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14 Types of Travel Bags to Help You Deal with Your Baggage

I’m fortunate enough that I get to travel a ton for my job. And, I’ve learned a thing or two about the importance of a sturdy, easy-to-carry, trip appropriate travel bag. Sometimes that means packing a rolling suitcase, and sometimes it means relying on a backpack. There are many different types of travel bags and the best one you choose depends on your trip.

Here’s why: If you’re traveling to NYC, you’ll quickly discover there’s nothing worse than lugging a 50-pound suitcase up and down subway steps, only to realize you’re on the wrong side of the tracks and have to do it all over again. How are you supposed to take hot pics of yourself in front of an old church looking like you just fell into a swamp?

Below, I’ll share with you the 14 different types of luggage you could bring with you so you can pick the best travel companion for your journey. We’ll never let you be that girl lugging a travel trunk up that charming hostel with a six-story walkup again.

Types of Travel Bags

• Travel pack (Backpack)
• Wheeled Backpack
• Travel Totes
• Duffel Bags / Weekender
• Rolling Duffel Bags
• Rolling Luggage
• Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
• Messenger Bag
• Garment Bag
• Vintage Suitcase
• Travel Trunk

1. Travel Pack / Backpack

Pros: They’re durable, easy to carry, and fit in the overhead compartment so you don’t have to worry about checking a bag .

Cons: When full, a backpack can be tough on your shoulders, so make sure you find one with padded shoulder straps. It can also be harder to find items in a backpack, which is why I prefer built-in organized backpacks like this one from Tortuga. It’ll help prevent you from pulling out your dirty underwear in the middle of the airport to find your flip flops.

Best for: Backpacking, camping, road trips, and places without roads.

2. Wheeled Backpack

Pros: A wheeled backpack, on the other hand, gives you the compact ease of a traditional backpack but you get the option to roll it around like a suitcase. (You can also throw a rolling backpack on your back if you’re on a dirt road or roaming around the forest like some kind of wanderlust meerkat).

Cons: Rolling backpacks are not as flexible as a traditional backpack. It can feel uncomfortable if you’re lugging it up a cliff or mountain.

Best for: A trip where you’ll be mostly in the city but you might spend a few days in the country discovering yourself.

3. Travel Tote

Pros: They’re oversized enough to take all your necessities (wallet, change of clothes, sunscreen, snacks, snacks, snacks), but small enough that you’re not rolling up to your out-of-town work meeting holding a small horse.

Cons: Most totes lack internal organization, so you might be doing a lot of digging for treasure. Ooh look, a mint!

Best for: Short trips, the gym, a day trip, or even a weekend trip if you’re a light packer.

4. Duffel Bag / Weekender

Pros: As a carry-on, duffel bags are a lot more convenient than lugging around a clunky suitcase (especially if you’re going to be walking on uneven surfaces like cobblestone).

Cons: Many don’t lock, which can be a downside if you’re going to be staying in public places like a hostel. They can easily become disorganized, and they’re also a bit difficult to carry for long distances.

Best for: A weekend trip, day trip, short trip, or a type of trip rolling luggage would be a pain to use. They’re also spacious and open if you have oddly shaped belongings to transport, like shoes, sports equipment, or a dead body.

5. Rolling Duffel Bags

Pros: Rolling duffel bags are more spacious than duffel bags and you can roll them all over town. Particularly so if “town” is really an airport.

Cons: They’re more expensive than traditional duffels, and can be annoying to transport up and down stairs.

Best for: People who hate carrying things! Or if you have tense shoulders, a bad back, or strained anything.

6. Rolling Luggage

Pros: They come in all sizes, are pretty durable, and are designed for the basic traveler. Here, we mean basic like a good pair of jean s, not dating a DJ from Croatia basic.

Cons: Pulling a bag behind you can put pressure on your joints and wrists, and be pretty uncomfortable if you’ve got to haul it a long distance.

Best for: Rugged trips and different types of terrain. Because the wheels are fixed, it’s probably not going to get caught on rocks or cracks. You can practically pull a roller bag over anything.

7. Hardside Bags with Spinner Wheels

Pros: The spinner wheels are great for easy transport that’s softer on your joints and muscles, and usually feel way lighter than pulling soft luggage. No, that’s not a euphemism.

Cons: Hardside bags aren’t as flexible as soft luggage, and some people don’t like that you have to pack the two halves individually. They also don’t stack easily or squish into small spaces.

Best for: Staying organized, protecting sensitive and fragile items, and rainy and snowy weather!

8. Messenger Bag

Pros: Messenger bags are great for easily accessing your items since they lay across your lower back or side, and are usually secured with a buckle, clasp, or zipper.

Cons: They don’t distribute weight across your body as well as traditional backpacks, which can be tiresome if you’re shlepping a bunch of textbooks.

Best for: People who bike or want a less pretentious briefcase. They’re also great if you work on the Pony Express and like to drink out of old glass milk bottles.

9. Laptop Bags

Pros: Laptop bags make it easy to carry all your necessities and your laptop to the coffeeshop so you can get away from your roommates and get some work done.

Cons: It’s another thing to carry if you’re also traveling with a suitcase. If you need a travel bag with a protective laptop sleeve, I like the Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket .

Best for : Work trips or taking your computer around town.

10. Dopp Kit

Pros: It looks a lot slicker than that quart-sized plastic bag you’ve been using.

Cons: Sometimes things can leak or spill everywhere. (We’re looking at you, glitter eyeshadow.) Make sure you choose a waterproof Dopp kit like this one .

Best for: All types of travel. You need to floss wherever you go. Your dentist always knows when you haven’t been flossing and she is scary and has access to sharp tools.

11. Garment Bag

Pros: Using a garment bag is also a lot classier than holding up your meeting because you’re trying to get the wrinkles out of your pencil skirt using the shower steam in the hotel bathroom.

Cons: They can be quite annoying to carry around, and often aren’t long enough for long dresses or coats. Make sure it fits the airline’s carry-on requirements so you don’t risk having the bag guy throwing your wedding dress under Fido’s cage.

Best for: Work trips, event trips like weddings or reunions, and protecting finer clothes from wrinkling, dust, dirt, and odors.

12. Fanny Pack

Pros: Fanny packs are awesome and anyone who tells you otherwise hates joy.

Drawbacks: Some people think they look stupid and to those people I say, “who hurt you?”

Best for: Protecting your valuables. That thief is gonna have to come awfully close to your nether region in order to steal your wallet, so they’re a lot more reliable than pockets or even purses. They also leave your hands free so you can enjoy all the street food snacks you want.

13. Vintage Suitcase

Pros: They look cool and they’re a great gift if you’re dating a dude who has a handlebar mustache and shaves with a knife.

Cons: They’re easier to damage (and usually already come with some damage, which I’m sure you can’t relate to at all). You probably wouldn’t want to take this suitcase with you on long trips or up, like, Mount Fuji.

Best for: Those more interested in style, looks, and fashion over durability and functionality. It’s like having a portable antique that’ll make your journey feel a little extra special. Oh, who are we kidding? This is really just best for your Instagram .

14. Travel Trunk

Pros: It looks like you’re opening up a treasure chest full of riches every time you use it. Only in this case your riches are your old 7th grade journals and a retainer.

Cons: Some trunks can be quite large, bulky, and clunky to move on your own. You might need help carrying it.

Best for: If you’re studying or working abroad for a while, a travel trunk is one way to transport all your valuables and clothes with ease. Plus, many can be padlocked shut if need to protect your valuables or are obsessed with Houdini.

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12 Different Types of Travel Bags

Posted on Published: July 22, 2021  - Last updated: February 10, 2022

People are traveling more than ever before.  The luggage market value is expected to skyrocket from 16 billion In 2020 to 23.1 billion dollars in 2025 . With the availability of many different types of travel bags, you can be sure to add some organization and convenience when traveling.

That could mean packing a rolling suitcase, a small bucket bag, or simply rolling a backpack depending on your traveling needs.

The travel bag you choose should fit your desired style, weight, and convenience. With so many varieties to choose from, choosing a travel bag that will allow you to travel freely without worrying about your valuables is a critical exercise.

If you’re having difficulty finding the right travel bag, here is a list of 12 different bags for different travel needs.

1. Travel Backpack

Also known as a travel pack, the travel backpack is an extremely popular travel bag among backpackers. This hiking backpack has a similar structure to the regular rucksack only that it has extra features such as hip belts, zip shoulder straps, and different compartments to keep your valuables.

Suitable for?

Backpackers, campers, and road trip enthusiasts who are looking to travel light on areas without roads. Also great for children, so they don’t strain their hands.

• Easy to carry, especially when climbing hills and stairs.
• Even distribution of weight on both shoulders makes them comfortable all through.
• It can strain your back which may affect your posture if you carry too much load.
• If the shoulder straps are not padded, you may experience inflammation and discomfort, especially if the bag is too heavy.

2. Wheeled Backpack

The wheeled backpack or rolling backpack is an excellent option for backpackers with heavy luggage. Wheeled backpacks are generally spacious and can carry more items than the regular backpack as they are portable.

This traveling bag is more preferred for its versatility. It is fitted with wheels and shoulder straps for different terrains. You can drag them at the airport and carry them when maneuvering through thick crowds.

Travelers going far but not for too long, who may need to use airports, roads, and other areas to access their traveling destinations.

• Travelers can carry or drag the bag comfortably regardless of where they are.
• They are made of more rigid materials to enhance durability.
• Wheeled backpacks can be uncomfortable to carry with your back, especially on rough roads or places you cannot drag them as they’re heavier and bigger from the added wheels and frame.

3. Wheeled Luggage bag/Suitcase

The wheeled luggage bag or roller bag is the softside luggage type and one of the most traditional forms of luggage. The rolling luggage has two or four wheels on the lower side and is pulled by a retractable top handle. The most common type of wheeled luggage bag is made of ballistic nylon. They are usually available in all sizes and are easy to pull around concrete and other flat areas.

Travelers planning to shop and bring things home or those who have a lot of things to pack, especially clothes, and don’t want to strain their arms carrying them around.

• They come in different sizes, including small luggage bags for children.
• They are pretty durable as they are designed for basic traveling
• Pulling a heavy bag behind you puts pressure on your wrists and joints, especially if you are doing it for a long distance.
• Pulling around rough surfaces is possible but quite a task
• The wheeled luggage bag can attract baggage fees depending on how heavy it is and the airline you are using.

4. Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels

When you want to upgrade your wheeled luggage bag, you will likely land at the hard side luggage bag with spinner wheels. This bag makes traveling more comfortable and convenient as rolling the bag is easy.

Most options allow you to use packing cubes for additional organization.  The surface is made of tough tarpaulin, a combination of nylon and polyester, and ABS plastic. This makes them weather-resistant and durable compared to other travel bags.

Campers looking to enjoy staying out in the wild for many days while trying to keep their luggage organized and protected from elements.

• They come in different sizes and are organized into compartments for keeping different items.
• They are more durable than other bags as they are made of rigid material.
• The spinner wheels also make moving on rough roads easier.
• Storing them can be hectic as their shape cannot be altered or folded.

5. Duffel Bag / Weekender

Also known as the duffle bag or weekender bag, the duffel bag is typically a large cylindrical-shaped bag made of canvas or leather. This weekend bag allows you to take everything you need for your weekend getaways, such as toiletries, clothing, and other basic travel essentials. Most bags have straps to help you carry the bag in different ways, such as your back, hands, or shoulders.

Sports travelers and gym enthusiasts like to bring their sports equipment with them. It is also a great traveling companion for a day or weekend trip.

• Can be a perfect gym bag as it’s spacious, stylish, and convenient for people looking to carry big items like sports equipment.
• They are flexible as they can be carried in different ways. The bag also comes with extra zippered pockets.
• Not ideal for lengthy trekking trips as it can put a strain on your hands and shoulders.
• It can quickly become disorganized, especially if you are using them in public places.

6. Wheeled Duffel Bag

If you are looking for a portable duffel bag, the wheeled duffel bag may be the perfect choice for you.  It is also referred to as a rolling duffel bag. This bag has the same features as the typical duffel bag, only that it can be bigger and more durable. It also has a distinct feature-spinner wheel that makes it easy to pull as you move.

Perfect for travelers who enjoy traveling with duffel bags but want the ease of movement.

• It can carry large and odd-shaped equipment and gear.
• They are spacious, stylish, and durable.  If you are traveling with children, you can go for smaller bags.
• Storing them can be an issue as they cannot be squeezed or folded up easily.
• Rolling them up the stairs or rough terrain can be problematic when loaded.

7. Messenger Bag

Popularly known as courier bags or shoulder bags, the messenger bag was initially used by messengers to carry documents for delivery. Today, the bag can be used in different ways, including traveling and fashion purses.

They are small, simple bags that can be carried by strapping them across your shoulder.  Sometimes they can be complicated with one big pocket and smaller external pockets for extra items. The complicated type can also be used as a camera bag.

Travelers who want to carry less bulky items or bikers who want to keep things compact. Just make sure the luggage is at the required level to avoid straining.

• Offer easy access to your items because you simply need to swing the bag around and reach for what you want
• They are more formal than backpacks and ideal for travelers looking to minimize their load.
• They are acceptable in most professional environments.
• A messenger bag is also considered safer than most small bags as you only need to hold it tighter in dangerous situations.
• It can put a strain on your shoulders if you carry heavy items for too long as they don’t distribute weight evenly.

8. Travel Tote

A travel tote bag is a type of shoulder bag with two parallel straps on both sides used mainly by women, but the market now includes unisex varieties. The tote bag has not been on the list of travel bags until recently when it was added to the small travel bag category.  Travel totes can be carried with one shoulder or around your neck. 

Fashion travelers looking to take short trips without compromising their fashion. The traveling bag can also be used by light packers or anyone taking a day trip.

• Best for fashion enthusiasts as they can easily complement any style.
• It has enough space to carry most of your necessities, such as a change of clothes, sunscreen, snacks, wallet, and cell phone.
• A travel tote doesn’t have an internal organization. You end up wasting a lot of time finding stuff at the airport or other public areas.
• Not ideal for carrying large un-foldable items like shoes.

9. Travel Laptop Bag/Laptop Case

Business, conference attendees, and most commercial and recreational travelers can go for laptop bags to keep laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices that will be needed in their destinations.

It is a simple bag with a single shoulder strap, but you can still find others with multiple straps. The back can keep your devices safe and scratch-free and comes with a zippered inner compartment for your gadgets and an extra interior compartment for your computer accessories.

Travelers who need a dedicated laptop compartment.

• They make traveling with gadgets easy and organized
• They are portable, which means you can carry everything you need and stop by any coffee shop to get your tasks done.
• It is a small bag which means extra luggage, especially if you need to bring a rolling suitcase along.

10. Garment Bag

From its name, a garment bag is typically used to transport nice clothing, dresses, jackets, and suits to avoid getting them dusty, smelly, dirty, or wrinkled. This traveling bag can be a great option if you want to travel in style, or you probably won’t have enough time to wash or iron your clothes due to your busy travel or business schedule.

Fashion travelers, business travelers, and event managers planning events like weddings. It is also ideal for travelers who are looking to protect their finer clothing from dirt or wrinkles.

• Despite the length of your journey, the garment bag keeps your clothes in the same condition.
• It also comes with a shoe and bag compartment to complete different looks.
• It’s more convenient to carry the garment bag instead of a smaller bag with an iron box, especially for a traveler dealing with many clothes.
• They’re not the easiest to carry around.
• They’re not always long enough for long dresses and coats.
• Some airlines don’t allow garment bags

11. Bucket bag

The bucket bag gained its name from the bucket shape it takes once full. It is similar to the hobo bag but roomier inside with an open top and a wide, flat, oval, or round bottom. This type of traveling bag can sit upright without toppling over due to its shape.

The market offers different designs and sizes to suit individual travel needs. These bags can also be carried as backpacks or as tote bags, depending on the design. The average bag is big enough to fit all your essentials, including clothes, a few toiletries, and your phone.

Tote back fanatics and travelers looking to travel with minimal luggage. It is also a better alternative for backpackers with fewer items to carry or those who want some change.

• They feature a drawstring closure which makes it easy to open, get what you want, and close.
• They are made of different materials for durability, such as leather.
• The drawstring can open unintentionally without your knowledge, leading to loss of items.
• Not easy to stay organized
• You might lose small items like coins, flash disks, and pins when you bend over or mistakenly put the bag upside down if the drawstrings are not tightly drawn.

12. Dopp Kit

The Dopp Kit is a large soft pouch similar to a saddle bag with a single open pocket that can be used to keep your toiletries. The interior may contain other small compartments to keep your toothbrush, shampoo, or soap.

Any type of traveler. You will always need toiletries to maintain personal hygiene even as you travel. The bag helps keep them organized.

• It helps you look more stylish and organized than wrapping your toiletries in a polythene bag or throwing them haphazardly next to your clothes.
• When opened suddenly, the Dopp Kit can spill contents, which can  easily mess your trip

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Matt Jancer

The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You’re Headed

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Soft-Shell Bag Travelpro Crew Versapack Read more

Best Hard-Shell Bag Away Bigger Carry-On Flex Read more

Best Budget Bag Travelpro Maxlite 5 Read more

Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Read more

Travel bags live a rough life, and good luggage can be expensive. But paying for a decent bag means buying a little peace of mind. A few yards of zippers and either hard plastic or nylon are the only barriers between your bag and the belly of an airliner, the conveyor belt of a baggage claim, and the trunk of a car. In our luggage testing, we put a lot of focus on luggage that's lightweight, rolls easily or fits comfortably on your back, and doesn't split open on the way to your destination.

Whether you're slinging a duffel into a car trunk for a weekend trip or packing for a whirlwind jaunt across Asia, we've got you covered. Need a bag for your passport or groceries? Don't forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags , for more picks.

Updated November 2023: We’ve updated pricing and retailer availability, as well as added the Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel, Target Signature Weekender Bag, and Db Ramverk Pro Front-Access Carry.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best Soft-Shell Bag

The Travelpro Versapack bag consists of modules that zip into the lid of its main compartment. It comes with a single compartment module that's good for separating dirty laundry and others are available separately. There is one that folds into thirds to keep suits and shirts wrinkle-free and another made of several small compartments. It has a sealed, clear-plastic pocket for toiletries that’s removable if you have to go through a security screening.

The Crew Versapack is heavy at 7.9 pounds for the roll-aboard version. There are lots of pockets, and the handles are nicely padded, securely attached, and … kind of tight. The aluminum handle extensions are solid, smooth, and don’t get hung up. It's heavy but very tough and full-featured.

I also give points to Travelpro for adding a pocket for a battery bank, with a pass-through for a cable. You can buy a portable battery and stuff it in there.

Best Hard-Shell Bag

Away's newest bag is a version of its stalwart hard-sided Bigger Carry-On, with a twist: It has an expandable fabric section between the two polycarbonate clamshells that lets you grow your bag an extra 2.25 inches when you're coming back from a trip with tons of extra trinkets.

Hard-shell bags tend to be unforgiving when you need to cram extra stuff into them, so the flexibility was nice and helpful for wedging it into overhead bins. There's a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from the rest of your stuff.

Best Budget Bag

The Maxlite 5 is good but not perfect. At 5.4 pounds, it's very light for a rolling suitcase. The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids and the zippers are also quite strong and don't tend to get stuck, which is a big problem with cheap suitcases. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Cheaper suitcase manufacturers will skimp on the wheels and pick ones that have too much rolling resistance.

The aluminum extensions for the handle have a tendency to stick, and the Maxlite 5's main handle is only single-stitched. I also worry about the durability of that handle and the fabric slit at the bottom of the suitcase that replaced the Maxlite 4's bottom-side handle, but we haven't had any issues yet. Despite this, it's made better than most everything else in the $100 - $150 price range.

Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell

A Briggs & Riley carry-on was WIRED editor Adrienne So's first and super expensive post-college purchase. Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. She recently had to replace a busted zipper, and it was done for free at a nearby B&R retailer within a few days.

Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant, and Adrienne's is still as gleaming bright red today as when she bought it. The zippers have survived a decade of being yanked on, and the low-profile wheels haven't broken or fallen off. The grab handles are also luxuriously padded. Back when people used to travel, her husband had her carry his suits for him because they'd stay wrinkle-free. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.

Estelle Erasmus

Christopher Null

Nena Farrell

Adrienne So

Most Luxurious Hard Shell

Aluminum suitcases usually cost into the four figures. Away's suitcase is not what I'd call affordable, but it is attainable ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ).

The metal is thick, and the fixtures are solid; Away didn't cheap out on the materials. Two organizer panels inside keep your stuff from shifting around, and there's a stowable interior laundry bag to keep dirty clothes off your clean clothes. There's also an option for an integrated power bank that's accessible through a flip-up door near the handle. The battery only costs $20, so you may as well get it if you don't have one.

An aluminum bag will dent and scratch over time, and you should accept that before you splash down big money on one. You may be able to baby it a little more if you never check it, but it's unlikely that you'll make it more than a few trips with it looking minty new. Then again, I agree with Away that a dinged-up and well-traveled bag ends up looking pretty sweet.

Best Duffel Bag

The Big Haul ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite duffel because it hits the right balance of robust build materials and pockets without being too heavy to lug around all day. The standout feature of the Big Haul series, which comes in 28-liter to 120-liter options, is the ability to easily reposition the carrying straps, which feature plastic fishhook-style ends that slip into fabric loops. You can connect one strap end-to-end or double up on two straps in an H pattern for more stability with heavy loads. Adding and removing the straps isn't super fast, but it's not difficult, either, and six low-profile loops seems less intrusive than six rattling plastic buckles.

Two small interior pockets and an exterior pocket keep small things organized, and its water-resistant fabric is thick and tough without being stiff. All the sewing around the grab handles feels very robust too. Padded backpack straps hide away under a padded pocket on the top of the bag. This means that when you sling the Big Haul over your shoulders to give your arms a rest, your back is against the relatively clean top of the duffel, rather than a wet, dirty bottom side that's been set down on the ground. The current iteration of the Big Haul is also made with recycled nylon. What's not to love?

An Absolutely Rugged Bag

I've been trying to ruin my PR5 for almost a decade. It's my standard traveling bag, whether I'm taking it through an airport for a weekend trip or hauling a bunch of gear to a dirty base camp. I've used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast. I've tossed pointy, pokey things like ice axes and trekking poles into it and overloaded it beyond a reasonable weight; I still can't find a frayed thread.

Everything about Red Oxx is overbuilt. The zippers are huge, its thick pieces of nylon webbing are robustly sewn, and chunky metal rings hang the detachable carrying strap. All that said, it's not abominably heavy. At 3.4 pounds it's still lighter than many wheeled bags.

A Solid Wheeled Duffel

Wheeled duffels are a bit odd, but if done right, they're the best of both worlds. With this model, you get the ability to cram its soft sides into tight spaces and also have a frame and hardware that can support a heavy load without flopping all over the place.

It weighs only 4 pounds, 14 ounces, making it a lot lighter than any rolling suitcase, but it also has about a quarter less storage space. The Gear Warrior has been going in and out of stock lately, but if you find it sold out, it should become available again soon.

Other Bags We Like

Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we've tested that get our thumbs-up and deserve a mention.

The North Face Base Camp for $129 : Unlike most duffel bags these days, this is a cylindrical duffel bag. If you're a folder, it can be difficult to keep everything straight and wrinkle-free as you pack it into the Base Camp's curved bottom, but those who roll their clothes won't have any problems. I compared the Base Camp ( 6/10, WIRED Reviews ) to a sturdy, old truck, more than competent enough for tough jobs but lacking in finer details of more modern bags. It's a workhorse used often by the outdoors crowd, so while the water-resistant fabric and the handles are durable, they just don't feel as nice to the touch.

Patagonia Black Hole 40L for $159 : This is another great adventure duffel with a water-resistant fabric coating and backpack straps. It's It's 1.5 inches too thick in one dimension for US domestic carry-on requirements and could have a bit more waterproof material. But it's a duffel, so you can squish it to fit in an overhead bin.

Tom Binh Aeronaut 45 Duffel for $330 : It's tough to find a made-in-the-US bag these days, but as long as you're willing to pony up the extra coin, you'll find it in this Seattle-made, carry-on-size duffel. WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar applauded the sturdiness of the 1050-denier nylon fabric and YKK zippers, which held up well on tough streets and even tougher airlines over the 10 years he's been using it. There are hideaway backpack straps, plus what Martin calls the most comfortable cross-body strap he's ever used.

Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140 : This one impressed me. It weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. It's not quite as burly as the Base Camp, Big Haul, and Red Oxx bags, and it lacks triple-stitching, but it feels tougher than most, including the Eagle Creek below. There's an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don't tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I've encountered on a duffel. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.

Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel for $90 $180 : Most duffel bags these days are made of nylon, and while it's tough to call a material that's been popular since the 1940s “modern,” nylon bags don't have the old-school charm that this waxed canvas bag does. Cotton canvas, covered in wax for water resistance, is offset with leather. It feels well-made, with durable stitching, chunky leather handles, and burlier-than-typical zippers. The internal zippered pocket is a nice touch, as well.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149 : Two things jump out about the Cargo Hauler. First, it weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. Second, it has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket. It's less heavy-duty than the other duffels in this guide, but it doesn't feel cheap.

Skyway Epic Carry-On for $80 : Bags under $100 are sometimes dodgy. At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is on the lighter end of average. While it's a fair bit cheaper than the Maxlite 5, our favorite budget bag, it's also a couple pounds heavier. The handle is a wee bit more finicky, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, for under $100, the Skyway's zippers and wheels were of fine quality. These are areas cheap bags usually skimp on. If you must spend less than $100 on a bag, the Epic is a solid choice.

Db Ramverk Pro Front-Access Carry for $699 : If you need an absolutely bomber-tough rolling suitcase and don't mind its 9.6-pound weight, the Pro Front-Access Carry will stand up to more abuse than most rolling bags, with its aluminum frame and 70-percent-recycled polycarbonate body. WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam says it's his favorite rolling bag in years, sold on its usefulness by what he calls its brilliantly simple front compartment that gives instant access to your stuff, without having to lay the bag flat. Add in a pull-up toggle that easily lifts your laptop clear without disturbing your other belongings and their multi-compartment camera inserts, and you've got a seriously versatile bag for active travelers.

Target Signature Weekender Bag for $81 : Looking like a cross between a duffel and a handbag, the Weekender has a structure that product reviewer Louryn Strampe says can become overfilled, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring it onto a plane as a carry-on. She appreciates its durability and the many internal pockets for organization, though, and its rather long five-year warranty.

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $365 : It's a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it's accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there's an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Upcycled Products guide.

July Checked Bag for $325 : This bag uses a polycarbonate shell with aluminum bumpers, striking a good compromise between weight and durability. It’s lighter than the 16-inch Monos checked bag that WIRED reviewer Adrienne So tested by about a pound, and it showed fewer scratches and rub marks on a trip. However, the Monos’ telescoping handle has a much smoother roll-out, and the surface is smooth, not pebbled.

Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200 : This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.

Adidas Defender Duffel for $40 : If you're looking for an inexpensive duffel that'll handle some light-duty traveling, this is a good way to save $100. The fabric is significantly thinner and less sturdy than that of other duffels in this guide, and it lacks backpack straps. If there's a chance you'll have to check it often, I'd look elsewhere. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.

Paravel Aviator International Carry-On for $395 : This carry-on has an interior lining made of recycled plastic bottles, a telescoping handle made of recycled aluminum, and vegan leather trim to help it stand out from all the plain black bags at the airport. Product reviewer Jaina Grey really fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.

Bags We Don't Like

Some bags just aren't worth the asking price, especially with so many good alternatives at all price points.

Peugeot Voyages Carry-On Spinner for $595 : What a price tag for a plastic-case suitcase. You can see where Peugeot tried to imbue the Voyages with some luxury, such as the metal riveting and built-in travel locks, but the case felt no more solid than a budget hardside bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal. For this kind of money, the telescoping handle felt cheap and flimsy. The wheels rolled particularly smoothly and quietly, and I'll give it a nod for the built-in locks and luxe interior that comes with a zippered clamshell and mesh pocket to keep your belongings from shifting around.

Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible International Carry-On for $469 : At 6 pounds, 2 ounces, this bag is a bit heavy. There's a zip-off 19-liter backpack that you can separate from the rest of the 37-liter bag, but when they're zipped together, the combined size doesn't meet carry-on size restrictions, so you need to separate them and carry them like a conventional duo of luggage and backpack onto the plane. Its soft sides offer little protection for your stuff, too.

Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200 : This one wasn't awful for the price, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases, so although I didn't break it during my use, I'd worry about its resistance to shattering if checked by an airline. The handle rattles a lot and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as other bags.

A Few Travel Accessories

Once you've got your bag, you'll want to pack it with a few more useful items:

Tripp One-Outlet Surge Protector for $10 protects your devices from power surges. Some countries have less reliable electrical infrastructure, and you never know how well that discount hotel's outlets are wired.

Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $30 keep everything inside your bags organized by allowing you to separate it into different cubes, so you won't ever have to hunt through seven pairs of socks to find your bathing suit again.

UrPower Portable Steamer for $24 (Click the Coupon) beats a travel iron because it's far lighter and you don't need to hunt down an ironing board at your hotel. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using UrPowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything. You just need to refill it often.

Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale for $15 is handy when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Use it to weigh your luggage and make sure it's within the weight limits. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even American airlines will be unforgiving about weight for checked bags.

Incase MacBook Sleeves for $50 will keep your laptop from bearing the damage caused by airport security lines. Travel through an airport without a case and it's only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. For tablets, check out the Zugu iPad Case for $50 .

Apple AirTag for $29 is something we have mixed thoughts on , but if you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. These Bluetooth trackers utilize the sheer number of smartphones to report their location regularly back to your device. Even if you don't plan on checking your bag, you might end up having to gate-check it on crowded flights. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination.

How to Pick the Right Size Bag

Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage. Broadly, they're split into two categories: domestic and international.

Domestic flights by US airlines (and a few others) have standardized on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

International carry-on bag sizes tend to be about 21 inches tall and a bit narrower, but they're all over the place. It's tough, because many international airlines will measure your bags at the airport and reject anything even slightly bigger than the allowed size. If you fly outside the US a lot, you may as well buy a bag sized for international flights.

You'll also want to check each airline's weight limits. They vary wildly, but some international airlines restrict you to 15 or 20 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. There are also East Asian airlines that limit carry-on bags to 11 pounds. Once you subtract 6 or more pounds for the bag, you're not left with much wiggle room to put stuff inside.

Two Wheels or Four?

The other difference is how many wheels a bag has. Two-wheeled roll-aboard bags are lighter than ones with four spinning wheels, have more room inside, and their wheels are larger and more durable than spinners. That could come in handy on cobblestone streets when you're heading to your hotel.

For carry-on sizes, I prefer roll-aboard bags. Any extra space in a carry-on is precious, and suitcases this small tend to be easy enough to maneuver without spinning wheels. Most of the rolling suitcases we recommend are available in either configuration, although spinners tend to cost more.

When to Remove Battery Banks

Battery banks, also known as power banks, are a travel must-have. Whether you're using a tablet to watch movies on your flight or relying on your phone to coordinate rideshares, hotel check-in, and handle your boarding passes, you've got to keep those devices charged and topped up. Many bags offer a removable battery bank that slides into a special pocket or notch of the suitcase.

For carry-on luggage on a flight in the US, you're allowed to bring a lithium-ion battery of 100 watt-hours or less. You don't need to remove it from the suitcase's pocket if you're storing your bag in the overhead bin.

Lithium-ion battery banks are not allowed in checked luggage. If you check your bag or have to gate-check it, make sure to remove the battery bank before you give your suitcase to the gate agent. Slip the battery bank into your purse, backpack, or pocket for the duration of the flight.

Primary testing was done by Matt Jancer. Adrienne So, Louryn Strampe, and Jaina Grey also contributed to this guide.

Medea Giordano

Scott Gilbertson

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NatureDiary » Blog » Travel Gear » Tips and Guides

Different Types of Travel Bags with Pros, Cons & Uses

The holiday season always commences the mood for getaways. Scheduling a vacation requires a lot of packaging to make the expedition more home-like and congenial. Different types of travel bags can help you pack your belongings by your preference and budget.

Travel bags are the most crucial aspect of travelling as they help carry belongings easily and keep them safe. Finding a well-built travel bag that is spacious enough to fit in all the travel essentials is truly a bonus. Various travel bags are available in the market- trolley bags, backpacks, daypacks, duffel bags, messenger bags, etc.

When buying, it is essential to take note of the material, durability, and purpose-filling value of the bag. This article will help you decide the right kind of travel buddy to purchase based on your budget, travel type, location, destination, etc.

1. Travel Backpack

A travel backpack is a type of bag designed to pack up all travel essentials. These backpacks are available in various sizes on the market, depending on the trip duration. Also, they are relatively cheaper than other types of travel bags.

The best travel backpacks in India come with segregated pockets and compartments, which assist with packing the luggage in an organized manner. As a result, the systematic arrangement of the bags also makes the items easier to find.

While travelling, opening and taking out necessary items from a travel backpack is more convenient than other travel bags. The spaciousness and affordability of the bags make them perfect for travel.

Best Use : Ideal for all kinds of travelling, including short weekend travel to hiking depending upon the capacity.

• Available at affordable prices.
• Systematically enables the simple packing of luggage .
• Convenient for adventure-based trips for 2-15 days.
• Travel backpacks are portable and lightweight.
• Various designs and colour choices are available.

Disadvantages

• Travel backpacks with an external or internal frame are weighty compared to frameless ones.
• Not suitable for carrying to school, college, or office.

2. Duffel/ weekender bag

These are cylindrical-shaped bags with thick drawstrings for support to the shoulders while travelling.

Duffle bags are compact to store your travel essentials for the weekend. For this reason, they are also known as weekender bags.

The Duffel or weekender bags make a good travel buddy as they are highly adaptable and durable. Moreover, these bags are very spacious and an excellent choice for storing bulkier items.

Best Use : Ideal for weekend travels or journeys by train, bus, or car.

• Effortless to pack and easy to carry.
• Duffel bags are voluminous with an extensive storage capacity.
• Robust quality that can withstand wear and tear during travelling on car, train, and bus.
• Easily endures the weight of heavy luggage.
• Carrying weight on a single side can cause shoulder, back, and neck aches.
• Lacks additional compartments for organized storage.

3. Rucksack/ Backpack for Trekking, Hiking, Camping

The rucksack or trekking/hiking/camping backpacks are lucrative voyage mates as they come with hip and chest belts that help secure them around the traveller’s body. The belt prevents the trekking bag from sliding off now and then and keeping it in a firm position. This is a massive bonus for travellers.

These travel bags are larger-sized backpacks that are fit for trekking, hiking, camping, etc. Such bags are for the stout-hearted globetrotters who lace their vacations with adventure.

To support the body on uneven trails, the best rucksack bags often come with an internal or external frame. While these frames add extra weight to the bag, you can also choose a frameless travel backpack for extra comfort.

Best Use : Ideal for climbing, hiking, trekking, camping, and adventure sports.

• These backpacks offer enormous storage for stacking up all trekking essentials required for the trip.
• Rucksacks are waterproof and portable.
• These bags have belts to get perfectly latched onto the body.
• You would not need to carry any other bag when carrying a trekking rucksack.
• Overfilling the bags can cause aches and discomfort to the user.
• They are costly compared to ordinary travel bags.

Also Read: Backpack vs Rucksack

4. Trolley bag

These are bags that come with wheels attached to their base. Trolley bags help with serving the effortless push-and-pull purpose to the users. They are of great use when the luggage is heavier.

The best quality trolley bags are very sturdy and can endure the weight of many items without the risk of breaking them. Trolley bags can mostly be seen at airports and railway stations.

Trolley bags are usually made of polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate or polyester . The presence of wheels makes them easier to glide along without using physical exertion to carry them.

Best Use: Railway and air travel without adventurous activities like trekking, or hiking.

• Trolley bags are excellent for travelling by air or train because of their compact design and easy storage facility.
• These travel bags can have enormous capacities to carry heavyweight luggage.
• Trolley bags are easy to carry and lock in a secure position.
• Most trolley bags have a giant compartment along with small pockets to accommodate all travel essentials.
• On rougher surfaces, the wheels can pose trouble by not gliding over smoothly.
• Trolley bags are a costly investment.

5. Laptop travel bags

These travel bags are explicitly crafted for carrying the laptop on a trip. They are available in different shapes depending on the laptop size.

One important feature of a travel laptop bag is that it comes with extra padding and cushioning to keep the laptop safe during the journey.

People find these bags suitable for travel as they are made essentially for storing laptops and their accessories, so the risk of the device getting mangled is minimal.

Best Use: Ideal for office or business travel.

• These bags are very budget-friendly.
• The additional paddings protect the laptop from getting scratched or damaged by other luggage.
• You can also put your mobile phone charger, power bank, or Bluetooth speaker inside a laptop backpack.
• They are extremely compact and convenient to use.
• They have limited storage space and can barely accommodate any bulky items.
• Can become cumbersome to manage in the presence of additional luggage.

6. Anti-theft travel backpack

Anti-theft backpacks are great travel partners as these bags ensure to satisfy the number one concern of travellers- safety.

These travel bags are specially designed to provide numerous security measures like complicated zippers, password systems, anti-wear-and-tear materials, and several hidden chambers.

Besides the anti-theft feature, these bags also provide the usual high storage facility like travel backpacks.

Best Use : Ideal for long-distance and solo travelling.

• It ensures maximum defence against the chances of theft.
• Anti-theft travel backpack consists of additional clandestine compartments for the storage of valuable items.
• This type of travel bag is portable & easy to carry.
• These bags are expensive.
• It does not come with a huge capacity like rucksacks or trekking backpacks.

7. Camera bag

These are the type of travel bags that are crafted just for keeping and carrying the camera and its accessories protected. Such delicate devices are challenging to carry with other luggage; having separate bags makes it beneficial to keep them safe.

Camera bags are primarily waterproof and flexible, keeping your camera protected from the weather, and making them suitable for travel. These bags are of great use for bloggers, photographers, or simply any traveller who wants to capture special moments without ruining their camera by keeping it with the other bulky luggage.

Best use: Ideal for beginner and professional travel photographers.

• It helps keep the camera segregated from other luggage.
• The camera bags are lightweight and easily portable.
• Most camera backpacks come with a laptop compartment.
• These bags are waterproof and keep the camera protected from rain and sudden liquid splashes.
• Limited storage space to accommodate extra items.
• It cannot be used for other purposes.

These are the essential backpacks that accommodate all essential travel items for a day.

Daypacks are excellent travel buddies for people who commute every day, especially students and office workers.

As they are lightweight and easy to carry, a backpack is also ideal for a day trip to a nearby location.

The best thing about casual backpacks is that they come in a wide range of designs, shapes and colours.

Best Use : Ideal for short-distance travel for a day.

• These bags are durable and can be used almost every day.
• Daypacks have a decent number of compartments to add to the storage.
• Such bags are kind of featherlight and agile.
• These bags are also very affordable.
• Daypack bags are not very spacious, so, they are not ideal for long travel.

9. Messenger bag

These types of travel bags are square-shaped or rectangular bags with crossbody straps, and they are the bigger versions of the typical sling bags with additional storage space.

Messenger bags are a great choice as they make space for handy travel essentials without posing any risk on the road.

These bags are also good for office-goers who commute shorter distances between home and work. The traveller does not have to hold these bags, making them beneficial for people travelling by bus, train, or even cycling.

Best Use : Excellent for cycling, biking, train, or bus journey.

• Messenger bags offer a decent amount of space to keep items.
• The strap makes it easy to latch the bag onto the body without putting much exertion into carrying it.
• It keeps the hands unattended as they are mostly attached to the shoulders.
• The storage space of messenger bags is limited.
• These bags are prone to the potential risk of theft.

10. Wheeled/ rolling backpack

These travel backpacks with wheels attached wheels serve the purpose of a backpack with an additional trolley system.

Wheeled backpacks are also called rolling backpacks as you can carry or roll them when needed.

They can be carried and glided through smooth surfaces, making them a good choice for travelling.

Best Use : Ideal for travelling on flights or railways.

• Wheeled backpacks are easy to carry with less effort.
• These bags are highly spacious and can endure the weight of bulky goods.
• Offers a good deal of security as they have a decent lock system.
• They are expensive and not budget-friendly for many.
• Systematic storage becomes difficult due to the lack of separate storage compartments.

11. Travel tote

These are oblong-shaped bags of moderate size suitable for female users. Travel totes have either a drawstring or crossbody strap and sometimes both make travel feasible.

These bags are made of varying materials to fit people’s necessities. There are sustainable cloth-based tote bags for people who prefer environmentally friendly items. For people who like sturdy bags, leather tote bags are the way to go.

Their portability and ease of convenience make them a good choice for short-distance travel. They are considered the best alternative to plastic bags by the present generation.

Best Use : Ideal for carrying lightweight documents, books, a small number of fruits and grocery items.

• Attractive designs and colours are preferred by women.
• Travel tote bags are budget-friendly and cost-effective.
• They are handy during shopping at the local market.
• The storage space these bags offer is not substantial enough to stock many things.

12. Waist bag

These types of travel bags have a pouch-like appearance, and fastening by a belt-like strap helps secure them.

The waist bag, just like the name suggests, is fastened around the waist which is incredibly trendy among the new generation.

These bags are great for keeping delicate essentials like mobile phones, earphones, cosmetics, and first aid kits within reach while travelling. Their mobility and voguish look make them a striking travel companion.

Best Use: Ideal for carrying essential travel gear and accessories during travelling and hiking.

• The waist bags are incredibly handy during travelling and hiking.
• Waist bags are very economical.
• As they are worn on the waist, these bags are less susceptible to robbery.
• These bags are highly convenient and portable.
• They are tiny and cannot accommodate more than a handful of small items.

There are different types of travel bags based on purpose, design, style, size, and price for short-distance travelling, spending vacations, hiking, trekking, mountaineering, camping, etc.

If you are planning for a one-day trip, choose a daypack. For short weekend travelling, travel backpacks up to 40 litres of capacity, duffel bags, or anti-theft backpacks are an ideal choices.

On the other hand, trolley bags are great for vacations, and leisure travelling, and rucksacks are suitable for trekking, hiking, and camping. Similarly, gadget fanatics, photographers, and vloggers use camera and laptop bags during travelling, and fashionable people prefer trendy waist bags.

So, depending on the purpose and use, you can choose a suitable type of travel bag from the reliable backpack brands . If you have more queries about the types of travel bags, let us know in the comments.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. Let us know your experience! If you like us to write on any specific topic, send your request to [email protected] . Your feedback is highly appreciated. We will love to hear from you!

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15 of the Best Travel Bags You Need for Your Next Vacay

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here .

Whether you’re a first-time or frequent flyer, the right bags can mean all the difference. Is your carry-on too big? Is your dop kit leak-proof? Is there enough room in your purse for all-day adventure? To help you get ready to take off—and thereafter—we went ahead and compiled a list of 15 of the best travel bags around, from hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases to weekend duffles and toiletry bags . So get those passports ready and read on to find your next favorite travel bag. Bon voyage!

How To Choose The Best Travel Bag

Domestic vs. International Travel Carry-Ons

We know that you’ve probably gotten away with taking a suitcase that definitely was not regulation carry-on size. Typically, domestic flights are a bit more lenient with your luggage dimensions, but a good rule of thumb for domestic flights is to make sure your carry-on bag fits within 22-inches by 14-inches by 9-inches. This size ensures that your bag—along with everyone else’s—is going to fit in the bins overhead on your flight. If you’re flying internationally however, these airlines are more likely than not going to be stricter. We suggest finding a carry-on that is 20 inches or shorter to take on your international flights. And always check with your airlines.

Soft Shell vs. Hard Shell Luggage

If you’re a no-fuss kind of traveler, a soft-shell suitcase is for you. They’re able to withstand a bit more wear and tear whether you’re taking it glamping or stuffing it in the overhead compartment. On the other hand, if you are packing items that need some added protection (think: a pair of heels you don’t want to break or a beloved designer bag), we suggest going with a hard-shell suitcase so that none of your valuables sustain any damage.

Two-Wheel Luggage vs. Four-Wheel Luggage

If you have ever been down-to-the-last-second late for a flight and almost missed it because you had to drag your heavy suitcase behind you, we suggest you get a spinner suitcase. A spinner has four wheels, which tend to be multidirectional, helping you not only have full control over your bag, but also allowing you to comfortably glide your luggage alongside of you as you maneuver through security to your gate. On the other hand, two-wheeled suitcases typically have wheels that are inside of the main compartment and required being tilted on their side to drag through the terminal.

Best Travel Bags At A Glance:

• Best Overall: Calpak Hue Luggage
• Best Checked Travel Bag: Béis Check-In Roller
• Best Carry-On Travel Bag: Away The Carry-On
• Best Backpack Travel Bag: Rains Waterproof Backpack
• Best Duffle Travel Bag: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
• Best Laptop Travel Bag : Lo & Sons The Seville Aire Tote
• Best Purse Travel Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag
• Best Eco-Friendly Travel Bag: Paravel Aviator
• Best Soft Shell Travel Bag: Yeti Crossroad Luggage
• Best Travel Bag Set: Samsonite 3-Piece Luggage Set
• Best Budget-Friendly Travel Bag: Amazon Basics Spinner Suitcase
• Best Splurge-Worthy Travel Bag: Rimowa Cabin Suitcase
• Best Toiletry Travel Bag: Everlane The ReNew Catch-All Case
• Best Weekend Travel Bag: Baboon to the Moon Small Go-Bag
• Best Customizable Travel Bag: Roam the Jaunt

9 Best Travel Pants (Tested by Our Comfort-Obsessed Staff)

1. Calpak Hue Luggage

Best Overall

She’s sleek, she’s stylish and she has a little bit of everything: A TSA-approved lock that keeps your valuables safe in transit, multi-directional wheels for back-ache-free transportation, interior compartments for peak organization, a large front pocket to stow any essentials you need in close reach and a price tag that won’t make too big a dent on your checking account.

2. Béis Check-in Roller

Best Checked Travel Bag

You get to the airport, lift your suitcase onto the scale, stare in horror as the red numbers flash “58 lbs” and proceed to spend the next five minutes on the floor, suitcase open, stuffing as much as you can into a spare bag. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. So while this bag has all of your usual perks, the red light that turns on to indicate it's over the 50-pound weight limit makes this guy unbeatable as a checked suitcase.

3. Away The Carry-on

Best Hard Shell Suitcase

This is one of our tried-and-tested favorites. We love how protective its sleek styled shell is and it earns extra points for having a security lock for extra safety. Plus, it has a USB charging port so no more desperately searching for an outlet that’s close to your gate.

4. Rains Waterproof Backpack

Best Travel Backpack

This is made of durable, waterproof neoprene and has enough room to fit all your gadgets and gizmos. Bonus points for its hidden back pocket to help keep your valuables safe and secure.

5. Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

Best Duffle Travel Bag

Whether you’re taking this by bus, train or plane, this duffle’s expandable design offers ample room so you’ll have a spot for literally everything. Case in point: the pocket specifically made for holding your phone and interior compartments for storing water bottles, shoes and everything else in between.

6. Lo & Sons The Seville Aire Tote

Best Laptop Travel Bag

Cushioned padding protects the thing most precious to you: your laptop. Plus, the thoughtful pockets keep things organized while you're on the go—no more franticly digging through your bag for your AirPods for a Zoom you have to join in two minutes.

7. Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag

Best Purse Travel Bag

This cutie is going to keep you looking stylish whether you’re grabbing after-work drinks or jet-setting to Europe. It’s the ideal size if you’re searching for a style-savvy carry-on that can easily stow your laptop alongside other daily essentials and makes for a roomy tote even when you’re not using it for travel.

8. Paravel Aviator

Best Eco-Friendly Travel Bag

Looking to get your hands on a sustainably sourced option? This fashion-forward carry-on may be easy on the eyes, but it's entirely made up of recycled material—from the interior lining and exterior polycarbonate shell to the zippers.

9. Yeti Crossroad Luggage

Best Soft Shell Travel Bag

Yes, Yeti delivers some of the best on-the-go travel mugs, but did you know Yeti produces some stellar luggage, too? This one in particular is especially worth the investment, thanks to its durable hard-shell exterior, 70/30 split dividers for keeping all your things secure, packing cubes for added organization and front pocket for stashing all the things you need to keep within close reach.

10. Samsonite 3-piece Luggage Set

Best Travel Bag Set

Durable hard shell? Check. Spinner wheels? Check. Three different sizes? Also check. This set comes in three different sizes, with one carry-on and two checked size suitcases.

11. Amazon Basics Spinner Suitcase

Best Budget-Friendly Travel Bag

Luggage is notoriously expensive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t budget-friendly options out there to help you glob trot and save some money. Case in point: Amazon Basics’ travel bag line. This one in particular caught our eye, thanks to the durable hard shell, multiple packing compartments, TSA-approved lock and array of pretty colors.

12. Rimowa Cabin Suitcase

Best Splurge-Worthy Travel Bag

Before luggage brands started producing aluminum suitcases by the dozen, there was this one. The first of its kind, the Rimowa Cabin Suitcase’s iconic silver exterior is made from anodized aluminum and built with ball-bearing mounted wheels. Translation: this durable workhorse is going to last you for years to come.

BUY IT ($1,200)

13. Everlane The Renew Catch-all Case

Best Toiletry Travel Bag

Don’t be fooled, this toiletry bag might not be massive, but it can fit way more than you think. It’s got interior pockets to keep products nice and tidy, low maintenance fabric that’s easily cleaned and an expandable design that can handle being packed to the max with your skincare and beauty goodies.

14. Baboon To The Moon Small Go-bag

Best Weekend Bag

We love this guy for more reasons than we can list. Not only is it TSA-approved for carry-on size, but its water-proof shell has backpack straps, different sized handles, an over-the-shoulder strap, a lockable zipper, comes with four different pockets and easily stashes three-to-five day’s worth of your gear.

15. Roam The Jaunt

Best Customizable Travel Bag

If your goal is to avoid mixing up your suitcase with someone else's, having a personalized travel bag is where it’s at. From the option to monogram the exterior shell down to custom colors you can select from, you can personalize this puppy in a myriad of ways for luggage that matches your vibe perfectly.

The 17 Best Luggage Brands For Your Long-Overdue Trip

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The 21 Best Travel Bags, According to Frequent Fliers

By Alyssa Lapid

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Whether you have travel lined up or your friend’s recent travel posts are inspiring your next out-of-office getaway, it’s high time to shop for the best travel bags. The type of travel bag you decide to get will depend on your travel destination, your budget, and your personal style. But with so many choices, it's hard to know what to pick. We spoke with frequent fliers and travel experts on the best tips to pick the right travel bag for comfortable, secure, and easy travel. Below are the expert-recommended picks and tips to help you choose. And if you’re flying, remember to try to keep up with safety travel precautions as best as you can.

• Makeup and Toiletry Bag

How to choose a travel bag

When it comes to shopping for luggage , experts agree that you should never sacrifice quality. “If you plan to travel often or take longer trips, it’s worth investing in higher-quality luggage,” Ciara Johnson , full-time travel blogger at Hey Ciara , tells SELF. Big-ticket items like suitcases should be long-lasting and durable. Otherwise, you’d be shelling out way more to keep replacing damaged bags. 

We know that wear and tear can’t be avoided, especially with luggage taking a beating on planes and buses. Megan Homme , a travel blogger who also works in the airline industry, has a tip for that. She says to opt for a dark-colored suitcase to hide scuffs better. “Lighter colors will show wear and age much more quickly,” she says. Pro tip: Add a unique luggage tag to make your bag stand out from the others at the conveyor belt seat.

If possible, try to opt for carry-ons to save time at check-in lines and speed through baggage claim—just make sure it passes the size requirement. “These days, it’s more important than ever to use carry-on because of the chaotic systems at understaffed airports,” says Caroline Eubanks, writer and author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States . “You should ideally be able to manage your own bags and not rely on flight attendants.” Her pro tip: Always look up what type of plane you’ll be on. She notes, “for small, regional routes, the standard carry-on bag won't fit in the overhead bin.”

Shopping tips

When it comes to the actual shopping part, Johnson recommends shopping by need and tendencies. Will you be staying in hotels or hostels? Will you be taking shorter or longer trips? Will you be traveling in places with an established or developed infrastructure? Spinner wheels are easier to haul through airports, but if you’re backpacking in Europe, ditch the spinners for a backpack to avoid the cobblestone streets that will surely wreck the wheels.

Johnson also adds, “If possible, you should examine the product in-store. However, the most innovative luggage brands typically only exist online." She recommends doing research and comparing various luggage brands before you make a purchase. She adds that some brands even offer a “try-before-you-buy policy, along with a lifetime warranty.” Generally speaking, travel bags are not the place to save some money on your travels, but there are ways to find deals, especially during shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And if you enjoy the thrill of secondhand shopping, Eubanks says she’s gotten a deal or two shopping thrift. “Secondhand can be a good way to save money.” 

You also don’t need to be a pro packer or inherently organized to pack well. All you need are pockets. Johnson says a good rule of thumb when shopping for any travel bag is “the more pockets [and] organizers, the better.” Use them for separating clean clothes from sullied ones. You can even separate gifts for loved ones to take home after your vacation. According to Johnson, you can’t go wrong with the following features for luggage options: 360 spinner wheels, expandability, compression straps, endless pockets, a side handle, built-in TSA locks, and polycarbonate material.

Best travel bags

Here are 21 expert-recommended travel bags for every kind of traveler to help you narrow down your options and focus all that logistical planning on your itinerary. We broke it down by luggage and suitcases, carry-on bags, backpacks, fanny packs , crossbody bags, tote bags, and makeup and toiletry bags.

Béis The 29-Inch Rolling Spinner Suitcase

As far as check-in bags go, Johnson says the Beis 29-Inch Large Check-in Roller is “one of the most functional suitcases on the market.” Beis is owned by Pretty Little Liars alum Shay Mitchell and has been a hit since its launch. Its many features include everything you’d need in a check-in suitcase: multiple pockets and organizers, a built-in TSA lock, a laundry and shoe bag, and an ergonomic handle for easy lugging. Her favorite feature? “There's a built-in weight indicator that tells you if your bag is overweight.”

Hartmann Ratio 2 Global Carry On Expandable Spinner

For soft-side suitcases, the technologically-advanced Hartmann Carry-on comes highly recommended. Eubanks loves the bag’s “flexibility,” including the pockets for reading materials and documents that are often lacking in hard-shell cases. The best features are the padded, trifold garment suiters it comes with for keeping formalwear or business outfits tidy and pressed, and the bag has built-in USB ports, so you can charge your gadgets while in transit.

Away The Carry-On Flex

Away Travel

Frequent fliers love Away’s suitcases. Homme, who always travels carry-on only, prefers Away’s The Carry-on Flex because its expandable feature ensures extra storage allowance for shopping. Plus, she points out, “I recommend hard-shell luggage because you never know what could leak out of someone else’s bag in the bins.”

Away The Bigger Carry-On with Pocket

“The quality of Away luggage is incredible across the board,” says Johnson, who is a fan of the brand and prefers The Bigger Carry-on with Pocket. Most hard-shell suitcases in the market don’t have external pockets, but this one features a water-resistant front pocket—perfect for keeping your travel documents and boarding passes available for easy access. It can even hold a 15-inch laptop. It has a removable, washable lining and a hidden laundry bag.

LuggageWorks Stealth Premier 22" 737 Rolling Bag

Luggageworks

Cierra Mistt, a flight attendant and TikTok travel influencer , only has one carry-on go-to: LuggageWorks’s Stealth Premier 22-Inch 737 Rolling Bag. Apparently, her crew feels the same way. “I know pilots and flight attendants who have had the same roll-aboards for 10 years and never had to get another,” she says, adding, “Durable is an understatement.”

Tumi International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On

Another expert favorite brand is Tumi for “extremely resistant and durable” bags. Though just in case it breaks when you’re on the go, Tumi offers worldwide support anytime, anywhere. Mar Pages, co-founder of Solo Female Travelers and Solo Female Travelers Tours, says the Tumi Carry-on in particular is a popular choice for vacationers for a reason. “You will recognize this bag because they have been making it for well over 20 years with minimal improvements.” She particularly enjoys the “nifty details” like “outside hooks to hang your laptop bag” and “double bar handles so you can slide your laptop bag.”

Béis The Backpack

Another Béis favorite is The Backpack. “It is really, really spacious,” Kristina Rodulfo , beauty content creator and former Elle editor, tells SELF. Rodulfo notes that the bag “opens really wide which makes for easy packing” while still looking sleek as a solo bag for short getaways. It's designed to carry everything from your laptop to your gym stuff. If you want to pair it with a trolley, use the sleeve to attach it to your luggage.

Pacsafe Citysafe CS300 Anti-Theft Compact Backpack

This Pacsafe Citysafe backpack is a great hands-free, anti-theft option thanks to its slash guards, smart-zipper security, and an RFID-safe pocket. “The zippers can be attached with a clip, and one shoulder strap has a locking mechanism if you want to secure it around a table leg,” adds Eubanks. There are also a ton of pockets and compartments, including a laptop sleeve and two side pockets for holding water bottles or umbrellas.

Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack

If you're looking for an outdoor backpack , check out the Osprey Porter Travel Pack 46. Kristen Bor, founder of Bearfoot Theory Outdoor , recommends it if you're going on an adventure or outdoor trip and need a bag that can double as a daypack. “The U-zip compartment allows for easy packing and access to your gear, while the stowaway shoulder harness and hip belt give you options on how you want to carry your luggage: backpack style or over the shoulder like a duffel.” Osprey has been continuously perfecting the bag with slight improvements yearly, and it’s built with recycled fabrics making it an eco-friendly option.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Think a short hike will be on your itinerary? According to Bor, Osprey’s smaller Daylite Pack is a great find for light outdoor adventures. The lightweight backpack has compartments for a laptop and two water bottles for an itinerary that’s incredibly versatile. Take it to a coffee shop, a festival, or to a mountain summit.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia

Bor dubs the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 Del Día Travel Pack an “all-around functional, rugged carry-on bag” that can weather rougher terrain. “The exterior polyester and nylon shell resists moisture and defends your belongings against rough scrapes or tears during transit,” says Bor. It even comes with a rain cover.

Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack

Fanny packs are a great option for hands-free travel, and this versatile Herschel Seventeen Hip Pack Fanny comes highly recommended by Eubanks, who wears it on her hip and as a crossbody. Plus, she loves that there are some 25 colors to choose from. You could even wear it with a backpack like she does to have easy access to essentials like documents or a camera. 

Lululemon Clean Lines Belt Bag

This Lululemon bag is another great, stylish option with several pockets that make grabbing smaller items like lip balm, credit cards, and headphones easy. “I always recommend a belt bag for the airport to breeze through security and keep your ID and ticket easily accessible,” says Homme. Keep it on your hip during your flight if you’d rather not dig through the bag under the seat. 

Travelon Anti-Theft Parkview Hobo Crossbody

Many frequent fliers prefer anti-theft bags for venturing out during travels—especially when traveling alone. Pages recommends using the Travelon Anti-Theft Parkview Hobo Crossbody for places where pickpocketing might be a concern. “These bags are specifically designed with these types of thefts in mind and have added security features such as anti-slash straps to avoid the common motorbike run theft.” The bag also features other security features like secure zip locks and anti-RFID mesh compartments to keep credit card information safe.

Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody Bag

Here's another great crossbody bag option. “I normally keep my passport, cards, and phone in there when I’m walking through the airport and can easily access that when I get off the plane. In fact, it’s so easy that when we’re boarding, I can easily just slip it into my personal item and stow it under my seat with no worries," says Mistt.

The Daily Edited Mini Black Saffiano Leather Cross Body Bag

“Everyone needs a crossbody purse for travel,” Rodulfo insists, and her choice is TDE’s mini leather bag. It fits daily essentials including documents, a camera, and even sunscreen . The bag’s minimalist style also allows for outfit versatility. "It works for evenings out as well as during the day,” says Rodulfo. It helps not to look like a tourist all the time. Another cool feature? TDE items can be monogrammed, making it a great travel gift .

Tumi Everyday Tote

Lord & Taylor

If roomy tote bags are more your style, check out Tumi’s Everyday Tote. The lightweight nylon material makes it easy to lug around without hurting your back. The small details are what make it stand out, such as its pen loop, key ring, and magnetic snap phone pocket to ensure you don’t spend time rummaging through your belongings each time you need to get something. Pages likes to slide her tote on top of her Tumi Carry-on when traveling.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Travel Tote Bag

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 is a great hybrid tote with several organizational compartments. "It’s roomy enough to fit all of my actual personal items including electronics, chargers, and even snacks,” says Mistt. And it’s compact enough to fit comfortably under the plane seat or in the overhead bin. 

Kusshi Makeup Bag Plum Collection

You don't have to strip down your beauty or skin-care routine on vacation—at least, not with Kusshi’s Vacation Makeup Bag, which can hold 20 to 25 products. “Kusshi [bags] are by far my favorite because they are washable, fit a ton (including full-sized products), and have plenty of pockets for easy organization,” says Rodulfo. If you have a bigger beauty arsenal that includes makeup brushes and other skin-care tools , just add the attachments. “You could even include attachments like the makeup brush organizer for less fuss and digging while getting ready.”

Herschel Travel Kit

Another option for toiletries big and small is the Herschel Travel Kit. Johnson laments that it’s surprisingly difficult to find the perfect toiletry bag. She recommends this bag because it is extremely spacious with multiple pockets and slots for easy organization. It also comes in multiple colors, proving that toiletry kits don’t need to be boring.

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SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

Opening up your favorite carry-on travel backpack—with all of your stuff in the right place and easy to reach—should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk.

This is a moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45L bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35L bags tend to be more manageable.

Clamshell designs open like a book and are easiest to pack, but bags that open traditionally tend to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides, especially the bottom, for pulling it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed on your own with packing cubes.

We spent six months testing 22 bags and flying across the country with all of our picks.

In the end, we chose two as our top picks: the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (for most trips) and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L . Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization.

Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This is not a style of packing that’s for everyone, but once some people try it , they’re forever hooked. However, finding the right bag is a personal choice, and no single bag will appeal to everyone.

That’s why we have picks that are great for people traveling for work , others designed to be carried over long distances , picks for maximizing your packing space , and budget options for travelers who want to give the one-bag strategy a try.

The research

Why you should trust us, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best bag for document organization: topo designs global travel bag 30l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack 40l, best affordable large backpack: ebags tls mother lode weekender, other good carry-on travel backpacks, who this is for, how we picked and tested, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade and have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. And as members of a remote organization, our editors and writers travel a lot and are continually testing the gear we recommend—our travel gear guide remains a perennial favorite among staff members. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that and another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

In addition to documenting our own experiences, I reached out to experts and writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag. Eytan Levy is the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website, which combines travel guides and tips with in-depth gear reviews. James Feess is the founder of The Savvy Backpacker and author of The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide to Europe on a Budget . And Sharon Gourlay is the writer of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

Get this if: You want an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag with a rainfly for downpours or you want to support a B-corp and its related social and sustainable missions .

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and highly adjustable straps that make it a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. Handles on all four sides of this bag make it easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty and has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28 - and 42 -liter sizes. But the 35 liter is, for us, the best. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when its fully packed, and for a bag that big, we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for any shorter trip, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack that’s designed to fit snugly into the Allpa’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

The Allpa has a clamshell design, which means it opens like a hard-sided suitcase: A large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, letting it fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothes (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

The Allpa’s hip belt, which can be removed while the bag is on your back, is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa is decently comfortable over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of, unlike the shoulder straps on our other picks, the Allpa’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom, so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer; the other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

The Allpa is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag or the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. The Allpa is the kind of bag you can toss as easily into an overhead compartment as you can into the back of a rusty pickup truck. Uniquely in this category, the Allpa also includes a rainfly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers The Allpa has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.

Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but we’ve found after many years of travel with our bag that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots. We’d love to see the all-nylon option return at some point, for people who prefer the added robustness and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of rain coverage.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds, 5 ounces Main compartment access: Clamshell opening Style: Adventurous Colors: Assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind, but most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

Get this if: You travel often with expensive camera gear and need easy access and many storage pockets, or you just prefer a backpack-based packing system with plenty of adaptability and customization.

Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be luggage on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

You can access the bag through a back panel, which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch, as well as a front one, if you unzip the pass-through divider. You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps that run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. It will still feel larger than a normal daypack in this configuration, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400D nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough, but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa .

The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga ; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in three sizes, and if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (the photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

Peak Design also makes a line of ultralight packing cubes . They’re good cubes, and they compare well to the ultralight Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube set, our pick for light packers . However, the Peak Design cubes are sized specifically for this bag and fit just so inside it, especially when combined with other Peak Design gear cubes and accessories, like the toiletry bag . (Chase Reeves has done an in-depth video review of these cubes; it’s a good resource for anyone who’s on the fence about buying them.) After testing the cubes (and this is not a mark against the Eagle Creek or the Peak Design ultralight cubes, both of which are excellent), I personally still prefer the more-rigid Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal set, one of our longtime picks .

Flaws but not dealbreakers The Travel Backpack has few flaws. It is expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: Black, Sage

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s open interior makes packing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate the Topo’s accessible front pockets and holders for organizing books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

Get this if: You travel often for work and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks. The front panel and assorted pockets are like a small traveling office space.

Of all the bags we recommend, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L comes closest to the style of an everyday carry backpack, due to its small size and minimal external features. This bag is perfect if you have to travel to a work event, get off the plane, and then use it as a daily backpack without drawing too much attention to yourself. Topo also includes built-in attachment clips, if you want to piggyback a smaller daily-carry backpack to your Travel Bag. I know people who love to do this. I personally do not. But it’s a good feature, especially if you’re committed to Topo gear in general. However, given its basic strap system and flat nylon back, the Topo is not built as well as our other picks for longer hikes.

The Travel Bag is one of the simplest bags we tested, with a main compartment and some basic document organization in the front pocket. This bag is a front-panel loader (which we find very easy to pack), organized around a main pocket that can fit two large packing cubes. Inside, the lid of the bag also has two mesh dividers, for a small amount of organization. Outside, the bag has two small zippered pockets for travel accessories (such as earbuds and a passport) and a larger organizer pocket for books, tickets, and snacks. The Topo is constructed with heavy YKK zippers and, similar to the Cotopaxi Allpa, has built-in zipper security loops (strong loops of fabric that secure your zippers when the bag is shut), if you want a touch more security.

Similar to our other picks, the Travel Bag is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty and repair program from Topo. However, Topo’s gear is made from 1000D nylon (a dense and very tough fabric) and built like a tank; it has rigid padding throughout, and there is an attention to detail (particularly in the stitching around the zippers and handles) that’s a mark of quality to any savvy bag enthusiast. The point is, you would really have to get into some trouble to need the repair program. But it’s there if you do need it.

If you want to carry as much as possible, the Travel Bag also comes in a 40L model . It’s a fine bag at that size, and it does include a small yet stowable waist belt to help carry the weight. But we prefer our larger picks, like the Tortuga (more carrying capacity) or the eBags TLS Mother Lode (less expensive).

The Travel Bag has a built-in laptop compartment that fits most 15-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body. The Topo is well padded on all sides, and it is stitched in a way that keeps the edge of your computer from the bottom of the bag and should protect your computer from all but the worst drops. This bag, like most of Topo’s gear, is designed to work with Topo dopp bags , accessory bags , and packing cubes . Fully packed, it can carry two large packing cubes, two medium accessory bags, and a dopp kit.

Flaws but not dealbreakers Despite its travel-document organization, the Topo bag lacks the large internal pockets of our other picks, and the bag’s main compartment isn’t quite as spacious as that of our other picks. People who like a deeper main compartment might prefer the Cotopaxi or Tortuga bags. The Topo bag’s compartment is a little tight for large laptops, so it isn’t the best when going through security. We’d love to see a little more attention paid to the back contouring and straps of this bag, to make longer walks more comfortable.

Capacity: 30 liters Weight: 2 pounds, 10 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: retro Colors: Navy, Black, Clay, Charcoal, Olive

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, the Farpoint is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world. And it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Osprey Fairview 40

For smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, the Fairview has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

May be out of stock

Get this if: You’re starting out with one-bag travel and aren’t sure which style of bag is best for you, but you want one that’s easy to carry over long distances.

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint applies to the Fairview as well.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

If you’re just starting out with one-bag travel, or you aren’t sure what type of travel bag best suits your needs, the Farpoint is an excellent first choice.

The Farpoint is easy to pack. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, without your having to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike packing a bit of sturdy luggage, which is something we love about bags like this—especially when you pack with packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the available space in the Farpoint is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration that Osprey has put into its line of hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint. After more than six years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to put on when it’s fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa is more flexible and lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

As some reviewers have pointed out, smaller individuals may appreciate the lighter weight and more-compact design of the Farpoint or the Fairview (which basically have the same design, but the Fairview is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso). On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

Flaws but not dealbreakers For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little not to like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds, 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds, 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): Gopher Green, Tunnel Vision Grey, Muted Space Blue, Black Colors (Fairview): Winter Night Blue, Zircon Red, Night Jungle Blue, Black

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

Get this if: You want to maximize your packing space in a bag that’s durable, customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), and water-resistant, and that has organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

When it comes to packing, the Tortuga has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter bag (the max space for a carry-on bag), which we tested, along with the 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

However, the Tortuga is the most adjustable bag we’ve tested five years in a row, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. This design (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best of those we’ve tested at distributing the weight of the bag (4.5 pounds when empty—roughly a pound and a half more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design.) The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

Flaws but not dealbreakers Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the Tortuga’s shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. Personally, it still makes me nervous to see the Tortuga traveling on the luggage belt toward mysterious machines and conveyors beneath the airport—all of which, in my imagination, are waiting to tear the hip belt from the bag or slice open the sailcloth exterior. But the Tortuga appears to shrug it all off with ease. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design Travel Backpack .

We’ve also fielded complaints from some testers that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4.5 pounds, the new Tortuga is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be —the difference is noticeable—and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design . But if you feel like you would struggle carrying this model, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4.5 pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender

Affordable capacity and organization.

The Mother Lode offers the organizational features most travelers want, at an affordable price. However, it’s not as comfortable to carry as pricier options, and it can expand well past the limits of most overhead bins.

Get this if: You want an affordable bag with a traditional look, to carry as much as you can—potentially more than you’re allowed by airlines.

If you like the concept of the large Tortuga Travel Backpack but not its price, the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender is a great option for infrequent travelers who are willing to give up some features, such as a decent hip belt. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve that holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders, and an easy-to-access main compartment. This bag also has the largest capacity of any of those we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s more-casual looks might not be to everyone’s taste.

The Mother Lode is a good suitcase built around a basic (if slightly underwhelming) backpack. That’s the tradeoff you make for its low price, which is less than half that of other models. Unlike our other picks, the Mother Lode is not for carrying over long distances, especially when it’s full. If you know you’re going to be walking long distances (say, over a mile or so) with your pack on, you might want to consider one of our other picks. That said, if you’re carrying your bag only from a taxi to the airport security line but you want to avoid checked-item fees, the Mother Lode might be the bag for you.

The best part of the Mother Lode is the interior layout: It is easy to pack, and it’s smartly organized but still adaptable enough to mold to your preferred style of packing (meaning you can find what you need when you need it). However, the intense design focus that’s evident in the interior of the bag seems to have slipped a bit when it came to the exterior. Compared with those of several other picks in this size, this bag’s slim straps and barely there hip belt are noticeably lacking, especially if you’ve maxed out the bag’s ludicrous capacity.

The clamshell opening of the Mother Lode is similar to the Tortuga’s or the Cotopaxi Allpa’s. This space is augmented by a separate front compartment and organization panel for quick access to mid-size items like a toiletry kit; a top compartment for keys, small books, or sunglasses; and a front pocket organizer for smaller flat items, like travel documents and wallets. The laptop pocket is large and well protected, and it has a strap to help secure and position your laptop’s weight higher up your back if you wish.

Flaws but not dealbreakers There are plenty of flaws with this bag, if you choose to see them as flaws instead of the necessary consequences of the Mother Lode’s inexpensive price. During testing, we packed as much into the Mother Lode as we did in the Tortuga (more, if we expanded the Mother Lode past strict carry-on dimensions). The problem with that much capacity? It becomes an absolute bear to carry. And the flimsy waist belt is almost useless at distributing weight across your hips. Several times during testing I considered just cutting it away. This is a shame, since the bag could go from “decent for the price” to “fantastic, especially at this price” with just a few upgrades.

Capacity: 45 liters (expandable to 65 liters) Weight: 4 pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: casual Colors: Eggplant, Garnet, Slate Blue, Heathered Graphite, Pine Green

If you want to travel like a backpacker but fit in at a board meeting (and have the budget to do so): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 —its reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers, and after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks, and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability, you need to buy the $33 internal frame , the $33 hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the $33 shoulder strap (all prices at the time of writing). This all adds up on a bag that already costs $330. Even though everything about the Tom Bihn (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

Anyone who wants to travel light and stay flexible should seriously consider using a carry-on travel backpack. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey. It’s easy to remain more mobile when you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage and easier still to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. And as airlines charge more and more for checking baggage, traveling with just a carry-on bag (frequently referred to as one-bag travel ) is becoming less of a lifestyle choice and more of a survival skill. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but about yourself and what you really need day to day.

If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags are not carry-on-friendly, though, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them. We also have a guide to wheeled carry-on bags , which are designed to hold a lot of stuff while remaining easy to maneuver around airports. However, wheels, retractable handles, and frames subtract from precious packing space and add weight, and can make a bag difficult to manage on busy city streets.

There’s no single backpack that is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it, but unobtrusive when you do not. The best bags are built to survive a lifetime of use and, if cared for properly, should be something you develop a bond with over time.

To compile our list of possible models, we scoured the world of travel blogs and product reviews (most driven by a similar affiliate revenue model to ours), including The Savvy Backpacker , Snarky Nomad , The Travel Hack , Nomadic Matt , The Travel Tester , Where’s Sharon? , Y Travel Blog , Lengthy Travel , and GearLab . Additionally, we lurked on Reddit’s r/onebag  and r/heronebag forums, and emailed and had phone interviews with the moderators of those subreddits, Addison Ryan and Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, respectively. Additionally, we spoke with the prolific travel bag reviewer Chase Reeves to get his thoughts on what most great bags have in common. We ended up with a list of 60 candidates and then narrowed this list down to 22 finalists using the following criteria: capacity, compartment design, aesthetics, reviews, and reported comfort.

There isn’t one perfect bag to please everyone, but there are tools you can use to find what’s best for you. We did a lot of our own research to compare models of travel bags, but r/onebag moderator /u/-Nepherim created one of the best product-comparison spreadsheets we’ve seen . If you want to keep researching your own pick, this spreadsheet is a great place to start.

Even if you aren’t convinced by our picks, we do think we can help you figure out what parameters are best for travel bags of any size. We’ve narrowed down our specifications to the following list of features, ordered from most to least relevant.

• Panel-loading or clamshell opening for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with these bags, you want to be able to open them and see everything you’ve packed. A panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional top-opening design—lets you pack and unpack these bags just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you such exotic, light, and strong materials as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have but aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything, while others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.

During testing, we flew with these bags across the country, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L has an updated design featuring a new hip belt, which brings it back into class with many of its competitors in this category. In the past, the MLC’s straps were too slim and unsupported for the bag’s 45-liter capacity. Also, its lack of any framing gave the bag a soft and unsettling feeling if it was anything but fully packed. We’re looking at the newest model to see if some of these problems have been corrected and if a former champion travel backpack can regain the spotlight.

Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack : This mind-bendingly inexpensive bag (which includes three packing cubes, all for $45 at time of publication) is a remarkable testament to the cutthroat logic and efficiency of a globalized free market. Is it attractive? No. Is it comfortable to carry? Not particularly. Is it durable enough to withstand years of travel? Unlikely. Is it $45? Yes! If you want the absolute least expensive carry-on travel backpack we’ve ever seen, this is it. But you’ll get more with the TLS Motherlode , which, although double the price, is still very affordable.

Away F.A.R. Convertible Backpack 45L : A rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Admittedly made of excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

Cabin Max Metz (and the nearly identical AmazonBasics Carry-On ): This cheap, no-frills bag is enticing for the price. But after comparing these bags to the TLS Mother Lode, we think you’re better off paying twice the price for way more than twice the value. The Mother Lode is more reliable and built from stronger materials, and it will hold more stuff comfortably than either of these bags.

GeniusPack Travel Backpack: The GeniusPack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need this, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . (GeniusPack now has a version 2 of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.)

Goruck GR2 : I’m a big fan of Goruck bags, and I use the GR1 regularly as my daily work and travel bag. These bags will last a lifetime. However, the GR2 is too expensive and too large (its 40L size is a true 40L) for many people, especially since none of the three sizes (26L, 34L, and 40L) comes with a hip belt. We wish the GR2 had a removable hip belt, something similar to what’s on the GR3. That said, this bag is simple, sturdy, and stoic. There is a lot to love about it. And if you don’t mind the high cost, this bag will probably outlast your corporeal self.

Goruck GR3 : The GR3 is almost worth the cost for certain people. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear and good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. It’s a good bag. However, after testing it, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, is difficult to keep clean, and clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

Kelty Redwing 44 : When we got our hands on the Redwing, we realized that it was closer to a top-loading light camping backpack than to the panel-loading packs we tested. It didn’t quite fit the scope of this review because of its design.

Hynes Eagle 40L Flight Approved Carry-on : This pack is very similar pack to the eBags TLS Mother Lode and the Cabin Max Metz models. It might be useful as a weekend traveler, but we don’t think it would hold up for longer trips.

MEI Voyageur : There’s a lot to like about this bag, especially for the price. It features 1000D Cordura nylon and YKK zippers, and it has a spacious design and decent shoulder straps. But we’re still on the fence about recommending it. The lack of recent reputable reviews gives us pause, along with the sparse Shopify website, which, the last time we checked, in 2024, wasn’t operational. (The company now appears to be selling directly via PayPal.)

Minaal Carry-on 2.0: This bag was designed to be the absolute best travel backpack for business people. But if you’re a business person, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. Even so, if you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, you should know that many travel writers have spoken highly of this bag, despite its high price. This does look to be a well-thought-out pack, but we think our picks are more versatile for world travel. (Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version ; our thoughts about it remain the same.)

Osprey Porter 46: This was a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint 40 . It’s about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to gate-check your bag at the last minute, this would have been an excellent alternative to the Farpoint 40. (It has since been replaced by the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 ; we may take a look at it.)

Trakke Storr Carryon : Travel-bag enthusiast Chase Reeves used to list this bag as one of his top picks for a medium-size carry-on bag, and it looks very well built . But at $500, plus shipping from Scotland, it is simply too expensive for most people.

We also tested and dismissed The North Face Overhaul 40, which has since been discontinued.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

The Best Laptop Backpacks

by Zoe Vanderweide

A great laptop backpack protects your tech, is comfortable to carry, and looks good, too. These five bags are our favorites for wrangling your workday gear.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

• By Destination
• By Trip Type
• Luggage Expertise
• Packing Tips

The Ultimate Guide to All the Types of Luggage

The world of luggage is stuffed full of so much jargon, it can feel like a secret lingo only frequent flyers speak. Spinners? Dopp kits? Travel packs? Mule bags? OK, that last one we invented, but the truth is, there are so many luggage options, we wouldn’t be surprised if “mule bags” were actually a thing. (A carry-on feed bag perhaps?) If you’re still trying to get a handle on the proper definitions for different suitcases and bags, let us help. Below we’ve listed 10 common luggage categories with full descriptions for each, plus our tried-and-true picks for every variety.

See recent posts by Maria Adelmann

What is a Carry-On Bag?

A carry-on bag is built to fit inside the overhead compartment on an airplane, hence the name—it’s the luggage you carry on the plane—though, in reality you’ll probably be rolling it on, bumping a few armrests along the way. (Your “carry-on” bag is not to be confused with your “personal item,” a smaller item like a backpack or purse, which should be small enough to slide under the seat in front of you.) While carry-on bag guidelines vary slightly by airline, 22 by 9 by 14 inches is about standard, and those measurements include handles and wheels. Of course, carry-ons are just as handy on the ground for road trips or train travel, because they also fit well in the train’s overhead area and in car trunks. Hard cases tend to be more durable, but if you’re an over-packer or souvenir junkie, the soft-side varieties with exterior pockets give a bit more leeway for just one more snow globe.

Our Pick: Travelpro Platinum Elite 22” Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard,  $254.99 at eBags

RELATED:  The Best Carry-On Luggage

What is Spinner Luggage?

If you’ve ever tried to change direction quickly while dragging two-wheeled luggage behind you, you’ll understand the beauty of a spinner. Spinner luggage has four wheels, which all turn 360 degrees, meaning the luggage can glide at your side nearly weightlessness as you whizz around tight corners and sprint toward your gate (or the nearest airport Cinnabon). But there are some caveats to this gravity-free bliss: Spinners tend to be less durable on rough terrain and more prone to damage than their more locked-in two-wheeled counterparts, so expect to shell out more money for a sturdy version. Also, the wheels tend to add weight and stick out, so you’ll lose a little interior packing space since wheels are included in baggage dimensions. Spinners come in both carry-on and checked sizes, with soft and hard shell options.

Our Pick: Fortis Pro Traveler Hardside Spinner Carry-On, $219.99 at eBags

What’s a Travel Pack?

The darling of backpackers everywhere, a travel pack is basically what you’d get if a hiker’s backpack and a suitcase had a baby. Travel packs tend to be lightweight and durable with an ergonomic design (think metal frames and hip-belts), and a slew of practical details geared toward comfort and access while traveling. While travel packs are usually bulkier than the typical hiker’s backpacks, they can also be easier to pack with lots of front-loading styles. Some even offer detachable day packs, essentially a mini breakaway backpack for excursions. Plus, their straps tuck in so they don’t get caught in airline conveyor belts. The top-rated options tend to come from high-end outdoor manufacturers.

Our Pick: Osprey Packs Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack, from $158.36 at Amazon

What is a Weekender Bag?

A weekender bag is designed to hold just enough items for a weekend trip (though heavy packers might be tempted to call it an “overnighter”). Size-wise, weekenders tend to lie in the sweet spot between a tote and a duffel bag. They’re usually oblong with two handles and sometimes a crossbody strap. Because they’re wheel-less, they’re not ideal if you’re packing heavy, but they’re great for weaving through crowded terminals or for throwing in the trunk of a car. Practicality sometimes plays second fiddle to style—with a slew of leather, canvas, and monogrammed options from upmarket retailers like J.Crew, Madewell, and Kate Spade. And even if they weigh on our shoulder, we can’t help but love a weekender for being for a sophisticated statement piece.

Our Pick: Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Canvas Weekender, $128 at Lo & Sons

What is a Duffel Bag?

Duffel bags are soft-sided cylindrical bags that run the gamut from handsome weekender-sized pieces in canvas and leather to sturdy camping gear options made from durable nylon. While most have two handles and a crossbody strap, there are also a slew of rolling varieties—a shoulder-saving option for over-packers. The main benefit of a duffel is that it has a wide opening that offers one roomy compartment. This makes it ideal for packing larger items, like sleeping bags, camping gear, helmets, or odd-shaped sporting equipment. And while many a meticulous traveler has carefully folded clothes into a duffel, they’re also a favorite of “throw-and-go” packers.

Our Pick: North Face Base Camp Duffel, $180.90 at Amazon

What is a Satchel?

A grandfather to the messenger bag and a brother to the briefcase, the quintessential satchel is a structured bag made of leather, with a history as old English school bags. (Picture the square, flap-buckled leather bags seen in prep schools.) That said, the satchel’s parameters are flexible to the point of being stretchy. A variety of backpacks, purses, and messenger bags can all be considered satchels. Though sometimes sold as weekenders, they do tend to be smaller, and are more likely to be used for work, a day trip, or as an airline’s “personal item” than for a weekend trip. As with the weekender, satchels tend to be fashionable and sophisticated, with loads of luxe models available.

Our Pick: Madewell’s The Prague Satchel, $198 at Madewell

What is a Dopp Kit?

A Dopp kit is essentially a structured toiletry bag, traditionally made of leather. Originally, they were issued to soldiers in both World Wars, and they still have a bit of a “military man” look about them, especially when they’re paired with shaving gear. While they’re classically marketed toward men, women can make use of them, too, and often find their ridged sides do a great job of protecting bottles or makeup compacts. Modern varieties tend to be dapper, simple, and moderately sized with an easy zippered closure. Those who prefer more frills or space should consider going with a standard toiletry bag instead.

Our Pick: Chapter Travel Kit from Hershel Supply, $29.99 at Amazon

What is a Messenger Bag?

A messenger bag is a soft-sided crossbody bag with a flap closure, traditionally used by, well, messengers. They’re especially popular in urban areas, and wholeheartedly embraced by many commuters and cyclists. (Bike messengers are evangelical about their favorite brands.) They’re ideal for work or everyday use. Men in particular seem to be big messenger bag boosters as they offer up a more casual alternative to the briefcase, yet they’re still a bit more business-appropriate than a backpack. Many of them fit standard laptops, too, perfect for the digital workforce that’s always carting their office with them to the local coffee shop. There’s a huge range of options, from durable canvas or nylon varieties to sophisticated pieces in worn leather.

Our Pick: Moleskine Nomad Messenger Bag, $99.95 at Urban Outfitters

What is a Garment Bag?

Going somewhere fancy? A garment bag is designed to keep your finest clothes dust- and wrinkle-free, and often features an attached hanger so your upscale outfits can go directly in a hotel closet without being unloaded from its carry case. While most garment bags are marketed toward men going on business trips in two-piece suits, last we heard, women also attend business meetings and want to avoid busting out the hotel iron. The most basic garment bags are simple sheaths, much like the type you get gratis with a suit or expensive coat, but some double as luggage, featuring space for multiple ensembles and extra pouches and pockets for all of your essentials.

Our Pick: Zegur Suit Carry-On Garment Bag, $47.95 at Amazon

What is a Wheeled Backpack?

You already know the short answer: It’s a backpack with wheels. (Duh.) But there’s a longer answer—it’s a rolling backpack that can be anything from a kid’s school bag on wheels to luggage you can lift up and cart around on your back, even in carry-on and checked sizes. They can make great alternatives to traditional luggage for those traveling on extended trips or to a variety of destinations—over a variety of terrain. (Those spinner wheels won’t serve you on a rocky riverbed.) The most popular options are related to travel packs, and well-liked among backpackers. It’s usually worth the price to choose a quality wheeled backpack that’s ergonomic, lightweight, and durable. As with travel packs, outdoor companies tend to sell the sturdiest options.

Our Pick: Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Luggage, $340 at Amazon

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13 Types of Travel Bags: Guide To Choose The Best Option in 2023

Traveling allows you to expand your perspectives and fully embrace the world that surrounds you. However, if you want to start a journey it’s important to have all the items to make the most of your trip. Thankfully different types of travel bags cater to individual preferences and unique needs.

We may earn commissions when you make qualifying purchases through links or recommendations on our website. However, this has no impact on the price you pay for the products or services.

Choosing the bag from the options can be a tough decision, for many people. Whether you’re someone who travels frequently enjoys backpacking adventures or is simply a tourist exploring places investing in a travel bag can be both expensive and confusing.

It can be quite perplexing to determine which bag will suit your needs the best. So now let’s dive into our list of types of travel bags.

Different Types of Travel Bags Best Traveling Bags For All Your Needs

• Hard-shell Suitcases
• Soft-sided Suitcases
• Spinner suitcases
• Hiking Backpacks
• Carry-on Bags
• Duffel Bags
• Garment Bag
• Waist packs
• Camera Bags

The suitcase is undoubtedly one of the preferred types of travel bags. If you’re thinking of purchasing a suitcase, for your trip you’ll find a range of options in terms of shapes, sizes, and materials available, in the market.

1- Hard-Sided suitcases

• Water Resistance

A hard-sided suitcase is made from durable materials such as polycarbonate or aluminum. It is excellent for protecting fragile items, but they are heavy.

Pros of HardSide Suitcase

Providing excellent protection for your belongings against rough handling and impacts.

These suitcases offer better protection against rain or accidental spills, helping to keep your items dry and safe during travel.

Cons of HardSide Suitcase

Hardshell suitcases may weigh more, than options, which could potentially restrict the amount of items you can pack and result in a heavier overall luggage load.

Due to their rigid structure, hardshell suitcases offer less expandability and may not easily fit in tight spaces like overhead bins on smaller planes.

Why Consider Buying a HardSide Suitcase

If you value the safety and durability of your belongings HardSide suitcases are an option. They are perfect, for travelers who frequently carry items or desire protection against rough handling.

Moreover, their stylish design and ability to resist water make them suitable, for all sorts of travel settings. Nevertheless, if you prefer a more versatile alternative it may be worth considering types of suitcases.

Related: 9 Best Top-Rated Luggage Sets For 2023

2- Soft-Sided Suitcases

• Lightweight

Soft-sided suitcases are made from flexible materials such as nylon or polyester. Packing is easier with them since they are lightweight.

Pros of SoftSide Suitcase

SoftSide suitcases often come with compartments, which can be handy when you need room, for packing. Their flexibility also makes them great for fitting into spaces.

SoftSide suitcases are generally lighter than ones making them easier to carry and maneuver in crowded or cramped areas.

Cons of SoftSide Suitcase

SoftSide suitcases might not provide protection, against impacts and rough handling as hardshell options do which could make them more vulnerable to damage. 

Additionally, in conditions, the soft materials of these suitcases tend to absorb moisture potentially causing harm, to the contents inside.

Why Consider Buying a SoftSide Suitcase

SoftSide suitcases are an option, for travelers who value flexibility and a lightweight design. They’re perfect for those who frequently need to pack a bit or navigate environments. However, if you prioritize protection, against impacts and extreme weather conditions it might be better to opt for a suitcase.

3- Spinner Suitcases

• Ease of Use

Spinner suitcases have four wheels that rotate 360 degrees, making them easy to maneuver. Travelers who want to avoid carrying heavy bags will find them useful.

Pros of Spinner Suitcase

Spinner suitcases are designed with wheels that can move in directions making it easy for you to smoothly navigate through areas, busy airports, and crowded streets without any need to tilt or exert excessive effort.

These luggage bags are designed to be easy to use minimizing the amount of effort required when transporting your belongings. You can effortlessly push, pull, or glide them beside you making them suitable, for travelers of any age.

Cons of Spinner Suitcase

Spinner wheels have a likelihood of getting stuck on surfaces or cobblestones which could lead to instability or tipping. This is something to keep in mind when maneuvering on smooth terrains.

Spinner wheels occupy some space, inside the suitcase, which could potentially result in a decrease in the packing capacity compared to suitcases, with traditional two wheels.

Considerations for Buying a Spinner Suitcase

If your main concern is having a suitcase that allows for maneuverability and can smoothly move alongside you in busy or tight areas such, as airports and city environments then opting for a spinner suitcase could be an excellent option.

However, if you often come across surfaces or require packing space it’s worth considering the pros and cons, before finalizing your decision.

Related:   Best Spinner Wheels Luggage Reviews In 2023

4- Backpacks

• Easy to Access

If you’re looking for a way to keep your things organized while you travel, then you might want to consider using a backpack . This is also a popular type of travel bag. A backpack is a popular option for travelers who want to keep their hands free.

Pros of Backpack

Backpacks are incredibly versatile. Can be used for a range of activities whether it’s your daily commute or going on a hike. They provide room, for storage. Have multiple compartments making them perfect, for adapting to different requirements.

Backpacks are designed to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed across your shoulders and back which helps to reduce strain and improves your posture. This ergonomic advantage leads to increased comfort when using the backpack for a period of time.

Cons of Backpack

Backpacks are worn on the back, making it less convenient to access items quickly, especially when you’re on the move. Some designs may require you to remove the bag to retrieve certain items.

While ergonomic, improper packing or overloading a backpack can lead to discomfort or even injury due to uneven weight distribution. It’s essential to pack and distribute weight thoughtfully.

Why Consider Buying a Backpack

A daypack can be anything from a small backpack for a day out to a large trekking backpack for a long trek. In addition, wheeled versions are available, making them easier to move.  For extra comfort, choose backpacks with multiple compartments.

5- Hiking Backpacks

The hiking backpack is perfect, for individuals who love to explore the outdoors through hiking and camping adventures. These backpacks are made with materials that can endure conditions and they come equipped with useful features, like hydration packs, rain covers, and compression straps.

6- Carry-on Bags

• Convenient for onboard

When you travel internationally it’s really important to have a carry-on bag . You’ll want one that’s easy to carry, not too heavy, and built to last. Before you buy a carry-on bag be sure to check the size limits set by the airline. Available options of several types of travel bags in the market carry-on is a must-have luggage.

Pros of Carry-on Bag

It’s important to have a carry-on bag that meets the size requirements set by the airline. This will help you save time and money by avoiding checked baggage fees. Also, make sure to choose a bag made of material that can withstand the wear and tear of travel.

Cons of Carry-on Bag

Carry-on luggage, which is specifically designed to meet the size restrictions imposed by airlines typically has storage space compared to checked bags. This can pose a challenge when it comes to packing for trips or carrying items.

If you need a medium-sized or large bag then you should follow the 62-linear inches luggage guideline .

Related:   Best Suitcases With Most Durable Wheels In 2023

7- Duffel Bags

• Versatile and Spacious
• Easy to Carry

A duffel bag is a choice, for travelers who like a relaxed and versatile bag. They are lightweight easy to carry and convenient, for packing in spaces. If you prefer carrying it by hand or using a shoulder strap you have those options to choose from.

Pros of Duffel Bags

Duffel bags are great, for storing a lot of things and their flexible shape makes them perfect for kinds of travel, sports, and activities. You can easily pack clothes, equipment, and important items into them.

Duffel bags typically have ways to carry them, like handles and shoulder straps which make them convenient and comfortable to use in situations.

Cons of Duffel Bags

Duffel bags, with a design, may not offer the same level of protection and structural support as hard shell luggage, which could result in slightly less safeguarding, for delicate items.

Duffel bags, with a design, may not offer the same level of rigidity and protection as hard shell luggage, which could result in slightly less safeguarding, for delicate items.

Both traditional and rolling versions are available.

Traditional Duffel Bags

Traditional duffel bags typically utilize materials. Have a cylindrical shape making them perfect, for accommodating items of varying shapes, particularly sports equipment.

Rolling Duffel Bags

Unlike traditional duffel bags, rolling duffel bags have wheels for easier transportation. The bags are ideal for travelers who need to carry a lot of gear but don’t want to carry a heavy bag.

8- Tote Bags

• Versatility
• Environment Friendly

A tote bag is a stylish option for travelers who want to carry a few essentials. The bags are available in canvas and leather. Tote bags are regarded as travel bags for women due to their suitability for carrying small accessories.

Pros of Tote Bags

Tote bags are incredibly versatile. Can be used for a range of occasions whether it’s a casual outing or a work meeting. They have a design and a simple stylish appearance that makes them perfect, for any situation.

Tote bags crafted with materials are a way to minimize reliance, on disposable bags and embrace a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Cons of Tote Bags

Limited Security is a drawback. Tote bags often lack zippers or closures, making them susceptible to pickpocketing or items falling out if not properly secured.

Carrying heavy items in a tote bag can strain one shoulder, potentially leading to discomfort or posture issues with prolonged use.

Considerations for Buying Tote Bags

Investing in tote bags is a choice because they are practical and eco-friendly. They offer plenty of room for your necessities, which means you won’t have to rely on single-use bags. When selecting a tote bag look for one that has closures and ergonomic features to make sure it’s both stylish and comfortable.

Canvas Tote Bags

The lightweight canvas tote bag comes in a range of colors and patterns making it perfect, for carrying books, water bottles, and snacks.

Leather Tote Bags

The leather tote bag is a more stylish option, and you can use it as a day bag or a carry-on. They’re great for carrying your wallet, phone, and books.

9- Garment Bags

• Wrinkle Prevention
• Protection against dust

When traveling, garment bags keep your clothes wrinkle-free . A carry-on and a wheeled version are available.

Pros of Garment Bags

Garment carriers are a way to keep your clothes organized and wrinkle-free while traveling which is especially beneficial, for business trips, formal occasions, and important events. 

They provide a layer of protection, against dust, moisture, and potential damage ensuring that your garments stay in condition during transit or storage.

Cons of Garment Bags

Garment bags can be quite bulky. Might occupy room, than standard luggage, which could potentially restrict the number of other items you can bring along.

The capacity of a garment bag is typically designed for a specific number of garments, which might not be sufficient for packing a diverse range of clothing options.

Why Consider Buying a Garment Bag

If you often travel with formal clothing it’s an idea to invest in a garment bag . It will help preserve the quality and appearance of your clothes. Moreover, garment bags are quite useful, for people attending events, conferences, or weddings where keeping outfits in condition is crucial.

Carry-On Garment Bags

The carry-on garment bag fits in the overhead compartment of a plane. These bags are perfect for short trips where only a few outfits need to be carried.

Wheeled Garment Bags

For easier transportation, wheeled garment bag s are larger and come with wheels. Business travelers who need to carry several suits and dresses will find them useful.

10- Laptop Bags

• Provide Protection
• Organization is easy

Travelers who bring their laptops along know the importance of having a laptop bag . If you’re someone who frequently travels with your laptop it’s essential to invest in a good quality laptop bag. These bags did not provide protection, for your device. 

Also offers convenient compartments to store other necessary items. For added security consider using a TSA-approved lock and a comfortable padded shoulder strap to carry your laptop bag.

Pros of Laptop Bags

Laptop bags come with cushioned sections and durable materials to protect your laptop from jolts, falls, and other possible harm while you’re, on the move. 

They also usually have pockets and compartments to help you stay organized by storing your accessories, documents, and personal belongings.

Cons of Laptop Bags

Some laptop bags can be bulky and add extra weight to your load, especially when carrying other items, which might become tiring during extended travel.

While laptop bags have improved in design, they may still lack the style and aesthetic options of regular bags or backpacks, limiting your fashion choices.

Why Consider Buying a Laptop Bag

Laptop bags are an option for both professionals and students who want to safely and efficiently carry their laptops and important work items. They provide protection, convenient organization, and special features that cater to the needs of laptop users. Investing in a laptop bag is definitely worth it, for individuals who are always, on the go.

11- Waist Packs

• Convenience
• Accessibility

Fanny packs, also referred to as waist packs are bags designed to be worn around the waist. They are ideal, for travelers who prefer to have their possessions within reach while keeping their hands free. Waist packs are available in sizes and materials, like leather, nylon, and canvas.

Pros of Waist Packs

Waist packs offer a way to carry your items such, as keys, phones, wallets, and snacks without needing to hold them. 

They are particularly useful, for activities, travel, and workouts. 

With a waist pack, you can easily access your belongings saving time and avoiding the hassle of rummaging through a backpack or purse.

Cons of Waist Packs

Waist packs have smaller storage compared to backpacks, restricting the amount of items you can carry.

While functional, waist packs may not align with formal or certain fashion contexts.

Why Consider Buying a Waist Pack

Fanny packs are an option, for people who want something easy to access especially when they’re on the move or need to keep important items close by. They’re perfect, for trips, workouts, and outdoor activities when you want to have your hands free.

12- Camera Bags

• Easy Access

Camera bags serve the function of safeguarding and securing travelers’ cameras ensuring their safety while on the go. They come in sizes and styles including backpacks, messenger bags, and shoulder bags. These bags often incorporate features, like padding and compartments, for the organization of cameras and accompanying accessories.

Pros of Camera Bag

A camera bag comes with sections and cushioning to protect your gear keeping it safe while you’re traveling or storing it. 

It also has pockets and compartments that allow you to easily reach your camera, lenses, and other accessories helping you work efficiently when taking photos.

Cons of Camera Bag

Camera bags can be bulky, making them less convenient for casual outings or situations where minimal gear is needed.

A camera bag may lack versatility as an everyday bag, limiting its use beyond carrying camera equipment.

Why Consider Buying a Camera Bag

As a photography enthusiast investing in a camera bag is crucial because it offers protection, for your camera equipment ensures efficient organization, and provides convenient access whenever you need it.

13- Briefcases

• Professional use
• For Documents

Briefcases are a popular travel bag among all types of travel bags for business travelers. They are designed to hold laptops, documents, and other business essentials. Briefcases come in various sizes and styles, including leather, nylon, and hard-sided options.

Pros of Briefcase

A briefcase is an accessory that adds a professional touch leaving a lasting impact, in business environments. 

It not only helps in keeping your documents, gadgets, and personal belongings well arranged but also comes with specialized compartments, for different items to ensure optimal organization.

Cons of Briefcase

Briefcases might seem a bit formal, for relaxed occasions, which can restrict their flexibility.

Certain types of briefcases can also be quite weighty and cumbersome which could lead to discomfort when traveling or using them on a daily basis.

Why Consider Buying a Briefcase

A briefcase is a valuable investment for professionals who prioritize a sharp appearance and efficient organization, enhancing their overall image and productivity in work-related activities.

Different Types of Travel Bags: Conclusion

Choosing a travel bag can greatly enhance your travel experience. Regardless of whether you’re a backpacker, a business traveler, or a family, on vacation, there are a types of travel bags for you.

We’ve explored types of travel bags to help you make a decision based on your specific needs. It’s crucial to consider factors such, as space, style, and features when selecting a travel bag that offers both comfort and enjoyment throughout your trip.

FAQs – Different Types of travel bags

The best type of travel bag for backpackers is a backpack.

Yes, there are travel bags that are waterproof. When choosing a waterproof travel bag, look for bags made from waterproof materials such as PVC or nylon with a waterproof coating.

Yes, most airlines allow a carry-on bag and a personal item.

When choosing a camera bag, consider the size and style of your camera and accessories.

A rolling suitcase is designed to be rolled around, while a travel pack is a combination of a backpack and a rolling suitcase.

I am a content writer and WordPress Developer. I love to explore and Visit the most beautiful places in the world. I am foody and have tried Indian, Bangladesh, and Turkish cuisine, but I love Turkish food.

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I’m sure every traveler at some stage has found themselves in the situation where they’re stuck traveling with the wrong kind of bag.

Whether it’s trying to lug a suitcase through the jungle and beating the crap out of your wheels (been there), or throwing everything into a hiking pack for a stay at a luxury hotel, a travel experience is often about choosing the right kind of bag.

And there are many different types of bags , which will be suitable for different types of trips. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking any bag will do, because you just need something   which will transport your things.

Bags are not sacks. They are not meant to be used as sacks. Bags are painstakingly blueprinted to strike a perfect balance between design and utility, for specific types of trips.

So to avoid committing ‘bags faux pas’, consider the following types of bags, and which will be most suitable for your upcoming trip.  This post has been bought to you by Bagail.com .

An Overview of Different Travel Bags: Choose the Right Bag for Your Trip

Duffel Bags

Travel duffel bags are the kind of bags which come closest to the utility of all-purpose sacks. Duffels are generally easy to carry and have two handles so that two people can share the weight while carrying it.

This is one of the best features of a duffel bag. In fact, nowadays duffel bags with separate cell phone pockets and certificate holder compartments are available in market. You just have to make a wise selection.

The major benefit of carrying backpacks is that you can go hands-free with it. You won’t get tired even if you’re carrying a month’s luggage. Backpacks are the popular choice of bags for campers, trekkers or any outdoorsy person.

Outdoor activities never come without a considerable exposure to mud and dirt. So intelligent travelers should choose a color which won’t stain easily. And, if you’re after a camping backpack , you should choose a style that can be hand washed easily.

When it comes to organizing and categorizing your belongings, a downfall of many backpacks is that they’re like an open sack, and can often be difficult to reach things at the bottom. So you should look for something with compartments and pockets – the more the better.

The quality of the shoulder straps of a backpack is an aspect which distinguishes a good backpack from a mediocre one .

Now, suitcases might not be the most convenient lightweight luggage option, but there are trips which require suitcase travel. And, it’s a lot easier to organize your clothing, and keep them crease free.

For instance, a luxury or business trip calls for a suitcase. Trips to attend weddings or high profile social gatherings need a suitcase. Why, you ask? Because only suitcases can provide the ultimate luxury that your best outfits demand.

Packing Cubes

Travel Packing cubes are small pouches which are used to segregate items in our bags, be it duffel bags, backpacks or suitcases. How many times have you put in the time to neatly pack your luggage, only to find that transit has reduced it to a hot mess!

Using packing cubes is the best way to prevent such situations. And using them is a great way to stay environment friendly . They come in different sizes and colors, and allow you to categorize and organize your clothes into different cubes.

If you’re  packing for family travel  you can assign one cube to each family member (or different colors to make organization easy). Organizing clothes like this makes unpacking less messy and saves a lot of time. They can also be used as carry on if you need to quickly unpack to to avoid excess baggage charges (been there!)

Travel is About Blending in

No matter which bag you decide to bring with yourself, be sure it suits the style of the trip. Don’t be a sore thumb and stand out in the crowd. After all travelling is all about blending in !

ONCE YOUR BAG IS SORTED, OTHER TRAVEL ESSENTIALS WE RECOMMEND ↓

INSPIRED? PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS ↓

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind  Waking Up Wild ; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

If you enjoy getting social, you can follow their journey on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  YouTube ,  Pinterest  and  Instagram .

30 Comments

Very helpful post, especially for frequent travelers. Thanks alot. Bookmarking it for reference. :)

Glad it was helpful for you! Happy travels!

Loving this post! Also agree on the packing cubes front, I started using them and they were game changing.

Thanks Deb! While I’ve been traveling for 10 years now I only recently discovered packing cubes too – totally agree, I started using them last year and was like “where have you been all my life” :D!

I’ve been debating for a while whether or not to get cubes. I have those thick plastic bags that you can roll/squeeze all the air out, which is great for that first initial pre-trip pack and dirty laundry along the way…but not much in between. I’m thinking it’s time to invest in some!

Cubes all the way! I’m a BIG fan of cubes – I actually only found out about them last year, but as soon as they arrived I questioned where they had been all my life!!! And I use them to organize my drawers at home when I’m not traveling too – they’re fabulous :D

Can highly recommend them, yes, I can imagine compression sacks would be highly annoying for constant access throughout a trip.

Best thing I ever came across was the packing cube. Been using them since our first trip to Europe in 2013 and never looked back. One thing I always ponder is hard shell or soft shell suitcase?

OMG me too!! I’m in love with packing cubes. I’ve purchased far too many of them lol!

We have a couple of different suitcases, both hard shell and softshell, and I like the concept of hardshell because I’ve seen how baggage handlers throw luggage around at airports, but also because they’re usually more water resistant if you get caught in the rain, and it’s easier to keep them clean (or clean muck off).

That said if you are going for a hardshell suitcase, make sure you check the quality and consumer reviews because the material used is usually more susceptible to crack than that of a softshell. And something to also consider is that softshell suitcases are easier to cram more luggage into as there’s often room for the material to expand a little bit – not the case with a hardshell.

Also consider if you care about the number of wheels – hardshell cases will often come with 4 wheels which you might find easier to move with softshell suitcases usually only come with 2 wheels.

Hope that helps!

I definitely more of a backpack girl myself, I use them for everything and especially for camping! However, my other weapon of choice is the cabin sized suitcase as I city break a lot and hate checking in baggage. That said, I have just come across the wonder that is the packing cube and they have genuinely changed my life! Cannot wait for my next big trip to use them again!

Awesome Sam, sounds like you have your bags worked our perfectly to suit your travel style! Yes, gotta love the cabin sized suitcase for short breaks – it’s so good being able to skip that conveyor belt and grab the first cab while everyone else is waiting for their bag!

And how good are packing cubes! Has changed my life too!!

We have been long time hikers and have pretty sturdy camping backpacks that we have been travelling with but we could still upgrade to a more suitable traveler backpack. The primary difference would be: 1) Straps: A hiking pack has a lot of straps that are required to perfectly distribute the weight for a day of wear. These straps are unneeded to cart a bag from the train to your room and unwanted for air travel because they can get caught in the conveyors at the airport. 2) Dimensions: an optimal piece of luggage should follow the maximum dimensions for air travel to maximize volume in your pack. Hiking packs tend to be taller and narrower to allow you to maneuver on trail and distribute the weight lower on you back. 3) Pockets and packing: A hiking pack has a bunch of little pockets so you can easily access your stuff on the trail. This is exactly a design that you can not secure from wandering fingers in a crowd or train. You would also want the pack to open fully so you can reach the bottom of your pack at any time. If you have to take your stuff out it adds complexity and exposes your clothes to bed bugs. Also, you would want a compartment big enough to slide a lap top which wasn’t an option with our current packs. Also, a common feature on hiking packs is an area for external strapping of tents, which just will not be used for urban travel and throws off the entire weight paradigm. You end up having your weight too high because you don’t utilize the heavy strap space at the bottom of your pack. 4) Support: A hiking pack devotes significant resources (weight / volume / cost) to distribute the load while you hike. Imagine the old school external frame pack… All of that frame will be wasted on the short haul trips of urban travel. A nearly equivalent overhead it devoted to an internal frame pack but you just don’t see it.

Thanks for the great overview of hiking vs traveler packs Jen, yes, you’re right, we’ve covered the types of bags quite broadly, though you can then break it down even further to be more suitable for your travel style and needs.

Your overview of the pros and cons of a hiking backpack vs one for urban travel is fantastic; it would be lovely if a company came out and developed a bag which achieved a balance of both right!

I’ll let you know if I come across a specific design which balances all of the pros and cons you’ve mentioned :)

I definitely need some new cases. I have had mine nearly twenty years and although they tell a lovely story, showcasing the many places I have been, I think I have to accept that they have outstayed their welcome. There are such better cases to use these days so maybe it is about time I took the plunge and got one which was easier to drag

Wow, your bags have definitely seen a lot of the world from the sounds of it!! I can totally understand the attachment to a bag which has accompanied you on so many trips, it becomes familiar and often acts as a reminder of previous trips.

But twenty years probably is a little overdue for an upgrade – though I’m super impressed that a bag has lasted that long, good on you for taking good care of it!

I’m more of a flashpacker, so I like the look of the suitcases in this list. I’d definitely invest in one of those! The duffel bag is also a nice alternative. I can see myself using it during city breaks.

Duffel bags are awesome for short weekend trips or city breaks – they’re so easy to travel with if you’re traveling light :)

Its my first time hearing about a Duffel bag! Is it that what you call this kind of bag! I will use it with my husband tomorrow and see if he understands me!? I always use my dear backpack since 2002 and to everywhere. It has been with me since my first interrail in Europe in 2002 to our latest RTW in 2014-2015 and I will hand it over to my two years old daughter for our RTW as family this coming summer. My next travel bag will be a backpack BUT you can aswell pull it. You should add it to your list!?

Glad we could introduce you! The duffel bag is great for short trips, or any type of travel where you’re traveling light and don’t need too many things. Maybe you have a different word for it :)

It sounds like your backpack has been with you on some pretty memorable trips! How special that you will hand it down to your daughter next :) Hope you have an amazing RTW trip!!

You summed up very nicely the available choice of travel luggage. But nowadays there are so many variations in styles that it’s worthwhile to look out for detail.

Like with suitcases: you have the choice of soft and hard-sided cases, some with external compartments, some without. I would never buy one with 4 wheels, like you promote in your photo and your comment as well. I find them really awkward to maneuver, and they seem to be only suitable for perfectly flat surfaces. If you put one down on the slightest slope they develop a life of their own and roll downhill. And have you ever tried to roll one along a cobbled street or footpath?

My preferred choice of luggage is a front-loading backpack, as they are easier to pack. These usually come with an additional flap to zip away the shoulder straps, so they don’t get entangled on conveyor belts or tight luggage spaces on buses. Once this flap is closed they almost look like an ordinary bag – suitable to book into any hotel. But you have the added benefit of a backpack, which is much more comfortable to carry for longer distances. Of course, they aren’t designed for serious wilderness tracking.

Thanks Juergen – and I totally agree, we’ve covered the types of bags quite broadly, though you can then break it down even further to be more suitable for your travel style and needs.

Re the four wheeled suitcases, it’s often quite easy to roll them as a two wheeled suitcase, with the other two in the air. But I do see your point about stopping on a hill! Definitely great that there are options for everyone nowadays :)

I love front-loading backpacks for my carry-on, and do usually opt for these on short trips. I do love when a bag has the zip away shoulder straps. A bag wins me over with it’s versatility!

On a recent trip I started thinking about the need for a different type of travel bag. Thinking about getting a backpack so I don’t have to use the roller suitcase for every trip.

You can also get hybrids now if you enjoy being able to switch between both; backpacks with wheels which is basically like a suitcase you can throw onto your back :)

This is such a helpful post, often we get confused on what kind of bag when to take..keeping it bookmarked

Glad that the information was helpful Aditi – feel free to reach out if you have any questions in the lead up to a trip. Happy travels!

A cool comprehensive guide, I personally opt for suitcases because I am awful at carrying light and it is easy and convenient! Thanks for sharing!

Glad you enjoyed the post Katie – suitcases are definitely a great choice if you have a habit of overpacking :D Happy travels!

I love the post, its really very helpful for travelers. I always confuse for selecting suitable Travel Bags. But after read this post i totally changed my mind, Now i can easily choose which traveler backpack is suits me. I like Travel Packing cubes its very spacious, I think this Travel Packing cubes make our traveling easier.

Thanks Madhu, I’m glad to hear that the above tips were helpful for you :) Travel cube are incredible – I can highly recommend picking up a few.

Happy travels!

I am a frequent traveler and I am always looking for the best way to pack my things. I have tried many different types of travel bags over the years, and have found my favorite to be the backpack.

In my case, I love backpacks because they are comfortable to carry, even when they are full. They are also very versatile, and can be used for all kinds of activities, from traveling to hiking. I leave you one of my favorite stores to buy leather backpacks.

Great to hear from another backpack fan Karla :) Thanks for reading!

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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!

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The 9 Best Travel Bags We’re Taking Out of Town With Us in 2023

By Tyler Schoeber

Tyler Schoeber

Contributor

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Your luggage should be stylish, functional, and full of pockets, no matter how near or how far you’re going. If your future includes a long-awaited trans-Atlantic getaway, you need a bag that can go the distance. What are you going to do? Start shopping, of course. Naturally, there are all sorts of different directions your search can take you, so we’ve cast a broad net and included a number of different travel bags we’ve personally tested on our travels.

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The traveler’s choice luggage set is under $160 for amazon’s big spring sale, there’s a great groupon deal for every kind of spring break.

While technically, any bag can be a travel bag, for this list, we’ve focused on the best travel bags that meet carry-on limits and TSA rules and regulations, and they’re all outstanding in different ways. So before you pack your bags, make sure you’re picking the right ones that can handle all of your travel gear.

The Best Travel Bags At a Glance

Monos metro backpack, monos carry-on, away carry-on, briggs & riley medium cargo backpack, wandrd rom sling 3l, wandrd all-new prvke backpack, l.l. bean hunter’s tote bag, herschel novel duffle bag, solo all-star hybrid backpack duffle bag, how to pick the best travel bag.

Answer these two questions for us: where are you going and how long are you going for? However you answer these two questions will determine how you should pick your best travel bag.

For shorter vacations, most travelers will be set with a backpack and/or duffel bag. These are smarter for packing a smaller number of clothing and will help keep you in check with overpacking. In addition, we love taking slings and tote bags with us as personal items to squeeze a couple more necessary items in.

Why We Chose It: Not only is it the most stylish travel bag on this list, but it has so many storage options, you won’t even know how to use them all.

It’s hard to look at the Monos Metro Backpack and not develop a crush, but that crush turns into a full-on infatuation once you get the chance to test it out for yourself. We’ve been testing the Monos Metro Backpack for months, and it’s quickly become our go-to when heading to the airport on both short and long trips. When it comes to storage, this backpack has it all. Expect pockets on pockets on pockets with this one. So much so that we’ve been finding a new one every time we use it.

This backpack can be packed to the brim but additionally keeps a smaller size to slide perfectly under the airplane seat ahead of you. Our two favorite aspects of this backpack? Well, the way it opens fully as a carry-on bag does in addition to the fact it comes with an exterior Dopp kit you don’t have to pack inside. Instead, it sits on the outside but is still exceptionally hard to steal due to the way it’s clasped onto the pack.

• Lots of pockets
• Great looking
• Solid materials
• Dopp kit included

$242.00 $272.00 11% off

Why We Chose It: Just like the backpack, this carry-on is sleek and small in all the right ways but can reimagine the way you pack.

Some might consider us Monos-obsessed and others will consider us realistic. The Monos Carry-On is currently the sleekest carry-on bag on the market and will have you reconsidering every luggage purchase you’ve made in your lifetime. Like the backpack, we’ve been testing this carry-on for months on end and noticed although it’s tiny (it can fit in every overhead airplane compartment), it can fit just about whatever it is you need to bring effortlessly.

Sometimes the extending handle will get stuck if you pack a little too much, but all you have to do is move some items around and you’ll be good to get on the road. The wildest part about this carry-on? It doesn’t zip close. Yes, you read that right. Instead, it clips closed with two TSA-friendly combination locks. They work well enough and feel more secure than a zipper does when we shove as much as possible inside.

• Lots of space
• Easy to pack
• Clips closed
• Handle sometimes gets stuck

Why We Chose It: The people have spoken. Not only have a number of editors tested and love this travel bag, but this is one of the most well-reviewed travel bags on the internet.

Away, as a brand, has had a bizarre past couple of years, but we’re looking to put all of the gossip and bad press aside for the truth: the Away Carry-on is one of the best travel bags this world has to offer. If we think about the saying “new classic”, we can’t not think about this carry-on. This reinvented travel bag has an ultra-packable interior that can fit all of your belongings no matter where you’re headed. In addition, it has a hard exterior shell that can be knocked around in the overhead compartment and the conveyer belt alike. The telescoping handle is easy to use and four wheels allow for effortless transport in the airport.

This carry-on is complete with a TSA-approved locking system in addition to a handy portable charger. Here’s the issue, though — in our experience, you cannot get through an airport or onto an airplane without someone from TSA or a flight attendant on the airplane asking you to take the portable charger out from the little home it sits in. Supposedly, it’s a fire hazard, which doesn’t have the best look. Nonetheless, they’ll let you keep it as long as it isn’t inside the actual carry-on.

• Well-reviewed
• Can take bumps and hits
• Great handle
• Very packable
• Portable charger issues

Why We Chose It: A smart design meets a monogrammable backpack for stylish wear and a comfortable way of packing.

It’s safe to say that backpacks are greater duffle bags these days. Why? Because lugging is so old school. Instead, the majority of the best travel bags these days are backpacks disguised in the same shape and size as most duffle bags. That’s the case here with the Briggs & Riley Medium Cargo Backpack.

Through testing, we’ve taken note that this boisterous backpack comes with pockets on pockets to make travel easy and mess-free. It’s a larger pack that still has the size you need for fitting under the airplane seat in front of you. Additionally, we’ve taken note that it’s one of the most comfortable backpacks you can wear even when it’s packed to the brim. Fit your laptop, tablet, clothing, your toiletries — whatever. It can all fit in this travel bag. Oh, and did we mention that you can monogram this bag with your initials if you’d like? You know, for that extra added spunk.

We’d recommend this for business travelers. It’s hard to find a good backpack that’s business-appropriate and aesthetically, this one takes the cake.

• Comfortable to wear
• Ultra packable
• Big but not too big
• Very pricy for a backpack

Why We Chose It: Vloggers rejoice — we found a low-profile, trendy bag to bring your core gear around the villa.

Hear us out: this is primarily a camera bag. Yep, you read that right. A camera bag. That said, if carrying the PKW (phone, keys, wallet) isn’t your MO and you’re more so on a vlogging quest, use it to carry your camera and lens with the divider included.

We know what you’re thinking, “how on Earth is this one of the best travel bags?” Well, let’s set one thing straight: sometimes, big things come in small packages. And that’s exactly the case for the Wandrd Rom Sling 3L. This sling bag is great for protecting your gear on the go just as much as it is for keeping it on your body when exploring. It’s the perfect low-key personal item for vloggers who aren’t carrying a ton of gear; just their mirrorless camera and a microphone.

• Great for multi-purpose use
• Might be too small
• Won’t pack anything too large

Why We Chose It: Photographers travel, too. Just like Wandrd’s Sling above, this is a great option traveling photographers can take on the road.

Hey, photographers — we’re back again with another one for you from Wandrd. The All-New PRVKE Backpack is a force to be reckoned with in the travel bag space. We’ve been testing it for well over a year now, and it’s become our favorite camera backpack in recent times. This breathable bag uses a comfortable back panel to stress your body out less when taking it out and about. It’s got a number of ways to carry that even includes luggage pass-through straps if you don’t feel like carrying it at all.

This is the kind of bag you can pack all of your technology in side by side with clothing, snacks, water bottles, and more. You know, just in case you’re camping or something. After owning it for so long, we can also attest to its durability. It feels just as strong as it was on day one.

• Packs tech and other items
• Very durable
• Might not be the best for non-photographers

We’re getting unintentionally controversial here, but yes, that’s a tote bag, but it was ranked as one of the best tote bags in a previous review. Sometimes it’s easier to throw it all in rather than purposefully pack it in an orderly fashion. Modeled after a classic duck-hunting bag, this tote uses one large, roomy space with a mouth that opens wide so you can find whatever it is you’re looking for quickly and effortlessly. When testing, we noticed multiple ways of carrying depending on the straps you choose to use when lugging along. The bag itself is entirely water-resistant, making it the best travel bag for wetter locations such as London or Seattle.

That price? Well, when it comes to the best travel bags, this one really can’t be beaten. It’s something that makes this bag well worth it in our opinion. You’ll be happy to know that owning this bag doesn’t mean you have to hunt ducks, it works for clothes and stuff as well.

• Large capacity
• Can fit clothes and other items
• Definitely not an “only bag”

Why We Chose It: We know, we slightly made fun of duffle bags earlier — but we still love duffle bags. Yes, especially when they’re from Herschel.

Don’t get us wrong; we absolutely love a duffle bag, even though we made fun of it earlier. But, the large, luggable way of wearing is well, loveable.

This functional bag is a favorite of ours for several reasons. We love the two-way carry, whether going over the shoulder or using the top handles to swing it along (we prefer the top handles), but the standout here is a little hidden. A functional side pocket is hidden in this bag designed to hold shoes. Yes, so your shoes don’t have to touch your clean clothes. After testing this bag, we decided that this factor in itself makes this bag a game-changer. That along with the Herschel name? A simple chef’s kiss.

• Large space
• Extra section for shoes
• Great brand
• Multiple ways to carry
• You have to lug it
• Not many extra pockets

Why We Chose It: This bag takes everything we typically dislike about a duffle bag by transforming it into something easier to carry.

Want to lug it around on your shoulder? Go for it. Hold it like a shopping bag? Might as well. Throw it on your back like a backpack? You can do that, too. The Solo All-Star Hybrid Backpack Duffle Bag is one of the best travel bags because it combines so many into one. We’ve been testing this one for three years in total and can attest that it will last you a lifetime. Each bag is so light and comfortable to wear, no matter how much you pack it to the brim. To top it all off, it’s honestly quite stylish, and everything is sustainably made.

• Multiple ways of holding
• Sustainably made
• Lasts a long time
• For a duffle, it’s not as large as we’d like

How We Determined the Best Travel Bags

It sounds easier said than done, but the answer is kind of simple: we determined the best travel bags by traveling. Each and every travel bag you see above we have taken out in the world during our travels this past year. In some cases, we’ve even been testing these bags longer. Clearly, Monos is a brand that is sticking out of the pack as one our readers certainly need to look out for in 2023. Sure, they might not be the cheapest bags on the planet, but they really do the job effortlessly well.

To discover all of the best travel bags, we considered the following:

• Comfortability: You don’t want to carry around a travel bag if it isn’t comfortable. We made sure these bags could stand the test regarding comfortability during travel.
• Style: Travel bags should be as good-looking as they are functional.
• Extra Pockets/Hidden Features: Travel bags in 2023 should differ from the kind our parents were carrying around. Travel bags must have standout features such as extra pockets and hidden features.
• Size: Were the bags too big, too small, or just right?
• How Much It Fits: Why would you want a bag that doesn’t fit what you need to bring?
• Accessibility: This speculation determined whether there were more ways to access the interior or not. In addition, we factored in how the bag opens.
• Colors: Because who doesn’t love fun colors?

Why Trust SPY to Find the Best Travel Bags

Here at SPY, we love testing products. It’s quite literally the name of the game at this point. You name it; we’ve probably tested it. Moisture-wicking t-shirts , bike locks , bald head shavers , face masks — you get the gist. Also, SPY is all over the place. Our main editing team can be found across the US in just about every single time zone. In addition, we’ve got freelance editors overseas in different spots outside of mainland America. That being said, we’re constantly traveling both for work and for pleasure.

We’ve spent hours on hours inside airports, bus terminals, train stations on planes, trains, cars, buses — not to mention getting ourselves to and from these locations on public transportation, Uber and the like. We’re trying to say that the bags above have seen more than many people in this world have. We’re using them more than you can understand. Because we’ve used them so many times in such a plethora of different scenarios, these travel bags have gone through so much testing we can barely put a number on them.

During testing, we made sure that these bags can put up with anything that might occur in transit. Layovers from hell to flights that are oh-so-smooth sailing, we’ve gone above and beyond to test every aspect of what these bags are capable of doing.

Click here to read more about SPY’s product testing and review process .

About the Author

Tyler Schoeber is the E-Commerce & Special Projects Editor at SPY. Based in Chicago, Tyler’s a proud Jersey native who loves good food, good wine, and good times. Recently, Tyler has written about the  best winter coats , the  best men’s joggers  and the  best sweaters for men  as well.

Tyler Schoeber joined SPY in 2020, after working at TripAdvisor as Photo Intern-turned-Production Specialist. Tyler's editorial background is heavily focused on e-commerce journalism and…

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The 14 Best Crossbody Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

From sling bags to camera bags, these crossbodies make travel so much more convenient.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

No matter how you slice it, crossbody bags are some of the most versatile bags a shopper can buy. Not only are they typically quite stylish, but they’re also ideal for travel considering their size. There are even quite a few types of crossbodies to consider: there are traditional crossbody bags (think camera bags) and there are also sling bags and belt bags, which can each be worn in various ways. Whichever style you choose, the majority feature adjustable straps so you can customize your own personal, comfy fit.

Luckily, when we turned to our Travel + Leisure team and some additional frequent travelers for their favorite bags, the results were packed with crossbodies of all types. We recommended dozens of items we already own and travel with often, and we each rated our picks based on capacity, comfort, ease of use, portability, and value. The bags below are our favorites.  

Best Overall

Baggu nylon crescent bag.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

It’s extremely versatile and comfortable to wear.

Some may not think it’s the most stylish bag.

There are many reasons Baggu’s Medium Nylon Crescent Bag made the top spot on our list, but the biggest reason is its versatility. We have used this crossbody for everything from weekend trips and amusement park days to running errands and commuting. Beyond that, we can’t get over just how comfy it is to wear. The strap is pretty wide for a crossbody, which helps distribute the bag’s weight on our shoulder — plus the strap is adjustable, allowing the wearer to position it however they feel most comfortable. It’s also ultra-spacious, machine-washable, easy to pack into larger luggage, and significantly more durable than it initially feels. 

Inside its roomy main compartment, there are two pockets to neatly store smaller items like keys, cosmetics, cards, and cash. The top zipper is impressively smooth and we’ve never experienced it catching or snagging on anything in the several months we’ve been using it. It has quickly become our everyday bag, and it’s even unisex and available in a wide range of colorways, including hot pink, brown, a cloud print, and more. 

The Details: 8 x 13.75 x 4 inches | Nylon 

Hammitt Stadium-Approved Clear Bag

• Capacity 3 /5

It’s an elevated version of a classic transparent bag.

It may be too small if you aren’t using it to fit stadium guidelines.

We originally bought the Hammit Tony SML to take to concerts (yep — it’s stadium-approved), but its cute embellishments and versatile size have kept us reaching for it again and again over the last few months. We’ve brought it to sporting events, the beach, and overnight trips, and each time we were impressed by just how much the bag can hold for its size. We’ve stuffed it with our phone, earpods, makeup, and even a Kindle Oasis, and it remained lightweight each time. Its wide, adjustable strap feels comfortable even on bare skin, and metal studs provide a unique coolness. You can grab it in eight clear styles with colored leather accents, and there are even more non-clear hues.   

The Details: 8 x 2 x 7.5 inches | Clear TPU with leather accents

Watch How We Test Travel Products

Best leather, quince leather foldover clutch.

It’s stylish, organized, and can be worn in two different ways.

Though the exterior slip pocket is meant for a phone, it will be a very tight squeeze.

This sleek, slightly asymmetrical clutch has made it onto plenty of our trips over the past several months, both near and far. Shoppers can choose to carry it in its original clutch form or they can attach the included strap to transform it into an everyday crossbody bag. We love that it has two separate zippered compartments large enough to fit bulkier items, while an exterior slip compartment and various interior pockets make organization a breeze. The gorgeous Italian pebble leather feels soft and luxe, and the gold hardware is ultra eye-catching. You can find this bag in dusk blue, cappuccino, merlot, and black.

The Details: 7.5 x 2 x 10 inches | Italian leather, microfiber suede

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Anti-theft

Sherpani esprit at.

Hackers and thieves are no match for this sleek sling bag.

It may feel slightly inconvenient for left-handed travelers.

Sling bags are made for travel, and one of our all-time favorites is Sherpani’s Esprit AT. We’ve taken it on everything from weeks-long international trips to weekend getaways and it comes in handy every time thanks to anti-theft features including slash-resistant mesh, a cut-proof strap, locking zippers, and a chair lock loop. It even boasts RFID protection to prevent hackers from stealing your personal information. In addition to those safety features, the sling bag also has a total of seven pockets ranging from zippered exterior pockets to fleece-lined interior slip pockets, as well as an adjustable strap and key leash. The bag is large enough to fit a 10-inch tablet, yet compact enough to count as a personal item on planes. 

The Details: 11 x 18 x 5 inches | 13 ounces | Nylon

Best Water-repellent

Lululemon all night festival bag.

It’s versatile and stylish enough to use every day.

The magnetic closures may affect some phones and other devices.

We originally bought this bag to use on a weeklong trip out west, but we loved it so much, it has since become our everyday purse. It’s spacious, comfortable to carry, and easy to use thanks to its size and adjustable shoulder strap. It’s packed with both interior and exterior pockets as well as zipper and magnetic closures to keep everything inside secure. A wide opening in the main compartment even makes seeing and grabbing your items simple. We can’t get enough of the water-repellent nylon, which is helpful while at the pool or exploring new destinations in the rain. Perhaps best of all, though, is this bag is as stylish as it is functional — so you can pair it with any outfit and take it virtually anywhere.  

The Details: 7.9 x 3.9 x 8.3 inches | Nylon, polyester

Most Comfortable

Kavu rope bag sling pack.

After years of wear, it still never cuts into our shoulders — and it fits so much stuff.

The fabric fastener closure may not stay shut as well with repeated use.

This bag has been basically everywhere with us over the last few years: major vacations, road trips, flights, the mall, the park, and beyond. That’s partially because it’s so comfy to carry (the strap feels soft and broken-in on the first wear), but also because it fits so much inside. Designed with two vertical zip compartments and two smaller pockets, we felt like we had enough space for all our essentials and more — in fact, we used this while traveling with toddlers and were able to stow several of their items, too. The cotton canvas fabric feels soft against our back and shoulders and it appears to be high quality. In other words, we have a feeling this bag will withstand years of travel. 

The Details: 20 x 11 x 5 inches | 12 ounces | Cotton canvas

Travel + Leisure / Kathryn Standing

Most Versatile

Senreve belt bag.

• Value 4.5 /5

It can be worn three ways and it’s durable enough to take anywhere.

It’s pretty pricey for a belt bag.

We’ve carried this belt bag across our bodies, around our waist like a true fanny pack, and even as a clutch — and we’ve loved it every time. Whether traveling, hitting the gym, or heading to dinner with friends, the Senreve Belt Bag never feels out of place. It’s strappy and stylish like a purse, but it fits a bit more securely, like a fanny pack or sling bag. The microsuede interior feels luxurious and the magnetic flap closure offers a sense of security without adding bulk or taking away from the bag’s sharp appearance. There are only two pockets inside, but we felt that was plenty for the size, especially considering the spacious main compartment. It’s also scratch-, stain-, and water-resistant, so we feel comfortable getting a little rough with it, even in a lighter color. This bag comes in six different textures and colors ranging from chablis to merlot.

The Details: 8 x 5 x 2 inches | 14.24 ounces | Leather, suede

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Organization

Baggallini everywhere bagg.

• Capacity 4 /5

It’s packed with pockets.

The spacious main compartment can feel like a bit of a black hole.

This is the type of bag that can hold “everything but the kitchen sink,” but it’s still technically a crossbody, so it’s truly the best of both worlds. It has pockets on just about every side, both internally and externally, and the main compartment is large enough to fit a small laptop or tablet, plus more. The strap is adjustable, the fabric is water-resistant, and the top zips closed to keep your belongings safe. It even comes with a removable RFID wristlet to keep your most important documents safe, or to use when you don’t need to carry a larger bag. Grab the crossbody in one of ten colors and prints such as dark cherry or gray camo — or even a black-and-beige, faux-shearling-lined option.

The Details: 11 x 9 x 5 inches | 12 ounces

Tumi Persia Crossbody

It’s stylish as can be and it’s small enough to take anywhere.

The strap is not detachable.

If you’re into bags that are so compact they’re downright cute, you’ll love the Persia Crossbody by Tumi. It’s slim, sleek, and perfect for traveling with just the essentials. We love flying with it because it’s small enough to fit into a larger personal item as needed, but leaves the essentials close at hand mid-flight. And though it’s one of the smallest crossbodies on our list, it actually has an impressive number of pockets, so it’s still able to fit your keys, phone, wallet, AirPods, Kindle, makeup, and even snacks with room to spare. It even has a key leash; three card slots; and a wide, adjustable strap for added convenience. If you prefer to personalize the bag, you can do so with the monogramming feature.   

The Details: 7.5 x 5.3 x 2.0 inches | 9.6 ounces | Nylon

Best Camera Bag

Madewell large transport camera bag.

It’s quite durable and more stylish than the average camera bag.

There’s no interior lining.

Camera bags are a dream to travel with, but they can be kind of clunky and unsightly. The Madewell Large Transport Bag changes the game with its cute, non-bulky design that’s large enough to fit sunglasses, a wallet, keys, cosmetics, and even an actual DSLR camera. The extra-wide strap typical of camera bags makes it super comfy to carry and it even gives the bag a modern flair that we’re shamelessly obsessed with. However, if you’re into a thinner, more traditional leather strap, you can opt for that as well. Pockets on both the outside and inside are perfect for storing things like cash and lip balm. 

The Details: 6.5 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches | Leather

Best Colors

Lo & sons pearl.

Lo and Sons

• Capacity 2 /5

It’s excellent at organization for a bag of its size.

It’s best for those who travel with just a few small items.

We’ve been using this purse for more than four years and it’s still finding ways to impress us. It’s not overly spacious, but it’s large enough to fit a few essential items and it’s the ideal size for trips ranging from international journeys to weekend getaways. Designed with one main compartment, two separate zip compartments, and a handful of other interior zip and slip pockets, you won’t find a crossbody of this size with better organization features. The detachable strap and touchably smooth leather are testaments to the bag’s high-quality construction, but our favorite thing about it might be the available colors: there are 21 color and leather options ranging from navy Saffiano leather to cognac cactus leather.

The Details: 7.75 x 9.5 x 3 inches | 14.4 ounces | Leather

Best Designer

Bottega veneta loop camera bag.

Bottega Veneta

It’s roomier than it looks — and it goes with pretty much every outfit.

It’s the most expensive item on our list by far.

Bottega Veneta’s chic little Small Loop Camera Bag may have snagged our best designer spot, but after using it for the past year, we think it’s the best bag for city exploration, too. We’ve used it in London for a weeklong trip, toted it around the towns of Spain, and have taken it with us pretty much everywhere in New York City. Despite its compact size and single compartment, it’s spacious enough to fit plenty of items like a small wallet, sunglasses, a phone, keys, cosmetics, and more. The woven leather design and gold hardware only up the luxurious feel, while an unstructured strap feels soft on the shoulder. We love this bag in classic black, but it’s also available in white, pink, and navy. 

The Details: 6.1 x 8.7 x 3.5 inches | Lambskin leather

Kavu Sydney Satchel

It’s well-made, reasonably priced, and packed with pockets.

It’s not particularly fancy or fashion-forward.

The Kavu Sydney Satchel may be our value pick, but don’t let that deter you — there’s not much the bag can’t do. We’ve spent the last four or five years taking it pretty much everywhere, including various national parks, multi-week Europe trips, and nights out with friends. Because it’s made of extra-durable cotton, it holds up against unfavorable weather and rough travel. It’s on the larger side, so it’ll fit plenty of items including clothing, but it’s also rather slim, so it makes a great non-bulky travel bag. It’s the pockets, though, that keep us coming back to this crossbody: the oversized front pocket holds larger items like wallets, tablets, and other devices, while the main compartment boasts several smaller interior pockets for things like cards and cosmetics. To top it all off, the Sydney comes in 26 fun prints and colors.  

The Details: 15 x 13 x 1.5 inches | 12 ounces | Cotton canvas

Best for Parents

Canvelle sling bag.

It’s the most stylish sling bag we’ve ever seen.

It’s a little pricey for a sling bag.

This is the daily bag we’ve been using for the past few years to carry our stuff and our kids’ stuff — without sacrificing style. While it’s not quite the size of a full-fledged baby bag, it does have the space for a change of clothes, some snacks, a full-size wallet, sunglasses, sunscreen, and other everyday essentials. Because it has a wide, super comfy strap and boasts high-end construction, it makes an excellent personal item when flying. It even has a cushioned back panel, a water-resistant lining, water-resistant back pockets, and a key clip. After using it for a couple of years, we think it feels like an oversized belt bag that can be worn across the body. 

The Details: 17 x 11 x 5 inches | 9.6 ounces | Poly canvas

Other Crossbodies We Liked

A few other crossbody bags almost made our list, but were ultimately cut due to minor issues we experienced while using them.

Athleta All About Crossbody : This crossbody is quite durable and comfy, and we like it enough that we’ve used it pretty consistently over the last few months. It’s just a bit too small to use as a travel bag or even as a commuter bag. 

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 : This bag is made for travel and it’s come along with us everywhere from Cancun to Paris. It’s super slim yet packed with pockets, so it’s a packing dream, but we noticed that after a few years of use, there’s some discoloration on the leather.

Lug Coupe XL Convertible Crossbody Bag : We appreciated that the Lug Coupe XL Convertible Crossbody Bag is somewhat more stylish than the average belt bag or fanny pack and it has a sufficient number of pockets. Still, we feel it’s a little pricey for a small polyester bag — plus the strap closure seems strange for this type of bag.

For this roundup, the Travel + Leisure team gave feedback about their favorite crossbody bags for travel that they already own. We asked each participant to rate their crossbody in categories including capacity, comfort, portability, ease of use, and value. Then, as a team, we pared down the list based on those ratings and our own research. Our team members have taken these crossbody bags on trips of various lengths and have owned them anywhere between a few months and several years.

Tips For Buying a Crossbody Bag

Make sure it fits your essentials.

It can be tempting to go for the most visually appealing crossbody bag you can find, but keep in mind crossbodies are small by nature and if you can’t fit all your daily items inside, you’ll just end up frustrated on your travels. You may even find yourself wanting to buy a new bag once you arrive at your destination. That said, it’s wise to prioritize size over everything else when shopping for a crossbody.

Look for padded, adjustable straps

Crossbody straps are often thinner than those on totes and backpacks, so if your bag is stuffed to the brim, that thin strap may dig into your shoulder. To avoid discomfort in your shoulder or any body part the bag may repeatedly rub against, consider crossbodies with padded, adjustable straps. 

Prioritize built-in organization and safety features

Depending on what you plan on traveling with, it’s a good idea to shop for crossbodies that have plenty of pockets as well as safety features such as zip tops or both zips and snaps for double protection. Multiple pockets mean there’s a spot for everything, making it easier to locate things inside the purse. Meanwhile, safety features like locking zippers, slash-resistant straps, and RFID-blocking technology help prevent pickpockets and hackers from getting their hands on your most precious items.

Standard crossbodies can be worn over the shoulder or, as the name suggests, across the body. More specific crossbodies like belt bags and sling bags can be worn across the chest or back or even around the waist — fanny pack-style.

When worn correctly, it’s harder for crossbodies to slip off your shoulder or be stolen than totes and handbags. Crossbodies also allow shoppers to go hands-free, which is helpful on challenging hikes, cycling adventures, and when there’s other luggage to carry.

Typically, airlines only allow travelers to bring two items into the cabin with them: a carry-on — which is usually stowed in the overhead bins — and a smaller personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you. Most crossbody bags are small enough to be considered a personal item (18 x 14 x 8 inches) and some larger ones count as carry-ons (22 x 14 x 9 inches). But if you’re hoping to bring a crossbody into the cabin in addition to another personal item and carry-on, TSA will likely ask you to pack your crossbody into another piece of luggage or leave it at the airport altogether. Something smaller and more compact, like a phone purse , might work better since it can be stashed in a carry-on or personal item easily if necessary.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, associate commerce editor Hillary Maglin collaborated with the T+L team to pinpoint the best crossbody bags for travel that we personally own and use frequently. Hillary has been a crossbody fan since her middle school years and currently owns nearly a dozen.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Protect Your Trip »

The best carry-on luggage of 2024.

Discover the best carry-on luggage for your unique travel style and needs.

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Rachael Hood | U.S. News

Things aren't always as they seem – especially when it comes to luggage. In our quest to find the best carry-on bags, we discovered that while some suitcases look good, they don't always hold up to the demands of travel. Some designs have attractive features that add bulk but not additional functionality, while others just don't live up to the hype.

To determine the best carry-on luggage, we tested dozens of bags on countless trips to find the ideal bag for every travel need. Read on to find the best option in a variety of categories, tested and reviewed by our team of experts.

Best Overall: ROAM Carry-On Front Pocket

• Jump to features and expert insights ↓
• Overall Runner-up: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Hardside Spinner

Best Hard-sided: Away The Carry-On

Best soft-sided: samsonite solyte dlx carry-on spinner, best lightweight: july carry on light, best for international travel: delsey paris helium aero international carry-on - expandable spinner, best affordable: amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner.

• Best Expandability: Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner
• Best Underseater: CALPAK Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-On Luggage

Best for Business Travel: Amazon Basics Expandable Softside Carry-On Spinner – 20.4 Inch

Best luxury: carl friedrik the carry-on pro.

• Best Carry-on Duffel: The North Face Rolling Thunder–22"

Best Carry-on Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

(Note: Prices were accurate at the time this article was published; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors. Original photos were taken by our editors during luggage testing.)

Price: $625 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14.25 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds Packing capacity: 4-7 days; 37 liters | Color options: Custom color combinations include red, black, lilac and slate Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Limited lifetime with a 100-day trial

This fully customizable suitcase allows travelers to create a one-of-a-kind carry-on bag. From the front and back of the bag to the handles, zippers and wheels, you choose the color combination you love.

However, it's not all about the aesthetics: This hard-shell suitcase has 360-degree ball bearing wheels that roll easily over multiple surfaces, including brick sidewalks and moving walkways. The telescoping handle is sturdy and adjustable, which makes the bag glide with you, and the front-access pocket has a key fob and room for a laptop, phone, glasses and small travel essentials. There's also a built-in TSA lock. The back of the suitcase has an inset with a monogrammable leather tag to keep your personal information discreet while traveling.

Note: This carry-on is currently on closeout with limited color availability.

What our editors say:

I was extremely impressed from the moment I opened the box. It was nicely packaged in a blue ROAM-branded dust bag and the carry-on is beautifully constructed. It's made of high-quality materials, and I found the compression panels with mesh zippered compartments to be extremely useful for both maximizing space and keeping items in place while traveling. But what really sets this bag apart is how easy it is to maneuver when fully packed for a weeklong trip. It glides effortlessly over all types of terrain, even inlaid brick sidewalks! The customized color scheme (which is really easy to do) takes this carry-on to a new level. Plus, you can create a coordinating tote or backpack to match. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Best Overall Runner-up: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner

Leilani Osmundson | U.S. News

Price: $369.99 or less

Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 10 days; 45 liters | Color options: White, red, blue, green or gray Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Limited lifetime

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner is a truly well-rounded carry-on with a plethora of unique features. USB A & C ports on the outside of the bag give easy access to charging. (A power bank is not included, though the bag does have a pocket for one inside the expansion zipper.) Self-aligning magnetic wheels – a reviewer-favorite feature – allow painless travel through the airport as well as on roads, sidewalks, uneven surfaces and more. A built-in TSA zipper lock offers ultimate protection for your possessions.

Even without the features listed above, this Travelpro spinner is, at its core, a high-quality piece. The hard outer shell is ultra-strong and 100% polycarbonate; aluminum corner guards further protect your belongings. The clamshell-style suitcase has two large interior compartments along with three extra pockets, one of which is water-resistant, and the expansion zipper allows for an extra 2 inches of packing room. Plus, this carry-on is made with genuine leather trim, so you can travel in style as well as comfort.

There are some amazing features on this carry-on, but my favorite is the wheels – as someone who typically prefers hands-free travel (primarily backpacks), I found that the way this suitcase easily glides around everywhere absolutely changed my mind about wheeled luggage. Just know that since this is one of the larger bags on this list, I would still check your airline's carry-on size requirements before traveling (though it's been tested for most major domestic airlines, and it fit perfectly on Delta). – Leilani Osmundson, Digital Producer

Amanda Norcross | U.S. News

Price: $275 or less

Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 5 days; 39.8 liters | Color options: Black, navy, blue gray or olive, plus 2 glossy options Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Limited

When it comes to hard-sided carry-on luggage , nothing beats The Carry-On by Away. The bag is lightweight yet indestructible thanks to a 100% polycarbonate exterior. Plus, you can easily wipe away most scratches with a magic eraser.

In late 2023, Away launched a new iteration of The Carry-On that somehow made it even more efficient. The most notable new features are an additional underside grab handle, three extra interior compartments, and an enhanced compression system that upholds the bag's ability to accommodate nearly a week's worth of clothing. The bag's 360-degree wheels are also slimmer than those of its predecessor for improved maneuverability. While Away has long been known for its neutral colored matte options, glossy options of this bag are now available.

The Away Carry-On is my ride or die. I've taken it on so many trips over the past five-plus years and it's still in perfect shape. I know I'll have it with me for many years to come. – Amanda Norcross, Content and SEO Strategist

Catriona Kendall | U.S. News

Price: $199.99 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 32 liters | Color options: Black, gray, green, aqua blue or royal blue Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: 10-year limited

This classic soft-sided option from Samsonite offers everything you need for a smooth trip. There are three spacious pockets and a trolley strap on the outside so you can stack it on top of another rolling suitcase, as well as a USB port for charging your phone (though you'll have to purchase a battery separately).

Inside the suitcase, three more zippered pockets – including one for wet items – help you stay organized, while buckles keep the main compartment's tie-down straps out of your way while packing. This spinner can conveniently expand by 0.75 inches, but keep in mind if you're flying that overpacking may put it over your carry-on size allowance.

I've used other spinner suitcases in the past, but none of them glide as smoothly as this bag, with its 360-degree dual-spinner wheels. I also love the high-quality, lightweight material, but my favorite part is its organizational features – especially the WetPak pocket. I'd highly recommend the Samsonite SoLyte DLX for anyone who needs a trusty soft-sided carry-on for a flight; it definitely fits more than I thought it would. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Price: $245 or less

Dimensions: 21.25 x 14.17 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 32 liters | Color options: Beige, light green, dark green, lilac, charcoal or 3 others Hard- or soft-sided: Hard | Warranty: Lifetime with 100-day returns

Weighing just under 4 pounds, this bag is the lightest hard-sided carry-on we found on the market. It's constructed with an extremely durable German polycarbonate shell, and the interior has two mesh zippered compartments to keep your belongings from shifting. The inner nylon lining is also resistant to water and stains. To make the suitcase easy to maneuver, there's a top carry handle, a telescoping handle and dual-spinner wheels.

I was absolutely shocked by how light this suitcase is. While some lightweight designs can be extremely flimsy, this July carry-on is very durable and holds a good amount of clothing. With compression packing cubes I was able to pack enough clothing for a week. It was extremely easy to put in the plane's overhead compartment, and the wheels rolled very smoothly for my entire journey. The only thing I noticed is that since the bag is so lightweight, the trolley bag I had was making it want to topple. Next time, I'd use a smaller tote or a north-south design to avoid that issue. – Rachael Hood

Erin Evans | U.S. News

Price: $179.99 or less

Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 10 inches | Weight: 8.16 pounds Packing capacity: 5-7 days; 41 liters | Color options: Black, blue, red or gray Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 10-year limited

This DELSEY PARIS carry-on is a well-built piece of hard-sided luggage. It meets carry-on suitcase size restrictions for most international airlines and offers an easily accessible front compartment – ideal for a laptop up to 15.6 inches or other items you want to be able to grab quickly. The suitcase has a TSA lock and two spacious internal compartments for clothing, shoes and travel gear. The double-spinner wheels glide smoothly across all types of surfaces, and the handle pulls out and retracts with ease.

I was incredibly impressed by this little workhorse of a carry-on bag. There are so many different pockets and compartments within it for organization, and it fits a surprising amount of clothes, shoes and accessories. The handle and wheels make it easy to maneuver, and the glossy exterior makes it look sleek and chic. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Price: $80 or less

Dimensions: 21.46 x 14.76 x 9.45 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 23 liters | Color options: Black, navy blue, orange or light blue Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 1-year

The Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner is similar to many other hard-sided luggage products on the market, but it's available at a fraction of the price. The ABS shell is textured, so even if you – or luggage handlers – bang it around a bit, it does not show scuffs or scratches easily. The double-spinner wheels (a must, honestly, in today's luggage landscape) make the bag effortless to maneuver.

Inside, one side of the bag features a compression strap, while the other has a large fabric zippered closure, complete with a few organizer pockets for smaller items. Thanks to its availability on Amazon Prime, the carry-on luggage ships quickly, so it's also a great option if you need new luggage in a crunch.

This carry-on bag is a superb selection for the budget-conscious traveler. I appreciated how much I was able to get into this bag (it doesn't look huge, but it fit quite a lot), and the textured exterior really ups the durability factor. The compression straps and the interior organizer even helped me squeeze in a bit more. – Erin Evans

Best Expandability: Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner

Price: $699 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 (up to 11.5) inches | Weight: 10 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 7 days; 37-48 liters | Color options: Black, navy or olive Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Lifetime

The Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-on Expandable Spinner has a standout feature that other bags on this list don't: one-touch CX expansion. Exclusive to Briggs & Riley, this technology allows your bag to expand and compress in one swift motion. Simply press and pull up on the red levers found at opposite ends of the bag, and it will grow 2.5 inches. Once you've packed your belongings, push down on the buttons to compress the bag before zipping it up.

This bag also features a garment folder to reduce wrinkles in a suit or dress, as well as cinch-down garment panels to secure the clothing in place. Other convenient features include interior mesh compartments for organization, an exterior pocket for airport essentials (or even your laptop) and a signature PowerPocket where you can charge your smartphone.

While the bag is undoubtedly an investment at $700, its "simple as that" guarantee (free repairs forever, no questions asked) – plus sturdy features like impact-resistant corner guards and self-repairing zippers – means you'll have it for life.

When it comes to quality, this is the best luggage I've ever used – period. The compression/expansion system is just the icing on the cake. – Amanda Norcross

Best Underseater: CALPAK Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On Luggage

Price: $165 or less

Dimensions: 16 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 5.1 pounds Packing capacity: 2-4 days; 34 liters | Color options: Chocolate, oatmeal or rose quartz Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: 2-year limited

Compact and filled with useful features, this CALPAK underseater has a water-resistant exterior, a TSA-approved lock, and side and top handles for easy lifting into the overhead or pushing under the seat. There's a telescoping handle, a luggage trolley sleeve and two exterior pockets for stowing small items like your passport, boarding pass and earbuds.

On the inside, there's a padded laptop sleeve, multiple interior pockets and compression straps. For added convenience, the main panel can be secured via built-in snaps to get your laptop out while traveling (and keep your other belongings from spilling out), or you can unsnap it while packing to maximize the interior storage space.

When I'm traveling on a quick trip with my laptop, this is my go-to bag. Its compact size glides easily under the seat, and it's also compact and light enough to fit into the overhead bin even on the smallest regional planes. I love the laptop sleeve and the zippered exterior pocket for my book, earbuds and wipes. To maximize the interior space, I use compression cubes from Lug , and I'm able to squeeze in four to five outfits, a pair of shoes and daily necessities. – Rachael Hood

Price: $83 or less

Dimensions: 20.4 x 14.9 x 8.2 inches | Weight: 6.35 pounds Packing capacity: 2-3 days; 26 liters | Color options: Black, olive, gray, red, blue or purple Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: 1-year

This simple but sturdy carry-on piece from Amazon is a great option for business travelers, thanks to its front pocket for easy laptop access, smooth double-spinner wheels and TSA lock. This Amazon Basics soft-sided carry-on also features a handle on the bottom between the wheels, which makes it easy to put the bag up into and pull it out of the overhead bin. On some airplanes, it may even be small enough to fit under the seat.

The interior of the bag features one large compartment with two compression straps, plus two zippered pockets on the opposite site. The 20.4-inch option is ideal for shorter trips, but this style is available in larger sizes as well. Another bonus: It's available on Amazon Prime, so it ships quickly.

This Amazon Basics option is on the smaller side for a carry-on, but that's what makes it a solid choice for business travelers going on short trips who only need to pack a few things. The laptop pocket is easily accessible, and the handle on the bottom of the bag is super useful for hauling it out of an overhead bin. The black color is professional, and the price can't be beat. – Erin Evans

Price: $565 or less

Dimensions: 21.7 x 15 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds Packing capacity: 5-7 days; 43 liters | Color options: Gray/cognac, gray/chocolate, gray/black or black Hard- or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Warranty: Lifetime with a 100-day trial

Constructed with premium materials, this luxury carry-on has Italian leather accents, Japanese spinner wheels and a polycarbonate exterior with an aluminum metal frame for stability. It closes via two secure latches with combination locks (rather than a zipper). There's a front laptop compartment with a smaller pocket and pen slots to keep business essentials or travel documents easy to access.

The interior has leather details, compression straps and a removable compression pad with a pocket – ideal for small items like ties, fashion jewelry or silk scarves. Travelers can also purchase an additional compression pad to have a pad on each side of the interior compartment.

This suitcase exudes luxury with its Italian leather trim and understated elegance. The design of it looks very sleek, the interior is spacious, the handle is very sturdy and the wheels glide with ease. I especially liked that the top of the suitcase is very flat, which gave my trolley bag a secure base so it wasn't moving around while I was at the airport, and the front compartment was ideal for accessing my laptop on the go. It feels very sturdy, but the only downside is it weighs more than a typical carry-on. – Rachael Hood

Best Carry-on Duffel: The North Face Rolling Thunder – 22"

Price: $270 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds Packing capacity: Up to 5 days; 40 liters | Color options: Black Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Limited lifetime

The North Face's 22-inch Rolling Thunder duffel doesn't have the bells and whistles of other carry-on options, but it's a sturdy and reliable option for those who want a duffel style on wheels. The duffel has a hard-sided back panel, two wheels that can withstand various terrain and plastic bumpers for abrasion resistance. The soft-sided top of the bag is made of water-resistant Base Camp material and nylon for extra durability. There are two zippered pockets on the outside to stash small items and a mesh pocket inside for some added organization.

I brought this duffel on a trip to New Zealand, and it held up very well. The Rolling Thunder had no issues after being checked on six different flights, and the flexibility of the style allowed me to easily store it out of the way in my campervan once I had unpacked. It's definitely a simpler style, but it does its job well. Be aware, though, that this wheeled style doesn't have straps that would allow you to carry it like a duffel; it can only be rolled. – Catriona Kendall

Price: $200 or less

Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 10 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds Packing capacity: 5-10 days; 35 liters | Color options: Multiple options but color availability changes frequently Hard- or soft-sided: Soft-sided | Warranty: Lifetime

When it comes to hands-free and adventure travel, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L can't be beat. This lightweight carry-on backpack comes with a sternum strap, a removable waist belt and a weight-distributing harness system, all to make for a comfortable carry (since sore shoulders can be a concern when it comes to carrying backpacks through time-consuming airport experiences).

Organization is a breeze with a top zippered pocket – perfect for storing travel documents or a Cotopaxi hip pack – and a padded laptop sleeve on the outside. Internally, you'll find two mesh compartments, one large and one subdivided, that work great with Cotopaxi packing cubes . The backpack's straps can be tucked away for more streamlined travel, and the bag even comes with a rain cover (though the Allpa is already TPU-coated to be water-resistant).

Furthermore, Cotopaxi is dedicated to sustainability : 94% of Cotopaxi products contain repurposed, recycled or responsible materials. The vibrant, one-of-a-kind Del Dia Allpa backpacks , for example, use remnant fabric.

I've taken my Cotopaxi Allpa on countless adventures and it's survived everything – wind, rain, being shoved into tiny rental cars, you name it. Besides being incredibly durable, I love how much this backpack can fit; my longest trip so far with only the Allpa 35L as my luggage has been a comfortable nine days, and that included packing bulky cold-weather gear. I just wish it had a water bottle pocket like the Allpa 42L does! – Leilani Osmundson

Also Recommended

Solgaard Carry-on Closet – Large: This bag packs a built-in organizer component along with a durable exterior. The Solgaard Carry-on Closet is worth considering if you like to avoid packing and unpacking.

Solo New York Re:Serve Carry-On Spinner: While the Solo New York Re:Serve Carry-On Spinner is a solid (and sustainable) carry-on bag for less than $200, it doesn't offer quite enough space – especially for someone who may be traveling for longer.

Away The Aluminum Carry-On Bag: This is a well-built carry-on bag. The only downfall is that it's on the heavier side, weighing nearly 11 pounds. Away's Aluminum Carry-On is also more than twice the cost of the standard carry-on by Away, which works just as well.

Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner: This is a great soft-sided option if you're looking for a lightweight suitcase. Featuring a sleek nylon construction, a large front exterior pocket and internal zippered pockets, the Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner works well but isn't as lightweight as the July Carry-on Light.

Monos Carry-on Plus: It's a high-quality suitcase with a lot of internal details, but given its larger size this bag doesn't fit in the overhead compartment on multiple planes (especially regional jets). That said, if you're traveling domestically on larger planes, the Monos Carry-on Plus could be an option to consider. Or, the smaller standard Monos Carry-on could be a good option as well.

Pros and Cons of Hard-sided Luggage

Pros and cons of soft-sided luggage, frequently asked questions.

Aside from traditional rolling suitcases, the following items can be used as carry-on luggage provided they meet carry-on size limitations (which vary by airline) and fit in the overhead bin or fully under the seat (not sticking out) in front of you.

• Duffel and weekender bags:  This includes weekenders and duffel bags with wheels . Just note that wheels are included in carry-on dimension restrictions.
• Garment bags:  These are also considered carry-on baggage by most airlines. You can place your garment bag in the overhead bin, or in some cases, a small closet on the plane.
• Pet carriers:  Some airlines consider pet carriers to be carry-on luggage. Check with your chosen airline when preparing for your trip with Fido.
• Backpacks:  If your carry-on backpack fits under the seat, it will count toward your personal item allowance on most major airlines. This means you'll have the option to bring an additional bag for the overhead bin.
• Diaper bags: If you're traveling with a baby, diaper bags and other baby travel gear generally don't count toward either allowance – meaning you can bring these items in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item.

Purses , briefcases and camera bags can be carried on the plane as well, but usually aren't considered carry-on bags and are instead labeled personal items. Underseater bags – often designed specifically to fit comfortably under a plane seat – are also ideal as a personal item.

Typically, travelers can bring one carry-on bag (for the overhead bin) and one personal item (for under the seat) on the plane, free of charge.

Carry-on luggage sizes can vary by airline. Several major U.S. carriers, such as American Airlines and United, impose a 22 x 14 x 9-inch rule. If you're buying new carry-on luggage, this is a good default size to choose – especially if you fly with a variety of airlines.

For international airlines, it's often 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. To be sure about dimensions as well as any weight restrictions, see our guide to Carry-on Luggage Size & Weight by Airline . It usually doesn't matter how heavy your carry-on bag is, though some airlines do monitor the weight.

• Hard-sided: The hard-sided July Carry On Light weighs less than 4 pounds, making it one of the most lightweight carry-on bags on the market. Other lightweight carry-on bags we recommend include the hard-sided Away The Carry-On (7.5 pounds) and the Amazon 20-Inch Hardside Spinner (7.3 pounds).
• Soft-sided: If you're looking for a lightweight, soft-sided carry-on bag, consider the Lipault Plume Cabin Size Spinner (4.8 pounds) and the Samsonite SoLyte DLX Carry-On Spinner (7.1 pounds).

Hard-sided luggage is often heavier than soft-sided luggage – but only by a few pounds. If you're planning to purchase a hard-sided carry-on bag, look for something that's made of polycarbonate or polypropylene, both of which are lightweight yet durable materials.

How We Tested

Our team tested 26 carry-on bags across several price points and on a variety of trips spanning overseas flights, weekend getaways, overnight trips and more. We traveled by car, plane, train and cruise and packed for a variety of climates and activities, from shore excursions in Mexico to rainy road trips around Iceland. For bags with wheels, we tested their maneuverability on multiple surfaces, including gravel, pavement, grass, moving walkways, cobblestone and carpet. After four months of testing, we deem these carry-on bags the best of the best for 2024.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

The following editors personally tested the luggage recommended in this article:

Erin Evans , Managing Editor: Evans loves a durable bag and also can't say no to a good deal. Considering how banged up luggage can get, her picks on this list are both well-made and affordable.

Rachael Hood , Senior Editor: Hood rarely checks a bag, yet she loves to pack a lot and pick up some new finds along her journey. She looks for a combination of durability, functionality, interior space and overall appearance.

Catriona Kendall , Associate Editor: Kendall opts for convenient and versatile carry-ons that can work well for weekend and weekslong trips alike.

Amanda Norcross , Content & SEO Strategist: Norcross has mastered the art of traveling with a carry-on bag only, but believes this is only possible with the right luggage.

Leilani Osmundson , Digital Producer: Osmundson prefers lightweight, streamlined luggage that's ideal for adventure travel.

You might also be interested in:

• What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag
• What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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19 Best Weekender Bags for Your Next Getaway, According to Our Editors

By Madison Flager and Meaghan Kenny

Whether you're planning a quick road trip to the nearest beach or a much-needed couple's getaway , spending a few days away calls for a sturdy, stylish, and functional travel bag. We often turn to our favorite weekenders to hold everything we need for short trips and overnight stays. The best weekender bags are roomy enough to carry your clothes, toiletries, and a pair of shoes or two , but not so bulky as to slow you down while dashing to catch a train, or take up an exorbitant amount of space in your trunk. A separate compartment for dirty clothes or shoes is always welcome, too. To narrow down the styles that are worth your dollars (and storage space), our editors put dozens of duffels and expandable totes to the test from top travel brands like Away, Béis, Calpak, Monos, and more.

How we tested:

Condé Nast Traveler editors spent months testing out these weekenders, bringing them on two-day getaways, overnights, and camping trips, and using them as our personal items on flights. We considered each bag's weight, capacity, design, and how well it held up after several trips. We also paid close attention to unique features that make a bag stand out against other options on the market, like having ample pockets or a separate shoe compartment. Below, the 19 best weekenders of 2023, from budget-friendly options to splurge-worthy designer bags.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler' s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

MZ Wallace Nik Duffel

Weight: 2.1 lbs. Dimensions: 17"L × 7"W × 12"H Features: Detachable crossbody strap, black leather protective feet, trolley sleeve, water-resistant exterior

MZ Wallace's Nik duffel bag is a new favorite of senior commerce editor Madison Flager —she's used it as an overnight bag when dog-sitting, as a personal item when flying to Florida for a cruise, and for a weekend trip to Boston. Thanks to its quilted fabric, it's incredibly lightweight at just over two pounds. On the bag's exterior, there are two deep zippered pockets for small items you'll want to grab easily during transit, like your wallet or passport. Inside, there's a laptop sleeve, a detachable lightweight pouch, and two more slip pockets that Flager uses to store things like sunglasses and glasses. “As a personal item, it’s super roomy—when I took it on a cruise, it was a good size to hold all the things I wanted to keep with me when boarding, including my toiletry bag , a pouch with medicine, another with makeup, and a bathing suit and pool coverup ,” she says. What we love most about this duffel: its many pockets, water-resistant material, and polished look.

Calpak Luka duffel

Weight: 1.95 lbs. Dimensions: 16" x 7" x 12" Capacity: 22L Features: Separate shoe compartment, trolley sleeve, water bottle pocket

Calpak's Luka duffel is one of its most popular pieces of luggage, previously racking up a 44,000-deep waiting list. Now restocked and available in most colors, it's got rave reviews from associate commerce editor Meaghan Kenny : “I've used my fair share of duffel bags, but this one is by far my favorite. Made of water-resistant material, the Luka duffel bag is so soft and lightweight. No matter how much I stuff in this thing, it's not a pain to carry—the ultra-soft, long carry handles don't hurt my shoulders, and the adjustable longer strap is comfortable, too. This duffel has nine pockets, with a shoe compartment at the bottom where I keep a pair of sneakers or slippers, a mesh pocket, a side pocket for my water bottle, and plenty of smaller side pockets inside where I store small items like socks and toiletries. It fits everything I need for an overnight stay or a quick weekend trip if I'm packing on the lighter side. There's also a trolley sleeve that fits nicely on my carry-on , which is a real lifesaver while walking through the airport.” If you love this bag's features but want something a little more spacious (think three- or four-day trips), the Luka duffel is available in a large version , too.

Read a full review of this bag here .

July Carry All Weekender Plus

Weight: 4.2 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 9" x 12.5" Capacity: 50L Features: Clamshell opening, trolley sleeve, gunmetal feet on base

The best part of this weekender: the clamshell opening, which allows the bag to lie completely flat for easy packing. With a roomy 50-liter capacity and an internal padded pocket that fits a 16" laptop, you've got a good amount of space in here for an overnight stay or a two-night trip. Contributor Juliet Izon tested out this bag when we were on the hunt for the best weekenders in 2021, and was able to pack “everything I needed for a four-day trip to Asheville , North Carolina, including all the outfit changes I wanted for a weekend in the unpredictable weather of the mountains.” Its smart design, sleek look, and spacious compartments make it deserving of a spot on our list this year, too.

Monos Metro Duffel

Weight: 3 lbs. (nylon); 3.6 lbs. (vegan leather) Dimensions: 16" × 7" × 11" Capacity: 22L Features: Removable exterior pouch, laptop compartment, trolley sleeve

Monos’s Metro line features polished bags made of only vegan materials, including the equivalent of 16 repurposed plastic water bottles per bag. “This is not just a beautiful bag (get used to the compliments!), it’s also the most organized duffel I’ve ever owned, with a spot for everything,” says global digital director Arati Menon . “The interiors are incredibly roomy, and come with pockets that fit everything from your laptop to water bottle. And when you run out of space inside, just snap on one of Monos’ interchangeable kits to the front to put all your necessities (phone, wallet, passport) within easy reach. You could even snap off a kit to double up as a clutch in a pinch.”

Stacey Lastoe

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Béis The Weekender Bag

Weight: 3.86 lbs. Dimensions: 19.5" x 10" x 16" Capacity: 49L Features: Removable shoulder strap, trolley sleeve, separate shoe compartment, padded laptop sleeve

With a water-resistant and pocket-filled interior, plus an extra roomy bottom compartment that fits several pairs of shoes or those souvenirs you can’t bear to leave behind, this understatedly chic travel tote has enough nooks and crannies to keep even the worst overpacker in line. And the structured frame opening on top keeps the bag wide open—or securely shut—when you need it to be. In addition to gaining a ton of buzz on social media for its “cool girl” aesthetic, the Béis Weekender is also a favorite among Traveler editors, including Flager. It's her go-to tote for true weekend trips—“I use the outer pocket for my phone and ID, and I love the key leash—it’s nice to have a dedicated spot for my house keys so I’m not digging around upon return,” she says. The Béis Weekender is available in a mini size , too, which is better suited as a personal item or a one-night bag.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 70L

Weight: 3.28 lbs. Dimensions: 28" × 13" × 17.5" Capacity: 70L Features: Ergonomic shoulder straps, weather-resistant material, padded base

Made from 100 percent recycled fabric, Patagonia's weather- and abrasion-resistant duffel is one of the most durable on our list. It's also is one of our largest options, holding 70 liters of gear. The padded and removable ergonomic shoulder straps let you carry this duffel like a backpack and detach them when not in use. Senior features editor Rebecca Misner easily packed enough clothes for a two-week road trip from San Fransisco and says it held up beautifully—even after constantly throwing it around the back of her car. And it wicks water, so the unexpected shower that came when she was unpacking the car in Portland, Oregon, was no big deal. Its U-shaped top zipper allows the bag to open wide for easy access to everything in the main compartment, which makes packing it and finding belongings a breeze. “It’s a fantastic piece of luggage for a road trip or any adventure travel, but I wouldn't take it on a plane unless I was going on a trip where very minimal lifting would be required. If you keep the weight down, most people should be able to carry it comfortably by its straps,” says Misner. She's looking forward to using it as a ski trip bag this winter: “I won’t worry about throwing it in the back of the car with my skis—scratching or tearing won’t be an issue. Plus, if it gets wet from my ski boots or if I’m loading it in snow, it will wick away any moisture.”

Paravel Weekender

Weight: 2.4 lbs. Dimensions: 15" x 8" x 15" Capacity: 55L Features: Trolley sleeve, removable and adjustable shoulder strap, hand-painted or embroidered initials available

Paravel's timeless Weekender, made from 12 upcycled plastic water bottles, is at the top of our list when it comes to investment bags. The thick cotton canvas exterior is beautifully stitched and elevated by leather accents, while the easy-to-clean nylon interior can withstand a shampoo or water bottle spill. It's a tried-and-true travel essential for Flager, who says it's one of her most aesthetically pleasing bags and most functional, too. It's roomier than it looks, fitting a weekend's worth of clothes, with space for a pair of shoes, Dopp kit , and laptop. Inside, there are two deep zippered pockets for sliding in a pair of flats or sandals, chargers, or any other odds and ends you want with you. “It’s a great bag to use as a personal item—I’ve used it for overnight trips, but more often I use it to carry things I want with me in-flight (Kindle, charger, snacks, etc), plus any overflow that didn’t make it into my carry-on, like a toiletry or makeup bag ,” says Flager. It comes with an adjustable, removable strap to wear as a crossbody or on your shoulder, and has sturdy leather top handles and a trolley sleeve to secure to a suitcase on longer trips.

Paravel Fold-Up Bag

Weight: 1 lb. Dimensions: 18" × 11" × 11.5" Features: Trolley sleeve, interior zip pocket, folds completely flat

Another Paravel favorite: This lightweight fold-up duffel, which packs down to next to nothing. Senior editor Megan Spurrell is a fan, and has used it for overnighters—she says it fits as much as her other duffels, and has held up over the years—and regularly brings it along as a just-in-case bag to carry home souvenirs on longer trips. “I've used it for a couple staycations where I just need to throw things in a bag for a night or two,” she says. “It's nice that it doesn't have a solid structure and is only as big as what you've put inside.” If you’re gifting this bag, include a personal touch with a monogram, which can be added on for $15.

Herschel Supply Co. Tech Novel duffel

Weight: 3 lbs. (nylon); 3.6 lbs. (vegan leather) Dimensions: 20.5" × 11" × 12.75" Capacity: 45L Features: 16" laptop compartment, removable padded shoulder strap, trolley sleeve, shoe compartment

Available in classic colors like black, navy, green, and light and dark gray, this sleek weekender from Herschel was recently redesigned to be made with 100 percent recycled materials. It features a long, padded adjustable strap, a shoe compartment, a trolley sleeve, and a slew of organizers to help keep devices from getting jumbled. This spacious duffel was tested by Kenny, who says this: “It's versatile enough to take you from the gym to a camping trip to a weekend stay down the shore. The bag’s design is simple yet elevated enough to work for any type of traveler at any age.” She noted the ultra-soft laptop compartment is separate from the bag's main section, so your laptop is well-protected during transit. Travelers can easily fit three days of clothing in this duffel, making it a great option for extended weekend trips away. And at $160, it's well priced and will be a great travel companion for years to come.

Lo & Sons The Catalina Deluxe

Weight: 2.6 lbs. (canvas), 2.26 lbs. (recycled poly) Dimensions: 18" x 8.5" x 6" Features: Separate shoe compartment, trolley sleeve, padded removable strap

This travel-friendly tote is a bestseller for accessories brand Lo & Sons, and it’s not hard to see why. The overnight bag features several interior and exterior pockets sized for everything from iPads to sanitizing wipes to sunglasses , a long removable strap with memory foam padding, and a trolley sleeve that converts into a zipper pocket. It was tested by Traveler 's global director of audience development Lara Kramer ; she brought it on an overnight staycation in Brooklyn and a four-night stay at the hospital for the birth of her baby. “You can easily fit a long weekend’s worth of clothes (and shoes!) in this bag. And, in our case, an abundance of pajamas, towels, and home comforts—think portable fan, slippers, a sound machine, and framed photos of family and our pet cat—for a long hospital stay,” she says. There's a handy bottom compartment that can hold two to three pairs of shoes (or your dirty clothes) that also features a removable padded tray that can be washed as needed. Kramer did note that because of its generous size and ample storage, this bag can hold a lot of weight. However, the padded messenger strap made of memory foam does take the comfort level up a notch.

Lululemon City Adventurer large duffel bag

Dimensions: 18" x 9" x 12" Capacity: 29L Features: Trolley sleeve, detachable strap, padded laptop pocket

If you're a fan of Lululemon's ultra-popular fanny pack , you'll likely fall in love with this weekender, too. Made of a similar smooth, water-repellant fabric, the sporty bag comes in silver or black. This is another favorite of Kenny's: “It’s the perfect size for a weekender bag—not too big or too small. It gives you just enough room for two to three outfits without becoming too heavy or bulky to carry around. Plus, it fits under the seat on an airplane, making it a great personal item.” This lightweight duffel opens wide to fit plenty of clothes, and has two mesh pockets and a zippered compartment for keeping important items extra secure. Carry it by the top handles or across your body, and use the trolley sleeve to secure it to luggage when needed. Another plus: It can be folded up nearly flat to store away when not in use.

Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag Small (40L)

Weight: 3.5 lbs. Dimensions: 20.5" x 12.5" x 10.5" Capacity: 40L Features: Backpack straps and removable shoulder strap, waterproof shell

We're big fans of Baboon's indestructible bags—they will stand up to any cargo bin, overhead compartment, or car trunk they're tossed in. Flager has taken this on several adventure-type trips and says, “it’s exactly what you want when you don’t want to be concerned about the elements damaging your bag.” And with a selection of bold, bright colors, they'll be easy to spot on a luggage carousel and put a smile on your face when packing. The detachable, adjustable shoulder straps are a nice touch, too. While it's a great option for two to four days away, we wouldn't recommend this as a true backpacking bag because of its fabric, which can feel a little stiff.

Everlane The ReNew Transit weekender

Dimensions: 19.5" x 7" x 14" Features: Made of 100 percent recycled polyester, laptop compartment, trolley sleeve

Crafted by the popular direct-to-consumer line that turns out wardrobe staples , this go-with-everything oversized tote is a minimalist’s dream. Everlane's ReNew Transit weekender has become a go-to for Spurrell, ever since she first brought it on a weeklong trip to Egypt . “This makes a fantastic, roomy personal item to top your carry-on for a trip when you probably should check a bag but refuse to. It’s also perfect for a casual one-nighter when you just want to throw pajamas, an outfit or two, and some other essentials inside,” she says. The bag features a wider bottom than top, which is great for filling it to the brim without dealing with items spilling out in the back seat. “It’s quite comfy on the shoulders, even in sleeveless clothes with which other straps might dig in, though the padded section of the strap doesn’t sit on your shoulders unless you extend the length quite a bit (I prefer to keep the straps short so the bag sits right under my arm),” says Spurrell. We also love that it's constructed out of recycled polyester (made from 36.6 renewed plastic bottles) that’s also water-resistant. Plus, it fits just as effortlessly in the overhead compartment as it does in the luggage Tetris of a trunk.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

Weight: 2 lbs. Dimensions: 16.5" x 9" x 11" Capacity: 29L Features: 16" laptop sleeve, Recycled Repreve lining, trolley sleeve, shoe bag

Don’t be fooled by the streamlined look of this neoprene number. The washable carryall houses a dust bag for shoes, detachable key leash, removable zip-top pouch for essentials, and plenty of air mesh interior pockets, including one for your water (or wine) bottle. The genius exterior phone slot is just the cherry on top. Former Traveler editor Alex Erdekian calls it a “beautiful, keep-forever bag." Dagne Dover's Landon carryall comes in a few different sizes, but the large and extra-large sizes are your best bet for weekend's away. “Because the bag itself is so lightweight, it’s really easy to throw over your head into a bin even if you’ve packed it with a carry-on level amount of stuff,” says Erdekian. She's been able to fit four to five days' worth of clothes inside. And as far as aesthetics, “I adore the look of this bag. It honestly improves any outfit I’m wearing and makes for a chic, classic summer vacation look—we all know that effortlessly glam duffel-bag-slung-over-your-shoulder pose as you’re walking up the driveway of your friend’s lake house.”

Arlo Skye The Weekender

Dimensions: 20.5" × 9" × 11" Capacity: 31L Features: Trolley sleeve, anti-microbial lining, separate shoe compartment

Arlo Skye's sleek weekender is lightweight and made of a scratch-resistant nylon with full-grain Italian leather trim, with an antimicrobial lining. It was tested by Flager, who says you can squeeze a lot in here—use it for long weekends, or as a carry-on to fill with odds and ends when heading out on longer trips. “It's a little too big for an under-the-seat item, but has tons of pockets and separate compartments to keep you organized,” Flager says. “If you pack lightly, it could be your main carry-on on short trips.” There's a separate shoe or dirty clothes compartment, a trolley sleeve if you're rolling it on top of a checked bag , and an exterior slip pocket that's the right size for your phone, passport, and keys.

Rothy’s The Weekender

Weight: 4.4 lbs. Dimensions: 21.5" × 9" × 14" Features: Zipper exterior laptop pocket, machine washable, adjustable and removable shoulder strap

Made from the brand’s signature 100 percent recycled materials (like marine bound plastic) and available in colorblock prints and understated patterns like midnight camo, this roomy tote has all the makings of a go-to weekender. The main compartment is flanked by easy-access compartments with a magnetic closure on one side and zippered one on the other—perfect for storing keys, travel documents, a Kindle, and anything else you might reach for during the journey. Destinations editor Shannon McMahon recommends it for an extended weekend trip: “I found it most useful for beach weekends away where I needed a lot of big accessories, like floppy hats, multiple jackets, and cozy sweatshirts. It’s less plane-friendly because of its sheer size, but I got away with it as a personal item on a recent trip.” At an eye-popping $549, it is one of the most expensive weekenders we tested. And while you can definitely opt for an equally functional bag with a less hefty price tag, you do get plenty of packing space with Rothy's weekender and are supporting a sustainability initiative. McMahon says it's indestructible and incredibly durable, too. And since travel can get messy, we love how, like everything else in Rothy’s collection, the bag is fully machine washable—just remove the base insert and throw it and the bag into the accompanying wash bag and right into your laundry.

Away The Large Everywhere Bag

Weight: 3.8 lbs. (with shoulder strap); 3.3 lbs. (without strap) Dimensions: 21" × 9" × 12" Capacity: 38L Features: Trolley sleeve, 15" laptop pocket, detachable padded shoulder strap

Away is a trusted brand among Traveler editors for quality and functionality. Made of a water-resistant nylon and leather trim, the Large Everywhere bag is the biggest of the brand's best-selling style, with enough room to fit three or four days worth of clothing. It features a clamshell opening, which makes it easy to pack and find everything you're looking for once you arrive. Store clothes in the roomy main compartment and put smaller items like chargers, beauty products, or toiletries in the zippered mesh pockets. It fits nicely on top of your Away carry-on, thanks to the convenient trolley sleeve. And if you're heading on a business trip, there's an exterior padded laptop pocket that fits computers up to 15 inches. Carry it by the top handle or the padded detachable strap.

Louis Vuitton Keepall 55

Weight: 5 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 9" x 12" Features: Padlock luggage tag, double zip closure, detachable shoulder strap

If you're looking to elevate your luggage collection, the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 is about as classic as it gets. This roomy duffel, tested by Kenny, features the iconic logo emblazoned on the outside of the bag, offering a chic and timeless style. Inside, there's one main spacious compartment that fits two days' worth of clothes and a toiletry bag, and a side zippered pocket for smaller essentials like a phone charger or a pair of sunglasses. Travelers can carry it by its top handle or with the detachable shoulder strap. And the best part: Its leather exterior gets better with age.

REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Recycled Duffel

Weight: 2.9 lbs.  Dimensions: 26" × 11" × 14" Capacity: 60L Features: Stowable backpack straps, daisy-chain lash points, recycled nylon materials, storage sack

This 60-liter duffel is the ideal bag for a multi-day trip—its durable, holds plenty of gear, and can be carried as a backpack, too. Made of recycled ripstop nylon, the Big Haul duffel is designed to survive wear and tear, making it a great companion for hiking, camping, or other outdoor adventures. It's a go-to for articles director Lale Arikoglu when it comes to adventure travel—she's had it for years and it's still holding up well. There's plenty of room inside its main compartment, as well as internal mesh pockets to keep small essentials organized. It features a compression strap system to keep your gear compact and secure, and a storage sack.

Tote Bags, Weekenders, and More: Understanding the Different Types of Luggage

I f you’re a seasoned traveler you know how important good luggage is. It makes the journey easier and helps you stay organized while keeping all your belongings safe and secured. And there are so many different types of luggage: tote bags, weekend bags, and beyond. But what makes each of these items special? And which ones do you need? Well, those are the questions that we’re going to answer today. Hopefully, this article will help you pick the perfect one for your needs, traveling habits, and taste. So, let’s explore the different types of luggage to make your next trip a breeze.

Let’s start things off with a classic. Tote bags are a versatile and stylish option for daily use or short trips. They typically feature open tops and sturdy handles, making them easy to carry. Tote bags come in various sizes, from small totes perfect for everyday essentials to larger ones suitable for travel. Many tote bags also offer interior pockets for organization, making them ideal for keeping your belongings in order while on the go. If you ask me, tote bags are the ideal bag of choice for airport run-ins and exploring new places. They are big enough to carry all of your essentials, such as a passport, snacks, and a water bottle, while also being easy to carry.

Weekender bags are designed for short trips or weekend getaways. These bags are larger than tote bags but smaller than traditional suitcases, offering enough space to pack essentials for a few days. Weekenders often feature spacious main compartments, exterior pockets for easy access to essentials, and comfortable handles or shoulder straps for carrying convenience. They come in a range of materials and styles, from canvas to leather, catering to different tastes and preferences. If you’re someone who loves to pack light , weekenders could be an amazing choice for you. They will fit all of your essentials while not being as overwhelming as a suitcase.

Backpacks are a popular choice for travelers looking for hands-free carrying options. They come in various sizes and designs, ranging from compact daypacks to spacious travel backpacks. Backpacks typically feature multiple compartments and pockets, allowing for efficient organization of belongings. They often come with padded straps and back panels for added comfort during extended wear. Backpacks are versatile and suitable for various travel activities, from hiking adventures to urban exploration. Because they come in so many different sizes, it’s easy to find a backpack that aligns with your needs. From a backpacking backpack that can fit food and a sleeping bag, to smaller versions ideal for a shorter trip.

Rolling Luggage

Rolling luggage, also known as wheeled luggage , is designed for travelers who prefer effortless mobility. These bags feature wheels and retractable handles, allowing for easy navigation through airports, train stations, and city streets. Rolling luggage comes in different styles, including carry-on suitcases, checked suitcases, and duffel bags with wheels. They offer ample storage space and organization features, making them ideal for longer trips or travelers with heavy packing needs.

The post Tote Bags, Weekenders, and More: Understanding the Different Types of Luggage appeared first on Malorie's Adventures .

The best toiletry bags for every traveler

Whether you travel light or heavy, a toiletry kit is essential to keeping your luggage tidy. Here are our picks.

The best travel toiletry bag can be the difference between clean, organized luggage and a suitcase full of spilled lotion. After combing through hundreds of customer reviews, we determined that Peak Design’s Wash Pouch is the best overall.  

It incorporates the most important features in a travel toiletry bag: thoughtful design, plenty of multifunctional pockets, durable materials, and a compact size. This bag is a great fit for most travelers, but it’s not the only option. Whether you pack light, heavy, or somewhere in between, here are all our top toiletry bags for your essentials.

Our picks for the best travel toiletry bags

Best overall: peak design wash pouch.

Buy it now on   Amazon   or   Peak Design

Why we like it:   The thoughtful design behind Peak Design’s Wash Pouch allows it to handle all sorts of toiletry items. Inside, multiple mesh pockets organize essentials, a zippered compartment holds smaller items, and a magnetically sealed section neatly stashes a toothbrush. Anything that won’t fit inside tucks into the large zippered pocket outside.

We love that you can set it upright on a counter or hang it via a built-in hook. The Wash Pouch is designed to prevent spills and leaks. However, if something seeps out, the weatherproof nylon material makes it easy to clean up. You can remove the inner lining to clean up bigger spills too. Peak Design backs this bag with a lifetime guarantee.

Keep in mind:   There are only two color options (black and sage green). It may take up a lot of space in a carry-on bag.  

Product details: Dimensions:   10.2 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4.4 inches tall | Weight:   8.7 ounces | Material:   Nylon | Waterproof:   Yes  

Best toiletry bag for makeup: Eachy Travel Makeup

Buy it now on   Amazon

Why we like it: The best feature on this waterproof toiletry bag is that it opens flat, allowing easy access to makeup. That’s especially helpful for anything that needs to stay upright, like foundation and moisturizer. Multiple interior pockets and partitions keep compacts and tools organized, plus there’s a built-in brush holder. With 24 styles and two sizes (medium and large), travelers have lots of options to choose from.

Keep in mind:   This toiletry bag has a top handle for carrying, but there is no hook for hanging.  

Product details: Dimensions:   9.25 inches long, 4.13 inches wide, and 4.33 inches tall |   Weight:   9 ounces | Material: Polyurethane | Waterproof:   Yes  

Best small travel toiletry bag: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer

Buy it now at   Dagne Dover

Why we like it:   The Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer may be small, but it packs a big punch in organization. It has a removable insert with six adjustable dividers that turn this simple pouch into a multi-compartment toiletry bag. Two tall and two short elastic hoops keep things like toothbrushes and razors in place, while a zippered mesh pocket helps you see smaller items like bobby pins.

We appreciate that this organizer is made from recycled polyester and mesh and that the dust bag it ships in is made of three recycled plastic bottles. Travelers can stuff products into the smaller option to fit in a carry-on, but the larger option provides a bit more room.

Keep in mind: This toiletry bag isn’t waterproof and requires a little more care to clean.  

Product details: Dimensions:   5.5 inches long, 5.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall | Weight: 6 ounces | Material:   Polyester | Waterproof:   No

Best travel toiletry bag for organization: L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

Why we like it: With six liters of space, L.L. Bean’s water-resistant Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag is best for heavy packers. It has multiple large mesh pockets, zippered compartments, plus a removable shower caddy and a built-in mirror to keep everything organized. The hook is hefty enough to hold 25 pounds, according to the company. This toiletry bag is likely a safe bet for durability—L.L. Bean claims they exposed the bag to extreme temperatures, 20,000 zips and unzips, and 150 sandpaper scrapes.

Keep in mind: All that organization sacrifices space. This bag is big and will likely take up lots of room in a carry-on.  

Product details: Dimensions: 9.75 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches in diameter | Weight: 14 ounces | Material:   Nylon | Waterproof:   Yes  

Best hanging travel toiletry bag: Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag

Buy it now at   Calpak

Why we like it:   Counter space is always at a premium when traveling. That’s why we love the water-resistant Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag, which maximizes vertical storage. It’s got plenty of large and small compartments, toothbrush holders, and zippered pockets. We also appreciate that it’s made from six single-use plastic bottles and is backed by a one-year warranty. The toiletry bag has 10 color options, plus a matching sling bag and duffel backpack.

Keep in mind: The top closes with a buckle, which isn’t as secure as zippers for preventing things from falling out.  

Product details: Dimensions:   8 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4 inches tall | Weight: 7.2 ounces | Material: Polyester | Waterproof:   Yes  

Best Dopp kit: The Renew Transit Catch-All Case

Buy it now at   Everlane

Why we like it: Everlane’s Renew Transit Catch-All Case is a stylish and functional dopp kit. Durable and water-resistant, it has a spacious main compartment with five pockets and an exterior zip pocket for frequently used items. We like that the main pocket folds down so you don’t have to dig around for that tube of toothpaste. This toiletry bag also gets bonus points for using environmentally friendly fabric (polyester made from single-use plastic bottles) and environmentally safe dyes.

Keep in mind:   This toiletry bag can only be spot-cleaned, which is less convenient than machine-washable options.

Product details: Dimensions: 11 inches long, 6.5 inches tall, and 4.75 inches in diameter | Weight: Unknown | Material:   Polyester | Waterproof: Yes  

Best waterproof toiletry bag: Maliton Hanging Toiletry Bag

Why we like it: No matter how much you try to prevent it, leaks can still happen. Our top pick for best waterproof toiletry bag comes from Maliton. Made with showers and humid bathrooms in mind, it’s constructed of waterproof nylon and has reinforced zippers to help keep spills in and water out.

Besides being waterproof, this toiletry bag has ample space for all your bathroom essentials—mesh pockets and multiple compartments, including one big enough for a towel. And the whole thing folds up for storing.

Keep in mind: This bag is larger than other toiletry bags, so it may not be ideal for carry-ons. suitcase.

Product details: Dimensions:   11 inches long, 4.87 inches wide, and 7.6 inches tall | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Material: Nylon | Waterproof: Yes

Our review process

With so many options, choosing the best travel toiletry bag for you can be time-consuming. To help, we filtered our search by the following attributes:

Third-party reviews: Brand marketing can be deceiving. We made sure to consider only toiletry bags with high ratings and positive reviews from both verified customers and third-party review sites.

Brand reputation:   We looked beyond product descriptions to customers’ opinions about the brand as a whole. Speedy and attentive customer service, ethical manufacturing practices, and a commitment to sustainability are all important aspects.

Functionality:   We looked for toiletry bags with a variety of pockets, compartments, and zippers for maximum functionality. We awarded bonus points for thoughtful design elements such as removable pouches and hooks.

Material and durability:   How a toiletry bag is constructed is key. We looked for bags made with sturdy materials such as nylon and polyester. We gave extra points for innovative materials, like recycled plastic or eco-friendly vegan leather.

Capacity:   We looked for travel toiletry bags with enough room to hold all your essentials, plus a little extra in case of emergencies.

Compactness:   Space is always at a premium when traveling. We kept an eye out for toiletry bags that collapse or flatten to fit into carry-ons.

Tips for buying travel toiletry bags

Type of toiletry bag.

Toiletry bags typically fit into two categories: hanging and dopp kits. Hanging bags have a built-in hook and generally open like a book, revealing multiple compartments and pockets. Dopp kits tend to be more compact and have a main compartment with a zippered opening on top. While dopp kits can have multiple pockets, they’re usually more suitable for packing light.

Because toiletry bags store liquids and powders, they need to be able to withstand in-flight spills. Look for bags made of water-resistant materials like nylon or polyester. The best travel toiletry bag should have at least one mesh pocket for securing items that tend to get damp, like toothbrushes.  

Toiletry bags come in all shapes and sizes. To determine what size is best for you, make a list of must-have toiletries and determine whether you prefer to pack travel-size products, full-size, or a mix of both. Don’t forget to factor in the size of your luggage.

Frequently asked questions

What fabric is best for a toiletry bag?

Toiletry bags made of nylon or polyester are great because they tend to be more durable and easier to clean. These materials also tend to resist water, but always check the label to be sure.

What is a TSA-approved toiletry bag?

Per   TSA guidelines, air travelers can carry on 3.4-ounce bottles and aerosol containers of creams, pastes, liquids, and gels in one quart-sized bag. To reduce the chance of being screened, many people opt for clear toiletry bags so that TSA agents can see what’s inside. Some international airports require transparent plastic bags for liquid items. Always check the guidelines for your destination.

What’s the difference between a toiletry bag and a dopp bag?

Generally, dopp bags or kits tend to be made of leather and are rectangular in shape. However, “toiletry bags,” “dopp kits,” and “dopp bags” are used interchangeably in most cases.

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'Flying feels different': Here's how air travel has changed recently

If you haven't flown in a while, fasten your seatbelts. I've got good news – and bad news.

You've probably already heard the bad news because it travels faster than the speed of sound. Airfares are up. So are luggage fees. And we seem to have a problem with in-flight violence again. 

But there's more to the story, and if you're an occasional air traveler, you'll want to get the big picture. You might be surprised by what you find.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

First, the bad news about air travel in 2024

Some of the changes have not been for the better. For example:

• Airfares are climbing. Cheap pandemic airfares are history. Average domestic roundtrip fares fell to a low of $186 in May 2020 . But they were back up to $261 by the beginning of this year – and they continue to climb.
• Checked baggage fees are soaring. All of the major airlines have recently raised their baggage fees. On domestic flights, a checked bag may cost as much as $35 (more if you wait until the last minute or your bag is overweight). 
• Air rage is back. In-flight air rage hit record highs in 2021, mostly because of masking requirements. But the number of violent in-flight incidents remains high – this time, a combination of fuller flights and a continuing decline of civility. We're on track to exceed 2020's unruly passenger incidents.

But don't despair. The air travel experience is changing in small ways – and, potentially, in big ways.

What's it like to fly now?

Let's start with the air travel experience itself. Flights are fuller and space is tighter than ever. In fact, if you're flying somewhere this spring or summer, you should congratulate yourself. You're probably part of the busiest year in the history of air travel.

"Air travel has rebounded," said Jason Block, CEO of WorldVia Travel Group . That puts a squeeze on regular passengers. If you've booked a no-frills economy ticket, you may face a higher risk of being bumped from your flight. So if you have a little extra money, Block suggests buying a more flexible ticket. You're still not bump-proof, but at least you'll move up the list.

▶ Smile for the TSA : The passenger screening experience is different but not necessarily better. The Transportation Security Administration has new scanners that take your picture to verify your identity. New technology might allow you to keep all your belongings in your bag and speed up screening – "might" being the operative word. 

"The process is more inconsistent than ever," said Andy Abramson, a frequent traveler and a communications consultant from Las Vegas. "Procedures change from airport to airport. In some cases, all you need is your boarding pass. In others, you need your ID, and in others, nothing but your facial scan."

Air travel smells worse than ever. Here's how to fix it.

Pay less to fly: New strategies for finding cheap airfares now

Speaking of technology, many air travelers have raved about new onboard Wi-Fi capabilities. Airlines like Air New Zealand, Emirates and JetBlue include the price of Wi-Fi in their tickets, and the connections have just gotten better since the pandemic. 

▶ Your face is your boarding pass : The TSA isn't the only one using facial scans. Some U.S. airlines have started using facial scans instead of boarding passes. It's a little bit of an adjustment for passengers. 

"I stood awkwardly in front of a camera, feeling like a contestant in a dystopian game show," said Chris McGuire, a real estate broker from Birmingham, Ala.

A few months ago, Frankfurt became the first airport in Europe to fully adopt facial recognition . Other airports, including Tokyo and Dubai, also have face-scanning technology. If you haven't flown in a while, you may not have to fumble for your boarding pass before you get on the plane. 

I've used face-scanning technology on many occasions, and it usually works, but it can be slow. Getting through customs in Santiago, Chile, took a while and the agent kept apologizing for the technology. So don't forget to pack your patience.

▶ No more ticket change fees : Airline ticket change fees disappeared during the pandemic on U.S. airlines. So if you have to change your flight, you won't have to pay a $250 fee on top of any fare difference.

"That's one of the most significant changes," said frequent air traveler Bob Bacheler, who is the managing director of Flying Angels , a medical transport service. "Airlines introduced more flexible booking and cancellation policies, allowing passengers to change or cancel flights without heavy penalties"

Bacheler thinks the fees will return eventually, and he's right. If they do, airlines will call them something else – maybe a "convenience" fee?

▶ You may board your flight differently : "Some airlines are implementing new boarding procedures," said Andy Palacios, vice president of growth and strategic partnerships for App in the Air . The most significant is United Airlines, which last fall began boarding economy passengers with window seats before those with middle and aisle seats.

Palacios recommends avoiding the general boarding mayhem by getting a credit card or earning elite status. Anything that gets you into the first boarding group can save you from having to gate-check your carry-on or just getting stuck in a crowd.

▶ You have new rights, too : If something goes wrong on your flight, you may find that your airline will do more for you. That's because the Department of Transportation (DOT), which regulates airlines, has been applying steady pressure on domestic airlines to improve customer service. (After all, taxpayers bailed out the airlines during the pandemic.)

Airlines now offer guaranteed meals, accommodations and ground transportation to and from a hotel when they're at fault for a cancellation. (You can find out about all your rights on the DOT's Fly Rights website.)

The government is working on carving out more rights for air travelers, dealing with everything from more straightforward and honest pricing to minimum seat size. But it's a work in progress.

Air travel may be about to get better. Here's what it means for your next flight.

Passengers want to get off the plane first. Here's how you can do it.

Flying 'feels different' now

Passengers say it feels like something has shifted when it comes to air travel.

"Flying feels different," said Robert Khachatryan, a frequent flier and founder of a freight forwarding service in La Crescenta, Calif. 

He's correct. It's not just that customers have a few new rights or that the technology is getting an upgrade – or even that boarding is a little different. 

There's a sense that something big lies just ahead. With people like Elon Musk teasing a Tesla that can fly and personal flying vehicles making headlines almost every day, there's a feeling that flying is about to evolve in a significant way.

Air travelers have become disenchanted with commercial air travel, with its high fares, fees, long lines and terrible customer service. And the relief may not come from new rules to protect the rights of air travelers but from a fundamental change in the way we fly. 

So if flying feels different to you now, just wait. You ain't seen nothing yet.

This is the first of a two-part series on the future of air travel. Next week: Flying cars. Yeah, we're going to go there.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

Come with me on my travels, as you plan yours

11 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Moscow, Russia

This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you buy through my site. I appreciate your support of my site.

Despite all the places I have visited during and after my time living in Moscow, everyone wants to know what is it like to live in Russia. When I accepted a teaching job at an international school in Moscow I knew very little about the country. Of course I did some research, but the United States presents a very skewed view of life in Russia today. Moving abroad is always an emotional experience, but anyone from the USA planning on living and working in Moscow might be surprised about what is and isn’t a challenge in Russia.

After a year living in the country I can say that I didn’t love living in Russia, but I did love the new cultural experience. I already wrote about what it is like to live in Russia in general. In this post I go into the logistics and details of moving to and living in Moscow, Russia.  If you are debating whether or not you should move to Moscow, Russia here are 11 things to know before you pack your bags.

1. The Visa Process is a Hassle

When I was living in Moscow I came across an article about the hardest visas for US citizens to obtain. Russia was one of the top five. Go figure, I decided to move to Russia!

The US embassy website says it best, “The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation.” I may not agree with the US government on a lot of things, but they are correct on that!

A Russian-based sponsor is always required in order to obtain a visa. I’m not going to go into details on the process, that could be a whole different post. It’s unlikely that you could move to Russia without a work/school sponsorship, so your new employer/school should help you through the steps. Before accepting a position that is something to check into!

After receiving sponsorship and your invitation letter you will need to apply for the visa and get an HIV test done. Be aware it needs to be the formal blood drawn test that gets sent to a lab and not just a finger prick instant test. I found that out the hard way!

2. Registration is Required Every-time you Return to Russia

Within a specific period of time when returning back to Russia from another country you or your company needs to register you using the migration card you are given at customs. For most of my time in Moscow this was within 3 days, during the World Cup this needed to be done within 24 hours. One guy from my school did not give his migration card to HR within the required amount of time and had to leave the country and then immediately return in order to avoid issues. 

You will need your migration card in order to leave the country. Needless to say keep it in a safe spot!

3. Documentation Needs to Be Carried at All Times

When walking the streets of Russia you need to carry your papers at all times. This includes your passport, visa, and migration card. A police officer can ask you for these for no reason and you can be detained if you do not have them on you. According to the HR department at my school you can also have an officially stamped copy of your passport and visa instead of your originals.

4. The Cost of Living is Low

If you are coming from the USA or Western Europe you will most likely find the cost of living low. My phone bill was about $15 a month and my internet was about $20 a month. I had a monthly membership at one of the nicest two story gyms with various classes and a pool for $58 a month. Taxis cost only a few dollars for 10 – 20 minute rides. Overall if you compare costs to what you paid back ‘home’ you will be pleasantly surprised.

Retail shopping was the one thing I found more expensive than in other parts of Europe or the US. The prices of both familiar worldwide brands and unfamiliar Russian brands seemed pricier. Coming from NYC I didn’t think the restaurants were too expensive, but many of my colleagues thought they also had higher prices.

5. Bill Paying is an Odd Process

It took me awhile to figure out how to pay my phone and internet bills. In the US I always had a set monthly fee due on a specific date. I could easily set up bill pay. In Moscow the way I found out that my phone and internet bill was due was when they stopped working. For my internet I wouldn’t be able to use it on a random day and had to enter my credit card information to pay for the next month. Without having access to the internet to translate this page I had no chance of figuring out the form correctly. Not to mention, it was a guessing game of figuring out how much I owed. Initially I was confused about the conversion rates so I didn’t even know in the ballpark what monthly internet cost.

Oh my goodness did I struggle with my phone in Moscow! The data wouldn’t work. Sometimes it was because I had to ‘top up’ my payment. Similar to the internet, I didn’t know how much I owed or when. There was some other issue with my phone that took three visits to the phone store with Russian colleagues to resolve. I still don’t know what the issue was because according to my co-worker who translated I would have to pay for them to tell me what they had to fix on my phone. I didn’t have to pay for them to fix it, but I would have to pay if I wanted to know what they fixed??? Welcome to life in Moscow! 

I loved how cheap internet and phone service was, but sometimes I wished I could pay a little more just to simplify using them.

6. Many Online Sites are Blocked

Internet and WiFi in Moscow usually work really well. That is unless the site is blocked. Some sites you would never guess would be blocked like Target.com. I found many American online store websites blocked. Also many important financial sites are blocked. M y US bank’s entire website was blocked online, as well as my credit card company. TV shows direct from the networks are often blocked. No watching American Ninja Warrior on NBC or Amazing race on CBS. Hulu is also blocked. Your best bet is through youtube.com or VPN blockers. 

7. Transferring Money is Not Fun

My school set me up with Raiffeisen Bank. It worked well except for when I needed to transfer money. As I mentioned above my bank (Capital One) couldn’t be accessed online and wouldn’t except transfers from Russia. Before moving to Russia make sure you have a bank back home that you can transfer money to if you plan on doing that. It was very difficult to set up once out of the country. Luckily my parents set up a Chase account that was able to except money from Russia. They then transferred the money to my US bank account.

8. Hardly Anyone Speaks English

The hardest part of all the challenges I have listed above is that most people don’t speak English. It’s one thing being a tourist and trying to communicate at an attraction while traveling. It’s another thing to attempt banking, bill paying, grocery shopping and everything else that living and working in Moscow entails. 

Some Russians speak a little English in the city center, but don’t count on it. In other outlying neighborhoods, like mine, it was rare that someone spoke English. I had so many experiences when people would just speak more Russian to me when I didn’t understand. Unlike a lot of countries that attempt to put more things in English for tourists, Russia seemed to have the attitude of, it is your problem, figure it out. 

Have Yandex Translate or Google Translate at the ready if you don’t speak Russian. Also set your web browser to translate web pages into English.

9. Learning Russian is Hard

I knew that learning Russian would improve my life in Moscow a great deal. If you know me personally, you know I am a pretty persistent person. If I set my mind to something, I will do it…..except for learning Russian . My Russian teacher would say a word and I couldn’t remember it two seconds later to repeat it. To be fair I did learn the alphabet, how to count to ten and a few greetings and other nouns.

10. Getting Around Moscow is Easy

The Moscow Metro is very nice, cheap and easy to use. It follows the same basic system of metros around the world. If you are considering learning Russian start with the alphabet, it will help you use the metro. Not all the stops and stations are in English. Have a metro map downloaded on your phone in English. You can use it to help you figure out the stop names in Russian. The metro runs from about 5:30am to 1am.

I took the metro whenever I could, but on off hours, going to the airport or when traveling somewhere not on a metro line I used Yandex taxis . They are the Uber of Moscow and very cheap. Most drivers don’t speak English, so this is a good time to have a translator app handy.

11. Hot Water is Shut Off for 10 Days Every Year.

Between May and August almost all of the apartment buildings have an assigned 10 days when the hot water is shut off for maintenance. You can check online at Oaomoek to see when it will be shut off for your apartment building. If you have a new building you may not have to deal with this (most buildings are old though). 

As an American moving to Moscow, Russia I definitely had an adventure! If you have moved to Moscow let me know in the comments below what your experience has been like. Feel free to leave any questions about moving to Russia below as well. 

More About Russia

• Moscow Things to Do: The Must See Sights , Unique Things to Do ,  Spartak Stadium
• Moscow Markets:  Izmailovsky Market , Danilovsky Market
• Moscow Museums: Moscow City Museum , Victory Museum , Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812 , State Historical Museum ,
• Moscow Life: Malls , Christmas in Moscow , Metro , Learning Spanish , My Russian Apartment , What is Life Really Like in Russia , FiFa World Cup , Russian Winters , and more posts about life abroad in Russia .
• St Petersburg: City Guide , The Hermitage Museum , Kayaking the Rivers & Canals , Peterhof Palace

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33 comments.

The hot water thing happened to me while living (and teaching english too) in Prague! I had no idea that was a thing! Luckily it was for 3 days.

Interesting, I didn’t know it happened in other countries too!

Thank you for such a great article! Moving to a new country is always a stressful process no matter how prepared you are and knowing these little ins and outs of the process really helps. Having to get an HIV test before moving kind of surprised me and registering every time you return to Russia seems like a hassle! I have heard that Russian is a very difficult language to learn. I tried learning the basics when I was travelling through Eastern Europe and the Balkans and almost immediately gave up because I found it incredibly difficult to teach myself from free online resources. I’ve heard that Moscow has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world and would love to see them one day!

You’re welcome, thanks for reading! I’m terrified of needles, so I really hated having to do an HIV test. Also we had to do them a couple times of year at the school I worked at. I found Russian really hard to learn when I had a private teacher. I can imagine it would be even more difficult to try to teach yourself. Yes, the metro stations are beautiful!

Tell me about it (the visa progress, internet, hot water shut off!), I lived for a while in Moscow many years ago and the paperwork was a nightmare and by the sounds of it, nothing has changed. I learnt Russian pretty fast (had no choice) but I did enjoy my time there. Would I go back? Maybe….

It’s great to hear from someone else who lived in Moscow! That’s awesome that you learned Russian really quick, I’m impressed!

I had heard about a lot of things about Russia and turns out most of them are true! They have this strictest Visa process and paperwork. One of my acquaintances arrived in Russia after visiting some other Central Asian countries. He was apparently deported with no proper reason. He was told if you want to visit Russia, come directly from your country and not through any other country! It was good to know a lot about Russia and Moscow in general from your blog. I hope you had a good and exciting time there.

Oh wow that’s quite the scary story! I traveled to other countries quite a bit when I lived there and luckily didn’t have any problems going back to Russia.

First off – kudos for having managed in this city. It does seem like a challenge to get here and more importantly stay here. The amount of documentation and forms. And to not be able to pay your bills in a jiffy. Oof! Russian only and no English can be hassle if you are staying there for long term. The last point totally put me in a bind – no hot water for 10 days in a cold country! Brrrr….

Hahaha the visa the visa the visa!!!! I was had planned for my trip in December 2019… The hardest part was figuring out how to get an invitation letter when staying at an Airbnb. That took me quite a while to figure out and was a bit costly about $65 but the Airbnb was affordable so the costs balanced out. On arrival don’t be in a hurry, it took about 3 hrs to be cleared at immigration as a first time tourist to Russia. But once that was done i really enjoyed my stay. I love how beautifully decorated it is in December and the fireworks on 31st. Being an African I was a tad cautious but boy are those people kind and friendly… I got so many hugs and numerous people eager to find out more about what I think of Russia and where I’m from. I’d definitely go back. Oh and I visited Voronzeh by bus… Small nice and really affordable town but not as much to do as Moscow though..

The Fearless Foreigner

The visa process and the invitation letter are quite the hassle. Glad you had a good experience in Russia overall though!

This really opened my eyes to some of the things we take for granted in the US, like consistent WiFi, phone service and hot water. And paying bills sounds as though it would be very frustrating. As someone who has a tendency to misplace things, I was relieved to hear an officially stamped passport and visa copy would be accepted. Imagine losing the originals? Ugh. All worth it, I’m sure, to have this incredible opportunity to experience Russia as a resident. These tips are very helpful and I do hope to visit in the near future. Thank you!

That’s so true, we do take a lot for granted in the US. Moving to Moscow was a challenging experience, but still rewarding!

Sheriannekay

I am hoping to visit Moscow in the fall. I know it won’t be my easiest trip and have put off research. This is a great starting point. The tips for apps are greatly appreciated. I didn’t realize language would be as huge a barrier as it sounds so I will do extra prep. Thanks for the heads up on carrying papers with me at all times, I don’t usually do that

As a tourist you will hopefully have an easier time with the language barrier and your hotel will send you the invitation letter to start the visa process. It still is a hassle and takes more planning than other countries though. I have several other Moscow posts, I hope you check them out and let me know if you have any questions!

Most of the “rough” things mentioned are truly in the eye of the beholder – and a matter of simple adjustment. WI-FI is a lot more consistent and readily available in Russia’s big cities than in cities of comparable size in the US. As to cell phones – the vast majority of plans is “prepaid” vs “pay-as-you-go”, which essentially means you can hypothetically run out of money. That said, internet banking is a lot more developed in Russia – so “topping up” your phone is a matter of a couple of clicks on your phone (or, alternatively, and “auto-payment” from your bank account as soon as you hit a certain limit). Back in 2018, I went for 7 days in Moscow and Spb without any cash or credit cards at all – paying for everything with my phone (Samsung Pay, Google pay, etc).

Hot water – yes, that’s something I had a hard time getting used to. Luckily, most rental apartments have a back up water boiler (or in-line water heater) to help you through those 10 days 🙂 If not – you can always get one (costs about $70, no electrical license or skills needed to install – it’s a simple plug and play. Plug and shower, rather 🙂

As to visa – well, yes, it’s a bit of a pain. To give you some perspective, though – the wait times for a (mandatory) visa interview at the US embassy in Moscow back in 2018 started at 1 year (yes, that’s 365 days), and Russians have to travel to the US embassy, regardless of where in the country they reside. If they happen to live, say, in Petropavlovsk, they need to fly into Moscow (a 9-hr flight across 9 time zones)

Linda (LD Holland)

Wow! A move to Moscow is certainly adventurous. I know that visiting requires a whole big process. So I am sure residency is a degree of magnitude harder. I am not surprised that internet is blocked. But the process for paying bills is just bizarre. And I am not sure how to deal with no hot water for 10 days. Some great tips for people wanting to do a longer stay in Russia.

Moving to Moscow was an adventure! Some people tough it out and take cold showers for 10 days. I heated up some water and took showers at my gym some days.

Bhushavali N

Oh wow! That’s quite an experience. Language barrier when you move to a country is indeed difficult, unlike being a tourist for a few days. I know that feeling, coz I’ve been through that! Interesting to know that the cost of living is cheaper than USA or EU! I wonder if the situation of money transfer is difficult only with banks of USA or with any other country! Just like China, I’m not surprised that many sites are blocked in Russia as well!

Most of my co-workers were from the UK or other countries around the world. I talked with them about the money transferring and none of them seemed to have any problem. So I guess it is more of an issue with US banks!

Victoria immigration expert

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is very valuable. I think it is the language barrier that causes many inconveniences. Good luck to you!

Yes, the language barrier was one of my biggest challenges! Thank you.

I loved reading this! I am SO curious about Russia right now. It’s somewhere I really really want to go but as you mentioned, the visa process is a bit tricky. It’s just such an unknown place to me, I don’t really know anyone who has been there. I think it’s very cool that you taught English there! I appreciated your honestly about how you didn’t technically love it nor hate it, it seems like there were many challenges but a great experience overall!

Russia is an interesting place! It is a hassle to get a visa, but if you are intrigued you should visit! It’s unique because it is Europe, but doesn’t feel like the other European countries, yet doesn’t feel like Asia either. Let me know if you have any questions about visiting!

Anton Vasilyev

Just read your article and having traveled to Russia multiple times I think you made it sound a bit too complicated. First, the visa issue – Google an online Russian visa support site and they will do it for you for a modest fee. You all seem to mention that 7- 10 day hot water maintenance. It does take place in the middle of the summer so it’s not that dramatic. When searching for an Airbnb make sure it comes with a water heater. That way you don’t depend on centrally supplied hot water. Most local apartments come with a tankless water heater installed to avoid this exact situation – just ask. And I’ll just ignore your other complaint that English is not widely spoken in Moscow. I actually enjoy that there are not that many English speaking tourists in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Living in a country and traveling in a country is very different.This post is geared to expats moving to Russia and people who like to know all the pros and cons of moving somewhere, even if they are minor inconveniences. For the most part our companies choose where we live and we have no control over the apartment (no AirBnBs). That’s great that you enjoy that many people do not speak English. As I said that is the point of this post, for people to determine if they would like to live in the country or not. Anything that does not pertain to your situation or needs you are free to ignore!

Hey Elizabeth! I came across your blog after participating in the collab about teaching abroad, with Monica from This Rare Earth! I resonated with what you said here — many of the same things happen in China where I work. It is definitely an adventure 🙂

Thanks for stopping by! That’s very cool that you are teaching in China! I’m sure there are a lot of similarities….teaching abroad is an adventure for sure 🙂

It was interesting to read, so let me give you Russian point of view. As for visa, I really can not understand what’s the purpose of such hassle – if I was responsible for Russian visa policy, I would make visa-free regime for the majority of countries. We had quite nice experience during the World Cup 3 years back, so I hope things will be changing. Even now, they introduced new e-visa policy, at least for various European countries. However, they always state that all visa policies should be reciprocal, though it doesn’t make sence for me at all. As for passports I strongly disagree with you – you don’t need to carry it all the time, at least in Moscow. It is not required by law and normally no one will ask it as well, at least if you’re not looking like people from Caucasian & Central Asian republics. Attitude towards foreigners from “rich countries” from police is mostly much better, than towards any Russian. As for internet, it amazes me that you found it problematic. Wi-Fi is all over Moscow, Apple Pay can be used almost everywhere, and the unlimited internet package I have on my tablet is less than 10$ per month – i never found anything like that in other countries, though I am travelling a lot. As for blocked sites – there are some, but target.com is blocked not by Russians, but by target.com itself, because it does not accept our cards and doesn’t provide any services to us. Absolutely same situation applies to Ukraine – you will not open it there either. However, absolutely nobody in Russia uses and even knows about that site, we use other websites for shopping, both local and international. In general, we use local sources – we have our analogues of Facebook, Netflix, Spotify etc, and in some cases they are really much more convenient. In general I am happy to read you report – visit us again!

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

Thank you for sharing so many details living in Moscow ,and i am gald that i have read this article before i go to Moscow ,yes i will study in Moscow for few years and i don’t know what is the life will be there ,i am nervious and at mean time don’t know if it is right for me to live in Moscow ,because i know they have low salary too ,so maybe it’s hard for a student to find a good part time job,anyway ,i will start to my life in Moscow soon,hope everything will go smoothly,thank you for sharing this again!

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your time in Moscow.

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