Hands up, who needs a holiday? After these past few years - who doesn’t?
Whether you’ve been daydreaming of golden sands and endless blue skies, you’re finally ready to take that once-in-a-lifetime trip, or you just fancy a good old fashioned seaside break, there’s one thing you’ll need beyond phone/keys/wallet - a great suitcase.
Something that can hold all the essentials and outfit choices you’ll need as you concentrate on the very serious business of rest and relaxation.
They’re more than a wardrobe on wheels though; luggage today has been given a Smart makeover with integrated battery packs to keep your devices juiced up on the move. This feature can prove a lifeline if you find yourself in a country with the wrong adaptor (guilty).
Whether you’re looking for a coordinating set that the whole family can use, an underseat bag that complies with tedious airline restrictions (cc: Ryanair and easyJet) or a sleek wheelie for your next city break, we’ve embarked on our own voyage of discovery to put the best luggage brands on your radar.
Pairing practicality with devastating good looks, you’ll be the envy of the luggage carousel.
Keep calm, carry on and find our edit of the best luggage brands below
Antler
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If you’re travelling for work or pleasure, taking an Antler means that’s one less thing to worry about: these bags look the business whatever is on your itinerary. The hardcase collection is made from ultra-light, super-strong polycarbonate so you can save weight for the stuff that really matters.
They come fitted with TSA-compliant combination locks so in the event security needs to open your case when you’re not there, they won’t render it useless.
Dinks and bangs are par for the course, especially if you’re planning to stick your big bags in the hold. Although the brand can’t do anything about this, they can make damage less obvious by colour-fasting its designs; scratches will stay true to the colour of the case’s shell. Throw in comfortable telescopic handles and four wheels on the bottom of the bag for smooth-as-butter gliding across practically all terrains, and you’ve got yourself a bag for life.
Pick it up: the Clifton set, because nothing says you’ve got your stuff together like a matching set of luggage. The collection of three (cabin, medium and large bags) comes in a choice of colours: sage green, taupe, navy, blush pink and black.
Buy now £587.00, Antler
AWAY
From hard case models tough enough to withstand baggage handlers having a bad day, to weekend bags that’ll help you make a speedy getaway, AWAY offers sleek, considered luggage for the modern traveller.
While there are lots of sober neutrals and metallics for business travel, there are plenty of options in candy and dayglo bright tones too (atomic celery being one of the more memorably-named colours on offer).
At the time of press, the latest drop is F.A.R (For All Routes), a collection of duffle-style holdall bags which range from 40L - 70L. There are convertible backpacks, totes, messenger bags and pouches in the range as well.
Pick it up: if you’re partial to spontaneous trips to the Continent, a decent carry-on has to be part of your bag brigade. AWAY’s Carry-On Flex is a hard case that can expand by 2.25inches giving you more room to stow souvenirs. It comes in a variety of hues, but we just can’t stop looking at this fresh lavender version.
Buy now £275.00, AWAY
Rimowa
Designed for the discerning traveller, Rimowa is one of the first names to spring to mind when you think of suitcases. No wonder, it’s been ‘redefining travel’ for more than 120 years, established back in 1898 - making it five years older than the invention of flying.
If you think that makes Rimowa’s offering old fashioned - think again. The iconic original design, launched in the 50s, forms the base of the collection, but there’s more to explore: Essential is all about function, Essential Lite and Essential Sleeve (ideal for business trips). Then there’s the heritage-look Classic, and Hybrid models which marry aluminium and feather-light polycarbonate. All the German-engineered options come in a range of colours and sizes: cabin, check-in and trunk. If you fancy playing suitcase designer, you can build your own from scratch too.
Rimowa is also known for sellout collabs with the likes of Dior, Supreme (which sold out in 16 seconds flat), and Chaos which sports an edgy drip pattern.
Pick it up: the OG is still the best in our eyes. For big trips, opt for the Original Check-In L (79 x 51 x 27.5cm) which has enough room for a fortnight away. Fitted with TSA-approved locks, a collapsible telescopic handle, high-quality wheels and a flex divider inside, it’s a thing of real beauty.
Buy now £1070.00, Rimowa
Horizn Studios
Veganism is taking over the world, with suitcases the latest guest to join the party. Horizn is the first of its kind to be recognised as PETA-certified vegan, making it an ideal choice for anyone who follows the plant-based lifestyle.
Hard shell cases are crafted from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, a material that’s also used on fighter jets thanks to its light weight and impact resistance. Hey, if it’s good enough for Top Gun...
Pick it up: Horizn’s suitcases all look the same: smart and minimal. However it’s the features that’ll make it one you’ll reach for time and again, with the H6 front and centre. It has two internal dividers to make in-case organisation a breeze and there’s built-in Quick Charge 3.0 smart technology in there too. Everything’s kept secure with a TSA-approved combination lock on the two-way zip, all sitting on shock-absorbing Hinomoto spinner wheels that rotate 360-degrees. Smart from every angle.
Buy now £285.00, Mr Porter
Samsonite
Going places? Get there faster and more fashionably with Samsonite, one of the leaders in the game. The Denver-founded company has come a long way since 1910 when it first started out, and now not only offers large hard and soft suitcases for travellers, but smaller bags such as briefcases and accessories like toilteries bags too. It teams up with brands like Disney to offer a range of ride-on kids bags designed to look like iconic characters.
The range has evolved and adapted through the decades, but the one thing that’s never diminished is the brand’s commitment to quality.
Pick it up: there’s an arrival hall’s worth of designs to choose from, but if you want to be able to spot your bag a mile off, Samsonite’s S’Cure, a larger spinner suitcase is the one. It comes in a range of bright, head turning colours, with this cactus green our pick of the bunch.
Buy now £249.00, Amazon
Tumi
You’re never really travelling solo when you’ve got a Tumi in hand. The brand has built its reputation on crafting reliably strong and high-quality bags, making it a winner for business and pleasure travel alike. Alongside a line of sleek backpacks and holdalls, the brand’s bestseller is any one of its expanding suitcases, which come in polycarbonate-made hard shells as well as more forgiving fabric versions.
Pick it up: made from something called FXT ballistic nylon (which makes it sound like a military-grade secret), Tumi’s Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case is the perfect option for longer holidays overseas. It’s armed to the teeth with pockets to help you organise your stuff and get to what you need quickly, and there’s the usual bells and whistles: telescopic handle, spinner wheels, TSA combination lock. A solid, dependable option that will serve you well for years to come.
Buy now £1100.00, Selfridges
Carl Friedrik The Carry-on Pro
Sleek with Scandi-cool leanings, Carl Friedrik marries cutting edge tech with simple design in its range of luggage. Polycarbonate is the top choice for its hard case suitcases thanks to its light yet robust qualities yet the design keeps things classic. If you’re after a no-fuss suitcase that’s anonymous enough to go with any kind of airport outfit or destination, Carl Friedrik’s are easy to get on board with.
Pick it up: with a streamlined selection of three bag sizes and the same number of leather trim colours, it’s beautifully easy to find a bag for you. Our money’s on The Carry-on Pro, offered with or without a removable battery to keep your laptop, tablet or phone at full tilt.
Buy now £425.00, Carl Friedrik
