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Jun 21, 2023

11 Best Luggage Brands of 2023, According to Experts

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. We travel a lot, so we wondered recently if we were getting all we could out of our usual road-trip

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

We travel a lot, so we wondered recently if we were getting all we could out of our usual road-trip luggage. To find out, we turned to the style and product experts at Esquire and Good Housekeeping for advice on the best luggage brands.

Getting behind the wheel and heading out of town for the weekend (or longer) is one of the pure joys of being an automobile enthusiast. Whether you're driving a minivan full of rowdy preteens to the waterpark or getting away for the weekend with that special someone in a Revuelto, the road trip is perhaps driving's greatest pleasure.

But you gotta pack. Sure, there's a certain romantic spontaneity in just taking off, hygiene and clean socks be damned. But that romance only gets you as far as the next morning's shower. No, a quality piece of luggage is required, be it a weekender duffel or a spinner suitcase.

We travel a lot—but are we getting all we can from our luggage? Are we missing anything? In order to get a better handle on the best luggage brands on the market today, we turned to the experts.

If anyone knows style, it's the editors of Esquire; and if anyone knows about quality, it's the product testers at Good Housekeeping. Both magazines have published curated lists of the Best Luggage Brands over the last few years, so we took a ride to the Hearst Tower in Manhattan to find out their latest recommendations. (Full disclosure: Both magazines, along with Road & Track and its sister publications at Hearst Autos, fall under the Hearst umbrella.)

The consensus? The type and style of luggage you prefer isn't really important—we all have different tastes, after all—but the brand is. Modern tech and materials have revolutionized the luggage industry in the last decade or so, and with startup companies popping up seemingly every week and dozens of unpronounceable brand names on the internet, it can be hard to separate the gems from the junk.

Both of the experts we asked spotlighted a healthy amount of trusted luggage brands like Samsonite, Victorinox, and Tumi. And they introduced us to new and notable luggage from Paravel and Solgaard. Sprinkle in familiar names like Away, Filson, and Herschel Supply Co., and we've come up with a list of 11 quality luggage brands that Road & Track readers should consider tossing in the back of the car the next time the open road calls.

One of the most renowned names in luggage. The venerable Good Housekeeping Institute named Samsonite its "Best Overall" luggage brand because it offers "a wide assortment for every preference—from business travelers to vacationers—and has continuously proven to be high quality as we've tested it over the years." Esquire editors loved the brand too, specifically noting that Samsonite overcomes its heritage reputation by continuing to churn out "smart, modern" luggage.

The Tru-Frame Carry-On Spinner features four multi-directional dual wheels and an ultra-protective security frame with sealed gasket closure. It also has an integrated TSA-friendly combination lock and a deluxe interior with two divider panels, two cross-straps, and plenty of organizational pockets.

Solgaard's expanding closet-style spinners are the biggest innovation in carry-on luggage since Away introduced its integrated Li-ion battery back in 2015. Heck, even Time magazine named Solgaard luggage one of its Best Inventions of 2018. The built-in shelving system allows you to organize outfits rather than just toss in a pile of clothes, letting you dial in various looks for particular events and arrive with everything you might need.

The Carry-On Closet is constructed with a tough polycarbonate shell and an aluminum frame and features an integrated USB charging port. Five internal shelves compress when the suitcase is closed, keeping your clothes neat during travel. When you arrive, just open it up and let your travel closet expand. The interior lining is made from 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic.

Seattle's Filson began as an outfitter for the pioneers of the 1897 Yukon Gold Rush. Today, Filson apparel and gear represent the ultimate in quality to outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople the world over, combining durability and style in a rugged aesthetic derived from function. Looks good and works great? Sign us up.

The Medium Rugged Twill Duffel is perhaps Filson's best-known piece of luggage. The lightly waxed fabric keeps your gear dry, and bridle leather from Wickett & Craig is used not just for the removable shoulder strap but also for Filson's signature leather wraparound handles, designed to cradle heavy loads. The bag closes with a solid brass YKK zipper that's protected by a snap storm flap. Solid brass hardware is used throughout, and interior end pockets provide organization. It's perfect for throwing into the back seat for a weekend road trip; it even makes an ideal carry-on.

Away burst onto the travel scene in 2015 with a carry-on spinner suitcase that featured an internal Lithium-ion battery—a real game-changer for modern business travelers. Today, Li-ion batteries have proven to be, well, somewhat hazardous and are allowed only in carry-ons—and only under stringent guidelines that usually result in an exhaustive and timely TSA search. Away's battery is now ejectable, making it easy to show to TSA officers or pop out from checked luggage and drop into your carry-on. Unfortunately, it's currently available only in select few suitcases, including The Bigger Carry-On, Aluminum Edition.

Larger and slightly heavier than Away's signature spinners, the Bigger Carry-On is also more durable—and far better-looking, in our eyes. Pricey? Sure. But its convenience, quality, and tech are undeniable for frequent travelers. Not worried about on-the-go charging? The standard Bigger Carry-on Flex costs about half the price but doesn't offer a battery. Neither does the smaller, lighter, and less expensive Carry-On Flex.

As Esquire points out, many of us probably already own—and love—a Herschel backpack. The aesthetic carries over to the brand's complete line of luggage. Sporty, hip design cues blended with quality materials and construction make for fantastic suitcases, duffle bags, and more.

The 50L Outfitter Wheelie Duffel features the same casual-but-classy aesthetic as Herschel's ubiquitous backpacks but in carry-on roller-luggage form, with a retractable two-stage locking trolley handle, zippered U-shaped closure, and top and side carrying handles. It's also available in a 70L size for long trips.

We're not as concerned with fashion as we are with style and performance. However, a blend of all three is impossible to deny, and we have to admit this black/white spinner is a stunner. More impressive is Paravel's commitment to sustainability.

The Aviator Carry-On is crafted of sustainably sourced materials including recycled polycarbonate, aluminum, and plastic water bottles. Even the zippers are made with recycled materials, and Paravel's worldwide shipping is carbon offset. The Aviator also comes in a larger carry-on size as well as a Checked size.

While this color scheme is surely a knockout, any white suitcase is bound to get dirty and scuffed up pretty quickly. Thankfully, Paravel luggage comes in a variety of styles and colors to suit any taste.

We agree with Esquire: "If you're a traveling businessperson, there's nothing more classic than Tumi luggage." With everything from hard-sided check-ins to soft-sided spinners, briefcases, and many more options, Tumi luggage hits that sweet spot between stylish and practical like nobody else.

The Alpha Garment Bag Tri-Fold Carry-On is just one example. It can carry up to two suits or gowns, with plenty of room left over for toiletries and business materials—plus all that swag you accumulate at events, conferences, and presentations. Then it all folds up twice into a compact 15 by 22 by 6 inches (L/W/H)—a perfect fit for an overhead compartment. Or just lay it flat in the back seat or trunk. Best of all, it's made of tough ballistic nylon designed to last for years.

After relying on its Swiss Army Knives and watches for years, we named Victorinox our best heavy-duty luggage brand because we trust its materials and workmanship.

The Spectra 3.0 Frequent Flyer Carry-On is tough. Made from a patented, high-performance, recycled polycarbonate with versatile easy-access pockets and a removable divider, it makes travel a breeze. The expansion system offers up to 20% additional capacity, and a front-opening compartment handily stores your business essentials. It's even customizable with engraved initials or a personal message.

If you're in the market for top-of-the-line hard-sided luggage, look no further than premium German luggage brand Rimowa. It's not cheap, but Good Housekeeping says its polycarbonate spinner "performed among the best in our testing based on its weight, packing space, durability, and maneuverability." Rimowa only makes hard-sided luggage, but with several collections ranging from the Essential Lite to the Original, which is made of durable aluminum and has "clever packing compartments," there's something here for every discerning traveler.

We love the foot-locker aesthetic of the Classic Trunk. It comes in silver or matte black and is made from anodized aluminum alloy, with riveted matte black aluminum corners and handmade leather handles. All Rimowa luggage comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Ever stand at baggage claim and wonder which black spinner suitcase belongs to you? Stop wondering with Roam. Roam's customizable hard-sided carry-ons let you choose from several colors for the front, back, lining, trim, and even the zipper. We love the black/red combo, but there are grays, greens, silvers, pinks, tans, and more to choose from.

There are several sizes of Road spinners as well, but we like the Large Carry-On. Lightweight and spacious, its antimicrobial fabric lining is made out of 100% recycled materials.

Don't scoff—Good Housekeeping put a ton of luggage through its renowned testing lab wringer and found that Amazon Basics luggage is a phenomenal deal for the price. They also noted the wide variety of luggage available, from backpacks and duffels to soft-sided spinners. If you're simply looking for (let's just say it) cheap luggage that gets the job done, you could easily spend way more and wind up with far worse.

GH specifically called out the Hardside Spinner Carry-On. Lab testers found it to be "exceptionally easy to pack" and liked its maneuverability and wheel performance. They also liked that it came in a variety of colors and sizes, and was even available in two- and three-packs, although they noted "the ABS material wasn't as scratch-resistant as other models in our tests."

Even Esquire, that harbinger of fashion and trends since 1933, admits that style isn't the most important consideration when choosing a luggage brand. "Luggage is more about practicality," the site says, pointing out that individual traveling style should take a back seat to your luggage needs and the features you'll require.

Consider the length of your trip, the reason for it (Business? Pleasure? A bit of both?), and what you'll need to wear while you're away from home. Many travelers advise leaving a bit of space in your luggage, and we agree; we always pick up souvenirs and/or swag while on the road, and a stuffed suitcase on your way out might not be able to contain everything you come home with.

Other luggage considerations, according to the experts at Good Housekeeping:

• Soft or hard: Soft-sided luggage can expand to fit a few extra items or compress into tight spaces. It often has more pockets and organizational compartments too, into which last-minute items can be tucked. And in small automobile trunks and cargo holds, a soft suitcase might squeeze into places a hard-shell bag won't.

But for protection and durability—and of course, pickup-truck beds—hard-sided luggage is the way to go. Usually made of polycarbonate or aluminum, suitcases with solid shells are often lighter and much more hard-wearing than soft luggage. Waterproofing (or at least water-resistance) is vastly improved. Best of all, modern polycarbonate materials are tougher and lighter than ever. They're far easier to clean too.

• Size & style: Most luggage brands offer suitcases in both carry-on as well as checked-in sizes. For road trips, this might not be as much of a consideration—until you try to stuff a checked-size suitcase into the cargo hold of a sports car. Get the right size for the trip you're taking. If you're just headed out of town for the weekend, a small, lightweight, compressible duffle bag might suit your needs—and look fantastic over your shoulder as you're strolling through the hotel lobby.

For business trips, consider what you'll wear while on the job. If you need a change of nice clothes on your trip, a foldable garment bag and a small weekender for casuals might be all you need.

• Mobility: There's no excuse anymore to lug around a suitcase without wheels. If you're considering buying one, don't. Most modern suitcases and even large gear duffles offer wheels to make moving through airports and parking lots far smoother and easier. Any wheeled luggage should also have a telescoping handle to make toting it around and packing it away that much easier.

If you do opt for a suitcase, go for what's known as a spinner, with four rotating wheels that offer 360 degrees of freestanding mobility. If you must go without wheels, opt for a duffle or garment bag instead of a case.

• Extra features: As modern luggage gets lighter and better, it also gets more helpful and practical. (And, yeah, probably more expensive too.) Look for things like exterior compartments or pockets that offer easy access to valuables without opening the luggage—or sacrificing security. Many modern luggage brands offer TSA-approved Li-ion batteries to charge devices on the go. Locks, telescopic handles, side handles for easy lifting, hard-shell corners for durability—the list goes on and on. So unless you're really trying to save money on luggage, there's no reason to skimp on features.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing and evaluating consumer-facing products for over a century. Today's GH Institute Testing Lab takes up an entire floor in Midtown Manhattan's Hearst Tower and puts everything from appliances to bedclothes to apparel through its legendary wringer in hopes of achieving that coveted nod from Good Housekeeping.

Luggage evaluations are conducted in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab and combine proprietary test methods using specialized equipment. Lab testers even set up an office obstacle course for luggage to navigate, to gauge each piece's mobility.

During testing, each piece of luggage is evaluated for the following factors:

Size, weight, and ease of packing: Every piece of luggage is weighed empty, then checked to make sure it meets contemporary airline measurement restrictions. The Lab also examines the zippers and latches and rates how easy it is to open and close each piece, along with the accessibility and convenience of packing compartments.

Capacity: Using a standard load—for instance, carry-on luggage gets enough clothing, accessories, and toiletries for a three-day, two-night trip—GH scores each piece of luggage based on how much it's able to hold.

Drop test: The GH Testing Lab is loaded with machines and devices for testing all kinds of items, and luggage is no exception. For suitcases, a specialized machine drops each piece from a 3-foot height and then testers check for damage. The luggage is then filled with a standard weight and repeatedly dropped again from different angles to mimic real-world use (and abuse!).

Abrasion, scratch, and water resistance tests: To gauge how well the outer surface reacts to real-world hazards, the Lab performs scratch tests on hard-sided luggage and abrasion tests on soft-sided luggage. Using blotting paper on the inside of zippers, testers pour water onto the case and measure how much moisture seeps through.

Obstacle course: This is the fun one. Institute testers set up an obstacle course around the office floor that requires lifting and rolling cases around cones, in and out of doorways, over different surfaces, and more, getting feedback on things like mobility and maneuverability, sturdiness, and wheel performance. They also share their feedback on appearance and overall satisfaction.

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Good Housekeeping's most recent luggage tests were managed by Emma Seymour, senior textiles analyst, who performed hands-on evaluations and coordinated consumer reviews.

Gaby Keiderling is a New York–based writer who wrote the 20 Best Luggage Brands story for Esquire. Jonathan Evans is the style director of Esquire. We appreciate their input.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as GPS trackers for cars, OBD-II scanners, and electric-car chargers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.

Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. We're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.

Jon Langston is an avid motorcyclist and gear collector whose work has appeared in Men’s Journal, Cycle World, The Drive, Rider, Iron & Air, Motorcyclist, and more.

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