Must-have picks from your favourite luggage brands

Luggage serves as a home away from home. It not only houses our belongings on the road, but also becomes the one item we actually can’t live (remotely) without. Whether you’re looking for a weekender bag, a backpack for a short getaway, or a carry-on/check-in suitcase for a longer vacation, we’ve got you covered. And rest assured, quality, style, durability, and ease of transport are all crucial factors in our best travel companions.

You cast your votes for the luggage brands you trust most. Without further ado: Here they are, along with some of our favourite picks for good measure.

For those who prefer a softside, this check-in suitcase has all the essentials: four wheels, a combination lock, an inner pocket, and the option to expand. Measuring 80 by 34.5 by 49 centimetres, it can hold 120 litres in its single compartment, which you can stack any which way you’d like.

Catch eyes as you stroll through the terminal with this stunning teal hardside with a playful pattern, including the brand’s logo on a tilt. The 2.5-kilogram spinner measures 41 by 21 by 55 centimetres and holds 32 litres. With a three-digit fixed combination lock and interior straps, everything stays securely in place until you arrive at your final destination.

The vertical grooves on this hardside give it a subtle, chic style. And once inside, that stylish flair continues with divider panels on each side that have interior pockets on them, and a lining that’s made of post-consumer recycled bottles. The lightweight handle stops at two grooves, so you have a choice of a 97- or 108-centimetre height. The polycarbonate hard shell is so durable that it can withstand a human standing on it—and still push back (with its additional five centimetres of expandable space, that is).

Organized packers will love all the spaces to keep things neat and orderly, especially the bottom compartment, suitable for shoes and the set of three packing cubes that stack perfectly in the main space. The 76-centimetre bag has a pull-out handle that makes it roll smoothly and is made of tough polyester that stands up to water and stains.

Sustainability comes first with this clean-cut 55-centimetre spinner, available in seven shades. Not only is it constructed with recycled post-consumer waste, it’s also made in Europe and sent in recycled packaging. The cabin-sized polypropylene bag weighs 2.6 kilograms but has 38 litres of space rolling along on its four double wheels.

This backpack’s clean lines and boxy construction give it a polished exterior. Inside, it has organizer waterproof and antimicrobial pockets. Weighing 1.19 kilograms and measuring 47.5 by 32.5 by 13 centimetres, this polyester bag is a simple way to tote around all your tech accessories and other small essentials.

Hang onto this hardside check-in suitcase, which features a sandwich-style opening with a zipper compartment on one side and cross ribbon bands on the other. With room for 46 litres, the 58 by 41 by 26-centimetre luggage also has a key lock—and three-year limited warranty.

Hailing itself as a laptop backpack, this Swissgear accessory is so much better suited as a daypack or airline personal item. Sure, it has a special lay-flat slot for computers so that it doesn’t need to be removed at TSA checkpoints, but it also bears spacious front compartments for other tech accessories and traveling essentials. Among its best features: compression straps, side water bottle pockets, and a crush-resistant compartment for glasses.

This duffel was made for stuffing as many souvenirs as possible inside. Eagle Creek’s classic bag is reinforced with strong, water-resistant material that self repairs. Weighing in at 1.1 kilograms, the 76 by 38 by 36-centimetre tote is packable into a storage pouch that can also be used as an internal pocket.

For those times when there’s just too much to haul, this 130-litre rolling duffel will answer your call. It’s ready to tread boldly, with oversized wheels that can glide over any surface. If the contents don’t warrant that treatment, it can also be carried by its top or side handles or with its zip-away backpack straps. Detachable mesh dividers help separate the items inside, while keeping them organized.