From stashable rollaboard bags to cleverly laid-out backpacks, the right luggage should enhance your travel experience by fading into the background. It should keep you organized and streamlined so you can focus on where you are rather than what you brought.
Our team of traveling expert testers has several decades of sightseeing, adventuring, and commuting across the world and has tested nearly 500 bags. We’ve pushed the limits of international carry-on baggage size allowances, carted our belongings via train, bus, and pack animal, and spent months living out of these bags to find the best options for every type of traveler.
Our favorite pieces of standard rolling luggage are the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ carry-on and 29″ checked bags. This line from Travelpro has great capacity, smart packing systems, exceptional durability, and looks smart wherever you roam. Pair this luggage with the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe as your under-seat personal item for a truly smooth travel experience.
When it comes to carried bags, the Cotopaxi Allpa is our top recommendation for a carry-on-friendly travel backpack that most types of travelers will appreciate. It’s well-organized but still adaptable, with handy features, comfortable straps, and high livability. If you prefer a duffel when you travel, the Patagonia Black Hole comes in a ton of sizes, is impressively stuffable and durable, and has been one of our absolute favorites through years of testing.
If you like keeping a few items close as you explore a new place or kick back on a long flight, we’ve also tested convenient crossbody bags. For more adventurous trips, consider swapping out your regular personal item backpack for a daypack. No matter where or how you roam, our globetrotting experts can help you travel better.
Editor’s Note: We updated this review on May 7, 2025, to include new test results and insights from long-term use of travel backpacks.
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Who it is best for: The Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner is the top choice from our carry on review and is ideal for frequent travelers who value organization and durability, whether they prefer meticulous packing or a more casual approach. Its 40-liter main compartment, exterior pockets, and internal features like a removable garment bag and toiletry bag cater to those who want everything in its place, as one tester noted: “When I travel, I like everything in a specific spot. My husband prefers the ‘chuck it all in’ method. We’ve both been using this roller for almost a decade — and we BOTH love it.”
Why we love it: Its treasure chest of organization, including a large pocket under the lid, pockets on compression strap arms, and unmatched durability, is almost unrivaled. Its magnetic wheels ensure smooth, effortless rolling, and the five-height telescoping handle remains reliable even with a fully packed bag, as one tester raved: “I love this classy roller’s thoughtful features and sturdiness. Its magnetic wheels are amazingly smooth and roll in a straight line next to me without any effort.” The soft-sided ballistic nylon withstands years of travel—some team members report it looking nearly new after seven years of heavy use across flights, trains, and buses. Larger versions, like the 29″ checked version, offer similar organization, perfect for living out of without unpacking.
Should you buy it? This is a top recommendation due to its unmatched combination of intuitive organization, ease of use, and durability at its price point. While not cheap, a lot of bags cost more and offer less. It suits domestic and international travelers, though its 23.5-inch height (including wheels) slightly exceeds U.S. (22 inches) and international (21.5-22 inches) carry-on limits, which may be an issue with smaller international carriers. For those prioritizing strict compliance, Travelpro offers a smaller international-sized version.
Base Weight: 8.1 lb | Packing Volume: 40.0 L
Read more: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On review
Who it is best for: The Away The Carry-On is an exceptionally durable hardshell roller that’s perfect for frequent travelers who are tough on their stuff. It’s a great option for folks who want to stay organized but also prevent themselves from overpacking. And though it costs a little more up front, this bag is our top luggage recommendation for travelers looking for a high-value item that’s still built to last.
Why we love it: The packing and compression system in The Carry-On is one of the best we’ve seen outside of the luxury luggage market — which costs three to six times as much. The external polycarbonate shell has a matte finish that resisted picking up scratches or dents, even when dragged up stairs, dropped from head height, or checked. It rolls exceptionally smoothly and has durable handles that stay tucked tightly against the sides when not in use. While most carry-on rollers technically exceed airline size restrictions, this one stays within them. It looks great and comes in a staggering array of colors.
Should you buy it? We recommend this for travelers who want peace of mind that their luggage will fit in the overhead bin. Without any expansion zippers, this bag is impossible to overpack — and even fits the smaller size restrictions for most European airlines. It’s a durable bag that proves its value over years of punishing trips, and one that we don’t hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for a smart packing system in a durable shell.
Base Weight: 7.4 lb | Packing Volume: 35.5 L
Read more: Away The Carry-On review
Who it is best for: The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is perfect for travelers who stay on the go and need to live out of their luggage while maintaining easy access to essentials without unpacking. It’s ideal for those embarking on trips with impractical rolling bags, such as multi-week adventures or urban travel through crowded spaces. This backpack suits individuals who value a semi-structured packing system and prefer a comfortable, carry-on-friendly bag over suitcases or duffels.
Why we love it: It stands out for its integrated, yet versatile organizational system, mimicking the benefits of packing cubes with mesh pockets that divide the main compartment to secure socks, essentials, and larger clothes. The main compartment fully unzips without gear spilling out, and the bag is comfortable for extended wear due to its supportive shoulder and waist straps and back panel. The removable waist strap adds versatility for navigating crowds. One tester raved, “I took this on my multi-week trip through Europe, where a rolling bag would slow me down. Its ingenious organizational system made living out and staying organized easy.”
Should you buy it? This is for travelers who don’t want to unpack while they travel: accessing items without disrupting careful packing is easy. However, its laptop sleeve is weak, with less padding than we’d like for a full bag and a small, 15-inch sleeve. While excellent for organization, the mesh pocket system and clamshell design limit shoving bulky items in a hurry. But if you prioritize structured packing that you can live out of for weeks — and can overlook the laptop sleeve’s shortcomings — this bag is our top recommendation for a carry-on travel backpack.
Available Sizes: 20L, 28L, 35L, 42L | Externally Accessible Pockets: 4
Read more: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L review
Who it is best for: The Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe is ideal for travelers needing a reliable laptop backpack as a personal item during airline travel, particularly for work trips involving electronics. It’s perfect for those prioritizing organized storage for tech essentials like laptops, chargers, and documents while valuing a compact design that fits under plane seats. This backpack suits professionals or tech-savvy travelers who don’t need extensive overnight packing capacity.
Why we love it: The Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe excels with its padded, dedicated laptop pocket and a secondary sleeve for documents or another device, complemented by auxiliary pockets for pens, keys, chargers, or a wireless mouse. Its thick fabric beads water well, and a waterproof bottom protects against wet surfaces. Additional features include a luggage loop, exterior accessory straps, and a water bottle sleeve, making it highly travel-ready. A tester praised, “I like this pack’s extra features. It has a luggage loop across the back, dual electronics sleeves, exterior accessory straps, and a water bottle sleeve. This bag is travel-ready.”
Should you buy it? This is for tech-focused travelers seeking a compact, organized laptop backpack with useful features for airline travel. However, its small dimensions limit its capacity for folders, notebooks, or overnight gear, and the water bottle pocket is designed for skinny bottles only. Choose this if tech organization and compactness are your priorities.
Weight: 2.3 lb | Capacity: 20 L
Read more: Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe review
Who it is best for: The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is ideal for travelers seeking a versatile, durable duffel bag in multiple sizes to suit various trip lengths and needs. It has always scored at or near the top in our duffel tests. It’s perfect for those who need a reliable bag for both urban and rugged environments, with the flexibility to carry it as a backpack or duffel. This bag suits adventurers who value durability and water resistance but don’t require extensive internal organization.
Why we love it: It has a high-performance design, with burly fabric that is water- and abrasion-resistant, with a reinforced bottom panel to protect gear during rough handling. Available in various sizes, it offers features like removable backpack-style shoulder straps for easy transitions, daisy chain attachments, and, on larger models like the 100-liter, multiple zippered pockets and internal compression straps. A tester noted, “The backpack-style shoulder straps of the latest version are easily removable, making the transition from street to airport a breeze.” Its versatility and durability make it a testing team favorite.
Should you buy it? This duffel excels in durability, versatility, and performance across sizes, making it ideal for various travel needs. However, the 55-liter version lacks internal compression and has fewer pockets, and all sizes could use more small-item storage. Handle button snaps are less convenient than Velcro. It’s a great choice for those valuing toughness and adaptability over minor organizational drawbacks, but pocket-heavy users may prefer alternatives.
Weight: 2.6 lb (55 L size) | Sizes Available: 40, 55, 70, 100 L
Read more: Patagonia Black Hole review
Who it is best for: The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L is perfect for adventurers and frequent travelers needing a high-capacity, durable gear hauler for global trips. It’s ideal for those who prioritize gear protection and mobility across diverse terrains and don’t mind a larger bag that may slightly exceed standard airline checked luggage dimensions. This bag suits users who value purposeful design and are willing to invest in premium quality.
Why we love it: The sturdy design features a straitjacket compression system with padded, durable flaps and webbing to secure gear, extra-large 4-inch wheels for smooth rolling, and a full-length interior metal frame for stability. Standout features include balance-engineered grab handles, a water-tight shell, beefy zippers, an exterior muddy boot bin, and an add-a-bag strap. A tester shared, “I’ve lugged my Sojourn around the globe for nearly two years. It protects my gear and rolls on nearly any surface, especially cobblestone streets. My favorite feature is its adjustable storage system.” Its comprehensive, adventure-ready design makes it top-of-the-line.
Should you buy it? This is an excellent choice for those seeking a premium, high-capacity bag with superior gear protection and mobility. However, its 67-linear-inch dimensions exceed the 62-inch limit for most airline checked bags, which could pose a risk despite successful past use. The high-quality materials, like top-tier zippers and fabrics, justify a higher price but ensure durability, though the zippers can feel stiff. If you need a tough, feature-packed bag for extensive travel and can manage the size and cost, this is a fantastic option, but those strictly adhering to airline size restrictions might need to explore smaller alternatives.
Weight: 8.7 lb | Capacity: 99 L
Read more: Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L review
Over many years, our travel enthusiasts and bag aficionados have been researching, traveling with, and testing the top travel bags, packs, and luggage available. We’ve bought over 400 pieces of travel gear and carted them along on global adventures to evaluate their performance in the real world. We’ve wheeled bags through security, checked them on international flights, strapped them to pack animals in remote mountains, worn them trekking in foreign cities, and commuted to school and work with them.
We also tested each bag through standardized and rigorous testing to determine the nuances in performance and capabilities. We’ve put them in our showers, cycled through rainstorms, carried them in the snow, and jammed them full of as much as they could hold. We’ve dropped suitcases from unnerving heights and pushed them down concrete stairs. Year after year, no matter the situation, we push these travel bags to their limits to learn which ones are best for what types of travel.
To find bags for travel, we’ve assembled a team of bag geeks and travel experts to test everything from daypacks to duffel bags to roller suitcases. Jason Wanlass heads our rolling suitcase reviews, testing carry-on and checked sizes. Jason has spent decades wandering the globe searching for adventure with his family. He’s traversed continents, taken more airplane trips than he cares to count, and needs great luggage to get him there.
Leading the team on the hunt for the best duffel bags and travel backpacks for your journey is Hale Milano, along with a few other fellow gear testers. Hale has traversed the globe several times, living out of everything from Army-issued duffel bags to rolling suitcases for business trips and ultra-light backpacks for adventure. Whether it’s for work or play, Hale never lets his gear hold him back from enjoying his trip.
Choosing the right type of bag is often a matter of determining what type of travel or adventure you’re doing and working backward. To choose the right bag for your trip, consider what you need to bring, how long you’ll be away, and how you plan to get around.
While plenty of luggage is advertised as “carry-on size”, some of these bags are actually larger than airlines allow. While US airlines often let things go that aren’t overstuffed, certain international carriers have weight limitations instead.
In many cases, the size of the bag you need depends on how long you’ll be away and how much you plan to take. Heavy packers or those headed away for an extended time should prioritize larger capacities and good compression systems. A smaller bag with good internal organization works well for a weekend getaway.
If traveling by air, you must pay particular attention to the size of your bag. Check your airline’s posted limits for carry-ons, personal items, and full-sized luggage. Carry-on bags are designed to fit into airplane overhead bins, but each airline has its allowable limits for the size or weight of these parcels. And while many carry-ons offer expansion zippers, cramming your bag full may exceed your airline’s size restrictions — meaning you’ll have to check (and potentially pay extra for) your bag.
Personal items, as defined in air travel, must fit under the seat before you. They can be a backpack, purse, messenger bag, or tote — really anything, as long as it fits, typically under 30 liters. Just like carry-ons, every airline has different restrictions for personal items. While most US airlines allow any bag that fits under the seat, some international carriers also impose weight restrictions — and charge you extra for packing more.
Though you can check most pieces of luggage, even checked bags are subject to airline size and weight limitations. Most carriers define an upper weight limit and “linear dimensions” as allowed. That means you need to add the length, width, and height of your travel bag to ensure it falls within that limit. You can still check bags that are larger and heavier than these allowances, but you’ll pay extra to do so, and you may have to pick up your bag from a specialty “oversized baggage” area when you reach your destination.
Beyond airline rules, trains and buses have their own rules about luggage quantity and size — though they are almost always less restrictive than planes. More importantly, consider how many transportation changes you must make, how much walking is involved, and what surfaces you need to cross.
Frequent changes from plane to train to city bus to walking over uneven stones can make a wheeled bag cumbersome and difficult to hit tight connections with. If being quick and crossing questionable terrain is a part of your journey, a bag you can carry is a better option. On the other hand, if you’re hopping in a car right out of the airport or taking a long train journey where you’ll want to stow — and even lock — your luggage, your trip is likely better suited to rolling luggage.
Now that you know your travel style, it’s time to find your bag. Many different types of bags help you get from here to there. While many have obvious uses and strengths, many have multiple usable situations and attributes that help them excel in different travel environments.
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