Best Travel Bags for 2023
By: Elena Sikaleski | Last updated: January 3, 2023
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Travel Merak knows that airfares and preparing for a trip can get expensive. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take that trip you have been dreaming of for the past two years! With travel back in full swing, you may find yourself needing to upgrade your travel luggage before your next trip.
We’ve used every bag and suitcase imaginable over the years for our travels to transport everything (minus the kitchen sink). Trial and error on our end has resulted in finding the best travel bags for any kind of trip imaginable.
Although carry-ons are the most common (and easy) option, you may find your next trip requires a larger suitcase or even a duffle bag! Travel Merak has curated the top picks to help you pack everything you need in a duffle bag for your car trunk or a new check-in luggage for your month-long European escapade.
Best Soft Shell Bag
Travelpro Crew Versapack Carry On
Travelpro’s Crew Versapack comes with a garment organizer that zips in to help you keep shirts, dresses, and suits wrinkle-free. There are several additional organizer options available by Travelpro that can be purchased separately to keep your other items well organized for your travels. The zippered compartment is perfect for storing other small items and provides for easy access within the lidded portion of the bag. We personally like storing laundry in the zippered compartment as our trips progress, keeping the rest of our clothes clean!
The exterior pocket is the perfect size for those wishing to pack their laptop for working on the go or makes for a great spot to store items you'll need to access quickly. Bonus points are given to Travelpro for adding a pocket as an option to add a battery pack. An external USB port makes this suitcase a great option for those needing to charge on the go. Compared to other brands who don’t have this option, Travelpro really hits the mark for those wishing to bring their portable power banks on their travels.
Although the Crew Versapack weighs 7.3 pounds, the Max version is available and weighs 8 pounds. Despite being heavier, this version does offer more space to bring all your necessities. This version also has the option to expand, giving you 2 additional inches of space when you need it the most. Any bag that expands is a winner in my book!
Image courtsey: Travelpro
Best Hard-shell Bag
Away Bigger Carry-On Flex
Away's latest bag is a modified version of its hard-sided Bigger Carry On, but with a twist. The expandable fabric section connects the two polycarbonate shells to allow you to make your bag 2 1/4 inches larger when you return from a long trip (we know all those souvenirs take up space). I find that hardshell bags are often difficult to pack with extra items, so the Flex was a great option. I could expand it when needed and keep the Flex small when I didn't. This feature is great when you need your bag to fit easily in overhead bins.
The Carry-On Flex bag features a TSA approved lock and four spinner wheels that rotate 360 degrees. There is also a laundry bag that keeps dirty clothes separated from the rest of your stuff, which is always a nice bonus with a suitcase purchase. For those that overpack and end up with a heavy carry-on, there is a handle on the bottom of the bag which makes it much easier to lift into overhead bins.
Image courtesy: Away
Best Small Suitcase
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Carry On Spinner
Travelpro's Platinum Elite expandable carry on is the perfect choice for travelers needing a small bag. At 21 inches, the suitcase fits in most airlines' overhead bins with no issue. The expansion system offers an additional two inches for those trips where you need to pack a little extra stuff (or if you're like me, you can expand it on your way home to fit all your souvenirs). The bag also comes with a removable garment bag to keep your suits or dresses wrinkle-free. With 46L of packing space, you'll find it easy to fit all your necessities in this bag for short or long trips, depending on your packing skills!
An external USB port (power bank not included) makes it easy to connect your portable charger and make sure your phone or other tech items are fully charged before you reach your destination. What's even better is that this suitcase comes with a removable wet pocket to keep any items that may be wet (bathing suits) or spill (toiletries). Bonus points go to Travelpro for making this pocket TSA compliant.
Image courtesy: Travelpro
Best Budget Bag
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry On
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 expandable carry-on spinner (21 inch) is Travel Merak’s top pick for a lightweight, budget bag. This version is slightly lighter than its predecessor, the Maxlite 4, making it a great choice for a lightweight carry-on suitcase. The Maxlite 5 features two outer pockets on the front of the bag. The larger outer pocket on this suitcase makes for a great place to store items that need to be easily accessed. Surprisingly, this pocket is spacious and can fit quite a few outfits.
The additional carrying handles on the side and bottom of this bag make it a breeze to lift when needed. The PowerScope handle on this bag is designed very well and does not feel flimsy when rolling the bag, unlike some of its competitors. With the comfort grip and adjustable height, this bag truly is one of my favorites and is easy to maneuver, even when it's packed to maximum capacity.
Image courtesy: Amazon
Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell Bag
Briggs & Riley Baseline Global Carry-on Spinner
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner is one of the priciest carry-on bags today. However, with that steep price, comes a quality guarantee. This bag is made of only the best materials. Heavy duty, ballistic nylon makes up the exterior fabric. The interior comes with a garment panel for travelers bringing suits or dresses, while keeping them wrinkle free. Two mesh pockets offer compartmentalization and quick access to the items you need.
While this is a hefty bag, coming in at 9.9 pounds, the high quality materials make it one of the best luxury bags on the market. Briggs & Riley is a brand made to last. Perhaps the most important thing to note about Briggs & Riley is their unlimited lifetime guarantee. There are no other luggage brands that offer free repairs on luggage for a lifetime (and no proof of purchase required)!
Image courtesy: Briggs & Riley
Most Luxurious Hard Shell Bag
Away Bigger Carry-On Aluminum Edition
The Away Bigger Carry-On Aluminum Edition bag is made with a tough aluminum shell, built to withstand the toughest of travel scenarios. Its zipper-less shell is my favorite feature. While traditional luggage zippers are easily opened, thieves will have a hard time getting in once the lid is closed. The luggage is even secured with two TSA-approved locks.
Inside, there are two zippered organizer panels, preventing your stuff from moving around in transit. The bag’s compression system helps if you are an over-packer like I am and need to squeeze as much as you can in your suitcase! A hidden laundry bag is also included in this purchase to keep your dirty clothes separated during your travels. An integrated power bank is also available. It can be accessed through the flip-up door located near the telescoping handle for easy charging of your devices on the go.
The carry-on is available in 3 colors: silver, black, and rose gold. While silver and black are classic, the rose gold option offers a unique look!
Image courtesy: Away
Rugged Duffel Bag
Red Oxx Safari-Beanos PR5 Duffel
The Red Oxx Safari-Beanos PR5 has everything you could want in a duffel bag. Red Oxx is heavy with its zippers, well sewn thick nylon webbing, and large metal rings hanging from the strap. The spacious interior of this bag provides plenty of space to pack anything you might need. Several zippered compartments on the exterior give easy access to items you need in a hurry.
This bag comes with a sleeve, making it easy to secure the bag to your rolling luggage (and we give Red Oxx bonus points on this one - the sleeve has two zippers to convert to a pocket for additional storage). The duffel is relatively lightweight, weighing 3.4 pounds, which is still less than many wheeled bags on the market, making it a great choice for any traveler!
Image courtesy: Red Oxx
A Great Adventure Duffel
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler
For the adventurous traveler who frequently goes on kayaking trips or near bodies of water, you know that regular bags can get wet very easily. The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler is made with water repellent material to keep all your things dry! Coming in at just under $100, this is the perfect bag for those looking for a budget option that is durable and made to last.
The interior compartment of this duffel comes with a detachable divider (made of mesh) to easily organize your things. With 40L of storage space, you can fit everything you need for a hiking trip through mountainous terrain! This duffel comes with backpack straps (that can be tucked in when not in use). This is a great feature when you need a few extra hands and want to convert your duffle to an easy to carry backpack.
The Cargo Hauler might look large, but this bag is carry-on size so you will have no issue fitting this bag into most overhead storage bins when traveling by air.
Image courtesy: Amazon
Best Wheeled Duffel Bag
Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag
Patagonia is known for making durable gear, and the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel Bag proves that. The rolling duffle bag is made of recycled polyester ripstop fabric and coated with a TPU film laminate and durable water repellent finish, making the bag weather and water resistant.
Multiple carrying options make this bag a great choice for any of your travels, from bustling cities to rugged camping trips. Two small zippered compartments on the inner lid provide a space to store smaller items. The interior is spacious and can fit a good amount of stuff, but lacks any compartments for additional organizing, which I find to be it's only drawback as someone who really likes structured bags.
While this is a pricier option for a duffel bag, the design and quality of the materials make it a great choice for a long lasting bag.
Image courtesy: Patagonia
Best Sling Bag for Men
Away Packable Sling Bag
Away's Packable Sling Bag is made from nylon, has a removable zip pouch, and a zippered interior pocket for storing your ID, credit cards, or other tiny items. The fabric is water-resistant, so this option is perfect in the event you are caught in the rain! The bag has an adjustable strap for comfortable and convenient carrying when on the go.
With a 2L carrying capacity and dimensions of 12.6" x 5.9" x 2.4", it's the perfect size to bring on your travels and fit your smaller essentials for day trips or sightseeing. The sling bag has a lightweight design, making it easily packable in your duffel or suitcase when not in use.
Image courtesy: Away
A Few Travel Accessories
Image courtesy: CALPAK
Once you have your luggage, it’s time to think about the best travel accessories to bring with you on your trip. There are endless options of accessories you can bring. Keep your destination in mind when choosing accessories to make your travels easier. We recommend a good crossbody bag or durable travel backpack in addition to the below products to help keep your smaller essentials close by!
Listed below are a few travel accessories that Travel Merak recommends. All products have been tested by our team - you will not find us traveling without these items!
Image courtesy: Samsonite
- Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale is a great tool if you are an overpacker (like we tend to be). It’s easily packable and does a great job at weighing your check-in luggage to avoid re-packing at the airport. The scale comes with a tape measure built right in for measuring on the go.
- Calpak's Compression Packing Cubes are our go-to cubes for organizing clothes and accessories for trips. While these packing cubes are not the cheapest option out there, we are impressed by the quality of the material and ability to compress the packing cubes easily, saving precious packing space in your luggage! The compression packing cubes pair perfectly with any of Calpak's suitcases, but can be used in any travel luggage of your choosing.
- iSteam Travel Steamer is an essential for the business traveler who needs to keep their clothes looking wrinkle free. The compact design makes it easy to pack in a carry-on and the steamer is small, yet powerful so you can get those wrinkles out and go!
- Tripp Lite 1 Outlet Portable Surge Protector offers protection to your devices against power surges. You don't know the reliability of electrical infrastructure in some countries. This portable, hand-sized surge protector will keep your devices safe.
Final Thoughts
With so many luggage options on the market, we know it can be overwhelming to choose. Before making your purchase, keep in mind a few key factors - where you will be traveling (a wheeled suitcase is probably not the best option for a hiking trip), budget, overall luggage durability, and of course, choosing one that suits your style! We've tirelessly tested, reviewed, and now listed our top choices for best luggage options for 2022 to help make this choice easier for you.
For travelers who find these luggage styles not suitable to their tastes, ROAM luggage offers customized luggage in a variety of colors.
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