The Best Luggage for Longterm Travel: According to the Experts

If you're about to embark on a long term trip, one, we're jealous, and two, it's so important to have the right luggage!

The right luggage for you depends on a few different things, like how you will be traveling, how much you can carry, what you prefer, and more.

In this guide, we're going to take a look at a few things you should think about before buying your luggage, as well as give you a round-up of some of the most recommended luggage brands from respected travel sites.

Having the right luggage can go a long way, making getting from point A to point B easier and more comfortable, and safely storing all of your important personal items.

What to consider before you start shopping

There are a few things you should think about before you head off on your shopping trip.

Doing a little bit of thought work ahead of time can help you to narrow down what you should be looking for.

Here are a few things to ponder:

Will you be renting a car?

If you plan to rent a car, space might not be an issue, but you're going to want to prioritize suitcases and bags that are easy to load and unload. Hard shell cases are great because they protect fragile items, while soft cases give you a bit more flexibility.

Will you be taking trains, buses, or other forms of public transportation?

If you plan to rely on public transportation with your luggage, finding suitcases that are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and have durable wheels will make your transport easier.

Look for backpacks or rolling suitcases with four wheels, so you can roll it different ways to fit through narrow turnstiles or if your arm gets tired.

Are you traveling alone?

While you might not think to consider this question, it's interesting when you're choosing what luggage to buy. If you're traveling solo, you will likely need to manage all of your luggage independently. If you're traveling in a group, you can distribute luggage weight from time to time.

Stairs vs elevators

Many old buildings, metro stations, and guest houses around the world don't have elevators. If you're staying in places with limited accessibility, make sure you choose luggage that you can manage up and down multiple flights.

Weight restrictions

Airlines and other services often have weight limits. Hard shell cases, while more durable, are often heavier than soft bags. Additionally, consider how much you can actually carry. Bags with wheels are a lifesaver.

What longterm luggage options exist?

There are several different types of suitcases and bags available on the market, giving you a lot of options. This also means that you're likely to find one that you feel really good about and meets all of the needs of your trip.

Hard shell vs soft shell

• Hard shell cases are popular because they are more durable and offer more protection for your personal items. Usually, they're made from polycarbonate or aluminum and are water-resistant. A downside to hard shell cases is that they often don't have a lot of external pockets, they're heavier, and they're not as flexible if you're packing a car, for example.
• Soft shell cases, on the other hand, are made of flexible fabric such as nylon or polyester. While these types of suitcases can be water resistant to some extent, they're less so than a hard shell case. One pro about soft cases is that they're a bit easier to squeeze into tight spaces, and they also often have a lot of external pockets, giving you more storage. However, they can be more difficult to move around (as they're not rigid), and they are less durable/protective than hard shells.

Rolling suitcases and bags

Rolling luggage is a favorite among long term travelers due to their ease of transport. There are a couple of different types, with most travelers preferring the four-wheel spinner option.

• Two-wheel suitcases: Best for smooth surfaces and dragging behind you. Older suitcases are usually two-wheeled. If you plan to buy used luggage, you may see a lot of them.
• Four-wheel (spinner) suitcases: These offer better maneuverability but can also roll away on sloped surfaces. Four-wheel suitcases are great for those with mobility concerns, as they stand upright easily and can be rolled back, forth, left, and right on all four wheels. They can also be pulled behind you on two wheels, giving you options.

Backpacks

For those who are looking for quick mobility, a backpack may be the best choice. Features to look for include:

• Padded shoulder straps and hip belts for comfort.
• Multiple compartments for extra storage.
• Zippers on external pockets to protect your belongings in crowded places.
• Water resistance for unpredictable weather.
• Internal frame for better weight distribution.

What is the best luggage for long term travel?

We took a look at several different major travel media sites to see what they recommend.

Here's a round-up of the best luggage options based on different expert reviews.

New York Times recommends:

• TravelPro
• Away
• Briggs & Riley
• Monos

Forbes recommends:

• TravelPro
• Away
• Calpak
• Samsonite
• Monos
• Briggs & Riley
• Rimowa
• Lipault
• Paravel

Good Housekeeping recommends:

• Samsonite
• American Tourister
• Away
• Briggs & Riley
• July
• Hartmann
• Béis
• TravelPro
• Calpak
• Tumi
• Monos
• LL Bean
• Amazon Basics

Travel & Leisure recommends:

• July
• Samsonite
• TravelPro
• Briggs & Riley
• Paravel
• Cotopaxi
• Patagonia
• Eagle Creek

Condé Nast Traveler recommends:

• Calpak
• Away
• Béis
• Amazon Basics
• Dagne Dover
• American Tourister
• Briggs & Riley
• Rimowa
• Steamline
• Paravel
• Samsonite
• Monos
• Victorinox
• Eagle Creek
• Lipault
• Delsey Paris
• Tumi
• TravelPro
• Eastpak
• Hartmann
• Arlo Skye
• Antler
• Solgaard
• Herschel Supply
• Carl Friedrick

The Winner according to the experts

First place

Briggs and Riley are recommended by all of the experts in this article.

Second place

Recommended by four of the five experts, Samsonite, Away, Monos, and TravelPro come in second.

Third place

Recommended by three of the experts above, third place goes to Calpak, Rimowa, Paravel, Béis, and July.