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More so than any of travel accessories you’ll pack for a vacation, the suitcase has notable staying power. To travel smart is to select a case from one of the best luggage brands—because a well-made case can last you for decades. I’ve seen Rimowa’s passed down several generations, and they seem to get even better with age—dings, stickers, and all.
Investing in quality luggage only makes reaching your destination all the better. A lightweight steel case might mean you can pack a bit extra and avoid an overweight baggage fee. The eye-catching rollaboard from Calpak in a cheerful color will ensure no one else mistakes their luggage for yours. And the nostalgia-inclined will delight in leather-trimmed cases from Steamline, Globe-Trotter, and T Anthony.
Ahead, Vogue breaks down the best luggage brands for travelers, from luxury heritage labels to buzzworthy direct-to-consumer brands disrupting the market.
The Best Luggage Brands, According to Vogue:
Co-founded by Indré Rockefeller (a Vogue alumni) and Andy Krantz in 2016, Paravel is one of the few luggage brands that is as stylish as it is sustainable. Take, for example, its Aviator case—its shell is made of a recycled polycarbonate material, the lining is woven with fibers sourced from recycled plastic water bottles, the handle is composed of recycled aircraft-grade aluminum, and it all zips together with a recycled zipper. In addition to luggage, look to the brand for Dopp kits, packing cubes, and all variety of travel essentials inspired by Rockefeller and Krantz’s jet-set habits.
If you’re looking for heritage, quality, and craftsmanship, Rimowa is the brand for you. Founded in 1898 in Cologne, Germany, the label, which was formally helmed by Alexandre Arnault, after joining LVMH in 2017. With cases crafted almost entirely of lightweight but sturdy aluminum and a patented multi-wheel system, Rimowa caters to the no-nonsense traveler looking for slick functionality. And as of late, the company is finding ways to infuse a bit of fashion into its heritage designs; recent collaborations include Off-White, Supreme, Daniel Arsham, and Dior, and most recently, Rimowa released a magnetic “luggage harness” that can be strapped over various suitcase sizes to streamline your hand-carry items.
Though Away has only been around for eight years, the New York-based brand has left its mark on the world—just visit any airport to see for yourself. Though Away was initially founded on its luggage’s ability to recharge your iPhones, the brand has expanded into a full range of suitcases—batteries not always included! You can’t go wrong with any of the products offered by this direct-to-consumer brand, which names everything in the most helpful of ways: The Carry-On, The Bigger Carry-On, etc.
Before Nicolas Ghesquière, and way before Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton was a maker of travel trunks. In 1854, Mr. Louis Vuitton had the novel idea to make trunks flat and rectangular (previously, they featured rounded tops) so that they could be easily stacked—the rest is history. Anyone who has caught Vuitton’s roving exhibitions dedicated to travel, Volez, Voyagez, Voguez, knows the extent of the maison’s dedication to the art of travel. Today, the brand continues to craft some of the finest pieces of luggage. Most often, these bags are splashed in Vuitton’s monogram or Damier Ebene canvas textiles.
Born in 2005, Steamline luggage was founded on nostalgia for the bygone heyday of travel. Think safari-ready leather travel trunks but with all the bells and whistles of a modern-day case. Its range of luggage includes vintage-esque rollaboards and a lovely collection of hat-box-shaped cross-bodies and cosmetics cases.
Named after Peru’s national symbol (a ceremonial, decorative knife), Tumi was founded in New Jersey in 1975. Since, the brand has prided itself on technology-first design, most notably their black ballistic nylon travel bags. Durability and functionality are at the core of their design principles, and the company caters to all your travel needs, from business-oriented to outdoor adventure.
Nearly everything from July, an Australian-based brand, is customizable. Bubble leathers and bold-colored graphic monograms can help to set your case apart from your fellow passengers. Plus, this brand is perfect for those carry-on-only packers who want to get the most out of their single bag; July celebrates its latest release as being the lightest carry-on on the market.
Globe-Trotter may look as though its riffing off of old-fashion luggage wares, but really, its dipping into its own archive for design inspiration. Founded in Germany in 1897, the company eventually moved to the U.K. in 1932, where its been producing leather-based luggage for almost a century. Everything is produced by hand, and famous Globe-Trotter owners include Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth.
With star-studded campaigns starring the likes of Ryan Gosling plus Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner, Gucci’s heritage as a luggage atelier enters a new era. For polished and poised travel, the Savoy line is a favorite—the trolley’s GG Supreme canvas was inspired by an archival design from the 1930s and translates beautifully to the collection of covetable suitcases.
This British brand has been around since 1914, but underwent a rebrand last year, focusing on functional, contemporary design that reflect the brand’s expert craftsmanship. Each suitcase also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Little has changed about the way Bric’s crafts its signature leather collections since the company was founded in 1952 by Mario Briccola. Today, the leather goods are still produced at family-run factories in Como. Even the label’s hard polycarbonate cases feature leather trim details to honor Bric’s artisanal heritage.
There’s an iconic photograph showing Marilyn Monroe boarding an airplane, looking ever the portrait of wanderlust glamour. In her hand is a case by T Anthony, and it’s the brand’s heritage that keeps its loyal customers coming back. Since the label’s founding in 1948, the iconic New York luggage maker has prided itself on its ethically and responsibly designed wares.
Created by one of the founders of Tumi, Roam is a brand of luggage that leans on the personality of travelers to determine its assortment. The majority of its products are customizable, with the ability to mix and match colors. Plus, all of Roam’s luggage is crafted in the U.S.
The nostalgic set who don’t want to carry leather-strapped hat boxes might find what they’re looking for in Floyd, a brand dedicated to skateboarding and Venice Beach culture of the 1970s. Founded in 1996 by two Munich-based creatives, the brand brings the groove back to flying with its retro-hued Makrolon polycarbonate cases that can be paired with interchangeable wheels (inspired by those of skateboards, of course).
Founded in Los Angeles in 1989, Calpak sets itself apart with stylish luggage at a great price point. Known for slick hard-case bags, Calpak’s designs have an air of playfulness about them. In 2016, the brand offered an assortment of faux-marble luggage and it also collaborated with hairstylist Jen Atkin on a case in a distinct shade of red—excellent for spotting on the baggage carousel.
