Everyone's idea of the perfect luggage is different. While slick and crush-resistant hardside suitcases are having a moment, lots of folks still prefer the softside variety. It's often more affordable, less prone to scuffs, and — in many cases — just as durable.
Travel + Leisure tried more than 215 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, and garment bags, over an ongoing, six-month testing period. Depending on the size, we packed them with enough stuff to get through a multi-day trip, lifted them overhead, whacked them with a baseball bat, and shoved them off a table to see how they'd perform in a real-life setting. (Get more details about our testing process below.) 19 Mallory Wheels
The reasonably priced SwissTech Executive is spacious and expandable with multifunctional pockets, smooth spinner wheels, an ergonomic handle, and a durable exterior.
There aren't many color options, and it doesn't have smart features.
Our top choice is the SwissTech Executive Upright Suitcase. Measuring 29 x 19 x 10.5 inches, it's on the larger side for checked luggage, and the expander adds another 2 inches to the depth. We were impressed by the spacious capacity and thoughtfully placed storage compartments. It has some great pockets inside for organizing items, as well as a small removable pouch. We had no problem fitting everything on our list and feel like we could have packed lots more.
The exterior is a 1,680-denier textile. (Generally speaking, the higher the denier, the more durable the material.) This suitcase seems sturdy and long-lasting. It held up after being pushed off a table and clobbered with a bat. We noticed only one small superficial mark, and the whole thing seems easy to wipe clean. We found the SwissTech Executive simple to maneuver, too. It has eight spinner wheels (technically four sets of casters) and a locking telescopic handle with an ergonomic grip. It rolls smoothly over both hard flooring and carpet and even performed surprisingly well when we pulled it over gravel.
This suitcase is pretty standard-looking, and we wish it came in more colors. However, it did everything we'd want softside checked luggage to do, making it a great option for longer trips and international travel. Plus, the price is more than reasonable, and SwissTech backs it with a generous 15-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $129
The Details: 9.1 pounds | 29 x 19 x 10.5 inches | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
This attractive, thoughtfully designed carry-on stood up to our durability tests and is a breeze to maneuver on its four spinner wheels.
You'll need to get your own powerbank for the USB charging port, and it's a little harder to pull on two wheels.
Our favorite softside carry-on is the Travelpro Platinum Elite. This expandable spinner suitcase has a premium fabric exterior with genuine leather piping and chrome hardware. It stood up surprisingly well to several bat swings — no scuffs or tears to speak of. It could fit everything into the dual main compartments and pockets but we had to use the expander, which adds 2 inches to the depth and could make it too big to qualify as carry-on luggage.
The bag glides smoothly and turns effortlessly on four wheels, though pulling it on two wheels requires a little more gusto. This smart suitcase has a built-in USB port, allowing you to charge your devices anywhere using a portable powerbank (sold separately). It's not the most affordable option for this size, but considering the lifetime warranty, we think it's worth the investment.
Price at time of publish: $370
The Details: 8.3 pounds | 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Expandable | Smart | 4 spinner wheels
This roomy, functional checked suitcase has a tip-resistant expander, a TSA-compliant lock, and reliable spinner wheels that work on various terrains.
It doesn't have any smart features and weighs 12 pounds when empty.
For checked baggage, we recommend the larger suitcase from Travelpro's Platinum Elite line. We loved the spacious design that has a generous capacity and a great amount of pockets. This sizable suitcase also has a tip-resistant expander function that adds another 2 inches of wiggle room, plus a TSA-compliant lock. Made of high-density nylon with a thermoplastic coating, it's designed to resist scratches and stains. Sure enough, it survived multiple bat beatings and shoves off a table with no scuffs or dents in sight.
The handle feels sturdy, and the spinner wheels roll well on hard flooring, carpet, and even gravel. But since it's so large and weighs 12 pounds when empty, it can be a little cumbersome. Though this suitcase is a bit of an investment, we think the price is fair — and it's backed by a lifetime warranty. It's a great option for overpackers, long trips, or college students heading home for breaks.
Price at time of publish: $470
The Details: 12 pounds | 32.5 x 21 x 13.5 inches | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
This super functional, high-end bag boasts two access points, several pockets, and a removable garment bag.
When the front-access section is packed full, it starts taking up space in the main compartment.
With four dual-spinner wheels and a comfy telescoping handle, the Tumi Dual Access Carry-on moves beautifully on all types of flooring. We had no problem packing the essentials, thanks to the numerous compartments, pockets, compression straps, and a removable garment bag. The dual-access design allows you to keep things like a sweater or tablet within reach on travel days without unzipping the entire bag.
When the front section is packed full, it does begin taking up space in the main compartment. However, you can use the expander to add 2 extra inches in depth. This durable suitcase is made of Tumi's signature ballistic nylon, and (not surprisingly) it passed our baseball bat test with flying colors. We also like that it has a built-in USB port to connect to a portable power bank. Though the price is steep for a carry-on, the quality is undeniable, and Tumi backs it with a five-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $975
The Details: 10.7 pounds | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Expandable | Smart | 4 dual spinner wheels
This wheeled carry-on weighs just over 5 pounds, rolls smoothly, and is water-resistant.
We would like some more interior organizational features.
The trustworthy and durable Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage is a large-capacity carry-on perfect for light packers or weekend trippers. The suitcase glides well on both four and two wheels and transitions smoothly for those days when you're running to catch a flight. While this bag doesn't have a lot of organizational features like pockets, we were able to fit every item on our packing list in the large main compartment, so it may be the perfect choice for travelers who love packing cubes to keep organized.
What we love most about this bag is how sturdy it feels, especially for the weight. You could confidently gate check this bag knowing it will come back to you without any problems. It's soft shell doesn't show any scuffs after being hit with a baseball bat or launched off a table. This is a simple and well-priced bag that's going to last a long time.
Price at time of publish: $170
The Details: 5.4 pounds | 23 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
This bag has a clever expander function that offers over 3 inches of extra space, then compresses when you zip it closed.
It's pricier than most suitcases and weighs more than 13 pounds when empty.
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner might be the perfect mid-size checked suitcase. It's roomy but not overly bulky, with strategically placed compartments and pockets. There's also a garment sleeve that fits two suits and compresses them to save space with minimal creasing. We easily fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. What's more, it has a clever expander that adds over 3 inches to the depth with the press of two buttons. Then, when you zip it closed, the suitcase compresses back down almost to its original size.
The impact-resistant exterior withstood several bat hits and shoves off a table. We wouldn't worry about it getting dragged through a puddle or rained on, either. Despite the short and stocky design, we found this softside suitcase easy to push, pull, and lift. The steep price might be hard to justify but, if you can swing it, the sophisticated Baseline Spinner is perfect for business trips, extended hotel stays, and anyone who likes well-made, luxury luggage with intuitive features.
Price at time of publish: $799
The Details: 13.3 pounds | 26 x 18 x 12 inches | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
This duffel is incredibly spacious, durable, and waterproof, with a structured base, smooth-gliding wheels, and an adjustable handle.
It's pretty bulky and can be hard to maneuver through tight spaces.
Looking for something more rugged? Consider a duffel, like the 100-liter Patagonia Black Hole. Living up to its name, this bag is incredibly spacious, with lots of give and compression straps to keep everything secure. We packed all items on our list with so much room to spare — and if you roll your clothes or use packing cubes, you could probably fit twice as much stuff. There are also lots of handy pockets, which help with organization.
Made of ripstop recycled polyester with a protective laminate coating, the bag is not only durable but also waterproof. This duffel bag has a structured base, allowing it to stand vertically without support, plus two wheels and an adjustable handle. It rolls smoothly on flat and rough surfaces, but since it's somewhat bulky, it can be hard to maneuver through tight spaces. Still, it makes a great checked bag, and considering it'll probably last a lifetime, we think the price is warranted.
Price at time of publish: $419
The Details: 9.4 pounds | 32.5 x 16 x 13.5 inches | 2 wheels
This lightweight, compact carry-on has lots of internal pockets, plus a trolley sleeve and smooth spinner wheels that turn on a dime.
The compact design is best for a short trip or to use as supplemental luggage to a larger suitcase.
For those interested in a smaller carry-on, we highly recommend the Samsonite Underseater. As the name suggests, this compact suitcase is designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you. (Depending on how full you pack it and the size of the plane, it might be easier to place it in the overhead bin.) With a separator for the main compartment, several internal pockets, a laptop sleeve, a USB port, and an easy-access exterior zippered section, it's perfect for a two-day trip. You could also use it as supplemental luggage to a larger checked or carry-on bag — the trolley sleeve allows you to slide it over the handle of another suitcase as needed.
This underseater seems well-made and held up through our durability tests. The lightweight design has four spinner spinner wheels that glide effortlessly around obstacles and pivot on a dime. The adjustable handle also makes it easy to transition from floors to escalators to ramps. In the end, we think it's an excellent value.
Price at time of publish: $109
The Details: 6.2 pounds | 16.5 x 14 x 9 inches | Smart | 4 spinner wheels
The high-end wheeled design fits 15 hung items, plus accessories and multiple pairs of shoes.
You may want to add shoe bags to make the most of this carrier as there’s no separate footwear compartment.
This checked-size garment bag was big enough for all items on our packing list and then some. About 15 garments fit on the built-in hanger, and everything secures into place when you zip it closed. Beyond hanging garments, the mesh corner compartments and various zippered pockets provide space for accessories and other small items. That said, since there's no designated footwear section, you might want to get shoe bags to keep those separate and to prevent damage to any delicate clothing.
This wheeled garment bag was a piece of cake to roll on hard floors, carpet, and concrete. The telescopic handle makes it easy to maneuver and lift, even when packed full. Not only that, but it showed no signs of damage after our durability tests — which included dragging a stiletto heel across the ballistic nylon exterior. While it's more expensive than many garment bags, the high-quality, spacious design is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $698
The Details: 13.4 pounds | 22 x 24 x 10.5 inches | 2 wheels
You can reduce the size to save space when storing it at home.
The handle height can't be adjusted, and it weighs over 12 pounds when empty.
We're also big fans of the Béis Collapsible Check-in Roller. The main compartment can be accessed from two places, which makes packing and travel days more convenient. There are separate zippered sections, a removable divider, compression straps, various pockets, and a designated pouch for dirty clothes. It's also collapsible so it takes up less space when you store it at home after your journey. We found it easy to collapse and expand using the snaps when packing as well.
This softside suitcase glides incredibly smoothly on its 360-degree spinner wheels and turns sharply. The handle isn't adjustable, but it seems like it was designed to work with the height and size of the bag. And, while the Collapsible Check-in Roller is over 12 pounds when empty, there's a weight limit indicator on the side grab handle to prevent you from going over any airline requirements. This suitcase sustained a few scuff marks during our durability tests but wiped clean with little effort. And, while it's not returnable, the brand backs it with a limited lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $328
The Details: 12.4 pounds | 32 x 18.5 x 13 inches | 4 dual spinner wheels
These bags did well on our tests but didn’t quite make our very top tier of recommendations.
Briggs & Riley ZDX 22-inch Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner: This softside bag is sturdy and spacious, but it felt just a little heavy and is on the pricier side.
Tumi Alpha Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case: This extra-large suitcase fit more than twice as much stuff as others we tested. That said, it weighs upwards of 18 pounds when empty, and the price tag of nearly $1,400 might be hard to justify — even considering how big it is.
The T+L team tried more than 215 suitcase options firsthand, performing various tests to evaluate the durability, maneuverability, capacity, and design. In line with the size of each bag, we packed them with enough pants, shirts, underwear, socks, shoes, outerwear, and toiletries to get through multi-day trips.
Besides making sure everything fit, we wanted to see how well the luggage safeguarded the cargo. We hit the bags with a baseball bat, then shoved them off a table. After assessing potential damage, we pushed and pulled them on different types of flooring, and even hoisted them into a makeshift overhead bin. With weight, size, price, and organizational features taken into consideration, the softside models with the highest scores in all testing categories were chosen for this roundup.
Even if you prefer a soft exterior, don't overlook the inside of your luggage. Beyond a spacious capacity, organizational features can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier. This may include dual main compartments, zippered mesh sections, dividers, a compression pad, cross straps, a shoe separator, a garment sleeve for formal wear, a padded laptop sleeve, various pockets, or a removable laundry bag.
It's good to know what size you need when browsing softside luggage. Carry-ons are usually around 23 x 13 x 9 inches, whereas checked suitcases are more like 26 x 19 x 13 inches. Of course, there are smaller and larger options — underseat luggage, for example, is great for light packers or weekend travelers — and many have expanders that add another 2 or 3 inches to the depth. Be sure to check each airline’s specific requirements before travel.
A lightweight design is ideal. This will make it easier to lift into the overhead bin when carrying on, and if you check your bag, it'll help you stay within the weight limit. Additionally, suitcases with four wheels tend to be the easiest to maneuver. An extendable locking handle will also help when pushing and pulling a jam-packed spinner. Lastly, you'll be glad to have grab handles when hoisting your luggage overhead or lifting it into a car.
Softside luggage is the gold standard for many frequent fliers. And believe it or not, it can be just as resilient as its hardside counterpart. After testing almost 120 models of both materials in the lab, we can tell you a rigid shell doesn't always mean enhanced durability.
A textile exterior can be trickier to clean, but it usually won't scuff as easily as thermoplastic. Also, many softside suitcases feature a protective coating that makes them easy to wipe down while resisting scratches and premature wear. In the end, the choice is really a matter of personal preference.
Softside luggage can usually be cleaned with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently scrub the exterior. Then go over it with a clean, damp cloth and allow it to air-dry thoroughly.
Some suitcases have removable, machine-washable linings. If not, you can wipe down the interior with the same soapy solution you used on the outside. A pre-moistened disinfectant wipe can work as well.
For this article, Theresa Holland combed through our in-house testing insights of over 200 bags, then pored over product manuals to craft a comprehensive list of today's best softside luggage. As a commerce writer, Theresa specializes in travel, apparel, organization, and recreation.
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