Best Luggage of 2024 for Every Kind of Trip

best-luggage-of-2024-for-every-kind-of-trip

Remember when shopping for the best luggage was as simple as borrowing an archaic wheeled contraption from family or friends, dusting it off, and calling it a day? In recent years, both classic brands (Tumi, Delsey) and newcomers to the suitcase scene (Dagne Dover, Away) have seriously upped the packing ante. Now, the best carry-on luggage, larger checked suitcases, and even carry-on backpacks have phone chargers, USB plugs, keychain doodads, TSA-friendly locks, and countless zipped compartments to stash all your travel accessories, allowing you to find your ideal match for any kind of getaway, be it one of the best vacations in the U.S., a weekend staycation in the country’s best hotels, or crossing off a bucket-list getaway to the best golf courses in the U.S. or best ski resorts in the U.S.

For the 2024 Men’s Journal Travel Awards, we rounded up the best luggage picks across several categories, including best carry-on luggage overall, best weekender bag, best luggage for international travel, and more to match your travel needs.

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Among the best luggage on the market, Rollink Flex 360° Spinner scores highly across all metrics on our list, earning itself the No. 1 spot for its impact-resistant, ultra-durable hard shell; practically silent 360-degree spinner wheels; and a collapsible design that crams into even the smallest slivers of space—great for apartment-dwellers. Keep reading for more of this year’s standouts.

Best Carry-On Luggage Overall: Rollink Flex 360° Spinner Rollink Flex 360 Spinner is our pick for the best carry-on luggage overall due to its ability to be compressed and expanded.

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Available in a host of colors, we appreciate that Rollink Flex 360° Spinner comes in four sizes (carry-on, international carry-on, medium checked, and large checked) to suit a range of scenarios. The biggest draw for this smartly designed bag is the fact it’s up to 75 percent thinner than the average suitcase, thanks to its collapsible structure, which makes storage a breeze. There’s even an adjustable band you can place around the collapsed luggage to make sure it maintains its svelte shape. Despite its lay-flat storage mode, this lightweight suitcase (the carry-on is just over six pounds with an impressive 40-liter packing volume) lets you cram a whole lot in the elegantly laid-out interior, complete with several pockets. Other perks include a water-resistant exterior, built-in TSA-approved lock, and five-year warranty. If you’re seeking the best carry-on luggage of 2024, this is it.

Dimensions: 22’’ x 14’’ x 9’’

$249 at rollink
$258 at amazon

Best Travel Backpack: Nemo Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack Nemo Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is our pick for the best travel backpack due to its thoughtful array of pockets, compartments, and internal organization.

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Nemo Vantage Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is a new, fully recyclable travel backpack that’s so durable “it’s designed to stay out of the landfill forever,” according to its proud makers. The abrasion- and water-resistant daypack comes in 20L, 26L, or 30L sizes, all with a moisture-wicking foam alternative for padding and a lifetime warranty. The cushioning is body mapped to sweaty areas, which comes in handy on hot hiking days. Flush with pockets and the like, it includes a large, expanding stash pocket; a tech compartment with an internal sleeve; a hidden security pocket; and an internal zippered organization pocket. Choose between Chai (shown) and Black.

$200 at amazon
$180 at nemo

Best Checked Luggage: Delsey Paris Raspail Large Wheeled Duffel Delsey Paris Raspail Large Wheeled Duffel is a standout among the best checked luggage for its lightweight profile (6.59 pounds) but tremendous volume capacity (71 liters).

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If you’re a chronic overpacker, you don’t need to change your travel personality; you need to change your checked luggage. Established in 1946, Delsey Paris knows big luggage. The brand’s Raspail Large Wheeled Duffel knocks it out of the park for its double punch of being both lightweight and able to hold a heck of a lot of stuff. Want numbers? The bag weighs all of just 6.59 pounds and can hold up to 71 liters of the stuff you know you can’t live without. Water-resistant and fashioned with the company’s patented Securitech (billing itself as being three times more resistant to break-ins than a standard zipper), the duffel’s fabric and lining are made with 38 recycled plastic bottles. In addition to two zippered pockets on the outside and a bonus pouch near the handle, the bag includes a huge interior pocket with two equal sized compartments for gearheads and fashion hounds to relish. It’s some of the best checked luggage you can buy.

Dimensions: 28.75″ x 14″ x 12″ 

$170 at delsey paris
$99 at amazon

Best Hardside Luggage: Away The Large Aluminum Edition Away The Large: Aluminum Edition is our pick for the best hardside luggage. We love the character the bag earns over time (e.g. dings and scratches).

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If you travel with lots of gear, bless your travels with this behemoth. Away The Large is the brand’s largest suitcase—the best hardside luggage to add to your checked collection. For one thing, its aluminum hard shell means it will be your friend on the road for years to come. Secondly, its 360-degree spinner wheels help you navigate the hefty piece with ease throughout train platforms and airports. The interior boasts Away’s signature compression system and hidden laundry bag. Just note its aluminum construction celebrates dings and scratches, treating them like stamps on a passport. If you want your suitcase to stay pristine, this may not be the one for you.

Dimensions: 29″ x 20.5″ x 12.5″

$745 at away

Best Weekender Bag: Away The Weekender Away The Weekender Bag is the best weekender bag for its full-length zipper that clamshells the bag open for seamless packing.

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Most travelers are on a lifelong quest to find the best weekender bag that holds just the right amount of stuff without being too bulky or compact. That search ends with Away’s fan-favorite Weekender—the largest in its best-selling bags line with a full wrap-around zip opening. Thoughtful specs include a water-resistant material, a 15-inch laptop pocket, and a detachable padded shoulder strap, in addition to top handles and a trolley sleeve for attaching to your wheeled luggage. An additional $35 lets you personalize your baggage with a monogram in the placement, color, and style of your choice.

Dimensions: 20.9″ x 11.8″ x 9.4″

$245 at away

Best Travel Bag: Dagne Dover Oslo Slim Laptop Bag Dagne Dover Oslo Slim Laptop Bag is our pick for the best travel bag due to its padded shoulder strap and dedicated laptop storage.

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Think of the best travel bag as the sidekick to the best carry-on luggage; it serves as your personal item to safely hold your laptop, a slim notepad, and travel accessories like earbuds and hand sanitizer. Dagne Dover Oslo Slim Laptop Bag is sharply designed. Fabricated from 100 percent recycled materials, this stylish bag features an exterior phone and passport pocket for quick access, a key leash (no more digging for ‘em), and an interior laptop padded pocket. If you’re traveling with a roller bag, the built-in luggage sleeve is a nice design detail. The bags padded shoulder strap is also clutch for long days on the go.

Dimensions: 15.25” x 1.75” x 10.5”

$155 at dagne dover

Best Travel Duffel Bag: Designed By D’Amour “Alex” Navy Blue Vegan Leather Duffel Bag Designed By D’Amour “Alex” Navy Blue Vegan Leather Duffel Bag

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The best travel duffel bag should turn heads, not just be a functional carry-all. “Alex” Navy Blue Vegan Leather Duffel Bag, a handmade piece by seamstress and designer Zon D’amour, does just that. Users will appreciate its savvy construction, complete with two zippered pockets and a removable shoulder strap, as well as plenty of interior space to pack everything needed for an overnight or weekend trip. Thanks to the use of vegan leather, this Black-owned business’ line of duffels are all cruelty-free.

Dimensions: 18″ x 14″

$360 at designed by d'amour

Best Convertible Travel Bag: Nomatic Travel Pack Nomatic Travel Pack

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For serious versatility, look no further than Nomatic Travel Pack, available in both 14- and 20-liter versions (with the former expandable to 21 liters..

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