The Best Soft-Sided Luggage for Travelers, Tested & Reviewed

Dimensions: 35 x 23 x 56cm
Capacity: 35L
Weight: 3kg

Pros: Affordable, can fit a week’s worth of clothes
Cons: Does scuff easily, needs more zipper access for pockets

The Thule Aion carry-on spinner is a well-made, affordable option that can carry a week’s worth of clothes. According to frequent traveller Patrick Thompson, the suitcase has a sleek look, with two useful outside pockets for storing smaller items like phones and chargers. The suitcase has straps that make it easy to pick up and place into cars or toss into an overhead locker. While traversing the globe to Italy, Argentina, Florida, and beyond, Thompson noticed that the bag does scuff easily, but loves its nutria (tan) colour.

Dimensions: 58 x 40 x 25cm
Capacity: 52L
Weight: 3.6kg

Pros: Compression straps, removable packing cube
Cons: Wheels can glide too easily allowing the suitcase to roll away

After using it on a weeklong trip to Boston and Connecticut, US senior commerce editor Madison Flager was impressed with this soft-sided expandable suitcase from Travelpro. It features one main compartment that has compression straps to keep all of your clothes and valuables secure while travelling. There is also a built-in and removable packing cube that can act as a second compartment if needed. “I like the included packing cube, and that they have other accessories you can swap in to suit your needs,” says Flager. It’s a great starter soft-sided piece for those who want to swap from a hard-sided suitcase and tend to overpack.

Dimensions: 50 x 40 x 20cm
Weight: 2.1kg

Pros: External pockets, lightweight, great value price, next day delivery with Prime
Cons: Basic design, not built to last

When it comes to size, weight, price, design and quick delivery, Aerolite’s cabin suitcase (available on Amazon) ticks all the boxes. The dimensions of the case fit within most airline allowances including British Airways and easyJet, while the weight of the case comes in at a very light 2.3kg. Of all the features, it’s the two outer pockets that make this one a winner, plus it has a great value price.

“I’ve travelled with this case a couple of times on short city breaks. For the price, it does a good job, and the external pockets are handy for easy-access. If you load up the case too much, especially the top when it’s standing up right, the case can often topple over. But otherwise, it’s a great budget option,” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor.

Dimensions: 78 x 56 x 33cm
Capacity: 126L
Weight: 8kg

Pros: Smooth wheels and zippers, includes a garment bag
Cons: 18 pounds on its own, it can be heavy to lift, plain exterior can be hard to spot on a luggage carousel

If you’re willing to splurge on a soft-sided suitcase, the Tumi Extended Trip Packing Case may be the right fit for you. Research director Alexandra Sanidad loves this suitcase for its smooth wheels and zippers, the overall capacity, and the zippered pouches to keep items separate. With its hefty price tag, Sanidad admits it is a luxury suitcase, but the inclusions of a garment bag, a zip extension, compression straps, and a TSA-approved combination lock all make this piece stand out. Thanks to its large capacity, Sanidad says you could easily pack this suitcase with everything you would need for a month. “We packed as much as we could up to the 50 pounds per bag limit, but you can definitely fit more if you’re driving around with this or on a vehicle with no weight limit,” she says.

Dimensions: 56 x 40 x 23cm
Capacity: 42L
Weight: 5kg

Pros: Large capacity for a week’s worth of clothes, included garment sleeve, easy to clean
Cons: Heavy before packing, its size can be confused for a checked bag

Travellers looking for a piece of luggage that will look as good as new for years should try out the Tumi Alpha Continental Dual Access carry-on. Former Traveler US editor Alex Erdekian has used this carry-on for trips all over the world, including Italy, France, Mexico, and Boston. The bag can fit a week’s worth of clothes and has a zip divider, plus a large mesh zip pocket and a garment sleeve to keep all of your outfits organised. And if the suitcase gets scuffed, it’s easy to clean with a paper towel. While she appreciated how much the Tumi carry-on can fit, Erdekian noted she had to check this bag at the airport on two separate occasions because it appeared to be too big for some airline’s carry-on requirements. At just over 11 pounds while empty, it is on the heavier end, and Erdekian found it could be hard to lift into the overhead locker once packed.

Dimensions: 36 x 23 x 56cm
Capacity: 51L
Weight: 4.5kg

Pros: Automatic expander, designated pocket for passport and tickets
Cons: Overall look is a bit simple and industrial

US senior features editor Rebecca Misner says, “as a proud overpacker (I live by: you never know, might as well throw it on in), I’m highly suspicious of carry-on suitcases for any trip longer than about two days or as anything other than overflow from my maxed out checked bag.” When she tested out the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential carry-on, she was able to fit everything she needed for a three-day trip, including running shoes and large evening dresses. One draw to this bag is that the expander isn’t zippered—instead, you press a button and then pull up on a lever so that the sides automatically expand. Another nice perk is the “SpeedThru” pocket, which holds passports and tickets, and has an orange lining so you know when it’s open or closed. This bag’s sleek style is ideal for frequent business travellers. Bonus: It comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Dimensions: 40 x 56 x 25cm
Capacity: 46L
Weight: 4.5kg

Pros: Keeps clothes looking neat, suitcase has a lifetime warranty
Cons: Only has two wheels

If you’re travelling with special clothing items, for weddings or business trips, and want to keep the wrinkles to a minimum, pack the Travelpro rolling garment bag. Traveler US’s global associate director of audience development Lara Kramer has used this bag on a trip to Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, and it held up well. “I was able to pack a few nice dresses and my husband fit an entire suit, all of which remained wrinkle-free, which was a game changer,” she says. The bag is made from high-density nylon with a duraguard coating, which keeps the suitcase looking new for years. It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty that covers the cost of repairs from airline damage. The one downfall some may see with this bag is that it only has two wheels, which can make it a bit more challenging to manoeuvre within crowded airports or city streets.

Dimensions: 56 x 36 x 23cm
Capacity: 50L not expanded, 60L when expanded
Weight: 4kg

Pros: Large capacity, able to expand and collapse, cushioned top handle
Cons: Only good for shorter trips

If you’re looking for more capacity out of a carry-on-sized suitcase, the Béis soft-sided collapsible roller is a great option. Flager recently used this bag on a four-day trip and had plenty of room for all of her necessities. One of the major pros to this suitcase is that it’s completely collapsible—so after you unpack at a hotel or home, it can lay flat to fit under a bed or in a closet until it’s needed again. The collapsible roller is stain-resistant and has an expandable zipper, which can be put to use from the get-go or to add room should you buy a few souvenirs on vacation. The outside of the bag has a laptop sleeve and a small pocket to store a portable charger. Another major perk is that the top handle has a soft hand cushion that Flager says is akin to a keyboard wrist rest.