When you only travel a few times a year, it’s easy to forget (or refuse) to spend money on new luggage. But when you DO go to use it, you realise it a) smells weird because of all that time in musty storage and b) is really worse for wear.
Shopping for a new suitcase can be quite the humbling experience. It’s all fun and games until you find one you like, click on it, and find out it costs farrr more than what you expected. But honestly, if you’re lugging your precious belongings all over the world, it’s worth investing in a quality suitcase, even if it is more spenny.
If you’re spending $20 on a suitcase because “it’s the same thing” (it’s not), you can’t act surprised when a wheel gets busted or the zipper malfunctions when you cram way more than it’s designed to hold in there.
I made the mistake two years back of buying a crappy suitcase, and guess what, it broke three trips in. So now I’ve done my own research (and yours, too) to get something decent. You’re welcome!
What Type Of Luggage Is Most Durable?
According to Consumer Reports, luggage made from aluminium is the most durable. However, that also means it’s on the heavier side and likely more expensive. Luggage made from polycarbonate is a good middle ground, it’s both durable and lightweight. And ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) luggage is the lightest and typically the cheapest option.
Is Hard Or Soft Luggage Better?
Honestly, this one all comes down to personal preference and travel style. Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of each, shall we?
Soft Shell Luggage:
Pros:
- Can be compressed down to fit into small spaces, e.g. crammed under your hotel bed or into small car boots.
- Have more give, so you can cram in more clothes if you’ve brought a little more than you expected.
- Can double as a pillow if you’re stuck waiting around at airports, train stations etc.
- Generally, they’re the cheaper of the two options.
Cons:
- Less protection if you’re travelling with any fragile goodies.
- They often get dirty (and sometimes smelly) because they’re made of fabric.
Hard Shell Luggage:
Pros:
- Super durable.
- Better at protecting any fragile goodies in your luggage while it gets man-handled.
- Often a little more aesthetically pleasing.
Cons:
- The hard shell can add to your overall baggage weight.
- You can’t over-fill them if you’ve brought too much.
- Hard shells can get scratched easily.
What Are The Best Pieces Of Luggage To Buy?
Typically, you’ll need a few different-sized pieces of luggage — a large check-in piece, a mid-sized check-in piece and a carry-on piece of luggage. It’s good to have both the large and medium so that you can cater to your trip length — you don’t wanna lug around a ‘yuge check-in fit for a month away when you’re going on a week-long trip. If you’d prefer a backpack over a suitcase, you’ll need to look into how many litres you’re going to need, e.g. small is 19L, medium 20 to 29L and large 30 to 39L.
You might also want to look into travel essentials like weekenders, totes, backpacks, packing cubes and toiletry bags.
The Best Large Check-In Suitcases
Nere
Nere isn’t just a great suitcase brand because it’s on the more affordable end of the scale while still bring great quality. It also has one of the widest ranges of colour choices we’ve seen on the market. If you want a suitcase that’s easy to spot at baggage claim, this is the brand to turn to. The Stori is Nere’s best-selling ABS hard shell suitcase, the Bondi is the brand’s lightest, and the Venture has a dual opening system that helps you organise your luggage smarter.
July
July’s suitcases feature all the good stuff — a polycarbonate “unbreakable” shell, integrated TSA lock, and quiet wheels that move everywhere. The brand also has created luggage with tracking built into the suitcase — a world first. If you’re forgetful, prone to losing your belongings or just plain terrified your luggage is going to be left behind as you fly to the other side of the world (it happens to too many people), you can easily keep an eye on it through Apple’s Find My network or Google’s Find Hub, no AirTag needed.
Samsonite
Samsonite is PRICEY, but if you’ve got the $$, it’s a good investment. If you look after it, you’ll have your suitcase forever (i.e. don’t throw wet swimmers in there and leave them for a week).
Antler
Most Antler suitcases have a 10-year warranty, so you know you’re covered for a good amount of time if anything goes wrong. Their soft suitcases are pretty durable if you’d rather something lighter, but you can’t go wrong with a hard shell suitcase.
American Tourister
American Tourister is a no-brainer. This trusty suitcase brand makes reliable, lightweight hard shell suitcases that are built to last. I took the Airconic with me to Europe last year and it didn’t let me down once (plus, having such a lightweight check in meant I had more room to shop).
Tumi
Tumi is wayyy up there price-wise, but their product is known to last a lifetime and be expertly made. If you travel heaps for work and want a stylist carry-on that’ll go the distance, these are some of their best-sellers.
Rimowa
Rimowa is like the bougiest of bougie baggage, so if you’re someone who flies first class regularly, you’ve probably already got a set! If not, and you’re prepared to drop some serious coin, have at ’em.
Carl Friedrik
Carl Friedrik is another luxury suitcase brand, but the level of quality is worth the investment. These bad boys are sturdy, and the attention to detail is next level. Made from a German-engineered Makrolon polycarbonate shell and with an aluminium lock frame, your suitcase won’t be breaking on you anytime soon (although they’re slightly heavier because of the aluminium).
The Best Carry-On Luggage
Now, of course, all of the brands we mentioned in the check-in section sell carry-on versions of their larger luggage options, so you can shop for sets if you like. We thought we’d pull out three of our favourites to get the ball rolling for you.
The Best Travel Backpacks
If traditional luggage just isn’t for you, it’s worth investing in a good-quality, comfortable backpack — especially if you’re going to be consistently travelling. Brands like Bag Smart, Nere, and Yeti all make some really good ones. Just make sure you get the right size for your trip, e.g. a small is 19L, a medium is 20 to 29L and a large is 30 to 39L.
The Best Weekender And Duffel Bags
Sometimes, all you need is a good-sized weekender, so we’ve hunted down a few of our faves. They’re deep, multi-pocketed and come with both shoulder straps and handles.
The Best Toiletries Bags
Your choice of toiletry bag will depend on how long your trip is and how much luggage you need. The longer the trip, the more likely it is that you’ll want something a little bigger, like the Louenhide Cosmetic Case pictured above. However, if you’re only taking carry-on, and are keen to save on space, the Cee Clear Cosmetic Case is a great option.
The Best Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are an easy way to organise your luggage and prevent your clothes from being scattered across your hotel room two days after you arrive at your destination. If you’re someone who chaotically packs your bags only to immediately regret your life choices once you get there, these might be a worthwhile investment.
We hope you found the luggage you’re looking for. Safe travels!
Image Credit: July / Antler
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