Allow me to start this article by saying I’m on a plane roughly eight to ten times a year. I absolutely adore travel, and even made it around the world backpacking by myself for a year. Needless to say, I know a thing or two about smart packing. When the world shut down and the option to travel was removed from our fingertips, it became all the more important to exercise our freedom to take a trip when it opened up again. Knowing this, more and more brands conveniently began crafting travel bags that accommodated the new wave of travelers — simplifying, organizing, and smoothing out suitcases and bags.

We tested said bags in our labs and in real life, doing so much as throwing suitcases onto the floor and seeing how they endured. As we boarded planes, we observed how quickly we could reach for our passports, and whether there was a safe space for our laptops to fit into. We took note of how smoothly wheels rolled over the French cobblestone streets or how heavy a duffel bag felt on our shoulders. Thus, we were able to compile this handy dandy list of 12 best travel bags and carry-on suitcases, based on our own personal experiences.

Best Overall

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  5/5

• Design

  5/5

• Portability

  4/5

• Value

  3.5/5

• Durability

  3.8/5

What We Love: It comes with ample amounts of sleeves, pockets, and even a shoe bag.

What We Don’t Love: Neoprene is prone to creasing.

We’re big fans of Dagne Dover’s neoprene collection, having tested their belt bags and backpacks already. We weren’t surprised, therefore, when this Carryall Bag impressed us just as much as their other products. With inside pockets (both slip and zip), we were able to place a laptop into the sleeve in addition to a water bottle and a passport into their dedicated slots. Still, there was plenty of room in the main compartment for all our clothes. Included in the bundle are two removable pouches — a shoe bag and a mesh zip pouch — as well.

Most notably, the top zip extends out an extra few inches, maximizing the space to stuff our cute weekend outfits. If we didn’t need the extra space, we could clip the sides down to keep everything looking compact. Dagne Dover also offers the bag in five sizes, ensuring there’s an option that’s just right for you. Lastly, there’s an outer slip intended to be used over a suitcase handle, so the bag could stay safe and flush against our carry-on. While neoprene is very soft and lightweight, it is prone to creasing, we noticed. Still, its durability makes up for it, and we know we’ll be using this year after year.

Dimensions: 20.5” L x 10” W x 10.5” H | Materials: Premium neoprene | Colors: 9

Best Budget

L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, Zip-Top

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  4/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  3/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: You can add a personalized touch by getting it monogrammed.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have any compartments for organization.

The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote bag is famous for a reason. After owning this bag for just six months, InStyle’s Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Hayley Prokos came to learn just how sturdy the canvas tote is. Not only that, but it’s become her go-to for basically all occasions, be it a personal item on a plane, a carryall for the beach, or an overnight tote to hold a change of clothes, shoes, and toiletry bag. (She uses the large size.) “Since the canvas maintains its shape when open, it’s extremely easy to pack. The only drawback is that it doesn't have any built-in compartments, but that hasn’t really bothered me, as I tend to keep small things in removable pouches that I can shuffle around in the bag,” she says. The large is fairly deep, so users can likely fit their things into it sans-problem. The fact that it’s monogrammable is just the icing on the cake. Choose between four different sizes and even two different top handle lengths — Prokos owns both the long and the short, swapping between them based on her needs.

Dimensions: 10.5” L x 5” W x 9.5” H  | Materials: Polyester | Colors: 13

Best Splurge

Coach Gotham Duffle

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  4/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: The high-end leather and stitchings feel substantial, ensuring the bag will last a lifetime.

What We Don’t Love: There aren’t a lot of compartments.

We want the items that we splurge on to be items we keep forever, like this Gotham Duffle bag from Coach. While visiting the Coach store we had the pleasure of handling this deliciously smooth leather duffle and were impressed with how spacious it was. It’s likely that Mary Poppins bought her infinity bag from the same maker, considering how much we could fit in it. Although it’s not boasting a lot of compartments, it’s ideal for rolling up all of our clothes and shoes into the open space. The glove-tanned leather feels sturdy and substantial, making us feel confident it would endure a ton of tossing, shoving, and rough TSA handling. The minimalist and unisex aesthetic also ensures it won’t go out of style, so while the initial payment might seem like a lot, it’s really a steal if you divide it by the number of years for which you’re about to use it.

Dimensions: 19.75” L x  9” W x 11.5” H | Materials: Leather | Colors: 2

Best Leather

Madewell Overnight Bag in Leather

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  5/5

• Portability

  4/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: The leather has only gotten better after four years of use.

What We Don’t Love: There is no laptop sleeve.

While many people are familiar with (and in love with) Madewell’s tote bag, we found all the similar great qualities in their overnight bag, plus Alpha. This option is a lot larger than their tote, but still small enough to fit under the seat in front of us. We’ve had this bag for over four years now, and the exterior leather has only gotten better in our opinion. It has endured all our not-so-gentle trips, protecting what’s inside even as we threw it into the trunk of a car.

Although there are two slip pockets in the interior where we typically keep our passport and phone, it doesn’t have a laptop sleeve, unfortunately. The bag gets rounded out as we stuff it with clothes, so it’s not the most laptop-friendly. Still, the combination of this weekender with a carry-on suitcase has saved us tons of money by not needing to check in a bag, while probably bringing the same amount of stuff as we would with a large suitcase.

Dimensions: 22.75” L x 13.37” W x 18” H | Materials: Leather | Colors: 2

Best Tote

Béis East To West Tote

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  5/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: There is a compartment for absolutely everything.

What We Don’t Love: The top zipper doesn’t close all the way.

Shay Mitchell’s company dedicated to all things travel didn’t miss a thing when it came to designing the perfect travel tote — it’s compartment-galore in and around this bag. We found pouches for our water bottles, a sleeve for our laptop, a zippered slit for our on-flight toiletries, two slots for our passport and phone, and even two pen hooks (key for someone who loves to journal on the plane).

Inside the exterior zipped pocket, there is a key leash, so that we may never have to rummage through our million things at the door. In the past year that we’ve owned this bag, it quickly became a life-saver of a tote, especially as people who are never on time and can’t be sorting through a black hole when we’re being pushed through a line. And yes, it comes with a slit for a suitcase handle as well, so even though we could carry it by the top handle or the shoulder strap, we don’t have to. The only con is that the top doesn’t zip all the way, which means extra attention needs to be paid in high-theft areas.

Dimensions: 9.06” L x 7.13” W x 14.17” H | Materials: Recycled polyester | Colors: 2

Best Compartmentalized

Lipault Lost In Berlin 24H Bag

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  4/5

• Portability

  4/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: The cushiony exterior keeps everything safe on the inside.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not big enough to carry a range of shoe options.

We’ve been using this bag not just on our travels, but to the gym as well, giving it a bigger bang for its buck. It’s got two generously sized and zipped pockets on the exterior, making items like passports, phones, and chapsticks easy to grab and safe from theft. Thanks to the cushiony and soft exterior, our valuables on the inside always remain safe. There are even more compartments on the inside that are either zipped or meshed. And of course, a laptop sleeve can be found for anyone looking to use it on a business trip. As a little extra bonus, we love how the bag folds flat when not in use — it’s easy to store it away without taking up too much closet space. Overall, it’s not as big as some of the other bags we tested. At most, we’d feel comfortable packing one extra pair of shoes, but not a whole lot more.

Dimensions: 17.3” L x 9.8” W x 11.4” H | Materials: Polyester | Colors: 6

Best Convertible

Caraa Studio Tote

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  5/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: You can convert the tote into a backpack.

What We Don’t Love: The shoe compartment can only fit smaller or flat shoes.

At first glance, this black leather tote looks like any standard bag. But upon further inspection, we fell deeper and deeper in love with all the smart benefits it offers. There are removable straps that turn the tote into a backpack, so we could move around with our hands free. Because they are removable, they don’t dangle around and get in the way when we simply want to use it as a tote either.

We found a side zip that we used as a shoe compartment, although it only fits flat sandals or smaller shoes (i.e. no high heels). The interior is extremely spacious, too, which allowed us to roll multiple shirts and sweaters in. And so nothing goes missing, there is a laptop sleeve, a water bottle cinched pocket, and two larger slip pockets for passports, wallets, and phones. All in all, we could organize, bring a ton of items, and still look chic — a true win-win situation.

Dimensions: 10” L x 18” H | Materials: Leather | Colors: 1

Best Carry-on

Muji Adjustable Handle Hard Shell Suitcase

What We Love: The wheels run very smoothly and can be locked into place when not in use.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t come with any additional pouches or perks.

We didn’t know how smooth wheels could roll until pushing this carry-on suitcase through rough pebbled European streets. No matter how heavy the case was packed, it would still roll as though it only carried a feather. Muji has an extensive travel collection which we all adore, but this simple yet elegant suitcase has to take the cake. We could easily fit enough items for a week-long getaway. The two interior compartments are divided by a zippered mesh flap, where we keep miscellaneous items like notebooks. When the suitcase is closed, we could clip the zipper handles into its designated clasp on the side and lock it with a key, giving it an extra layer of anti-theft protection. And the best part? We could lock the wheels from rolling, allowing us to leave it standing on a moving train without it skedaddling down the aisle. While many modern suitcases come with additional pouches or even charging pods, this suitcase does not.

Dimensions: 14.6” L x 9.4” W x 21.3” H | Materials: Recycled polycarbonate, recycled polyester, polyester| Colors: 5

Best for Organizing

Paravel Aviator Carry-On

What We Love: It comes with a compression board that helps to save space.

What We Don’t Love: It’s slightly heavier than your average carry-on suitcase.

Anyone looking to book a luxurious trip should have an equally luxurious suitcase to match. Owning the Paravel Aviator Carry-On felt like a beautiful travel experience in itself. Dare we say we actually enjoyed packing for once? That’s because it comes with multiple interior pockets, a separate laundry bag, and an interior compression board, which helps to press down clothing and allow for more space. And packing cubes made separating shoes from clothes a breeze. All of the details are beautifully designed, with vegan leather finishes and buttery smooth zippers — which by the way, could be locked and sealed for anti-theft. Much like the Muji option, the wheels on this suitcase glided so smoothly it was as though it were floating.

Yes, it’s a little pricier than other options, but it does come with a 10-year warranty that allows you to get manufacturing defects fixed, free of cost. We did notice that at 8.2 pounds the suitcase is a little heavier than some of the others we tested. Considering it’s a carry-on, it plays less of a role at TSA. But if you’re trying to slim down your luggage weight as much as possible perhaps this is not the one for you.

Dimensions: 13.7” L x 9” W x 21.7” H | Materials: Recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum handles, recycled zippers, vegan leather | Colors: 5

Best Weekender

Calpak Hue Laptop Duffel

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  4.5/5

• Design

  5/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Durability

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

What We Love: A padded laptop sleeve saves us from needing to bring an extra bag for our laptop.

What We Don’t Love: We wish there were a few more color options.

Duffel bags are a favorite go-to for little weekend getaways, and this option from Calpak offered far more than just a big empty space for clothes. Most notably, a padded laptop sleeve protected our laptop during transportation. A discreet phone slit made answering phone calls easy, and various pockets in and around the bag offered more ways to organize our valuables. A little slot fit for suitcase handles allowed us to keep everything together and our hands free. When we’re not traveling, the bag doubles as a great gym bag, giving us more chances to use it in everyday life. We would have loved a few more color options, like navy and white, but the four currently available will suit most tastes.

Dimensions: 18” L x 9.5” W x 10” H | Materials: Polyester, polyurethane | Colors: 4

Best for Business

Away The Everywhere Bag

Our Ratings

• Capacity

  5/5

• Organization

  5/5

• Design

  5/5

• Portability

  3.5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: Its sleek appeal makes it easy to go straight from the airport to a meeting.

What We Don’t Love: We wish it were a tiny bit bigger to fit an extra outfit.

Going somewhere for business? This bag from Away looks like a large briefcase and functions partly as one, too. With a separate compartment for laptops, pouches for notebooks and pens, a zippered section for wallets and passports, and a mesh pocket for a water bottle, the Everywhere bag has been a sleek way to organize all our business essentials. The center compartment is large enough to pack enough clothes for a two-day trip, we found, but not more. With how sleek and minimalist the bag looks, we could easily carry it from the plane to the meeting without stopping by a hotel. After accidentally spilling some water onto the bag while being served by a flight attendant, we were happy to find the exterior was completely water-resistant.

Dimensions: 16.3” L x 7.3” W x 10.2” H | Materials: Nylon, leather | Colors: 5

Best Duffel

L.L. Bean Adventure Rolling Duffle

Our Ratings

• Design

  3.5/5

• Portability

  3/5

• Value

  3.5/5

• Durability

  4/5

What We Love: You could roll the bag like a standard suitcase.

What We Don’t Love: The zip doesn’t open up very wide.

L.L. Bean has been a trusted destination for all things adventure, so it only made sense to test one of their duffel bags. While the main zip didn’t open all too wide, the interior it opens up to is deceptively large. It felt as though we could keep placing items in it and it would magically expand internally. On top of being able to hold it using the top handles, it could also be rolled like a regular suitcase. It surely made whizzing from point A to B much lighter. Thankfully, the wheels were incredibly smooth. And because the material is water-resistant, we didn’t break a sweat when rolling over any surprise puddles.

Dimensions: 12” L x 9” W x 23” H | Materials: Nylon, polyurethane | Colors: 7

Our Testing Process

First, we tapped into our rich pool of editors, writers, and travelers to see which travel bags were being bought and used organically. We rounded up our personal favorites and dropped a few of those selections here. Next, we called in multiple suitcases and bags into our testing lab and put them through a series of tests, including stuffing them to the brim to see how much they hold and weigh, checking how easy it is to utilize the compartments, observing how smoothly everything zipped, and feeling how well they rolled on the floor. We even threw the suitcases on the floor to see if anything would break, snap, or scratch. Those who passed all of our tests were then recommended in this article.

What to Keep in Mind

Size

Did you know there isn’t one universal carry-on size requirement that all airlines adhere to? It’s actually up to individual airlines to determine carry-on and checked luggage size requirements, as opposed to TSA. This means that different restrictions may apply from flight to flight (though a commonly accepted maximum carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches). If you don’t mind checking a bag, then no need to worry, but if you, like us, dread the baggage claim carousel, be mindful of dimensions when selecting your next bag (the Paravel Aviator Carry-On should do just the trick, no matter your travel plans). For shoulder bags like the Madewell The Essential Overnight Bag in Leather, they should be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

Features

Travel bags come equipped with many features, like dirty laundry dividers, specific pockets for tech devices, weight indicators, and more. “I do believe that form follows function,” says Nteta. “When it comes to functionality, I always look for my carry-on to be expandable and have organizational features so that I can separate things out properly and easily access must-haves like my laptop and wallet.” Options like the Paravel Aviator Carry-On features a compression board and a laundry pouch, while the Dagne Dover Landon Neoprene Carryall Bag comes with two additional pouches for delicates. The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Ziptop may not come with any compartments, but it does give you various size options to choose from including different handle lengths. Add on the fact that you can add a monogram, its personalization capabilities make it stand out from the rest.

Ease

When shopping for luggage, really try to imagine yourself carrying this bag throughout various lifestyle scenarios. Can you schlepp the thing through an airport, onto a train, then onto a subway, and then up the four flights of stairs to your Airbnb? If it’s lightweight like the Muji Adjustable Handle Hard Shell Suitcase, you should be just fine! Meanwhile, a non-wheeled duffel like the Calpak Hue Laptop Duffel might be better suited for car travel like road trips or packing for that pet-sitting gig you have several towns over.

Your Questions, Answered 

What type of bag is good for international travel? 

If you’re making the trek outside of the country, you’re likely staying for more than a weekend, requiring a larger checked bag. For international travel, we recommend looking for a suitcase with TSA-approved locking capabilities (such as the Muji Adjustable Handle Hard Shell Suitcase and the Paravel Aviator Carry-On), weight indicators (weight restrictions for checked luggage can vary from airline to airline — research ahead of time), and smooth 360 wheels (international airports require a lot of walking). A bag that expands isn’t a bad idea either, just in case you come home with souvenirs. We’ve seen plenty of options where the tote or duffel bag actually attaches itself onto a suitcase, like the Beis The East to West Tote or the Away the Everywhere Bag. The feature makes them especially great for when you're rushing between connections and need to move quickly.

How do you pack a carry-on-sized bag for a multi-night trip?

Most carry-on-sized bags can accommodate three to four days' worth of clothes… if you know how to stretch your base layers, shoes, and accessories. “I do my best to keep to one suitcase by packing versatile clothing pieces that I can pair and style differently,” explains Nteta. Though she notes it does take a bit of planning, it creates a more stress-free travel experience overall. “For example, I select a pair of trousers and work out all the different tops and looks I can create with that one pair of trousers,” she says. “The key is to consider how you can layer foundational items and then elevate with accessories.”

How do you safely transport makeup and other liquid toiletries?

“When I travel, I don't compromise on my skincare routine, so I need a lot of pockets to organize things like cotton pads, Q-Tips, tweezers, and more,” says world-traveling content creator Kristina Rodulfo. (We’ve tested a bunch of toiletry bags and found the seven best (and safest) options here.) “When you have liquid makeup like foundation, you want to ensure none of your clothes or other valuables get messy.” As an additional suggestion, she recommends the Ries Essential Travel Bottles for their airless pump and ability to securely stash 3.4 ounces of all your favorite products. “I have my Ries bottles filled and always ready to go for my next trip,” she says.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty. She’s an avid traveler and has explored the world solo for a year. Linne Halpern is a freelance fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer. For this story, she interviewed travel expert and influencer Thithi Nteta and world-traveling beauty expert-turned-content creator Kristina Rodulfo. Their invaluable insights (plus, some personal travel experience and tons of research) inform our favorite picks.