The Best Luggage for Your Holiday Travels

Best Hardside Luggage — Samsonite Winfield 2 

Where to buy: From $99, Amazon

Over the last 10 years or so, we've seen luggage trends shift from soft body models to hardside luggage. After years of dealing with broken trinkets and crushed souvenirs, we've all wised up to the fact that hard shells offer better protection for your items — including those gifts you may be carrying for your loved ones. This 24 to 28-inch, lightweight hardside suitcase from the luggage leaders at Samsonite is great for just that. Made to absorb impact by flexing when under stress before popping back into its original shape, this piece, which features an elegant brushed pattern, all but eliminates exterior dents and dings while simultaneously protecting its contents. Best of all, if you opt for the 24-inch, it can double as a carry-on!

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Best Luggage Set — Flieks 3- Piece Spinner Set

Where to buy: From $99.99, Amazon

Looking for the best luggage set for families? Try this three-piece dream set from Flieks. Each set comes complete with one 28-inch suitcase, one 24-inch suitcase, and a 20-inch suitcase that's ideal for carry-on use. With more than enough room to pack up the entire family, this set features abundance of interior space and multi-use interior pockets to keep you well organized. What's more, each piece in this set passed a 2-ton cargo truck rollover test, so you can rest assured that everything you pack will get to its final destination fully intact!  

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Best Spinner Suitcase — CALPAK Astyll Set

Where to buy: $325, Nordstrom

If you're looking to ditch your basic black or blue suitcase for something a little more fun, opt for this gorgeous set from Calpak. Sleek and chic, this luggage duo comes in black-and-white marble finish that will make spotting your suitcases at baggage claim a breeze. They're lightweight and fitted with an integrated TSA lock (a TSA-approved lock that they can access if need be), a telescope-style pull handle, and four multi-directional wheels for easy airport navigation.  

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Best Carry On Suitcase — Away Luggage

Where to buy: $225, Away

When it comes to carry-on luggage, there's one brand that's all but taken over the travel industry — Away Luggage. Lightweight, smartly organized, and incredibly durable, the brand's hard shell The Carry On case has become the go-to of many, and for good reason: It's equipped with a TSA-approved ejectable battery-pack that you can charge your phone from, so you'll never have to fight over an airport outlet again. 

Wrote one reviewer, "My favorite part, of course, is the battery pack. Not only does it charge my phone faster than any other charger I have, I was able to charge all of my devices on the one juice pack. Lifesaver! This is the smartest bag ever. Intelligently designed and perfect! I’m in love."

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Best Underseat Luggage — Aimee Kestenberg 

Where to buy: $76.82 (Originally $89.99), Amazon

Let's face it — there's always going to be someone who has to board the plane last. If you ever find yourself in that situation and miss out on that overhead storage space, you may be forced to check your bag (sometimes at an additional fee!). You can leave that worry behind with this chic underseater from Aimee Kestenberg. Not only will this quilted twill carry-on slide smoothly under your seat,  it's plenty durable and efficient thanks to its multiple zipper pockets and wheel spinners, which make for smooth handling. Best of all, it's chic black-and-gold color scheme will make for a pretty piece to look at for the duration of your flight. 

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Best Hardside Carry On — AmazonBasics 21-inch Spinner

Where to buy: $49.99, Amazon

Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile, having a sturdy suitcase by your side is important not only to keep things organized, but to keep things safe. With a scratch-resistant hard-body shell, this No. 1 best-selling Amazon carry-on expertly protects all of your valuables and comes equipped with four spinner wheels and a fully-lined interior. Need a little more room? This model expands for up to 15 percent more packing capacity, making it the best choice for those holiday trips where you just know you'll be coming home with more than you left with (thanks again, Aunt Sue!).

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Best Large Duffel Bag — Vera Bradley 

Where to buy: $89.99, Amazon

Every woman loves a good duffel, and if there's one brand that knows how to make them right, it's Vera Bradley. Made from a soft, quilted fabric, the company's flexible cotton duffel has a zip-top closure with three internal mesh pockets, side slip pockets, and a golden zippered pocket on the exterior side. Perfect for everything from your next flight to your next trip to the gym, this bag will be useful long after the holidays are over. The best part? It's also machine washable!

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Best Rolling Duffel Bag — Coolife 

Where to buy: From $59.99, Amazon

The only thing better than the perfect duffel bag is the perfect rolling duffel bag.  Both functional and incredibly durable, this rolling duffel from Coolife is quickly becoming a favorite of travelers everywhere. Constructed of puncture-proof fabric, it features a hideaway pull handle and two smooth, gliding wheels to make getting around extra-easy. It's also got a spacious, double compartment interior and the exterior is adorned with six additional, easy-access pockets.

One Amazon buyer was, "really pleased with the size and functionality of the bag," saying, "The bag is big so you need to roll it, but it worked out really well on a recent trip and we were able to fit so much into it while still staying under the checked baggage weight requirements. Definitely recommend!" 

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Best Travel Duffel Bag — bago 

Where to buy: $25, Amazon

When it comes to traveling, it's best to think ahead, and having an additional travel bag on you is a great way to do that. Coming in at a tiny 10x11" when folded, this tear-resistant bag fits perfectly inside any suitcase or carry-on. It's available in nine fashionable colors and features four exterior pockets. When paired with its internal storage, it can hold up to 120 pounds!

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Best Laptop Backpack — Modoker 

Where to buy: $25.99, Amazon

Everyone should have one really good backpack in their collection, and this one from Modoker not only looks great, it will really go to work for you. With six compartments, including a padded one for your laptop, this vintage-inspired pick is a must-have item thanks to its roomy interior and one very important feature: Its external USB with a built-in charging cable. With this bag, you'll finally be able to travel with everything you could possibly need, worry-free. 

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Best Outdoor Backpack — HIKPRO

Where to buy: $15.99, Amazon

Backpacks are just the bags to bring along on your holiday adventures. Before you head out on your next excursion, pick up this packable backpack form HIKPRO. Made from high-quality water and tear-resistant nylon, this easy-to-fold backpack, which conveniently condenses into a pocket, works for everything from a mid-morning hike to a day spent in town. It's got comfortable mesh shoulder straps and three zippered compartments, including an inner pocket that doubles as a storage pouch for valuables. 

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Best Packing Cubes — Shacke Pak 

Where to buy: $24.99, Amazon

Make sure all of your clothing is in order with a set of smart packing cubes from Shacke Pak. Made from high-quality nylon material, this set comes with four cubes in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes to fit all of your belongings inside even the most limited of spaces. Each cube is four inches deep with a tough, quality zipper and a strong, reinforced lid to hold your clothes in place. It even comes with a laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separate, should you find yourself without access to a washer.  

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Best Garment Bag — ZEGUR

Where to buy: $48.95, Amazon

Whether you're traveling with your favorite dress or your lucky power suit, every woman needs a good garment bag. Made to properly transport your most prized articles of clothing, this No. 1 best-selling waterproof version from ZEGUR has an almost five-star rating on Amazon. In addition to its main garment compartment and an added hanging hook, there are multiple organizational pockets to keep your most delicate items safe and wrinkle-free. 

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Best Hanging Toiletry Bag — Freegrace

Where to buy: $19.99, Amazon

We've all used those handy, little toiletry bags we've been gifted with numerous fragrance set purchases over the years, but when you stop and think about it, are they really practical? While great for the bare necessities, their size greatly limits what you can pack. This holiday season, pick up a hanging toiletry bag like this one from Freegrace. Coming in at a roomy 5.9 feet long, it's got enough space for everything from full-size beauty items to personal hygiene products and can conveniently hang from any hook. There are also see-through mesh pockets for peak visibility. 

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Best Passport Wallet — Zoppen 

Where to buy: $13.99, Amazon

If you'll be flying international over the holidays, there's one item in particular that you should have in your arsenal, and that's a passport wallet. Traveling abroad is exhilarating, but it can also be stressful, so having one spot to keep all of your important documents safe and secure is important for your peace of mind. With slots for everything from your boarding passes and IDs to, yes, even your smartphone, this Zoppen wallet is a great (and affordable) way to make sure your trip starts — and ends! — on the right foot.   

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Best Travel Money Belt — Peak Gear

Where to buy: $15.99, Amazon

Keeping your valuables close to you has never been easier thanks to this slim and sleek money belt from Peak Gear. Light and comfortable, this belt has two interior compartments to fit passports and credit cards with ease. It's made with a moisture-wicking backing and has radio frequency identification (RFID) — the scanners scammers use to steal your credit card information — blocking technology, to boot. Best of all, the manufacturer offers a one-of-a-kind theft recovery service that will reimburse you for stolen items from your belt up to $250.  

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Best RFID Wallet — Borgasets 

Where to buy: $16.99, Amazon

If big wallets aren't your thing, try this chic little wallet from Borgasets! Equipped with RFID-blocking material that's woven beneath its genuine leather exterior, you can be sure that your information will be safe wherever you go. Coming in more than 30 colors, this fantastic find also has 8 slots, a full-length bill sleeve, and a snap button closure. 

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