup of the best luggage brands above. We rated each brand on a price point scale of $-$$$ with a singular “$” meaning it’s among the most affordable, budget-friendly brands, while “$$$” indicates a more premium, more expensive alternative. If we had to put a price range on how much you should pay for a good suitcase, a solid range is between $200-$600. With some exceptions, if you spend less than $150 for a suitcase, the chances are it won’t hold up as well as you’d like. If you pay anything more than $600, you’re likely shelling out a premium for the nameplate on the side of the suitcase (we’re looking at you, Tumi).
There are, of course, a few exceptions to shopping expensive luggage, especially when buying from any of the legacy brands we listed above. The most premium brands we like (Rimowa, Tumi, and Filson) certainly require a significant investment upfront. But if you consider how long their suitcases last and how each one combines the best qualities of function and style, it’s reasonable to splurge on a premium suitcase from a brand that’s widely trusted.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
Christian is the deputy commerce editor at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
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