Since more than 50 years. Travel + Leisure Our network of writers on the ground around the globe has inspired and informed millions of travelers with practical advice, travel news and personal stories. It is our goal to make your travels enjoyable and impactful every time. You can’t control all the variables of a journey, but you can control your comfort and convenience.
The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other Travel + LeisureWe are as passionate about our destinations as we about what we buy and pack. We have seen first-hand how the right headphones and pillow can make a big difference on a long flight. We also know that comfortable shoes are essential for long days, and high-quality luggage enhances trips (while inferior options can easily derail them). To date, we’ve rigorously tested over 5,000 products—including luggage, apparel, footwear, outdoor gear, travel accessories, tech essentials, and more—to bring you the best options for the smoothest journey possible.
Our luggage recommendations are of particular importance to us. We have tested over 800 luggage items from different brands and price ranges. You can travel confidently because our editors have a thorough understanding of what makes luggage last and stand out. Read more on our testing process below.)
The eight suitcases that will be displayed at the 2025 World’s Best Summit These are the editors’ top picks for New York City. Visit them at the event and enter to win!)—or if you can’t make it this year, read about these standout items below—one of them might just be your ideal travel companion.
Samsonite Freeform Spinner Carry-on has been the frontrunner Since a couple of years. We’ve tested this carry-on suitcase three times in our New York City lab—in addition to road-testing (or should we say flight-testing it) on our editors’ real trips. What is the repeated conclusion? It has a huge capacity. Every time, we’ve been able to pack this carry-on for trips of up to a week—the standard by which many would hold a checked bag— thanks to its expandable capability. This suitcase has more space than you might think. While it is perfect for all travelers, it is especially good for those who overpack and like to do some shopping when they travel.
The suitcase also makes tight turns with ease and can jump over concrete curbs. The slight bend in the outer shell of this suitcase made it impervious to dent damage while protecting the contents. This Samsonite case is the standard in carry-on luggage.
Away’s durable luggage will always help you travel efficiently. The Carry-On Flex, for example, is proof of that. Its easy-gliding 360-degree wheels practically floated through our lab’s obstacle course, and it showed practically no damage after our durability tests (including a step where we hit it with baseball bats and throw it off a table)—a good indicator that the exterior will stand up to the roughest of handling. The suitcase can be expanded by 2.25 inches to provide extra space for items such as “just-in-case” items and last minute souvenirs.
The special features that make this suitcase stand out from the rest are a great addition. The interior is equipped with a large zippered pocket on the opening flap and a tie-down compression flap with two zippered pockets to create extra space in the main compartment—something we love in a carry-on suitcase. It also includes a fold-out, detachable suiter, and a wet bag in quart size. The exterior also has three zippered pocket and a USB charging port at the back. It held up perfectly during our durability tests—not a scratch or scuff to either the premium nylon fabric or the leather handles. (And trust us—we don’t go easy on the bags.) This softside suitcase has a lot of features that make it stand out, and is built to last.
The timeless carry-on by Delsey Paris is a favorite of T+L editors because it has a vintage appeal and combines simple functionality with a lot of charm. The polycarbonate shell is accented with reinforced corners that protect it from bangs and bumps along your journey, and with its two-tone colorway, you’re guaranteed to arrive at your destination in style—a step above the many monotone suitcases out there. The suitcase is not just about looks (although we love it), but also features a lot of substance. It has several pockets, compressions straps for securing your belongings and a USB port that you can use to attach a battery pack. The spinner wheels glide easily (even on carpet!Its lightweight (8 pounds) profile makes it easy to carry. After two years of travel, one of our editors still owns this white colorway in both carry-on and checked sizes. they both look good as new (yes, really).
We know that when it comes to style, in particular, softside luggage is oftentimes found lacking—it doesn’t have that same polish and crisp aesthetic that a hardside suitcase does. Enter Dagne Dover’s Seattle carry-on. The brand’s launch of its debut luggage collection The softside suitcase featured (dare we even say?) elegant. T+L editors tried them first and were amazed by their modernized softside bag, which has the same sturdy frame as a hardside case. The 33-liter capacity of the bag and its 20.5-inch tall are ideal for quick getaways. There are two packing options: clamshell or top-loading. It’s easy to use even with the wheels packed full. They glide over any surface without drifting.
You may have experienced the frustration of holding onto your luggage while trying to prevent it from rolling off a bus or train. Aer, the new kid in the luggage game, noticed that this problem had not yet been solved and designed a carry-on case with brakes. Aer’s Carry-on Max is similar to a stroller in that the wheels can be locked with a slide of the button underneath the handles. *Genius* Despite being a novice among luggage veterans, we were immediately impressed. The brake system is a great innovation, but it glides easily and has a large capacity. Additional bonuses? There are also hidden pockets where you can store a luggage tracking device.
This is a fascinating fact that you should know: the Samsonite Proxis was a revolutionary product. sent into space, dropped from 130,000 feetIt was so smooth that we barely saw any scratches. This is the lightest and most durable suitcase Samsonite’s ever produced. We don’t have a spaceship to recreate the galactic environment, but we do have a testing lab that is impressive in New York City. So we brought in this suitcase and did some experiments. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the textured, hard-sided carry-on was as durable as it claimed. This bag’s outer shell is made from Roxkin, a recycled material that Samsonite developed. It is lightweight and designed to bounce back. Although it is one of more expensive options, the Proxis bag is well worth investing in for loyal carry-on users who want to maximize their packing space while also having a durable design.
This July weekender makes for the perfect personal item on a flight—pair it with one of our top carry-on options above thanks to its luggage sleeve that slips over a suitcase handle—or choice of luggage for a quick getaway. The minimalist nylon bag was able to fit enough clothing for a 2-night trip, plus a laptop with a dedicated pocket. After six months of use, our testing editor still found it to be a sturdy and durable option for any trip.
How we test luggage
The luggage we recommend is based on extensive testing and consultations with travel professionals.
We start by interviewing experts in the luggage space—manufacturers, product designers, and even pilots and flight attendants—to get their insider advice on what to look for in a piece of luggage. We then use that research to search the internet and find top-rated luggage or trendy items for us to test.
We use a consistent method to ensure that each item is evaluated fairly and equally. We start by observing the surface, looking for any features that are particularly useful, or if there is a particular style. Then, we fill each bag up with the essentials, such as clothing, shoes and toiletries. We also throw in some breakables just for good measure. Once packed full, we maneuver them over various surfaces—carpet, concrete, grass, cobblestone, you name it. Lastly, we test the durability of each by pushing them off tables and—our favorite part—whacking them with baseball bats. If a case can pass our laboratory tests, we are confident that it will last on your trips.
Our editors also take them with them on their trips in the future (for atleast six months) so they can see how well they work under different conditions. We gather feedback regularly to make sure the bags still perform as expected. Then, we analyze the data and insights from each test and recommend the best products. We will only recommend products that we truly love. We test luggage year-round and update our lists and articles with the most current information.
