Refinery29
The top rated and best travel bags – from vanity cases to hand luggage
Before the pandemic, we spent most of our lives in transit (daily commutes, weekend trips, extensive international stays, what have you got). Regardless of the length of our trips, there was one point we could rely on to get from point A to point B and maybe even to point Z: a handy tote, bag, or suitcase designed specifically for travel . And as destinations far away become safer and more accessible, celebrating with a new and improved handbag companion is perfectly acceptable. We feel the wanderlust ourselves – so we couldn’t resist the urge to collect the best travel bags on the market. and utility duffels that are tested and approved by the customer to withstand the wear and tear of the hoof in the city (or, in some cases, around the world). Scroll on to shop for the best and top rated travel bags in each category – from small sought-after cosmetic bags to large rolls with hard sides. Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit list of the top-rated products on the internet – according to a crowd of die-hard buyers. Call this your 4-star and only-up club, entry for which is granted by our editors. At Refinery29, we are here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of things. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something that we link to on our website, Refinery29 can earn a commission.CALPAK Clear Cosmetics CaseType: Toiletry travel bagThe hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 72 ratingsWhat travelers say: “I have the smaller version for the Bought everyday and weekend. I just got the larger size and will be using it to fly. I can house all of my toiletries, makeup, and hair products. You have to buy both and you will never need a makeup bag again. They are very well constructed and easy to clean. “- Mary Ann A., CALPAK ReviewerShop CALPAKCALPAK Travel Clear Cosmetics Case, $, available at CALPAK TravelWANDF Foldable Travel BagType: Foldable Travel Bag (get the full insight into this viral Amazon product here ) The hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 5,408 ratings on Amazon What travelers say: “It was perfect! I managed to get jeans, leggings, pajamas, dr Put on tops, underwear, toiletries / makeup, straighteners, a guidebook, iPad, and Kindle, and there was still room left. It was so easy to carry and light thanks to the long shoulder strap too. The only negative, and it’s not a big one, is that I can’t put it back in my pocket, but it still folds up small for storage. It’s not a problem. The quality is very good, it is unlined, but the material is quite thick and strong and it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is. “Available from AmazonLily & Drew Nylon Travel ToteThe T. ype: Hand Luggage RackThe Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 1,270 ratings on AmazonWhat travelers say:” Fantastic personal item for air travel. Great inside and outside compartments and good capacity for anything I want to keep easily accessible while traveling, plus an emergency change of clothes in case I have to go through the gate check and my hand baggage is lost. “- J. Harbor, Amazon ReviewerShop Lily & DrewLily & Drew Nylon Travel Tote, $, available at AmazonEverlane The Twill WeekenderType: Medium WeekenderThe Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 247 ratings at EverlaneWhat travelers say:” Perfect weekend bag. Bought this bag recently and it exceeded my expectations. The build quality is evident in every stitch and it looks like it will hold up well for years. It is spacious inside and has a pocket for small items. Separate shoe storage would be nice, but it has enough space where it would fit if you needed two pairs of shoes plus all of your clothes for the weekend. “- Nsundar, Everlane ReviewerShop EverlaneEverlane The Weekender, $, available at EverlaneLo & Sons The Catalina DeluxeType: Large WeekenderThe Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 1,065 ratings at Lo & SonsWhat travelers say,” This bag got me out of the seperate Shoe compartment convinced. It fit right under the airplane seat which was fantastic! I love this bag and it’s perfect for a weekend away. “- Stef, Lo & Sons ReviewerShop Lo & SonsLo & Sons The Catalina Deluxe Bag, $, available at Lo & SonsDagne Dover Landon CarryallType: Extra-Large WeekenderThe Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 2,010 reviews at Dagne DoverWhat travelers say : “Best bag for air travel. This is the perfect size to sit on top of your carry-on suitcase. Fits under the seat even when the capacity is full. My new favorite bag. I’m looking for reasons to use it. “- Angelina, Dagne Dover ReviewerShop Dagne DoverDagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag, $, available at Dagne DoverBaboon Small Travel BagType: Small Travel BagThe Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 1,465 reviews at BaboonWhat Travelers Say:” I love this bag, the carrier are adjustable in several ways, spacious and have just the right number of pockets. It’s obviously of high quality and durable, if you just feel it. Can’t wait to travel with it! “- Gabrielle C., Baboon ReviewerShop BaboonBaboon Go-Bag – Small (40L), $, available at BaboonL.L.Bean Mountain Classic Cordura DuffleType: Medium travel bagThe hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 29 reviews at LLBeanWhat Travelers Say: “I ordered the large and small online because the medium was sold out. The big one was way too big for what I needed and the small one too small. I went to the store to get the medium the color I wanted (black) and the size is great. It’s perfect for a weekend getaway or a week-long stay. The side pockets are perfect for separating shoes from clothes and a toiletry bag … I had it monogrammed. I can only recommend this bag! “—LLBeanAddict, LLBean ReviewerShop LL BeanL.L. Bean Mountain Classic Cordura Duffle, medium, $, available at LL BeanREI Co-op Roadtripper DuffelThe type: Packable DuffelThe hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 87 ratings on REIWhat They Saying: “I really can’t express how much I love this bag. I’m a college student and this bag travels with me everywhere. It’s amazing. The square design makes it super easy to wrap up, but it’s still easy to use squeeze into weird spaces in your car since it’s not a hard sided suitcase. Literally this is my travel bag everywhere. It’s super easy to put back in the bag, there’s plenty of room for all of the stuff i think i need to have a limited edition pattern but it looks really cool and the stuff is pretty tough. it was camped in the truck bed and got up very nicely. downside: no it’s not w waterproof. But since there are many other similar options on the market that are waterproof for m a lot more money, and I think this is a great product for the price. Sometimes the detachable shoulder strap also comes off when you’re not expecting it. So if you replace the open hooks on the shoulder strap with a lobster clasp, it’s great. “- Sydney, REI review shop REIREI Co-op Roadtripper travel bag (60 l), $, available at REIPatagonia Black Hole Travel PackType: Backpack travel bagThe hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 17 ratings at REIWhat Travelers Say:” The capacity of this bag is excellent, I am able to hold a week’s worth of groceries if needed, and the weight is well distributed across the straps. The durability is also excellent. I scraped this bag on very sharp lava flow tunnels and fell on it while snowboarding. I’ve had this bag for three years and see no need to replace it for a very long time. Great job Patagonia “- Jacob, Patagonia ReviewerShop PatagoniaPatagonia Black Hole 25L Backpack, $, available at Back CountrySamsonite Andante 2 Roll bags with roll bottom The type: Travel bag with wheels The hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 2,024 ratings on Amazon What travelers say: “I had on one He was given a lot of clothes for the trip and had to find the cheapest way to bring the clothes home. This bag was a great answer to that problem! It’s sturdy, looks good and since it has two separate areas I was able to pack all of the clothes and bring them home. “- Amazon ReviewerShop SamsoniteSamsonite Andante 2 roll-up bags with roll-up bottom, $, available at AmazonTPRC Smart Under- seat hand luggage with USB charging connectionType: hand luggage under the seatThe hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 936 ratings on AmazonWhat travelers say:” Now I use this for work because I’m a security guard and I drive to a different place every day. So you can imagine that I bring some puzzle books to avoid boredom and I carry two things Lysol disinfectant for the desk where I sit and then all the little things like feminine items, eye drops, hand lotion etc. This bag is very convenient for my needs. It actually lasts more than my backpack, at a price that’s well worth it. Lots of compartments, it’s not that hard even with your stuff in it and won’t break your back when you do. And it also appears to be of good quality, the zipper isn’t made cheaply, etc. “- Kayla, Amazon ReviewerShop TPRCTPRC Smart Under Seat Carry-On with USB Charging Port, $, available from AmazonCALPAK Astyll Carry-On LuggageThe Type: Standard- Hand luggage roll bagThe hype: 5 out of 5 stars and 26 reviews on CALPAK What Travelers Say: “This suitcase is GORGEOUS and just as functional as it is fashionable! Incredibly streamlined and well designed but lasts a lot! “- Jessica F., CALPAK ReviewerShop CALPAKCALPAK Travel Astyll Carry-On Luggage, $, available at CALPAK TravelAway The Bigger Carry-OnType: Large Roll-On Carry-On BagThe Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 2,956 reviews on AwayWhat Travelers Say:” I got mine larger hand luggage and everywhere bag used twice. I always have my hairdryer, two large makeup and accessory bags with at least three pairs of shoes. I put all of this on the zipper side. I put sportswear and 5-6 outfits on the other side. This is my first split hard side and this design makes for more order. “- Jolene M., Away ReviewerShop AwayAway The Bigger Carry-On, $, available at AwayAmerican Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable LuggageType: Extra Large SuitcaseThe Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 5,863 ratings on AmazonWhat travelers say:” Fantastic suitcase . I’ve had it for over a year and have used it a number of times including traveling by plane. You can’t see any scratches on it, I think the pattern is hiding the scratches. Very easy to maneuver and very light. 10/10 recommend. “- Chelsey, Amazon Reviewer Store AMERICAN TOURISTERAmerican Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Luggage, $, available from AmazonKenneth Cole Three-Piece SetThe Type: Luggage SetThe Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 972 reviews at WalmartWhat Travelers Say:” Beautiful, thick and sturdy. The color is a nice change from the ugly luggage we had in the past. The 3 sizes are perfect. I actually bought the set for my mom, but I will buy it for myself too. – Carrie Ann K., Overstock ReviewerShop Kenneth ColeKenneth Cole Three Piece Sets, $, available at OverstockLike what you see? How about? Even more R29 goodness, right here? The best travel bags for long weekend survival7 Must-Visit- Cities in the state of New York. Outfits that make you the main character of the airport