Skip to content
Home » Blog » We’ve Spent Years Testing Travel Bags. These Are the Four We Currently Recommend

We’ve Spent Years Testing Travel Bags. These Are the Four We Currently Recommend

  • by

Looking for the perfect bag for your next trip? Start your search here.

Photo by Eric Adams

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

With spring and summer travel on the horizon, packing is suddenly on everyone’s mind. We’ve published tons of extensive buying guides packed with suggestions on duffleshard-sided suitcasescross-body bagsaluminum luggagetravel backpacks and more.

Still, there are always a few particular bags our editors recommend more consistently than others. To make things easier for you — and admittedly us — we’ve collected our most popular bag recommendations in one place.

Best Carry-On Suitcase

Away

Best Overall Carry-On

Away Carry-On

Away’s The Carry-On became an online DTC success story for good reason. It features a simple and clean aesthetic, an affordable price point and introduced a feature that’s now commonplace on trendy suitcases: an integrated lithium-ion battery for charging your phone. A variety of more expensive suitcases are superior in various ways, but it’s hard to beat Away’s overall value proposition at its price point.

Pros

Lightweight polycarbonate design is still durabl

Super spacious and easy to pack

The optional battery pack keeps you charged on the go

Cons

The handle feels flimsy compared to the rest of the hardy suitcase

Battery must come out to be checked-in

Best Carry-On Backpack

Peak Design

Best Overall Duffle Bag

Peak Design Travel Duffle

This bag features magnetic snap handles, elegant design and interior pockets that offer lots of opportunity for organization. It’s also 100 percent waterproof and is made with a tough-as-nails 600D nylon canvas external shell.

Pros

Elegant, stylish design

Interior expands as needed when overpacked

Weatherproof thanks to durable 600D nylon external shell

Lots of interior pockets for storage, plus magnetic handles for secure grip

Cons

A few users say their magnetic handles were weak

The shoulder strap is weak, according to one user

Best Duffle Bag

Peak Design

Best Overall Carry-On Backpack

Peak Design 45 L Travel Backpack

Our longstanding editor favorite travel backpack incorporates hidden magnets for convenient strap storage, while two main pockets and various slots accommodate ample gear, from apparel to electronics. With features like grab handles, multiple zippers and water bottle slots, it stands out as a near-perfect travel companion.

Pros

Can expand from a 35L day bag into 45L multi-day gear hauler

Offers many ways to load & access contents

Backpack straps can hide conveniently out of site via magnets

Weather proof shell

Cons

Main pouch less accessible than some other bags on the list

Cinch straps only work okay

Best Crossbody Bag

Credit: Moment

Best Overall Crossbody Bag

Moment MTW Fanny Sling 2L

This is our pick for the best crossbody (or sling) bag you can buy. It’s expandable, versatile, secure, durable, stylish and just about everything else you could want in a crossbody bag. It even comes in five handsome colorways.

Pros

Compartmentalized pockets

Contoured shape for comfort

Water-sealed zippers

Waterproof

Cons

No strap for carrying when you take it off

Some users say the straps are too short


The Best Crossbody Bags for Men


The Best Backpacks for Everyday Use


The Best Aluminum Suitcases for Every Trip


Away vs Monos: Which Carry-On Should You Take on Your Next Trip?


The Best Carry-On Suitcases for Your Next Trip


Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On Review: Why This Expensive Suitcase Is Worth the Splurge


The Best Luggage Brands — And Their Best Products, Too