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The 8 Best Travel Golf Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Make sure your clubs arrive safely with these durable and portable travel golf bags.

fortress journey travel bag review

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks

Our Testing Process

  • Others We Liked
  • Other Gear You May Need
  • 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 / Alexander Huang

A durable golf travel bag is essential for protecting your clubs and giving you peace of mind whether you’re traveling by car or airplane to one of the world’s best courses. While there are plenty of storage options for safely traveling with your clubs, we tested the best golf travel bags based on qualities like durability, portability, and capacity. 

Our top pick for the best golf travel bag overall is the Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro golf travel bag, which thoroughly impressed us. The bag is made with durable nylon material with plenty of padding to ensure that your clubs make it to your destination safely. We were able to fit clubs, clothes, golf balls, and other accessories into the bag without any issues. If you’re looking for a hardshell case or a budget-friendly bag, we found options for a variety of categories to fit the needs of all golfers. 

Best Overall

Club glove last bag large pro.

  • Capacity 5 /5
  • Design 5 /5
  • Portability 5 /5
  • Durability 5 /5

It’s built to last with single webbing reinforcement and burst-proof construction. 

The bag is on the heavier side.

The Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro golf travel bag is one of the best-made travel bags we've seen. Fit for a weekend golf getaway , the bag can comfortably fit a set of clubs in a standard-sized carrier, golf balls, shirts, shorts, towels, and two pairs of golf shoes between the main compartment and two exterior pockets. Despite the 45-pound weight after packing, we thought the balance was evenly distributed throughout the bag and the inline skate wheels rolled smoothly and felt sturdy due to the plastic wheelbase that is designed for high-impact travel. We noted the high-quality feel of the water-resistant nylon material that adds durability to the bag, which truly feels like it will last a lifetime.

The bag is outfitted with self-lubricating YKK zippers and ITW Nexus buckles that come from a manufacturer that makes military-grade hoops, locks, and buckles. An aluminum stiff arm to reinforce the padded protection for impact during traveling is included. We flew with this bag twice in one month of testing and it still looks like it just came out of the box. The durability, functionality, and sleek design of the Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro Golf Travel Bag make it well worth the price for golfers that are planning to travel with their clubs. 

The Details: 86 x 19 x 51 inches | 10.6 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Travel + Leisure / Kyle Tyll

Best Budget

Caddydaddy constrictor 2 travel cover.

This bag includes large pockets that can store all of your extra gear.

The sides aren't padded, so you may want to add cushioning to protect your clubs.

For frequent travelers or golfers who want a bag that can store even their bulkiest gear, this CaddyDaddy bag is the perfect option. Not only is the bag itself large enough to store all of your clubs, but we love that it also features side pockets big enough to pack your shoes and even extra clothing. Even with all of this space, the bag still doesn't feel bulky.

Made of thick rubber and nylon, we feel confident this bag won't break, tear, or otherwise fall apart making it a great value. The fabric is also thick and well-stitched. To give you added peace of mind, it comes with a one-year full replacement warranty so you can test it for yourself.

The Details: 27.5 x 18.9 x 14.5 inches | 9 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon and rubber

Most Spacious

Caddydaddy golf club travel cover with wheels.

  • Design 4.5 /5
  • Portability 4.5 /5
  • Value 4.5 /5

The interior has tons of room for clothing or shoes in addition to golf clubs. 

It has straps that are slightly uncomfortable.

The CaddyDaddy First Class Premium Padded Golf Club Travel Cover with Wheels has tons of space for not only clubs, but golf shoes, clothing, and anything else you would ever need on a golf trip as well. Since the golf travel bag weighs just 10 pounds, golfers can pack up to 40 pounds of clubs, clothes, and other accessories before reaching the general 50-pound checked bag limit for most airlines. We loved the spacious side pockets for toiletries and golf shoes, as well as the well-placed straps that can be tucked in during traveling to prevent damage.

The weight of the golf bag is mostly evenly balanced, and the wheels and handles make it easy to carry and maneuver; however, the top handle could have been a little more comfortable. The materials and the zippers of the bag feel durable and well-made. We're confident that this bag would last a very long time and would not be something you'd have to worry about replacing anytime soon.

The Details: 51 x 13 x 15 inches | 10 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Best Softside

Sun mountain clubglider meridian travel cover.

  • Capacity 4.8 /5

There are fold-out legs in the center with wheels that make rolling the bag even easier.

Travelers might want to consider a stiff arm for added protection.

For golfers looking for a simple yet functional golf travel bag, the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Travel Cover is a solid option. The design of the bag includes everything you need for hassle-free packing and travel experience, including a spacious interior for a cart or stand bag, two exterior pockets, and a pull-out leg mechanism with an additional pair of wheels besides the ones at the bottom of the bag. We found it very easy to collapse the legs in and out and the bag rolled a lot more smoothly than expected.

The high-quality, durable feel of the handles on the front, bottom, and middle of the bag equally impressed us by making it a breeze to lift and maneuver comfortably. While the nylon exterior material and padding feel sturdy and durable, the bag would likely only protect golf clubs against low-impact hits.

The Details: 51 x 15 x 14 inches | 8 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / David Engler

Most Durable

Club glove collegiate travel cover with stiff arm.

PGA Tour Superstore

  • Capacity 4 /5
  • Design 4.9 /5

It comes with a stiff arm to protect the heads of the clubs.

Packing the clubs was a tight fit with the length.

Traveling by air with golf clubs can be risky considering the potential for rough handling that comes with checking in luggage, but the Club Glove Last Bag Collegiate Travel Cover with Stiff Arm is made of high-quality materials and includes a stiff arm that is designed to protect gear from hard impact. The adjustable stiff arm is made of nylon plastic and lightweight aluminum, and although it doesn’t take up much room, we had to jostle the bag to get the stiff arm in with the golf clubs. With the smaller-sized interior, we appreciated the two large exterior pockets that can fit items like shoes, clothing, or sunscreen. The fully-packed bag is comfortable to carry with top, bottom, and middle straps that evenly distribute the weight of the lengthy bag and we liked how it can stand up on its own.

After flying with this Club Glove design, there weren’t any scuffs or damage to the bag. The exterior of the bag is made of water-resistant ballistic nylon fabric and the backing has single webbing reinforcement — a common fabric used for climbing, military gear, and parachutes. 

The Details: 52 x 14 x 14 inches | 11.3 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Karen Chen

Best Portability

Izzo golf high roller.

  • Capacity 4.5 /5
  • Design 4.8 /5
  • Durability 4 /5

There are six wheels on the bottom of the bag so it can be rolled upright. 

It feels slightly top-heavy.

The Izzo High Roller golf bag impressed us with how easy it was to transport by wheeling or carrying it. The six wheels on the bottom of the bag make it possible to push or pull it while standing upright. In addition, the bag can collapse down to just 12 inches for easy storage while traveling or at home.

While the bag felt a little top-heavy while being wheeled through an airport, the handles made it easy to lift and hold onto while rolling the bag. Even if the bag were to fall over, it has a solid amount of protective padding on the inside and outside, and it’s made of tear-resistant nylon that feels sturdy and durable. The interior of the bag is large enough for golf clubs and extra shirts, and the exterior pocket is big enough for a pair of golf shoes, but it was a tighter fit than we would’ve preferred. We think the Izzo High Roller bag is perfect for golfers who could benefit from having exceptional portability and durability while traveling through airports.

Dimensions: 53 x 16 x 12 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Wheels: Yes | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Martin Schnurr

Best Hybrid

Caddydaddy golf travel bag cover with hard case top.

  • Design 4 /5
  • Portability 4 /5

Only the top half is hardshell, which makes storing the bag much easier.

It feels top-heavy while carrying.

The CaddyDaddy Enforcer Golf Travel Bag Cover with Hard Case Top is designed with traveling golfers in mind, especially those who live in big cities where storage space is limited. This golf bag has a unique design where the top half is a hardshell case and the bottom half is softside. The half hardshell gives you the protection you want for your clubs and we love how the bag can compress into itself, making it more space efficient for storing when not in use.

The exterior of the bag has two pockets for storing balls or shoes and although there aren’t any pockets on the inside, there was a good amount of room left over for clothes. Though the hardshell top makes it slightly top heavy, the bag maneuvers well on the inline skate wheels at the bottom, while the top, bottom, and center handle make it easy to lift the bag into a car or onto a weight scale at the airport. 

The Details: 51 x 13 x 13 inches | 9 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Travel + Leisure / Allison Widmer

Best Lightweight

Tourtrek tc pro travel cover.

Dick's Sporting Goods

  • Durability 4.8 /5
  • Value 4.8 /5

It feels lightweight whether it’s being pushed or pulled over a variety of surfaces.

The interior of the bag could be bigger.

The TourTrek TC Pro Travel Cover offers an abundance of protective padding and excellent portability. We think this bag is a fantastic value thanks to durable design and interior space that’s roomy enough for a set of golf clubs and two mesh pockets for accessories, as well as an exterior pocket for a pair of shoes. The cushioning is very generous and the bag feels protective and sturdy with 360-degree padding to keep your golf clubs safe whether you’re traveling by air or car. The handles are padded as well, making them comfortable to hold onto while lifting or rolling the bag. And it includes a lock and key set for an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

Weighing 6.6 pounds, this golf travel bag is lightweight and takes up less of the allotted 50-pound weight maximum that most airlines limit checked bags . While we think the interior could be a little bit bigger, this golf travel bag has high-quality features that lead us to believe it will protect golf clubs and last a long time with prolonged use, too. 

The Details: 52 x 14 x 14 inches | 6.6 pounds | Wheeled | Nylon

Travel & Leisure / Chris Abell

We had our expert product testers and golfers take 19 golf travel bags on the road to find out which ones will keep your clubs safe whether you’re flying or driving. Our testers evaluated the bags by flying, driving, walking around, and carrying the bags and rating various attributes on a scale from one to five based on capacity, design, durability, and portability. 

Our testers packed their golf clubs into the travel bags and noted how easy it was to place the clubs into them and if there was room leftover for clothes, shoes, golf balls, or other accessories between the main compartment and any pockets. While packing the bags, we checked the quality of the zippers and buckles, as well as how much padding there was and if it felt sufficient for protecting the clubs. The bags with the highest ratings for capacity were spacious with extra room leftover, and the best performing bags for design had thoughtful and intuitive features that had golfers in mind and made packing easier.

After packing up the travel bags, our traveling golfers tested portability by carrying and wheeling the bag to get a feel for how it maneuvers. The top performing bags for portability were exceptionally easy to lift and wheel with comfortable, padded straps and handles. Durability of the travel bags was tested when they were transported by airplane or car. Our five-star ratings for durability went to the travel bags that had no damage to the exterior or items on the interior after being used and gave us confidence that they would hold up well with prolonged use. The testers determined that the bags with the best value performed as or better than expected given the price, especially pricier bags that needed robust justification for the cost.

Other Golf Travel Bags We Liked

While there were plenty of well-performing golf travel bags, there were a few listed below that almost made our list of best golf travel bags but fell short during testing. 

Samsonite Golf Deluxe 3 Piece Travel Set : The bag is functional and has a sleek design, but there isn’t much padding and the zippers are plastic, which made us question the durability of the bag while flying. 

Samsonite Hard Side Golf Case : The hardshell feels durable, but there isn’t much give so it was a tight fit to get the golf clubs in, and the case is difficult to store since it can’t break down.

Amazon Basics Soft-sided Golf Travel Bag : This bag is very affordable, but has an unstructured bottom, so it can't stand up on its own.

SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Standard Hard Travel Golf Case : This case was built to withstand a lot of rough handling and includes TSA-approved locks, but can become heavy due to its thick plastic.

Bag Boy Golf T10 Hard Top Cover : For minimalist golfers, this simple bag fits just what you need, but won't give you room for extra equipment or gear.

Other Golf Gear You May Need

When you're heading out for a long day on the course, be sure you're prepared with everything you need from sunscreen to golf gloves to ensure you stay completely focused on enjoying the game.

Titleist Players Flex Men’s Golf Glove: These high-performance gloves are a classic for a reason. The cabretta leather is silky smooth, offering optimal comfort and breathability, so your hands won't sweat mid-swing. Plus, the Satin Net materials across the knuckles provide plenty of flexibility.

Peter Millar Solid Performance Jersey Polo : If you're someone who gets caught up in the game and forgets to reapply sunscreen, this golf shirt is for you. Not only is it made of moisture-wicking materials in 13 vibrant colors, but it provides UPF 50+ sun protection as well, so you can stay safe without even thinking about it.

Adidas Men's Tour360 22 Golf Shoes : These shoes provide excellent cushioning to keep you comfortable all day long, and still feature 11 metal spikes for traction and grip. They're also designed with roomy toe boxes and heel reinforcement to ensure your foot stays in place.

Wilson Sleeveless Club Dress : This stylish golf dress is made with four-way stretch fabric that is breathable and feels good even in extreme heat. It also features hidden and roomy pockets so you can store any essentials you may want ready and on-hand.

Tips for Buying a Golf Travel Bag

Consider buying a stiff arm .

Whether you’re buying a hardshell or softside golf travel bag, a stiff arm can add another layer of protection to your golf clubs. A stiff arm is usually an adjustable metal rod with a plastic disc at the the top of it that extends longer than the driver or longest golf club. The rod is placed into a golf bag to absorb the hit if the bag is tossed around and prevent the clubs from being directly impacted. 

Hardshell versus softside 

When looking for a travel golf bag, you'll want to look at durability and padding. Both hardshell and softside golf travel bags can prevent damage to your golf clubs while traveling and are a worthwhile investment for golfers that travel several times per year. A hardshell suitcase can get more scuffed than a softside golf bag, but you might not need to buy a stiff arm since a plastic case offers a more structured layer of protection. Whereas a softside bag might need extra protection like a stiff arm, it’s easier to store a soft bag than a bulky hardshell case that can’t be folded down. Some airlines will only cover damaged or lost clubs that are in a hardshell case, so be sure to check with the airline to find out the policies. 

Look at the types of wheels

From upright wheels to inline skate wheels, golf bags are created with a variety of options to make transport easier for all types of players. You should look at wheels that will smoothly and easily roll over different terrains without adding weight to the overall bag.

You’ll want to make sure your golf bag and clubs can fit in a travel bag. While you don’t want to squeeze your clubs inside, you won’t want them swimming in a roomy case either. If there is extra room in your travel bag, stuffing the sides with clothes or towels can help keep everything in place, especially if you’re flying. If your club heads can be removed and covered, that can further prevent damage to your gear. 

Every airline will be different but most follow the same policies as regular check-in luggage regarding weight and size limitations. The weight limit for check-in luggage, including golf clubs, is almost always 50 pounds or less. If your bag weighs more, there will likely be a surcharge fee. Airlines also have different restrictions and policies for packing golf shoes or balls in your bag, and coverage for lost golf bags can be dependent on the type of golf travel bag. For peace of mind, consider securing an AirTag holder with a tracker to your golf bag.

Generally, airlines do not pay travelers for damaged golf clubs. Some, like American Airlines , may compensate if the equipment traveled in a hard-sided case that is visibly damaged and was properly packed, but you should always check your specific airline's policies before flying to guarantee safe and secure travel.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best golf travel bags based on a series of tests completed by our testers while using the golf travel bags in a real-world setting. 

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fortress journey travel bag review

fortress journey travel bag review

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Buyer's Guides

Best golf travel bags 2023 data & rankings.

  • By Connor Lindeman
  • Apr 24th 2023
  • About a 10 minute read
  • Read all comments

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Best Golf Travel Bags 2023 Data & Rankings

Check out our full rankings on this year’s best golf travel bags

Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag

Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag

  • Read Review

PING Rolling Travel Cover Golf Bag

PING Rolling Travel Cover Golf Bag

OGIO ALPHA Max Golf Travel Cover

OGIO ALPHA Max Golf Travel Cover

Titleist Professional Large Club Glove Golf Travel Bag

Titleist Professional Large Club Glove Golf Travel Bag

Vice Shell Golf Travel Bag

Vice Shell Golf Travel Bag

Best golf travel bags 2023 – results, best golf travel bags 2023 – features.

Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Bag

The Bottom Line

The Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian is as stable and steady as they come. If you're looking for a smooth airport companion, this is the golf travel bag for you.

The wheel base provides ultimate maneuverability and the padded top ensures your clubs stay protected. The angled base makes pulling your golf bag in and out very seamless.

The fit could be more snug to ensure your clubs stay tight. The ClubGlider system does also add a little weight, which can make it harder to get in and out of a car.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • INTERNAL DIMENSIONS: 52” X 14” X 14”
  • Leg mechanism is extended and retracted in one easy motion.
  • Heavy-duty, two-way zippers run the full length of the bag for easy loading.
  • Two exterior access pockets store extra gear.
  • Legs retract into the molded tray for travel.
  • Reinforced in wear areas.
  • Ballistic-style Nylon

PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS

The Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian was made with the frequent traveler in mind. The ClubGlider system makes moving through the airport a breeze. No other bag in our test was easier to maneuver and move than the ClubGlider Meridian. While the bag itself isn’t nearly as compact as other bags, the bag is so easy to load, unload, and move that you forget how large it is. 

The padding near the top of the bag is among the most dense that we saw in our testing, too, which means your precious sticks will be protected no matter what.

Nothing is easier to travel with than the ClubGlider Meridian. The four-wheel ClubGlider System has been around for years, and it’s easy to see why Sun Mountain sticks with it.

fortress journey travel bag review

"The Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian is the smoothest rolling travel bag I've ever seen! Why travel with anything else?"

Have you tried this golf travel bag? Let us know!

fortress journey travel bag review

The PING Rolling Travel Cover is an excellent golf travel bag. It's extremely easy to use, very protective, and every feature is well worth your time.

The fantastic wheel base and stand-up design make loading and carrying the PING Rolling Travel Cover extremely easy. It folds up into a carrying case for easy storage, too.

The Ping Rolling Travel Cover doesn't have the most storage, and lacks some of the more robust padding as other golf travel bags.

Product Details:

External dimensions: 53″L x 17″W x 14.5″D Fits carry bags up to full-size cart bags 6 handles for easy lifting from any angle Upright or tilted maneuverability Zip-off, customizable front pocket Interlocking skid rails roll smoothly over curbs Abrasion-resistant material Strong polypropylene base 400D Nylon with white contrast polyester thread

Professional Insights

Looking for a new golf travel bag? The PING Rolling Travel Cover should make your short list. This is one of those bags that makes traveling with your clubs a stress-free experience. Between the great protection and durability this bag offers, there are few that match its stellar performance.

Another thing we noticed during our testing is how easy it is to load and unload. The Ping Rolling Travel Cover stands on its own, making it extremely easy to load, then unload your gear.

The Ping Rolling Travel Cover is large enough to fit most cart bags, but agile enough to move through the airport with ease. The 6 handles make it easy to lift and transport, and the bottom rails make it possible to go up and down curbs with ease on your way to the car or the course.

fortress journey travel bag review

"The Ping Rolling Travel Cover is as sturdy as they come. This bag gives me peace of mind that my clubs will make it to their destination safe and sound."

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fortress journey travel bag review

Max protection is the name of the game for the OGIO Alpha Max Golf Travel Cover. If you want your clubs to arrive to your destination in one piece, this is the bag for you.

Interior wrap-around pad provides extra protection and the sturdy wheelbase makes moving the bag smooth and easy.

Not as many storage pockets as we'd like to see on a golf travel bag.

Designed to fit all golf bags including extra-large tour staff bags 360º reinforced foam padding for premium club protection Integrated OGIO SLED technology with oversized heavy-duty wheels for a smooth ride and unparalleled impact protection Two Internal compression straps to reduce movement in transit Three external webbing compression straps Lockable exterior zippers Heavy Duty Ballistic 1680D Polyester Body Dual loading handles for easy lifting Easy-load D-shaped opening Interior Mesh pocket Two front accessory pockets with removable Panels Clear Contact Card Holder

OGIO’s Alpha Max Golf Travel Cover provides maximum protection in a stylish package. The Alpha Max is OGIO’s flagship golf travel bag, and its stellar performance is evidence that OGIO put a lot of thought into this one.

The key feature of the Alpha Max Golf Travel Cover is the interior padding wrap. The padding can be wrapped around your clubs and is secured in place with velcro for an extra layer of protection. The peace of mind that this bag offers the frequent traveler is well worth the lofty price tag.

fortress journey travel bag review

"The interior padding wrap gives me great confidence that my clubs will be protected. The OGIO Alpha Max is a winner in the protection category."

fortress journey travel bag review

The Titleist Professional Large Club Glove Golf Travel Bag provides great protection for your clubs with its ultra durable construction.

This bag is very durable and features great straps to keep your clubs in place. The Titleist Professional Large Club Glove Golf Travel Bag also includes a torsion bar to protect your longer clubs.

Due to the large size, this bag is harder to store and harder to maneuver than some.

Full protection with ballistic nylon base reinforcement for resilient, indestructible support Includes stiff arm for added club protection Snap ID card holder for security Premium coated zippers for water repellency Premium Nexus Buckles secure contents High-impact inline skate wheels for smooth and quiet carry on any surface Available for custom embroidery Dimensions: 51″ x 19″ x 16″

The Professional Large Club Glove Golf Travel Bag is an all around beast. This bag has everything you’re looking for in a solid golf travel bag. Between the durable construction and included torsion bar, this bag provides ample protection for your clubs. 

Among the best features are the sturdy exterior straps, which keep your clubs from bumping in to one another. This durable golf travel bag can fit most cart bags and stand bags. Club Glove’s patented plastic wheel base provides an extremely smooth roll and overall good travel experience.

fortress journey travel bag review

"This bag is bulletproof! There's no way my clubs are going to be damaged with this bad boy!"

fortress journey travel bag review

The Vice Shell is small but mighty. If you need great maneuverability, compact size and decent protection, this is the golf travel bag for you.

The Vice Shell has four spinners for tight turns and overall small footprint make it easy to move and easy to store.

The Vice Shell golf travel bag isn't as protective as some, and the midsection isn't rigid enough to stop it from bending in the middle.

6 Wheel System with 5 handles for smooth transport Most spacious travel cover designed to fit all golf bag models, including our PRIDE Bag Inside strap, two inside pockets and ultimate padding to keep your clubheads protected Extra storage cover bag for ideal compact stow away at home Businesscard solder for easy identification Size: 35*50*130cm Empty Weight: <3k

The Vice Shell is a small golf travel bag that folds nicely into an included carrying case. This miniature travel bag features a 360 degree wheelbase complete with four spinner wheels that makes it easy to move anywhere and everywhere.

We loved how easy it was to move the Shell. The spinner wheels give it an extremely tight turn radius that can’t be beat. When not in use, the Vice Shell folds up into a very compact size. The included carrying case makes it easy to store when you’re not on the go.

The Vice Shell has five carry handles for easy lifting and transportation, and the six wheel system makes this bag practically glide on any surface.

fortress journey travel bag review

"The Vice Shell has some of the best wheels I've seen. This thing is a smooth rider. Plus, it looks pretty darned cool!"

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fortress journey travel bag review

Apr 8, 2024

Public vs private:  where to play in 2024.

fortress journey travel bag review

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  • about the author
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Connor Lindeman

Connor Lindeman

Connor is MyGolfSpy's resident sneakerhead who believes that golf is more enjoyable with a fresh pair of kicks. When he isn't scrolling Twitter to find his next golf shoe purchase, you can find him at the piano or trying a new dessert place with his wife. #Lefty

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12 months ago

Did you guys even test the club glove? Seems like a pretty big omission.

We did test the Club Glove Large travel bag (The Titleist variant) It performed very well, as the results show.

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The 9 Best Golf Travel Bags to Protect Your Clubs

Traveling to golf destinations is an exciting adventure, filled with the promise of teeing off in new and captivating courses. However, it’s not without its challenges, especially when it comes to safeguarding your precious golf equipment. That’s where the indispensable tool of the trade comes in – the golf travel bag.

Navigating the vast landscape of golf travel bags can be overwhelming, but fret not. We’ve embarked on an extensive journey of research to bring you the cream of the crop, ensuring you’ll find the perfect companion for your golfing expeditions. After all, golfers and travelers come in all shapes and sizes, each with their unique needs and budgets.

In this comprehensive golf travel bag review, we’ll delve into the realm of this year’s top contenders. Our insights are rooted in over five decades of golfing expertise, promising you a curated selection of the finest options that cater to an array of preferences and requirements. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic beginner, read on to discover the ideal golf travel bag for your needs.

The Best of the Best Golf Travel Bags

Hard case or soft case, padding and strapping, storage space, ease of movement, water resistance, 1. caddydaddy golf constrictor 2 – best overall golf travel bag, specifications, 2. sun mountain clubglider meridian – best four-wheel golf travel bag, 3. amazonbasics soft-sided bag with wheels – best value travel golf bag, 4. himal soft-sided golf travel bag – best wheel system for a golf travel bag, 5. skb cases ata deluxe wheeled golf bag – best premium golf travel bag, 6. club glove last bag pro golf travel bag – best warranty on a golf travel bag, 7. caddydaddy enforcer hard travel bag – best storage travel golf bag, 8. samsonite hard side golf bag, 9. outdoormaster padded golf bag, what to consider with golf travel this year, should i buy a hard or soft travel case, what is a travel golf bags with wheels, what is the best golf bag for travel, how do you protect your golf clubs when flying, can i put clothes in my golf travel bag, can you bring golf tees on a plane, can i bring a single golf club on a plane, is weight important for a travel bag, are golf travel bags considered oversized, what about small golf travel bags, tips for traveling with a travel case, related articles, factors to consider when selecting a golf bag for travel.

When traveling with golf clubs, you want it to be as easy and convenient as possible, and you want a good travel golf bag to offer maximum protection for your clubs. There are a few other factors that are also important. Let’s look closely at selecting the best golf bag for travel.

Some cases are made from a tough solid material, while others are made from a durable fabric and they generally contain padding to protect the clubs. Both options have pros and cons, and much will depend on your travel requirements and personal preference.

Soft cases are lighter, easier to store when not in use, and generally a bit less expensive. Because they are lighter and more compact, they are often easier to maneuver as you travel.

A hard golf club travel case is generally bulkier and often a bit more expensive, but they tend to offer much better protection

The weight of the travel bag is important for several reasons. Firstly, you will be lugging it around yourself at airports and in and out of cars during your travels. But more importantly, you will have to pay for excess luggage weight on your flights.

If you travel with a bag that is too heavy, you may incur weight penalties, thereby reducing the amount you can spend. You need to weigh up the benefit of the potential extra protection a heavier bag can offer versus the costs involved. Soft bags tend to weigh between 8 and 10 pounds, while hard case golf travel bags are roughly 12 to 20 pounds.

Remember that your clubs alone already weigh a fair amount, generally around 30 pounds. A heavy bag will add to this weight. It is a clever idea to check the weight limits and costs with the airline before traveling with your golf equipment.

The  PGA  offers some good advice on traveling with golf clubs.

The main purpose of golf bags for travel is to protect your clubs. Ensure the bag has sufficient padding to protect your investment. The very nature of travel puts them at risk, and unfortunately, a few baggage handlers are not too careful with the process. The more padding the better, although it adds bulk and weight to the bag.

A good strapping system is also important as this will secure your equipment in the golf bag for travel and ensure it does not bounce around inside.

Durability is important for the protection and the lifespan of the travel bag. Look at the quality of the materials used, including the handles and zippers. Ensure that you invest in a bag that will offer good protection and last for many excursions.

A good sign that a bag has decent durability is the warranty. It demonstrates that the manufacturer believes in the workmanship and materials used in making the golf bag for travel. Some companies are better at looking after their customers than others, so look into the warranty.

One obviously has to consider the budget when investing in golf equipment. We have covered bags for travel that will cater to a wide range of budgets. Consider the value of your clubs and the potential inconvenience and disappointment of club damage when you arrive at your destination.

A less expensive bag could save you some money in the short term but expose your clubs to greater risk, and the bag itself might need replacing sooner than you expect.

First and foremost, the bag you select for travel needs to accommodate the golf bag you intend to travel with and the length of your longest club. While most of them will suffice, the more compact options might not cater to certain equipment. Check first to be sure.

Secondly, you might need additional storage for shoes and other gear when traveling.  Many bags, particularly soft ones, have additional external pockets that allow for this.

The type of material used will determine the durability of the bag and the protection it provides. Soft bags are typically made from polyester or nylon. The thicker fabrics tend to offer more protection.

Hardshell golf travel cases are generally made from high-impact plastic or a composite substance. Some are stronger and more resilient than others.

The best travel golf bags have wheels because apart from good protection, you want a bag that is easy to handle and has good mobility. This will make your travels easier and reduce frustration. The design and quality of the wheels are important. In general, although a bit heavier, hardshell cases are easier to move if they have decent wheels.

There are, however, many soft cases that are well designed for easy mobility. Soft bags are less bulky and easier to store when not in use.

A wide base tends to make movement easier, as do larger wheels. Note that not all golf bags for travel have wheels.  Some will need carrying, or alternatively, you can put them onto a trolley to move them.

Straps and handles are also important when picking the bag up to move it around. Ideally, you want a top handle, middle handles, and a decent strap.

Most golf travel bags do not offer water resistance, although some are more effective than others. If this is important to you, look into this when making your selection. Hard travel cases for golf clubs tend to be better in this regard.

Some golf bags for travel will come with locks, while others do not, so you must purchase these separately. Factor this in when comparing options.

The 9 Best Golf Travel Bags 2024

CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover (Black/Grey)

Our rating: 4.8/5

  • Value for money
  • Compact and easy to store when not in use
  • Lightweight (8.5 pounds)
  • In-line skate wheels
  • Lockable zippers
  • Additional protective padding
  • Heavy top padding
  • Internal strap to reduce movement of clubs
  • 3 External pockets
  • Thick 1800 denier fabric
  • 1-Year replacement warranty
  • Good customer care
  • No protective reinforcement around clubs
  • Not the most stable base
  • Material: Thick 1800 denier fabric
  • Weight: 9 pounds
  • Dimensions L x W x H (Inches): 51 x 13 x 15
  • TSA Approved Locks: Purchase separately
  • Wheels: 2 x inline skate wheels
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • Warranty: 1-year 

This is one of the most popular travel golf bags on the market and is highly rated by those that have used it. It is a soft style bag but has plenty of padding internally and on top. It also has an internal strap to keep everything in place. Despite being a soft bag, it will offer your clubs and equipment good protection.

It is made from thick and durable 1800 denier fabric and weighs only 8.5 pounds. This allows you to fold it into a compact size for easy storage when not in use. There are 3 external pockets for added storage during your travels. These are handy for shoes, clothing, and additional accessories.

The zippers are lockable. Note that you will have to purchase TSA locks separately. Thanks to the in-line skate wheels, the bag is easy to transport as you make your way on your travels. 

The Constrictor 2 Travel Cover is well made and comes with a 1-year warranty that offers a full bag replacement. According to most reports, customer care from CaddyDaddy is superb. We all know some airline staff are not too gentle with our bags so this will give you some peace of mind.

This is a value-for-money option that will make life easy and offer your clubs a good amount of protection when you travel.

Sun Mountain Golf ClubGlider Meridian Club Cover Travel Bag

Our rating: 4.6/5

  • Solidly built
  • Quality club protection
  • Quality and effective four-wheel system
  • Dense foam padding at the top
  • Quality materials
  • Heavy-duty two-way zippers
  • Comes with TSA approved lock
  • Highly durable
  • Retractable pivoting wheels
  • Internal grip straps
  • 2 exterior pockets
  • It looks impressive
  • A fairly expensive investment
  • Somewhat bulky

Specifications:

  • Material: 1200 polyester fabric
  • Weight: 11.3 pounds
  • Dimensions LxWxH (Inches): 52 x 14 x 14
  • Wheels: 2 at the bottom of the bag and 2 on the leg mechanism when extended 

If you travel with your golf equipment frequently and have a large budget, this is an outstanding choice. The price is one of the only downsides, but it is an investment that will last you many years and offer exceptional protection to your golf clubs and equipment on many golfing adventures.

This particular model is among the highest-rated golf bags for travel on the market, so clearly, the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian has an effective build and design.

It weighs in at about 11.3 lbs and is bulkier than some other options, but this is due to the quality construction and added padding. The bag is made from a durable 1200 denier polyester fabric. Internal support or clinch straps will keep everything stable and secure for protection during travel. The zips are two-way zippers and heavy-duty for durability. They are easy to lock and come with a TSA-approved lock.

Most will agree that the bag looks great so that you can travel in style. One of the main advantages of this bag is the ease of movement it offers. It has a somewhat unique retractable four-wheel system that is agile and nifty. This stable design makes whipping through the airport or elsewhere to your destination a breeze.

Two external pockets offer additional convenient storage.

Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag

  • It can stand upright when packed with your clubs
  • A great affordable price
  • Thick padding on all sides
  • Wheels can crack easily
  • Metal rivets inside the bag can be sharp
  • May not last as long as some of the other models
  • Material not as hard-wearing as it could be
  • Material:  Nylon
  • Weight: 8.65lbs
  • Dimensions LxWxH (Inches): 50 x 13 x 15
  • Wheels: 2x inline skate wheels
  • Waterproof: No
  • Warranty: 2-year

Just when you thought you had seen it all, Amazon also now offers their own brand of golf club travel bag that is an affordable option, with an impressive range of features. It measures 50” L x 13” W x 15” D, has two large side pockets, and has an integrated ID slot.

It is made with a durable fabric with reinforced stress points, smooth-rolling inline skate wheels, and extra protection around the curb rails. Furthermore, it features two compression-style straps on the outside of the bag to help keep your clubs securely fastened.

This is the least expensive option we have looked at, and a little lacking in our eyes, but it may still be worth your consideration.

Himal Outdoors Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag with Wheels- Heavy Duty 600D Polyester Oxford Wear-Resistant, Excellent Zipper Universal Size

Our Rating: 4.6/5

  • Quality and effective wheel system
  • Comfortable and practical handles
  • Lightweight
  • Quality zippers
  • 2 Exterior bags
  • Protective security strap
  • Good customer support
  • Himal satisfaction guarantee
  • A fairly basic bag with limited extras
  • Material: 600D heavy duty polyester
  • Weight: 4.4 pounds
  • TSA Approved Locks: Purchase Separately
  • Waterproof: Water-resistant
  • Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

There are two leading features in this bag. The first one is the wheel system that is smooth and effective, making the bag agile and nifty during your travels. The second is that it has a quality handle setup that makes it versatile and easy to manage. 

This travel golf bag makes life easy whether you are pulling or carrying. The cushioned handles are comfortable and well designed.

The main body uses quality 600D heavy-duty polyester which is both tough and durable. And there is plenty of space to accommodate most clubs and accessories.

The quality zippers make for smooth and easy access to your equipment and are built to last. The bag features two exterior pockets for convenience. The PVC bottom is stable and protective, and the security strap will keep clubs and equipment safe and secure.

Himal cares about their customers, and they offer a satisfaction guarantee which is highly advantageous. To summarize, the bag is practical and effective at a moderate price. Oh, and it looks pretty damn good too!

SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Standard Hard Plastic 48 inches Long Interior Golf Bag Storage Traveling Case with Wheels and Reliable Secure Latches, Black

Our rating: 4.5/5

  • Industrial strength latches
  • Extremely good protection
  • Resists moisture and dirt
  • Impressive SKB’s Million Mile Guaranty and lifetime warranty
  • Convenient TSA Locking System
  • Not the sexiest golf bag for travel
  • Might be a bit of a squeeze for larger cart bags
  • On the heavy side for travel
  • Material: Polyethylene
  • Weight: 15.71 Pounds
  • Dimensions LxWxH (Inches): 52 x 13 x 16
  • TSA Approved Locks: Comes with TSA locking system
  • Warranty: SKB’s Million Mile Guarantee, SKB’s lifetime warranty

This bag was designed more for function than for form. It is far from ugly but rather utilitarian in appearance. What that means is that you get some serious protection and great durability — its built  to last. The high molecular weight polyethylene construction makes it very tough and durable. The U.S. military uses this same material for many different applications, so that has to tell you something about the strength.

While snug and protective, the design is spacious and easily accommodates most golf bags —drivers up to 48 inches are no problem for the SKB Cases ATA Deluxe.

The latches (patent pending) are industrial strength, and the bag has a TSA locking system. Furthermore, the bag is moisture, dust, and dirt resistant. This is thanks to the “SKB’s Perfect-Match™ valance bending system.” They also offer an impressive million-mile guarantee with $1,500 club coverage.

Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro Golf Travel Bag

  • Durable CORDURA fabric
  • Water-resistant
  • Thick interior foam padding
  • Available in a wide range of colors
  • Limited lifetime warranty or upgradeable “unconditional” warranty
  • Quality YKK zippers
  • ITW Nexus buckles
  • Popular with professionals
  • Two shoe pockets
  • The bag is bulky
  • Rather heavy
  • A fair investment
  • Material: 1000 D nylon CORDURA fabric
  • Weight: 10.6 pounds
  • Dimensions LxWxH (Inches): 51 x 19 x 16
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty — can purchase additional “unconditional” warranty

This is a popular bag with players at all levels and is favored by many of the pros. That should indicate the quality and durability of the bag and the protection it provides. The Cordura exterior gives it the strength to protect your clubs even from the most heavy-handed baggage agents. The 1000 D nylon will also resist water for additional protection. Complete with interior furnishing that uses plush foam pads, it delivers excellent protection for your clubs.

It can handle clubs up to 47″ in length, and the Club Glove Last Bag is available in a fantastic range of colors, so there is something to suit everyone.  Most agree that it looks stylish. The bag, including the fabric, is completely U.S.-made.

Evidence of the durability of this bag is the limited lifetime warranty and the upgradeable “unconditional” warranty. Clearly, Club Glove has faith in its product.

The wheelbase is another area in which this golf travel bag excels. It is high-impact and protective, while the inline skate wheels make it light on its feet and super easy to move. It also has a convenient two-piece handle making it easy to lift and maneuver.

Moreover, you can witness the quality in the ITW Nexus buckles and the YKK zippers, both are top-notch. It has 2 shoe pockets.

While the bag is on the large and heavy side and certainly not cheap, it is convenient and will give your clubs the protection they need and deserve. At the same time, it looks pretty great.

Check the price at Global Golf

CaddyDaddy Enforcer Golf Travel Bag Soft-Sided Cover with Hard Top Protection, Wheels & Lockable X-Large Zippers. Case for Transporting Golf Clubs on Airlines, 1 Year Travel Case Replacement Coverage

Our rating: 4.3/5

  • Good-sized exterior pockets for your golfing accessories
  • High-quality durable wheels
  • Takes up very little space once folded down for storage
  • Great customer service with CaddyDaddy
  • Benefits of both hard and soft cases combined
  • Can be hard to maneuver
  • The handle is quite hard and small, which can make it uncomfortable to hold
  • Need to take time with the zips as they can be a little flimsy
  • Material: 1800D fabric construction with Hard ABS mold top section
  • Dimensions L x W x H (Inches): 51 x 13 x 13
  • Waterproof: Molded section is waterproof, fabric section is water-resistant
  • Hard-Sided Top and Soft-Sided Bottom Sections

Next, we have another model from CaddyDaddy, and this time we have one of the hybrid style cases. It has a crush-resistant ABS hardtop that provides added protection to your club heads, and a softer heavy-duty 1800 denier all-weather fabric at the bottom of the case for added durability.

The soft fabric bottom folds neatly into the hardtop for easy storage, and the Enforcer can accommodate most golf bags, including 10” cart bags. It weighs in at a very reasonable 9lbs, and the dimensions are 50” L x 13” W x 13” D.

Like many of the other models, it comes with a one-year warranty that covers any damage caused by the airlines.

Samsonite Golf Hard-Sided Travel Cover Case, Black, 54-inch

Our rating: 4.7/5

  • Very easy to maneuver
  • Unbeatable warranty period
  • Push or pull using either handle
  • Internal straps
  • Beautiful red interior
  • Foam padded
  • Handles are not particularly durable
  • Heavy impacts can cause cracks to form
  • Material: ABS plastic
  • Weight: 5 pounds
  • Dimensions L x W x H (Inches): 54 x 16 x 12
  • Wheels: 2 x inline skate wheels & 4 multi-directional spinner wheels
  • Waterproof: Not specified
  • Warranty: 5-year 

The Samsonite Hard Side golf bag may prove to be the best hard case golf travel bag. Made from ABS plastic, it is very rigid and sports an attractive slim side design. The interior adds to its allure. The black version has a brilliant red interior with plenty of foam padding and internal straps.

What’s more, the bag is very easy to maneuver. It features two inline skate wheels and four multi-directional spinner wheels. This pairs with two handles: one at the top and another at the side. So you can choose to either push or pull the bag depending on your preference.

Another benefit is that the bag is exceptionally lightweight for a golf club hard case. This is due to its ABS plastic build. It comes in at just 5lbs making it the second lightest bag on this list, placing behind the Himal Soft-Sided golf travel bag which is 4.4lbs.

And to really drive this bag home, it comes with an outstanding 5 years of warranty. This beats out almost all other bags and demonstrates the reliability of Samsonite products.

OutdoorMaster Padded Golf Club Travel Bag with Wheels, 900D Heavy Duty Oxford Waterproof -Alligators - Black + Gray

  • Well-padded
  • Wear-resistant
  • Protective rubber base
  • Stabilizing straps
  • Card pocket
  • Shoe compartment
  • Can rip over time
  • Material: 900D Oxford fabric
  • Weight: 6.35lb
  • Dimensions L x W x H (Inches): 54.3 x 14 x 15
  • Wheels: 2x inline skating wheels
  • Warranty: 1 year

If you’re on a tight budget, the OutdoorMaster golf bag could be a good option. It’s well-padded and has a four-layer design, including a premium 900D Oxford fabric layer and a waterproof coating layer. This means it feels great and keeps your precious golf gear dry.

You have a few different options for how you want to carry it. You can wheel it along using the 2x inline skate wheels and the top handle, carry it like a duffel bag using the two middle handles, or you can sling it over your shoulder and carrying it on your back using the long strap on the back.

A few neat features for this bag that quite a few don’t have is the dedicated card pocket and shoe compartment. This helps to keep you organized and means you don’t have to lug around another bag for this necessary gear.

If you’re shopping for a travel golf bag this year, there are a few specific considerations for 2024 going into 2024. Specifically, you’ll want to watch out for baggage fees. After the pandemic, airlines looked for any way possible to increase their profits. Baggage fees were an easy one.

So check out weight and size restrictions before you buy your golf bag. You shouldn’t have a problem checking your clubs, but you’ll want to avoid any surcharges.

Note also that golf vacations are super popular. We’re not the only ones who like to hit the links on our days off. A bunch of new players emerged during lockdown, and you’ll want to book early.

When you’re looking up restrictions weight and size for your travel golf bag, you can also check storage policies at your destination course. You may be able to keep your clubs at the course while you stay at a nearby resort.

Golf Travel Bag FAQs

This will probably be the first decision that faces you when you start looking for a travel case, and they both have their pros and cons depending on your golf travel needs.

These will be the more expensive of the two and are usually made of hard plastic. They offer the highest level of protection for your clubs, and from an insurance point of view, many airlines will only cover damage caused to your clubs when they are inside a hard case.

The downside to a hard case is that they are heavier, generally larger, and less flexible than the soft style case, which may cause problems when loading them into your car.

Hard cases generally only have one main storage compartment and no extra pockets. This means you have to find room for things like your golf shoes in your luggage.

A softer golf travel bag, usually made of cloth, will be far lighter and generally easier to transport back and forth to the airport. Another advantage of the soft case is that they will often come with two or three extra pockets on the outside for you to store things like your golf shoes, balls, and other accessories.

Because the soft cases are lighter, there is more chance of you staying within the weight limit set by the airline. The one thing you don’t want to be doing is paying extra for an overweight case.

The downside to a soft case is the lack of protection it offers compared to a hard case which means the likelihood of any damage occurring is far greater.

Make sure you always check with your airline before you fly, so you know their policies and weight limits concerning the transportation of golf clubs. This will ensure that you don’t get any unwelcome surprises once you arrive at the check-in desk.

Hybrid Case

There is a style of case that blends the benefits of both a hard and soft design. It has a hard protective top for your club heads, and the bottom is made of a softer material that keeps the overall weight down and makes it easier to carry or fold away when you are not using it.

Most bags come with two inline skate wheels, although the better option is to have spinner wheels that allow you to steer the bag in any direction. The wheel system on a travel golf cart assists with the maneuverability of the bag, especially in confined spaces. 

In our opinion, the best golf travel bag for airlines is the CaddyDaddy Constrictor 2. The reason we prefer this over the rest is that it has all the features we want in a bag and is very reasonably priced. This means you have more money to spend on other equipment like golf clubs .

To keep your clubs well-protected when flying, you need to prevent them from rattling around in your bag. The easiest way to do this is to wrap towels or clothes around the head of your clubs.

Assuming your golf bag and clubs weigh around 12kg, you still have at least 8kg to play with within weight allowances to fly. Therefore it is a great idea to pack clothes into your golf travel bag.

Airlines do not have strict rules regarding golf tees. You can store them in your carry-on bags or your checked luggage.

As golf clubs can classify as deadly weapons, they are not eligible for carry-on bags. You must instead store them in your checked luggage.

Weight is very important. Usually, you are restricted to 23kg. And if you go over this limit, you’ll have to pay an excess luggage charge, so make sure you weigh your travel bag before going to the airport to check you are within the limit.

Oversized luggage are bags that do not fit within the thresholds of what airlines allow. As each airline has its own thresholds, some bags may be considered oversized with one airline and not with another. Generally speaking, these thresholds are around 62-126 linear inches.

The smallest golf travel bags can hold 7 to 10 clubs and a few accessories. Many weigh under 1 lb. They are often used for trips to the driving range. Be aware that some smaller golf travel bags may be too short to cater to your driver, especially if you max the shaft out at 48 inches.

Here is our favorite small golf travel bag . 

To make traveling with your golf clubs as hassle-free and safe as possible, we have a few tips for you:

  • With many modern drivers and  fairway woods , you can remove the club-head. We advise doing this and storing them separately for added protection.
  • Where possible, wrap some towels or socks around the clubs in your bag to stop them banging about (If you have iron covers, you could also use these).
  • Placing your irons upside down in your golf bag may also help protect the clubs while transporting them.
  • Ensure you photograph the contents of your golf bag before placing it into the travel bag in case you need it for insurance purposes should anything get lost or damaged.
  • If you find your golf bag is a little too loose inside of the case, you can always place some of your clothes inside to help pad it out a little. Your golf clothes shouldn’t add too much weight and act as an extra layer of protection.
  • Keep all of your expensive accessories, such as GPS units, with you in your hand luggage. Don’t place them in your travel case.
  • And finally, make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers your golf clubs should anything get lost or damaged while in transit.

Final Thoughts

Clubs are a fair investment, and if you intend to travel with them, it is worth spending a bit more to get the best golf travel bag to protect them on your journey. We have given you some tips on what to look for when evaluating the available options, and some specifics on five of the leading options on the market at the moment.

While they are all great, the CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel cover stood out for us as the absolute best of the best. It ticks all the right boxes and has everything you want in a golf travel bag.

This popular model is durable and has plenty of protective padding and a secure internal strap. The materials used are of decent quality, as is the workmanship, and the bag is of great value for money. It is also spacious, has plenty of storage, and the warranty and after-sales support are good.

  • The Top Lightweight Golf Bags on The Market
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  • Sunday Golf Bag
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  • Best Golf Bag Brands
  • Best Golf Bag For the Money

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Charl is an avid golfer who studied marketing and advertising. He is fascinated by new golf equipment technology, and the perfect swing mechanics. You can connect with Charl on LinkedIn , IG , or FB . 

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Sun Mountain Travel Bags: Meridian vs Journey size comparison FYI

myspinonit

By myspinonit October 13, 2014 in Golf Bags/Carts/Headcovers

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I thought folks considering the Sun Mountain travel bags might like a side by side size comparison of these two bags loaded (pics below). I had read the Journey was smaller, and was to transport more modest size bags, but hadn't seen any real size comparisons.

I've been a fan of the Sun Mountain Glider Meridian for several years with the padding for soft case and the pull-out tripod which makes handling at airports, hotels a breeze.

My Meridian ( a few year old model) has a loaded Ping Pioneer bag with golf shoes in side pockets (still under 50 pounds). The smaller Journey we just purchased contains my wife's Ping Serene bag and shoes in side pocket. The Serene is the same size as the Traverse, just more bling in colour scheme for female appeal.

The Journey is the only SM model presently offered here at GolfTown in Canada, and pretty much only on-line at that. We lucked out finding one in stock for our coming trip, replacing an older less padded Ogio.

Both are packed with a Club Glove stiff arm and I added a bit of foam padding at the top end in each for a snug fit at the top and even more cushioning.

I wouldn't want a much bigger cart bag than the Traverse/Serene for the Journey but I think most carry bags would be fine. As it is, I think it is a very good match for what she has, and was going to be swimming in the older Ogio with her small Serene.

Pictures below. Sorry, don't know why they show sideways in the upload, as they are fine on the computer.

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myspinonit 2 posts

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TD22057 1 post

May 18 2015

Oct 13 2014

May 17 2015

Could you please re-post the pictures?

[quote name='TD22057' timestamp='1431889134' post='11574268'] Could you please re-post the pictures? [/quote] Don't know why they went off site, but sorry didn't keep pictures and bags are in storage. If you can't see them in store best suggestion is google for the specs.

Have a journey - use a stiff arm, clothes for added padding, and a SM 3.5 is no problem fitting. Great travel bag.

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The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You’re Headed

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Maxlite luggage on white backdrop

Best Carry-On for Most People Travelpro Maxlite 5 Read more

Image may contain Luggage and Suitcase

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Away Carry-On Read more

YETI Crossroads Luggage

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On Yeti Crossroads 35L Read more

Briggs Riley Baseline luggage

Best Bag for a Lifetime Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Read more

Whew! You've made it all the way across the globe. But have your toothbrush, pajamas, and running shoes made it, too? If you're a frequent traveler, it's easy to obsess over the logistics of getting your stuff clean, organized, and in good working condition upon arrival. Paying for a decent travel bag and a few useful accessories means buying a little peace of mind, especially when a few yards of zippers and some nylon are the only barriers between your precious belongings and the belly of an airliner.

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 April 2024: We reorganized this guide and added new picks, such as the Yeti Crossroads, Tom Bihn Aeronaut and Trinity, the Frame Carry-On Max, the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, the Camelbak A.T.P. 20, the Calpak Luka Duffel, and the Rux 70. We also updated the information on sizing and checked links and prices.

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Best Carry-On for Most People

Look around any airport—if you see flight attendants or pilots, they will probably be rolling around a Travelpro suitcase. We like Travelpros because you get a lot of bang for your buck. They're durable, light, and not too expensive.

For only a little over $100, the Maxlite 5 is one of the more affordable Travelpro suitcases, and at 5.4 pounds, it's very light! 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. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Reviewer Matt Jancer did note that the aluminum handle extensions did sometimes stick and the main grab handle on the bag is only single-stitched, which may cause durability issues farther down the line. However, he has seen no issues yet. This probably the best bag you can get in the $100 to $150 price range.

Best Hard-Shell Carry-On

Away's business practices may have raised some eyebrows , but there's no denying that this company changed the travel market entirely. It has increased in price since we first tested it, but multiple WIRED staffers still use the classic Away hard-shell carry-on ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) as their travel suitcase.

Hard-shell suitcases tend to be heavier. There's also not as much give in the case, so you may find it hard to squeeze in more items than in a soft-shell bag, bu they look a lot sleeker than their soft-shell counterparts and protect fragile items better. The Away weighs 7.5 pounds, which is pretty standard for a hard-shell carry-on. When I tested it, I liked that it had multiple height settings and that the polycarbonate shell wiped clean and stayed mostly scuff-free (it helped that my tester was in the darker navy color). Away's suitcases also come with 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. The handle did feel a bit wobbly, though.

★ Alternatives: So many companies now offer a direct-to-consumer, stylish, hard-shell carry-on similar to the Away's. We've tried ones by Monos ($255) and July ($295) . Besides price, the differences are mostly negligible. I like July's aluminum bumpers, but they do add weight. The Monos's handle rolls out more smoothly, but the July's pebbled surface doesn't show scuffs as badly. Both have survived multiple cross-country trips, being checked as baggage, and being ridden on by two small children with no damage.

Paravel also offers an Aviator carry-on ($395) that touts itself as the world's first carbon-neutral carry-on; it 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 fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.

Best Soft-Shell Carry-On

Yeti's coolers and cups are famous for being bomb-proof. The company recently launched a luggage line that's similarly overbuilt. The Yeti Crossroads 35L is a 22-inch roller bag that's carry-on size for most major airlines. It weighs 7.7 pounds, on par with soft-sided competitors of the same size.

I recently spent a week dragging the Crossroads up and down grimy subway station escalators, thumping it across cobblestones, and scrunching it into overfull overhead bins during a trip to London, Paris, and Brussels. The blue 700D nylon on the front and sides looks just as fresh as it did out of the box while the molded polycarbonate shell on the back has a few well-earned battle scratches. The two extra-large fixed wheels are rolling as smoothly as ever and hopped up curbs so well that I grew to favor them over smaller spinner wheels. The Crossroads has a half-dozen well-placed pockets and sturdy zippers that didn't give me any anxiety even as I tugged them hard while smooshing down to fit souvenirs into a carry-on with 8 days of clothing. —Martin Cizmar

Best Bag for a Lifetime

Do you only want to buy one suitcase and never think about it, ever again? Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. I bought a Briggs & Riley carry-on as my first and only post-college purchase. Right now, it has lasted over 20 years. Periodically, I bring it into the one Briggs & Riley-approved dealership in my town to get a zipper pull put back on, and it's fixed for free in 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. After having been dragged all over the globe, from the Philippines to Turkey to Iceland, the gleaming red is just as bright.

The low-profile wheels nor handles have never broken. The grab handles are also luxuriously smooth and padded, and there's an interior folding garment bag for my husband's suits. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.

★ Alternatives: If you need an absolutely bomber-tough rolling suitcase and don't mind its 9.6-pound weight, the Pro Front-Access Carry ($799) 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. Jancer also likes Travelpro's Platinum Elite carry-on ($315) , which he calls one of the most high-end polycarbonate bags on the market.

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Best Backpack

When I reviewed the Cotopaxi Allpa in 2018 ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ), it had only recently launched. Now, a half-dozen years later, it is one of the most popular travel backpacks that I see online and in airports all over the world. It's a combination of a camping backpack, a suitcase, and a soft, frameless duffel. You can splay it open like a sandwich to pack it easily; access items through a side zip; put it on your backpack and secure its weight with a sternum strap; or squash or stomp it into any overhead compartment or corner of your car trunk. The use case for this bag is extremely specific—the same people who are bopping around Thailand for several weeks in one backpack are not the same people trying to look professional at a work conference. But it is sturdy and comfortable.

★ Alternative: I took the Ekster Packable Duffel ($250) on several weekend trips this spring, and found that it more than upheld its claims of being built for “smoother journeys, on and off the grid.” This travel bag converts from a backpack to a duffel, with two separate compartments that also splay open for easier packing. The 600-denier exterior and water-resistant zippers are so sturdy that when we ran out of space in the car, we lashed it to the roof rack with surf straps and drove for hours in the rain. It, and its contents, remained pristine.

Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 bag

Best Convertible Bag

Every serious traveler knows the name of Seattle-based Tom Bihn, manufacturer of bomber bags that will last you a lifetime. The Aeronaut 45 is the classic Tom Bihn convertible carry-on, which the size of the maximum allowable carryon bag on a plane.

You get everything from a Tom Bihn bag that you pay for. It’s made of incredibly sturdy 1050 denier ballistic nylon with bombproof YKK zippers and has both hidden backpack straps and an extremely comfortable cross-body strap. This is commerce director Martin Cizmar's bag, and he's tossed it around and lugged down rough streets and through crowds where roller bags are a liability. He owns two and the first lasted for more than a decade. This is the bag that both and I would only fly with if we didn't have to constantly test other bags.

Small bag with several zippers 2 handles and 1 strap

Best Personal Item

Some airlines are not content with charging you extra for checking a bag and now charge you for overhead bin space . The Tom Bihn Trinity ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) addresses that problem by providing a space for you to pack everything you need while still fitting underneath the seat in front of you. As the name suggests, it has three main compartments and three ways to carry—either as a briefcase with padded grab handles, a backpack, or as a shoulder bag with two attachment points.

It has three main compartments which can be arranged to your liking; for example, on one of the side compartments, you can zip a water bottle holder into place or unzip it for more room. It wasn't quite as versatile as I expected; I found that I prefer a small duffel with one main compartment that I can organize as I like. However, it does fit under the seat in front of me, even with clothes, laptop, and four (four!) hardcover books that I somehow stuffed inside it.

Lo  Sons OG bag

Best Work Bag

I've been traveling a lot for work and for family reasons in the past few months, and the bag I prefer for my personal item is the Lo & Sons O.G. 2, which is the larger version of the brand's Nouvelle purse ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). It comes in a medium and a large version; the medium is adequate as an everyday bag, but the large turns it into a versatile work/travel bag. It’s low-profile and has both smooth leather grab handles as well as a shoulder strap. I have kicked it under plane seats and around airports, and the nylon doesn't show any damage. There's a hidden separate compartment if you spill water on yourself, and it has sturdy feet so you can put it on an airplane bathroom counter and dig for your makeup without it falling over or getting the bottom of the bag too disgusting. The toothed zippers do tend to crinkle and snatch at your knuckles when the bag gets overstuffed, but I suppose you could always, uh, avoid overstuffing your bag.

★ Alternatives: We have plenty of recommendations in our guide to the Best Laptop Totes , but we love Lo & Sons. The Catalina Supreme Tote ($338) is also great for weekend trips. Again, there's also a bottom compartment for a pair of shoes, or anything else you need to keep separate.

Camelbak A.T.P. 2.0 Backpack

The Best Hiking Daypack

The Camelbak A.T.P. is so useful that I’m always startled to realize it only has a 20-liter capacity. I have it in the 100 percent recycled white color, which saves water and only emits half the greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the dying process. It’s a panel loader, which means you can unzip the top and see exactly where everything goes, like a duffel. This is convenient when packing for trips—I was able to fit clothes, a Dopp kit, and electronics for an overnight trip. (I know these types of zippers fail more often than top loaders, but it does make it easier to arrange and sort items near the bottom of the pack.)

I particularly like how narrow it is. It fits my back and goes under airplane seats that even my children’s backpacks can’t. The bottle pocket has a zipper that makes it expandable so it can fit a little coffee thermos or my giant Yeti water bottle . Exterior compression straps also help squeeze my clothes even smaller. This is a great backpack if you want something that looks sleek enough for a work bag but is durable enough to take on a weekend trip to Yosemite.

★ Alternative: I also love the Patagonia Black Hole Backpack ($149) . This 25-liter bag is the perfect combination work/adventure bag. The suspended 15-inch laptop pocket clips shut, and the rest of the pockets are thoughtfully placed. It’s extremely light (a little over a pound) and is made from 100 percent recycled ripstop fabric.

REI CoOp Big Haul 40L duffel bag

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? —Matt Jancer

★ Alternative: For slightly more money, the classic duffel in this category is the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel ($159) , which also comes in a variety of colorways and sizes. You can either carry it by the grab handles or with the shoulder straps, and it's made from 100 percent recycled polyester with a TPU-film laminate. I (Adrienne) have had the 40-liter version for almost 15 years now and the laminate has yet to peel. It also fits as a carry-on on flights.

Red Oxx travel bag

The Best Expedition Bag

If you like outdoor sports, you probably need a good expedition bag—that is, a huge, burly duffel that you can just throw all your pointy ice axes, trekking poles, or camp chairs into that you can take anywhere and everywhere. Reviewer Matt Jancer's expedition bag of choice is the Red Oxx PR5. He's used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast without a single 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.

★ Alternative: If you've ever gone to a popular outdoor destination, like Yosemite or Everest, you've probably seen stacks of North Face Base Camp duffels . This is the quintessential expedition bag. My own personal bag is the OnSight Tarmac EPO , but the company no longer exists; I also have a Mountain Hardware duffel ($180) and after 20 years, the coating has finally started to peel.

Rux 70L storage box

Best for Camping

We love everything from Rux; I'm currently testing the waterproof adventure tote ($150) and I use it for everything from my climbing gear, to picnic gear, to bringing my kids' roller skates and soccer balls to the park. I have also leaked an entire water bottle in it and it stayed contained and out of the bottom of my car.

But for camping (or any outdoor pursuit, really), what you need is a Rux storage system , which, as the artist and filmmaker Van Neistat puts it, will help you kit your shit . It holds its frame shape, which means you can stack and organize inside of it just like a box, but it folds down like a bag for easy storage once you're at your destination. It's also light and waterproof and comes with a wide array of accessories . This is an upgrade for everyone who currently sorts their camping, climbing, or snowboarding gear in a series of $5 plastic totes and stacks them in their trunk.

The Frame CarryOn Max Aluminum Edition

The Best Aluminum Suitcase

Perhaps you've seen those Instagram-friendly, shiny aluminum suitcases and wonder whether it's worth the investment. Aluminum is extremely durable and can be machined with precision. That means it will protect your belongings better, and you can close them with latches instead of zippers. Your suitcase will last longer and be more secure— zippers are pretty easy to break into —and generally have fewer points of failure.

In my opinion, the cost-benefit analysis generally weighs against them. Aluminum suitcases are usually heavier and won't flex as much if you have overpacking tendencies, and I find them painfully conspicuous. Any suitcase with a decent warranty policy will painlessly cover any repairs. If you must have one, we like Arlo Skye's the Frame. Arlo Skye was founded by alumni from Louis Vuitton and Tumi, and reviewer Matt Jancer says that everything about the Frame screams robust quality, from the leather grab handles to the combination-lock latches. It also comes with a removable battery bank and has a few more liters of carrying capacity than the similarly-sized Away. The main disadvantage is that the interior organization is a bit lacking.

★ Alternative: Do you want the benefits of an aluminum suitcase without the drawbacks? You might want to consider Monos's Hybrid Carry-On ($325) . You won't fool anyone into thinking you've shelled out for a 100 percent aluminum suitcase, but Jancer notes that it's only a pound or so heavier than the competition and the aluminum frame offered better protection than any 100 percent polycarbonate suitcase that he tried.

Luka Duffel Bag

A Good Emergency Go Bag

To be clear, any bag here could be considered a go-bag—even a grocery bag works when you have to leave the house imminently. But reviewer Nena Farrell used Calpak's duffel for an emergency surgery, and she is kicking herself for not getting it sooner. It was big enough for everything from makeup bags and extra outfits to a massive book and Nintendo Switch, and was comfortable to carry thanks to the large straps.

The shoe compartment was big enough for sandals and slides, but not big enough for shoes with an ankle. It was also a great place to stash haphazard Ziplocs of emergency toiletries and medications. There are some side pockets inside too, plus an exterior side pocket and a pass-through panel to place it on top of your luggage. It was a great hospital companion, but Farrell can't wait to take the Luka somewhere a little more fun.

Solgaard CarryOn Closet Plus luggage

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.

Osprey Ozone 40L for $280 : At 4.47 pounds, Osprey claims this bag is the lightest carry-on suitcase. It's also made from 400D recycled bluesign-approved nylon and is treated with DWR. This bag is light enough to easily hoist above my head and has also been checked multiple times.

Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140 : This duffel weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. 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 $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.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149 : This bag weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. It also has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket.

Skyway Epic Carry-On for $160 : At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is an average weight. The handle is a wee bit more finicky than our top pick, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, the Epic is a solid choice.

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 $345 : 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 Recycled Products guide.

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. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.

Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible Backpack

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 hard-sided bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal.

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 restrictions.

Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200 : This one wasn't awful, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases. The handle rattles a lot and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as other bags.

portable UrPower Clothes Steamer

A Few Travel Accessories

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

Apple AirTag for $24 : If you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination. Don't have an iPhone? We suggest the Chipolo in our guide to the Best Bluetooth Trackers .

Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $35 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.

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case for $75 : Calpak’s viral clear cases come in three sizes and a ton of colors for the edge trims. Reviewer Nena Farrell loved the small size for my gym bag and traveling with a smaller carry-on bag, while the medium was a great size for my daily makeup or larger suitcases.

Troubadour Buddy 2.0 Tech Case for $75 : You probably need a case to organize your spare charging cables and power banks. I've been testing this compact, waterproof, and recycled bag that fits neatly into my personal item.

UrPower Portable Steamer for $24 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. Check our guide to the Best MacBook Accessories for more.

Carryon luggage in stowaway overhead container on airplane

How to Pick the Right Size Bag

Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage, so if you want to be safe, you should check your airline's requirements before packing. But 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. For example, there are some 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.

USB cable plugged into removable battery bank on luggage

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.

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6 Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags (with Travelon & Pacsafe)

When you’re traveling, one of the most important things is keeping your belongings safe from pickpockets and other types of theft. Losing your passport or money while traveling overseas is a fear we all have. But the threat of theft from pickpockets and drive-by snatchings is high, so you must take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. An anti-theft bag can help ward off would-be slash and grab thieves.

Having traveled to over 70 countries, many of which have a not so great track record for travel scams and theft, I’ve tried out many anti-theft bags and I’ve narrowed the choices down to just two brands: Travelon and Pacsafe . These top two brands make some of the very best anti-theft backpacks and anti-theft purses you’ll find anywhere.

Travelon Anti-Theft Purse

I’ve listed these and six bags (backpacks and purses) below for you to see and read more about. We’ve got full reviews of each bag, plus links to additional reviews on Amazon, and quick links you can use to purchase the bag you think is right for you.

We’re talking about travel handbags today, but we’ve also covered a few other travel issues you might be trying to solve, like how to find the best travel pants (which I now wear practically every day!) and our top carry on luggage choices . Also check out our guide on finding the best travel backpack or purse .

⇒ See all of our travel gear reviews .

Table of Contents

Quick Pick List – Best Anti Theft Bags

In case you don’t have time to read of the reviews and debate over which anti theft bag is the perfect one for you, I’ve put together a chart below to my top picks for best anti-theft bags to help you make a quick choice.

Rest assured, we haven’t included any bag that doesn’t meet our stringent quality standards, so no matter which bag you pick, it’s already been vetted and approved by us.

*My Top Picks

Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bucket Bag, Black, One Size

Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bucket

  • RFID blocking
  • Slash-proof body and strap
  • Front slash-resistant pocket
  • Locking zippers

317OXZA8wDL. SL500

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag

  • Lots of pockets
  • Lockable zippers
  • Slash-proof
  • Can be worn 2 ways
  • Fits a 10″ tablet

What is an Anti-Theft Bag?

If this is your first time hearing about an anti-theft bag, you might be wondering what it is exactly. These bags are designed with special features that make them more difficult to gain access to and harder to steal. They have technology that other bags don’t have.

While we never advocate carrying around valuables or irreplaceable items while traveling, we know it’s impossible to go somewhere without a passport, credit cards, ID, and at least some cash. All of those things are vulnerable to theft. That is where an anti-theft bag comes in. These bags protect you from a lot of typical scams performed by thieves in major touristy areas.

Typical Theft Scams

  • Cutting through the strap of a shoulder purse to snatch it
  • Snatching a shoulder bag from a motorcycle or bike
  • Scanning ID or credit cards inside of a purse that is unprotected
  • Slashing through the material of the bag to dump the contents out the bottom
  • Pick-pocketing a bag that has been left unzipped or is easy to unzip without detection

A typical purse or backpack does not provide any protection from these attempts to steal your belongings. But an anti-theft bag does.

What Are the Special Features of an Anti-Theft Bag?

Most anti-theft handbags include a long list of features that will protect you against covert theft attempts, like slashing the bag or cutting the strap.  Make sure the following features are present in any anti-theft bag you intend to purchase.

travelon anti-theft purse

» Slash-resistant mesh body panel

To protect against slash-n-grab thieves who speed by in crowds and on motorbikes, the panels of the bag should have a stainless-steel or chain-link mesh that fits between the outer layer and the fabric lining on all sides of the bag. This makes it impossible to cut through quickly.

» RFID blocking

You may not even have thought that thieves have the technology to just pass by you on the street with an RFID reader to scan the cards and passport in your bag, but they do. Almost all of the cards you carry contain RFID chips with personal information.

Make sure you purchase a bag that has RFID blocking technology. There should be protected slots where you can put your cards to keep them safe.

» Slash-resistant shoulder strap

One of the easiest ways for a thief to steal your bag is to quickly cut the strap when you’re not paying attention and swipe the bag away from you. To protect against these thieves, your anti-theft bag should have stainless steel cables or chain that run within the straps to make them impossible to cut through easily.

» Locking straps

The #1 rules for ladies in a restaurant is to never place your bag over the back of the chair, because it’s just too easy for a thief to grab it away before you know it. One of the top features of an anti-theft bag is locking straps that allow you to attach your bag to a chair or stable object in a way that prevents it from being taken.

» Locking compartments and zippers

Thieves are trained at being stealthy. They can unzip your purse or backpack without you even knowing it, to extract everything without your knowledge. A good anti-theft bag has locking compartments to protect you against pickpockets.

Top Anti-Theft Bag Brands

As I mentioned already, there are two main brands that make some of the best anti-theft bags on the market today. They are Travelon and Pacsafe. I personally have carried the Classic Light Travelon anti-theft bag for many years and I love it so much I’ll probably cry if it ever breaks.

Why are these two brands the best? It’s because they are committed to providing the best technology to keep your belongings safe.

» Pacsafe Bags

Pacsafe started making their bags in 1998. Being travelers themselves, they set out to make a better bag that would make traveling a bit easier – so you didn’t have to worry so much about losing important items, being robbed of all your cash, or having to protect your luggage with utmost vigilance at all times.

Their bags have really great security features like Turn & Lock security hooks, Pop and Lock security clips, and locking cables. With this technology, you can lock your bag to something like an airport chair and know it’ll still be there when you wake up.

» Travelon Bags

Travelon is leading brand in anti-theft luggage, including Anti-theft travel purse, crossbody bags and backpacks. They’ve been making bags for over 30 years, and their entire product collection contains over 400 items. You can trust that they are at the forefront of anti-theft technology.

Their products are really well designed and manufactured. You know you’re getting quality with Travelon and they’ve seemingly thought of everything.

Anti-Theft Travel Bag Reviews

★ our top pick:  travelon anti-theft cross-body bucket bag.

There are a lot of different Travelon anti theft bags to choose from, but the Travelon Crossbody Bag is one of the best. It’s a rather large bag, so it fits the most situations for the majority of people.

The size of this bag is 10″ x 14″ x 4″.  It’s one of the largest crossbody bags you can find, particularly keeping in mind that you don’t want to be carrying around a lot of weight all day. If you pack this bag full, it will be quite heavy. They also have a very similar crossbody bag that you might be interested in as well that is slightly taller and has more exterior pockets.

Organizational Features:

  • The large interior pocket has plenty of room for your larger items. There’s also a smaller zippered pocket inside for change, cash or smaller items. Along the side is a row of card slots that are RFID blocking.
  • There’s a second zippered pocket on the outside that has larger, padded slots for things like your phone and passport.
  • On either side of the bag, there are water-bottle holders, which also work nicely as umbrella holders.

Anti-Theft Features:

  • Lockable main compartment with RFID-blocking card and passport slots
  • Slash-resistant body
  • Adjustable, slash-resistant shoulder strap that can be locked to a stationary object
  • Zippered rear pocket with removable LED light

Pros:   Large and versatile. Plenty of space for everything to be neatly packed away. Can be carried crossbody for added protection. Cons:  The lining isn’t as high quality as expected and can tear away from the bag if carrying heavy items often.

Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Small Crossbody Bag

Travelon Anti-theft Classic Small E/W Cross Body Bag, Nutmeg

If you’re looking for a small anti-theft crossbody bag to carry only the essentials and keep it streamlined, the Travelon Classic Small Crossbody bag will suit you well. This bag has many of the same features as the bucket bag (featured above), but without the extra space.

The size is  10.5” x 8.5” x 2.5” with an adjustable 13”- 25” strap.  For me, this is the perfect size for travel. Not too big, not too small. They also have a very similar crossbody bag that you might be interested in as well that is even smaller (8.8″ x 6″ x 1.5″) and is perfect for someone who carries just the basics and nothing bulky.

  • The main interior pocket has room for your bigger items, like sunglasses and wallet. Along the side is a row of non-zippered card slots that are RFID blocking and a larger pocket for your cell phone. The main compartment has plenty of room for a Kindle or iPad mini.
  • There’s a zippered pocket on the inside to hold loose items, like cash and coins. There’s a small LED light in the pocket.
  • On either side of the bag, there are zippered pockets.
  • Size: 10.5″ x 8.5″ x 2.5″

Pros:   The material is easy to clean and is water-resistant. It’s perfect size for those who don’t like to carry a lot of stuff, which leads to it not being overly heavy. Cons:  No water bottle pocket. The credit card slots are not tight, so cards don’t feel securely fastened in.

I like the Pacsafe messenger bag because it looks more like a generic travel bag, rather than a purse. I travel often with Nick, who doesn’t really want to carry around a purse, so I end up carrying the stuff all the time. This bag is more masculine and doesn’t look like a purse, so we can share the responsibility of carrying it. You can buy this bag in 5 different colors.

The size is 11.4 x 9.3 x 2.8 in. I’ve found that it can be very slim if you don’t pack it full of bulky items, but it has plenty of space to expand in case you do have a lot of things to pack in it. All in, this bag can hold 7 liters. If you’re looking for a slightly smaller version, check out the  Metrosafe LS140 , which holds 5 liters. It’s also a popular choice from Pacsafe.

  • This bag is practically made of pockets. There are 3 interior slip pockets, 2 interior zippered pockets and 4 exterior pockets.
  • It has an internal protective and padded sleeve that can hold a full-sized iPad tablet or small laptop computer.
  • For added security, there is a velcro flap that covers the front panel, behind which you’ll find a zippered compartment for your cards, cell phone and keys.
  • The shoulder strap is expandable from 13.4 to 29.5 inches.
  • Two side water bottle or umbrella holders
  • RFID-safe blocking material built into a pocket in the main compartment
  • Turn & Lock Security Hook attaches the bag to a fixture
  • Lightweight, hidden eXomesh Slashguard stainless steel wire mesh embedded into fabric
  • Lockabout Security Clip
  • Smart Zipper Security

Pros:   Love the turn & lock security hook to attach the bag to the chair in a restaurant for added security. Well made, high-quality fabric. Cons: Can be tedious to get into the front zippered compartment with the overlaying flap. The water bottle holders aren’t large enough for 20 oz bottle.

Pacsafe Cruise 8l Anti Theft All Day Crossbody

Pacsafe Cruise 8L Anti Theft All Day Crossbody, Black

Unlike the larger Pacsafe LS200, this bag looks more like a travel purse. It’s also smaller than the LS200, so is suited more for people who don’t wish to pack a lot of stuff inside.

The main compartment provides plenty of space for smaller items like sunglasses and wallet, with lots of organizational pockets in the interior. It has a lockable zippered main compartment with 1 zippered RFID blocking pocket on one side and 1 regular zippered pocket, plus a phone pocket, card slots and key clip. There are also two side slip pockets for a small water bottle or sunglasses. I don’t find that a water bottle actually fits well there, though.

The thing I like most about this bag is how sleek and simple it is. The pockets are all very discreet and the zipper is hidden inside the seam so it’s kept safe from would-be thieves.

The size of the bag is 8. 7″H x 11. 8″W x 4″D with an adjustable shoulder strap. It weighs just 0.93 pounds thanks to the lightweight recycled Polyester material it’s made with.

  • This bag has a zippered main compartment with an RFID zippered pocket.
  • A zippered front pocket provides space to slip a phone or passport.
  • Smart zippers fasteners that can’t easily be accessed by thieves
  • Cut-proof material (made with a lightweight steel mesh) 
  • Adjustable wire-reinforced strap
  • RFID-safe blocking material that keeps your cards safe.

Pros: The part about this bag is that it is slim and small. If you’re a light packer but want to have some space in a lightweight bag to carry important items, this bag is perfect. Water-repellent. Cons:   Not a large bag, so you might find that some items you need just won’t fit. Not a lot of interior organization.

Best Anti-Theft Backpacks

When looking for the right theft-proof backpack, there are a few things to consider. Generally you won’t be purchasing an anti-theft backpack to use in place of luggage on a trip. So you don’t need it to be exceptionally large. Instead, you’re looking for an alternative to a purse or cross-body bag, in which to carry your important items while traveling, like electronics, jacket, umbrella, water bottle.

The two backpacks on our list are just the right size for carrying around as a day bag, which is around a 15L – 28L. If you’re a light packer, you could use either of these backpacks as a weekend bag with no problems.

Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack

Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack, Midnight

It’s called the Classic for a reason. This Travelon anti-theft backpack has all the features you need in a backpack, plus the uncomplicated and reliable anti-theft features.

The size of the bag is  16 x 12 x 6 inches, which gives plenty of space for everything you’d need on a day trip. One of the things I like the most about this backpack is the large main compartment. That makes it versatile for anything from packing a picnic for the beach or packing for a 3-4 day trip.

  • The main compartment is large enough to fit a fully packed medium packing cube , plus a toiletry bag , a lightweight rain jacket and a few more odds and ends.
  • Also inside the main pocket is a sleeve where you can fit a small (13″ or smaller) travel laptop , or an iPad , and there’s a zippered pocket in the back for storing paperwork or documents.
  • In the front pocket, there’s room for a book or Kindle , plus all of your smaller items (cell phone, passport, credit cards, sunglasses, etc.
  • The bag also has a side pouch where you can store a water bottle, thermos or umbrella.

Pros:   Perfect for carrying whatever you need – from day trip to a full weekend away. Lots of great organizational features. Cons:  This bag is for light packers. If you have a lot of items to pack, you may find it too small. Also better suited for a smaller framed person, as the straps are not incredibly long.

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 Anti-Theft 15L Backpack

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 15 Liter Anti Theft Laptop Daypack/Backpack - with Padded 13" Laptop Sleeve, Adjustable Shoulder Straps, Patented Security Technology, Black

For a slim and lightweight backpack with fantastic security features, you can’t find one better than the Pacsafe LS350. While it’s quite a small backpack – the size is 16.5 x 11.6 x 5.1 inches – I’ve found that it holds everything I could need for a day out as a tourist.

Nick and I often only take one bag and we can put 2 jackets, a water bottle, 2 umbrellas, my small travel purse, any documents we need and sunglasses inside and still have plenty of room for thing we pick up throughout the day.  All in, this bag can hold 15 liters.

  • The roomy main compartment offers enough space to put a medium-size packing cube, or a couple days’ clothing and a rain jacket.
  • The backpack has an internal protective sleeve for up to a 13-inch laptop or tablet.
  • There’s a front zippered pocket with organization sleeves in which to tuck away all of your loose items. There’s also an extra zippered pocket in the front pocket flap.
  • Two side water bottle or umbrella holders.
  • Adjustable wire-reinforced Carrysafe Slashguard Strap
  • Turn & Lock Security Hook attaches strap to secure fixture
  • RFID-safe Blocking Material built into a pocket in the main compartment

Pros:   Comfortable and adjustable shoulder straps Cons: The back is not ventilated and there is no sternum strap. Not as big as the Travelon backpack. Don’t expect to fit a ton in there!

With these 6 anti-theft bags to choose from, your travels will never be safer. Take it from us – we’ve been traveling for over 20 years – it’s important to take extra care of your belongings while on the road.

Nothing will ruin your travels faster than falling victim to a slash and grab thief. Protect yourself by purchasing one of the best anti-theft handbags on the market.

Like this post? Why not save it to your Pinterest board! ↓ ↓

6 Best Anti-Theft Purses and Backpacks for Travel

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

2 thoughts on “ 6 Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags (with Travelon & Pacsafe) ”

If you have a lot of items to pack, you may find it too small. it’s important to take extra care of your belongings while on the road. Generally, you won’t be purchasing an anti-theft backpack to use in place of luggage on a trip.

Definitely these are purses, not travel luggage. It’s a great way to keep your personal items safe while traveling.

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

A person standing outside in a light blue short sleeve shirt wears the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack, in black with a gray llama-head logo and aqua accents.

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

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

What we considered

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

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

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

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. 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 style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, 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 pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. 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 I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, 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 .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. 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.

  • When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier 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. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
  • Size and weight still matter. 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 tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
  • No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

A graphic comparing the difference in capacity between a 45-liter and a 35-liter backpack.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it 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.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and 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 shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’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.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to 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 clothing (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 there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

The packed Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack, shown fully open so that the contents are accessible.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack 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.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’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 bag is comfortable to carry 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 shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’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 pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack 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.
  • We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

A person stands by a wooden fence outdoors while wearing the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, our larger pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

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

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet 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.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried 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. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. 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, which 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. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, 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 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. 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 still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. 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 five 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 (a 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.”

  • It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
  • More complexity means more things that can break. 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 bag instead.

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

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack, is held in midair by a person wearing a plaid shirt.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

  • We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

The Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview 40 Travel Pack, one of our also-great picks for the best carry-on travel backpack, shown in black.

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

fortress journey travel bag review

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

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

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag 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 bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

View of the straps on the reverse of the Osprey travel backpack.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag 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 Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 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 pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. 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.

  • For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not 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): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, our also-great pick for the best carry-on travel backpack.

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 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.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 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.

The Tortuga Backpack Pro shown with the front clamshell lid in the open position.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack 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 pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 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 bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, 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. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds 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.

  • Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the 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. 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.
  • It's heavy. We’ve also fielded complaints from some testers who said 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 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag 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 pack. But if you think 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: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s 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 internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but 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 bag 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.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

  • Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

A graphic illustrating a clamshell bag opening

  • 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 are, 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.
  • 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 exotic, light, and strong materials, such 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 they 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; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
  • 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.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, 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.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from 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.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, 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 offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

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

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. 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, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

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

fortress journey travel bag review

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

Four Osprey travel backpacks, two blue, two green, sitting next to each other.

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.

A person in an outdoor environment wearing one of our picks for best buy it for life backpack with a minimalist look, the GoRuck GR1.

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.

Three of our favorite backpacks, totes and duffle bags on display

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

Our picks for best laptop backpack pictured with school supplies.

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.

Golf Bag Reviews

Choose your bag wisely!

Best Golf Travel Bags for Airlines 2024 | Expert Reviews

Golf professionals who participate in domestic and international tournaments on a regular basis need the best golf travel bags. It would be very difficult to manage all the gadgets without a full-featured travel golf bag. When you have the right bag for your requirements, you won’t need to worry about your belongings and can focus on the course.

Investing money for a golf travel bag that meets your needs isn’t a gamble if you know what you want and have knowledge of the available options. Since there are numerous options in the market, it might take eons for you to figure out the perfect one.

Best golf travel bags

Hence, we analyzed all the promising items and made a list of the top products with comprehensive reviews, taking into consideration a wide range of needs and demands. Check out the digest and choose your perfect one based on its specifications, features, pros and cons.

Best Golf Travel Bags in 2024

We conducted a thorough analysis by golf bag experts, considering quality, durability, storage and maneuverability, and we determined the CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover to be the best golf travel bag in 2024.

Following are the 10 best golf travel bags of 2024.

  • CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2
  • Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Travel Cover
  • Athletico Padded Travel Bag
  • Sun Mountain ClubGlider Journey
  • Club Glove Last Bag XL Tour Pro
  • Izzo Golf Padded Golf Travel Cover
  • Founders Club Golf Travel Cover
  • Club Champ Golf Bag Travel Cover
  • Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Travel Golf Bag Case
  • SKB ATA Deluxe Hard Sided Golf Travel Bag

SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Standard Hard...

Granted, there are hundreds if not thousands of choices when it comes to finding the best golf bag case for travel. The market offers a wide range of options, both cheap and expensive. You would not be able to pick the best bag unless you personally test some of them.

However, there’s no need to worry. We will discuss the current best golf bag travel cases and covers, so that you can choose the perfect bag for you based on your needs.

Now let’s jump into the best golf travel bag digest section.

1. CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor – Best Hard Case Golf Travel Bag

CaddyDaddy is a well-known name in golf. Constrictor 2 Travel Cover has also been favored by most golf players for years.

  • WARRANTY AND SERVICE: CaddyDaddy has...
  • HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL, HEAVY PADDING ON...
  • PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: The bag also...
  • EQUIPPED WITH INLINE SKATE WHEELS:...
  • GOLF BAG DESIGNED FOR TRAVELING:...

This is our best hard golf travel case that provides the utmost security to your clubs. You can fly wherever and whenever keeping this weather-proof travel cover in charge of your precious clubs and accessories. The manufacturer has been producing quality products for many years. This is another of their best products that offers high value to golfers.

Specifications

  • Long-lasting 1800D advanced grade nylon
  • Inline smooth-rolling skate wheels
  • Heavily padded top
  • Two nylon and rubber padded riveted handles
  • Two hefty side-pockets with lockable zippers
  • Weight: 9 lbs.

This best travel cover bag meets all the practical needs with the most tender care possible. This product offers you a variety of elegant color combination options, including black/grey and black/navy.

It is made of durable 1800D material that is three times thicker than typical travel covers. Golfers from around the world have raved about the weather-proof, protective top, sturdy construction, etc. All bags up to 10″ cart bags can fit in this bag. It has heavy-duty lockable zippers on the main opening and the side pockets.

With plenty of storage space, this best golf travel cover fits all your accessories and necessities. Featuring extremely sturdy inline skate wheels and four handles in different places, inline skates are easy to carry and allow you to roll smoothly even on uneven surfaces. 

Your clubs will be protected by the thick padded top and secured by the external and internal straps. Easy collapsibility makes it easy to store. Moreover, the oversized pockets provide ample storage for gears.

  • Lightweight but durable
  • Thick padding all around for added protection
  • Ample storage space with secure pockets
  • Adjustable internal and external cinch straps
  • Easy rolling wheels
  • As a large bag, it takes a lot of space.

Our Verdict

CaddyDaddy comes second to none in terms of quality and one of the best budget golf travel bags too. Its combination of all practical features makes it an ideal golf travel cover for any golfer across the world.

2. Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian Golf Travel Cover

Sun Mountain is one of the most popular golf bag manufacturers. The ClubGlider Meridian Travel Cover is a quality travel cover that can accommodate all your gadgets. The wheeled golf travel covers minimize all hassles of traveling with your golf gear.

Sun Mountain Clubglider Meridian Travel...

  • The leg mechanism is extended and...
  • No more kneeling on the ground to...
  • Heavy-duty, two-way zippers run the full...
  • Internal cinch straps secure your golf...
  • Pivoting caster wheels provide superior...

A set of four pivoting caster wheels provides easy and stylish maneuverability, as well as representing modern design. Having amazing qualities in every aspect, it is arguably the best golf travel bag for airlines.

  • Built with vinyl-strengthened nylon
  • High-impact pivoting caster wheels
  • Heavy-duty both-way zippers
  • Advanced leg-mechanism
  • Strategically placed reinforced padding
  • Interior cinch straps
  • Weight: 11.3 lbs.
  • Fabric: 1200 Denier polyester

7 different eye-catching shades and colors, including camouflaged one, cover 7 different aristocratic tastes. Stand out and be unique among fellow golf players having this special golf travel cover by your side.

Among the best features of this bag is the leg mechanism, which can be extended and retracted with one motion. The bag has two-way zippers that cover the length of the bag for easy loading/unloading.

Construction

Featuring a fabric made with heavy-duty nylon, this awesome golf bag cover ensures your bag is well protected.

The bag is made of 1200 Denier polyester that makes it highly durable and strong. It weighs 11.8 lbs and can be folded for storage.

The ultra-protective padding protects club heads from external forces, while the inner cinch straps prevent internal club collisions. 

Convenience

The posture of this best golf travel cover allows you to load and unload your gear without kneeling down. It can also be folded up compactly when it’s not being used.

Your gadgets will be more secure with the internal cinch straps. Additionally, the pivoting caster wheels provide excellent maneuverability.

  • Flexible both-way zippers
  • Padding is placed strategically
  • smooth-handling and easy-rolling
  • No need to kneel down to load/unload golf gears
  • Enough storage for all golf gadgets
  • Quite expensive for those who look for a budget option.

A trip with the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian is guaranteed to be a pleasurable experience. Make sure both of the internal cinch straps and the external zippers are working well and then let this golf cover take care of your valuable clubs.

3. Athletico Padded Travel Bag

It makes no sense to buy a sham item and gamble with your clubs’ protection when you can get one of the best options for a lot cheaper, like this one.

Athletico Padded Golf Travel Bag - Golf...

  • PADDED TO PROTECT YOUR EXPENSIVE GOLF...
  • DURABLE AND BUILT TO LAST - Our golf...
  • EASY TO CARRY & BUILT FOR COMFORT - This...
  • Athletico golf travel bags are backed by...

With tons of positive reviews, this tear-resistant golf bag is a famous one among all conventional options. Read the specifications, features, pros-n-cons, and fall in love with this modern bag.

It is surely an affordable bag with quality instruments.

  • Built with 600D tear-resistant polyester
  • 5mm thick heavy-duty padding
  • 4 protective feet with a hard vinyl base
  • Neoprene padded handles
  • Detachable shoulder strap
  • Wide-gauge, quality zippers
  • Weight: 4 lbs
  • Removable shoulder strap

Though this budget-friendly lightweight golf travel bag doesn’t have plenty of color options but black, it is designed to meet all the practical needs and demands of a professional golf player. You can easily fold your bag when it is not in use to provide extra storage.

With a well-padded 5mm interior and tear-resistant 600D polyester fabric, there is no reason for you to complain about the quality construction of this bag. The vinyl base, metal hardware, and so on provide added protection. It has 5mm of padding throughout to protect your golf clubs.

This bag’s lightweight feature, neoprene padded handles and straps, detachable heavy-duty shoulder strap, and metal zippers will give you a sense of premium convenience.

The bag comes with a padded shoulder strap for extra comfort. The handle is padded in neoprene and is very convenient for moving. In addition, the padded tote handles, top handle, and shoulder straps offer great flexibility and support.

  • 5mm Thick padding through gives ultimate protection to your clubs
  • Neoprene shoulder strap and handles for easy carrying assistance
  • Super-lightweight feature, only 4lbs
  • Pockets could be better.

Not providing wheels could be a downside but this Athletico padded travel bag could get easily a higher rating if extra pockets were available. However, the other features are so good that it may not be unwise to sacrifice one for another.

4. Sun Mountain ClubGlider Journey – Travel Golf Bags with Wheels

The bag has received so many positive reviews that it’s hard to make a top list without the Sun Mountain clubglider journey wheeled golf travel cover. This cover is nothing less than a bulletproof vest for your valuable clubs, with its premium features and advanced technology.

Sun Mountain 2020 ClubGlider Journey...

  • Fabric: 1200 Denier Polyester
  • Legs retract into the molded tray for...
  • Leg mechanism is extended and retracted...
  • Internal Dimensions: 52” X 14” X...

It may be a bit overpriced, but all of its modern features make it worth the price.

  • Built with long-lasting 1200D polyester
  • Two-way heavy-duty zippers
  • Inner cinch straps
  • Pivoting caster wheels with extending and retracting leg mechanism
  • Weight: 10.7 lbs.

This item is designed to meet all the needs of a golfer. When it comes to color, you have a choice between a contemporary black/charcoal and a black/gray color combination.

1200D polyester provides double protection than usual counterparts. The heavily padded top, internal cinch straps, and heavy-duty zippers fortify your clubs from any type of external or internal pressure.

Enjoy the privilege of pushing or pulling the entire 10.7 lbs weight with only one finger. 360° castor wheels make maneuvering easier. You can open and close your bag while standing, unlike many other bags.

  • 360° pivoting castor wheels with a sturdy baseline offers easy maneuvers
  • 1200D polyester fabric and extra padding ensure durability and better protection
  • The price is a little higher.

Sun Mountain Clubglider Journey Golf Travel Cover with wheels may look like a simple bag, but with its few innovative features, it stands out among other bags. As its name suggests, it will accompany you on all your journeys.

5. Club Glove Travel Bag – Last Bag XL Tour Pro

Club Glove’s Last Bag is hugely popular among the touring professionals on the PGA, Champions, and LPGA tours. Over 80 percent of PGA Tour players use this travel bag, according to their website . Also, Club Glove products are highly preferred by the majority of professional golfers in the U.S. Tours.

  • Large travel bag made of Cordura fabric...
  • Extra-thick foam padding with club-head...
  • High-impact wheel base cradles and...
  • Fully integrated two-piece handle; two...
  • Accommodates clubs up to 49 inches;...

It’s one of the top selling bags of the prestigious Club Glove company, widely used by PGA Tour players.

Every inch of this amazing bag is packed with advanced technologies, which is why it is so popular among professional golfers.

  • Built with 1000D water-resistant nylon fabric
  • Burst-proof construction
  • Weight: 10.6lbs
  • YKK® zippers and ITW Nexus® buckles
  • Club Glove’s stiff-arm feature included
  • Two external large pockets
  • Reinforced 1600D ballistic nylon base
  • High-impact wheelbase with inline skate wheels

A total of 25 color combinations are available in this bag. Every piece represents a super-classy taste. The large compartment can accommodate up to 47” driver.

It is large enough to accommodate a golf club as long as 47” in length. It is made of CORDURA® fabric on the exterior to provide the maximum durability and extra-thick foam padding on the interior to protect the clubs.

The burst-proof construction is brought by Invista™ Condura® 1000D water-resistant nylon fabric that is 5 times more durable than standard polyester. 1600D ballistic nylon base reinforcement ensures added club protection.

Club Glove’s very own Stiff-Arm feature and adjustable restraint device are also put in place for added club safety.

Club Glove tried their level best to make this product the most convenient one. All the features a professional golfer needs are included, including YKK® over-the-top zippers, inline skate wheels, ITW Nexus® buckles, an integrated carry handle, extra pockets, and more.

The inline skate wheels are convenient for quick transport and the bag has an integrated two-piece handle that makes it easy to lift the bag on the car.

  • Sturdy construction
  • Water-resistant and extra durable
  • Plenty of mod features
  • Smooth-rolling inline skate wheels

With ample advanced features and advantages, Last Bag Large Pro is undoubtedly a bag to consider. If you are looking for a quality product for a lifetime, this one should be on the top of the list.

6. Izzo Golf Padded Golf Bag Cover

Flying with golf clubs without a travel bag can cost you real damage. Izzo Golf Padded Travel Cover has a durable vinyl base and padded protection that ensure zero-damage to your clubs in transit. This lightest golf travel cover works almost like a golf club hard case.

Izzo Golf Padded Golf Travel Bag,BLACK,...

  • Golf Carry Bag: Our padded soft golf...
  • Expandable: Our golf travel bag expands...
  • Lightweight: At only 2 lbs, our golf...
  • Comfortable: A padded golf bag carry...

It is made of strong nylon fabric. The inline skate wheels provide smooth rolling when walking with this bag. The full length zipper offers easy access for packing and unpacking. The top section is heavily padded to protect the clubs.

Two large side pockets with secure zipper can accommodate your accessories like shoes, hats, sunglasses, towels, sunscreen, golf tees, and other essentials. This bag can lay flat or stand up on its own when holding a set of clubs inside the bag. The waterproof exterior offers tensionless travel.

  • Expand by 50”; collapse by 7.5”
  • Made from sturdy nylon with a durable vinyl base
  • Ergonomic zipper and handle
  • Heavy-duty padded shoulder strap
  • 3 padded compartments carry up to 15 golf clubs

We believe it is one of the top rated golf travel bags in 2024.

7. Founders Club Golf Travel Cover

A soft travel bag gives ease of access while a hard case provides better club-protection. Keeping both in mind, Founders Club brings this special golf travel cover for you.

Founders Club Golf Travel Cover Luggage...

  • Hybrid Golf Travel Cover Combines crush...
  • Easy to transport with durable smooth...
  • Fits Cart Bags up to 10” in diameter...
  • Space Saving Storage - body of the bag...
  • 1 Year Full Replacement Warranty....

This golf travel cover is a unique one because of the hybrid construction feature and other outstanding privileges. While the upside is built with sturdy Hard-Shell ABS, the rest are constructed with heavy-duty weather-proof 600D polyester.

Let’s have a deep look into all other features this bag has to offer.

  • Crush-proof hard-shell ABS top with all-weather 600D polyester body
  • Inline skate smooth-rolling wheels
  • Large compartment accommodates clubs up to 50”
  • 3 sets padded handles offer 3 different carrying positions
  • Internal compression strap
  • 2 deep side pockets
  • Weight: 8 pounds

You can consider it as the best hard shell golf travel case in 2024.

8. Club Champ Golf Bag Travel Cover

Club Champ Golf Bag Travel Cover is another best bags with standard quality construction. It is an affordable golf travel cover that meets the basic needs of any golf player.

Club Champ Golf Bag Travel Cover(Black)

  • Makes traveling with your clubs easier
  • Built in wheels eliminate back strain
  • Heavy duty construction
  • Extra padding on top
  • Full size and fully collapsible

While there are plenty of cheap options available out in the market, you may find it positively unique and more effective than others. No fancy features, but you will surely get more than you pay for it. The bag is designed to provide you with various multi-functional services.

Enjoying all needed features, like wheels, extra pockets, sturdy construction, etc. within less than $50 is quite unbelievable, isn’t it?

  • Built with durable heavy-duty reinforced fabric
  • Built-in wheels for easy-rolling
  • Extra padded top and secured interior for club protection
  • Weight: 2.44 pounds
  • End-to-end zipper with an extra pocket for accessories
  • Armor base and protective skid rails for added protection

Read More : Best Left Handed Golf Bags

9. Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Golf Travel Cover

The Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Travel Cover will not only protect your valuables but also will provide you the ultimate ease of access. This super lightweight wheeled golf club case will save your precious clubs and other accessories.

Samsonite Spinner Wheeling Golf Travel...

  • High-Quality Durability: The Samsonite...
  • Protect Your Gear: This golf travel bag...
  • Easy to Manuever: Equipped with four...
  • Detachable Shoe Bag: Make packing quick...
  • Padded Quilted Interior: Protect your...

This giant golf case comes with all durable features along with the touch of modern golf technology. Though it is a bit bigger than the other counterparts, it is stronger and richer in service as well.

  • Light-weight and durable ABS plastic shell
  • 360° multi-directional spinner wheels
  • Internal compression straps
  • Extra foam cushioning
  • Two comfortable grip handles
  • Weight: 5 pounds

No doubt, it is one of the lightweight golf travel bags around.

10. SKB ATA Deluxe: Best Hard Sided Golf Travel Bag

The SKB hard case golf travel bag features a stylish, air-dust-moisture-resistant polyethylene hard case, powerful wheels, and sturdy straps. It can accommodate any type of your bags including cart bags, carry bags or the drivers up to 48 inches.

  • Protect your golf clubs while on the go...
  • Crafted from ultra-high molecular weight...
  • Equipped with a convenient TSA Locking...
  • New, patent-pending industrial-strength...
  • Golf travel bag measures 52 by 13 by 16...

SKB also offers $1,500 club coverage with this golf club travel hard case.

  • Built with molded ultra-high polyethylene
  • Fit carry bags, cart bags, and drivers up-to 48”
  • Life-time warranty, and $1,500 club coverage
  • TSA locking system
  • Weight: 19 lbs.

11. Himal Soft Sided Golf Travel Bag

Himal soft sided golf travel bag is designed to provide premium services at an affordable price. It is one of the finest travel bags with wheels under $50 with a plain and simple design meeting all practical needs of a golf player.

Himal Outdoors Soft-Sided Golf Travel...

  • Made of premium 600D heavy duty...
  • Universal size 13 x 15 x 50 inches fits...
  • Advanced smooth zipper design is usable...
  • The golf bag travel case itself comes...
  • Himal provides a true satisfaction...

While 600D heavy-duty polyester oxford and soft-padded top shields the clubs; easy-rolling wheels and extra storage space provide mass comfort.

  • 600D polyester oxford
  • Weight: 4.4 pounds
  • Velcro carrying handle 
  • Extra storage space
  • Easy-rolling wheels
  • Internal cinch strap

Undoubtedly, this is one of the top rated golf travel bags in 2024.

12. AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag

The name AmazonBasics itself advocates on behalf of this awesome modern golf club travel bag.

Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Golf Travel Bag

With ample positive reviews, this one is a super-star travel bag having a number of fans and followings and spreading more every day. This travel-savvy club protector bag is one of the best golf bags under $100 . Advanced features are installed with the touch of modern technology to provide better club protection and easy maneuvers.

  • Durable nylon fabric
  • Inline skate wheels
  • Clubs up to 50”
  • Weight: 8.65 pounds
  • 1-inch padded top
  • TSA lock-oriented zippers and 
  • 2 large side pockets

This amazing bag is one of the best soft sided golf travel bags available in the market.

13. OGIO Mutant Travel Cover

Following the name Mutant, OGIO Mutant Travel Cover is really unique in feature and one of the best golf travel bags for airlines in 2024.

OGIO 2018 Mutant Travel Cover

This tip-resistant travel cover comes with smooth-rolling oversized-wheels, a large compartment, and is designed to fit tour and stand bags easily.

  • Extra-large storage compartment
  • Sturdy padded top and cinch-down straps 
  • King-sized smooth-rolling wheels
  • Protective rails surrounded the base
  • Weight: 8.2 lbs.

14. Caravan 3.0 Golf Travel Bag with Wheel

You can completely rely on this ultra-durable 600D polyester-made waterproof golf travel cover with wheels to keep your clubs safe and sound while you’re airborne.

Golf Travel Bags Caravan 3.0 Travel Bag

  • Features. Deep, recessed exterior...
  • Padded top for club protection. Security...
  • Deluxe wheel system features in-line...

Well-padded top, protective PVC bottom, and a security strap, both internal and external, and other feature-oriented Caravan 3.0 Wheeled Travel Cover offers a handful of choice of colors as well.

  • Water-resistant 600D polyester
  • Padded top and security straps
  • Holds bags up to 10″ with larger pockets
  • Deluxe-typed robust skate wheel system
  • Weight: 11 lbs.

According to our research, it is one of the best golf travel bags with wheels in 2024.

15. Bag Boy T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover

T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover is nothing less than a limousine for your clubs.

Bag Boy T-750 Wheeled Travel Golf Cover

  • Extra thick 4-sided padded top with high...
  • Deluxe in-line skate wheels provide...
  • Reinforced corners for extra protection
  • Ergonomic neoprene handle for easy...
  • Fits up to a 48-inch driver and most...

Tear, water, and weather-resistant 600D polyester, extra-thick padded top, neoprene carry-handles, and impact-resistant PVC ensure unprecedented club protection.

Don’t be surprised to see the performance of this travel bag cover.

  • Weather, tear, and water-resistant 600D polyester
  • Impact-resistant PVC and 4-sided extra-thick padded top
  • Neoprene handle and deluxe smooth-rolling wheels
  • Wrap-around, lockable zipper and internal down-strap system
  • Weight: 8.5 lbs.

16. SKB 2SKB-5020W ATA Double Golf Travel Case

SKB 2SKB-5020W ATA Double Golf Travel Case is nothing less than a fortress for your golfing weapons.

SKB Cases ATA Deluxe Standard Hard...

  • Keep your golf club safe when traveling...
  • Molded from ultra-high molecular weight...
  • Includes a TSA locking system for ease...
  • Features new patent-pending industrial...
  • Lightweight travel hard case is designed...

This best golf travel case is made of the same components that the US Army uses to build cases and containers.

It is designed to engulf 2 standard sets of clubs. This large golf hard case gives ultimate protection to drivers up to 50” long and 20” wide.

  • Molded from high-end molecular weight polyethylene
  • Air-dust-moisture resistant with tight and secure seal
  • Capacity to contain two sets of clubs and drivers up to 50” long and 20” wide
  • $1,500 club coverage and lifetime warranty

It is one of the best hard sided golf travel bags in 2024.

17. Sun Mountain Kube Golf Travel Cover

Sun Mountain Kube Golf Travel Cover is a perfect choice for flying with golf clubs without worrying much.

Sun Mountain Kube Golf Travel Cover...

  • Hardy ballistic style fabric & plastic...
  • Dense foam padding protects clubs
  • Plastic shell and dense foam padding top...
  • Fabric is reinforced in high-wear areas...

This golf club luggage is built with ballistic-style durable nylon, dense-foam padding-top, and plastic shell for ultimate club protection. It can be folded down into a compact size for easy storage when not in use.

  • Made with ballistic-style reinforced nylon fabric and plastic shell
  • Dense foam-padding top with two internal access pockets
  • Heavy-duty, both-way full-length zippers
  • Smooth-rolling inline skate wheels with a sturdy base
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs.

18. Partage Golf Travel Bag for Airlines

Partage Golf Travel Case can be a good option if you are looking for a fully-functional golf club travel bag for airlines in affordable price.

Partage Golf Travel Bag with Wheels,Golf...

  • ★HIGH QUALITY FABRIC: Partage golf...
  • ★MULTIFUNCTIONAL DESIGN: Partage...
  • ★PERFECT SIZE: Universal size 51 x 18...
  • ★SMOOTH WHEELS AND MULTIPLE...
  • ★100% SATISFACTION & QUALITY...

This lightweight bag is made with 600D premium polyester fabric and featured with thick padded top, interior tie-down straps, and wear-resistant 4-foot pads for added protection to your clubs and gears.

  • 600D polyester fabric
  • Thick padded top and interior tie-down straps for added security
  • Wear-resistant 4-foot pads for steady and stable stand
  • Extra pocket for your shoes and other belongings
  • Weight: 4 pounds

19. LONGCHAO Travel Bag

This large hard golf bag travel case is derived from durable 600D fabric with reinforced corners for added durability. LONGCHAO comes with ample storage accommodating all bags up to 52” cart bags.

LONGCHAO Golf Travel Cover- Foldable...

  • Soft Sided Golf Travel Bag- Impact...
  • Golf Travel Case For Airlines- Deluxe...
  • Slim Golf Travel Bag- Lightweight golf...
  • Advanced Smooth Large Zipper Design- The...
  • Foldable Golf Travel Bag- The size of...

Along with a durable vinyl base and heavily padded top, it has a number of features designed to protect clubs and accessories.

  • Built with sturdy 600D fabric with reinforced corners
  • Extra-thick EVA foamed 4-sided padded top
  • Deluxe skid plate and skid bars with a vinyl base for added durability
  • Engulfs all golf bags, including stand and cart bags, up to 52”
  • Lightweight soft-sided case with around 3 lbs.

20. OGIO Savage Travel Bag

OGIO Savage Travel Bag is another best budget golf travel bag for you.

Callaway OGIO Callaway Alpha Travel...

  • Protection: External and internal...
  • Durable 900D polyester body fabric. Skid...
  • Organization: Generously sized to fit...
  • Front zippered pocket with internal...

This tip-resistant lightweight travel bag comes with smooth and oversized wheels, fully padded top, exterior compression straps, 2 outer pockets, and ready to fit both stand bags and tour bags.

  • Deep main compartment with easy entry opening
  • Smooth-rolling over-sized wheels
  • Fully padded top and internal down straps for protecting clubs
  • External compression straps and 2 external pockets
  • Weight: 4.9 pounds

21. Thinksea Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag Case

Thinksea has produced the best golf travel bag for the money with ample features. Golfers around the world responded very positively to this bag.

Thinksea Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag...

With 900D polyester, re-reinforced wheels, lockable zip pockets, and enough space, this travel bag has it all. This travel case lacks hardly any features.

  • Build with premium 900D polyester oxford
  • Soft cushion and 3 carrying handles
  • Inline easy-rolling wheels
  • 5 mm padding, hard vinyl base
  • Weight: 5 lbs.

22. Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix

Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix is the largest travel bag produced by Caddy Daddy. This golf airplane bag is made of robust 1800D Nylon fabric.

Caddy Daddy Golf Phoenix Golf Travel Bag

  • HEAVILY PADDED, EVA MOLD: The golf...
  • LARGE POCKETS PROVIDED: The bag also has...
  • EQUIPPED WITH ALL-SEASON WHEELS: Whether...

It is designed for everything, staff bags, large cart bags, even stand bags. Feel free to take advantage of in-line skate wheels, self-standing wheelbase, large pockets, and more.

  • Derived from 1800D nylon
  • High-impact EVA Mold
  • Skate wheels with standing base
  • 3 oversized pockets
  • Weight: 12 pounds

23. Samsonite Golf Deluxe 3 Piece Travel Set – Hard Case Golf Travel Bag

Samsonite golf deluxe travel set comes with 3 pieces – duffel bag, wheeling travel cover, and shoe bag.

Samsonite Hard Case Golf Travel Bag with...

  • Lightweight and Durable Shell: The Hard...
  • Easy to Maneuver When Traveling: Four...
  • Stays in Place: Two internal compression...

This is one of the best hard case golf travel bags that features tons of perks, designed to guard your clubs and accessories with guaranteed protection.

Fully padded quilted interior and extra-foam cushioning promises to protect your clubs. Easy wheeling, 3 carry & pull handles, adjustable and padded bungee-carry shoulder strap, and so on are put in place for your comfort.

  • Built with 600D polyester
  • 3 carry-pull handles
  • Extra-foam cushioning
  • adjustable padded shoulder straps
  • Weight: 14 pounds

24. CaddyDaddy Golf CDX-10 Travel Cover

The CDX-10 travel cover comes with numerous perks and features designed to take care of your clubs and other accessories while traveling.

CaddyDaddy CDX-10 Padded Golf Travel Bag...

  • FOAM PADDED TOP: The golf travel cover...
  • PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: The North Pole...
  • AFFORDABLE GOLF BAG FOR TRAVELING:...

This large golf transport bag has tons of reviews for accommodating all types of golf bags up to 10” cart bags. Looking for something bigger in size but lighter in weights? Well, there you go –

  • Built with Durable 600D Nylon
  • Heavy-Duty padded top
  • Riveted Handles and 2 extra oversized pocket
  • Easy-Rolling Skate Wheels
  • Weight: 9 pounds

Some consider it as the best travel golf bag with wheels.

25. Thinksea Soft-Sided Golf Club Travel Bag

Thinksea soft sided golf travel bag is one of the best-selling golf bags in Amazon, eBay, and Walmart with huge positive golf bag travel reviews.

Thinksea Hard-Bottom Standing Golf Club...

2 main reasons behind that are price and unconditional refund policy. Many golfers think that this travel bag is the best golf club travel bag in a cheap price.

  • 900D polyester oxford
  • Heavy-duty padded top
  • Easy-rolling skate wheels

You can consider it as one of the best travel golf bags in 2024.

26. CaddyDaddy Enforcer Travel Bag

This hard case golf travel bag is another highly-reviewed hard case. Caddy Daddy blesses this special featured very best golf travel case with the latest advancement for air travel.

CaddyDaddy Enforcer Golf Travel Bag...

  • CRUSH-RESISTANT HARD ABS MOLDS: The golf...
  • NEW KEY IMPROVEMENTS: 1. Extended...
  • EQUIPPED WITH INLINE SKATE WHEELS, 2...

Durable 1800D all-weather fabric, long-lasting crush-resistant ABS plastic, and elasticized internal compression strap are ready to safeguard your precious clubs.

  • Heavy-duty ABS plastic and 1800D all-weather fabric
  • Lockable full-wrapped zipper
  • Houses all bags up to 10” cart bags
  • Inline easy-rolling skate wheels

Read 20 more reviews Show less

  • How to Choose a Travel Bag?

The market is filled with a variety of quality bags. It’s important to choose a golf bag that accommodates your needs.

While some people prefer large spaces, others like great maneuverability. Some look for budget bags while others are more concerned with quality. Everyone has a logical reason for choosing a particular bag from the numerous options available.

Before purchasing them, you need to consider a few key factors. These are including:

  • Maneuverability

You need to consider these aspects while choosing a golf bag because these will decide the convenience of using the bag.

  • Do golf bags fly free on Southwest?

According to Southwest , the first two checked bags are allowed to fly free on their airline. It also stated that there are some weight and size limits of 50 lbs and 62 inches (L+W+H) respectively. 

You can visit this page to know more about their conditions .

  • Where To Buy Golf Travel Bags?

You should get your favorite golf bags near any of your golf stores. If you want to buy online, then Amazon is the best place to go. 

Final Verdict

I bet you wouldn’t like to buy a bag every few months. Thus, it is necessary to choose carefully before buying one.

I’ll be happy to assist you one last time.

  • If you want a quality bag regardless of the price, you can consider Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro without a second thought. All your requirements will be met with it for sure.
  • If you plan to purchase a standard bag at an affordable price, you might consider the Club Champ Golf Bag Travel Cover .
  • If you are in between these two options, the CaddyDaddy Golf Constrictor 2 Travel Cover may be the right bag for you.

We hope you are able to find your ideal golf travel bag from these best golf bags reviews in 2024. Feel free to contact us if you need any additional information to make a decision.

Thanks for stopping by!

Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Fortress Ezy Roll Plus Travel Cover - Black/Red

Fortress Ezy Roll Plus Travel Cover - Black/Red

2 product reviews.

Drummond Golf

Here’s what people highlighted

Value for money

Product reviews 2

It may be to good ,can get too much in it ,only fault not to stable standing up

HBAT81-4138

Plenty of room for clubs & luggage so only need to check one bag

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Fortress Quest Range/Travel Bag

Fortress

  • More about Zip pay More about Afterpay
  • Account limit Up to $1500 Up to $3000.00
  • Interest free period Always interest free Always interest free
  • Set up fee No set up fee No set up fee
  • Minimum repayments $40/month Your owing balance divided by 4
  • Payment frequency Weekly, fortnightly and monthly Only fortnightly
  • Account fee $9.95/month where there is an outstanding balance No account fee
  • Late fee Learn more about Zip Pay late fees here Learn more about Afterpay late fees here
  • Light weight
  • Will accommodate a full set of clubs
  • Integrated padded and lockable hood with four zippered internal storage pockets
  • Larger base for added balance and stability
  • Crush resistant cylinder
  • External storage pocket
  • Reinforced carry handles and zips
  • EziRoll In-line skate wheels

fortress journey travel bag review

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COMMENTS

  1. Fortress Journey Travel Bag reviews

    1-star. 0%. WS. Wayne Stamm. AU. Verified. 14 Jun 2021. This is a great travel bag, lightweight and small enough to carry easily. Quality.

  2. The 8 Best Travel Golf Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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  3. Best Golf Travel Bags 2023 Data & Rankings

    Product Details: 6 Wheel System with 5 handles for smooth transport. Most spacious travel cover designed to fit all golf bag models, including our PRIDE Bag. Inside strap, two inside pockets and ultimate padding to keep your clubheads protected. Extra storage cover bag for ideal compact stow away at home.

  4. The 9 Best Golf Travel Bags to Protect Your Clubs

    The Samsonite Hard Side golf bag may prove to be the best hard case golf travel bag. Made from ABS plastic, it is very rigid and sports an attractive slim side design. The interior adds to its allure. The black version has a brilliant red interior with plenty of foam padding and internal straps.

  5. Sun Mountain Travel Bags: Meridian vs Journey size comparison FYI

    I thought folks considering the Sun Mountain travel bags might like a side by side size comparison of these two bags loaded (pics below). ... Sun Mountain Travel Bags: Meridian vs Journey size comparison FYI ... OluKai "Lone Palm Collection" Season Opener themed shoe! ENTER NOW! MEMBER REVIEWS: L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter Member Testing. Sun ...

  6. Fortress Journey Travel Bag

    Fortress Journey Travel Bag. If you are looking for a bag and club travel alternative this is the option for you. With its unique grab handles for handling the bag, it contains internal security pockets built inside the hood, which will help protect and secure your valuables while at the same time, protect your club heads from any damage with ...

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    Yeti Crossroads 35L. Yeti's coolers and cups are famous for being bomb-proof. The company recently launched a luggage line that's similarly overbuilt. The Yeti Crossroads 35L is a 22-inch roller ...

  8. Fortress Journey Travel Bag

    if you are looking for a bag and club travel alternative this is the option for you. With its unique grab handles for handling the bag, it contains internal security pockets built inside the hood, which will help protect and secure your valuables while at the same time, protect your club heads from any damage with the extra padded top. Dimensions: 240 x 310 x 900 2.9 kg

  9. 6 Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags (with Travelon & Pacsafe)

    Anti-Theft Features: Lightweight, hidden eXomesh Slashguard stainless steel wire mesh embedded into fabric. Adjustable wire-reinforced Carrysafe Slashguard Strap. Turn & Lock Security Hook attaches strap to secure fixture. RFID-safe Blocking Material built into a pocket in the main compartment.

  10. Fortress Crusade Travel Bag

    Fortress Journey Travel Bag. Quick View. If you are looking for a bag and club travel alternative this is the option for you. With its unique grab handles for handling the bag, it contains internal security pockets built inside the hood, which will help protect and secure your valuables while at the same time, protect your club heads from any ...

  11. Fortress Journey Travel Bag reviews

    Fortress Journey Travel Bag 2 product reviews. 5.0. Seller

  12. The 6 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for 2024

    Best small carry-on bag for most situations: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack. Best large bag for most situations: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L. Best mobile office: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L ...

  13. Fortress

    A Fortress Golf Bag is a golf bag that compromises nothing. 13 Items ... Fortress Journey Travel Bag . $189.95 ... Add to Cart. Fortress Quest Range/Travel Bag . $249.95 NOW $224.96 Add to Cart. Fortress Soft Range Bag - Black/Red . $89.95 NOW $80.96. Add to Cart. Fortress Windsor II Cart Bag - Black/Charcoal/White ...

  14. Golf Works

    Features The Fortress Ezy Roll is a Luxury Travel Cover with Padded and Lined Inner, a 6 wheel roll system, Moulded Grab handle with Padded Straps and Identification label. Compare Share it

  15. Travel Bags

    Travel Bags from Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, PING, Wilson Staff | Manufacturer: ... Fortress Journey Travel Bag . $189.95. Add to Cart. Fortress Quest Range/Travel Bag ... Add to Cart. Fortress Crusade Travel Bag . $305.95. Currently unavailable online. Fortress Hard Range Bag - Black/Red . $115.95. Currently unavailable online. 7 Items ...

  16. Best Golf Travel Bags for Airlines 2024

    Athletico Padded Travel Bag; Sun Mountain ClubGlider Journey; Club Glove Last Bag XL Tour Pro; ... SKB 2SKB-5020W ATA Double Golf Travel Case is nothing less than a fortress for your golfing weapons. Sale. 2,153 Reviews. ... and Walmart with huge positive golf bag travel reviews. 28 Reviews. Thinksea Hard-Bottom Standing Golf Club...

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    Fortress Journey Travel Bag . $189.95 NOW $170.96 Add to Cart. Fortress Quest Range/Travel Bag . $249.95 ... Fortress Crusade Travel Bag . $305.95 NOW $275.36 Currently unavailable online. 7 Items . Show. per page. Sort By. Set Descending ...

  18. Golf Travel Bags for Sale

    Wilson Staff Padded Travel Cover. SAVE $54.00. $215.99. RRP $269.99. Golf travel bags keep your golf clubs safe during transit. We stock a large range of golf travel bags from Club Glove, Stonehaven, Izzo, Ogio, TaylorMade and Mizuno.

  19. Fortress Ezy Roll Plus Travel Cover

    2 consumers that purchased Fortress Ezy Roll Plus Travel Cover - Black/Red from Drummond Golf have rated it 4.5 out of 5. ... Overview Product reviews. Fortress Ezy Roll Plus Travel Cover - Black/Red 2 product reviews. 4.5. Seller. Drummond Golf. 4.7. Shop now. Here's what people highlighted. Quality. 4.5. Value for money. 4.0. Product ...

  20. Fortress Quest Range/Travel Bag

    Product Details & Specifications. DG Product Code: 87040223. Light weight. Will accommodate a full set of clubs. Integrated padded and lockable hood with four zippered internal storage pockets. Larger base for added balance and stability. Crush resistant cylinder. External storage pocket. Reinforced carry handles and zips.