So, you’ve planned your trip, but now it’s time to figure out what bag(s) you’ll need to make it happen. Well, you’re in luck, as we went on a hunt to find the best luggage for international travel, no matter where you’re going, what you plan to do when you get there, and how much gear you’re bringing. Seriously, this list has it all! That said, before we dive in, we must review a few things.
Should I get two or four-wheeled carry on luggage?
If we’re honest, there’s no correct answer here; however, there are a few things to consider when looking for luggage for an international trip. First, how often will you be rolling on smooth surfaces? Four wheels are great on flat ground; however, if you’re even slightly off roading (think cracked concrete, bricks, cobblestones, etc.), the second two wheels become pretty useless. Additionally, two-wheeled luggage typically has more prominent, durable wheels, which can be a better option for locations with older sidewalks and roads, like Brugge or some parts of Italy. Most four-wheeled bags can handle their own on two wheels, but a dedicated two-wheeled bag will fare better.
Should I get soft or hard-sided luggage?
Again, there’s no correct answer here; however, there are a few primary differences to consider. Hard-sided luggage is—shocker—more durable than soft-sided luggage. If you beat up your gear or have had bad experiences with luggage handlers tossing your bag around, hard-sided is the answer. That said, soft-sided luggage has a few perks. Typically, it’s cheaper. Additionally, it almost always has secondary compartments, which are handy for stowing quick-access gear, like your phone, wallet, or passport. This is more challenging to accomplish with hard-sided luggage, as you can’t easily create pockets without adding potential points where water can enter, or damage can occur.
Carry On Luggage and Checked Bags
The bags are broken up into two categories, carry on luggage and checked bags. Carry On Luggage is carry on-sized, so they should work with most airlines. Sometimes, bag manufacturers make bags that are meant to be used as a carry on but are slightly too large to be used with some airlines. We recommend checking your specific airline before flying, as some are more strict than others and may make you check it at the gate. Checked bags are meant to be checked in before airport security. Typically, there aren’t as many restrictions on checked luggage; however, it’s still worth verifying with the airline you’re flying.
Why You Should Trust Us
We’ve been testing travel gear professionally since 2017, and some of our testers have been using rolling luggage since the 1980s. Between our reviewers, we have over a century of experience with carry on rolling luggage, which, when paired with our professional experience testing bags, makes for a dangerous combination of experience and expertise. We recommend these bags because we’ve used and tested them!
How We Tested It
Though our primary focus when testing bags is how well they get your gear from point A to point B, our testing method for this post focuses on wheels.
We filled every bag with gear and took it on a set course that included a smooth surface, bricks or cobblestones, and grass. Once we rated how each bag handled each surface, we created a weighted average equation that prioritized smooth surfaces, noted how well each bag did on rough surfaces, and slightly considered how it could go on something like grass for outlier situations where that matters.
Let’s dive…er, roll into the list!
While there’s a regular size of the Aer Carry-On we prefer the Small version, as it’s more compatible with the most popular airlines. On super smooth surfaces, like at the airport, the wheels are as smooth as they come and lock, which comes in handy when waiting for an Uber on a hill, riding public transit, or in storage. Plus, it has the clean look we’re used to seeing from Aer, including an orange colorway, which you won’t get from the company’s travel backpacks.
The Aer Carry-On Small did well in testing, scoring a weighted average of 6.7 out of ten. It excels on smooth surfaces and performs averagely on bricks and grass, making it a solid all-around performer but not the choice for people going offroading a ton. Still, for locations with some uneven surfaces, like Venice, you’ll be all right!
Why We Like It- The locking wheels are handy on uneven surfaces
- The exterior is streamlined and highly durable
- The price is on the higher end for a carry on
- It’s a little heavier than other similarly-size bags
The July Carry On is a sleek-looking case that is billed as a modern travel companion and fits the bill, as it comes with a 10,000 mAh battery bank, which is handy for travelers who don’t already have one, only have a smaller one for use at home, or want to leave their expensive one behind. In addition, July’s luggage also gets the essential parts of a classic case right. The telescopic handle is sturdy and has 20 elevations so everyone can find their perfect height.
In testing, the July Carry On did pretty average on smooth ground (which isn’t bad) but did very well on uneven surfaces like bricks. However, it feels short on our grass test, which isn’t the most important feature but is worth noting. It landed a 6.4 out of 10, which isn’t half bad. Overall, we think the July Carry On is an excellent choice for smooth surfaces and bricks or cobblestones!
Why We Like It- It includes a 10,000 mAh battery bank
- The telescoping handle has 20 stops on the way to the top so that everyone can find their perfect height
- The edge plates aren’t just cosmetic—they help reinforce the bag’s corners
- The compression panel takes some getting used to
The Monos Carry-On is a solid choice for people just starting on their travel journey, as it comes with a few features that make taking the jump into booking your first trip less daunting. The internal organization does most of the segmentation for you, so you can worry about enjoying your journey, not where everything goes. Plus, the case comes with laundry and shoe bags, which can be used as packing cubes to see whether or not you want to buy better ones moving forward. We don’t have an issue with these; however, we’ve got a complete guide on how to choose the best packing cubes for your needs, so you might find something more useful there if you find the ones that came with the luggage helpful. The handle is ergonomic and remains comfortable even if you’re running around the city all day before heading to the airport to go home.
In our testing, the Monos Carry-On was one of the best performers in our first round, scoring a 7.05 weighted average. It’s one of the best on smooth ground, performs well on uneven surfaces, and can maintain its footing on grass. For travelers just getting started or those who want a bag that can be used without any other purchases, this is a solid entry into the best luggage for international travel.
Why We Like It- It comes with laundry and shoe bags, which work as packing cubes to get you started
- The handle is ergonomic, and the wheels are smooth
- There’s a version with a laptop compartment if you need to bring a device
- The exterior has scratched up more than we expected in testing
Travelpro is the industry standard for flight attendants and pilots, and for good reason. The bags are highly durable, functional, and are easy to use. In addition to a comfortable handle, the wheels are incredibly quiet, even on uneven ground. The bag is expandable, too, which is handy when you want to bring a few extra bottles of limoncello home from Italy, like our managing editor. These aren’t the sleekest bags on the market; however, Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner is nothing to scoff at. It lacks the elegant lines you’d get from hard-sided luggage, but the external pockets are handy for quick-use items you want to use during the flight.
In testing, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 performed well, scoring a weighted average of 6.7 out of 10. It performed well to above average on solid ground and uneven surfaces but could have been better on grass. Still, this bag is worthy of your time for adventures of all kinds (especially if you don’t plan on trying to take it golfing). Though this isn’t the sleekest bag, we trust the components on this thing more than most other bags we’ve tested based on our experience with this and others from the brand. There were a few loose threads in testing, but nothing that made us worry about the bag's longevity. Long live Travelpro!
Why We Like It- The wheels are nearly silent on smooth ground
- There’s an expansion zipper so that you can fit in extra food or souvenirs
- We noticed a few loose threads on the exterior after a trip
- The expansion zipper is only on the bottom half of the bag to help with weight distribution
We dig the Away Carry-On, but the Flex model gives us the flexibility we like when traveling. The bag is the same size as the standard model before you engage the expansion zipper, but you can add nearly 10 liters of space for the trip home if you load up on souvenirs or clothing. The bag looks sleek, which is a bonus of going with a company like Away. There is an included laundry bag, too, which is handy for trips where you’ll do laundry mid-trip or want your dirty laundry to have a secluded area. If you plan to use the expansion feature, you should ensure that the dimensions of the larger size work for the airplane you’re flying, as nobody wants to have to pay unexpected baggage fees on the way home from vacation!
The Away Carry-On Flex performed well in testing, including a surprisingly high score on the grass testing. It did well on smooth and rough surfaces and outperformed most other cases in the herbaceous plant section (aka grass). Considering the durability of this hard-sided luggage and how well it performs on all surfaces, this is a well-rounded bag that’ll be perfect for your next international trip, no matter where you’re going.
Why We Like It- It’s the same size as their standard carry on but has an expansion feature
- It comes with a laundry bag to keep stinky clothing separated
- The handle isn’t the most comfortable we’ve tested
- The expansion system may affect carry on compliance
The Carl Friedrik Carry-on X doesn’t have a ton of internal organization; however, what it lacks in segmentation it more than makes up for in style, durability, and design. Plus, sometimes a dump pocket is what you need for a trip, right? The Makrolon exterior is rugged enough to handle the most rugged trips, like the ones you take to your mom’s house in the country, as our primary tester did with this case. The dedicated laptop compartment is handy for working on the go, and the exterior design is sleek enough for work and play, from the Delta lounge to the airport bar.
The Carl Friedrik Carry-on X wasn’t the best performer in our wheel tests; however, it didn’t score poorly in any single category, making it an all-around solid choice for international travel, from the smooth floors at Detroit’s airport to the rugged streets of Brugge, Belgium.
Why We Like It- The case has a dedicated laptop compartment
- The German-engineered Makrolon is highly durable and not that heavy
- The inside lacks organization
- The Makrolon is durable but scuffs up easier than we thought it would
The Osprey Transporter Wheeled Carry-On 38 only has two wheels; in this case, two is better than four. No, seriously, this thing is a beast, and our tests prove it. In addition to handling smooth surfaces well, it got the highest out of every bag on the brick test and tied for the highest score on the grass test, too. No matter where you take this thing, the wheels are durable and functional enough to get you there comfortably. No, you can’t glide across the airport without tilting the bag, but you can travel across cities like Ghent, Prague, Antwerp, and Obidos without issue.
The bag is designed like a backpack that was transformed into rolling luggage, which has its perks. There are secondary compartments to stow your gear in, the bag’s profile is thin, which is easier to carry in tight spaces, and the main compartment has enough room for more oversized items, like shoes. It can be challenging to get used to the design if you’re accustomed to large, clam-shelled rolling luggage with dump compartments; however, considering the versatility of the wheels and how lightweight the bag is, we think this is a solid choice for your next trip abroad!
Why We Like It- The wheels impressed in smooth and off-road testing
- It’s designed like a backpack, so there are secondary compartments for quick-use gear
- It isn’t as durable as hard-sided luggage
- It can be challenging to load some of the compartments because of the top access design
First things first, we love the look of the Briggs & Riley TORQ Extra Large Trunk Spinner. It has enough room for everything, including the kitchen sink and maybe a few refrigerator magnet souvenirs! There isn’t much organization here; however, packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other organizers are a must for such a large bag, so we don’t miss additional segmentation. The hard-sided exterior is durable enough to handle the bumps and knocks of travel (and an overly eager luggage handler), so you don’t have to worry about the case holding up. Plus, you can monogram the bag for extra customization. It’s pricey, but Briggs & Riley’s warranty is one of the best in the business!
The Briggs & Riley TORQ Extra Large Trunk Spinner wasn’t the top performer in our testing; however, we weren't that surprised because of how large it is. It performed moderately well in all categories and didn’t fall short in any; however, it isn’t the most off-roading-friendly bag we’ve tested. Still, for how much gear you can stow inside here, it’s well worth looking at if you’re somebody who likes to bring an outfit for every meal!
Why We Like It- The exterior design is sleek and looks professional
- There’s enough room to stow more gear than you can imagine inside
- The wheels aren’t the smoothest performers on this list
- It can be challenging to pack such a huge space without a ton of organizers
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner blew our socks off in testing. Seriously, we knew Travelpro was good; however, we thought there would have been compromises due to the size. On flat ground, it excels. On bricks and grass, it’s more than adequate. This lands it at a 7.05 weighted average, tied for second in our first round of testing. If you think we’re getting too excited, remember that this case is 143.5 liters. It’s an Escalade that handles like a Corvette with the offroading ability of a Hummer, and that’s worth commending!
Regarding design, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner feels like a carry on bag that was expanded to the checked luggage size. It has a vast dump compartment, a built-in fold-out organization that can accommodate a suit, and multiple colorway options. There are multiple compartments for quick-access gear, like your phone and wallet, which are handy on the trip from home to the airport. That said, make sure everything of importance is out of the bag before you check it so you have the right gear to board with and entertainment for the flight. Plus, it’s manufactured from recycled materials, which is a solid shout from a sustainability perspective.
In summary, this thing is massive, handles incredibly well, has built-in organization and secondary compartments, and won’t break the bank. What else can you ask for?
Why We Like It- The wheels perform incredibly well, especially for the size of the bag
- There’s a fold-out organizer that works for suits and other clothing
- It isn’t as durable as hard-sided luggage
- The bag isn’t as sleek as some of the other cases on this list, even if it is functional
Other’s We Considered
We love how small the Calpak Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On Luggage is; however, it’s likely too small for most travelers. That said, we like how it looks, the secondary compartment, and that it slides under the seat in front of you on the plane.
The Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner is a solid option if you need something quick (Amazon Prime quick), budget-friendly, and reliable, but we think there are plenty of better options out there that don’t break the bank, either.
If versatile soft-sided luggage is your thing, look no further than the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT Wheeled 21.5″ International Carry On Duffel, as it converts into a duffel bag in a jiffy. That said, it takes a while to get used to carrying it that way.
So, there you have it: some of the most compact, biggest, and best luggage for international travel. From the smooth floors at the airport to every nook and cranny in Cambodia, these bags can handle your next adventure abroad!
