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Pros
- Wheels roll smoothly on any surface
- Water-resistant shell held up to heavy rain
- Sleek, fashionable look
Cons
- Exterior got dirty easily
For international travel, it’s best to err on the side of smaller luggage where you can help it, so you’re not stuck with an oversized suitcase that won’t fit on local, small flights. McKenzie tested Monos’s check-in and carry-on suitcase and found them to be great medium-sized options. “They were the first suitcases I ever got that weren’t expandable, which made me very nervous, but that smaller build is a major advantage for budget airlines or strict international size rules,” McKenzie says. “I took it on a family trip to Martha’s Vineyard, which meant it traveled in the overhead compartment of an Amtrak train, tucked into our rental car like a Tetris block, and stood out among the other suitcases on the ferry with ease. It’s a chameleon, fitting into any narrow spot it needs to. I’ll add that it moved like butter on a variety of surfaces, from wood and concrete to carpet and gravel. So if you need to get right off the plane and wheel through the cobblestone streets of some European village, this is a pretty safe bet.”
| Dimensions | 26.5″ W ×10.5″ D x 18.5″ H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.59 pounds |
| Colors | 11 |
Pros
- Extra large interior compartment
- Hardware on the bottom of the bag to keep it sturdy and clean
- Outside hidden zipper pocket for last-minute adds
Cons
- Might stretch personal item size limit
McKenzie calls this weekender bag “one of the best things to happen to [her] travel setup.” Other than the luxurious vegan leather trim, the bag handles are incredibly durable. The fact that it’s currently on outlet sale for over $300 off certainly helps. “I’ve packed this bag with me on multiple trips, from a wedding to family vacations to quick weekend getaways, and it’s been amazing for every situation,” McKenzie says. “It comes with two toiletry pouches that I’ve used to hold my travel-size goods and makeup, and other than two side pockets that run the length of the bag, it’s a blank canvas to hold whatever you need! It’s held vinyl records, a custom bridal clothing hanger, all of my tech, and plenty of snacks. It’s definitely on the larger side as far as personal items go, but I’ve been able to tuck it under the seat in front of me in a pinch.”
| Dimensions | 20″ L x 14.25″ W x 9.75″ H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.76 pounds |
| Colors | 4 |
Pros
- Available in nylon or vegan leather
- Water-resistant exterior
- Trolley sleeve becomes an extra pocket when not in use
Cons
- Velcro closure on laptop sleeve can snag
This Monos duffel can serve as a personal item on the plane, and can be a spacious work bag to walk around with on business trips. McKenzie uses it every day on a bustling NYC commute, and thinks the compartments keep it beautifully organized for weaving through TSA. “My favorite weekender is a little on the large side, and I wanted something for the extra strict airlines that could double as my work bag when I wasn’t traveling,” McKenzie says. “Right now, it’s my every day commuter duffel, and I can’t get over how perfect it is. There’s a protected laptop sleeve, inner zipper pockets, and a separate smaller bag that serves as a toiletry pouch. The back sleeve helps it slide easily onto the handle of a wheeled suitcase, which is crucial for easy access when going through multiple customs lines. I love that the snap on compartment attaches outside the bag, so even when the inner compartment is full of my stuff, I can keep my passport, phone, wallet and other essentials within arm’s reach.”
| Dimensions | 16.3″ W × 7.2″ D × 11.2″ H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.6 pounds |
| Colors | 9 |
Pros
- Lockable zippers protect against pickpocketing
- Easy to wear crossbody
- Sturdy straps and pockets have held up to near-daily use
Cons
- Mesh in the side pockets is a bit thin
If you need a bag ASAP, try one of the best travel bags on Amazon that we could find. The anti-theft features and durable polyester have protected McKenzie’s belongings for over two years. “I first bought this bag for a trip to Paris during Bastille Day crowds,” McKenzie says. “I wanted something absolutely pickpocket-proof, but lightweight, crossbody, and easy to access. I call this my Peace of Mind Purse, because the various lockable zippers and slash-resistant strap keep all of my items secure, and I can walk the Champs-Élysées or Times Square with no worries at all. Two years later, and it’s still the very first bag I reach for, whether I’m running errands in my neighborhood, or tucking it inside a duffel for easy access on a long travel day. It helps that the inside is spacious enough for my oversized wallet, personal fan, book, and toiletries. There are even side pockets for the necessary water bottle or Diet Coke when I’m walking around.”
| Dimensions | 9″ W x 3.5″ D x 12.5″ H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Colors | 3 |
Pros
- Weighs under two pounds
- Available in multi-packs
- Made from extra durable nylon
Cons
- Only one small interior pocket
If you need space and flexibility more than you need style, go with this duffel bag that McKenzie has bought four times in the last two years. It’s extremely lightweight, and it’s just under the American Airlines and Delta maximum size allowance. “I will never stop singing the praises of this duffel bag,” McKenzie says. “I was first introduced to it when moving across the country, as I needed a bag that would fold down to take up little space in my tiny apartment. For when you need to transport the weird, oversized items, this is the bag you should reach for. It’ll fit your bulkiest beach towels, your ski gear, and your biggest boots. Because it’s so lightweight, you can add your heaviest items without worrying about going over the limit. It’s also easy to stack on luggage carts in the airport, and super durable. It’s stood up to TSA workers tossing it around and me throwing it down three flights of stairs every laundry day.”
| Dimensions | 32.5″ L x 17″ W x 11.5″ H |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.6 pounds |
| Colors | 10 |
How We Selected the Best Luggage for International Travel
When we were tracking down our picks for the best luggage, there was a lot of ground we wanted to cover in a concise manner. The good news is we have a travel-obsessed shopping team, so we focused on the pieces that have been tested on our own trips, both domestic and international. Our final choices have been called in for standalone reviews, like the Béis check bag, and are staples that editors have owned and swear by for years, such as the Samsonite Tote-A-Ton. We evaluated these bags based on how they held up to TSA handling, how well they fit in narrow spaces like packed trunks and overhead compartments, and the capacity to hold our clothes, toiletries, and other essentials. It was also important that we include a variety of bag sizes, from large checked bags meant to hold two weeks worth of items, to small personal items that hold just the essentials and leave room for your feet when placed under the seat. Prior to their inclusion in this article, these bags traveled on a variety of transportation, from trains and cars to boats and international flights. You can trust that the ones that didn’t break and were durable made it onto this list.
What to Look for When Luggage Shopping
Weight: Over-packers and big families should pay extra attention to the initial weight of the suitcase. When it comes to staying under the typical 50 pound-limit of checked bags, a lightweight bag gives you more room to work with. Some of the heavier hard-shells clock it at over 10 pounds though, which only gives you 40 pounds of packing room. This doesn’t just matter for checked bags, though — undue weight on your carry-ons will make it harder to lift above your head for the overhead compartment, and put stress on the handle.
Size: The size of your checked bag or carry-on is another crucial element of your purchase. Always check your preferred airline’s baggage requirements before you arrive at the airport (and if you can help it, before you book your ticket) to save yourself some headache at the check-in line. As a good rule of thumb, though, several American airlines that fly internationally, including American and Delta, have a limit of 62 inches total for checked bags — meaning when you add up the exterior width, depth and height, the total number cannot exceed 62.
Capacity/Compartments: Check photos of the interior of your bag, as well as how many pockets, zippered or otherwise, are included to give yourself a sense of your packing space. This is extra helpful for organizing when couples or siblings will share a suitcase, but be careful not to overpack a zippered compartment, or risk tearing that becomes an annoyance later on. Many bags will come with separate bags for dirty laundry, shoes, or toiletries, which can help with organization.
Why Trust House Beautiful?
We love to travel at House Beautiful, but we love to be informed while we do. Whether that’s finding the most design-forward hotels or the best places for some home decor shopping, we take our comfort and convenience during our time spent abroad as seriously as we do at home. To make sure we’re as prepared as possible, we’ve spent hundreds of hours reviewing and testing luggage, from large checked bags to convenient and compact personal items. We’ve tested brands like Quince, Béis, Away, Monos, Delsey, and Samsonite, not to mention viral products like the Solgaard Carry-on Closet, to find the very best in baggage for every kind of traveler and trip.
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