Let’s face it, travel these days can feel like a high-stakes game of Tetris. You’ve got souvenirs,  essentials, tablets and laptops, that slightly too-large book you swear you’ll finish, and the ever-present anxiety of fitting it all within airline restrictions. But worry not, because the perfect travel bag is out there, waiting to be swirled around on the luggage belt.

Think of your ideal travel bag as Mary Poppins’ carpetbag but without the bottomless existential dread. It should be a chameleon, morphing to fit your needs, be it a weekend getaway or a year-long odyssey. It should be durable enough to handle baggage handlers with questionable throwing techniques, and stylish enough to turn heads (for the right reasons) at baggage claim.

Now, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into a list of travel bags that will have you packing like Marie Kondo and arriving at your destination with both your dignity and your favorite wrinkle-free shirt intact. Don’t forget to check out other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags, for more picks.

Best Luxury travel bag

Tumi International Carry-On

Price: AED 4,650

This is the creme de la creme of luxury luggage, offering elegant organizational features and a five-year warranty. The 19 Degree Aluminium International Carry-on packs in a lot (quite literally), with its zippered compartments, compression straps, and a hanger bracket. It is spacious for a weekend trip, with useful details such as a card slot for an Apple AirTag or any other ID. The sturdy wheels and leather-wrapped handles are easy to grip and with a combination of its sleek appearance and an array of choices amongst its metallic colors, this Tumi luggage is a classy buy.

Best budget bag

Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner Luggage – 28 inch

Price: AED 249

Amazon Basic’s budget-friendly bag is one of the best lightweight luggage with sturdy wheels, wheeling around an extra-thick thermoplastic shell that promises durability. With more pockets – offering an organized packing experience and a 3-year warranty, this is just the bag for a budget-friendly travel companion.

Best hard-shell luggage

Level8 Road Runner Pro Carry-On 20″

Price: AED 963.99

This Levl8 bag is constructed with durable German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, a high-performing thermoplastic that is known for its lightweight yet durable qualities. Giving it a chic aesthetic, and a sophisticated appearance, the Makrolon polycarbonate makes the bag suitable for diverse weather conditions. The bag is thoughtfully designed with additional compartments to fit laptops and tablets, so you don’t have to hassle yourself to open the entire suitcase just to have to ruffle through to get to your electronics. Lastly, this bag is all about its dual locking system and 360-degree spinner wheels. The locking system allows you to secure your belongings either via the code or locking the zips in place or both, and the spinner wheels are absolute game changers providing a smooth traveling experience.

Best soft-shell luggage

American Tourister Jamaica

Price: AED 229

Beating the cons of a hard-shell suitcase which is its inevitability to be heavy, this soft-sided American Tourister is a perfect option for check-in luggage. With an already large disposition – 80 cm, this bag can expand to fit in all your essentials and more. There are plenty of pockets to organize your shoes, clothes, skincare, and electronics. Made using high-intensity polyester, this bag proves tough in durability tests. The manufacturer offers a warranty for three years.

Best expandable bag

Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside

Price: AED 485.62

The Delsey Paris Titanium luggage is sure to win you over with its practicality. This lightweight stylish carry-on luggage with a durable polycarbonate hard shell, comes with multiple pockets and ample space.  The suitcase can be expanded up to two inches to fit in additional last-minute items. And lastly, its four wheels allow multi-directional movement – making it convenient to maneuver the luggage. The manufacturer offers a 10-year limited warranty.

Best Rolling Duffel

Patagonia Wheeled Duffel Bag

Price: AED 1466

Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel comes in three sizes – 40-liter, 70-liter, and a gregariously spacious 100-liter version. The ripstop material crafted from 100% recycled fabric coating the bag makes it highly weather-resistant. With its smart design and perfectly well-performing wheels, this duffel is a great value for money.

Best in design

Rimova Original Cabin

AED 5090

Although this is on the pricier side, the Rimova Original Cabin has become a fan favorite. It meets the carry-on size requirement for most airlines, has a futuristic design, and interior zippered compartment, and backs each purchase with a lifetime guarantee – what else can one ask for? With a 35-liter capacity and 4 dual spinner wheels, this aluminum hard-cased shell is an asset of a suitcase.

Best weekender in the game

Nike Essential Duffle Bag

Price: AED 200

The Nike Essential Duffle Bags is the quintessential “everything bag”. Be it your gym bag, or your weekend getaway – providing optimal functionality and spacious compartments for your essentials, this duffel bag will become your go-to. Its minimalist look, adjustable straps, and the Nike guaranteed versatility in performance – has this bag rising in the ranks of favorite traveling luggage.

Best Backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Price: AED 1137

This backpack acts as a camping backpack, suitcase, or duffel bag – bringing a whole new meaning to “all in one“. With easy access to items through its side zips, and a sternum strap securing the weight of the bag – this backpack rides on innovative techniques. Displaying a professional as well as a hiker feel to it, this bag is a hit among the backpackers community.

It is time for the best luggage announcement…

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside

Price: AED 1312.83

Samsonite Winfield is designed to absorb impact, making it ready for any unwanted variable during your travel. Designed keeping durability in mind, this suitcase has an expandable storage system, with one-sided zipper mesh, compression straps, and a rugged exterior. This bag comes in the affordable price range market, making it a reasonable investment.

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