Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Comes with a USB charging port and TSA-approved lock
Has a self-repairing zipper
Cons
Pricey compared to some other brands
If you’re looking for a lightweight and affordable luggage option, you’ve officially found it. Made from durable polycarbonate, this 19-inch hardside carry-on was built to last—yes, even through major turbulence, airport havoc, and allll the unpaved streets in between (hello, Europe). That top-floor Airbnb will be a hell of a lot easier to handle with this bad boy, believe me.
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 8.5 x 22.75 inches |
| Weight | 6.59 pounds |
| Colors | 5 |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Can expand by one inch
Cute colors galore
Cons
Opinions are mixed on the quality of the zipper
American Tourister is one of those brands that’s known for being both affordable and reliable—aka two of the absolute best suitcase qualities. This particular piece of large luggage from the company should be put on your radar ASAP if you’re looking for something durable and expandable. There are so many cute colors to choose from, but my personal faves are Purple Haze and Soft Coral.
| Dimensions | 20.09 x 12.5 x 30.95 inches |
| Weight | 14.22 pounds |
| Colors | 17 |
Pros
Built-in toiletry bag
Fits perfectly under your airline seat
Cons
Handle is a little short, per some reviewers
News flash: Steve Madden makes more than just super-cute shoes. They also make incredibly chic and affordable pieces of luggage, and if I’m the first person to break that news to you, then you are so welcome. The main compartment on this carry-on is beyond spacious, and the brown trim makes everything look extra elevated. The U-shaped zipper you see on the front also opens up into a toiletry bag, which means it’s basically two pieces in one—chef’s kiss!
| Dimensions | 15 x 9 x 14 inches |
| Weight | 5 pounds |
| Colors | 8 |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Bottom compartment for shoes
Spacious as hell
Cons
Only two rolling wheels
You’ve definitely seen Calpak on social media before, and they sure know what they’re doing when it comes to travel bags. While I wouldn’t file their entire product line under “affordable,” this duffel falls way below the so-expensive-I’ll-go-into-debt line. It is a gorgeous neutral blue color and can hold a lot, meaning that you can use it on any type of trip. (One reviewer said they managed to pack two weeks’ worth of clothes into this baby!!!) The roller wheels on the bottom make it easy to lug around too, no matter where you’re heading.
| Dimensions | 26 x 14.5 x 13 inches |
| Weight | 7.1 pounds |
| Colors | 1 |
Pros
Expands up to two inches
Fits easily in an overhead compartment
Cons
Only two wheels
Although I’m a hardshell girlie till I die, this piece of luggage might (might!) convince me to go soft. It is available in 12 colors, is ultra-light and durable, and even expands two whole inches—meaning that you basically have to shop for souvenirs on your trip, right? Another plus: It’s made from a stain-resistant and water-repellant fabric to combat all the oopsies that are bound to happen during your travels.
| Dimensions | 21 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 5.4 pounds |
| Colors | 4 |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Fully-lined interior pockets
Made of resilient polycarbonate
Cons
Not the cheapest
This bag has more than 6,000 five-star reviews and for good reason. It’s made of 100 percent polycarbonate, an extremely resilient material that’s hard to crack or break, which is great news for my clumsy gals. It has two large fully-lined compartments with multiple pockets plus a zippered divider to secure all of your fabulous, well-planned outfits. Plus, it’s a great value for the price and comes in lots of colors.
| Dimensions | 25 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches |
| Weight | 10.2 pounds |
| Colors | 11 |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
What’s better—hard or soft luggage?
To be totally honest, the debate of hard versus soft luggage is kind of pointless—all that matters is your personal preference! Softside luggage is easier to maneuver into smaller spaces and less vulnerable to scratches, but hardside luggage really protects your stuff.
Personally, I love hard luggage when I’m traveling somewhere I need to get to by plane—I’d rather have all my belongings encased in something I know will protect them from turbulence and being thrown around by airline employees. But for road trips and other similar excursions, I’d rather choose a soft piece of luggage—that way I can squish it in a trunk or little nooks sans problems. Softside suitcases also tend to have outer pockets, which are key for storing things you’ll need to grab in a pinch.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Why trust Cosmo?
Our lifestyle team includes lifestyle director Rachel Torgerson, lifestyle editors Christen Johnson and Hannah Chubb, and associate editor Annabel Iwegbue—collectively, we have decades of experience researching and selecting the best buys for you.
As you may know, we spend all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews for highly-sought-after items, so that we can bring you the type of high-quality content we’d want for ourselves.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Readers Also Read
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below