Ranking The Best And Worst Luggage Brands For Your Journey
If luggage is any good, most people don't have to spend much time thinking about replacing it. However, nothing lasts forever, and even the sturdiest luggage can experience enough trips to wear it down. Once that happens, it's all about maximizing the time it takes for it to happen again.
Anyone who's seen airport workers throw bags on a plane knows it's important to have sturdy, quality luggage. That's why it's also important to separate the brands people can really use from the ones that are wastes of time.
BEST: Samsonite
According to Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 — which ranks luggage based on aggregated reviews for price, sustainability, durability, and practicality — Samsonite remains as reliable a brand as it was when it first started making its name in 1910.
The brand placed second overall in the luggage storage company's rankings for remaining durable while costing a fraction of the price of comparable brands. For instance, the one topping the list costs about $665, while a similar Samsonite case would only cost $70.
WORST: DB
As far as the public opinion — as aggregated by Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 — is concerned, DB's luggage options aren't terribly reliable or impressive. Although they're generally known for making backpacks, their suitcases have attracted more searches than some better-regarded brands.
However, once those searches are fulfilled, customers don't feel like they're getting what they paid for. And considering they paid an average of $337 for each bag, the brand's consistent 2.4-star review average becomes a serious problem for the manufacturer.
BEST: Rimowa
This German brand first set itself apart from its competition in 1937 by making aluminum luggage, and it's still considered one of the best to do so today. According to Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, the brand is one of the most sought-after in the world, judging by its search engine and social media data.
It turns out that this is for a good reason, as the brand's impressive commitment to quality has earned it a review average of 4.3 stars. The only problem is that it can be pretty pricey, as customers can expect to pay about $660 per suitcase.
WORST: IT Luggage
Although Expert World Travel noted that some customers swear by their products from IT Luggage, they also shared that the one-star reviews are particularly damning. Notably, customers have shown a history of complaining that the zippers on these suitcases last less than four months.
The outlet also said that IT doesn't use high-quality materials during manufacturing and produces less-durable softshell suitcases. Although they're on the more affordable end with suitcases ranging from $60 to $180, there are more reliable brands at that price point.
BEST: SwissGear
Although Expert World Travel felt it would be misleading to call SwissGear's luggage the most high-quality product on the market, they nonetheless noted that people can do much worse at the brand's price point. There is also a range of options within the brand.
For instance, someone could spend about $120 to get a suitcase coated in ABS plastic for more affordable travel. However, those who aren't willing to take the risk that this will hold during handling can spring for a much more durable polycarbonate case for $180.
WORST: The North Face
Once Bounce collected enough data for its Luggage Brand Index 2024, it was clear that The North Face isn't the most well-liked luggage brand on the market. Although their established presence in the outerwear market gave the brand's luggage a lot of initial attention, it hasn't held up to much scrutiny.
Although the $76 price tag on an average suitcase is on the affordable end of things, it's hard to ignore the 1.3-star average among reviewers. And since the data shows that millions of people showed interest in this brand, that rating indicates some overwhelming disappointment.
BEST: Monos
Although Bounce estimated the average price of a Monos suitcase at $328, they also noted that the 4-star-average among customer reviews indicates the price is worth it. That data lines up with Forbes's findings after their testers had a look at the brand.
Although these testers mentioned that the packing space may not accommodate extended trips, it's good for those traveling for a week or less. They also credit the luggage for being durable and for featuring wheels that provide a smooth ride.
WORST: Rockland Luggage
According to Expert World Travel, Rockland is one of the more affordable brands on the market, as some suitcases can cost as little as $50. However, this seems to be a case where customers who take advantage of these prices get what they pay for.
That's because almost all of their hardside suitcases are made from ABS plastic. This material is generally durable enough for carry-on bags but is at risk of breaking when tossed around in the typical experience for a checked bag.
BEST: Carl Friedrik
Although Carl Friedrik didn't perform well in Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, that seemed to be based more on its modest social media profile and its $485 price point than the quality of the brand's products. Although they are certainly expensive, they have the quality to match.
That's what Forbes's testers found when they tried out the brand's carry-on luggage. They credited Carl Friedrik for having similar style and quality to Rimowa without costing as much and having decent space for the bag's size. Just note that it locks rather than zipping up.
WORST: Prada
It may be a prestigious fashion brand, but that doesn't mean that Prada knows all that much about making quality luggage. At least, that's what the reviews aggregated by Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 seem to suggest. They may be able to get tens of millions of people interested in their travel products, but much fewer are satisfied with them.
Indeed, the average reviews for Prada's luggage puts its consistent quality within the 2.1-star range. Considering that the average price Bounce listed for the brand's luggage is $3,654, they're going to need to do so much better than that to be worth the price.
BEST: Away
As Reddit user dellfanboy mentioned, it took seven years and 500 trips before their bag from Away looked as scuffed as the one on the right. According to Forbes, this is consistent with what their testers were able to find out about the brand.
They confirmed that the polycarbonate shell on Away's suitcases makes them very long-lasting while also being lightweight enough to be practical for travel. That should make its $252 price point worth shelling out, considering how long that investment is supposed to stretch.
WORST: Lemoone
Although their unique purple design is sure to make Lemoone's cases stand out from other luggage manufacturers at the baggage claim, the only other factor that Lemoone seems to have going for it is its affordable price point.
While it's true that some customers swore by its durability, others mentioned that any bump or outer pressure had a way of cracking the ABS plastic case. Worse yet is the fact that within six months, many customers reported the wheels falling off and the zippers breaking apart.
BEST: American Tourister
As Expert World Traveler noted, American Tourister is owned by Samsonite. In a description consistent with Bounce's data that estimated the average price of the brand's suitcases at $49, the outlet considered their products a cheaper version of the flagship brand.
However, the fact that Bounce's data had this brand attracting better reviews than Samsonite itself suggests that its quality isn't such a step down from the parent company's. Even if Expert World Traveler disagreed and said Samsonite had better quality, they still considered American Tourister luggage decent for its price point.
WORST: Louis Vuitton
Although Louis Vuitton bags are highly prized as status symbols, it's worth remembering that their prestige should not be confused with practicality. Although the brand does make travel bags, Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 indicated that they're probably not the most worthwhile choice.
Although Bounce listed Louis Vuitton fifth among the top brands studied, that's largely based on its market dominance. It's hard to ignore their data, which suggests that the average star rating on their luggage is 1.8 stars. That's not nearly enough to justify the $3,238 price point.
BEST: Briggs & Riley
Since Briggs & Riley suitcases are known to cost around $700, this may not be the most practical luggage for those who are on a budget. However, Forbes's testers noted that those who buy it can truly get what they pay for.
Although Briggs & Riley makes soft-shell suitcases, the testers noted no fraying in the stitching or around the zippers after they took the cases on multiple trips. The luggage is made from ballistic nylon, and in the event that a customer reports a problem with it, they'll find that any damage is covered under a lifetime warranty.
WORST: Delsey
According to Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, Delsey seems to be in a rough position within the luggage market. Although the brand's products are considered affordable, even the premium Samsonite suitcases tend to be cheaper. At $139, the average price of their luggage almost doubles other affordable brands.
That wouldn't be so bad if there were a significant difference in quality between them. However, the consistent trend observed from Delsey's reviews suggests otherwise. With reviews averaging out at 1.5 stars, the products leave much to be desired.
BEST: Calpak
According to Forbes's testers, Calpak's suitcases seem to give customers the best of both worlds. The brand's luggage is known to have a surprising amount of packing space that makes extended trips doable. At the same time, it boasts a lightweight design that feels like it shouldn't fit its carrying capacity.
It also features zippered interior pockets and compression straps that make carrying liquids less of a risky proposition than with other luggage brands. With all of these features to speak of, Calpak's $275 price tag seems like a great deal!
WORST: Level 8
Although Level 8's luggage seems more middling than bad, it's hard not to ignore the consensus of reviews suggesting that better luggage can be acquired elsewhere for less. The data comes from Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, which paints quite the picture.
Most notable is the fact that the luggage's overall practicality and durability earned it a 2.5-star average from reviewers. Considering that the brand is expecting $214 for that level of quality, it doesn't exactly seem like the best option available on the market.
BEST: Victorinox
As far as the data collected for Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 expresses, there's a lot that Victorinox seems to be doing right as a brand. The luggage storage company credited the Swiss manufacturer for having the right online presence to attract interest in their brand and for having the product to match.
After all, the aggregated reviews that Bounce collected showed an average of 3.3 stars. Considering that Victorinox's suitcases have a median price of $57, that's a pretty good case of getting the right bang for your buck.
WORST: Bric's Luggage
According to Expert World Travel, Bric's reputation for high-quality leather goods doesn't necessarily extend to the brand's luggage wing. That's because, despite their claims of being a luxury luggage manufacturer, they outsource this part of their business to Asian factories like many of their more affordable competitors.
That's a huge problem because the outlet noted that customers can expect to pay about $800 for a suitcase from this brand. If there are quality issues like zippers falling off within just a couple of trips, they're going to matter a lot more at that price point.
BEST: Tripp
As far as Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 was concerned, it's hard to find an affordable brand with as consistent a dedication to quality as Tripp. Although the size of the brand put it on the lower end of the storage company's top ten list, it's hard not to be impressed by the rest of the data they gathered.
While some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses couldn't even reach two out of five stars in customer satisfaction ratings, Tripp's reviews achieved an average score of 4.3 stars. Only Rimowa suitcases were this highly regarded, and at $50, the average Tripp suitcase costs less than a tenth of the German company's offerings.
WORST: Tumi
When an affordable brand has a reputation for consistent quality among its customers, it's the best of both worlds for a frugal traveler. However, it doesn't suggest the best signs about a brand's future if the quality ratings don't match the price.
Judging by Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, that seems to be Tumi's big problem at the moment. The data suggested that the average Tumi suitcase costs $743 but the average rating attained from aggregated reviews is 1.9 stars. If the quality truly is that much lower than the price, it's the worst of both worlds.
BEST: Horizn Studios
Although Horizn Studios was high on the worst list for Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024, that mostly appeared to be based on its modest social media profile and SEO performance. The only other factor that would be holding this brand back would be its prices, as the average Horizn Studios suitcase costs $454.
However, the quality of the actual luggage does not seem to be in dispute. While it's true that the brand is pricey, it also manufactures products that have attracted a consistent 4.1-star rating from reviewers. This looks like a case where you get what you pay for.
WORST: U.S. Traveler
According to Expert World Traveler, U.S. Traveler is risky brand to buy for those who are planning any air travel. Some low-quality suitcases will barely survive one trip and the outlet specifically named this brand as among the most likely to have that problem.
Expert World Traveler described the brand as using the cheapest materials, which means that the zippers, lining, and the suitcase's outer shell won't take much wear-and-tear before they break. This is not the right choice for checked luggage.
BEST: Eagle Creek
Although Eagle Creek failed to impress Bounce while the storage company tabulated the data for its Luggage Brand Index 2024, this was largely due to the brand's minuscule social media presence. Although there are better quality brands on the market, they tend to be more expensive.
Granted, the $259 that customers can expect to pay for one of Eagle Creek's suitcases isn't exactly on the market's low end either. However, it's about right for the 3.3-star average that reviewers have given the brand's products in Bounce's data. There are worse things to be than middle-of-the-road.
WORST: Eastpak
Although not all of the brands listed on the lower end of Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 earned their spot due to the quality of their products, it seems to be a significant factor in Eastpak's case. The price certainly isn't the problem, as the average Eastpak suitcase costs $63.
However, it's nonetheless true that there are similarly affordable brands with better commitments to the quality of their products. After all, Eastpak's 1.4-star rating average is hardly an indicator that their customers are satisfied with their offerings.
BEST: Paravel
According to Forbes, much of Paravel's buzz has come from the aesthetics of its luggage and its sustainable mission, as their products are carbon-neutral and made from recycled plastic and aluminum. Moreover, the magazine's testers have found them as practical as they are stylish.
Although it's not unusual for the luggage from this brand to cost up to $425, that price goes towards a sturdy suitcase with smooth wheels and a comfortable grip. Unless a traveler needs a lot of interior pockets, they can't go wrong with this one.
WORST: Gucci
In the interest of fairness, it's worth noting that of all the high-profile fashion houses trying to break into the luggage market, Gucci is performing the best. Although its positive rating Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 was skewed by its impressive social media profile, that wasn't the only factor at play.
Namely, Gucci broke with other fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Prada by not expecting customers to shell out thousands of dollars for one suitcase. However, the $435 the brand does expect doesn't quite seem worth it, given that their products have only secured a 2.3-star average among reviewers.
BEST: July
As Forbes explained, Australian brand July's speciality appears to be luggage sets intended for entire families. So, while the $820-$965 price tag on their offerings may seem steep, it's worth remembering that this is the cost of multiple suitcases.
This allows a range of different sizes for different trip lengths. According to Forbes's testers, each of these cases is also lightweight and runs smoothly on its wheels even when it's packed to its limit. Even the normally-bulky trunk size has these qualities when July is the supplier.
WORST: Travelpro
Although some outlets have given Travelpro's offerings a lot of praise, the data collected in Bounce's Luggage Brand Index 2024 paints a different picture of the brand. Although this is partially due to the company's relatively modest social media performance, the important stats for Travelpro aren't what they should be.
In a vacuum, the average $111 price listed for the company's luggage isn't too bad. However, it gets harder to justify paying more than budget prices for the brand's luggage when it's attracted a 1.5-star rating average after customers actually used Travelpro's products.
BEST: Amazon Basics
Although many budget luggage brands sacrifice quality to achieve their low prices, Travel + Leisure described Amazon Basics as being surprisingly high-quality for its price point. Although its ABS plastic is considered on the low-end for durability, the magazine's testers still found Amazon's suitcases to be fairly sturdy.
At the same time, they described the cases as being lightweight with wheels that can handle gravel and carpeting. Although they wished there were more pockets, they also felt the carrying capacity was more than sufficient.
WORST: Herschel Supply Co.
Judging by its reviews on Trustpilot, the Herschel Supply Co. has some serious customer satisfaction problems. The brand has an average rating of 1.5 stars, with the most common issue being how quickly the color in their backpacks and suitcases fades when exposed to sunlight.
Although it also doesn't help that this issue is specifically not covered by the company's warranty, this fading isn't the only issue people experienced. Others described Herschel Supply Co.'s products as being too small, not worth their price, and made from low-quality material.
BEST: Béis
According to Good Housekeeping, Béis was founded by actress Shay Mitchell and the brand's products went viral because of its simple yet effective aesthetics and smart USB features. However, the magazine's testers weren't just looking for the bells and whistles.
They found the brand's offerings spacious and the wheels on them easy to maneuver. Although these testers found Béis's suitcases were prone to scuffing, they also didn't show any dents or other serious structural damage when subjected to drop tests.
WORST: Atlantic
Although Atlantic has attracted some surprisingly good reviews across various platforms, the more critical reviews all had the same complaint in mind. No matter how many extra features and convenient qualities luggage might have, the area where Atlantic suffers heavily is the most important consideration of all.
Namely, the luggage is prone to slowly falling apart. That said, it's worth noting that this process started faster than some customers expected. In less than a year, customers have seen their suitcases' bumper feet, handles, and wheels fall off and the fabric start tearing.
BEST: Hartmann
With the average suitcase from the brand ranging from $600-$700, it's fair to position Hartmann's products on the pricey end of the luggage market. However, Good Housekeeping's testers concluded that the money spent on Hartmann's suitcases would not be going to waste.
They're considered spacious, easy to pack, and equipped with wheels that ride smoothly and comfortably. Although the testers also said the softer tweed options were durable, the brand's hardside cases provide more substantial scratch resistance while retaining the comfortable qualities of Hartmann's other options.
WORST: Gabbiano
Gabbiano doesn't have the best reputation in the luggage market and judging by customer reviews, that's primarily based on its luggage's lack of durability. Worse yet, customers have found that the brand's warranty doesn't cover damage sustained during travel and advises customers to take it up with airlines.
However, it's hard to blame the airline for one customer's experience that saw the suitcase's entire top layer peel off during its maiden voyage. Other customers found the brand similarly unhelpful after their suitcase's wheels and zippers broke. It's hardly reliable, from the sounds of things.
BEST: L.L. Bean
L.L Bean is a little different from other luggage brands in that it specializes in large duffel bags rather than traditional suitcases. This can have a couple of drawbacks, in that they carry enough that it's easy to exceed the standard airline's 50-pound weight limit and can be a little cumbersome to use.
However, Good Housekeeping noted that L.L. Bean's bags are both flexible and supremely durable. So, while they may be overkill for shorter trips in small groups, this durability, flexibility, and spaciousness makes them perfect for larger families or long trips.
WORST: Arlo Skye
Although Travel + Leisure's testers were impressed by Arlo Skye's stylistic elements, it also seemed hard for them not to see that style as taking priority over more substantive concerns. Its luggage doesn't have appear to have the durability issues of some other brands, but that doesn't mean it's worth getting.
In particular, the suitcases are considered more cumbersome than they look, and the wheels on them are considered particularly unimpressive. This wouldn't be so bad, except that the brand's price point makes it hard to justify a purchase when cheaper and better options are available.
BEST: Mark & Graham
Although Vogue mentioned that Mark & Graham's luggage stands out aesthetically due to the brand's emphasis on monogramming, that's far from the only consideration that makes them worth buying. This is good to know, as even their modes luggage sets can often cost between $300-$500.
Although the leather detailing looks pretty, the brand's lightweight designs, carefully-crafted durability and limited lifetime warranty makes its luggage a practical purchase as much as a fashionable one. Again, for that price, that better be true.
WORST: Roam
In fairness, Travel + Leisure's testers found a lot to like about Roam's offerings. But while they appreciated this luggage from a design perspective, there was one major factor that compelled the magazine to fall short of recommending the brand.
The simple truth is that the brand didn't perform very well in terms of durability. Specifically, their testers mentioned that just one month of travel revealed Roam's luggage was more prone to scratching than any of the other brands they tried.
