The 9 Best Luggage

Frequent flyers who check a bag on every trip are the people the Travelpro Platinum Elite is built for. OutdoorGearLab rated it the best checked bag it put through drops, rain and rough pavement. The tough nylon resists stains, the wheels pull themselves straight, and a fold-out suiter keeps a jacket from creasing. A lifetime warranty covers wheels, zippers and handles, and registering it adds airline-damage repairs. It runs past the usual airline size limit, so a fee can apply.

For a hard shell that still looks sharp after years of baggage belts, the Away The Large is a strong choice. Its polycarbonate case takes knocks and pops back into shape, the wheels glide quietly, and a padded panel with buckles squeezes clothes flat so the lid shuts. A lock and a laundry bag come built in, and Away's lifetime coverage fixes broken wheels, handles and zippers. The zipper can feel stiff, and nothing unzips for extra souvenirs.

The Samsonite Freeform puts a big hard shell within reach of a middle budget. Its polypropylene case flexes on impact rather than cracking, the double wheels roll smoothly, and a built-in lock means one less thing to pack. Inside, a zip divider and cross straps keep both halves tidy, and Samsonite backs it for 10 years. The finish scuffs quickly, the pull handle feels light, and it runs slightly over common airline size limits, so check the rules first.

Weight caps are the real squeeze on a long trip, and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 leaves more of the allowance for clothes. The empty bag is light enough to lift onto a bed with one hand. Its coated fabric sheds light rain and stains, it unzips for extra room, and a lifetime warranty covers wheels, handles and zippers. The tradeoff is small wheels that catch on cracks and curbs, and it's tall enough to trip some airline limits.

Packers who like outside pockets will get along with the SwissGear Sion. Zip pockets on the front hold a jacket, chargers or a book for the hotel, and inside there are tie-down straps and a wet bag for a damp swimsuit. It unzips for more room, the pull handle is sturdy, and SwissGear backs it with a 10-year warranty. The wheels rattle on rough pavement, and the thin fabric won't shrug off rough handling like heavy nylon.

With leather-look trim and rounded corners, the Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 borrows the look of an old steamer trunk. The deep, boxy polycarbonate case suits shoes, bulky sweaters and a car trunk, and the zipper uses a reinforced double track that Delsey says is three times stronger than a standard one. It has a lock, a shoe bag and a 10-year warranty. It's heavy for a medium bag, and the box shape takes some getting used to when packing.

The American Tourister Stratum 2.0 is a large hard-shell spinner for families who fly once or twice a year and want to spend little. Raised ribs across the shell hide scuffs, and it expands a bit for the trip home. American Tourister belongs to the Samsonite family of brands, and it carries a 10-year warranty. The shell is ABS, which is cheaper and stiffer than polycarbonate, so it can crack in a hard drop instead of flexing.

Shoppers who want a glossy hard shell from a household name can turn to the Samsonite Winfield 2, which has sold for years with only small updates. Its case blends polycarbonate and ABS, a TSA-accepted lock sits on the side, and cross straps plus a zip divider hold clothes in place. It expands for extra room and carries a 10-year warranty. It's heavy for a hard shell, and with wheels it runs over common airline size limits.

Someone who travels a few times a year and wants a sturdy case for little money should look at the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner in its medium checked size. It holds about a week of clothes, expands for extra room, and has a zip divider and pockets inside. The textured shell hides scratches. There's no lock, so bring a TSA-accepted padlock, and the wheels and pull handle are the parts most likely to wear out.