You'll find it a little bit easier to actually zip them shut, even when they're filled to the brim with extra pairs of underwear. Decidedly more travel-safe than the brand's well-known Swiss Army knives, Victorinox's Airox suitcases make for extremely handsome luggage and some of the lightest on the market (the 74L capacity comes at only 3.8 kg). The one ding against the TravelPro is its humdrum looks, which evoke the carpeting of one of the airports youre going to drag it through. Famed for its unrivalled quality leather shoes, it makes sense that Berluti has gone into the luggage market. Whether it be an overnight trip or a long weekend getaway, a cool, casual overnight bag is key when a short stay is on the horizon. The Caribbean: Luxe, All-Inclusive Sandals Resorts 7-Night Northern Europe Cruise w/Free Onboard Travel Size First-Aid Kit: What to Pack & Downloadable Checklist. Check. Montblanc has executed it with extreme panache, balance and executive style. Overpackers step to the front, becausethis durable rolling luggage fromBriggs & Riley is what you need. With so many suitcases to choose from, weve compiled a guide to everything you ought to be looking out for when shopping for a trusty travel companion, plus our picks of the best carry-ons and suitcases you can buy for an upcoming trip. A classic holdall that is cocooned by a suit carrier ensuring no hard creases are impressed on your shirt and tailoring in transit, James Bond himself was presented a Tom Ford tux in it during his latest turn in No Time To Die. But while the one on the Away can only juice up your phone, you can use the battery included with the Arlo Skye luggage to charge a laptop. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. Inside, handy storage solutions like a zipped divider and zipped mesh storage pocket make it a dream to pack for those who like to keep things organised on their holidays, while smooth, chunky exterior zippers make it all the easier to secure when you're nearing capacity. Like the luggage from Away (more on that below), Arlo Skyes luggage features a removable external charger. This isn't often a big enough problem to be a dealbreaker, but it's something to consider. A quality, personalized weekend bag that ships fast and wont break the bank sounds like it would never exist, right? comes oversized in six classic colors from S-Zone. The TravelPro PlatinumElite suitcase offers the best value of any suitcase weve tested. While it may have an old-school look, its design is anything but, with a padded laptop sleeve, adjustable and removable shoulder strap, and an extra wide opening. WrongGiftsForGuysCo on Etsy offers exactly that. That's what we call a win-win. This suitcase oozes class, affirmed by its inclusion of a shoe horn and a shoe bag to keep your chic Berluti shoes looking immaculate. Balancing a slick, slate grey hard shell exterior with slick cognac leather trims (also available in black or chocolate), Carl Friedriks luggage is not something youll want to be keeping in the loft between trips. Rimowa, the storied German luggage company founded in the late 1800s, has been on something of a collaborative spree. 2022 Smarter Travel Media LLC. The body fabric, lining, and webbing are all made out of water-resistant recycled materials designed to keep your valuables dry, while two padded straps make for an easy switch if you'd rather sling it over your shoulders like a carry-on backpack. A water-repellent exterior is key when it comes to getting your wardrobe to and fro in one pieceespecially when it looks this good. Anodized aluminium is a suitcase luxury that borders on overprotection, but it looks so damn good. And I can honestly say that Ive tried them all, and swear by them. If that cube was made with thin hard plastic, you'll probably see a bump mark or nick in the paint basically anywhere that hit the wall. Generally, you wont be lugging around any bulky digital equipment, so you could choose to avoid the clunky protection of a polycarbonate shell suitcase, though the sleeker aluminium casing by brands such as Rimowa and Samsonite is increasingly appealing. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Founded by a Vogue alumn, the brand's collectionis not only beautifully designed, but they are also made of recycled plastic water bottles. Its range of Lugano cases come in an especially attractive hard shell diagonal stripe that don't just make it more durable than most, but glistens in the harsh light of a baggage reclaim hall. Well, if you still holding onto some secondhand trauma from the incident, Patagonia's streamlined duffel might be good enough to risk straining your back to carry. The answer to that question, after spending years with both suitcases, is a resounding, confident, maybe. At just over two hundred bucks and with a range of handsome, low-key colorways (we like the navy), Away's carry-on means you don't have to choose between getting something cheap and ugly and spending a rent check on something luxe. Hard shell suitcases have a lot less give in terms of packing space, which makes them unideal in case you're someone that tends to accumulate tokens of your trip. There are plenty of good reasons why the Away team has just about upended the luggage industry since it launched. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Much like pre-distressed trainers, this suitcase from Crash Baggage has a stylishly pre-worn aesthetic. The pre-dented detailing all over its polycarbonate outer means you wont be sitting at the luggage belt anxiously awaiting the scuffs a nine-hour flight has thrown at your luggage. The Aero International by Tumi and McLaren is an undeniably slick piece of kit constructed from a hard-wearing thermoplastic composite called Tergis, found in race cars. Business executives truly know the value of garment bag. Durable shell? Ive gone through my fair share of luggage over the years, and have come to find that the good brands make a wide range of styles, sure, but there is always one thats a cut above the rest. It's also a full four-wheel spinner suitcase that maximizes on maneuverability. All Rights Reserved. This newer version of Away's Carry-on has all the same selling points of the original, but with an even tougher construction and a super cool shine. Did you travel abroad in college during the aughts? On the surface, one could be forgiven for thinking this is just a classic polycarbonate hard case suitcase. From backpacks to totes to messenger bags, has been getting peoples stuff where it needs to be since 2009. Features like a USB charger and accompanying laundry bag will make your trip all the more organised, too. has top-carry handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, leather trimmings, and rust-proof brass. The polypropylene it's made from is both lightweight and hard-wearing, plus the shell of its smallest 55cm model can be expanded and still fit cabin-sized criteria. But it isnt, its far more than that. Not only will it stow 30 per cent more than your average overhead luggage bin bag, thanks to one-touch CX compression expansion, but its tri-fold garment holder will neatly hold two suits without wrinkling and premium panels envelop clothing to reduce creasing, making it perfect for destination weddings. Even when they're new, pulling a fabric suitcase behind you makes you look, at best, like someone who knows their way around a day planner. The puncture-resistant security zip and TSA lock ensure your belongings are safe and sound, while the 360-degree glide mean you'll be as graceful as anyone who's forked out the extra for a designer name. This might just be the most beautiful suitcase on the market. Thankfully, this adjustable bag from Uncommon Goods combats my problems by shapeshifting from a tightly packed smaller configuration at the beginning of my trip to an overpacked duffel bursting at the seams when I head home. From the makers of James Bond's briefcase. That might seem counter-intuitive, shouldn't something with a hard protective shell last longer? Beat the Heat Deals - $200 off Dyson cordless vacuums, Save as much as 50% on Tnuck Sport collection at Tuckernuck, Redeem Moda Operandi coupon code to save 15% off your first Trunkshow purchase, Get 15% off for Boscov's credit card purchase with a coupon, SiriusXM coupon: pay $1 only on your first subscription, Up to 80% off select perfumes at FragranceX, 2022 Cond Nast. The main advantage of soft fabric luggage is actually its durability. I tend to go for the larger, figuring Ill probably pick up an extra item or two up on my adventure, but I sometimes feel silly having such a large weekend bag to carry almost nothing. Roam was founded by two former executives at Tumi with a pretty simple proposition: Your luggage should be more colorful! Tapping into the metallics trend, Made has created a stylish suitcase that makes much more of a statement than a plain colour its still simple, but slightly more exciting (and easier to find at baggage collection). The one silver lining in all this is that Ive become an efficient packer, a master packer even. Thankfully, this. But sometimes you need a suitcase that will securely get you from point A to point Band look good doing itbut won't call for you dropping well over a G. Enter this stealthy, blacked-out carry-on. Thankfully, the TSA lock and 360 wheels run just as smooth as those on any pristine-looking designer case. Whether youre an all-black kind of guy or willing to spice it up with a bit of sage, this bag looks great no matter the choice. An open side pocket keeps important items easily accessible while multiple internal and external zipper pockets keep things neatly sorted. Listen, we're all for splurging on some baller luggage when appropriate. At just two pounds, this bag will elevate your look without weighing down your luggage. From a classic pebbled leather number to a bag that adjusts to a variety of sizes, these shipshape options will outperform on your next trip. As any pro traveller knows, the golden rule is to always travel with carry-on luggage if you can. This Le Pliage bag is a masterclass in French elegance, dating back to 1975 but still enduringly stylish today. If you only know of Brunello Cucinelli through the label's ultra-soft cashmereall milled in Solomeo, the scenic Italian hamlet the company calls homeyou're missing out. That said, your suitcase is still likely to get chucked about a fair bit on its journey, so get a case that has separate compartments to make sure that you dont smell like duty-free vodka for the entirety of your weekend away. It boasts an LV monogram canvas, rounded leather handles, leather trim reinforced with rivets and brass corners. This luxury British manufacturer, which recently collaborated with Tyler, The Creator's Golf Le Fleur for a line of decidedly more eye-catching luggage, has an original range that dates back to 1897. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. (Clearly.) Available in two cabin-friendly versions, for a 90 premium you can buy the Stirling in a Lie-Flat option that unzips into two neat packing sections rather than just the one, with a built-in garment carrier that allows you to stow a suit and safely slip-it on without creases when you reach your destination. Photograph courtesy Getty Images; Collage by Gabe Conte. From the finest writing instruments to timepieces inspired by French kings,Montblanc offers the kind of items beloved by jet-setters, C-suite executives, and anyone that aspires to that sort of thing. We here at GQ have been scanning this wild world of retailers to find the luggage you can comfortably roll up the cobblestone steps of Lisbon, zip-line with through the canopies of Belize, or begrudgingly leave at the gate on the way home for your nephews graduation from elementary school. It's also less than $250, which makes is a virtual steal. You can keep things neat with the help of packing cubes, which brands such as Away offer in multipacks of various sizes (set of six, 65). It's also much cheaper than a Rimowa. Remember, however, that the larger the suitcase, the weightier, so you could be better off opting for a soft outer shell to keep kgs down. It all sits on silent wheels too, so you can breeze past the Pret queue and right into the first-class lounge. If you're a regular long-weekender, Away's bigger carry-on can handle much longer than three nights but won't have you in a sticky situation at the departure desk. Weve combined our knowledge of the best luggage across a range of prices, styles, and construction typesones that we've taken on planes, trains, and automobiles (but mostly just around Brooklyn in the past year and a half)to figure out which offer the best combination of solid construction, useful features, and magnificent looks. When you can refer to your luggage as a trunk, rather than a suitcase, then youre doing something right. Their glossy shells catch the light really nicely, as they float alongside you as you glide through the terminal to your gate. In case you experience any defects with said wheels (or the zippers, or the handle), the Platinum Elite comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Speaking of investment, it doesn't get any more foolproof thanZero Halliburton. Amazon to the rescue. That said, basically every piece of fabric luggage (save for the super expensive models from luxury brands) leave a lot to be desired aesthetically. Its trolly cases are especially well suited to business travel, strolled through the departures lounge in a suave suit thanks to slick detailing like its turbulence-defying aluminium build and first class-ready leather trims. 10 Weekender Bags for Your Next Family Escape. Its the rare triangular bag thats roomy but not clunky, and trades the brands signature nylon fabric with soft leatherideal for flexing on red-eye business travel. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Premium features befitting of 007 include a British-dyed waterproof cotton canvas, with brass welded in London and Italian leather trims. Help your carry-on stand out in a sea of black nylon by copping a skate-inspired (peep the wheels!) The all-black polycarbonate shell gives this roller a more designer-y feel, but the detailstwo TSA locks on the side, plus a removable batteryare what really make it worth the money. Hard-shell suitcases tend to be much more durable, not to mention more stylish, with aluminium finishes offering an especially high-end look. It's water-resistant, padded for comfort, and includes top-of-the-line YKK zippers (designed to self-lubricate the more you use em) so you can keep it in rotation for years to come. Well worth the investment, in our humble opinion. But in our experience, with the same amount of use, softside luggage looks more like it did when you bought it than hard shell luggage. Gisele Bndchen on her new sustainability role with IWC: You cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy human, Brett Goldstein truly, honestly" doesn't know if he'll return to the MCU after, Print copies & Digital access for only 1. From one-way train ridesto trips that involve connecting flights, it's thebag that allows you to move hands-free. After all that, here are our top picks that wed be happy to drag behind and beside us on every single one of our upcoming trips. Ad Choices, The Best Carry-On Luggage for Every Budget and Every Trip. Filsons well-designed Medium Duffle has top-carry handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, leather trimmings, and rust-proof brass. Aerolite's cases are also extremely easy to control thanks to four 360-degree spinner wheels and a double-tube retractable handle. From backpacks to totes to messenger bags, Herschel Supply Company has been getting peoples stuff where it needs to be since 2009. A subtle aluminum number from Italian luggage specialists, with a tough-as-nails exterior and plenty of locks (padlocks and combination) to keep your goods secure. Crafted to be the most dapper and sophisticated of the bunch, this. If a jaunt to a cabin in the woods is in the cards, for example, look for a duffel, preferably one by Ghurka or Herschel. We may earn a commission from these links. If the TravelPro logo looks familiar, thats probably because youve seen it on the luggage of the flight attendants and pilots that spend most of their lives in the sky. Oh, and in case you were confused about the cultural currency of this trunk, it was also featured in 007 film Spectre. From the outdoor favourites Rolling Thunder range, this suitcase comes constructed from an ultra-durable tarpaulin thatll stand up on long-haul and festival trips alike, with an upper capacity limit of 155L that could pretty much fit the contents of a minimalist room inside, or three weeks off the grid without the need to do laundry. So do the sensible thing and test all the TSA locks, zips and other appendages that could break before investing. Aside from a quality virgin polycarbonate build, its Lisof silent tires and Hinomoto wheels give it a real sense of class. The models you buy today aren't quite as durable as fabric ones, but they're almost there. that ships fast and wont break the bank sounds like it would never exist, right? Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. Traveling long distances? Hardside luggage used to be a bit of a novelty. The perfect weekend bag comes oversized in six classic colors from S-Zone. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. Remember that hapless kid in fifth grade the whole class mocked for showing up with a rolling backpack the first day of school? If you prefer it in colors, consider the brand's. And besides, a 10-year global warranty as standard will sort you out should that turn out not to be true. All of Arlo Skyes carry-on sized suitcases have internal pockets that make them easy to pack, including a few zippered areas for dirty clothes and shoes. Fitted with compression pads to maximise volume, its 360-degree spinner wheels are engineered in Japan, it has an in-built smart charger to keep your devices running during delays and it comes with a premium laundry bag to keep things organised on the other side. If you've ever been stuck traveling with a lackluster piece of luggage and thought, Man, I wish my suitcase could do that, chances are Rimowa's can, and masterfully. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. Read Every Article Esquire Has Ever Published, How to Get Into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Case for Age Limits in American Politics, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Well, Montblanc and Filson are for you. What this suitcase lacks in the ultra-slickness of aluminium-framed Amex lounge-ready luggage, it more than makes up for with the seemingly endless pit of storage space in its double-decker internal compartments. The Arlo Skye Zipper carry-on is our favorite hard-shell suitcase for a couple reasons. Its. Whether youre an all-black kind of guy or willing to spice it up with a bit of sage, this bag looks great no matter the choice. The bags polycarbonate exterior isnt as hearty as the fabric on the TravelPro or the aluminum of a Rimowa, say, but we found the suitcase a bit more capable of withstanding regular use than other hard-shelled suitcases weve tested. Jokes aside, the bag's handles are also specially reinforced to make for comfortable hand-carrying so your lower vertebrae will hold up fine no matter how far your terminal is from the gate. Tyler Schoeber is a production specialist, photographer, occasional writer, travel style guru, and general Renaissance man. (People don't forget!) Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. World's lightest is a big claim, but at only 1.58kg in its smallest iteration, it Luggage makes a compelling case. Rimowa and Zero Halliburton make the kind of cases that stay dent-free. There should be no unnecessary bells or whistles; all it needs to have arecompartments, a durable material (nylon is a great option), and good looks. If the answer is yes to all one or all three, Longchamp's Le Pliage needs no introduction. Suitable for anyone in the middle is Aways Bigger Carry-On suitcase, which is compact enough to fit in an overhead bin but also has plenty of room for everything you need and more.