We spend the majority of our lives in transit (daily commutes, weekend trips, full-on international 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 carryall, tote, or 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’re scoped out only the 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 something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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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
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Calpak Astyll Carry-On Luggage, $, available at Calpak
The Type: The cute travel duffle/gym bag hybrid
The Hype: 4.0 out of 5 stars on Free People
What Travelers Say: “Searched high and low for the perfect travel hand bag, and this one fits the bill. I can put an entire outfit (in a compressed packing cube) in the lower zipper compartment. The rest of my necessities fit the main compartment and outer pockets. The outer pockets are flimsy but the button closures seem strong. Still I won’t be putting my wallet or other important items in those pockets. Bonus: its soft exterior helps it make the perfect pillow for flights.” —A. Howell, Free People Reviewer
Shop Free People
FP Movement MVP Duffle Bag, $, available at Free People
The Type: Foldable Duffel Bag (get the full inside scoop on this viral Amazon product here)
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/make-up, hair straighteners, a guidebook, an iPad, and a Kindle and there was still room leftover. 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
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WANDF Foldable Underseat Travel Duffel Bag, $, available at Amazon
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 2,260 reviews at Solgaard
What Travelers Say: “My husband and I both used just our Carry-On Closets and back packs 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
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Solgaard Carry-On Closet, $, available at Solgaard
The Type: Travel toiletry bag
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars and 495 reviews at 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
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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 cross-body 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
The Type: Carry-on tote
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 2,053 reviews on Amazon
What Travelers Say: “Fantastic personal item for plane travel. Great inner and outer compartments, and good capacity for everything I like to keep easily accessible while traveling, plus an emergency change of clothes in case I have to gate check and my carryon gets lost.” —J. Harbour, Amazon Reviewer
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Lily & Drew Nylon Travel Tote, $, available at Amazon
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: Medium duffel
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 29 reviews at L.L.Bean
What Travelers Say: “I ordered the large and small online since the medium was sold out. The large was much too large for what I needed and the small too small. I went to the store to get the medium in the color I wanted (black) and the size is great. It will be perfect for a weekend getaway OR a weeklong stay. The side pockets are perfect to keep shoes separate from clothing and a toiletry bag as well. I had it monogrammed. I highly recommend this bag!” —LLBeanAddict, L.L.Bean Reviewer
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L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Cordura Duffle, Medium, $, available at L.L. Bean
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 2 separate sections, I was able to get all of the clothing packed and home.” —Amazon Reviewer
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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 5-6 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 light weight. 10/10 recommend.” —Chelsey, Amazon reviewer
Shop Amazon
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Luggage (28-Inch), $, available at Amazon
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