The Best Softside Luggage for Travel

A few things make the Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner special. First, it’s budget-friendly so you can spend more money on your trip than your luggage. Second, it’s durable, even for soft-sided luggage, meaning you won’t have to worry about bumps and knocks in transit. Last, it’s the industry standard for airline workers, a testament to its durability and reliability.

When we checked out pockets, the Maxlite did well. There’s a large zippered pocket for bigger, flat items, like a book, tablet, or a few compressed articles of clothing, like a jacket or thin sweatshirt. Then, there’s a small, flat zippered pocket, which we dig for a phone, wallet, and identification or flight information. There’s an external ID window, too, ideal for frequent travelers who want to be contacted when their luggage goes missing. Plus, there’s enough space inside the main compartment for all your travel goodies, from shoes to your favorite beach towel.

• The wheels are very smooth on multiple surfaces
• There are numerous secondary compartments for stowing quick-use gear

• It isn’t the most stylish bag on this list
• The handle is more jiggly than we’d like it to be

Everyone has different tastes, so we won’t say that the Away Softside Carry-On is the prettiest rolling luggage we’ve tested (though we think it’s up there), but we can confidently say that it’s the most unique-looking soft-sided luggage we’ve tested. It’s reminiscent of the Michelin Man, but not in a bad way. In addition to the look, it has incredibly smooth wheels and comfortable handles for stowing and unloading.

There are two secondary compartments, which are great for use at the airport and security line. First, a large flat front zippered pocket works well for books, a tablet, a notebook, or similar-sized items. Then, a smaller zippered pocket works well for a phone, wallet, and other daily-use items. Between the two, you can lock down most of your layover entertainment in an easy-access pocket whenever you want to get inside without diving into the spacious main compartment. The large dump area has a built-in divider compression system, which is handy but removable if you don’t want to use it. Plus, it comes with a laundry bag. This carry on has more organization than most on this list, making it an excellent shout for travelers who dig segmentation.

• It’s one of the more unique-looking bags that we’ve tested
• The wheels are very smooth, even on rough ground

• It’s pretty heavy for a soft-sided bag
• Finding the correct height adjustment is challenging, as there aren’t many options

The Amazon Basics Softside Spinner Suitcase is the perfect choice for any traveler looking for a budget-friendly option with Amazon Prime shipping that can handle the bumps and knocks of travel, regardless of the destination. Multiple sizes are available to get the best one for your next trip. From the 18.5-inch to the 30-inch, there’s something for everyone (and every airline).

The case only has one secondary compartment, which feels like a bit of a letdown for soft-sided luggage. It’s on the front and is quite large, though it does better with flat items due to its lack of depth. There’s an ID window on the back of the bag, so you can ensure whoever finds your luggage can contact you. The main compartment is simple, with compression straps in the bucket area and a zippered pocket on the lid. You can fit large gear inside here, but the size of those items will depend on your bag size!

• It’s budget-friendly and has fast shipping options
• There are multiple sizes available so that you can choose the best option for you

• The wheels give us long-term durability concerns
• There are only two colorways available at the time of writing, and neither is very original

The Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Suitcase Spinner is unique among softside bags. It feels in between super malleable soft-sided luggage and something more sturdy. This enables it to remain lightweight but durable, which is a solid shout for those trying to find a balance between the two.

As for its secondary pockets, the Subterra Carry-On Suitcase Spinner has one large zippered compartment and a transparent ID window. This may not work for some travelers, as it doesn’t have a dedicated small pocket for your phone, wallet, and sunglasses. However, those will fit inside the larger pocket. The main compartment has some organization, but most of your gear will get packed into the large dump space on the back side of the spinner, and it has enough space for shoes, camera equipment, and other large items.

• The materials are a solid middle ground between light and malleable and stiff and durable
• You don't have to remove the ID card to read it since the window is clear

• It isn’t as durable as other soft-sided luggage on this list
• The exterior sometimes has a dented look because of the materials

The Cotopaxi Allpa 38L Roller Bag takes quite a few things seriously, from all of the fun colorway options to the compression straps. Though only four colorways are available at the time of writing, the options are unique in their punchy yet earthy tones and contrasting colors. If you’re familiar with Cotopaxi, this will be nothing new. The four compression straps work well to save space and lock your gear down from bouncing around in transit, keeping things more secure and creating a more comfortable rolling experience.

We have a medium-sized top pocket inside the pack that fits your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and other essentials nicely. Apart from that and the transparent ID window, we aren’t working with much for secondary pockets, which feels lacking. Still, the main compartment has plenty of room, with a wide opening and two large zippered sections with mesh covers to see what you’ve got stowed inside. If you’re mainly bringing clothing, you can compress this bag pretty well, thanks to the external straps!

• The compression straps are handy for tightening the load
• Unique and earthy colorways make it easier to find your bag

• The materials aren’t as durable as some of the heavier bags on this list
• There’s just one secondary compartment

The Osprey Transporter Wheeled Carry-On 38 looks more like a backpack than wheeled luggage and has highly water-resistant materials, which we dig, especially if you’re going somewhere rainy. It’s pretty thin, too, which makes it easier to carry when you’ve got to fit through a tight space. The materials aren’t the most durable we’ve tested; however, their malleability is handy for stowing odd-shaped gear, like boots, while staying lightweight. Plus, you get water resistance without extra mass, which is a nice combo.

When counting exterior pockets, we find the Osprey Transporter Wheeled Carry-On 38 isn’t overzealous. There’s a front zippered pocket with an admin-panel-style organization, which we dig for using tech and entertainment devices on the go. The top, quick-use, zippered pocket is perfect for your phone, wallet, and other small items, so you can access them quickly when needed. Plus, there’s a clear ID window, so good Samaritans can find your information without having to try too hard if they find your bag. The main compartment is fairly standard, with a large area to fill and top with compression straps and some organizational pockets on the lid. However, it performs well, especially in tandem with the secondary pockets mentioned earlier!

• It has a unique, backpack-like look with lightweight materials
• The exterior is highly water-resistant

• The surface can look lumpy thanks to the malleable materials
• It shows dirt and mud more easily than some bags on this list, even if it’s easier to clean

The SWISSGEAR Sion 6283 Expandable Carry On 21″ Luggage is budget-friendly, available on Amazon Prime, and has comfortable carry handles for loading and unloading. We aren’t a huge fan of the look—however, it’s utilitarian, and we can’t complain too much, considering the price and durability. The hardware isn’t from a brand we recognize; however, it’s held up well, even on a trip to Florida from Detroit.

Secondary compartments include small and medium-sized zippered pockets for quick use and flat gear like a book or tablet, which is handy when sitting at the airport during a layover or while waiting in the security line. There’s an ID holder, too, so you can slide in your identification. The main compartment is an open space with a few accent storage areas, which is handy to bring large items but keep the small stuff locked down, too. We dig how functional this bag is for the price, even if it isn’t the prettiest option on this list.

• It’s budget-friendly
• The carry handles are comfortable, which makes loading and unloading easier

• It had loose threads from day one
• It’s not the most stylish bag, even for the price point

The Calpak Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On Luggage is cute; there’s no way around it. It’s the perfect size for weekend trips or people who don’t have much storage at home but prefer rolling luggage to a travel backpack. Plus, at the time of writing, it’ll work as a personal item on some of the more lax airlines, like Delta. If you’ve never traveled with rolling luggage as a personal item, you may find yourself with less legroom than you're used to. That said, it’s the best use of the allotted space to bring as much gear as possible, as the curved sides of backpacks aren’t the most spatially efficient. However, it also has a trolley sleeve, so you can put this bag onto your carry on or checked bag while you’re in the airport or on the way to the hotel.

The Luka has a large front zippered pocket, which works well for your phone, wallet, and other entertainment during the flight. There’s also a small zippered pocket on the top corner of the bag, but we struggled to find a good use for it. It’s quite small, though some of your daily essentials may work there better than the larger pocket on the front.

• It’s small enough for use as a personal item on some airlines
• With many unique colorway options, it’s one of the cutest rolling bags that we’ve tested

• Some users may find it too small for use as the only bag for a trip
• The larger version looks more clunky than it does cute

Thanks to its malleable external fabric, the WANDRD TRANSIT Carry-On Roller is lightweight, highly water resistant, and durable enough for the bumps and knocks of travel. We wouldn’t take it into the rugged outdoors unless we had to. It’s sturdy but not as rugged as other, thicker bags on this list. The bag has attachment loops to add extra gear, which is handy once you’ve gotten through airport security, and handles for loading and unloading.

The TRANSIT Carry-On Roller also has a lot of external pockets to fill. There are two zippered front compartments with vertical openings, which are handy for stowing larger essentials, and a big top zippered pocket for your laptop, phone, wallet, and other pocketable gear. Who doesn’t love the feeling of empty pockets? It’s so freeing! Inside the main compartment, there’s a capable compression system and other zippered pockets to keep you organized. The two-wheeled bag is also comfortable to roll when you take it for a spin.

• It has multiple large secondary compartments for tech, entertainment, and quick-use items
• The attachment loops are handy while on the go for extras or wet items

• For the price, we’d expect something more durable
• The telescopic handle only has one height, which isn’t the best for either shorter or taller travelers