The BEST Baggage for Males in 2023

Finding the best men’s luggage is no easy task. I know how difficult it is sifting through the countless brands and products to find a suitcase that’s durable, made of quality materials, has all the features I want and also comes with a solid warranty and clocks in at a reasonable price point, to boot.

As a licensed engineer, I know how quality gear should be designed and made. And when I was a working engineer, I traveled a lot for work, both domestically and abroad. I once lived out of a suitcase in Europe for six months where I destroyed multiple suitcases on those infamous cobblestone streets.

What’s more, as a man, I have specific requirements for my luggage. Sometimes I need to travel with a suit or a blazer. Sometimes I need to carry a laptop for a business trip. A suitcase can be stylish, durable, and feature-filled, but it also needs to do what I need.

After traveling so much, I now know what works well for men’s luggage and what doesn’t. I’ve curated this list of the best luggage for men based on my years of work as a traveling engineer. I’ll walk you through what each of these pieces does best and help you pick the right one.

These are my top ten favorite pieces of men’s luggage.

Monos is one of the best luggage brands on the market right now, and they are consistently delivering high-quality products that deliver great functionality, quality, and style.

They are also one of the best luggage brands when it comes to standing behind their products. Every piece of luggage can be returned within 100 days (no questions asked), and they have a solid limited lifetime warranty. It’s great to know that if you ever break your suitcase, they will repair or replace it.

For many men, a good piece of carry-on luggage is the only suitcase you’ll ever need. Using just a carry-on eliminates the hassle of waiting at baggage claim, and can minimize some of the stress of traveling with big checked bags.

The Monos Carry-On Pro is the brand’s upgraded carry-on option, and it delivers great build quality and well-designed features.

The Carry-On Pro is built with a durable shell made from polycarbonate, which is impact- and scratch-resistant. This ultra-durable case does a great job at protecting your belongings and will look good after years of travel.

This carry-on suitcase also stands out from most hardside luggage because it has a pocket on the outside. This zippered pocket hinges open and has a padded laptop sleeve and smaller compartments for storing electronics, books, passports, and anything else you want to access without digging through the main compartment.

That said, if you prefer having lots of exterior pockets to keep things easily accessible, softside luggage may be a better choice. It’s awesome having the external pocket, but you definitely get more options with softside luggage.

Monos has put a lot of engineering and testing into their smooth-rolling spinner wheels. They are built with high-quality ball bearings and designed to be quiet and smooth-rolling. Their intensive quality testing ensures these wheels will stand up to hard use.

Overall, the Monos Carry-On Pro is really hard to beat if you are looking for a solid carry-on suitcase for men.

2. Samsonite DLX: Best Checked Luggage for Men

Samsonite is one of the most popular and well-known luggage brands in the world. You’ll see their luggage everywhere, from the airport to the mall to Walmart.

And that’s for good reason. Samsonite luggage does a great job at delivering solid quality and functionality at a wide range of price points. It’s easy to find something that fits your budget and still works well.

I specifically like their big checked suitcases. They are well-built and functional without breaking the bank.

A quality piece of checked luggage should have plenty of packing space without being so large that it’s overly cumbersome to maneuver through the airport. You also want it to be as lightweight as possible so you can pack more in without worrying about paying extra charges for an overweight bag.

The Samsonite DLX is a tough hardshell suitcase that has tons of room. Plus it’s expandable, so you can get a few extra inches if you need it. At just over 10 lbs, it’s also impressively lightweight for such a big suitcase.

This checked suitcase is built around a lightweight polypropylene hardshell. This material isn’t as tough as higher-end polycarbonate, but it’s less expensive. The wavy design also adds strength where it’s needed (and makes it stand out at baggage claim).

The interior isn’t anything special, but you do get good organization, with a large zippered divider, compression straps, mesh pockets for smaller items, and a built-in wet pocket for toiletries.

This case is big, maybe bigger than most men would need, but if you’re packing for a family or just have a lot of gear you need to bring, this is a great checked bag.

Carl Friedrik is a London-based luggage brand that was founded by two brothers who wanted to do better than offer cheaply mass-manufactured products by returning to an emphasis on true craftsmanship.

Their products are expensive, more than double the price of many other products on this list. You get what you pay for, though. Carl Friedrik suitcases are premium construction and have elegant design and high-quality materials.

The Check-In from Carl Friedrik is a stylish hard sided luggage that has plenty of packing space for longer trips. It has an understated, elegant aesthetic with the sleek polycarbonate shell and premium Italian leather detailing.

The first feature of this suitcase that stands out is the aluminum-framed clasp design. Instead of a zipper (like most hard shell luggage), it has two locking handles. Combined with the sturdy aluminum frame, this makes for a very strong, secure closure that is much less prone to damage than zippers.

This suitcase has Japanese Hinomoto Silent Run wheels. These are some of the best and most well-tested spinner wheels in the luggage industry, so you can count on them to be durable and smooth-rolling.

You don’t get a lot of organization. There is one folding divider, a few small internal pockets, and elastic compression straps. If you like keeping your stuff separated and organized, it’s probably worth investing in a set of packing cubes.

The price of this suitcase definitely means it’s not for everyone. You can find a lot of the same features for much less money, but if you want the most stylish, premium luggage possible, the Carl Friedrik Check-In is hard to beat.

July is an Australian brand whose business model relies on customer feedback and a quality-over-quantity mindset. They started their design process by collecting feedback from thousands of travelers around the world to find the most common complaints with suitcases.

Their designs set out to fix those problems to create a better travel experience and let you focus on exploring the world, not dealing with luggage issues.

Unlike many other brands, they focus on products that are high quality and built to last. They also have a fantastic limited lifetime warranty to give you extra peace of mind.

If you are needing to get more than one suitcase, buying a luggage set is a fantastic way to save money and get luggage that is designed to work together.

The July Family Luggage Set gets you three awesome, high-quality suitcases at a discounted price point compared to buying separately. In the set you get a Carry-On, Checked, and Checked Plus. 

These suitcases each have a durable polycarbonate case with reinforced metal corner bumpers. The corners of hardside luggage can take some pretty hard hits during travel, and this design means you won’t have to worry about your luggage cracking or denting at the corners.

July suitcases come in a wide array of fun colors, so it’s easy to find something that fits your personal style. Plus, with a matching set, it will be easy to remember which ones are yours at the baggage claim.

One of my favorite features is that the cases are designed to nest perfectly inside each other. That way they take up minimal space when you’re home between trips.

One downside to mention is that the Carry-On doesn’t have any external pockets. I really love having easy access to important items through the airport, so not having any external storage is a bummer. If you’re carrying a small “personal item” bag, this definitely isn’t a deal-breaker.

Overall, the July Family Luggage Set delivers fantastic value and quality in a matching set that works perfectly together.

AmeriLeather builds and sells high-quality leather bags, luggage, and more, and their e-commerce business model lets them offer premium materials and products at relatively low prices.

If you love classic style and old-world craftsmanship, there’s nothing quite like premium leather luggage. A high-quality leather suitcase will last a lifetime and look better as it ages.

The AmeriLeather 26” Expandable Suitcase is a durable leather suitcase that gives you high-end materials, quality craftsmanship, and a timeless design at an affordable price point.

This suitcase is made from high-quality top grain cowhide leather. With the classic design, this leather suitcase looks amazing, and as long as you take care of it, it will only look better with age.

Leather products do require more care and attention than other materials to keep them looking their best. I personally enjoy the ritual of treating, cleaning, and caring for leather, but if you want something maintenance-free, leather probably isn’t for you.

This case doesn’t just look good, it’s also super functional. Four exterior pockets give you plenty of organization for smaller items, and the tough frame and roller wheels will stand up to abuse.

This is a great suitcase for anyone who loves the timeless look of quality leather goods.

While it may not be the first luggage brand you think of, odds are, you already know about AmazonBasics. It’s even pretty likely you have AmazonBasics products in your house somewhere, whether it’s batteries, pencils, or bath towels. Amazon’s in-house brand label is known for selling all sorts of decent products at great prices—especially cheap luggage.

For a budget carry-on, you should look for a simple, straightforward suitcase that cuts out unnecessary features but delivers quality where you need it. In cheap suitcases, bells and whistles usually just mean more things to break.

The AmazonBasics 21-inch Hardside Spinner is a super-functional basic carry-on that gives you what you need and nothing more. It’s durable enough for frequent travelers and has just enough organization to make packing less of a hassle.

The outside is a textured ABS hardshell material. This is pretty standard for hard shell suitcases at this price point, and while it isn’t as tough as polycarbonate, this little suitcase actually does a great job at standing up to abuse.

There are no external pockets, but inside you get a large zippered divider, three roomy mesh pockets, and compression straps. While it’s nothing fancy, this system helps you stay organized and keep everything in place.

As long as you don’t have unrealistic expectations, you’ll be perfectly happy with this little carry-on.

7. Away Daily Carry-On: Best Compact Carry-On Luggage for Men

Away is a fairly new brand on the block, but they’ve been making a name for themselves with killer marketing and high-quality products to match. Their brand ethos is all about putting less emphasis on stuff and more on the experiences of travel—they call themselves a travel company, not a luggage company.

With their products, their goal is to give you a suitcase that minimizes the hassle of packing so you can focus more on enjoying travel. Sounds pretty good to me.

For really light packers, sometimes a full-sized carry-on is bigger than you need. Or maybe you want just a little extra space in addition to your main suitcase. In either case (sorry for the awful pun) something smaller like the Away Daily Carry-On may be just what you need.

This little suitcase is small enough to fit airline carry-on size restrictions for an underseat bag (though your legs will thank you if you keep it in the overhead bin to give yourself stretching room). While it’s small, it can fit a surprising amount, and the versatile organization system helps you make the most of the space.

A standout feature is the removable accordion-style divider that is great for storing and organizing a laptop, tablet, documents, books and more.

On the outside, you get a padded zippered pocket that can fit 13” laptops and has organization for electronics, passports, and other small items you want to keep handy.

The four double spinner wheels are quiet, smooth, and sturdy. Call me odd, but it’s actually fun to wheel this tiny case through airport crowds.

There are lots of bonus features for such a small bag. The removable laundry bag is perfect for keeping dirty clothes separated, and the TSA-approved lock ensures your belongings are secure and safe.

Just to reiterate: it’s small. This little suitcase won’t work as a primary carry-on for many people, so make sure you know what you’re getting into and what you’ll use it for. Get a bigger carry-on if you need it. For light packers, or anyone looking for an additional personal item carry-on, this is a great compact choice.

RIMOWA has been building luggage since 1898. You read that right, over 120 years. They started building wood suitcases, and made the first aluminum suitcases in 1937. As one of the best luggage brands in the business, they build some of the most premium, innovative luggage on the market.

You get what you pay for though, and cases from this luxury brand don’t come cheap.

The RIMOWA Essential Sleeve Cabin is a high-end polycarbonate suitcase that combines elegant styling, quality construction, and smart design features.

The “Sleeve” in the name refers to an external zippered sleeve on the front of the suitcase. This padded compartment is large enough for 16” laptops and is great for keeping important items accessible without needing to open the main compartment.

The ball-bearing double spinner wheels have a unique “cushioned axle” design that ensures they roll smoothly and effortlessly. If you’re coming from a cheaper suitcase, you’ll immediately notice the difference while wheeling this one around the terminal.

Everything from the aluminum handle to the TSA-approved locks is sturdy and well-built.

The sturdy construction and high-end materials mean this case is a bit heavy compared to some other polycarbonate carry-ons, so if minimal weight is a high priority, that’s something to be aware of.

The price point means this suitcase is out of the question for most travelers, but if you want the best money can buy, RIMOWA offers some of the best luxury suitcases out there.

9. July Carry-On Pro: Best Business Travel Luggage for Men

This is the second July product on this list, and for good reason. Their suitcases are well-built, well-designed, and just all-around awesome.

These days, if you’re traveling for business, you’re a lot more likely to be carrying a laptop than a suit (though if you do travel with a suit, check out the next item on the list).

When I worked as an engineer, I traveled a lot and had to bring my heavy, chunky laptop on every trip. I can’t tell you how much I hate digging around in my bag to pull out a laptop to go through security. It definitely was one of my least favorite things about those trips.

In my mind, carry-on luggage for business travel has to be good at carrying a laptop first of all. It also needs to look professional and have all the other features you expect in a high-quality suitcase.

The July Carry-On Pro has the best laptop-carrying system I’ve found. No competition. It also is just a sleek, well-designed suitcase all-around, making it a great choice for business travelers.

The standout feature of this carry-on is definitely the “SnapSleeve.” This is an externally-mounted laptop sleeve that is detachable from the main body of the suitcase. I think this design is pure genius. I love the ability to carry your laptop with you without having to dig it out of a pocket.

There’s also room in the sleeve for other items like chargers, electronics, and a notebook. It’s super convenient to toss your luggage in the overhead bin and detach the sleeve to keep your laptop and other essentials with you.

Other than that, this is a solid all-around suitcase with a professional-looking design, strong polycarbonate case, smooth and sturdy spinner wheels, and good internal organization.

If you travel a lot with a laptop, I really don’t think there is anything that works better than the July Carry-On Pro. Another common requirement for business travel is needing to carry a suit. If that’s what you need, check out the next recommendation for a garment bag that works great for men’s suits.

Briggs & Riley is one of the most respected brands in the business. Their suitcases are popular among pilots, flight attendants, and other professional travelers.

Two of my favorite things about Briggs & Riley are their commitment to quality and their unbeatable warranty. With one of the true lifetime warranties in the luggage business they will repair or replace any damaged luggage, no questions asked, no proof of purchase, period.

I love it when brands stand behind their products, and Briggs & Riley is arguably the best luggage brand when it comes to warranty.

When it comes to traveling with a suit, it’s always a good idea to have dedicated garment bags designed to get your formal clothing to the destination crisp and unwrinkled

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Garment Spinner is a perfect solution for traveling with a suit or other formal wear.

This compact carry-on spinner is perfectly optimized for bringing a suit through the airport, with well-designed hanging storage that keeps your suit in place and uncrumpled throughout your travels.

It also has plenty of organization and extra compartments for shoes, accessories, and more. I love having lots of options for storage, and this suitcase really delivers here.

This garment bag does lack some versatility, as it is really purpose-built for carrying a suit. It wouldn’t work well for more general packing, so keep that in mind.

If you’re looking for the best carry-on luggage for traveling with a suit, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Garment Spinner is a good carry-on for the job, though it is pretty expensive for most people.

How to Choose the Best Luggage for Men

When you’re shopping for the best men’s luggage, there is a lot to keep in mind. Here are some of the top factors to consider so you can make sure you get the absolute best suitcase for you.

What Size?

Size is the most important factor in picking a suitcase, and should be the first thing you decide before you start shopping for luggage. You’re pretty much going to be limited to airline size restrictions.

• Checked luggage needs to be less than 62 linear inches to avoid extra fees (linear inches means you add the length, width, and height together)
• Domestic carry-on luggage in the US is typically limited to 22” x 14” x 9”
• International carry-on luggage is limited to 21.5” x 15.5” x 9”
• Underseat carry-on sizes vary by airline, but the limit is typically close to 18” x 14” x 8”.

Make sure you do your research to make sure your suitcase will fit the size restrictions for the airlines you travel with. Some luggage like a duffle bag or soft case can be squished into airline size checkers, but hardshells don’t give you that option.

Softside vs Hardside Luggage

Pretty much all luggage on the market can be divided into two categories: hard or soft luggage, and opinions are split on which is the best.

Soft sided luggage includes rolling duffle bags as well as more standard suitcase designs with fabric shells. Soft sided luggage typically has more pockets and organization, especially on the exterior.

Hard shell luggage is exactly what it sounds like: suitcases with hard plastic or metal cases surrounding the outside. The best hard shell luggage is incredibly protective and durable, keeping your belongings safe and secure.

It’s largely up to personal preference, but in my mind, soft luggage is great for carry-ons where you really want to have lots of  pockets to keep electronics, passports, and more within easy access. Hardshell luggage is ideal for checked bags to protect your belongings through the rough use of airline baggage handlers.

Spinner vs Roller

Another debate in the luggage world is whether to pick spinner luggage or a roller suitcase. Spinners are much more common nowadays, but I think there is still a great case to be made for two-wheeled rollers.

Spinner suitcases have four wheels that can swivel independently in any direction. This means these suitcases are easy to maneuver and glide smoothly (as long as they’re well-designed).

Roller suitcases have two larger wheels that are fixed in one position. Roller wheels are typically more durable than spinner wheels. Some argue two-wheeled roller suitcases also have better ergonomics.

Ultimately it’s up to personal preference. If you like ease of use and maneuverability, go with a spinner. If you’re more worried about durability and pulling your suitcase over rougher terrain like cobblestones, two-wheeled luggage is probably better.

Weight

While it shouldn’t be an end-all be-all, weight is an important factor when choosing a new suitcase or duffel bag. Lightweight luggage is easier to keep under airline weight limits and is easier to lift into overhead bins.

Features and Organization

Whether you’re getting a rolling duffle bag or a sleek hardshell spinner, organization is key, and the little features can make all the difference. Here are some important features to look for when shopping for luggage:

• External pockets to keep important things within easy access
• TSA-approved locks to make sure your belongings are secure
• Compression straps stop everything from shifting around during travel
• Internal dividers give you an extra level of organization

Style

Let’s face it: style is important to everyone. To make sure you look and feel your best while traveling, you really want to get the best fashion luggage that fits your personal sense of style.

Accessories for the Best Luggage for Men

Travel gear is about more than just luggage. Here are a few key accessories you can get to fully outfit yourself for travel.

Monos Compressible Packing Cubes

Organization is key during travel, and these packing cubes are fantastic for taming the chaos in the main compartment of your bag. You can also use one to keep dirty clothes separate from everything else.

Samsonite Combination Luggage Lock

Many modern suitcases come with built-in locks, but not all of them do. If you still want the peace of mind of securing your luggage from theft, buying a separate lock gives you a way to keep your belongings safe.

This inexpensive combination lock from Samsonite Luggage has a small wire loop that can run through the zippers on most suitcases, locking them closed. It’s also TSA-approved, so airport security will be able to quickly open it for surprise inspections.

This lock is very compact, lightweight, and inexpensive. It’s great not needing to spend lots of money on something you could easily lose. It won’t resist serious thieves, but that’s true of pretty much any luggage lock .

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Soft Tote

Most airlines allow you to bring a small personal item that fits under your seat in addition to your carry-on. I like to use a personal item bag to hold things I may need access to during a flight, like electronics, snacks, water, books, and more.

If you want to take advantage of this to add some extra packing storage, The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Soft Tote fits perfectly under your seat, can attach to the handle of your carry-on, and is great for smaller items you want to keep close to hand. I love that it has lots of pockets to keep those essentials organized.

Samsonite Leather ID Tags

Losing my luggage during travel is one of my worst nightmares. I try to do everything possible to make sure that doesn’t happen, and having identification attached to my luggage is one simple step to help ensure it doesn’t get lost in the black hole of airline logistics.

These simple ID tags from Samsonite Luggage attach to your suitcase or duffle bag and give you an easy way to identify your luggage. They come in a 2-pack, so you can have one for your carry-on and checked bag. They are durable, super easy to attach, and have a snap-closed leather flap so your contact information isn’t on display. They also are very affordable.

Why Trust TravelFreak?

Here at TravelFreak, we are all avid travelers with decades of travel experience around the globe. We’ve tested dozens of suitcases on our own real-life travels from the cities of Europe to backwaters in Southeast Asia. We’ve had a lot of chances to learn what works and what doesn’t for men’s luggage.

Our brand reputation is based on giving high-quality recommendations you can trust, so we take our product selection very seriously. We want to give you the best information and recommendations to help you get out and explore the world. We don’t pick products just because they are popular or highly rated; every suitcase in this list is something we would personally use in our own travels.

I’ve hauled luggage up endless stone staircases in the lower Himalayas and have destroyed suitcase spinner wheels on the unforgiving cobblestone streets of Germany. The recommendations in this list are made based on my own real-world experience and the combined travel experience of the TravelFreak team.

Best Luggage for Men FAQs