The Ultimate Guide: 20 Best Suitcase Brands for Every Traveler
Choosing the right suitcase can make or break a trip. From navigating bustling airports to enduring countless baggage carousel rides, your luggage needs to be a reliable companion. With a plethora of brands promising durability, style, and functionality, finding the perfect match can be overwhelming. To help you on your next adventure, we've compiled a list of 20 of the best suitcase brands for every type of traveler.
Whether you're a frequent flyer seeking a lifetime warranty, a budget-conscious explorer, or a luxury connoisseur, this guide has you covered.
Premium & Luxury Picks (Investment-Worthy)
For those who prioritize top-tier craftsmanship, innovative features, and a sophisticated aesthetic, these brands deliver an unparalleled travel experience.
RIMOWA: A true icon in luxury luggage, known for its distinctive aluminum and polycarbonate cases. Rimowa offers exceptional durability, precision handling, and a minimalist design. While a splurge, their pieces are built to last.
Tumi: Renowned for its premium quality, innovative design, and exceptional durability. Tumi luggage often features robust materials, smart organizational systems, and excellent customer service, making it a favorite among business travelers.
Briggs & Riley: Famous for their "Simple as that" lifetime guarantee, which even covers airline damage. Briggs & Riley luggage is built with robust materials and smart features, making it a favorite for frequent travelers seeking peace of mind.
Victorinox: The maker of the original Swiss Army Knife also crafts highly durable and well-designed luggage. Victorinox bags are known for their robust construction, smooth-rolling wheels, and thoughtful organization.
Monos: A newer brand that has quickly gained a reputation for its minimalist aesthetic, durable polycarbonate shells, and silent-run wheels. Monos offers a lifetime warranty, emphasizing their commitment to quality and sustainability.
Carl Friedrik: These sleek, vault-like suitcases are designed for the modern, discerning traveler. Carl Friedrik combines elegant design with high-quality materials for a truly luxurious feel.
Globe-Trotter: Steeped in history and classic design, Globe-Trotter offers handmade vulcanized fiberboard cases that evoke a bygone era of elegant travel. They are a statement piece for those who appreciate heritage and unique style.
Mid-Range & Popular Favorites (Balancing Value & Performance)
These brands strike an excellent balance between quality, features, and price, making them popular choices for a wide range of travelers.
Samsonite: A global leader in luggage, Samsonite offers a vast range of styles, designs, and price points. Known for its durability, lightweight options, and spacious interiors, it's a reliable choice for any journey.
Travelpro: A favorite among pilots and flight attendants, Travelpro is synonymous with durability, smooth maneuverability, and practical designs. Their "Worry-Free" lifetime warranty provides added confidence.
Away: With a cult following, Away luggage is recognized for its stylish hardshell cases, thoughtful internal compression systems, and an optional built-in portable charger. They offer a lifetime warranty on the shell, zippers, and wheels.
Delsey: A French brand known for its aesthetically pleasing and robust luggage. Delsey offers both hardside and softside options, often featuring unique security features and a stylish European flair.
Béis: Founded by Shay Mitchell, Béis focuses on blending fashion with functionality. Their luggage is trendy yet practical, with smart features designed to make travel easier and more organized.
Calpak: A California-based brand that offers great value in the mid-tier price range. Calpak luggage is known for its appealing designs, good durability, and various color options.
July: An Australian brand that offers customizable, lightweight, and durable luggage with a focus on vibrant colors and personalization. July bags are designed for effortless travel.
American Tourister: A subsidiary of Samsonite, American Tourister provides reliable and affordable luggage options. They are popular for their fun designs, variety of colors, and good value for money.
Budget-Friendly & Reliable Options (Practicality on a Dime)
For travelers who need dependable luggage without breaking the bank, these brands offer solid performance and good value.
Amazon Basics: A surprisingly reliable option for budget-conscious travelers, offering both hardside and softside luggage at very competitive prices. They are a good choice for occasional travel.
SwissGear: Known for its durable backpacks, SwissGear also produces sturdy and functional luggage. Their suitcases often feature practical compartments and robust construction for dependable use.
IT Luggage: This brand focuses on creating extremely lightweight luggage, allowing travelers to maximize their packing capacity without exceeding weight limits. They offer good quality at an accessible price point.
Specialty & Adventure-Ready (For the Off-the-Beaten-Path)
These brands cater to specific travel needs, such as outdoor adventures or specialized gear transport.
Osprey: While primarily known for its technical backpacks, Osprey also offers wheeled travel packs and duffels designed for adventure. Their luggage is durable, often feature-rich, and built for rugged conditions.
Eagle Creek: Specializing in durable and functional travel gear, Eagle Creek offers a range of luggage, including wheeled duffels and soft-sided cases. They are known for their robust construction and commitment to sustainability.
Choosing Your Perfect Suitcase
When selecting your next suitcase, consider these factors:
Type of Travel: Frequent business trips may require different features than a leisurely vacation or an adventure expedition.
Material: Hardside (polycarbonate, aluminum) offers better protection, while softside (nylon, polyester) is more flexible and often has external pockets.
Size: Carry-on, checked, or duffel – choose based on trip length and airline restrictions.
Wheels: Spinner wheels (360-degree rotation) offer easy maneuverability, while two-wheel rollaboards are often more durable on uneven surfaces.
Warranty: Brands with strong warranties (like Briggs & Riley, Monos, Away, Travelpro) provide long-term peace of mind.
Features: Look for thoughtful extras like TSA-approved locks, compression straps, organizational pockets, and expandable compartments.
No matter where your journeys take you, investing in quality luggage from a reputable brand will ensure your belongings are protected and your travels are as smooth as possible. Happy travels!
