The Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage is a go-to for frequent traveler Dean Rotchin, a travel agent as well as CEO and founder of Blackjet, a private jet-chartering service. 

“It has a durable polycarbonate exterior that withstands rough transportation, so your luggage is secure,” he says. Not only does the construction hold up, but it stays looking good, too, thanks to the “scratch-resistant coating that maintains a smooth appearance visit after visit.”

“The rotating wheels move easily in congested airports,” Rotchin says, so you can zig and zag through crowded areas without missing a beat.

It also has some extra features to make your travel days easier. “The expandable design gives you an additional packing area when it is required,” Rotchin says, a plus for longer trips. 

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage weight: 11.5 lbs

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage dimensions: 31 in. x 20 in. x 12.75 in.

Prefer a more flexible soft-sided bag? Rotchin says this Travelpro softshell luggage is “high quality, high durability” for long trips and travel days. 

“The nylon is a dense fabric that is durable but very light as a checked bag,” Rotchin says.  

​It also has some extra features that make this bag worthwhile: “External pockets allow you to pick things up easily while you’re on the move,” he says. Plus, the “built-in USB port also ensures you can charge your devices as you navigate through terminals” — a plus when you’re never quite sure if the underseat charging port onboard will work or not. 

Platinum® Elite Large Check-In Spinner weight: 11.5 lbs.

Platinum® Elite Large Check-In dimensions: 32.5 in. x 21 in. x 13.25 in.

Sandra Zo Awodele knows what to look for in a quality checked bag, thanks to her extensive travel experience as a travel adviser, founder and lead writer at Coitraveler travel blog. Her pick? It Luggage Lustrous Luxe, an eight-wheel soft-sided spinner. 

“This softside bag works better for airline handling, and it holds up well too,” Awodele says. The fabric design is more flexible and “less likely to crack under pressure than a hard luggage,” so your bag can survive some rough handling on that luggage carousel. 

It also has “an expandable front for extra space,” Awodele says. It’s not just a measly inch or so, either: You’ll get about 25% more space when you unzip the bag. 

Awodele also loves the color options like Desert Sage, French Port, and Moon Rock because they “make it easier to spot at baggage claim.” And who wants to wait longer at baggage claim because they can’t identify their bag?

It Luggage Lustrous Luxe 28-Inch Softside Checked 8-Wheel Spinner weight: 6.83 lbs

It Luggage Lustrous Luxe 28-Inch Softside Checked 8-Wheel Spinner dimensions: 28 in. x 17.1 in. x 10.2 in. + 2.8 in.

“The Trunk from Away is quite honestly the most durable luggage I own, and I travel extensively,” says LaDell Carter, founder and lead luxury lifestyle travel designer at Royal Expression Travels. 

Made with Away's signature polycarbonate shell, the Trunk is dent-, water-, and even scratch-resistant, so you can count on it trip after trip.

Carter says that trustworthy luggage brands don’t just take responsibility when damages happen, but “it’s about having fewer incidents in the first place, and Away consistently delivers on that.”

What also really stood out to Carter was “the vertical design that allows you to super-pack without the bulk feeling awkward.” Her top tip? Splash out on Away’s packing cubes, which she says were “clearly designed to integrate seamlessly with the interior compression system, so organization feels effortless.” 

The Trunk weight: 12.3 lbs

The Trunk dimensions: 31.3 in. x 17 in. x 13.7 in.

If you’re looking for something basic and nothing too fancy, Carter also recommends the DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels. 

“For travelers who want maximum space without overthinking the system, it performs reliably and packs far more than it appears to,” Carter says. This bag can impressively hold a little more than two weeks of travel gear, making it great for extended trips. 

Carter says it’s also “lightweight and manageable” at just 12 and a half pounds and that “its hard shell holds up well across long-haul routes.” Although it might not come with a dent- or scratch-resistant promise, you still get ample protection without the cost of any added bells and whistles. 

Plus, she says, organization is key with this suitcase: “The interior compartments make separating shoes and garments simple. For travelers who want maximum space without overthinking the system, it performs reliably and packs far more than it appears to.”

Delsey Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels weight: 12.5 lbs

Delsey Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels dimensions: 29 in. x 12.5 in. x 19.5 in.

“As a frequent traveler, having durable, long-lasting luggage is important,” says Ellie Friese-Cave of Athens, Georgia-based Ellie’s Travel Bug travel agency. “Luggage isn't cheap, so I often look at it as an investment since showing up in a destination with broken zippers and faulty wheels never sets a good tone! Admittedly, I am also a sucker for a matching set.”

For the best of both worlds, she recommends Béis’ Essentials Combo, an option for bundling luggage that lets you pick two great pieces for 15% off, whether you’re into toiletry bags, weekender bags, carry-ons, or checked luggage.

“I have been using my Béis bags since 2021 and have traveled to over 20 countries since then with these bags!” Friese-Cave says. “I have both the carry-on roller and checked-in roller bags in blue.”

Béis’ luggage is packed with smart features, which is part of the reason why Friese-Cave relies on hers.

“I love that the liners are waterproof and include several pockets for easy organization,” she says. “The luggage is sleek, chic, and more affordable than many competitors without sacrificing durability.”

Béis luggage weight: Carry-on, 8.36 lbs; checked, 11.84 lbs,

Béis luggage dimensions: Carry-on, 22.8 in. x 15.7 in. x 9.8 in.; checked, 31.3 in. x 19.6 in. x 12.6 in.

“I love the look of matching bags: so chic,” traveler expert and flight attendant Ally Case says. That’s exactly why she’s been obsessed with the Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 2 Piece Set (CO/XL). “I’ve been using the XL checked bag for more than six years, and it’s held strong! The material is super lightweight, and it fits a ton! It’s a bonus if you have the matching carry-on, too.”

Designed to make travel easier, this luggage features silent, smooth-rolling wheels, a TSA-approved combination lock, and zippered dividers to keep everything organized. Whether you’re packing the carry-on or the matching checked bag, it’s a dependable choice for quick getaways and longer trips.

Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 weight: Carry-on, 7 lbs; large, 7.7 lbs,

Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 dimensions: Carry-on, 21.7 in. x 15.7 in. x 7.9 in.; large, 33.9 in. x 22.8 in. x 14.2 in.