The Best Soft-Sided Suitcases For Comfort and Style

If you don’t mind the aesthetic injury of a few dents and scratches, some stylish soft-sided luggage can hold up well in the hands of airport baggage handlers. We love the sleek bags from Monos and Briggs & Riley.

Budget-friendly options like BEIS, Amazon Basics and Samsonite are also solid picks. They’ll easily hold everything you need for a short one-week trip and often include organizational features, like designated laundry bags and zippered pockets.

Samsonite Lite-Shock Spinner

The Samsonite Lite-Shock Spinner is one of the lightest suitcases in the world. It is made with Curv material, which is incredibly strong but surprisingly lightweight. This allows you to pack more clothes for longer trips without worrying about luggage weight restrictions. It also features a functional interior and an integrated three-digit TSA lock. Other notable features include a single tube wheel handle, an ID tag, and cross straps to prevent shifting of items during travel.

The Lite-Shock range is available in a variety of sizes and colors, including black and petrol blue. The exterior is made of a micro-diamond polycarbonate that is durable enough to resist damage from the elements and airport baggage handling. The clamshell opening is easy to use, and the interior has divider pads, elastic packing ribbons, and zipper protection.

Customers love this suitcase for its lightweight design, durability, and maneuverability. The wheels allow the bag to roll smoothly and effortlessly through airport hallways and streets. In addition, the bag meets standard airline size requirements and is easily hoisted into overhead bins.

Nere Stori

The brand favoured by influencers has recently landed in the UK, and we’re obsessed with its sleek cases. The lime green Stori cabin case is super-lightweight, but it’s also durable and fits within budget airline hand luggage allowances. It’s available in a range of sizes, including the 55cm cabin case, 65cm check-in medium and 75cm check-in large. Savvy shoppers can save up to 30% off if they snap up the three-piece set.

It’s made from a lightweight polycarbonate, has a handy side pocket and interior dividers to keep suitcase sale everything organised, and a quiet-gliding double spinner wheel. A recessed TSA-approved lock keeps contents secure, while the self-repairing zippers are a smart addition.

The case is a good size for a weekend escape and was recently seen on the arm of influencer Emma Thatcher as she traversed the English countryside on a picturesque staycation. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that it comes in a standard shade so may blend in with many other travellers’ baggage. Fortunately, the brand offers a range of colourful options for those wanting to stand out.

Globe-Trotter Trunk

One of Globe-Trotter’s most iconic suitcases, this wheeled XL trunk is instantly recognizable thanks to its leather corners and straps. A part of the brand’s Centenary Collection in honor of 113 years of luggage craftsmanship, this model is made from vulcanised fibreboard and trimmed by hand with rich leather, and finished with premium metal hardware.

Forbes Vetted Travel:

The suitcase’s capacity of 117 liters is plenty for a two-week trip and its lightweight build—the result of the use of Vulcanised fibreboard instead of plastic composites—makes it easy to maneuver through airports. There are also clever features for packing for longer trips like a buckled compression pad to keep clothes tightly packed and a handy hanger bracket.

Another suitcase that combines luxury and functionality, this case from Tumi is designed to withstand the rigors of travel with multiple TSA-approved combination locks, a telescopic aircraft grade aluminum handle, and four spinner wheels. It also boasts a number of other thoughtful details including a tie-down strap to prevent clothes from shifting during transit and a zip-up organizer pocket for toiletries and sundries.

Paravel

The Paravel is a standout among eco-friendly suitcases for its design and commitment to carbon neutrality through the entire manufacturing process. Co-founders Andy Krantz and Indre Rockefeller launched the brand in 2016 after visiting Antarctica and witnessing the devastating effects of climate change firsthand. They’re laser-focused on running a company where sustainability is a core value and not just a marketing initiative.

The Aviator carry-on is sleek and chic with a durable olive green polycarbonate shell with aluminum and tan vegan leather accents. It features a handsome ridged texture that hides the inevitable scuffs of checked luggage and carbon steel bearing wheels that roll effortlessly.

Other highlights include a lining made from 15 recycled plastic water bottles and EcoCraft Canvas, which uses upcycled cotton fiber and thread with a silicone stain-repellent finish that passes OEKO-TEX and Global Recycle standards. And according to the brand’s website, each Aviator Grand manufactured through sustainable means saves 8,015 hours of light bulb energy, 123 gallons of water and 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.

The brand offers a limited five-year warranty on each piece that covers wear and tear, and structural damage to the telescopic trolley handle, wheels, TSA lock and corner protectors. Plus, it offers free return shipping on unworn and undamaged items.

Tumi

Founded by American entrepreneur Charlie Clifford, a Peace Corps volunteer who began his travel custom leather bag manufacturers career importing leather bags from South America, TUMI quickly became a leading brand in the luggage industry with its innovative introduction of soft, ultra-functional, black-on-black ballistic nylon. Today, TUMI is a go-to for business travelers and jetsetters across the globe.

From a spacious carry-on to a sleek garment bag, TUMI’s luggage is designed to last and come with a lifetime warranty that covers normal wear and tear. The company also strives for sustainability, using recycled materials crafted from post-consumer water bottles in zipper tape, webbing, and binding.

Choosing the right luggage for your next adventure depends on your priorities and preferences. For example, if your trips are typically less than a week long, you may want to opt for a smaller carry-on. On the other hand, if you’re a frequent business traveler who often ventures to international destinations, a larger suitcase might be your best choice. With both Tumi and Briggs & Riley offering premium luggage, it’s important to determine which brand aligns with your travel needs.