Our Tester’s Take: My first impression when this bag arrived was that it almost gives old-school Louis Vuitton trunk-style luggage vibes—almost. It’s definitely the most distinct-looking luggage of the bunch, which could make it easier to spot on the baggage belt. The variety of inside zippered compartments offer lots of organization potential and overall the bag feels sturdy and like a good choice for a trip of up to a week.
Best Medium Hardside Luggage: Briggs & Riley Medium Expandable Spinner
This brand comes with Kolner’s blessing (he likes that the bags have a lifetime warranty) and we like this medium spinner that’s expandable, in particular. It comes in three colors: green, navy, and black—and there’s the option to add your monogram to this case. The brand claims its compression system allows you to pack up to 20% more and it’s also expandable by 25%, meaning this bag is pretty versatile. It is slightly heavier than the Delsey, which is also a “medium” bag.
Our Tester’s Take: I was able to fit a week’s worth of stuff in this bag—and that was before I compressed it and expanded it. I also was immediately impressed with the quality feel of the zipper hardware and internal lining. The wheels glide easily on both hard and carpeted surfaces, and I liked that the handle has multiple stop heights, a feature I really appreciate (it comes in handy when you’re rolling two bags through an airport together).
PROPS® 22” Carry-On With Legs
If you don’t love manhandling your bags onto a luggage holder in your hotel room, or maybe you’re visiting friends and don’t have one of those, this Props suitcase can seriously come in handy: It includes legs that pop out of the back of the bag, allowing you to prop it up for easy access to your stuff. It is a bit heavier than other carry-ons (probably due to this added feature) but that’s not a deal-breaker for us. Another slight downside (compared to some of our other picks) is that the warranty is for up to five years. On the plus side, it comes in four sleek colors and has a three-stage handle for height customization.
Our Tester’s Take: “I have a Rimowa that I love, but I always end up reaching for my Props,” says Zach Honig is the head of product and operations for Chase Travel. “I’m not an ‘unpacker,’ and I love the built-in ‘props’ that elevate the bag in a hotel room,” he says. “My bag has also doubled as a desk in a pinch.”
Other Hardside Luggage We Like
Like the Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case, this case is also covered by Victorinox’s lifetime warranty. And at 6.4 pounds, this puppy is lightweight yet super functional—and makes a great pair with the larger version.
One of our testers immediately said “this is so cool,” as soon as this case was unboxed. And it is—the aluminum material gives it Rimowa vibes but at a fraction of the price ($625), although it does clock in at 10.1 pounds, making it slightly heavier.
If you’re looking to pull a hat trick and purchase a carry-on, medium, and large case altogether, might we suggest this package deal? They’re all made with lightweight polycarbonate and the bags come with a 100-day trial period.
How We Tested Hardside Luggage
We talked to five travel experts and frequent fliers to find out the most important factors to consider when selecting hardside luggage. They also provided some of their personal favorites. From there, we extensively researched available options on the market and tested the finalists ourselves.
How to Choose the Best Hardside Luggage
Consider the following aspects when choosing hardside luggage, according to the experts.
“Consider luggage with durable materials, such as polycarbonate or aluminum, which look sharp and can handle wear and tear,” says Marchant. “While I have always loved the look of an aluminum suitcase that develops a nice patina of dents and dings through use, all the hardsided luggage I own is polycarbonate so I can use the weight allotment to stuff more wine and cheese in my suitcase,” says Peters.
The material will play a role in how heavy a case is before you even start packing. But another consideration is the size of the case itself—whether it’s a carry-on, medium-sized, or large. “Bigger is wonderful, but you may not necessarily need the biggest size,” says Kolner. “Half of mine are the largest version Away sells, and, to use an air cargo term, I frequently ‘gross out’ before ‘I cube out,’ meaning they’re so large that I hit the max weight for checking before I completely fill the case,” he says. That said, if you have the self-control to pack no more than 50 pounds in a large case, that may give you more room to stay organized on the road (versus stuffing everything in a smaller case as tightly as possible).
“Wheels also matter a lot—ball-bearing mounted wheels (or smooth double-spinner wheels) are great for maneuvering smoothly through airports,” Marchant says. Look for terms like “360-degree spinner wheels,” “ball-bearing mounted wheels,” and “dual-spinner wheels.”
Marchant says that a well-organized interior is also worth considering. Some bags have double-sided packability whereas others have one big “hole” in which you fill and close the “lid.” One isn’t really better than the other; it’s personal preference.
“Price is always a factor, of course, but a high-quality hardsided suitcase can last for decades, especially if you’re able to replace broken zippers and wheels, which can become less agile over time,” says Honig. Marchant agrees: “It’s worth investing a bit more for quality; good luggage is something you want to last through countless adventures.”
Warranty and/or trial period
“Some companies may let you try the luggage for a few weeks and return it if it doesn’t meet your needs,” Marchant says. You also should check the warranty: “Look for brands that offer extended warranties or even lifetime guarantees, which can cover repairs for normal wear and tear or damage that might happen during travel,” says Marchant. “Some brands even provide complimentary cleaning or maintenance services, keeping your luggage in top shape over the years.”
Hardside Luggage FAQ
How can you optimize packing with hardside luggage?
Marchant likes to use packing cubes. “They keep everything compact and make the most of the hardshell’s space,” he says, adding that since hardshells are structured, it’s easy to stack cubes and make use of every inch without the bag bulging out. Peters advises making use of “awkward spaces” around the handle ridges. “Roll up socks and gym shorts to fill those spaces to make a flat bottom before layering in other clothes,” he suggests. Honig adds that, even though hardside luggage offers more protection than a softside counterpart, “if I made any fragile gift purchases on my trip, I like to roll them up in clothes, keeping them extra secure for the journey home.”
With so many similar-looking bags, how can you make yours easy to identify?
“Everyone has the same suitcases these days, especially in common colors, so I recommend adorning your bag with a visible identifier, like a brightly-colored luggage tag or a nicely cut piece of blue masking tape on the bottom with your name,” says Peters.
About the Experts: Tom Marchant is the co-founder of Black Tomato, a luxury travel company. Jake Peters is the co-founder & CTO/CPO of Fora, a modern travel agency. Zach Honig is the head of product and operations for Chase Travel. Matthew D. Upchurch is the chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, a luxury travel network. David Kolner is the executive vice president of Virtuoso.
