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Luggage can make or break your trip. At its best, you don’t even notice it’s there. At its worst, it’s an anchor you have to drag across the airport like a dog that refuses to cross the street. There are many schools of thought when it comes to picking the best rolling luggage (check-in or carry-on, hard shell or soft side, etc.), so we asked frequent fliers and Cut Shop team members for their recs. Ever wondered what bags editors take across the world for Fashion Week? Read down below.
So, you’re Looking for the best rolling luggage?
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried-and-true options
➼ FAQs
➼ Our experts
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Our top picks:
The one for packing pros
Dimensions: 23” x 15” x 10” | Materials: Polypro | Colors: 15
When he’s not shoving clothes into his Pelican camera case to cut down on checked items, Matthew Tompkins, a cinematographer who lives in upstate New York and Los Angeles, uses this durable Amazon find. “I pack my bag like a game of Tetris — with clothes alongside equipment — so a hard shell is imperative when transporting things safely. This Samsonite rolls smoothly and gets the job done,” he says.
The one for people with down-payment money in their bank account
Dimensions: 30.8” x 20.5” x 10.7” | Materials: Aluminium, polyester, leather | Colors: 2
A former Rimowa skeptic, Lauren Gary, senior strategist at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, is now a full-fledged convert: “My husband is a frequent traveler and has been a Rimowa enthusiast for the last ten years. Once his luggage became a permanent fixture in our travels together, I could see why,” she says. “This thing screams “luxury”… as it should with that kind of price tag. The Classic has leather handles, a sleek aluminum body, and latches that click so well it feels like shutting the door on a G-Wagon.” The downsides are that the piece is a bit heavier than plastic versions, some of the hardware has been known to be finicky (though if you’re within Rimowa’s warranty period, you’ll be fine), and per Gary, “It’s not suited for smaller yachts.” You know, relatable travel things!
The Amazon best seller
Dimensions: 22” x 15” x 9.5” | Materials: ABS/polycarbonate | Colors: 16
We’d be remiss not to include this top-rated pick from Amazon — after all, there are a few of you out there looking at this post because you needed a piece of luggage yesterday. This hard-shell luggage is large, under $100, and has nearly 9,000 five-star reviews. It’s not as widely loved as the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner (we’ll get into that), but this one has cool patterns to easily spot your goods on the luggage carousel.
The best plus-one
Dimensions: 22.8” x 15.7” x 9.8” | Material: PVC, polyester, polycarbonate
liner, vegan leather | Colors: 10
Being an actual movie star comes with more than the usual human amount of travel, so it’s no surprise that Shay Mitchell’s brand, Béis, is hype-worthy. Another line of work that can require frequent flying? Public relations. Cathy Jang, a PR specialist at Amazon Prime Video, says Béis gets you the most bang for your buck. “I tried to get my hands on a piece of Béis luggage during Black Friday and it was no use. I ended up getting the carry-on later and it was well worth it, even at full price. I travel regularly, so luggage is far from an afterthought — this thing glides like a dream, and it doesn’t hurt that it looks nice too.”
The most popular rolling luggage
Dimensions: 22.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” | Materials: Polyester, mesh | Colors: 10
Meet the most recommended bag from our experts. As the “Bigger” of Away’s carry-on options, this one pushes the limit for what most airlines will allow. Miraculously, it’s still light enough to wield safely above passengers’ heads and into the overhead bin, a testament to its durable polycarbonate frame. Sarah Raoufpur, a casting director based in Los Angeles, says that beyond work trips, her Bigger Carry-On has traveled around the world (“Over the last several years, it’s been to Japan, Spain, and Mexico”). While there’s a lot to love about it, Raoufpur says, “It’s sleek, chic, and has enough room to be comfortably packed for weeks at a time. My favorite features are the USB external battery (perfect for long travel days).
The one Siobhan Roy would roll around
Dimensions: 21.7” x 15.8” x 9.1” | Materials: Aluminium, polyester, leather | Colors: 2
Want a bag that’s durable — like, throw it across the tarmac and it won’t sustain a scratch durable — but feels like you’re pushing air? Eugenia Gonzalez de Henn, contributing editor at Vogue Mexico & Latin America, says, “This bag rolls so smoothly, it feels like it can walk on its own.” She discovered Rimowa through her husband (“A perfectionist German architect who swears by its design and practicality”). She loves how lightweight the bag is, but even better: “When it opens, the weight is evenly divided down the middle, and these very handy blue dividers hold your clothing down so nothing moves, wrinkles, or unfolds when you open and close the bag.”
The sleek and stylish option
Dimensions: 22.0” X 14.0” X 9.0” | Materials: Polycarbonate hard shell, recycled polyester, vegan leather | Colors: 11
You may already be familiar with Monos’ award-winning carry-on bag, but this “Pro” design takes the sleek suitcase design a step further. Featuring three interior pockets, including a large front pocket that can fit a 16-inch laptop, tablets, or magazines, this updated carry-on, which also comes in a “Pro Plus” size, is for the traveler who wants a bit more organization and easy accessibility. The front pocket also has an interior zippered section that fit can fit a phone, passport, and other small travel essentials that you need to grab quickly. The bag’s interior features one fully zipped side and one with a removable compression with zipper pocket. And if you create a bit more space, you should consider the brand’s fan-favorite packing cubes.
The trunk on wheels
Dimensions: 30.25” x 19.75” x 12.5” | Materials: Polycarbonate shell, aluminium, water-resistant nylon | Colors: 16
July launched a little after Away, but it already has a dedicated following. It’s a transatlantic-voyage-level trunk that doesn’t cost an apartment security deposit. This is the largest bag the Melbourne-based brand offers and is perfect for families that need to travel with their child’s entire room wherever they go.It’s made with aluminum bumpers but has a polycarbonate shell, so it stays light, and is probably only rivaled by Away in the amount of color options available.
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More tried-and-true options
For the overpacker
Dimensions: 26” x 16.5” x 10.75” | Materials: Polycarbonate shell | Colors: 5
Weighing just 8.6 pounds, this medium suitcase is ideal if you are planning on traveling for three weeks but haven’t perfected packing everything you need (and don’t need) into a carry-on. Its expandable design offers an additional two inches when needed. Bless!
The other Rimowa cabin bag
Dimensions: 21.7” x 15.8” x 9.1” | Materials: Aluminium, polyester, leather | Colors: 4
While similar to Gonzalez de Henn’s Rimowa pick, the Cabin Original has a couple key differences for about $100 less; it’s known for its sleeker design, more colorways, and quieter closures. “I have gone through many, and the Rimowa Cabin Carry-On is by far the best,” says co-founder and CCO of The Well Kane Sarhan. “I travel about 200 days a year, visiting our open locations around the world in New York City, Connecticut, Costa Rica, and Mexico, as well as the many new projects we are working on, like our forthcoming office and residence concept in Miami, so my carry-on is my life partner (after my dog, who travels often with me, of course). The price was a bit of a pill to swallow, but the lifetime warranty means it pays for itself. I am on my third one, all replaced for free.”
The bag that won’t break your back
Dimensions: 29” x 20.5” x 12.5” | Materials: Polyester, mesh | Colors: 6
We all have those trips where XL-level luggage is essential. If you don’t want to make a scene trying to haul it off of the conveyor belt at the airport, you’ll want to ensure your suitcase is just as lightweight as it is durable. Chris Barish, restaurateur and owner of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, says his checked-bag checklist includes four things: “easy-to-grab handles, recognizable, lightweight, and in a proportion that moves well.” This one fits the bill. “I’ve found myself using the Away Large Suitcase so much so that I cracked the corner on my first one (still worked just fine),” says Barish. “They promptly sent me a new one at no charge, and I’m back on the road with a signature Black Tap sticker-bomb luggage tag so I can tell it apart from the rest. This has made it with me around the world plenty of times now.”
For the smart and sustainable traveler
Dimensions: 18.25” x 28” x 11” | Materials: Recycled polycarbonate, aluminum, zippers, vegan leather details, negative nylon® | Colors: 5
“Whether I’m visiting a project or gathering inspiration, I travel with the safari green colorway of Paravel’s Aviator Grand suitcase. I love the coordinating packing cubes, which help me to stay organized and prepared for multiple destinations where the weather may not be the same,” says Courtney Brannan, principal at Champalimaud Design, who’s worked on properties from the Beverly Hills Hotel to Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. Not only is Paravel’s luggage made of sustainably sourced materials, it comes with clever design details. “Another thoughtful detail is the folding duffle bag, which allows me to run to and from meetings without needing to pack an extra bag,” says Brannan. “And, of course, it offers space for extra goodies on the trip home!”
The one for practical execs
Dimensions: 26” x 19” x 13” | Materials: Ballistic nylon | Colors: 2
“The last Tumi I had I used for over ten years,” says Joe Zee, former editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Style and co-host of FABLife. “That one was so old, it only had two wheels! It’s just super-durable. Of course, no baggage carousel treats luggage well, but this has always held up and fits everywhere.” Zee says the interior of the bag is especially nice: “It has a separate compartment for dirty laundry, and there are clips for a garment bag in the interior.” The only downside? The color you’re looking at here is the color you’re going to get.
The Rimowa dupe
Dimensions: 26” x 16.5” x 11” | Polycarbonate shell | Colors: 10
Calpak makes one of the Cut Shop’s favorite weekender bags (the Luka duffel). So we weren’t surprised to find that the brand’s luggage is top-qual too. The Ambeur line is a decent dupe of Rimowa’s aluminum suitcases and a fraction of the cost. They’re also made of aluminum but are shockingly lightweight — an average of one or two pounds lighter than Rimowa pieces. Plus, you can be a little less precious about them when they’re haphazardly flung across baggage claim.
The one to keep (price) tabs on
Dimensions: 21.5” x 15” x 9” | Materials: Bayer Makrolon®, polycarbonate | Colors: 4
“I bought a Samsonite suitcase from Macy’s in 2018 — a big purchase for my first ‘big girl’ work trip,” says Alexa Stoczko, a social-marketing strategist at Disney. She still uses it as her carry-on now, traveling at least two times per month. She notes that this is the updated version, but the bag is incredibly sturdy, has multiple internal pockets to help keep things organized, and has a pleasing but simple exterior. “Plus, those department stores have great sales,” Stoczko adds, so you can likely grab one for a legitimate bargain if you find it at a big-box retailer.
The (very tough) softie
Dimensions: 21.5” x 14” x 9” | Materials: 100 percent recycled polyester | Colors: 2
Many frequent travelers we talked to said not to discount the persistence of a soft-sided case. They have less of a chance of cracking, but the caveat? You’ll need to invest in a top-quality pick like the Thule Aion. It’s made of recycled polyester fabric that’s coated in a water-repellant waxed canvas coating. That’s not the only notable thing about this luggage; there’s a sturdy polycarbonate back plate for structure and a removable (and compressive) packing cube in the body.
The one that’ll get the job done
Dimensions: 19” x 13.6” x 9.5” | Materials: ABS hard shell, 150D-polyester interior | Colors: 4
In terms of cost per use, it’s hard to beat (albeit hard to stomach) the kind of value the Amazon Basics brand offers. This top-selling piece of rolling luggage has over 31,000 five-star ratings. It comes in well under $100, which is significant, considering the average cost of luggage on this list is around $500. Reviewers love that this bag is durable and rolls smoothly, with a hard shell that’s low-key but unique enough to spot in a crowd.
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FAQs
What to look for in rolling checked luggage?
In general, checked bags value function over form since they’ll be heaved pretty ruthlessly across multiple conveyor belts. You won’t tend to find exterior pockets on these, and more often than not, they’ll be hard-shell for durability. For sizing, you can expect anything from 24 inches to 30 inches; you’ll want to stay vigilant when packing the extra-large ones, as you can quickly head into “Oversized Baggage” territory. Our experts harped on the need for a top-tier glide and 360-degree wheels. This roughly translates to what the luggage industry called “spinners.” Notably, regardless of size, not a single two-wheel piece of luggage was recommended. (This is of special importance with a checked bag, which will need to carry a heavier — likely, unevenly distributed — load.)
What to look for in a rolling carry-on?
Never mind that your clothing is rolled up into literal balls of wrinkled cotton or you weren’t able to pack deodorant; if it doesn’t fit in the carry-on, it’s not coming. Thus was the sentiment among most of our frequent fliers. One thread we noticed is that all the experts picked the largest version of each brand’s available carry-on. This means anything nearing the maximum size for carry-ons. According to Consumer Reports, that’s 22 inches in height, 9 inches in depth, and 14 inches wide at the “big three” airlines: Delta, American, and United.
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Our experts:
- Alexa Stoczko, social-marketing professional at Disney
- Cathy Jang, PR specialist at Amazon Prime Video
- Damien Nunes, former director of accessories, partnerships, and collaborations at the Gap
- Eugenia Gonzalez de Henn, contributing editor at Vogue Mexico & Latin America
- Joe Zee, former editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Style and co-host of FABLife
- Lauren Gary, senior strategist at TBWA/Media Arts Lab
- Matthew Tompkins, cinematographer
- Sarah Raoufpur, casting director
- Courtney Brannan, principal at Champalimaud Design
- Kane Sarhan, co-founder and CCO of The Well
- Chris Barish, restaurateur and owner of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer
