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If you’re wondering how to choose the best luggage for travel, find out the three things to consider with our easy-to-use buying guide.

 


Shopping for the Best Luggage for Travel

Written by: Kelly Ella Maz


 

 

Table Of Contents

 

The best luggage for travel is strong enough to make it through baggage handlers and good looking enough to be pulled around international airport terminals. Durability, function, and size are the specifics you should consider before buying.

The biggest difference between types of luggage is the material it’s made of. The material can affect the durability, appearance, and cost. Deciding which factors are most important for your style of travel will narrow down the best luggage for travel for you!

 

When deciding how to choose the best luggage for travel, there are three m’s to consider:

  • Mobility
  • Measurement
  • Material

 

 

Luggage Mobility

 

Wondering how to choose the best luggage for travel? Start with the number of wheels. Don’t make this choice solely based on how the luggage rolls in the store; consider the environment you’ll be traveling in. For most people, everywhere you go isn’t going to have smooth airport floors!

 

The secret to traveling light is to create a travel capsule wardrobe which can easily fit into a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing!   

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Delsey’s Helium Aero 29″ Spinner

 

Four Wheels

 

Four wheels glide the easiest through airports and train stations. Being able to push your suitcase (versus pulling it behind you) is a lot easier on your body, especially when your bag is heavy! If you’re really worried about extra weight, it’s worth noting that a four-wheeled suitcase will weigh slightly more than a two-wheeled suitcase.

Delsey’s Helium Aero Spinner is a great four-wheel suitcase that will glide easily through any terminal, and is often considered one of the best luggage for travel. Buy it here!

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Osprey Ozone Wheeled Carry-on 42L/21.5″

 

Two Wheels

 

Two-wheeled cases are not as easy to pull through airports as four-wheeled ones, but they are significantly easier to navigate on cobblestone roads. If you do a lot of Europe travel, you may want to consider sticking with the traditional two wheels.

Osprey Ozone Wheeled Carry-on is a durable choice, guaranteed to last through any uneven terrain. Buy it here!

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Briggs & Riley Luggage Baseline-Deluxe Duffle Bag

 

No Wheels

 

Bags without wheels are great for those who travel with significantly smaller suitcases or those looking for weekender bags. If a duffle bag is all you need, getting one without wheels will save on your overall luggage weight.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline-Deluxe Bag is a fantastic choice for a travel duffel bag. Buy it here!

 

Alternatively, if you like this style but need wheels, check out these rolling duffle bags that make great alternatives to travel backpacks!

 

 

Luggage Measurements

 

I learned a tough lesson when I assumed bigger was better when it came to checked luggage! I thought a 30” suitcase would be perfect for bringing eight pairs of shoes and endless bikinis. But it turns out I wasn’t able to lift my suitcase off the baggage carousel!

In addition, even with four wheels, it was really hard for my 5’1” body to push this suitcase around. The best luggage for travel is the one that you can carry comfortably!

 

Tired of overpacking? Read our ultimate guide on carry-on bags only.

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Delsey Chatelet Hard Wheel Spinner Carry On

 

18″-22” Suitcases

 

This size is great for travelers who want to jetset with carry-on only. Using smart packing techniques and organizers like those shown in this video tutorial, you can travel carry-on for any destination or trip length. We definitely think this is one of the best luggage for travel.

Delsey offers stylish and cost-effective luggage. The Chatelet style is gorgeous! Buy it here!

 

 

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Samsonite Omni PC 24″ Spinner

 

24″-27” Suitcases

 

These are the perfect size for people who need to check a bag. The ideal height for someone using this size luggage would be over 5’4”. The suitcase will reach to your mid-thigh, which is the optimal height for easy mobility.

Samsonite’s Omni Spinner is the perfect height and size for average-height travelers who don’t want to travel carry-on, and many travelers say this is the best luggage for travel. Buy it here!

 

 

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Victorinox Luggage Spectra 2.0

 

28″-30” Suitcases

 

Larger suitcases are best left for people who are 6’ or taller and specifically need to pack a larger quantity of items. The handle will be at the right spot for you to comfortably pull it around the airport. Many women will find this size to be overwhelming, especially if you’re traveling alone.

The Victorinox Luggage Spectra 2.0 is a great choice to accommodate travelers with various heights! Buy it here!

 

The best luggage for travel that’s carryon sized:

 

 

Luggage Material

 

Another question you’ll be faced when determining how to choose the best luggage for travel is the luggage material. Different materials are more durable than others, some are waterproof, and some are lightweight. You’ll want to evaluate which matters most to you.

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Delsey Luggage Helium Aero 25 Inch Spinner

 

Polycarbonate

 

The hard sides of polycarbonate luggage prevents the suitcase from caving in, which protects your belongings. The major downside to “hard” luggage is that it scratches easily and occasionally cracks. Many travelers consider polycarbonate hard suitcases the best type of luggage because it’s lightweight.

Delsey Helium Aero  is a popular choice for polycarbonate luggage. Buy it here!

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 22″ Lightweight Expandable Carry-on

 

Nylon

 

Nylon fabric is both strong and lightweight, making it the most durable option. Nylon also has more “give,” allowing you to squeeze in that extra pair of shoes. Some nylon suitcases are made from the same technology used in military gear, so you know your stuff will be safe!

For a high quality and lightweight nylon suitcase, the Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 is what some call the best luggage for travel. Buy it here!

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

IT Luggage Stitched Squares 22-inch Lightweight Carry On

 

Polyester

 

Polyester fabric is the cheapest and least durable. You can usually find these suitcases on sale in a local mall, but they won’t last very long. If you’ve ever seen how luggage gets handled at an Italian airport, you won’t be buying a polyester suitcase. Let’s just say, most of the best luggage for travel isn’t made from polyester.

IT Luggage Stitched Squares 22-inch an example of an affordable and popular polyester suitcase. Buy it here!

 

 

Best Luggage for Travel Comparison Chart

 

Still undecided? Here’s a quick review of the best luggage for travel:

MOBILITY MEASUREMENT MATERIAL

FOUR WHEELS

Delsey’s Helium Aero Spinner is a great four-wheel suitcase that will glide easily through any terminal.
 
Check Price

18"-22” SUITCASE

Delsey offers stylish and cost-effective luggage. The Chatelet spinner style is gorgeous!
 
Check Price

POLYCARBONATE

Delsey Helium Aero 25 is a popular choice for polycarbonate luggage.
 
Check Price

TWO WHEELS

Osprey Ozone is a durable choice, guaranteed to last through any uneven terrain.
 
Check Price

24"-27” SUITCASE

Samsonite’s Omni is the perfect height and size for average-height travelers.
 
Check Price

NYLON

For nylon, the Travelpro Luggage Maxlite is what some call the best luggage for travel .
 
Check Price

NO WHEELS

The Briggs & Riley Duffle is a fantastic choice for a travel duffel bag that will save on your overall luggage weight.
 
Check Price

28"-30” SUITCASE

The Victorinox Luggage Spectra 2.0 is a great choice to accommodate travelers with various heights!
 
Check Price

POLYESTER

IT Luggage an example of an affordable and popular polyester suitcase.
 
Check Price

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

AmazonBasics Hardside  20″ Spinner Luggage

 

Tips on How to Choose the Best Luggage for Travel

 

It’s not easy knowing how to choose the best luggage for travel. Along with our tips we’ve covered so far, here are a few more to help you make your decision:

 

  • If you’re stuck between two suitcases, compare their warranties. We love companies that offer lifetime warranties!
  • With so many flashy suitcase colors, it’s hard to buy one that will stand out from others on a baggage carousel. Consider going with classic black and adding a luggage strap. The strap gives you added security, and your black suitcase will look chic whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.
  • Bring a measuring tape with you when shopping for luggage. I was heartbroken when I discovered that my Heys Smart Luggage was significantly larger than advertised.

 

 

best-luggage-for-travel

Compass Rose Packing Cubes

 

  • Airlines have different size restrictions. Jot down the maximum measurements for the airlines you’re most likely to fly with before buying luggage. Be aware that international airlines have tighter size restrictions than US domestic airlines.
  • Always check the wheels, zipper, and handle before buying. I once fell in love with a Samsonite, but when I had trouble using the zipper in the store I knew I couldn’t buy it. Lockable zippers are a bonus to help prevent theft!
  • Empty suitcases roll a lot easier than full ones. Stuff a smaller suitcase into your suitcase at the store to get a better idea of how it will perform.

 

 


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I hope you enjoyed this buying guide on how to choose the best luggage for travel. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!


Author Bio: Kelly Ella Maz is a travel writer from Canada. Her passion for travel and world-wide experience led her to start her own travel planning business and blog. She recently bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona, where she’ll be living by the beach and traveling around Spain. You can follow her travels at www.kellyellamaz.com.