16 Suitcases, Vetted 16 Ways

Multiple Strategist editors rely on Patagonia’s cult waterproof, lifetime-guaranteed Black Hole luggage series for their travels. Maxine Builder swears by the 55L carry-on size that can be carried via shoulder straps or duffel handles, has an outer zip pocket for quick access to essentials, and can be folded up entirely when empty. It’s available in other colors and sizes, too.

Online reviewers don’t seem quite as distracted by the current desire among many for hard-shell luggage. Over 30,000 of them, rather, give five stars to this soft, affordable set. One, who took it on an 11-day Euro-trip, says it went “through many airports, into trunks, out of trunks, into overhead bins, then out of overhead bins. Up and down escalators, through Customs. On and off of trains and buses. It survived!”

We texted eight friends who travel a whole lot about their favorite luggage and got the most enthusiastic response from our data-journalist pal Linley Sanders, who bought this backpack-suitcase hybrid for a multicountry trip in 2018. She calls it sturdy and roomy, with a surplus of padded pockets.

Brian Kelly (or the Points Guy) likes the extra-long handle on Rimowa’s Cabin Plus, which he says is “awesome for tall people.” The bag ever so slightly exceeds carry-on requirements — a boon, as travelers are rarely asked to measure their bags.

“They’re the Goldilocks of luggage,” says Betsy Blumenthal of her Samsonite suitcases. “Sleek but straightforward, hefty but not industrial, and reasonably priced.” She is still using the pair her dad bought her in 2013.

Rimowa’s Essential is a bit cheaper because it’s made with polycarbonate, which is lighter than aluminum and quite durable. Hillary Eaton flies 80 times a year with it and says it has protected many dozens of bottles of wine.

Succession’s latest season began mostly on private planes, and eagle-eyed viewers quickly identified patriarch Logan Roy’s suitcase of choice: a polycarbonate carry-on hard-shell (with leather trim) designed by British brand Carl Friedrik. Afterward, the company confirmed that it expected to see its other pieces — like an all-leather weekender — popping up in later episodes.

Zuca’s ready-to-fly bags are ideal for those who travel with a lot of specific equipment. Says nail artist Lila Robles, “I prefer this over a traditional suitcase because I’m able to open the zipper of the Zuca while it’s standing upright, so I have access to my products.”

[Editor’s note: This bag is currently sold out, but you can sign up on the product page to get notified when its’ back in stock.]

Briona Lamback (founder of the Buoyant community for Black travelers) swears by a Fjällräven Kånken laptop backpack while traveling. It has a padded laptop sleeve, large inside pocket, comfortable straps, and a water-resistant body. This duffel has a lot of the same specs but with enough room for an entire weekend trip. The base is padded, so your electronics will still be safe.

Mickey Drexler, the onetime leader of Gap and J.Crew and current CEO of Alex Mill, first discovered Globe-Trotter in London after walking by the brand’s shop. “I walked in and fell in love in a second with its colorful luggage,” he says. He promptly decided to buy its cases to carry at J.Crew — and still uses his to this day. (His favorite color combo is black with a gray monogram, but he also has one in yellow.) “Whenever I check in to a hotel, the bellmen always say, ‘I love your luggage,’ ” he says.