The Best Softside Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Don't underestimate a sophisticated softside suitcase to keep your items safe and organized.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Everyone's idea of the perfect luggage is different. While crush-resistant hardside suitcases are having a moment, lots of folks still prefer the softside variety. It's often more affordable, less prone to scuffs, flexible for overpackers, and — in many cases — just as durable.

Of course, not all suitcases are created equal. So, what makes a high-quality softside model? If you ask us, it's important to look for a spacious capacity, innovative organizational features, a sturdy exterior that stands up to heavy use, and a lightweight design that's easy to maneuver through busy airports or city sidewalks.

OurTravel + Leisure team has tested 488 suitcases, including both carry-ons and checked suitcases. For our softside lab tests, we packed each bag full, rolled the bags over different types of flooring and through obstacle courses to check how smooth the wheels felt, shoved them off tables and whacked them with baseball bats to check durability, and lifted carry-ons into overhead bins on our airplane set to see how lightweight they were. (Get more details about our testing process below.)

These are our favorite softside suitcases out of all the luggage we've tested.

This expandable carry-on has a modern, stylish look and can hold a ton of stuff.

It's pretty heavy and large for a carry-on and may not fit in all overhead bins when expanded.

Popular luggage brand Away recently launched softside luggage, and this sophisticated carry-on will make you feel like the coolest cat cruising through the airport. While softside suitcases aren't always known for being stylish, this one is surprisingly chic with smooth padding around the sides and a puffy design on the front.

"This felt like a heavier fabric than other softsides, which made me think it will be durable even if you have to check it," says T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker. While it's pretty heavy for a carry-on, we appreciate the sturdy corners that offer extra protection against drops and bangs, and it held up perfectly when we hit it with a baseball bat multiple times.

We had no issue packing this bag during testing as it's quite large — enough that we would be worried about coming across a picky gate agent if it was fully expanded. The inside of this bag has an expandable main compartment underneath the top flap and a compression pad that you can use to tighten everything and keep it in place. The compression pad also has mesh pockets for smaller items. There is also a small front pocket that could fit a passport, wallet, or phone. During testing, we found that this bag rolled perfectly well across multiple terrains and was easy to weave around corners. Overall, we were impressed with the thick, durable material and stylish look of this bag.

The front pocket gives you access to the main compartment without having to open the entire bag.

This bag is a little heavy considering its size.

Dagne Dover recently launched suitcases for the first time, and they happen to be stylish softside ones with an innovative design. Our favorite was the smaller carry-on, and though it has a 33-liter capacity, the smart design doesn't make you feel like you're lacking space. The interior splits like a clamshell, and both sides have two compression straps that help lock everything into place. What makes this bag really stand out are the front pockets — the larger one has a laptop sleeve and a zipper in the back that gives you access to the main compartment of the bag. We thought this was so smart, as it allows you to grab something inside the carry-on without having to lay the suitcase down, unzip it, and open the entire bag on the floor of the airport. There is also a second large pocket on the front of the bag. Other organizational features, like a zipped panel, mesh pockets, and an included laundry bag, add to the thoughtful design.

The suitcase is made with thick, high-quality, recycled polyester with a slight sheen to add to the bag's luxe look, though it comes at a higher price tag than a lot of other brands on this list. However, this carry-on stood up really well to our durability tests and showed no signs of damage when we threw it and hit it with a metal baseball bat, which was likely in part due to the hard plastic bumpers on the corners of the bag that protect the softside material. Even though it fits an impressive amount for such a small bag, it's still best for shorter trips and weekend jaunts — or as a supplement to a larger checked bag.

This compact carry-on offers padded protection and easy access to your laptop, and the puffer-style design lends to a unique, modern aesthetic.

It doesn't have many pockets inside or an expander, and the handle is somewhat flimsy.

While this Calpak Luka suitcase is pretty compact, we fit everything on our packing list and appreciated the separate, protected laptop pocket in the front, making it a great option when you want something extra portable. It's conveniently lightweight and slightly smaller than other carry-ons, though this is not necessarily a negative if you’re traveling with limited space. Although it only has two interior pockets and doesn't have an expander, it's a good option for weekend getaways, train travel, or short business trips.

We thought the puffer-style exterior was unique and stylish — you can choose from a few chic, sophisticated neutrals, like black, blush, and milk chocolate brown. The handle felt a bit flimsy, which made it difficult to maneuver over some types of flooring, and it rolled a little better on two wheels than four. This suitcase held up pretty well during our durability tests, though the wheels and handle sustained minor scratches. We took this bag on two flights during our three-month testing period and ended up having to gate-check it both times, and we were a little worried about how it would stand up to the journey but found that it held up great and was easy to spot at baggage claim. In the end, we still think the price is reasonable and would recommend it for short trips.

Weighing just over 4 pounds when empty, this bag is ultralightweight and easy to carry.

We wish the wheels and zippers glided more smoothly.

Packing light is an art form, and a lightweight bag is key to doing that. We love this carry-on from Antler because weighing in at just over 4 pounds, it lets us make the most of our packing space (and toss in an extra pair of shoes without worrying about exceeding weight limits). It's not the largest carry-on size, but we still found it impressively spacious with one main jumbo compartment, one large pocket on the front of the opening flat, and one large pocket on the back of the opening flap.

"This carry-on is one of the most lightweight bags I've personally tested, " says T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco. "It feels weightless when it's empty and still pretty lightweight when fully packed. It was so easy and effortless to lift the fully packed bag above my head into the overhead bin on our airplane set. The grab handles are large and padded, too, which makes it even easier. I could basically swing the bag around over my head without any effort."

On the downside, the zippers and wheels didn't work as smoothly as we would like, and the bag struggled a bit during our obstacle course, with the wheels getting stuck when we made sharp turns. That being said, the lightweight nature of the bag doesn't make this a huge issue, so we'll still be reaching for it when weight is a priority.

This roomy checked suitcase has a 2-inch expander, a TSA-compliant lock, and reliable spinner wheels that work on various terrains.

It weighs nearly 12 pounds when empty, which is on the heavier side.

If you're someone who needs as much packing space as possible (or packing for multiple family members), we recommend this hefty suitcase from Travelpro's Platinum Elite line. We loved the spacious design that has a generous 143.5-liter capacity and a great amount of pockets. This sizable suitcase also has a tip-resistant expander function that adds another 2 inches of wiggle room, plus a TSA-compliant lock. Made of high-density nylon with a thermoplastic coating, it's designed to resist scratches and stains. Sure enough, it survived multiple bat beatings and shoves off a table with no scuffs or dents in sight.

The handle felt sturdy during testing, and the spinner wheels rolled well on hard flooring, carpet, and even gravel. But since it's so large and weighs 11.5 pounds when empty, it can be a little cumbersome. Though this suitcase is a bit of an investment, we think the price is fair. It's a great option for overpackers, long trips, families, or college students heading home for breaks. During our three-month real-world testing period, we took it on several trips and were amazed by how much we could fit in the bag. We also felt that the extra zipper that compresses everything was so useful when it came to packing.

This spacious checked suitcase expands by two inches and has pockets and a compression divider for organization.

The large size and handle can make it hard to lift and maneuver.

This is a generously sized checked bag from Samsonite with an expander that adds 2 inches of depth if you need even more room. We found it really spacious, fitting all our packing list items without a fuss — we didn't even need to use the expander but appreciated the option to fit a potential shopping haul or souvenirs from a trip. There are also multiple interior and exterior pockets, along with a compression divider, that help with organizing and space-planning. During our three-month testing period, we found these pockets to be incredibly useful and wish every bag had them.

Even when packed full, this suitcase zipped closed without too much elbow grease and wasn't overly cumbersome. It was pretty easy to push and pull on the spinner wheels, but the sheer size made it slightly trickier to maneuver and lift than smaller luggage. Also, the handle sometimes got caught when trying to retract it. But all in all, it seems like a high-quality suitcase with durable materials, especially the thick exterior fabric. We think the price is more than reasonable for the size.

This functional, high-end bag boasts two access points, several pockets, and a removable garment bag.

When the front-access section is packed full, it starts taking up space in the main compartment.

With four dual-spinner wheels and a comfy telescoping handle, the Tumi Dual Access Carry-on moves beautifully on all types of flooring — and we can confirm that it continued to roll like a dream after we traveled with it several times over the course of three months. We had no problem packing the essentials, thanks to the numerous compartments, pockets, compression straps, and a removable garment bag. The dual-access design allows you to keep things like a sweater or tablet within reach on travel days without unzipping the entire bag.

When the front section is packed full, it does begin taking up space in the main compartment. However, you can use the expander to add 2 extra inches in depth. This durable suitcase is made of Tumi's signature ballistic nylon, and (not surprisingly) it passed our baseball bat test with flying colors. We also like that it has a built-in USB port to connect to a portable power bank. Though the suitcase can be heavy, and the price is steep for a carry-on, the quality is undeniable, and Tumi backs it with a five-year warranty.

This lightweight suitcase is almost always on sale, so you can be confident you're getting a good deal.

The hard plastic parts may be prone to scratches.

We love scoring a good deal on luggage. This carry-on is almost always on sale, so you can get a great bag at an even better price. Weighing under 6 pounds, the Lustrous Softside Carry-on from It Luggage is among the lightest suitcases we’ve tried. We had no problem packing everything on our list without needing to use any pockets, pouches, or the 2-inch expander. There's also an exterior laptop pocket that'll come in handy for business travel. It's not bulky at all, and we especially loved the large, padded grab handles that will make it easy to carry this suitcase up and down stairs, lift into the trunk of a car or off of a luggage belt, and place in an overhead compartment without struggling to hold it.

This suitcase glides smoothly on two or four wheels over carpet, hard flooring, and concrete pavers. After throwing it off a table a few times, we did notice a few scratches on the handle and wheels but nothing major. We loved the monochrome design, which has a modern vibe that can be hard to find in some softside suitcases. In the end, we think the price is very fair for such a good-looking carry-on with impressive functionality. We took this bag on a four-night trip and found that it was easy to keep our things organized. We had no difficulty carrying the bag around, even when it was packed full. The hard plastic parts of the bag, like the wheels, got a few scratches, but the softside material remained unharmed.

This mini version of the Calpak Luka Carry-on can fit underneath an airplane seat.

This personal item is the smallest bag on this list.

We also tested a more compact version of the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Carry-on, and here we’re including it as our favorite softside underseater. You could put this roller bag in the overhead bin if you wish, but it’s compact enough to fit underneath an airplane seat if you want easy access to your luggage (or if you want to avoid having to surprise-check your bag at the gate when the overhead bins fill up too fast). The bag is surprisingly spacious for what would be considered a personal item: we were able to fit two outfits, a pair of sneakers, two toiletry bags, a laptop, and a charger inside. We loved how there are three small accessory pockets inside lining the main compartment, as well as a laptop sleeve on the lid of the suitcase. There's also a small pocket on the outside, which is perfect for storing a phone, keys, and other accessories. Like the Calpak Luka Carry-on, the puffy material seems like it would be great for protecting the items inside, and the bag proved durable when we tossed it around in the lab. The handle did pop open after we threw the bag off a table, but it wasn't damaged, and you likely won’t be checking this compact bag, so it will stay safe by your side.

This rugged yet refined carrier is exceptionally durable, with a spacious interior, gusseted pockets, and smooth-rolling wheels.

It only comes in a couple of colors and is pricey for a duffel.

Interested in a wheeled duffel bag? We're big fans of this rugged yet refined model from Briggs & Riley. The 800-denier ballistic nylon exterior promises to resist scratches, moisture damage, and premature wear and tear. The fabric is soft but strong; it took bat hits and table drops like a champ. We loved the gusseted pockets, spacious interior, cross straps, internal divider, and smooth zippers. This duffel moves like a dream, too, rolling effortlessly on hard floors, carpet, and gravel during our tests. Not only that, but the extendable handle, straps, and grab handles make pushing, pulling, and lifting a breeze. It's pricey for its category and only comes in a couple of colors, but the stuffable design is ideal for outdoor excursions, overseas trips, and anyone traveling with bulky or odd-shaped items, such as a travel hat box. Also, it comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee like other Briggs & Riley luggage.

This suitcase has large external pockets that can fit shoes, accessories, electronics, or dirty laundry.

It doesn't have a built-in expander and doesn't roll as smoothly on carpet.

This carry-on from L.L.Bean has a decently sized main compartment, plus two front pockets and two exterior side pockets. We appreciated the extra packing space and ability to organize all our belongings. One side pocket is even deep enough for a pair of shoes — which is handy for keeping them separate from your clean clothing — and the other pockets can fit electronics, accessories, undergarments, or even dirty laundry. Although this suitcase doesn't have an expander, the zipper was super easy to close once packed full. During our three-month testing period, we did find that we had to be strategic with how we packed the bag — specifically, we noticed that the shoe pocket needed to be packed before the rest of the bag or we would run out of room, as it protrudes into the main compartment.

This suitcase has a rugged polyester exterior and a semirigid frame that stands out among other softside luggage. It performed well in our durability tests and seems like it'll hold up over time, although during testing we noticed that the darker bag colors attract a lot of dust. While it maneuvered nicely on hard flooring and concrete, it wasn't quite as smooth on carpet. Still, we were all-around impressed with the design and think the price is on point.

The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 7.9 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polyester

This bag has a clever expander function that offers over three inches of extra space, then compresses when you zip it closed.

It's pricier than most suitcases and weighs more than 13 pounds when empty.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner might be the perfect mid-size checked suitcase. It's roomy but not overly bulky, with strategically placed compartments and pockets. There's also a garment sleeve that fits two suits and compresses them to save space with minimal creasing. We easily fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. What's more, it has a clever expander that adds over three inches to the depth with the press of two buttons. Then, when you zip it closed, the suitcase compresses back down almost to its original size.

The impact-resistant exterior withstood several bat hits and shoves off a table. We wouldn't worry about it getting dragged through a puddle or rained on, either. Despite the short and stocky design, we found this softside suitcase easy to push, pull, and lift. The steep price might be hard to justify, but if you can swing it, the sophisticated Baseline Spinner is perfect for business trips, extended hotel stays, and anyone who likes well-made, luxury luggage with intuitive features.

These bags did well on our tests but didn’t quite make our very top tier of recommendations.

Briggs & Riley ZDX 22-inch Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner: This softside bag is sturdy and spacious, but it felt just a little heavy and is on the pricier side.

Tumi Alpha Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case: This extra-large suitcase fit more than twice as much stuff as others we tested. That said, it weighs upward of 18 pounds when empty, and the price tag of nearly $1,400 might be hard to justify — even considering how big it is.

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Samsonite Silhouette 17 Medium Spinner: This generously sized suitcase would be good for a long trip, overpackers, or couples who want to share a bag. It seemed to be well-made, with smooth zippers and functional handles, but the large size made it a bit harder to maneuver than other checked bags we tried.

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Eastpak Transit'R 4 L Luggage: We liked the relatively slim silhouette and lightweight feel of this suitcase, finding it generally easy to maneuver. However, the large aluminum tubing from the telescoping handle takes up substantial interior space, which made it a bit challenging to pack.

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage: This bag is plenty spacious and has the sleek style we expect from the brand. However, there are no interior pockets, and the bag is pretty heavy when empty. Because of that, we prefer Dagne Dover's carry-ons instead, like the 20.5-inch carry-on above.

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Away The Softside Large: This is a very large bag, and we were impressed with the 101-liter capacity (with an expansion option) that gave us room to spare when packing. It's also quite heavy, even for a checked suitcase, and can be a bit cumbersome to move around. So like Dagne Dover, we would opt for the carry-on versions of these bags instead. The Softside Carry-on and the Softside Bigger Carry-on are both solid picks.

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

T+L team members have tested 488 suitcase options firsthand — and even more luggage when we factor in duffels, weekenders, and backpacks — performing various tests to evaluate the durability, maneuverability, capacity, and design of each. In line with the size of each bag, we packed them with enough pants, shirts, underwear, socks, shoes, outerwear, and toiletries to get through multi-day trips.

Besides making sure everything fit, we wanted to see how well the luggage safeguarded the cargo. We hit each suitcase with a metal baseball bat and shoved each fully packed bag off a table, checking for scratches, scuffs, and dents afterward. We also pushed and pulled the bags on different types of flooring and through an obstacle course to assess how smooth the wheels rolled, how comfortable the handle was to hold, and how evenly distributed the weight felt. We built an airplane set in our lab complete with real overhead bins to we could see how it felt to lift the carry-on suitcases and smaller bags above our heads and also how well personal items fit underneath airplane seats.

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

After lab testing, we sent each bag out into the real world with our editors to continue testing over a six-month period to make sure the durability held up in real travel scenarios. With weight, size, price, and organizational features taken into consideration, we chose the the softside models with the best feedback for this roundup, which we will continue to update as we test even more suitcases and bags.

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Even if you prefer a soft exterior, don't overlook the inside of your luggage. Beyond a spacious capacity, organizational features can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier. This may include dual main compartments, zippered mesh sections, dividers, a compression pad, cross straps, a shoe separator, a garment sleeve for formal wear, a padded laptop sleeve, various pockets, or a removable laundry bag.

It's good to know what size you need when browsing softside luggage. Carry-ons are usually around 23 x 13 x 9 inches, whereas checked suitcases are more like 26 x 19 x 13 inches. Of course, there are smaller and larger options — underseat luggage, for example, is great for light packers or weekend travelers — and many have expanders that add another two or three inches to the depth. Be sure to check each airline’s specific requirements before travel.

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

A lightweight design is ideal. This will make it easier to lift the suitcase into the overhead bin when carrying on, and if you check your bag, it'll help you stay within the weight limit. It will also make it easier to lift your checked luggage off of the baggage carousel or into the trunk of a car. Similarly, you'll be glad to have grab handles when hoisting your luggage overhead or picking it up. Additionally, suitcases with four wheels tend to be the easiest to maneuver — especially if you tend to fully pack expandable luggage. An extendable locking handle will also help when pushing and pulling a jam-packed spinner.

Softside luggage is the gold standard for many frequent fliers. And, believe it or not, it can be just as resilient as its hardside counterpart. After testing more than 100 models of both materials in the lab, we can tell you a rigid shell doesn't always mean enhanced durability.

A textile exterior can be trickier to clean, but it usually won't scuff as easily as thermoplastic. Also, many softside suitcases feature a protective coating that makes them easy to wipe down while resisting scratches and premature wear. It is a possibility that they would tear if they got caught in a luggage carousel the wrong way, but it's also possible for a hardside suitcase to break open, which is why you want to look for high-quality materials either way. In the end, the choice is really a matter of personal preference.

You can usually clean softside luggage with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently scrub the exterior. Then go over it with a clean, damp cloth and allow it to air-dry thoroughly.

Some suitcases have removable, machine-washable linings. If they don't, you can wipe down the interior with the same soapy solution you used on the outside. A pre-moistened disinfectant wipe can work as well.

For this article, Theresa Holland combed through T+L's in-house testing insights of hundreds of bags, then pored over product details to craft a comprehensive list of today's best softside luggage. As a commerce writer, Theresa specializes in travel, apparel, organization, and recreation. T+L team members will continue testing luggage and updating this article with new findings.

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The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details:The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details: The Details: Briggs & Riley ZDX 22-inch Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner: Tumi Alpha Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case:Samsonite Silhouette 17 Medium Spinner:Eastpak Transit'R 4 L Luggage:Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage: Away The Softside Large: