We spend the majority of our lives in transit (daily commutes, weekend trips, bucket list hotel stays — what have you). No matter the length of our journeys, there was one item we relied on to help get from point A to point B and maybe even to point Z: a handy-dandy weekend bag or a smooth rolling suitcase designed specifically for travel. And with peak travel season just around the corner, we’re feeling the wanderlust ourselves — so we couldn’t resist the urge to round up the best travel bags on the market.
We rounded up our favorite top-rated workhorse tote bags, roomy weekenders, hard-case carry-ons, and utility duffels that are tried, tested, and customer-approved to withstand the wear and tear of hoofing it around town (or, in some cases, the globe). Scroll on to shop the best highest-reviewed travel bags from every category — starting small at highly coveted cosmetics bags and going big with extra-large hard-side rollers.
Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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The Type: The breezy sling bag to keep you hands-free
The Hype: 5.0 out of 5 stars on Free People
What Travelers Say: “This bag fits passports and all the requisite extras for organized travel. It’s also cute and I got compliments the two times I’ve taken it out so far.” —MJoybelle, Free People Reviewer
Shop Free People
FP Movement Traveling Pocket Crossbody, $, available at Free People
The Type: The foldable, lightweight backpack for extra souvenirs
The Hype: 4.0 out of 5 stars on Lululemon
What Travelers Say: “It’s very light with a big capacity, not to mention super stylish, durable, and incredibly convenient. It’s a practical purchase for sure.” —Anonymous Lululemon Reviewer
Shop Lululemon
Lululemon Packable Backpack 32L, $, available at Lululemon
The Type: The shapeshifting travel bag with a detachable clutch bag
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars on Monos
What Travelers Say: “This bag is really beautiful and a great size. The details are so well thought-out and sleek. The extra toiletries bag-slash-clutch is possibly my favorite feature: It clasps on and off easily, and being able to stow it outside the bag allows more room inside which can be super helpful at times.” —Gina, Monos Reviewer
Shop Monos
Monos Metro Duffel, $, available at Monos
The Type: The hyper-organized carry-on suitcase with built-in shelves (read our review to fully understand its magic).
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 3,228 reviews at Solgaard
What Travelers Say: “My husband and I both used just our Carry-On Closets and backpacks for almost two weeks in Italy. You can pack so much more than a regular carry-on. Plus, it helps you stay way more organized than packing cubes. And the best part is you don’t have to unpack. You just pull the shelving unit out and hang it up. Done!” —Cynthia F., Solgaard Reviewer
Shop Solgaard
Solgaard Carry-On Closet, $, available at Solgaard
The Type: Foldable Duffel Bag (get the full inside scoop on this viral Amazon product in our review).
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 12,649 ratings on Amazon
What Travelers Say: “It was perfect! I managed to get in jeans, leggings, pajamas, three tops, underwear, toiletries/makeup, hair straighteners, a guidebook, an iPad, and a Kindle, and there was still room left over. It was so light to carry and easy too thanks to the long shoulder strap. The only negative, and it’s not a big one, is that I can’t refold it back into its pocket, but it folds up small anyway so storing it isn’t a problem. The quality is very good: It’s unlined, but the material is quite thick and strong, and it looks much more expensive than it actually is.” —Anonymous Amazon Reviewer
Shop Amazon
WANDF Foldable Underseat Travel Duffel Bag, $, available at Amazon
The Type: Standard carry-on roller bag
The Hype: 5 out of 5 stars and 26 reviews on Calpak
What Travelers Say: “This suitcase is GORGEOUS, and it’s just as functional as it is fashionable! Incredibly streamlined and well-designed, yet holds a ton!” —Jessica F., Calpak Reviewer
Shop Calpak
Calpak Astyll Carry-On Luggage, $, available at Calpak
The Type: Travel toiletry bag
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars and 495 reviews on Amazon
What Travelers Say: “This is my new favorite for cosmetic cases! Great size for everything I need and very well made. Impressed with the look and feel of this case. The faux leather is nice and soft. Zipper is smooth. Clear plastic is thick but not too rigid. Love the white color, too.” — Lily, Amazon Reviewer
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Rownyeon Clear Makeup Case, $, available at Amazon
The Type: Medium check-in suitcase that is often sold out
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 76 reviews on Quince
What Travelers Say: “We absolutely love this bag. It is the perfect size and color for a girls’ trip and has the same insides as all of the most expensive bags you see out there. We’ve been wanting to replace our luggage set for many years and now we can finally do so — and at an affordable price. Everything this brand does is quality, and I will be a lifelong customer.” —Megan, Quince Reviewer
Shop Quince
Quince Check-In Suitcase (24-Inch), $, available at Quince
The Type: Large weekender
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 3,887 reviews at Lo & Sons
What Travelers Say: “This bag won me over from the separate shoe compartment. It fit right under the airplane seat, which was awesome! I love this bag and it’s perfect for a weekend away.” —Stef, Lo & Sons Reviewer
Shop Lo & Sons
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe, $, available at Lo & Sons
The Type: The medium-sized, sustainable weekender
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 183 reviews at Everlane
What Travelers Say: “I got this bag to use as a carry-on, and it was perfect for my needs. I wore it comfortably crossbody and over my shoulder as well as attached to my suitcase through multiple airports and ferry terminals. It was also very useful during my trip for carrying groceries and other purchases. I appreciated its roominess and multiple pockets. —Juju, Everlane Reviewer
Shop Everlane
Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender, $, available at Everlane
The Type: Supersized weekender
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 3,465 reviews at Dagne Dover
What Travelers Say: “Best bag for plane travel. This is the perfect size to sit on top of your carry-on suitcase. Fits under the seat even when filled to capacity. My new favorite everything bag. I look for reasons to use it.” —Angelina, Dagne Dover Reviewer
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Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag, $, available at Dagne Dover
The Type: Backpack duffel
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 215 reviews on Patagonia
What Travelers Say: “The capacity of this bag is outstanding, I am able to fit a week’s worth of groceries inside when I need to, and the weight is distributed quite excellently on the straps. Durability is also outstanding. I have scraped this bag on very sharp lava flow tunnels and fallen on it while snowboarding with little to no damage to the DWR coating. I have had this bag for three years now and don’t foresee a need to replace this for a very long time. Great job Patagonia” —Jacob, Patagonia Reviewer
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Patagonia Black Hole 25L Backpack, $, available at Patagonia
The Type: Wheeled duffel
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 2,024 reviews on Amazon
What Travelers Say: “I was gifted a lot of clothing on a trip and had to find the least expensive way to get the clothing home. This bag was a great answer to that problem! It is sturdy, looks good, and because it has two separate sections, I was able to get all of the clothing packed and home.” —Amazon Reviewer
Shop Amazon
Samsonite Andante 2 Drop Bottom Wheeled Rolling Duffel Bag, $, available at Amazon
The Type: Large carry-on roller bag
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 2,956 reviews on Away
What Travelers Say: “I have used my bigger carry-on and everywhere bag twice. I always have my hairdryer, two large makeup, and accessory bags at least three pairs of shoes. I put all of this on the zipper side. I put gym clothes and five to six outfits on the other side. This is my first split hard side and this design keeps everything more organized.” —Jolene M., Away Reviewer
Shop Away
Away The Bigger Carry-On, $, available at Away
The Type: Extra-large suitcase
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 6,422 rating on Amazon
What Travelers Say: “Fantastic suitcase. I’ve had it for over a year and used it multiple times, including travel via airplane. You can’t see scratches on it, I think the pattern hides the scratches. Very easy to maneuver and very lightweight. 10/10 recommend.” —Chelsey, Amazon reviewer
Shop Amazon
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Luggage (28-Inch), $, available at Amazon
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