We’ve Spent Years Testing Travel Bags. These Are the Four We Currently Recommend

With spring and summer travel on the horizon, packing is suddenly on everyone’s mind. We’ve published tons of extensive buying guides packed with suggestions on duffles, hard-sided suitcases, cross-body bags, aluminum luggage, travel backpacks and more.

Still, there are always a few particular bags our editors recommend more consistently than others. To make things easier for you — and admittedly us — we’ve collected our most popular bag recommendations in one place.

Best Carry-On Suitcase

Away

Best Overall Carry-On

Away Carry-On

Away’s The Carry-On became an online DTC success story for good reason. It features a simple and clean aesthetic, an affordable price point and introduced a feature that’s now commonplace on trendy suitcases: an integrated lithium-ion battery for charging your phone. A variety of more expensive suitcases are superior in various ways, but it’s hard to beat Away’s overall value proposition at its price point.

Pros

• Lightweight polycarbonate design is still durabl
• Super spacious and easy to pack
• The optional battery pack keeps you charged on the go

Cons

• The handle feels flimsy compared to the rest of the hardy suitcase
• Battery must come out to be checked-in

Read our full review of the Away Carry-On

• 
  $275.00 at Away

Best Carry-On Backpack

Peak Design

Best Overall Duffle Bag

Peak Design Travel Duffle

This bag features magnetic snap handles, elegant design and interior pockets that offer lots of opportunity for organization. It’s also 100 percent waterproof and is made with a tough-as-nails 600D nylon canvas external shell.

Pros

• Elegant, stylish design
• Interior expands as needed when overpacked
• Weatherproof thanks to durable 600D nylon external shell
• Lots of interior pockets for storage, plus magnetic handles for secure grip

Cons

• A few users say their magnetic handles were weak
• The shoulder strap is weak, according to one user

Read our full review of the Peak Design Travel Duffle

• 
  $130.00 at Peak Design

Best Duffle Bag

Peak Design

Best Overall Carry-On Backpack

Peak Design 45 L Travel Backpack

Our longstanding editor favorite travel backpack incorporates hidden magnets for convenient strap storage, while two main pockets and various slots accommodate ample gear, from apparel to electronics. With features like grab handles, multiple zippers and water bottle slots, it stands out as a near-perfect travel companion.

Pros

• Can expand from a 35L day bag into 45L multi-day gear hauler
• Offers many ways to load & access contents
• Backpack straps can hide conveniently out of site via magnets
• Weather proof shell

Cons

• Main pouch less accessible than some other bags on the list
• Cinch straps only work okay

Read our full review of the Peak Design 45 L Travel Backpack

• 
  $299 at Peak Design
• 
  $299 at Huckberry

Best Crossbody Bag

Credit: Moment

Best Overall Crossbody Bag

Moment MTW Fanny Sling 2L

This is our pick for the best crossbody (or sling) bag you can buy. It’s expandable, versatile, secure, durable, stylish and just about everything else you could want in a crossbody bag. It even comes in five handsome colorways.

Pros

• Compartmentalized pockets
• Contoured shape for comfort
• Water-sealed zippers
• Waterproof

Cons

• No strap for carrying when you take it off
• Some users say the straps are too short

Read our full review of the Moment MTW Fanny Sling 2L

• 
  $59.99 at Moment
  
  $69.99
  
  (14% off)
• 
  $59.99 at Amazon
  
  $69.99
  
  (14% off)