We’re officially in the marathon travel season, folks. Between all of the holidays and winter weddings, there’s a decent chance you’ll be packing your bags and hitting the road at least a couple of times over the next few months. And whether you enjoy living out of a suitcase or dread the idea of organizing your belongings in your luggage, we can all agree that a good bag makes all the difference when we travel.
Most folks are drawn to wheeled carry-on bags for nearly all of their travel plans, and for good reason. These compact suitcases are convenient when rushing through airport terminals. But on road trips or shorter weekend excursions they might not be necessary. A duffel bag is a great option for stuffing all of your holiday gear, or if you’re as diligent as a packer as my wife a travel backpack might be all you need for a week’s stay with your parents back home.
To get you through this holiday travel season, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite bags, suitcases, and luggage perfect for just about any trip.
Nike Utility Power 2.0 Duffel Bag
While Nike built the Utility Power 2.0 as a gym bag, it's spacious design and versatile compartments make it a perfect travel duffel bag. The interior lined pocket is great for keeping clothes separate while the external zipped pockets are sized just right for small essentials, toiletry bags, and extra pairs of shoes. I tested this bag out on a wedding road trip recently and it's now my go-to bag for most travel.
Buy: $75
Away The Carry-On
Away has been my preferred carry-on luggage for a few years now. The minimalist design is stylish but it also boasts a rugged and durable exterior -- my bag has withstood plenty of bumpy trips through the luggage carousel. The included laundry bag, clothing divider, and security lock are all excellent touches which make the Away Carry-On bag ideal for air travel.
Buy: $275
Bagsmart Jetsetter Expandable PC Hard Shell Spinner Luggage
I've been really impressed by Bagsmart's line of luggage and suitcases and the Jetsetter is an excellent budget replacement for the Away Carry-On bag. It doesn't sacrifice any of that versatility and it even expands if you're packing for a longer trip. My wife managed to pack a week-and-a-half's worth of clothes for a recent trip to Italy and even made space to bring back some olive oil, amaro, and cookies on the return leg.
Buy: $110
Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC Travel Backpack
Patagonia's iconic Black Hole bag has become a travel staple for a reason. This particular edition is sized to fit within the personal item constraints of most airlines while offering plenty of room to hold all of your gear. It's a great option for those looking to maximize space and not pay for extra baggage.
Buy: $199
Floyd Cabin
Sure the price tag on the Floyd Cabin bag is hefty but we can't get over the retro-inspired colorways. Travel bags have become so boring -- add a pop of vibrance to your luggage. The Floyd Cabin is capacious, durable, and offers the opportunity for further customization thanks to the skateboard-inspired wheels. Traveling just got way more fun.
Buy: $541
Flint and Tinder Waxed Canvas Tote
For daily commutes or brief travel you might just need a solid tote bag. The Waxed Canvas Tote from Flint and Tinder is designed for everyday use but offers plenty of room for a brief overnight or as a handsome addition to your stylish luggage. It's sized perfectly to hold your water bottle, laptop, and all of your EDC while still offering room for a change of clothes. Plus, the waxed canvas construction means this bag will last you for years to come.
Buy: $140
Troubadour Pioneer Backpack 3.0
Ditch your dingy backpack and upgrade to Troubadour's travel-ready Pioneer. This expertly designed bag offers an intuitive design with a variety of internal compartments. Whether you're using it for your daily commute or as your personal item on a long-haul flight, you can fit just about everything in this backpack. There's a dedicated sneaker compartment, a lined pocket for tech accessories, a shoulder strap pocket for keys or your phone, and much more. Plus the rugged design means you can travel safely without fear of water damage or regular wear and tear.
Buy: $275
