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Any seasoned traveler knows that investing in the right travel gear can make or break a trip for years to come. Rolling travel bags are a popular alternative to traditional four-wheeled luggage due to their flexibility, lightness, and maneuverability. While there are hundreds of options on the market, we’ve done all the hard work for you. We put 34 products through a series of tests, including filling them to maximum capacity, hitting them with baseball bats to test their durability, and driving them through an obstacle course to test their maneuverability, to find the most durable, practical, and stylish rolling travel bags for you.
After extensive testing and six months of additional real-world testing, we’ve identified our favorite (and hopefully your favorite) rolling travel bags, including ideal options for carry-on travelers, camping enthusiasts, outdoor enthusiasts, and more.
This 100-liter travel bag is stylish and roomy, with a large main compartment, a zipped side pocket, and mesh pockets for small items like loose cables. Even when we tried to stuff it to the brim, we still had plenty of room, and the bag’s capacity can be increased even further by tightly rolling clothes or even using the organizer pockets.
Made from durable recycled ripstop polyester and weather-resistant recycled TPU laminate (in other words, it’s waterproof), this travel bag can take a few hits from a baseball bat. Its wheels roll fairly smoothly given its size, though it may be a little difficult for smaller people to maneuver, especially in a busy airport. We also noticed that after using this travel bag regularly for a few months, it sometimes tips over when full, due to the large amount of weight at the front of the bag. If you’re looking for a more portable size, there are also 40- and 70-liter versions available.
Details: Check | 32.6 x 16 x 13.7 inches | 9.3 pounds | 100-liter capacity | 900D recycled polyester ripstop with DWR coating
We were impressed by how durable and long-lasting the Away 85L Rolling Duffel Bag is. The base of the bag is a polycarbonate liner, while the rest of the bag is made from recycled polyester fabric that is water and abrasion resistant, giving the bag a lightweight feel. Aside from a few minor scuffs at the base of both wheels, the bag remained largely intact after we hit it with a metal bat a few times, giving us confidence that it will withstand the wear and tear of travel.
The main compartment of the duffel bag is spacious, and we found that we could fit all of our essentials and gear in there, including a sleeping bag, and still have plenty of room left over. Inside, you’ll find compression straps and two zippered mesh pockets inside the lid that are perfect for storing magazines, cables, or even small items like socks and underwear. On the outside, the duffel bag features a zippered pocket at the base of the adjustable handle, three additional handles on each of the remaining sides of the bag, and two security straps to keep your belongings in place. The handles are easy to use, but we don’t like that the rails are visible inside the bag because you have to grab them.
Details: Blanket | 30.5 x 16.1 x 11 inches | 7.96 pounds | 85 liter capacity | Polycarbonate back, recycled polyester body | Weather resistant
If you like built-in organization, the Ogio Terminal Travel Bag is the one for you. Even the most disorganized person will be organized thanks to this travel bag’s multiple exterior and interior compartments, which can hold up to two weeks of clothing. We love the bag’s multiple exterior handles, which make it easy to load into a car or roof rack, and the fact that its wheels roll super smoothly. At 95 liters, this bag is big and roomy without being bulky, and it’s durable enough for outdoor adventures or road trips.
We stuffed this travel bag with enough winter gear for two weeks and still had plenty of room left over. The roomy main compartment is perfect for storing bulky items, and the exterior pockets make it easy to organize your luggage. The handle, while sturdy, is a bit thin, and the wheels are small, making it a bit of a hassle to wheel this checked bag through busy airports. That said, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better travel bag with wheels for under $50, and it’s available in a variety of colors so it’ll stand out at baggage claim.
Like many Tumi bags, this travel bag features a thoughtful design that combines functionality, quality, and style. The roomy main compartment is perfect for storing large clothing items, and there’s a zippered lower compartment for everything from shoes to makeup bags and other organizers. Made from premium ballistic nylon, it feels durable and luxurious, and we’re particularly impressed with how easily it moves across a variety of surfaces, including concrete and carpet. While this travel bag is pricey, its stylish, durable look and array of organizational features make it a worthy investment for frequent travelers.
It’s the lightest bag we’ve ever tested, and it even comes with a duffel bag and convertible backpack straps.
“Roomy” is not the right word to describe the capacity of this large travel bag. With a 130-liter capacity and an empty weight of less than 5 pounds, it’s one of our favorite lightweight travel bags. Despite its light weight, this travel bag is built to withstand the wear and tear of travel. It’s made from durable materials that not only look good, but also provide great durability. Best of all, it converts into a backpack (which explains why it doesn’t stand upright) and has its own storage pocket, which is just the icing on the cake.
Details: Check | 34 x 13.75 x 15 inches | 4.4 pounds | 129 liter capacity | 800D nylon jacquard dobby, 1680D ballistic polyester, 200D recycled polyester
Budget and value aren’t always synonymous, and many travel bags sacrifice durability, functionality, and style to keep the price down. This Gonex rolling travel bag offers high quality at a great price that’s comparable to many of the more expensive items on this list. After testing this travel bag, we found the wheels to be smooth, the handles to be easy to fold, and the design (part suitcase, part travel bag with a structured and durable bottom, a fabric top cover, and plenty of external and internal pockets) makes this travel bag stand out from the competition and offers great value for the money. We also like that it’s waterproof.
Details: Tested | 33.5 x 16 x 15 inches | 10.47 lbs | 100 liter capacity | 1200D PVC | Waterproof
Nothing says luxury like personalization, especially when paired with a stylish, oversized bag. In fact, T+L Senior Editor Jasmine Grant said she “couldn’t have asked for more space” when she tested a travel bag. This Mark & ​​Graham travel bag is large enough to fit a few days’ worth of clothes and accessories in the main compartment, as well as a few pairs of shoes in the separate shoe compartment at the top. While the bag lacks organization (there are no pockets outside the shoe compartment), we didn’t find them necessary—the structure of the bag keeps things from bunching up inside, and the zipper is wide enough to easily see everything inside.
When we tried it on, we found it elegant and luxurious, thanks to stylish features like gold hardware, a structured design, and the option to add an embroidered monogram (for an extra $15). Monogram options are plentiful and attractive (you can choose from 19 styles, 11 colors, and three character lengths), and we found them to be high-quality, with no rips or fraying.
Details: Throw | 28 x 12.5 x 16 inches | 8.5 pounds | Recycled polyester with polyurethane finish
If you can’t roll the bag, you can easily carry it using the top handle or shoulder strap.
As the name suggests, this Samsonite travel bag is a real treat. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a short business trip, it’s loaded with smart features to make business travel a breeze: a front zippered pocket with a built-in USB charging port, a front pocket with a panel to organize your tech essentials, a padded laptop pocket, and even a removable wrist strap. We especially love that it can be carried by the handle, on the shoulder strap, or rolled up, so you can find the most comfortable option for you on the go. Perfect for short trips, this weekender features a push-button retractable handle and durable wheels that glide like butter over a variety of surfaces.
The product is made of high-quality shagreen leather and is equipped with a hanging bag in which you can hang three items of clothing.
Crafted from premium full-grain leather, this trolley bag impresses with its sleek silhouette, handy garment pocket and plenty of organiser pockets. The waterproof interior features five small zipped pockets, perfect for underwear and socks, and three hanging hooks to hold up to three items of clothing. There’s also an external waterproof shoe compartment that can hold two pairs of shoes (heels and flats), a large front zipped pocket with three small slip pockets, one large slip pocket and a large front zipped pocket with a wide opening to hold everything from your phone and passport to larger devices like a 16-inch laptop.
Despite being made of durable leather, we found the bag to be very easy to maneuver. The wheels glide smoothly, and the multiple handles, including two top handles, a shoulder strap, a roller luggage cover, and an aluminum trolley that zips up when not in use, make it easy to carry the suitcase and place it on the overhead rack. The high price is worth it considering the exterior is made of premium leather, which is less prone to scratches and scuffs due to its rough texture. Our only complaint is that the bag’s zipper can get stuck easily.
It features multiple internal and external pockets, as well as external loops and carabiners to maximize packing space.
If you like to stay organized while traveling, this rolling travel bag might be for you. We love that it can be carried three ways: by the two side handles, on the backpack straps, or on the rollers. However, what really made us fall in love with it is that it has so many pockets.
On the outside of the bag, there’s a small pocket on the front, as well as a padded laptop pocket, and on the inside, there’s another small zipped pocket and two slip pockets. Inside, you’ll find two medium-sized zipped pockets on the top of the bag’s flap, as well as a long pocket on the bottom and a smaller zipped pocket above it. Opening up this large pocket reveals a spacious main compartment. But wait, that’s not all – there are plenty of loops and carabiners on the front of the backpack if you want to attach any additional small bags, like a hanging cosmetic bag or a stuff sack. While this is another clever feature that makes the most of the space, we found the clips to be difficult to open and close, requiring both hands.
This backpack is lightweight and, although it is not expandable, it has plenty of pockets and space. The backpack has a removable lining and is generally comfortable, but we preferred to roll the backpack on the wheels, as they are large and roll smoothly. Bonus: the entire backpack is made from recycled materials, making it extremely durable.
Details: 13.5 x 21 x 9 in | 6.6 lbs | 44 liter capacity | Recycled nylon, recycled ballistic nylon, recycled polycarbonate shell
It glides very smoothly on wheels and comes with carrying straps so it can be safely put away when not in use.
We were impressed with this backpack-style rolling travel bag, which features a lightweight design, durable construction, and backpack straps that can be tucked into a pocket when not in use. This travel bag is quite roomy and essentially consists of one main compartment with several pockets, including an external zippered pocket that can hold a pair of shoes, a small external pocket with an ID window, and an internal zippered pocket for smaller items like underwear and socks. We appreciate the spacious backpack, but we wish it had more pockets, and we recommend using an organizer to keep things organized while traveling.
All the zippers are easy to open, as are the telescopic handles, which have two height adjustments. This travel bag can be rolled up or worn as a backpack. While the backpack straps aren’t the most comfortable, they can come in handy in an emergency. The bag is easy to place on the top shelf, and like most other soft-sided bags, it’s very durable. It took a lot of beating from our baseball bat like a pro, and its contents were unscathed. We especially like how smoothly this travel bag’s wheels roll and how easy it is to maneuver on all surfaces.
Duffel bags with wheels are often associated with a sporty style, but this model from Bric’s challenges that image. In addition to its minimalist and very stylish design (thanks to the exquisite leather trim), this travel bag is compact and lightweight, which does not hide its spaciousness, making it a great choice for overnight stays or trips around Europe.
This travel bag is essentially one large main compartment and several pockets. On the outside, there’s a long zippered pocket that’s big enough for a small tablet, phone, and passport. Inside, there’s a mesh zippered pocket on the flap that’s perfect for underwear and socks, and another long zippered pocket that runs along the side of the bag. This bag is very stylish and overall simple, with details like sleek zippers, leather handles, a top handle with snaps, and a padded shoulder strap that make it a smart investment. The wheels glide easily, and the travel bag fits easily on an overhead bin. Bonus: It’s completely waterproof.
Details: 22 x 10 x 12.5 inches | 5.5 pounds | 28 liter capacity | Recycled satin nylon with leather details
It is quite roomy, has four compression straps and is comfortable to use despite its volume.
This 109-liter travel bag on wheels is ideal for those who take too much with them and travel long distances. Even when packing the travel bag, we found more and more space, even for larger and bulkier items such as boots. Additional space is also added by the bag’s expandable straps, which can also be used to tighten and compress the bag.
Like many rolling travel bags, this one consists mainly of a roomy main compartment and several external and internal pockets. There are also two internal compression straps that can be used to tighten the product. This travel bag is generally quite lightweight and easy to move even when fully loaded, as it has four handles and large wheels that glide smoothly as butter. The zippers on this travel bag are very strong and easy to close even when fully loaded. Although the handle has only one height adjustment, the larger travel bags are comfortable and easy to maneuver.
Made from recycled nylon ripstop TPU, this travel bag is durable and has the added benefit of being waterproof. While the inside of the bag didn’t get wet during our waterproofing test, we did notice that the fabric around the edges of the bag did absorb some water. This luggage bag also doesn’t come with a shoulder strap.
Details: 31 x 16 x 15 in | 10.2 lbs | 109L Capacity | Recycled Nylon Ripstop TPU, Reinforced Polyester
Some of the rolling travel bags we tested didn’t make our list, but have some standout features that may suit the needs of some travelers.
Osprey Transporter Rolling Duffel Bag: This waterproof bag is great for bad weather and harsh conditions, but the external handles are awkward to hold and we would have liked an extra handle to carry the bag horizontally.
Samsonite Andante 2 32″ Rolling Duffel Bag: We like this Samsonite duffel bag for its affordable price and roomy storage, especially its flared sides and separate bottom compartment that’s perfect for storing shoes. It’s a bit heavy, though, and awkward to move around.
Delsey x Jeep Medium Rolling Duffel Bag: This bag is a great medium-sized travel bag that opens up like a clamshell. It’s versatile, durable, and easy to roll up. However, it would be nice to have waterproof zippers, more organizers, and a handle.
RTIC Large Rolling Duffel Bag: Despite the affordable price, durability, and spacious interior of this travel bag, we found it to be a bit on the heavy side. We wish the wheels were a little bigger to balance out the weight of the bag and make it easier to transport, especially outdoors.
To find the best rolling travel bag, we scoured the market, narrowed our choices to 34 rolling travel bags, and then put those bags through rigorous testing for six months. We weighed our bags on a luggage scale when they were empty, then packed a week’s worth of clothes in carry-ons and nearly two weeks’ worth of clothes in travel bags. We considered organization and storage features like padded sleeves, compression straps, pockets, and external chains. We also paid close attention to how each zipper opened and closed.
The testing continued, with us rolling the bags back and forth across different surfaces to assess their maneuverability, rolling them over everything from smooth lab floors to deep-pile carpet. We even set up an obstacle course to make sure these bags could quickly negotiate turns and record how smooth the wheels and handles were under pressure. But perhaps the most fun part was testing the durability of each duffel bag by hitting it with a baseball bat. We also took the duffel bags off the table to check for wear and tear. Ultimately, we chose our favorite duffel bags to include in this list.
Even the best trolley bag won’t do you much good if it doesn’t meet your airline’s carry-on or checked baggage size requirements, so always check online before buying a new trolley bag. This is especially important when it comes to carry-on luggage. It’s also worth noting that since trolley bags are easy to overstuff, you may want to consider the weight of your bag, especially if it’s large (or invest in a good luggage scale to ensure you don’t go over your airline’s weight limit).
When packing large duffel bags, you may be tempted to go with the “bigger is better” mentality, especially when it comes to large capacity bags with very large main compartments. But it’s also worth considering smaller options. Different duffel bag styles come with different internal and external organizational features, such as zippered compartments, padded laptop or tablet compartments, and even organizer pockets. It all depends on how organized you want to be and how much you rely on your bag to keep you organized.