Travel Suitcases | The best of 2023
Choosing the most suitable model for you can be complicated. If you are not informed enough, you risk spending money unnecessarily and turning your trip into a real nightmare. That's why we've compiled a guide to the best travel suitcases. The models we present to you have been chosen by type, size and value for money, and will allow you to complete the best possible investment.
The best suitcases
Eastpak Tranverz S Berliner Bags New York Samsonite Base Boost Spinner L MasterGear Tsa American Tourister Bon Air Spinner LEastpak Tranverz S | Best in Fabric
Eastpak brand excels in manufacturing super durable backpacks and school bags. However, when it comes to suitcases it is no different. The Eastpak Tranverz S replicates the famous nylon (60%) and polyester (40%) weave of backpacks, but transposing it into a large, comfortable suitcase full of interesting features. The extendable handle can be adjusted to different sizes and the handles on the top and right side allow you to handle the suitcase in the way you prefer. The double internal compartment features compression straps that will keep the load always in order, while the solid sliding wheel system will adapt well to both the smooth pavement of airports and the more unsteady one of city streets.View on Amazon See on eBay
Berliner Bags New York | Better in leather
The Berliner Bags suitcase stands out for its elegant and retro design but does not neglect practicality and safety. In addition to being made of high quality vegetable tanned leather, it has an adjustable shoulder strap, comfortable handles, a sturdy bottom further reinforced by metal feet and two useful external pockets. This balance of style and affordability makes it suitable for any occasion, whether for short or long journeys, whether by car or by plane. The interior is lined in soft cotton and features a closable pocket in which to safely store valuables or even a tablet. Those who need more space can opt for the XL or XXL variants.See on Amazon
Samsonite Base Boost Spinner L | Better big
When it comes to travel suitcases, Samsonite knows few rivals and the Base Boost Spinner L is a perfect example. It is a large suitcase, designed for long journeys, but anything but bulky. Sturdy and light at the same time, this suitcase is the best you can look for in terms of simplicity and performance. The interior contains a mesh divider with zipper, a pair of elastic straps with Smart-Fix buckle system and a side mesh pocket, which allow you to always keep even the largest loads in order. The exterior features a built-in TSA combination lock, top handle and a large front pocket. The result? A solid, resistant and safe large suitcase that carries like a medium-sized trolley.See on Amazon See on eBay
Cabin 5550 | Best set
If you are looking for a set of 2 suitcases, this product is truly the perfect proposal for you, designed to allow you to better manage the space available to you. The set consists of 1 soft fabric trolley with 55 cm swivel wheels, ideal for weekends and air travel. Furthermore, with the purchase, you will also get the 40cm bag, to be placed comfortably on top of the trolley. The high-quality, soft-touch design allows for a slight compression of the suitcase, making it easier to fit into tight spaces.See on Amazon
American Tourister Bon Air Spinner L | Better Rigid
American Tourister's range of Bon Air rigid suitcases could be effectively summed up in three words: strength, lightness and capacity. With its external covering made of polypropylene and the 4 wheels with 360° rotation, the Air Spinner L ensures you a fluid and smooth transport even during the most demanding journeys. The 3-digit combination zip closure is reinforced by the TSA function, while the textured outer surface helps protect against scratches: the maximum security you will find currently on the road. Those of you more fashion conscious can also choose from seven different colors, ranging from classic black to bold hues like magma red and turquoise.See on Amazon
How to choose a travel suitcase
When traveling there are many variables to consider: the reason, the method, the duration, and more. And each of these variables will greatly affect the choice of the right suitcase to take with you. Traveling by car, train or plane is not the same thing. Similarly, a small two-day trip is very different from a couple of weeks away. Furthermore, some people prefer to have only the essentials with them, while others cannot leave the house without having first emptied the wardrobe. For this reason, choosing the right suitcase can be difficult.If you do a quick search on the web, you will be inundated with extremely different models, which can prove to be very useful for your needs, but also completely unsuitable . That's why, before settling for the cheapest suitcase on the market or spending a fortune on a gigantic full-featured suitcase, you should ask yourself what you actually need to pack in your luggage and what type of trip you are about to embark on. Below we will help you clear your mind, explaining what are the crucial characteristics to keep in mind when buying a suitcase.
Dimensions
The first thing that comes to mind when looking for a suitcase is: how big should it be? Know that there is no one-way answer to this question. None of you will want to walk around with only half filled luggage or an overloaded suitcase. Regardless of the reasons for your trip, the watchword of every traveler is "convenience". Consequently, the suitcase must have the appropriate dimensions for your specific needs. Luckily for you, the market offers you a wide choice in this regard. The suitcases you will find on the market are usually available in small, medium and large sizes – but there are also extra-small or extra-large exceptions to satisfy even the most demanding travellers.Small suitcases measure approximately 40x55x20 cm and are particularly suitable for trips of a few days, during which you won't have to bring too many things with you. They are easily transported, dragging them on wheels or, if equipped with a comfortable handle, even by hand. They are the typical option for short summer trips, where bulky clothes such as sweaters, sweatshirts and coats can remain in the wardrobe. Alternatively, they are also useful for minimalist travelers who don't pay too much attention to wardrobe turnover.
Medium suitcases are approximately 45x64x24cm. Their standard size makes them great for longer summer holidays or short winter trips. Among the three available sizes, they are undoubtedly the most balanced variant, offering an intelligent combination of load capacity and transport practicality. The medium suitcase models with adequate load compression can also be suitable for those traveling in pairs and do not want to take two or more pieces of luggage with them.
If, on the other hand, you have to embark on a very long journey and you are in a cold location, you are planning a family trip or you are simply used to carrying the entire wardrobe with you wherever you go, you will not be able toa> do without a large suitcase. The dimensions of 50x74x29 cm of these models certainly make them less practical to handle, but they allow you to insert practically anything. It is also a congenial choice for those who indulge in long shopping sessions during their holidays and love to stock up on souvenirs for relatives and friends.
Typologies
When it comes to suitcases, size matters but it's not everything. Another fundamental feature to consider when buying these products is in fact the type of suitcase, an umbrella term that includes the invoice of the materials, the options and, above all, the load distribution capacity. As seasoned travelers know, packing isn't just about how much stuff you put in, it's also about how you pack it.Softside suitcases are the most traditional type of suitcase. They usually have a rectangular shape and can be made of canvas or leather. In terms of design, they are the favorite choice of vintage lovers, with all the burdens and honors that this entails: they offer little comfort (no wheels or mechanisms that facilitate their transport), but they are extremely useful for traveling by car or for move to all those places where it is not necessary to drag the suitcase on foot for long stretches.
Trolleys have now become the most widespread and common type of suitcase. They are rectangular, more or less soft and highly malleable. They are characterized by the removable (and sometimes even adjustable) handle, the ease of transport and the omnipresence of wheels. These are suitcases that are useful for almost all occasions, capable of compressing the load to make it lighter than its actual weight. You will also find them sold in real sets, with small, medium and large models. Given their high versatility and the wide range of prices available, trolleys practically constitute a separate category.
Rigid suitcases are equipped with 2 or 4 wheels, as a rule they have resistant handles and a very solid structure. From an aesthetic point of view, they resemble trolleys, but are less elastic: in other words, you cannot force the load excessively, unless you prefer to go around with a suitcase that risks opening at any moment. Nonetheless, they are very suitable for travel by plane , especially for business trips . Their compact structure will keep clothes neatly stored and ironed even after typical airport jolts. Among all, they are the most resistant and safest variant, as well as the most suitable option for those who transport fragile or valuable objects. Obviously, all of this implies a significant price increase .
If you are looking for a middle ground between the soft and rigid types, you can evaluate the purchase of a hybrid, i.e. a semi-rigid suitcase. Although you will probably have fewer models to choose from, you will be rewarded with a good compromise between practicality and resistance.
For those who focus entirely on comfort and don't pay much attention to safety, there are bags. Composed of canvas or plastic, the bags prefer cylindrical or tapered shapes and have rounded edges that will give their contents a practical dose of elasticity. Being soft and equipped with many pockets, they are perfect for informal and short trips, such as camping and trips out of town. Most of the models are in fact equipped with handles, shoulder straps and (in the more sporty variants) shoulder pads to carry them like a backpack.
Finally, there are the iconic 24 hours, the so-called travel briefcases for managers . As the name suggests, these are suitcases for extremely short trips, made for study or work reasons. The 24 hours are very small and are not suitable for those who need many changes of clothes when travelling. The structure of these micro-suitcases is in fact designed to mainly house laptops, tablets, documents, notebooks and other technological gadgets or stationery. On the other hand, they are extremely comfortable to carry, have many small pockets and, thanks to the numerous protections in the internal compartment, guarantee maximum load security.
Coverings
The last of the main variables to to consider when buying a suitcase is the type of material with which the luggage is lined, which will affect the price, durability and handling of the product.Leather lining is the most elegant and refined option. Even if it scratches or peels easily on the surface, it is a very resistant material, which also gives the suitcase good stability. Its high-quality workmanship and the equally demanding price make it a choice for nostalgics or for those who rely on design first.
Fabric is the distinctive material of bags, the sporty choice par excellence. As a rule, fabric suitcases are highly waterproof , roomy and well organized . They are easy to clean and, thanks to the large number of handles present on a large part of their surface, they impose themselves as the non plus ultra of practicality. There are also variants of suitcases in fabric which are real replicas of the models in leather or plastic. However, unlike the latter, the suitcases covered in fabric are expandable and made up of many more external compartments: ideal for always having everything you need close at hand.
At the moment, the lining in plastic is the most widespread on the market, and for good reason: by sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of the other two types of coating, plastic suitcases represent an incomparable compromise between practicality, price and safety. Most of these models feature adjustable handles, shock-absorbing casters, packing straps, and padlocks. The other strong point of plastic suitcases is the possibility to choose from a practically infinite range of colors and sizes, ranging from the smallest (hand luggage) to extra-large (giant suitcases for long trips).
