The Best Checked Luggage To Allow For Extra Packing Space On Your Next Trip

We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Vetted Travel The Best Checked Luggage To Allow For Extra Packing Space On Your Next Trip Neha Tandon Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Forbes Vetted Nov 17, 2023, 05:29pm EST Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin There are few feelings in this world more exciting than that of planning a long-awaited trip. Once your flights and hotels have been booked, the itinerary planning begins, followed by putting together a reliable packing list. For those trips where you just can’t cut down the number of items to bring, securing a durable checked bag is essential.

When a carry-on suitcase just won’t do, the best checked luggage can allow you that much-needed extra packing space to ensure that nothing gets left behind. best Illustration: Forbes / Images: Retailer Checked luggage comes in a wide array of size options, styles, and prices for every travel need. Whether you’re looking for an expandable bag that will allow you to bring home souvenirs, a fashionable suitcase to pair with your vacation photos, a gift for the frequent flyer in your life or a splurge-worthy investment piece to use for decades to come, we’ve researched every option on the market.

Below, find our selections for the best checked luggage to bring with you on your next vacation. Best Checked Luggage Overall: Monos Check-In Medium Best Lightweight Checked Luggage: July Checked Best Checked Softside Luggage: Swissgear Sion Softside Expandable Roller Best Checked Hardside Luggage: Away The Large Best Value Checked Luggage: Calpak Ambeur Medium Best Checked Trunk Luggage: Peugeot Voyages Medium Trunk Best Checked Luggage For Organization: Béis The 26-inch Check-In Roller Best Durable Checked Luggage: Rimowa Original Check-In Medium Best Expandable Checked Luggage: Briggs & Riley 26-inch Medium Expandable Spinner Best Checked Duffel Bag: Lululemon Wunderlust Weekender Bag MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The 12 Best Contact Lenses, According To An Ophthalmologist By Molly Calhoun Contributor The Best Vitamix Blenders That Will Simplify Daily Meal Prep By Korin Miller Contributor Best Checked Luggage Overall A Durable And Lightweight Option At Great Value Monos Monos Check-In Medium Buy From Monos Dimensions: 26. 5 × 18.

5 × 10. 5 inches | Weight: 9. 58 pounds | Material: Partially recycled polycarbonate Monos’ Check-In Medium features the holy trinity of checked luggage: it’s stylish, lightweight and comes in at an affordable price for its value.

The high-performance 360 spinner wheels and ergonomic handle make it easy to move around, and at 9. 5 pounds, it’s lighter than most suitcases despite its hard shell. And although it’s lightweight, Monos’ luggage is anything but flimsy.

It features an aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell to keep belongings safe and secure, no matter where they’re getting thrown around. The interior lining isn’t that typical polyester, either. It’s a luxuriously soft anti-microbial that you’ll be proud to store your fave belongings in, especially given the dual compression straps and divider that’ll keep your things organized.

You’ll even get extras like a silver ion-coated laundry bag, two shoe bags, and a vegan leather luggage tag. Complete with a TSA-approved combination lock, it’s such a chic piece of luggage that you’ll love showing off yourself, but it also makes a fantastic gift with its lifetime guarantee. Best Lightweight Checked Luggage Easy To Handle And Waterproof July July Checked Buy From July Dimensions: 26 × 18.

75 × 11 inches | Weight: 8. 3 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate A great investment piece, July’s checked luggage features an ultra durable aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell tricked out with anodized aluminum bumpers for extra protection when/if it gets dropped, along with a water-resistant and stain-proof lining that’ll stand the test of time. Even though it holds a whopping 80-pound capacity, it’s the lightest option on this list at just over eight pounds, so feel free to overpack as much as you’d like—especially given the signature July Y-strap compression system it comes equipped with.

The heavy-duty strap is designed to push your belongings down, and the interior even features a hidden odor-proof laundry bag that’s also designed to be compressed, ensuring that your dirty laundry won’t seep into your more pristine belongings. Travelers especially love the brand’s ultra quiet 360-degree wheels, which are as silent as a whisper and super durable, claiming to be European cobblestone-proof and arriving with a lifetime guarantee. The brand has become a favorite for those who love bright colors, given the range of eight bright, bold, and neutral hues it comes in, though they have a rotation of limited edition colors you’ll want to keep an eye on, too.

Choose the Neon Green or Lavender to make a serious statement around the luggage carousel. Best Checked Softside Luggage Scuff-Proof With Built-In Organization Amazon SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller Buy From Amazon Dimensions: 29 × 18 × 10. 5 inches | Weight: 11.

1 pounds | Material: Polyester A bestseller with over 11,000 five-star reviews, the Swissgear Sion Softside is well-loved for many a reason, not to mention it retails for under $150. While you may be weary of softside luggage getting dirty, take solace in the fact that the experts at Swissgear crafted this to be totally scuff-proof when you pass your precious belongings over to the strangers handling your suitcase. It’s an organization lover’s dream, too, with two exterior zippers, each featuring pockets inside.

Its interior features three separate zippered compartments along with a zippered bag and adjustable tie-down straps to help you pack your bag to the brim. Just be sure to remember the expandable feature that helps make the 29-inch bag even larger while you’re shopping for gifts abroad. Snag it in one of seven shades, all of which are muted neutrals from a rich merlot to a chic navy.

Best Checked Hardside Luggage Easy Grip And Smooth-Gliding Wheels Away Away The Large Buy From Away Dimensions: 29 × 20. 5 × 12. 5 inches | Weight: 12.

1 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate There’s a reason Away has built a loyal following, and it’s not just because their pieces are ultra stylish (which they are). Away’s The Large features a TSA-accepted lock and the ability to add a custom monogram to your shell with a matching tag, ensuring that nobody accidentally walks away with your suitcase. Know that the durable, hard shell has undergone rigorous testing to protect your belongings, but at 12 pounds isn’t going to weigh you down as you tote it around.

Plus, the easy-grip top handle, additional underside grab handle, and smooth-gliding wheels make maneuverability easy if you’re having to move around or lift this. What makes The Large a real standout, however, is the ultra thoughtful interior design. Inside, you’ll find a compartment for clothing, one for bulkier items like shoes and toiletries, and additional pockets to fit for—all of which feature the brand’s signature compression pad to ensure an easy, comfortable packing process.

Best Value Checked Luggage Tons Of Features At An Affordable Price Calpak Calpak Ambeur Medium Buy From Calpak Dimensions: 26 × 16. 5 × 11 inches | Weight: 8. 6 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate Though Calpak’s Ambeur Medium has a packing capacity of 77 liters, it also happens to be one of the lightest pieces of luggage on this list at just under nine pounds.

Available in ultra stylish metallic colors as well as a sleek, glossy black, it packs in tons of features at incredible quality for its $245 price tag. It features a TSA-approved lock, is expandable up to two inches, and has easy-to-maneuver dual spinner wheels. While we love packing cubes, they aren’t exactly necessary with this, either.

It has four zippered compartments to keep your things organized, in addition to a cross compression strap to keep belongings in place. Since Calpak’s pieces are so beautiful, they make great gifts that are sure to impress, too. Be sure to check out the brand’s two or three-piece sets to overhaul your collection or gift to a lucky loved one.

Best Checked Trunk Luggage Style And Substance Macys Peugeot Voyages Medium Trunk Buy From Macys Dimensions: 28. 75 × 16. 5 × 14.

25 inches | Weight: 11. 18 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate Reminiscent of the days in which we’d dress up to travel, French brand Peugeot Voyages’ chic style isn’t just vintage and cool, it’s also totally functional, as proven in its line of luggage and travel accessories. With a 21st century upgrade, Peugeot’s Medium Trunk comes with two TSA combination locks, is made from recycled materials, and is even designed with an impact-resistant polycarbonate-aluminum shell.

The slim frame fits perfectly in the trunk of a car, featuring a 30/70 interior split to make packing larger items even easier. Plus, the recycled interior lining has been given an antibacterial treatment to eliminate bacteria, providing odor control to keep your belongings fresh in each of the two packing compartments. Unlike those old school trunks, this one touts a secure, ergonomic design and dual-density spinner wheels to make travel just as stylish and durable as it is comfortable and whisper quiet.

Best Checked Luggage For Organization A Sophisticated Interior With Plentiful Pockets Béis Béis The 26-inch Check-In Roller Buy From Béis Dimensions: 17. 7 × 28. 3 × 11 inches | Weight : 10.

2 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate Those of you who used to color-code your planners and now live by your meticulously-planned iCal schedule will seriously appreciate the level of organization that the experts at Béis delivered with you in mind. Available in seven sleek, luxe colors, the brand specifically chooses to design their stain-resistant hard shell with 100 percent virgin polycarbonate, meaning it’s more durable than most. Outfitted with a TSA lock and two-inch expandable zipper, the side handle has a scale in it that’ll let you know exactly how much your bag weighs—so you can say goodbye to unwelcome overweight baggage fees and surprises at the check-in line.

Lined with a faux leather trim, the sophisticated interior includes two zip flaps, one with two pockets and another with one pocket. You’ll also get two separate pouches to keep all your valuables, clothing, toiletries, and shoes organized in distinct compartments. Secure everything with the two compression straps, and prepare to get tons of compliments as you travel with your most stylish accessory.

Best Durable Checked Luggage Simply Built To Last Rimowa Rimowa Original Check-In Medium Buy From Rimowa Dimensions: 26. 4 x 17. 8 inches x 9.

5 inches | Weight: 11. 9 pounds | Material: Aluminum The craftsmen and women at Rimowa are so confident in the brand’s durability that they happily offer customers a lifetime guarantee. Yes, Rimowa luggage is pricey, but these suitcases are a great investment for frequent travelers because they are simply designed to last.

Made from high-end anodized aluminum (a surface that’s three times harder than standard aluminum), the Rimowa Original Check-In Medium won’t chip, flake, or peel no matter how many continents, carousels, or cobblestones it traverses. With a TSA-approved lock and internal flex divider to help keep your items organized, people especially love the brand’s signature multiwheel system that guarantees stable, seamless steering. Designed with ball-bearing mounted wheels and cushioned axels along with a telescopic handle, it’s made to make maneuverability comfortable and easy.

Complete with a leather luggage tag, it’s an item you should totally save up for, or add to your wish list—the brand and this signature suitcase is truly iconic for a reason. Best Expandable Checked Luggage Expands A Whopping 34 Percent Briggs and Riley Briggs & Riley Baseline 26-inch Medium Expandable Spinner Buy From Briggs & Riley Dimensions: 26 x 18 inches x 12 inches | Weight: 12. 5 pounds | Material: Ballistic Nylon Briggs & Riley’s expandable spinner may look unassuming, but trust that this is one of those situations in which looks can be very deceiving.

The softside suitcase features one-touch expansion-compression, meaning that you can pack as many items as you’d like into this and then add your souvenirs at the end. The bag will expand a whopping 34 percent, and then compress back down for maximum efficiency. Traveling for a special VIP wedding or business travel? Feel free to pack your most coveted suit or dress in the built-in crease-reducing garment folder, featuring cinch-down garment panels to keep your items pristine as they travel with you.

Then, store accessories in the two mesh zip pockets. It’s not just what’s on the inside that matters with this timeless piece, though. Corner guards make the suitcase impact-resistant, and the silky-smooth 360-degree wheels are shock-absorbing.

Just don’t forget to add your custom monogram as the special cherry on top. Best Checked Duffel Bag Trolley-Compatible Straps And Water-Repellant Fabric Lululeon Lululemon Wunderlust Weekender Bag Buy From Lululemon Dimensions: 21. 7 x 10.

6 inches x 13 inches | Material: Recycled Polyester Perfect for anyone who’s super active or who always needs a bag packed to be able to jet off for last-minute getaways, Lululemon’s stylish Wunderlust Weekender isn’t your typical duffel bag. Designed with water-repellent recycled polyester, three external pockets, one exterior zippered pocket and one exterior padded pocket for a laptop, you’ll even get interior pockets to hold more valuable essentials. There’s even a trolley-compatible strap in addition to external straps that can hold a jacket or yoga mat.

It’s built with cool and edgy silver hardware, and each of its three straps have adjustable buckles so you can customize a comfortable length for yourself. This bag is a great essential to keep on-hand, since it works just as well for weekend trips as it can for the gym or even an international trip on which you prefer to pack light. Coupons Books A Million Link to Coupon Neha Tandon Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.