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Luka Duffel
Original price:
$138
Current price:
$117.30
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5 Types of Luggage: Which is Best For You?
Choosing a travel destination is hard, choosing a luggage may be even harder. There are so many types of luggage that it becomes difficult to pinpoint what the best one is for your travel needs. From checked luggage to carry-ons, duffel bags, and more, each style has its own perks. Here’s your complete guide to the best types of luggage for travel and everyday life.
Checked Luggage
Checked luggage is ideal for long trips where you need to pack more. Typically from 24 to 30 inches in height, these types of suitcases are designed to be stowed in the airplane’s cargo hold and can even have an expandable width. Medium checked luggage is roughly 24-26.5 inches whereas a large checked luggage is around 28.5-30 inches. Some additional features to look out for in a checked luggage include smooth-rolling spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, and durable composition such as hard shell or soft sided.
Pros
- Spacious enough to fit everything you need and more for your trips
- No need to lug it around the airport (only after you get it from baggage claim)
- Great for travelling to places where you will be bringing plenty back home (ex. international travel)
Cons
- Weight restrictions as most airlines have a standard weight limit of 50 pounds
- Additional costs to check in the bag and if the bag is overweight
- Extra time needed to check in the bag and get it at luggage claim
What It’s Best For: Checked luggage is best for long vacations, family trips, or international travel.
Choosing a travel destination is hard, choosing a luggage may be even harder. There are so many types of luggage that it becomes difficult to pinpoint what the best one is for your travel needs. From checked luggage to carry-ons, duffel bags, and more, each style has its own perks. Here’s your complete guide to the best types of luggage for travel and everyday life.
Checked Luggage
Checked luggage is ideal for long trips where you need to pack more. Typically from 24 to 30 inches in height, these types of suitcases are designed to be stowed in the airplane’s cargo hold and can even have an expandable width. Medium checked luggage is roughly 24-26.5 inches whereas a large checked luggage is around 28.5-30 inches. Some additional features to look out for in a checked luggage include smooth-rolling spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, and durable composition such as hard shell or soft sided.
Pros
- Spacious enough to fit everything you need and more for your trips
- No need to lug it around the airport (only after you get it from baggage claim)
- Great for travelling to places where you will be bringing plenty back home (ex. international travel)
Cons
- Weight restrictions as most airlines have a standard weight limit of 50 pounds
- Additional costs to check in the bag and if the bag is overweight
- Extra time needed to check in the bag and get it at luggage claim
What It’s Best For: Checked luggage is best for long vacations, family trips, or international travel.
Carry On Luggage
Carry On Luggages are small enough to bring onto an airplane to be stored in the overhead bin or under the seat. These bags are typically not more than 22 inches in height. Carry ons keep your essentials safe and close to you throughout your flight. These can range from small rolling suitcases, large backpacks, and even duffel bags.
Carry ons are perfect for shorter trips and convenience when travelling by saving some time by avoiding baggage claim. Look out for bags with smart organization features such as pockets and compression straps. If you are going with a rolling carry on, aim for ones with 360° spinner wheels for seamless mobility as you’ll be bringing this along with you in your travel journey.
Pros
- Time saving as you don’t have to worry about picking your bag up at baggage claim
- Quick and easy access to your belongs as it is always by you throughout your flight
- Cost saving as you don’t have to worry about checked baggage fees
Cons
- Limited space which requires strategic packing
- May still need to be checked on smaller or more crowded planes
- Carrying restrictions such as restrictions on product weights like liquids
What It’s Best For: Carry On Luggages are best for shorter trips, light packing, and avoiding baggage claim. [One-liner. Ex: “Light packing and multi-purpose use”]
Carry On Luggage
Carry On Luggages are small enough to bring onto an airplane to be stored in the overhead bin or under the seat. These bags are typically not more than 22 inches in height. Carry ons keep your essentials safe and close to you throughout your flight. These can range from small rolling suitcases, large backpacks, and even duffel bags.
Carry ons are perfect for shorter trips and convenience when travelling by saving some time by avoiding baggage claim. Look out for bags with smart organization features such as pockets and compression straps. If you are going with a rolling carry on, aim for ones with 360° spinner wheels for seamless mobility as you’ll be bringing this along with you in your travel journey.
Pros
- Time saving as you don’t have to worry about picking your bag up at baggage claim
- Quick and easy access to your belongs as it is always by you throughout your flight
- Cost saving as you don’t have to worry about checked baggage fees
Cons
- Limited space which requires strategic packing
- May still need to be checked on smaller or more crowded planes
- Carrying restrictions such as restrictions on product weights like liquids
What It’s Best For: Carry On Luggages are best for shorter trips, light packing, and avoiding baggage claim. [One-liner. Ex: “Light packing and multi-purpose use”]
Soft-Sided Luggage
Soft-sided luggage is made with fabrics like nylon or polyester on the exterior, offering flexibility and extra pockets for easy access. These lightweight bags are great for travelers who need to squeeze in just a little more as they can expand to fit more items.
Soft-sided luggage is also easier to fit within smaller spaces as they can squeeze in without the risks of breakage. One of their stand-out features is their external pockets, making it accessible for things like headphones, eyemasks, and other essentials for your flight.
Pros
- Flexible to fit in more items and fit into smaller spaces
- Additional pockets on the exterior to quickly access items
- Typically lighter than hardshell luggage options
Cons
- Less protection for more fragile items
- Can experience more wear and tear due to its material
- May not hold its shape well over time
What It’s Best For: Soft-side luggages is best for travelers prioritizing flexibility and extra storage.
Hard Shell Luggage
Hard shell luggages are lightweight and durable as they are made of polycarbonate shells and are built to resist scratches, spills, or rough handling. There are also ABS plastics which are lower in cost but also lower in protection. Some are also aluminium which offers impressive strength at a greater cost. For their interior, they will typically contain zippers for protective storage on one side and compression straps on the other. Hard shell luggages also have a great aesthetic appeal of their modern, sleek designs allowing a minimalist look with maximum protection. For a deeper dive on these two luggage types, check out our article on hard vs soft sided luggages.
Pros
- Protective of fragile items
- Great long term as it is less prone to damage or scratches
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Hard to overpack
- Less or none exterior pockets
- Typically heavier than soft-sided luggages
What It’s Best For: Hard Side Luggages are best for international travel, fragile items, and long term use.
Soft-Sided Luggage
Soft-sided luggage is made with fabrics like nylon or polyester on the exterior, offering flexibility and extra pockets for easy access. These lightweight bags are great for travelers who need to squeeze in just a little more as they can expand to fit more items.
Soft-sided luggage is also easier to fit within smaller spaces as they can squeeze in without the risks of breakage. One of their stand-out features is their external pockets, making it accessible for things like headphones, eyemasks, and other essentials for your flight.
Pros
- Flexible to fit in more items and fit into smaller spaces
- Additional pockets on the exterior to quickly access items
- Typically lighter than hardshell luggage options
Cons
- Less protection for more fragile items
- Can experience more wear and tear due to its material
- May not hold its shape well over time
What It’s Best For: Soft-side luggages is best for travelers prioritizing flexibility and extra storage.
Hard Shell Luggage
Hard shell luggages are lightweight and durable as they are made of polycarbonate shells and are built to resist scratches, spills, or rough handling. There are also ABS plastics which are lower in cost but also lower in protection. Some are also aluminium which offers impressive strength at a greater cost. For their interior, they will typically contain zippers for protective storage on one side and compression straps on the other. Hard shell luggages also have a great aesthetic appeal of their modern, sleek designs allowing a minimalist look with maximum protection. For a deeper dive on these two luggage types, check out our article on hard vs soft sided luggages.
Pros
- Protective of fragile items
- Great long term as it is less prone to damage or scratches
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Hard to overpack
- Less or none exterior pockets
- Typically heavier than soft-sided luggages
What It’s Best For: Hard Side Luggages are best for international travel, fragile items, and long term use.
Duffel Bags & Weekenders
Duffel bags & weekenders are perfect for short trips or as a carry on or personal item as they offer a casual, hands-free way to carry your essentials. Duffel bags are similar to a soft-side luggage through its lightweight fabrics but remain heavy duty. Offered with or without wheels, these bags have a tough exterior with nylon or canvas materials.
Wheeled options are usually larger and can offer a larger assortment of zippers, pockets, and straps. Those without wheels are great as a personal item to keep essentials like laptops and neck pillows close by. These bags are also great for outdoor travel or gym sessions.
Weekenders are similar to our non-wheeled duffels but are best for additional storage. Our weekender totes offer plenty of storage options such as a dedicated shoe compartment alongside multiple interior and exterior pockets. Both the duffel bags and weekenders are versatile and can often fit under airplane seats or tight spaces.
Pros
- Portable and easy to carry
- Fits into small spaces (cars, trains, planes)
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lacks structure, can get messy if overpacked
- Limited protection for more fragile items
- Not ideal for longer trips
What It’s Best For: Duffel bags and weekenders are best for short trips, light packers, or to use as a gym bag.
Which Luggage Type Is Best For You?
To choose the best luggage for you it ultimately depends on your travel style and distance.
- For a frequent flyer a carry-on or hard-shell suitcase can keep things efficient. Consider looking into our 2-piece or 3-piece luggage sets to get more and save more.
- For long trips, carry-ons and checked luggages give you space.
- Weekend vacations call for a duffel or weekender.
- For more flexibility a soft-sided luggage is perfect to adapt to your packing needs.
Before buying, check out our article on the best time to buy luggages.
If you are still unsure check out our full Luggage Collection to find your perfect match!
Duffel Bags & Weekenders
Duffel bags & weekenders are perfect for short trips or as a carry on or personal item as they offer a casual, hands-free way to carry your essentials. Duffel bags are similar to a soft-side luggage through its lightweight fabrics but remain heavy duty. Offered with or without wheels, these bags have a tough exterior with nylon or canvas materials.
Wheeled options are usually larger and can offer a larger assortment of zippers, pockets, and straps. Those without wheels are great as a personal item to keep essentials like laptops and neck pillows close by. These bags are also great for outdoor travel or gym sessions.
Weekenders are similar to our non-wheeled duffels but are best for additional storage. Our weekender totes offer plenty of storage options such as a dedicated shoe compartment alongside multiple interior and exterior pockets. Both the duffel bags and weekenders are versatile and can often fit under airplane seats or tight spaces.
Pros
- Portable and easy to carry
- Fits into small spaces (cars, trains, planes)
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lacks structure, can get messy if overpacked
- Limited protection for more fragile items
- Not ideal for longer trips
What It’s Best For: Duffel bags and weekenders are best for short trips, light packers, or to use as a gym bag.
Which Luggage Type Is Best For You?
To choose the best luggage for you it ultimately depends on your travel style and distance.
- For a frequent flyer a carry-on or hard-shell suitcase can keep things efficient. Consider looking into our 2-piece or 3-piece luggage sets to get more and save more.
- For long trips, carry-ons and checked luggages give you space.
- Weekend vacations call for a duffel or weekender.
- For more flexibility a soft-sided luggage is perfect to adapt to your packing needs.
Before buying, check out our article on the best time to buy luggages.
If you are still unsure check out our full Luggage Collection to find your perfect match!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of luggage for travel?
It depends! For longer travel and durability, a hard-shell luggage is great to protect your items and maintain its quality; however, it can be challenging to overpack or carry due to its added weight. Checked luggages, available in hard-shell and soft-side, suits longer vacations. Carry-ons, duffel bags and weekenders work for casual travel or shorter trips.
What size luggage is best?
For carry-ons, stick to 22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller. Checked bags can vary, but 24-28 inches is standard for long trips. Make sure to check with your airline as these can vary. To find what type of luggage is best, check out our article on luggage sizes for more information.
What’s the most common type of luggage?
Typically, rolling carry-ons and checked suitcases are the most popular, thanks to their convenience, storage, and ease of transport.
What are the different types of checked luggage?
The different kinds of luggages are checked luggages which come in soft-sided and hard-shell luggages as well as certain duffel bags with sizes ranging from 24 to 32 inches.
Which holds more, hard or soft luggage?
Soft-sided luggage often has expandable features, while hard-shell cases offer more protection and structure but less give. Soft-sided luggage also tends to offer exterior pockets for additional storage where hard-shell lacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of luggage for travel?
It depends! For longer travel and durability, a hard-shell luggage is great to protect your items and maintain its quality; however, it can be challenging to overpack or carry due to its added weight. Checked luggages, available in hard-shell and soft-side, suits longer vacations. Carry-ons, duffel bags and weekenders work for casual travel or shorter trips.
What size luggage is best?
For carry-ons, stick to 22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller. Checked bags can vary, but 24-28 inches is standard for long trips. Make sure to check with your airline as these can vary. To find what type of luggage is best, check out our article on luggage sizes for more information.
What’s the most common type of luggage?
Typically, rolling carry-ons and checked suitcases are the most popular, thanks to their convenience, storage, and ease of transport.
What are the different types of checked luggage?
The different kinds of luggages are checked luggages which come in soft-sided and hard-shell luggages as well as certain duffel bags with sizes ranging from 24 to 32 inches.
Which holds more, hard or soft luggage?
Soft-sided luggage often has expandable features, while hard-shell cases offer more protection and structure but less give. Soft-sided luggage also tends to offer exterior pockets for additional storage where hard-shell lacks.
