Copyright BuzzFeed
I appreciate a good affordable product as much as the next person, but there are times when my money-savvy ways led me to spend more in the long run by buying something that costs less, but doesn’t last as long. This is most often the case with bags for travel, which can be incredibly pricey. Over the past couple of years, we’ve been in touch with tons of frequent travelers, from flight attendants to travel influencers to our very own staff, in order to find out what expensive pieces of luggage and bags actually justify their cost. This large convertible bag from Caraa offers two different carrying modes, backpack or standard crossbody, and is endorsed by one Caraa reviewer named Bethany F. who said they use this bag regularly for weekend trips between LA and San Diego. "I love how it has multiple zipper closure and I especially love the lock that comes with the main compartment," they wrote. Hidden within its spacious interior is a 15-inch dedicated laptop pocket and two separate main compartments outfitted with several pockets that are ideal for all your smaller items and valuables. Also available in a medium size, the Studio 2 is made with a waterproof and antimicrobial lining and water-resistant exterior so any accidental spills, treks through the rain or leaking water bottles are never an issue. Get it from Caraa for $390+ (available in two sizes and five colors). Away is a luxury travel brand that seems to have gained tons of happy customers who claim the hype is real. One of which is reviewer Tanya D., who wrote that after wearing out two sets of luggage with work travel, they finally made the Away investment and were pleased with the results. "I honestly could not believe how great they function! I took my first international trip last week and unfortunately tore my rotator cuff on my dominant arm just before the trip. Pushing, pulling, rolling, escalators, it didn't matter, it was effortless, even with [my] right arm in a sling and having to use my left hand! Everything compresses down so efficiently that I had room to spare even though I was packing for a week long trip. Fantastic! Can't wait to travel again," they wrote. Away's line of sleek and durable checked bags and carry-ons like this one are designed with the traveler in mind and contain three organizing mesh pockets as well as a double-buckle compression belt to help you pack more into the four- to seven-day-sized interior. Like all their suitcases, this carry-on, which comes in nine colors, has smooth 360-degree spinner wheels for smooth maneuvering and even an underside handle to make lifting easier. Get it from Away for $295. Minimal lifestyle vlogger Sophie Daquis previously recommended this Osprey Fairview 40 travel backpack. "It's a very well-built and functional bag. I love it because it is big enough to hold all of my essentials (camera gears, laptop, clothes, and other small essentials), but also small enough that it makes me think twice about what I actually need on the trip," she said. This 40-liter technical backpack is constructed with adjustable chest and torso straps that are considerate of a women's frame, and the design is lightweight enough to use for outdoor hiking treks or for navigating busy airports as a carry-on. The main interior compartment features a clamshell opening and several internal pockets, including an easy-access 16-inch laptop sleeve. Get it from Amazon for $144+ (available in four colors). Geoff Grisdale of One Bag Travels, a blog dedicated to finding and documenting the perfect travel bag, previously recommended this Thule rucksack to us. According to Grisdale, it's large enough to hold his gear and organize it well, but it also has a pretty simple minimalist look and feel so it doesn't weigh too much. It has the ability to expand from 28 liters to 32, a divided main compartment and ia recycled polyester and waxed canvas construction that stands up to water and the elements. Grab this in black, slate blue or this natural khaki color. Get it from Amazon for $157.57+. Our senior culture editor Erin E. Evans previously endorsed the luggage company Timbuk2. "When my Timbuk2 [bag] broke, I mailed it off to them and they fixed it and sent it back," she said. While everything on their site is covetable, this 38-liter travel backpack and duffle is especially versatile and chic. With a roomy main compartment, interior water bottle pocket and wipeable bottom cargo pocket for shoes, it holds everything you need for a carry-on. Get it from Timbuk2 for $199. If you've been anywhere on TikTok the past year or two, you've most likely seen the Béis Weekender bag, a chic tote-style bag that's famed for its separate lower compartment and its ability to stay propped open so you can easily rummage inside without the soft sides collapsing. One Béis reviewer said they gifted this iconic tote to a friend who travels from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. often and she highly recommends it. Another happy customer from Béis wrote, "Beautiful bag that lives up to the hype!! Fits in everything needed for my husband and I for a getaway weekend - and still has lots of room to spare!! This bag was definitely worth it - it looks great and holds so much!!" In addition to the bottom section that's great for shoes or extra toiletries, there's also a designated laptop pocket, a trolley sleeve and several organization compartments throughout. You can currently get this in five different colors and also a mini size. Get it from Béis for $108. Chandler Jane, a flight attendant and travel influencer, previously said that in her opinion, a good checked bag is hard-sided. “[Hard-shell bags] are less likely to flip over when weight is added, and the durability of the shell will protect your belongings inside,” she explained. One of her favorite brands, Rimowa, has some of the most durable luggage available as well as a unique color selection to help avoid confusion at the luggage carousel. Both lightweight and strong, the Essentials check-in suitcase features stable ball-bearing-mounted wheels for optimal maneuverability and a flexible interior divider to keep packed items secure during transit. (You can get a "cabin" size of this bag for $900.) Get it from Rimowa for $1,200 (available in six glossy colors and two matte colors). I travel out of state around three or four times a year. My old checked luggage served me decently well, but after the wheels gave out and it became impossible to maneuver, I decided on this large hard-sided suitcase from Monos as a replacement. Fresh out of the box, I could tell right away that these wheels were the real deal: slightly oversize, incredibly smooth to roll across a variety of terrains (yes, I took it outside on the street for a test run) and seemingly durable enough to withstand everything I put luggage through. I also really appreciate the dual layers of organization pockets (which even includes shoe sleeves!) that are built into the suitcase’s dividers; most large luggage I’ve seen only have one. The rest of the interior is just as thoughtfully designed, and the exterior includes a TSA lock and a high-grade aluminum telescoping handle. I just took the case on its first official travel run on a trip to New York and I couldn't be more pleased with how it functioned. (You can find the carry-on version of my bag for $275+ here.) Get it from Monos for $375+ (available in 12 colors).
