We Traveled Over 25,000 Miles With These Popular Luggage Items—Here Are All Our Insights.

      If you've ever traveled with luggage that didn't suit your needs, you understand how it can make or break a trip—or at least a travel day, and that's not an exaggeration. Unfortunately, you can't just use luggage for a trip and then return it after realizing it doesn't work for you. Wouldn't it be great if someone else could handle the trial and error for you? Fortunately, trial and error is our specialty. Our editors are frequent travelers, and hardly a week goes by without at least one of us jetting off somewhere in the world. So who better to provide luggage recommendations? Over the past month, we’ve tested checked and carry-on suitcases, weekend bags, and toiletry kits from some leading luggage brands, and we have insights to share. If you're looking for pieces in these four essential categories, we encourage you to continue reading for real-life photos and candid reviews from discerning editors who have traveled with them.

      **Away Medium Checked Luggage**

      Anna's thoughts: "I've owned Away's medium-sized suitcase for years, and it's still the only checked luggage I have. I use it for ski trips, shopping-focused trips, and any travel longer than 10 days. It's everything I enjoy about the Bigger Carry-On but with additional space. A nice bonus is that the two fit perfectly when stored, which is essential for my small NYC apartment."

      **Béis The Hybrid Check-In Roller**

      Ana's thoughts: "The Béis Hybrid Check-In Roller is an improvement over the original Béis Large Check-In Roller that my sister has. Recently released, it features a small hook at the bottom that lets you connect other luggage from the same hybrid system together, making it easy to transport multiple bags. The prevalence of black Béis suitcases can be overwhelming; while traveling, I accidentally took someone else's luggage from the carousel, and they took mine. A simple identifying feature like a ribbon tied to the handle can resolve that! Additionally, the lock-in system works only with luggage from the same collection, so to maximize its benefits, you would need to purchase two or more pieces of Béis luggage. This is the largest suitcase I own, so it was a bit excessive for my three-day weekend trip. I managed to pack four days’ worth of outfits, three pairs of shoes, and two bags. Overall, I would definitely recommend luggage of this size for a two-week trip or a weeklong trip if you want several outfit and accessory options!"

      **Amazon Basics Hardside Large Checked Luggage**

      Nikki's thoughts: "Considering its $100 price, I had realistic expectations for a straightforward piece of luggage, and it met those expectations. This suitcase is excellent at its main purpose: holding half my wardrobe and rolling smoothly from the Uber to the airport. Upon unpacking it, I was initially unsure due to its weight. As a known over-packer, I worried that the suitcase would significantly impact the 50-pound limit for checked bags. However, after packing as per usual, I was relieved to find I was five pounds under the airport limit. One feature that needed adjustment was the internal organization; one compartment relies solely on a cross-strap closure, which didn't feel secure enough for some items, like shoes. Next time, I'll use packing cubes for that side to keep everything secure during transit. I tested the suitcase on a recent 10-day trip combining work in Mexico and leisure in L.A. The Amazon Basics suitcase performed remarkably well in terms of capacity, comfortably accommodating all planned outfits and allowing for additional overpacking, a luxury for any traveler, especially a fashion enthusiast like me. Even with all the extra items, I didn’t need to use the expandable feature."

      **Antler Large Luggage**

      Sierra's thoughts: "I haven't found another checked bag that can hold as much as the Antler Large Luggage, which drew me to this bag. It genuinely carries it all. I've managed to travel for weeks with only this bag and am consistently amazed by how much I can fit inside. Additionally, it has a minimalist, streamlined look and fantastic color options. Because the bag is so spacious and open, packing cubes are essential for organization. Though not a dealbreaker, it's something to keep in mind while packing. I've taken this bag on several trips, the longest being two weeks—and it was easy to fit everything I needed without any stress."

      **Carl Friedrik The Large Carry-On**

      Allyson's thoughts: "Carl Friedrik represents a new wave of luxury luggage, and I was excited to see if their pieces would be as functional as they are stylish. My go-to luggage tends to be a large carry-on, so I chose their Large Carry-On for my travels. Among its features, I liked that it has the aesthetics of an aluminum suitcase but the durability of a polycarbonate one. This carry-on has everything I want—two sides instead of one massive packing space, a compression pad and straps, built-in locks, pockets for