A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
When it comes to hitting the road or flying the friendly skies, one bag rarely does the trick. Smart travelers choose the best luggage sets specific to their needs and travel style.
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Frequent travelers know that the right suitcase makes or breaks your travel experience. And just because you’ve found the right bag for one trip, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll suffice on a different type of trip. Enter: the best luggage sets. These luggage sets come in an array of sizes from soft personal items to hardside check-ins to ensure you’re covered on weekend getaways and multi-week expeditions.
To find the best luggage set for you, travel blogger Kara Harms advises you to “look at the fabric type, the number and placement of pockets, wheel rotation and other hardware details on top of the internal size of the luggage.” She prefers bags with “some sort of security feature built-in,” such as TSA-approved locks, to prevent people from breaking into your bag, which she says “has absolutely happened before while traveling.”
The best luggage sets are an ideal choice for couples and families who want to maintain a cohesive look with their travel gear. This strategy comes in especially handy when packing suitcases and trying to identify bags on the airport carousel. Most importantly, you’ll often find cost savings on cheap luggage, too. Check out these travel luggage sets from the best luggage brands.
Chic luggage doesn’t have to break the bank. Béis is one of our favorite luggage brands because it’s functional, durable and affordable. The carry-on rollers are an all-time favorite for frequent travelers (ourselves included), and there are four sizes to choose from: small carry-on, carry-on, medium check-in, large check-in.
While the suitcases come with pouch sets, you can add travel containers and a luxe temperature-regulating toiletry bag for full functionality. Once you go Béis, you’ll never go back.
Size options: 4 | Shell material: Polycarbonate | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: Yes | Smart features: Weight indicator
One of the best luggage brands, Away, doesn’t offer a traditional luggage set per se, but the brand does present something that many travelers feel is even better: a discount on mixing and matching suitcases to build their own customized set in a range of colors. Simply start with a carry-on. We love The Bigger Carry-On for four- to seven-day trips, and it still fits into the overhead bins of most major airlines.
No matter which beautiful bags you choose (we’re also smitten with the Away polycarbonate Flex), it’ll have 360-degree wheels, a TSA combination lock, a durable shell, interior compression and a laundry bag.
Size options: 12 | Shell material: Polycarbonate | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: No | Smart features: No
Monos luggage is built on the idea that luggage is meant to last. The Monos Carry-On Set uses an aerospace-grade hard shell exterior to ensure it holds up from the car ride to the baggage claim. The carry-on in this hardside luggage set weighs just over seven pounds, but you can still add a portable luggage scale to make sure you don’t go over the weight limit.
The pieces in this affordable luggage set include a built-in compression pad, an anti-microbial laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag. Read our review to learn more.
Size options: 2 | Shell material: Polycarbonate | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: No | Smart features: No
Fashion and function collide seamlessly in the best luggage sets and this Madison Square Chevron Set by Kenneth Cole is a prime example. The carry-on weighs a feather-light six and a half pounds, while the check-in comes in at just over 10 pounds.
The two-piece carry-on and checked luggage set also has a coveted feature that’ll come in handy whether you’re an over-packer or forget to factor in souvenirs on your travels: expandable panels. There are also 360-degree spinner wheels, divided compartments and a retractable trolley handle. There’ll even be space for your all-inclusive toiletry bag.
Size options: 4 | Shell material: Polycarbonate | 360-degree wheels: Multidirectional | Expandable: Yes | Smart features: No
Pretty paisleys, soft florals and bold nature scenes—these are the types of luggage designs that’ll leave other travelers a little jealous of your superb style (and wondering why their bags are so boring). Vera Bradley is no stranger to cute designs, so the wow factor of this small and large spinner set is hardly a surprise.
Inside you’ll find compartments and pockets, and a practical zip-out lining that can be washed. It’s one of the best luggage sets, period. The fun pattern is just a bonus!
Size options: 2 | Shell material: Synthetic fabric | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: No | Smart features: No
Your phone is smart, your TV is smart, your car is smart and, now, you can have smart luggage with the Wrangler Smart Luggage Set. Available in two- and three-piece sets, you’ll have space for everything. And we do mean everything.
Carrying too many things and you’ve run out of room for your much-needed cup of joe as you race through the world’s busiest airport? Does your phone need a quick charge? Use the patented three-in-one cup holder to hold your device, charge it and cradle your coffee (though, not all at once). Looking for even more external carrying space? Add this travel luggage holder.
Size options: TK | Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: Yes | Smart features: USB port, phone holder
If you prefer hard-sided luggage or want extra protection on a long-haul trip, this Samsonite Freeform set will make packing and navigating the airport easy and stress-free. The carry-on and large case included in this set are lightweight weighing in at about 15 pounds combined. The clamshell opening makes it easy to pack and unpack, while the luggage’s durable polypropylene will protect everything inside without allowing you to overstuff the case.
While these Samsonite suitcases are not the most eye-catching option on the market, they’re rugged and functional, giving you more bang for your buck.
Size options: 2 | Shell material: Polypropylene | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: Yes| Smart features: No
A newcomer in the luggage market, July was founded just a few years ago but has made a big impact in that short time. The brand’s sleek, minimalist suitcases, like the ones in this Family Set, are made with durable aerospace-grade polycarbonate and outfitted with ultra-quiet, versatile wheels.
In addition to July’s seven vibrant color options, you can pay an extra fee to personalize your luggage down to the font, color and placement. And the cases are backed by July’s impressive lifetime warranty.
Size options: 3 | Shell material: Polycarbonate | 360-degree wheels: Yes | Expandable: No | Smart features: No
When selecting the best luggage sets for your traveling needs, always prioritize functionality. Are you the type of traveler who has mastered the fine art of packing only carry-on bags? Then don’t buy a set that includes a larger check-in bag, as it may just sit around collecting dust. Do you like to have smaller pockets on the exterior of your bag to store travel documents and other easy-to-grab items? Then choose a soft-sided bag, as hard shell luggage won’t have that feature. You might even be surprised to learn that while it seems like hard-sides are all the rage, most pilots only travel with soft-sided luggage.
The next item of business is to fixate on other practical features, like smooth-rolling wheels, durability at the seams and a sturdy handle that feels comfortable to your grip and hits at the right height. Finally, if you don’t rely on packing cubes—one of the brilliant buys travel pros never leave home without—then choose a bag that has some internal pockets and compartments for better organization. And, of course, the bag should spark at least a little joy design-wise. Travel is supposed to be fun, right?
When it comes to finding the top luggage brands, we’ve tested the best of the best, including Monos, Beis, Away, Roam, Briggs and Riley and so many more. Our editors are travelers of all types, from solo adventurers to family vacationers, campers to luxury lovers. We’ve personally tested bags, backpacks and suitcases for every type of traveler, and taken long flights, train rides and road trips to be sure they’re up to snuff. Additionally, we regularly consult with travel industry insiders to keep on top of the latest trends and innovations.
There are benefits to both. Soft luggage provides more flexibility and exterior pockets, but fabric can be susceptible to stains and rips. Hard luggage provides more protection, but the rigid exterior can reduce wiggle room.
“While soft construction allows some flex for additional packing space, hard side cases provide impact resistance, and molded shells tend to glide easier over uneven surfaces during handling,” says Timm Fenton, designer of iconic luggage brand Ricardo Beverly Hills.
If you’re going to be globe-trotting, a durable, hard-sided suitcase is probably the best choice to protect any mementos you gather. Materials like polycarbonate and aluminum are hard enough to provide protection and survive baggage claim without being too heavy to lug around for a long trip.
There are pros and cons to buying light- versus dark-colored luggage. On the one hand, dark colors won’t show dirt and scuffs as much, but brighter colors may be easier to pick out on a baggage carousel. That said, go with your personal preference, and you can’t lose.
In my 23 years as a travel writer and editor, I’ve contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, Taste of Home, Insider, Reader’s Digest and more. I’ve visited 37 countries and even won awards for my writing. For this guide, I consulted two experts: Kara Harms, a travel blogger and founder of Whimsy Soul, and Timm Fenton, the designer of the luggage brand Ricardo Beverly Hills.
