Here at Pack Hacker, we're all about one bag travel. However, we understand that some trips call for checked luggage, and bringing a larger bag makes more sense for many people, like families and those with medical needs who require equipment when traveling. Plus, you can still bring your travel backpack or daypack along for the ride after checking your luggage in at the airport!
Before choosing the best checked luggage for your next trip, there are a few things to consider. Hard-sided bags are more durable but weigh more, and since you have more space to fill, it’s easier to bump up against weight limits than it is with softside bags. On the other hand, soft-sided luggage is more likely to get ripped or torn by baggage handlers tossing it willy-nilly than hardside, and they're more likely to have external pockets for quick-use items. While the latter may pick up scratches, that doesn’t impact your ability to use the suitcase, as torn fabric on a softside bag will.
For large checked bags, we recommend four-wheeled spinners, as you don't have to hold as much weight on your arms as you do with two-wheeled bags, but the wheels often add space and weight. We find that trunk-style bags are more accessible to organize because the space isn't as vast; however, they are usually more challenging to roll for shorter travelers due to their height.
Why You Should Trust Us
We've been professionally testing travel gear since 2017 and understand what to look for when purchasing a bag that'll last. Solid hardware, durable materials, and organizational features that work well are essential, whether on a backpack, sling, or rolling luggage. We've put that to the test by reviewing hundreds of items and being hands-on with thousands of pieces of gear, influencing every roundup post like this.
How We Tested It
When choosing the best checked luggage for you, two things are of the utmost importance: durability and size. Since you won't be rolling a checked bag around every day, your concern should be that the bag can hold up and hold everything you need it to.
Test 1: We determined the total capacity (with and without expansion) and decided whether that was a good fit for use as a checked bag.
Test 2: We put the materials to the test to see whether they'll hold up while traveling. For hard-sided luggage, we looked for any weak points and how easily it stuffed up. For soft-sided luggage, we focused on all-around durability. Not every bag will be Fort Knox, but it’s important that it doesn’t break on your first plane ride across the country.
Let's dive in!
- Briggs & Riley Torq Extra Large Trunk Spinner
- July Checked Expandable
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner
- Away Trunk
- TUMI Alpha Tall 4 Wheeled Duffel Packing Case
- Eagle Creek No Matter What 110L Rolling Duffel Bag
- Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 100L
- Away Outdoor Rolling Duffle 85L
The Briggs & Riley Torq Extra Large Trunk Spinner is 123.9 liters, one of the largest we’ve tested and the second biggest case on the initial version of this list. This thing is enormous; however, the shape isn’t bulky-looking. The aesthetic is oddly technical, almost like a battery bank blown up to monumental proportions. The materials are durable and not extremely heavy, though the bag is so large that it adds up to a sizable weight and feels flimsy in the middle as it lacks support there. When fully packed, we’ve noticed this isn’t an issue.
You can add a monogram, which ensures you know which bag on the luggage carousel is yours. Most of the organization is a big dump pocket—you can fit large items here, like a camera cube or large boots for winter adventures. If your travel partner is small enough, they might be able to fit inside!
The bag handles pretty well for a huge trunk, though it may be a bit tall for some users. With the wheels, it measures just under three feet (before you even engage the telescoping handle), which might not work for you, depending on your proportions.
Why We Like It- It holds over 120 liters, which works well for extended trips
- The exterior has a unique look, so it’s easier to find at baggage claim
- It may be too tall for some users to use comfortably
- The center of the bag feels a bit flimsy due to a lack of support
The July Checked Expandable luggage starts at 80 liters stock and expands to 90 liters, a game-changer for people who love bringing home souvenirs. Still, it’s one of the smaller checked bags on this list, even at the max capacity. There’s still a ton of space to work with here, and you’ll have no issues fitting a week’s worth of clothing inside. Plus, the Y-shaped compression system works well to cinch down clothing to save space and leave more room for extras, like limoncello or prawn cocktail crisps.
The handle on the luggage has July’s excellent 20-stop mechanism, and with that many adjustments, most people can find a height that works best for them. It’s ergonomic and comfortable, too, which goes a long way when hauling a 90-liter bag across Italy. The exterior has remained durable, like other July rolling luggage we tested. Plus, there are colorways for everyone, including rotating limited edition options. We dig the sleek dark options; however, the pastels and vibrant colors are an excellent way to make finding your luggage at the baggage claim easier.
Why We Like It- It can expand an additional 10 liters, which works well for souvenirs
- The telescopic handle has 20 height options so you can find the perfect fit
- The Y-shaped compression straps take time to get used to
- It can’t fit as much gear and clothing as the larger bags on this list
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner is an absolute unit. Seriously, at 143.5 liters, this is one chunky boy. It’s the largest case in our first round of testing for this article, and there’s enough space here for everything: the kitchen sink and a few extras. That’s when the case is expanded, which adds 2 inches all around, which will work well for people who want to bring home souvenirs.
With such a large capacity, it's nice to have more than just the main compartment. There are external pockets for stowing things you want to access quickly in the airport or while traversing the city to your hotel. A travel umbrella, battery bank, or other small devices are all good fits here.
We were shocked by how well the wheels performed when we tested this case. Seriously, this thing handles like a go-kart but looks like a Hummer, and we’re here for it. Sure, the weight can be a little much after a while, especially when fully packed, but you won’t have an issue with how it handles. Plus, Travelpro is the industry standard for airline employees, and we’ve seen first-hand how great their warranty is.
Why We Like It- It has external pockets for quick-use items
- At 143.5 liters, it’s massive and can handle a month-long trip
- It isn’t as durable as hard-sided luggage
- The wheels are smooth, but the weight may be an issue for some travelers when fully packed
At 107 liters, the Away Trunk is around the middle of the road for capacity and is one of our favorite-looking cases on this list. The capacity is more than enough for a week-long trip for a couple, and you’ll look good wheeling it around no matter where your next trip is. It’s a case, so it’s designed like a rectangle; however, the horizontal lines contrast its height nicely, and the sleek colorway options are a great touch.
Inside, there’s solid organization to ensure you know where everything is, even if your partner is sloppier than you are. Its multiple pockets hold smaller articles of clothing, belts, and accessories, and there’s a big dump pocket for the rest. If you’re traveling with someone else, we recommend using packing cubes to keep things organized and separated. Similar to other cases we’ve used, the materials are durable, but the center is a bit flimsy because there isn’t support. When packed full, this isn’t an issue.
You have other options if you don’t like the long rectangle shape or its height. The Away Large case is more manageable but only has a capacity of 99.2 liters, so you’ll sacrifice space for a different shape.
Why We Like It- The capacity is a good middle ground between huge and too small to justify checking for longer trips
- The horizontal lines make the trunk look sleek and stylish
- The center portion feels flimsy due to a lack of support
- Height may be an issue for shorter travelers
The TUMI Alpha Tall 4 Wheeled Duffel Packing Case is one of the more unique pieces of luggage on this list. It’s tall, skinny, soft-sided, and has shelving inside to help you better organize your gear. You can use the bag without the dividers; however, with 106 liters of capacity, they help keep your gear segmented and easy to find. Another unique aspect of this case is that it costs nearly $1,500; however, with TUMI, you get more premium features than most brands, including the Tumi Tracer serial code to help you find your bag if it gets lost.
If you’ve ever used a trunk organizer, you may recognize the inside of the Alpha Tall 4 Wheeled Duffel Packing Case. There are fold-up dividers to help you keep things organized without needing cubes and pouches; however, if you’re bringing larger gear, you can sit them flat to ensure everything fits inside. You can access the main compartment from two zippers, which is convenient when you’re trying to grab gear quickly, as you can use the zipper closer to the item.
The case has external pockets, which are handy for quick-use gear at the airport. It stands 34 inches tall, or 86.36 centimeters, which may be cumbersome for shorter travelers. Still, it handles well, and the soft-sided exterior is durable enough to handle the bumps and knocks of travel.
Why We Like It- The internal dividers make it easy to find your clothing and fold down when you don’t want to use them
- The external pockets are handy for grabbing gear on the go
- It’s the most expensive bag on this list
- The soft-sided exterior isn’t as durable as most hard-sided luggage
The Eagle Creek No Matter What 110L Rolling Duffel Bag is 110 liters and the smallest bag on this list. No—seriously—it’s the smallest bag by a considerable margin because it’s packable. When compressed, it fits into your hand and can easily slide into another rolling suitcase or even a large travel backpack. Or, it’ll easily fit into your trunk for unexpected trips you booked on Google Flights one rough day at work.
After you unpack it, the bag can be used in three ways. First, you can roll it, which is pretty standard. The wheels are smooth but close to the ground, so they can get slightly bumpy on rough terrain. Second, you can use it as a duffle by grabbing the two handles. When it’s fully packed, this isn’t the most comfortable way to carry it, but it can be the most practical because you can use both arms to hold it. Last, you can use the crossbody strap, which is the best way to get the bag across uneven surfaces. With a ton of weight, it’ll dig into your shoulder, but it’s better than dragging it up and down stairs all day while crossing through Venice.
This isn’t the most durable bag on the market, as it’s made of thinner soft-sided material. Still, it’s a solid bet for infrequent travelers, car campers, and people without much storage space. After all, how many other 110-liter bags can you grab with one hand?
Why We Like It- It’s packable, so it won’t take up a ton of space in storage
- There are three carry methods
- It isn’t as durable as other hard or soft-sided luggage due to the malleable materials
- Though they’re convenient, the two extra shoulder strap and handle carry modes aren’t the most comfortable
The Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 100L has ample space for gear, is one of the more lightweight options on this list, and is crafted from sustainable materials. At 100L, you can fit more than enough gear for an extended trip, the weight isn’t as troublesome as some of the hard-sided luggage on this list, and it is durable and better for the environment—who doesn’t love that?
This bag is soft-sided, so it isn’t quite as durable as other inclusions on this list. Still, it can handle its own, even on more rugged adventures. The backside of the case is hard plastic, which adds structure for you to pack your clothing and other gear. The wheels are sturdy and can handle uneven surfaces like cobblestones and bricks. Plus, the exterior has attachment loops, which are handy for adding gear onto the outside that you want to bring but don’t want to hold separately or put inside the bag.
You can also carry the bag by its handles instead of rolling it, which is handy for grabbing it from the Uber trunk or off the luggage carousel. For its capacity, weight, and sustainability, this bag is an excellent shout!
Why We Like It- It’s a sustainable choice thanks to Patagonia’s company values and recycled materials
- The base is highly durable and serves as a solid building block for packing
- The handles aren’t very comfortable, even if they’re handy in a pinch
- With 100L capacity, it feels like we should be able to fit more gear inside
At 85 liters, the Away Outdoor Rolling Duffle 85L is the smallest case on the first iteration of this list and is soft-sided, which is one of few outliers, too. Though the external materials are durable, we don’t recommend this bag to people traveling by plane a ton. We’ve had no issues with the materials; however, it’s nowhere near as durable as a hard-sided bag. On the other hand, it's a solid option for infrequent fliers, road trippers, and those who travel by train. Plus, the bottom of the case is rugged and durable, so you have a sturdy base for everything to rest on.
There are only three colorways available at the time of writing, so not every traveler will find the perfect color for their vibe; however, we like how sleek the options are. Inside, the bag is pretty simple. There’s a large dump pocket and a few smaller ones for accessories. You can fit larger items like shoes, tech, and camera equipment. There’s a compression system that works well to make extra room around clothing, which is handy for packing more gear inside in a pinch. Plus, because the bag is soft-sided, there’s a little give when trying to fit extra gear inside, which isn’t possible with hard-sided bags.
Why We Like It- It’s large enough for extended trips but small enough to fit into your trunk easily
- It’s light because it’s soft-sided but is still durable
- There are only three colorways at the time of writing
- The main compartment doesn’t have much organization, so you’ll need packing cubes
So, there you have it—some of the best checked luggage on the market. Hopefully, you better understand what makes the best checked luggage work well and which bag you will buy for your next trip!
