Packing efficiently and effectively is an art, and the right Travel Gear is your best tool. A well-chosen set of luggage and accessories can transform your travel experience, offering more freedom, less stress, and greater organization, whether you’re navigating busy airports or exploring new cities. While the idea of carry-on only travel might not suit every trip, especially those longer journeys or special occasions needing extensive wardrobes, for many adventures, streamlining your luggage is a game-changer. Investing in quality travel gear is investing in smoother, more enjoyable journeys.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Bag in Airport
Traveler navigating airport with Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on luggage, highlighting its convenience for modern travel.
Carry-on Backpacks (Non-Roller)
Top Pick
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Backpack
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
A Versatile Small Pack for Weekends or Week-Long Getaways
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L stands out as a top-tier travel backpack for its thoughtful design that caters to organized packing and comfortable carrying. Its clamshell opening allows you to pack and access your belongings as you would with a suitcase, making organization straightforward. Whether you prefer to wear it as a backpack or carry it by its sturdy handles, the Allpa 35L is built for mobility and durability, making it an excellent choice for a range of trips.
Buying Options
$180 from REI
$200 from AmazonMay be out of stock
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
An Easily Customizable Large Bag for Extended Trips and Specialized Gear
For travelers needing more space and adaptability, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is an exceptional choice. Originally designed with photographers in mind, its customizable nature and smart features appeal to all kinds of travelers. The bag’s expandability and compression capabilities are particularly noteworthy, allowing it to adjust seamlessly to different packing needs. Its well-thought-out access points and optional accessory cubes further enhance its versatility, although these cubes are sold separately.
Buying Options
$230 from REI
$300 from Best Buy
$300 from Huckberry
After extensive testing of numerous bags over six months, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L and Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L emerged as top recommendations for travelers committed to carry-on travel. Both backpacks excel in comfort, durability, and organizational features, making them reliable companions for various travel styles and durations.
Person wearing Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack
Traveler wearing black Cotopaxi Allpa 35L backpack showcasing its comfortable and practical design for everyday carry and travel.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is particularly well-suited for those who pack light or prefer a smaller profile backpack. Its clamshell design simplifies packing, and the adjustable straps ensure a comfortable fit for different body types. The inclusion of handles on all sides adds to its convenience, while the updated version now includes a luggage handle pass-through and a water-bottle pocket, enhancing its travel-friendly features. Cotopaxi’s lifetime warranty and robust construction using waterproof, TPU-coated polyester and ballistic nylon underscore its durability and reliability. For many, including Wirecutter’s senior staff writer Kit Dillon, the Allpa 35L, combined with a personal item, has become the go-to travel luggage solution. One minor consideration is its minimal organizational compartments for smaller items, suggesting the need for a supplementary personal item for documents and accessories.
Person wearing Peak Design Travel Backpack
Back view of traveler wearing black Peak Design Travel Backpack, demonstrating its sleek and adaptable form for diverse travel needs.
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, on the other hand, is a highly adaptable backpack, often likened to a Swiss Army knife due to its adjustability and customization options. Its expansion capability from 30 to 45 liters and multiple access points, including back, front, and side openings, make it incredibly versatile. While constructed from durable nylon and polyester, it may not feel as rugged as the Cotopaxi Allpa. The Peak Design backpack is ideal for those who appreciate modularity and organization, especially photographers or tech enthusiasts who utilize its optional packing and camera cubes. Despite its higher price point and complexity due to numerous zippers and adjustments, it is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Ultimately, the best backpack depends on personal preferences and travel needs. For more options, Wirecutter’s comprehensive review of carry-on travel bags includes recommendations for bags that double as mobile offices or those optimized for long walks.
Carry-on Bags (Rolling)
Top Pick
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Rolling Carry-on
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner
Great Features, Great Value
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner is our top pick for rolling carry-on luggage, offering an exceptional combination of size, value, reliability, and high-end features. Backed by a lifetime warranty, this spinner is designed to withstand the rigors of travel while providing smooth handling and ample packing space.
Buying Options
$365 from Amazon
$365 from Travelpro
Since 2015, extensive research and hands-on testing, including evaluations by flight attendants in simulated aircraft conditions, have led to the recommendation of the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner as the best carry-on luggage for most travelers.
Traveler sitting with Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on
Traveler in airport lounge with Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on spinner, showcasing its convenience and compact size for air travel.
This carry-on boasts smooth, replaceable wheels, comfortable telescoping handles, and a durable nylon exterior with a robust internal frame. Improvements in the Elite model include a reduced handle footprint, an additional exterior pocket, and a USB pass-through for on-the-go charging. Weighing just 7.8 pounds empty, it is also lighter than previous models. For its price range, the Travelpro Platinum Elite offers premium components and a comprehensive lifetime warranty that even covers airline damage, provided you register the suitcase post-purchase.
Upgrade Pick
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-inch Rolling Carry-on
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
For Frequent Flyers
Frequent flyers who travel over 25,000 miles annually and seek top-tier luggage should consider the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner. This bag justifies its higher price with unique features, superior construction, and generous expandable capacity, backed by a satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturer.
Buying Options
$699 from Briggs & Riley
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner excels in packing capacity due to its spacious interior and innovative expansion-compression system. It can accommodate more clothing than most tested bags, adjusting effectively to various packing volumes. Wirecutter’s founder, Brian Lam, used this bag extensively, accumulating over 150,000 miles with it before the pandemic, with minimal complaints, primarily noting that longer pants may require an extra fold.
Personal Item (Underseat Luggage)
Personal items are, by nature, highly individual, and the ideal choice varies greatly among travelers. For tech-savvy individuals, the Waterfield Air Porter Carry-On Bag is an excellent option, offering superior tech organization along with enough space for a change of clothes, all within a professional-looking design suitable for both travel and office environments. Alternatively, the Monos Metro Duffel presents a more luxurious choice, featuring refined organization and travel-focused add-ons. For a wider selection, refer to Wirecutter’s comprehensive guide to underseat luggage.
Checked Luggage
When carry-on space is insufficient, and checked luggage becomes necessary, especially for trips requiring extra outfits, specialized gear, or formal wear, choosing the right checked bag is crucial.
Top Pick for Travel Backpack Style
Osprey Farpoint 55 Men's Travel Pack
Osprey Farpoint 55 Men’s Travel Pack
The Best Travel Backpack for Those with Taller Torsos
The Osprey Farpoint 55 is highly recommended for its comfort, adjustability, and carry-on compatibility, making it suitable for trips lasting from a week to several months. It provides ample space and organizational features for extended travel.
Buying Options
$220 from REI
$189 from Amazon
Osprey Fairview 55 Women's Travel Pack
Osprey Fairview 55 Women’s Travel Pack
The Best Travel Backpack for Those with Shorter Torsos
The Osprey Fairview 55 mirrors the features of the Farpoint 55 but is specifically designed for those with shorter torsos, ensuring a comfortable and ergonomic fit without compromising on storage or functionality for extended travels.
Buying Options
$220 from REI
$207 from Amazon
For travelers anticipating a lot of walking, particularly on uneven terrain, travel backpacks like the Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 are ideal. The suitcase-style opening of the main compartment simplifies packing and access, while the detachable daypack offers additional space for essentials and electronics. Constructed from durable recycled polyester and backed by Osprey’s lifetime warranty, these backpacks are built to endure extensive travel.
Top Pick for Rolling Checked Bag
Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch Rolling Checked Bag
Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner
The Best Checked Bag for Most Travelers
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner stands out as the best checked bag for its luxury feel at a reasonable price. Its capacity, warranty, and reliability make it suitable for most travelers, offering ample space without exceeding airline weight restrictions.
Buying Options
$392 from Amazon
$416 from Travelpro
The 25-inch Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Spinner Suiter is our top recommendation for checked luggage, mirroring the praised qualities of its carry-on counterpart. It features excellent organizational features, exceptional durability, and a superior warranty within its price category, making it a reliable choice for checked baggage needs.
Luggage Tags
Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag
Close-up of Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag in orange color, highlighting its durable silicone build and metal cable for secure attachment to luggage.
Top Pick
Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag Product Shot
Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag
Strong and Easy to See
The Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag is our top pick for luggage tags due to its durability and visibility. Constructed from rugged silicone with a metal cable, this tag is built to last and comes in a pack of two. Its bright colors and discreet design that hides personal information make it both practical and secure.
Buying Options
$8 from Amazon(pack of two)
A quality luggage tag should be durable, user-friendly, and discreet, ensuring quick and easy luggage identification while withstanding travel wear and tear. After evaluating numerous models, the Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag stands out as the most reliable choice. Its silicone body and metal grommet-reinforced cable offer superior durability, and the variety of colors helps luggage stand out. The tag’s design conceals personal information, requiring an extra step to access the contact card, enhancing privacy while still providing necessary details for luggage recovery. Alternative privacy approaches like QR codes or user ID numbers were considered but deemed overly complex compared to the Ovener’s straightforward and effective design.
Compression Sacks
Compression sacks are invaluable for space-saving, especially for bulky items like sleeping bags or clothing. They work by compressing contents into a smaller volume, making packing more efficient.
Also Great
Osprey StraightJacket Compression Sack
Osprey StraightJacket (8L)
Easier Access, Less Compression
The Osprey StraightJacket (8L) compression sack offers a unique side-zipper design for easy access to contents without unpacking everything. While it may not compress as tightly as traditional sacks, its convenience and user-friendly features make it a great option for organized packing.
Buying Options
$28 from REI
Unlike traditional compression sacks, the Osprey StraightJacket features a side zipper for full access to its contents, enhancing usability. Its sideways compression straps are less prone to tangling, and its handle design allows for use as a last-minute carry-on. However, it provides less compression compared to traditional designs. Another innovative option, the GobiGear SegSac, uses internal dividers for organization but is less versatile for larger items.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are transformative travel accessories that organize clothing within luggage, simplifying packing and unpacking. They function like drawers within a suitcase, keeping items separated and easily accessible.
Top Pick
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
Well Built with Easy Access
The Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is highly recommended for its robust construction and user-friendly design. These packing cubes effectively organize luggage, making it easier to locate items and keep clothes tidy during travel.
Buying Options
$40 from Amazon
The three-piece Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is excellent for organizing a week’s worth of clothing, facilitating easy transitions from suitcase to hotel dresser. Made from durable polyester, these cubes maintain their shape when empty and feature snag-resistant mesh windows and smooth zippers. The full-zip design allows complete access when placed in drawers, keeping clothes protected and organized. While Eagle Creek updated their zipper design, performance remains comparable to previous YKK zippers. For travelers prioritizing lightness, the Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set offers a lighter, water-resistant alternative, though with less structure.
Investing in quality travel gear can significantly enhance your travel experiences, making packing, organizing, and traveling smoother and more enjoyable. Whether it’s a durable backpack, a reliable rolling suitcase, or organizational accessories like packing cubes and luggage tags, the right travel gear is an essential investment for any smart traveler.
