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We traveled via plane, train, and automobile with checked baggage luggage from Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Osprey, Eagle Creek, Samsonite, and more to help you hone in on the best travel companion
Since 2018, our globetrotting experts have tested more than 50 of the best, most popular, and most promising checked baggage luggage on the market, with the top 17 in this year's update. We tested these luggage suitcases head-to-head for months, stacking each suitcase into all kinds of vehicles and packing them with everything from business casual clothes to backcountry adventure gear. We tested every packing feature, bumped them over curbs, threw them down stairwells, and even sprayed each one down with a hose. Whether you're seeking a budget bag, a gear locker, or looking for a forever suitcase, we've discovered some great options for you.
Balances simplicity with adventure-friendly design
Useful organizational and compression features
Substantial carrying capacity
Water-resistant
Self-aligning wheels
REASONS TO AVOID
May be too large for some travelers
Somewhat heavy and bulky
SPECIFICATIONS
Exterior Dimensions
29.5" x 20.0." x 12.75"
Weight (Measured)
12.2 lb
Main Compartment Volume (Measured)
117 L
Exterior Material
High-density nylon fabric with DuraGuard
Number of Wheels
4
It's big, beautiful, and built to last. The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" continues to be our favorite overall suitcase over the past several years for more reasons than we can fit into this small paragraph, but we'll give it our best effort — please fasten your seat belts. To begin, this bag is huge. If you're headed for a month overseas or have a wardrobe that rivals royalty, we're certain this monster spinner has the trunk space you need. And, when it comes to packing uniforms, formals, or other important clothing, the Platinum Elite's fold-away suiter is one of the best in the industry at artfully tucking away suits, skirts, and dresses for a wrinkle-free ride. In the main compartment, two large compression panels buckle and cinch over the rest of your clothing, shoes, and accessories, holding them securely in place, regardless of what turbulence lies ahead. After being packed to the gills, the Platinum Elite will glide like a speed skater through busy airports and packed city streets. Its proprietary MagnaTrac spinners seamlessly self-align using internal magnets, uniformly pointing forward as you roll this bag along your side. It also boasts smooth zippers, stylish accents, and a very rugged nylon shell.
As we said, this bag is big. In fact, we often had trouble keeping it full, so it may simply be too large for less extensive travel or for jet-setters who like to pack light. Additionally, this bag tips the scales at 12.2 pounds, and this extra weight may impact the Platinum Elite's packable payload after factoring in standard weight restrictions enforced by airlines (which typically start charging fees once bags weigh more than 50 pounds). In all, no piece of luggage is perfect, and when we consider the pluses and minuses, the Platinum Elite is still our favorite. We also love its smaller siblings, the Platinum Elite 25" and the carry on size Platinum Elite 21", which offer the same amenities but alternate sizes. No other checked-size luggage we tested matches the performance and price of this seriously impressive bag. The only ones that come close are the duffel-style Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 and Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L, or the premium hard-sided Rimowa Essential Check-In L (but that comes at a very premium price).
Making double time with our Platinum Elite at our side. Although huge, this bag rolls well on all surfaces, and is ready to keep pace with you wherever you go.
With a brand reputation built on quality and reliability that has spanned more than a century, it may come as no surprise that the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28" garnered acceptable marks across all metrics in our test suite, making it a shoo-in for our best budget-friendly hardshell spinner. Although the suitcase is somewhat massive and oversized for basic travel needs, its simple, attractive, and oh-so-practical design should place this well-priced clamshell spinner up for consideration on any urban traveler's checked luggage list. Constructed of an extra-sturdy and scratch-resistant micro-diamond polycarbonate, the four-wheeled hulk of a bag delivers reasonable, not perfect, mobility across smooth surfaces, even when weighted to the airlines' maximum (50 pounds). It also shows little wear for use after the harsh conditions in testing. Among all the bags in the series, it was one of the few suitcases to show no signs of interior moisture from water exposure nor lasting scuff marks from our drop and tumble tests. A comfortable telescoping handle, strong zippers, embedded TSA-approved lock, and an extra expandability option seal the deal: this bag is ready to — cost-effectively — pull its weight (and yours) between luxe hotels, airport lounges, family homes, or any city roadway in between.
Although internal organizational features are limited to a single mesh panel enclosure, cross-straps (without compression), and one hanging zip pocket, the remarkably light weight-to-volume ratio of the Omni PC delivers a mighty impressive carrying capacity for any long-haul journey. But as with other bags in the series, the gift of size can also be its greatest flaw, as one can squeeze a whole heck of a lot into this wide-bodied suitcase, easily exceeding the checked luggage weight restrictions of most airlines. While all load and pull handles feel sturdy under average use, an overweight bag could put additional strain on such key features. As with many other four-wheeled suitcases we tested, this Samsonite spinner is not built for mixed or off-road terrain. But for price-conscious urban flyers, this seems a small price to pay. For even more savings and only a small drop in price, the Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29" is worthy of consideration as well.
Heading for a bumpy ride with our Omni PC. Its small wheels are not designed for back road travel, but we took it there anyway, just to see how far we could push its limits. Although these spinners didn't provide the smoothest ride, the structure of the wheels still held up well.
The SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29" embodies the spirit of our favorite soft-sided checked suitcases with an understated yet classic softshell design. However, the Sion Softside's features and amenities are more bare-bones, and its fabric shell is thinner and noticeably less sinewy. That said, we feel this bag is made well, offers impressive packing volume, and is durable enough to undergo the rigors of airline travel with moderate frequency. In short, it provides great value at a very reasonable price, which is why we unanimously named it our favorite affordable softshell. The Sion Softside's polyester shell isn't as thick as ballistic nylon, but it is still quite rugged. Its wheels aren't as tall or as smooth-rolling as those of our top spinners, but they roll well enough to get you from A to B. Likewise, this bag's packing system isn't nearly as plush as other softshells on our list, but it offers nice, wide-open space that can swallow up enough clothes, shoes, and accessories for a week-long trip. There's something to be said for balancing cost, construction quality, and function. It's called a good deal.
We don't recommend the Sion Softside for frequent, extensive travel. Although we saw no serious wear and tear during our testing, this bag simply doesn't compete with the quality of more expensive softshells, and many of the international travelers on our panel feel that repeated, long-haul travel as a checked piece of luggage may be too much turbulence for this bag. That said, it's perfectly suited for moderate domestic trips or an occasional jaunt overseas. Additionally, the Sion Softside tends to leak when exposed to water, its wheels shutter and rattle at higher speeds, and we question the longevity of its zippers after years of use. All said, it's a dandy of a deal, and it is perfectly suited for simple to moderate travel. If you can afford to spend a little more on your luggage, the Timbuk2 Copilot is a more durable bag with a solid organizational system and easy-rolling wheels, making it another good value choice.
The Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner is a solid utilitarian option for the ultra price-conscious. Though it performed reasonably well across all our tests, its biggest selling point is the low price tag. Four large, rubberized double-spinner wheels won't guarantee the sharpest of turns when navigating busy airports, but they will make for a relatively smooth and stable experience under most flat-surfaced conditions. In comparison, rocky and off-road landscapes prove substantially more challenging. Fortunately, a telescoping rolling handle and two top and side grab options are available to help you load and carry the suitcase through varied environments. The clamshell design offers substantial storage for large loads, including a couple of bonus organizational extras: two mesh pockets inlaid into one half-clam panel area and a smaller accessory pocket hung on the opposing side. Plus, if you're a shopper, a single zipper expands the bag by another 15% to accommodate bulky souvenirs.
Unfortunately, this bag has a tendency to rotate outward on a vertical axis when walking uphill (rather than rolling with you in parallel). And like many hard-sided bags, the zipper sometimes sticks a bit when coming around corners. So, there are some minor inconveniences to consider. However, the most pressing consideration has to be durability. Both interior and exterior materials appear very average in quality, but this bag stood up reasonably against the rigors of our testing, well enough to win notice. So, if a shorter life span is acceptable for your needs, this strikingly affordable and well-sized four-wheel suitcase will do the trick. If you need the cheapest option that still functionally gets you there, this suitcase can't be beaten. But if you're willing to spend a bit more, both the Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29" and the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28" offer far better performances overall.
The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L excels at gobbling up gear and keeping it snuggly in place with its straitjacket compression system. This two-wheeler is specifically designed to carry a wide variety of outdoor gear to nearly any corner of the globe. Complemented by a supporting cast of a padded ballistic nylon shell, massive sealed-bearing wheels, and a comprehensive metal frame, this bag is well-suited for rigorous adventure travel. The Sojourn Shuttle is shaped and compartmentalized like a backpacking pack. It's also ergonomically bowed, making it more suitable for transportation by pack animal, porter, or luggage rack than any gear hauler we've studied. Even better, it's super tough and incredibly lightweight, earning it one of the higher weight-to-volume ratios on our list. If you're simply looking for the toughest gear hauler available, we think this is an A++ choice.
A full-length interior metal frame and super tough fabrics don't come cheap, so expect to pay a little more for the top-tier quality. The Sojourn Shuttle also lacks protective bumper rails, which are designed to allow bags to slide rather than tumble end over end when falling down staircases or landing on hard surfaces. The beefy zippers are super tough, which makes them a bit difficult to use; however, the trade-off is zippers that won't split open during the rigors of international travel. Additionally, we feel this bag's pack volume could fall short of accommodating large amounts of gear needed for an extensive trip. For larger expeditions, we recommend the Sojourn Shuttle's 130-liter model. We also really love the Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30, which performed equally as well across all our testing. The choice of which model to choose really comes down to your personal preference and what price you can find each at, as the ORV Trunk is typically slightly more expensive.
Just another walk in the park for this beefy gear-hauler. Its massive wheels are perfectly at home on dirt, gravel, or grass -- trust us, we've dragged it just about everywhere.
Absolutely zero uncertainty prevailed during our decision to name this high-value travel chest as our favorite premium harshell. Our selection was based on our testing, but its heritage is also notable. In the case of Rimowa, they've been making luggage since 1898. The Rimowa Essential Check-In L was born out of a long history of all things trunks and cases, so our modern-day industry of “movement” is nothing new. This stylish case carries things and carries them well. It's engineered to be the best and has a fabulous look and design. It's also quite expensive; however, don't expect any apologies. The Essential is built to last and to do it well. After running it through our gamut of punishing tests, we can confidently say this bag is durable, relentlessly smooth-rolling, garners the limelight, and proffers an amazing storage process. All fancy verbiage aside, the Essential Check-in simply delivers.
Our negative note-taking was minimal, though the obvious elephant in the room is this suitcase's enormously high price. While the Rimowa Check-In is impressive in all areas, this bag's price tag is simply too high for most travelers. The one structural complaint we have is that this spinner's ultra-polished polycarbonate shell has no protection, and after a tumble or two, it shows scratches and scuffs easily — a bit of a letdown especially considering the up-front investment. However, any way you slice it, quality is quality, and this bag is perfectly comfortable being the best. If you're in the market for a premium piece of hard-sided luggage, the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable is another high-quality, good-looking bag with a top-shelf price. We're also very big fans of the Away The Large suitcase, with high marks in our testing, a premium look, and a more reasonable price.
Rolling smoothly alongside you, pivoting on a dime across smooth surfaces, and negotiating gravel and cobblestones using only average strength, the four-wheeled Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner is our favorite soft-sided premium suitcase. Three loading handles give it an edge when your haul includes rough terrain, or you're grabbing it off a conveyor belt, but what really sets this bag apart is its spot-on organizational features. There's a small external SpeedThru pocket to keep necessities close at hand, plus a larger front sleeve pocket to stash entertainment or layers on the go. Inside the suitcase's primary zip-flap opening is a tri-fold garment envelope with two zipped pockets that fold out to accommodate delicate fabric items and minimize wrinkles. Meanwhile, compression panels and an innovative CX expansion system inside the main compartment are available to keep your belongings in place while enabling you to pack far more than meets the eye, all without making the bag any bigger. With its understated aesthetic, this luggage is high quality without looking flashy.
There are two notable downsides to this high-quality spinner: the cost and its higher-than-average weight. While it's among the heaviest of all the cases we tested, it surprisingly did not match those figures with the largest capacity. But given its superior performance across all metrics, we still feel there's a lot to justify the extra investment. Everything we saw during testing indicates it's built to last. Plus, with the company's renowned unconditional lifetime guarantee, you can repair any components or features that may break over time. We did note some vulnerabilities when it comes to water exposure under testing. So, we wouldn't count on this case to provide watertight protection in transit under harsh conditions. But given nearly all bags in the test group showed similar results to some degree, the overall merits of the Baseline far outweigh this single notable risk factor. If you're okay with paying more upfront for travel gear with a superb compression system and a design that will outlast the competition, this could be the right option for you. If you need more space, more organizational features, or a more reasonable price tag for a high-quality piece of luggage, our next best recommendation would be the Travelpro Platinum Elite, our favorite all-around suitcase.
We used and abused these suitcases for months to find out which ones can survive the baggage system of your standard airport.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
How We Test Luggage
We traveled across the West, from California's Yosemite and Eastern Sierra to Central Oregon, Utah, and Colorado, with plenty of stops in between. We visited Switzerland and France and spent more hours in airports and airplanes than we care to count. Each year, we research the best candidates before handpicking our lineup of the best, most popular, and most intriguing models. We then purchased all of these bags and took them everywhere we went over the course of several months. We rolled them along sidewalks, through the airport, over cobblestone pathways, and deep out onto rocky backcountry roads. We traveled with them in the back of trucks, SUVs, and tucked into vans. At home, we set up obstacle courses, rolling them over and around different objects and hucking them down stairwells and onto concrete. We even hosed them down with water to see which could repel light rain. In total, our bags saw thousands of miles of travel and hundreds of combined hours of testing. Read more in our complete how we test article.
Our comprehensive testing was divided into five testing metrics:
• Capacity (35% of overall score weighting)
• Ease of Transport (25% weighting)
• Construction Quality (20% weighting)
• Design and Functionality (20% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This thorough testing of suitcases is led by GearLab Review Editors Myrha Colt and Jason Wanlass. Both Myrha and Jason are frequent travelers, spending many weeks each year living out of their suitcases. It is not uncommon for Myrha to be on the road for nearly half (or more) of any given year, with days spent traveling between mountain hideaways, remote beach villages, city skyscrapers, and all the backcountry roads, trails, museums, waterfalls, and taco stands she can squeeze in between. Jason loves adventuring to unique corners of the globe, particularly mountainous regions. He enjoys the thrill of hiking in the most famous mountain ranges in the world, which usually involves lugging boatloads of gear around in hefty, gear-hauler suitcases. Mountains are his first love, but airports are a close second. Jason loves all things travel and is on the go whenever he can find the time. Both of our reviewers have traveled to five or more continents, exploring big cities, small towns, and rugged high-country destinations. Each of them test gear for a living and know a thing or two about packing their bags and what makes a good one.
Adventure ready wardrobe list ready to be packed in each test suitcase.
Adventure wardrobe packed into the Amazon Basics 30" Hardsided Spinner Suitcase.
With three distinct compartments, you can fit a surprising amount into the soft-sided clamshell Dakine Split Roller even without an expansion option.
We packed, unpacked, and then packed again.
How to Pick the Best Luggage for You
Here are four key considerations to help narrow down your next luggage selection based on size, organization, material type, and features.
How Many Belongings Do You Travel With?
The first step to finding a suitable piece of luggage is considering your average belongings and the length of trips you plan on taking. Overpacking or bringing an oversized bag can diminish an otherwise great vacation or trip. Factors such as checking in your bag or using a carry-on will dictate an appropriate size, along with how much walking between places you plan on doing. It's also important to consider weight constrictions, as the larger your bag, the more likely you will start to run out of allowable weight.
How Much Organization Do You Need?
Different luggage will offer various levels of organization to provide easy access and maximize space. For folks who need to access belongings more frequently, luggage with convenient pockets and storage can make a significant difference. Additionally, organizational pockets can provide more storage to make sure you leave nothing behind. Looking for features such as interior pockets, dividers, and access points are all good areas to consider for those needing plenty of organization.
Quick-access exterior pockets are a simple but highly useful feature.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Do You Prefer Soft or Hard Shell Luggage?
When deciding on luggage, a hard shell will provide increased durability and resistance to impacts. If you plan on checking your bag, a hard shell will provide extra peace of mind when it's not in your possession. A soft shell will be lighter and allow for more flexibility when packing items. Ultimately the items you travel with and the type of travel will dictate what style is best for your needs.
How Important is Ease of Transportation?
For travelers who plan on navigating hubs such as airports and train stations, luggage with features such as smooth rolling wheels, telescoping handles, and ergonomic features will enhance your travel experience. Consider whether you prefer four-wheeled luggage with more maneuverability vs two-wheeled bags with increased stability. Also worth considering is the length of the handles for different-sized folks and to help reduce strain on hands and arms.
Moving through the airport with ease thanks to a sturdy handle and smooth rolling wheels.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Analysis and Test Results
We compared our tested suitcases across four key metrics and evaluated them side-by-side in the field and at home. We packed the same set of clothes and gear in each to compare their storage and organizational capacity. We rolled them around trip after trip to see how easy they were to transport, carry, and load. We pushed them hard to see their reliability, weighed them, and took stock of their style. The winners are the ones that scored the best and the ones we would recommend to our own friends and family. Read on to learn more about how each performed to help inform your final purchase decision.
Value
Often, you get what you pay for, and we've rarely come across a high-quality, low-cost roller case. If you want well-made luggage that's likely to last, it will likely be expensive. That said, some of these bags are well-made and reasonably priced. The Timbuk2 Copilot isn't the most or least expensive of the roller suitcases we tested, but it scored very well in our tests and has a middle-of-the-road price as well as the multi-terrain functionality of a two-wheeler. It's still an investment, but we think it's a good one. Some of the best value buys, in terms of volume per dollar, are some of the wheeled duffel bags. In particular, The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller Duffel 29" and the Dakine Split roller 85L perform pretty well and can get you where you need to go for less.
It's a good idea to check out the manufacturer's warranty to see if you'll have any options for repair or replacement if your bag breaks.
If a duffel bag isn't for you, the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside is a pretty reasonable price and also offers excellent performance and notable durability for a spinner suitcase. The Omni PC is our favorite hard-sided roller in the test and costs considerably less than many other similar options on the market. The Amazon Basics 30" Hardshell Spinner bag is the least expensive in our lineup and still performed quite well in many of our tests. While its composition appears less durable than most of the other options, it still works well, especially if you'll only be traveling occasionally. On the other hand, if you're a frequent traveler who likes to stay organized, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" is well worth the investment.
With so many luggage brands to choose from, it can be a daunting process to wade through all the specifics of each in order to determine value. That's why we took the time to do it for you in our side-by-side comparative testing.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Capacity
We compared each model's volume, compartments, pockets, compression, and organization straps. To do so, we packed, unpacked, and hand-measured each bag's interior dimensions and weighed each to determine their weight-to-volume ratios. Bags that offered either thoughtful organization or ample storage capacity scored higher in this category.
One of our favorites for this metric is the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29". Its main compartment offers close to 120 liters of volume and an extensive storage and organizational system. The Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28" is also a standout in this metric, boasting 108 liters of volume and standing tall as our most spacious hardshell. The Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29" (98 L) is another affordable hardshell that also offers a ton of space.
These bags are followed closely by the Timbuk2 Copilot and its 99.5-liter interior. In particular, the Copilot is a softshell, but at the same time, is unique for offering a clam-style design, unzipping down the middle so you can load gear evenly on both sides.
Airline Weight Restrictions
Just because you can fit your entire wardrobe into some of these suitcases doesn't mean you should. Most airlines start charging fees once a bag weighs more than 50 pounds. We found it's very easy to overpack these bags far beyond that weight limit, so perhaps keep a scale handy while you pack.
Unlike most similar clamshell-style suitcases, this one has both sides covered with a zippered mesh panel — so nothing spills as you open it — along with a couple of additional mesh pockets for interior organization. You can also access your packed items from a U-shaped opening across the topside, which we love.
Hopped out of our cab, and now hitting the city streets en route to our downtown hotel. The Copilot's skateboard wheels make cruising a few blocks a breeze.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Well-known for their massive interiors are the duffel-style rollers or gear-haulers. These two-wheeler cases traditionally offer a softshell duffel top that is supported by a more dense hardshell-type tray bottom. Primarily designed to transport a mix of clothing and outdoor gear, these bags offer wide-open main compartments.
The most voluminous duffel roller on our list is the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 32" offering 108.5 liters of main compartment packing space. This wide mouth can swallow an entire 75-liter backpack and still have room for everything else you plan to take to base camp.
Sometimes testing can be fun. Just for kicks, we wanted to see if our 75-liter backpack could fit inside the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT. Duffel rollers often offer large volume.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Other top-performing gear-haulers in this metric are the North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller Duffel 29" (105L), Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30 (99.5L), and the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L (99L). The ORV Trunk is a great choice for adventure travel, thanks to its many pockets and practical organizational features. This soft-sided case offers a lot of storage, an expandable wet/dry compartment, and easily holds bulky items. This is a great option if you need to bring big boots or camera gear on a long travel mission. It even has a bungee cord and daisy-chain loops to attach a helmet or other gear to the outside of the bag if you run out of space inside.
Using the Equipment Keeper to quickly strap a loose helmet into place before loading our ORV Trunk into the truck. This bag has tons of unique accessories that make it a cut above other gear haulers.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Similarly, the soft-sided Dakine Split Roller 85L (77.5L) is a roller duffel with a clamshell design that includes mesh panels for interior organization. Although it offers ample storage space and organizational options, in the end, the Split Roller scored lower because it lacks the convenience of the top-sided entry that proves so valuable on the Timbuk2 Copilot.
Packing up and heading home. Although it doesn't offer the most volume, the Dakine Split Roller makes up for it with great organizational skills.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner is one of the more spacious premium suitcases on our list. It offers close to 100 liters of storage and a unique expansion and compression system that lets you add volume by growing the main compartment, packing it full, and then compressing the entire bag down again. It works surprisingly well. There's also a tri-fold hanging compartment, nicely placed external pockets for day-of organization, and an attachable SmartLink strap to help you carry a second bag. This is an excellent option for the frequent flyer who likes to easily see and access what's in their luggage.
Looking sharp was our Briggs & Riley heads for the check-in counter.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29" has a very similar setup to the Briggs & Riley, but instead of expanding and compressing, it instead provides an external expansion zipper that reveals a tapered opening along the frontside lid, offering some additional capacity toward the base of the bag. The overall impact on packing space is limited, and this isn't the ideal place to carry such extra weight, as the bag can easily become front-heavy and start to tip when standing. However, the pockets are quite well-organized, and the internal hanging compartment will help keep your nice clothes less wrinkly in transit.
Testing our Travelpro's ability to fold up a business suit, as well as swallow up all of our leisure clothing. It ate it all like a frog in a mosquito factory.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Away The Large, Amazon Basics, and Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 28" are all hard-sided and feature clamshell designs with a fair amount of space. Of these, we like the Away bag (85.2 L) the best for its inclusion of an internal compression panel similar to those found in the Rimowa. It maximizes packing space along with a zippered panel enclosure, which allows for great double-sided packing. It even includes a separate laundry bag to keep your dirty clothing separate.
Enduring a layover with our Away. We love its storage capacity and its good looks.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
All of these suitcases offer enough storage to pack for anywhere from a week to a month. When you're considering storage and organization, make sure you know if you prefer a simple bag that you can throw everything into, like the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled duffel, or if you'd prefer more built-in organization, like a trifold to keep your suits wrinkle-free.
Two-wheeled roller duffels, like the Patagonia, are a great option if you prefer packing on your own terms. They offer wide-open storage that allows you to stack your things any way you choose.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Ease of Transport
Any wheeled luggage should be able to navigate the polished floors of an airport. But, as we all know, your luggage will also come across cracked sidewalks, steep curbs, and gravel-laden pavement. If you're traveling abroad in remote countries or into the outdoors, it's quite possible you'll also encounter dirt roads, cobblestone streets, and rocky trails. To see how our tested products hold up, we rolled each case over all types of terrain, taking note of which provided the smoothest ride.
In general, four-wheeled spinner options are ideal for smooth, hard surfaces since they can pivot and spin around any obstacle. Several of those in our lineup actually have eight wheels, two at every corner connected by an axle. Our top performers include the Rimowa Essential Check-In, Travelpro Platinum Elite, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable. Each of these bags is on the expensive side (some are on the very expensive side), but there is no denying their effortlessly smooth glide.
It looks like play, but trust us, it's hard work -- sometimes. We loved playing around with our Tumi. Its wheels have one of the smoothest rides we've ever seen.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Another absolute top performer in this metric is the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner. We love it because it remains compact and well-balanced no matter how much you pack. Its superior wheels roll smoothly whether you're cruising through baggage claim, strolling down a city sidewalk, or heading for hotel check-in.
On smooth, flat surfaces the Baseline had no problem keeping pace with us, even with only one hand to guide it. Its high-end spinners make easy work of quick turns and tight spaces.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The rest on our list work reliably well on smooth ground. And when you tilt them up on two wheels, they can also manage cobblestones and even short gravel stretches. But if you spend any real time on rough surfaces, you should consider the two-wheeled roller bags. They aren't as responsive and nimble as spinners at the airport since they require wider turns, but they tend to have bigger wheels that fare better in rowdy, uneven terrain.
Lugging tons of gear through downtown Geneva, en route to the Swiss Alps. Although it's much more at home on dirt roads, our ORV Trunk 30 also performed well on city streets.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Among the duffel rollers in our lineup, the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L is an off-road roller dream, with substantial all-terrain wheels and a selection of grab-and-go load handles that make it among the easiest to handle and load under the most varied conditions. The Eagle Creek ORV is similarly outfitted with a variety of well-placed handles to aid in the transition between asphalt, trail, and vehicle or hotel. You can also haul the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, The North Face Base Camp Voyager, and the Patagonia Black Hole by their multiple handle options, though of course, they will be considerably harder to lift and move when packed to the brim. Luckily, they all also feature wheels that work well on the most varied terrain (and the Cargo Hauler XT even offers backpack straps).
Wheeling our Cargo Hauler XT through a gamut of off-road tests to find out whether its wheels have the right “stuff.” They do.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
If you're seeking a gentle ride that won't vibrate your arm off when navigating between city sidewalks and cobbled streets, check out the Timbuk2 Copilot. This bag uses skateboard wheels that feature a broad, stable base and a very smooth glide. Also consider a bag with higher clearance. The Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner is untouchable in this regard, quickly followed by the Samsonite Omni PC among the traditional spinner bags.
Headed downstairs to the check-in counter: This Timbuk2 rolls on skateboard wheels, making it one of the smoothest cruisers on our list.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Let's face it. There is some terrain that you won't be able to roll any of these bags over. So we also paid attention to how hard they are to carry. We appreciate the spinner bags with at least three haul handles: one on the top, another on the bottom, and one on the side. The Briggs & Riley meets this requirement very well, as do the Travelpro Platinum Eliteand the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29". Among the duffels, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT has several rugged load handles and lays claim to a set of detachable backpack straps hidden inside a small front zip pocket. The Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L, Eagle Creek ORV Trunk 30, and Dakine Split Roller 85L are surrounded by excellent grab handles that can be accessed from nearly every angle. The Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled has deployable straps that allow it to be carried gym-bag style.
Testing our strength with a loaded Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel. Having the option to carry it like a gym bag came in handy on buses, packed trains, and long, steep stairwells.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Construction Quality
You need reliable luggage. Once you drop it off at the airport, you have no control over how well it's handled. Then you're going to drag it over rough terrain, pull it up and down flights of stairs, and toss it in and out of vehicles. Zippers, handles, and wheels are typically the most vulnerable points where suitcases may break down. We evaluated the craftsmanship of each case in our lineup and tested them with a minimum of two months of travel.
General Wear and Tear
If you're considering dropping hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line model, you should start by looking at the outer material. In general, suitcases are divided into two categories: hard and soft.
A concrete staircase is no match for the Briggs & Riley's ballistic-nylon exterior, full-length bumper rails, and reinforced corners. It breezed through several rounds of tumble tests.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Counterintuitively, hard cases are generally more susceptible to visible wear and tear than soft-sided options. The hard cases in this review include the Samsonite Omni PC, Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip, Away, Rimowa Check-In, Amazon Basics, and the Kenneth Cole. The first four are made of 100% polycarbonate, a fairly durable plastic, with Samsonite boasting a particularly scratch-resistant micro-diamond hard-shell exterior. The remaining pair are made of less durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). We particularly loved the toughness of the Away bag. Regardless of the abuse it endured, it was always ready for more. We consider it one of the more rugged hardshells in our lineup.
This video speaks for itself (it's even more fun at full volume). The Away can handle contact. In fact, its very resilient polycarbonate shell almost seems to enjoy it -- we certainly did.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Soft cases stand up better to abuse overall since they can flex with impact. They are more prone to break-ins, though, since they are relatively easy to cut or puncture. The soft-sided bags in our test are made of nylon, polyester, or both. To figure out how durable the polyester bags might be, look for the denier, or D, rating.
The Eagle Creek ORV integrates many materials to make it super durable. 1000-denier polyester construction with reinforced plastic bumpers on all corners of the case adds reinforcement for high abrasion areas.
Credit: Amber King
The Briggs & Riley, Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L, and The North Face bags feature ballistic nylon, which was developed during World War II to make flax jackets for airmen. So, it's pretty tough. The Eagle Creek ORV is suited up in a proprietary and tactically appropriate combination of Helix Poly Twill and Bi-Tech Armor (TPU-coated polyester). Its lighter-weight cousin, the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, is built of similarly strong Helix Poly Twill and TPU-covered poly. We know less about the construction of the Timbk2 Copilot, reported simply as “nylon and polyester”, yet we've seen it withstand years of use with very little wear. This leads us to believe that even the soft-sided cases and roller duffels in our lineup are built to last.
Our tumble tests typically involve pushing our bags down a concrete stairwell; however, we decided to take this test up a notch or three when we tested the Sojourn Shuttle. A few rocks didn't do much against its very secure exterior.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Water Resistance
We placed a blue industrial paper towel strip in each of our suitcases (blue because it shows moisture) and then hosed each contender down on full blast for about three minutes, with another three spent targeting the most vulnerable entry and connection points. The external materials of some of the test cases were largely impervious to water under testing, but nearly all suffered from moisture infiltrating at handle joints and through zipper teeth or pull connections, leaving various amounts of water pooled toward the back and bottom of each suitcase, and often in the exterior pockets as well. Any that kept water out of critical areas, like the watertight Samsonite Omni PC or the Timbuk2 Copilot, whose padded front sleeve and liquids pocket remained dry through testing, scored the best overall in this category.
Gearing up for our water testing. We filled each bag with a section of blue industrial paper towel. We picked blue because it shows even the slightest drop of moisture.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Several of the large rolling duffels in our series — the Eagle Creek ORV, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L, and The North Face Base Camp Voyager — did relatively well against our simulated downpour. The recessed construction and awning-like fabric flaps help wick water away from vulnerable components, providing the bag with a base amount of protection from the start. But overall, only the Samsonite Omni PC came through testing watertight, and even then, we think it would be a hard sell to claim full waterproof status if challenged against even heavier conditions. Other top performers were the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29", Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner, Rimowa Essential Check-In L, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable. The takeaway: none of the bags in this test suite can offer guarantees, but if you need decent water resistance for your travels, look for hardshells with reinforced zippers or set your eye on options with protected zippers and water-repelling materials.
This time-lapse of our water testing shows how we showered our bags side by side. Among the best softshell performers was the Travelpro Platinum Elite.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Wheels
In general, two-wheeled options use larger wheels that are simpler and often more durable. Four-wheeled models often have smaller wheels with more complex construction, which means there's just more to break. But regardless of their potential break-ability, the four-wheeled spinners, in particular those that are double-wheeled spinners, provide the smoothest, quietest, most worry-free ride. Unfortunately, this type of quality will always cost you more.
It practically walks itself. The Travelpro's self-aligning wheels keep this bag in line, all the time. They are also some of the most durable spinners in our lineup.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Among our favorite wheels in the test are the skateboard rollers on the Timbuk2 Copilot. If they can stand up to skateboarding, you best believe they can roll your clothes around. They're solid, stable, and easy to change out. We also loved the wheel systems on the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29", Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner, Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable, Away The Large, and Rimowa Essential Check-In L.
Yeah, we actually get excited about suitcase wheels. And, when it comes to the best, our Rimowa's ride was at the top of our list.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Among the more affordable spinners on our list, we were quite pleased with the Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29", Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28", and the Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner. In particular, the Amazon bag offered double-wheeled spinners that had a very smooth ride; however, we are still a little unsure about their overall construction quality. Another less expensive favorite with solid wheels is the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29".
Pulling our Sion Softside on two-wheels as we rush to check-in. Although small and a little rattly, these wheels are fairly tough and ready for battle.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Other two-wheeled options that came close include the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100L, The North Face Base Camp Voyager, and the Eagle Creek ORV. Each has sturdy, oversized wheels that move easily up and over obstacles, with the Osprey Shuttle touting the tallest wheels of all the bags in our review. The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT also has large, treaded wheels but they are built into a protective wheel housing that significantly reduces the bag's clearance, making it harder to navigate varied terrain and leaving the bag susceptible to damage from catching on objects in motion.
Ready to roll out. The Sojourn's 4-inch tall wheels are the creme de la creme, when it comes to heading places that a piece of luggage rarely goes.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Handles
A good handle should retain its strength and shape even under considerable packed weight and average travel use. In our testing, the handles of nearly all cases proved to be impressively resilient during use tests, even up to 50 pounds. Among the burliest are the REI Big Haul, Osprey Shuttle Wheeled, and Eagle Creek ORV. The rest of the handles jiggled and flexed more substantially under pressure, particularly when fully extended, but still delivered where it counts: in motion.
A good handle that is comfortable and won't blow out under a heavy load is very important to ensure the reliability of your suitcase.
Credit: Amber King
Traveling Up Stairs
One of the worst things you can do to your luggage — and your stairs — is to drag your case up, banging the backside of the case on each step. It's better just to carry your luggage up if you can. If you can't or don't want to, look for models with protective plastic rails that run from the wheels up a large length of the case. These also help protect the bag from general wear and tear when laid to rest or shoved across the ground. Cases like Patagonia Black Hole, and The North Face Base Camp Voyager, and Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner all have this feature. The Timbuk2 Copilot has an exterior handle housing that is set up to serve this purpose, but the metal material quickly becomes scratched when dragged along cement or wooden edges. The Eagle Creek ORV and Cargo Hauler XT both also do reasonably well, but they primarily rely on their oversized wheels to keep the bag from banging destructively up stairwells in transit.
Hanging in there as we heave our Sion Softside up the never-ending staircase of doom. Although it isn't ideal to lift a suitcase by its trolley, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. We were pleasantly surprised with this bag's pull handle. It's strong and sturdy.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
When it comes to stairs and other rough terrain, we expect the Eagle Creek ORV and Osprey Sojourn Shuttle to stand up the best over time. They all have super burly outer materials with handles and wheels that are durable, well-clearanced, and easy to change out. We also expect the Briggs & Riley to last. If durable and reliable are what you seek, these are our favorites. Other all-around well-built options include the Timbuk2 Copilot, Away, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler, and Patagonia Black Hole.
Design and Functionality
Here we considered the overall looks and the versatility of each bag. Because of the subjective nature of style, we polled as many people as we could and considered as many viewpoints as possible. Since luggage is such an investment, we mostly gave points for looks we thought would last. We considered the variety of places each is well-suited to and would both do and look at home in. We tested every feature for usability and gauged how convenient each aspect is.
When you approach airport baggage claim, you usually spy a sea of black roller bags, all with similar designs, duplicated in a variety of aspects across many brands. But there are others that we think look better and will certainly be easier to pick out at the airport.
In an endless sea of luggage design and function, sometimes buying the right one just comes down to preference. Often, hardshells have the most trendy styles.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Hard cases seem to be a favorite among the fashion-forward, and the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable and Rimowa Essential Check-In L spinner bags don't disappoint, but their price tag just might. They both offer very striking patterns and a chic design to catch the eye of anyone looking to stand out at baggage claim. You'll pay extra for their looks, but if style is important for your travel aesthetic, you won't be disappointed with either of these options.
Our Tumi's wavy shell vibed perfectly with the Salt Lake City Airport artistic interior. Then again, it pretty much stood out wherever we took it.
Sometimes you just look good, and you know it. Yeah, that's just how the Rimowa rolls.
Harshells are often fan favorites for having the most appealing designs.
The Away bag also stands out as one of the more stylish modern options, appealing to everyone who tested it. Its matte finish and choice of contemporary color palettes allow you to express yourself. The Travelpro Platinum Elite is a good-looking soft-sided bag that also has a ton of organizational features designed for urban exploration. The Briggs & Riley isn't far behind, with a sleek, professional design that isn't flashy but just looks good. Its pockets and organization are similarly designed for business travel or heading to a black-tie event.
Heading for the Arrival/Departure board in style with our Away The Large.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
The North Face Base Camp Voyager has a very appealing sporty/urban vibe and was an instant crowd-pleaser. The Timbuk2 Copilot is a lot less flashy, but its compact shape and pulled-together style always made us feel polished. The Patagonia Black Hole isn't winning our hearts for its style, but as a cavernous roller duffel, it allows you to put together your own customized packing system or simply stuff everything in all at once — you decide.
Although it sports a high-adventure look, the North Face Base Camp Voyager also has a trendy urban vibe that makes it look right at home in the concreate jungle.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Still other contenders offer an outdoorsy, casual look, including the Dakine Split Roller, Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT, and Osprey Shuttle. The most technical and tactical-looking bag in this review is the Eagle Creek ORV. This soft-sided option isn't fashionable in an urban city sense, looking instead like the bag you'll take on your next big expedition. However, we still love its organization and functionality, and it's right at home, bumping down a dirt road to our next camping site.
Calling it a day. And yes, we got a lot of confused looks.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Conclusion
There is seemingly no end to the suitcase options available to you today. In this review, we take a critical look at some of the best available options. Remember to start by deciding if a roller or a spinner bag will be best for your travel purposes. Then figure out your budget and think about if there are any “must-have” features you need. We hope this review helps you narrow down the details to find the luggage that best fits your travel plans.
