The Most Durable Luggage In 2024 (Buying Guide)

The Most Durable Luggage [Buying Guide]

We’ve gathered the most durable luggage brands on the market, with tips on how to choose the best luggage and what to look for in a suitcase!

Purchasing durable luggage will not only save you from mini-meltdowns on the road, but it will also save you time and money in the long run. When purchasing luggage, you will want to choose a bag that is the perfect size for your needs, has ample compartments for your personal items, looks nice, and that is well-made from the most durable material.

Over my many years of travel, I can’t tell you how many bags I’ve gone through, and I’m so tired of poorly-made bags that fall apart! However, because I’ve gone through so many suitcases, I’m now well-equipped with knowledge of which ones are poorly made and which are the most durable of all.

Finding the right luggage can be overwhelming, which is why I’ve put together this list of the most durable luggage brands. From the best hardside luggage to the best softside luggage (and which is better), I’ve covered everything you need.

A list compiled through experience, here are my top tips for purchasing quality luggage, and the most durable luggage you can find!

The Most Durable Luggage [Buying Guide]

Most Durable Luggage

Most Durable Hardside Suitcases

Bellagio 2.0 Ultra Light 21 Inch Medium Spinner Trunk

One of the best suitcases of all time, the Bellagio 2.0 Ultra Light is made of an extremely tough polycarbonate exterior, is super lightweight for hard shell luggage (it weighs just 8.8 lbs), has 360-degree spinner wheels, and it comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

I bring this suitcase with me on weekend trips — whenever I don’t need a bigger carry-on suitcase (it’s not the biggest carry-on that I have and it doesn’t expand). It’s great for business travelers and this high-quality luggage will last many years of travel.

While on the pricier side, this bag is absolutely elegant, comes with a TSA-approved lock, and is water-resistant to boot!

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for:Stylish travelers looking to invest in a quality bag.

Compare prices here.


Delsey Helium Aero Expandable Spinner Trolley

Made from 100% polycarbonate, the Delsey Helium Aero not only has a sleek exterior but will last you years of travel. In addition to the durability, the Helium Aero is also known for its maneuverability — it has double spinner wheels that won’t strain your arm and allow for easy rolling.

Additionally, this hardside suitcase features TSA-approved locks and an expandable main compartment. This is my go-to luggage for trips where I don’t want to check a bag. The suitcase has plenty of room inside so that I’m able to pack for a 2-week trip in a carry-on. It’s perfect for frequent flyers!

They also offer a luggage set with two different sizes.

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for:International travel and travelers prioritizing maneuverability.

Compare prices here.


Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside 24″ Luggage

Samsonite is one of the best-known and purchased luggage brands, and for good reason — Samsonite is known for making quality luggage that stands the test of time. The Winfield Hardside 24” Hardside Luggage is made from polycarbonate that absorbs impact by flexing and then returning back to its original shape. It’ll take an extra level of abuse to put a dent in this one!

The case also features a brushed pattern that makes scuffs and scrapes a lot less noticeable.

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers wanting luggage that will last through the years.

Compare prices here.


Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Luggage 29-Inch

With a sleek polycarbonate shell, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is an extremely lightweight luggage option that will delight you with its impact-absorbing flexibility. Standing by their products, Travelpro offers a lifetime limited warranty that will cover the cost of airline-related repairs for one year after purchase.

Most Durable Checked Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers looking to keep their haul as light as possible.

Compare prices here.


Victorinox Spectra 2.0 Large Hardside Spinner Suitcase

Made from the same company that manufactures Swiss Army Knives, the Victorinox Spectra 2.0 is made with break-resistant bayer polycarbonate that also features a scratch and scuff-resistant coating. In addition to its durability, the Spectra also features 360 degree maneuverability, an option to expand by up to 47%, and two main compartments.

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers wanting the option for a little extra space.

Compare prices here.


Nautica Maker 21 inch Hardside Spinner Luggage Suitcase

With a textured ABS hard shell, the Nautica Maker hardside spinner luggage is an extremely durable and maneuverable piece of luggage. The bag has 360-degree spinner wheels and it features multiple interior compartments, a lightweight frame construction, and has a 25% expandability option.

For the durability and features, the Nautica makes a great mid-budget option!

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Frequent travelers wanting a durable suitcase on a budget.

Compare prices here.


MVST Select Trek Aluminum Luggage

MVST is one of the best luggage brands with innovative features and their Trek Aluminum line is well worth the investment. This luggage includes rubber seals, a zipperless closure, a TSA-approved combination lock, and ultra-smooth spinner wheels. I personally have the carry-on size in red and absolutely love it.

MVST Trek Aluminum Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers looking to invest in aluminum luggage that will last many years.


Most Durable Softside Luggage

Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable 25″ Upright

The Briggs & Riley Baseline is easily one of the most widely-recognized durable soft shells on the market. This suitcase is made from ballistic nylon, meaning it’s water, wear, dirt, and abrasion resistant, and the handle is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. Plus, the case features a hybrid fiberglass frame that is flexible and will help the suitcase keep its shape.

While definitely not on the cheaper end of the spectrum, this piece of luggage is worth every penny!

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers looking for a quality soft-shell suitcase.

Compare prices here.

Read more: The Best Travel Backpacks For Every Budget


Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase

A soft-shell option from Travelpro, this highly-rated suitcase features high-density ballistic nylon fabric with a special duraguard varnish for extra protection. The Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 also comes with a leather top and supra zipper heads that are specially designed to resist damage from stress.

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Travelers looking for a durable, stylish option.

Compare prices here.

Read more: The Best Camera Lenses for Travel Photography


Samsonite Aspire XLite 29″ Spinner Blue Dream

The Samsonite Aspire XLite 29″ Spinner Blue Dream is a highly maneuverable soft shell luggage option with extra durability features. In addition to the standard Samsonite quality that you can trust, this bag is made of rugged polyester with a steel wire construction.

Most Durable Checked Luggage

Perfect for: Mid-budget travelers looking for a quality soft shell suitcase.

Compare prices here.


Most Durable Duffel Bag

Eagle Creek No Matter What Flashpoint Rolling Duffel

If you’re looking for something a little more casual that offers peak flexibility, you can’t go wrong with the No Matter What Flashpoint Duffel. This duffel bag by Eagle Creek is made of bi-tech fabric, meaning it’s abrasion and weather resistant, and it even comes with a storm flap to keep it safe in extreme weather conditions.

This bag also comes with over sized, heavy-duty wheels with a kick plate, seam reinforcement, and, just like any good duffel bag, is collapsible. Duffel bags are not my first choice for luggage, but some trips (like traveling on a small boat) require something that can be fit into small spaces.

Most Durable Luggage

Perfect for: Adventure travelers needing a little extra reinforcement in a bag.

Compare prices here.


What to Look For in Durable Luggage

Warranty

If you’re spending a pretty penny to purchase quality luggage, then I highly recommend you buy from a company that offers lifetime, or even limited, warranty. Warranty on luggage generally covers things like damage caused by airlines and general wear and tear.

Quality Zipper

Making sure your luggage has quality zippers is a super important, yet often overlooked, thing when purchasing a suitcase. After all, if something goes wrong with your zipper then you’ll be hard-pressed for a way to fix it if you’re at the airport or abroad.

Standard zippers usually come in either chain or coil, with chain being the more durable, reliable of the two options.

Quality Wheels

Before purchasing the luggage, make sure that the bag not only has four wheels, but that the wheels roll 360 degrees, are connected to the luggage by multiple screws, and are made of thick rubber or plastic.

Wheels are usually one of the first things to require repair on luggage (cobblestones + wheels do not a great match make). Due to this, know that if you do need to replace them, you can usually do so in most luggage shops or purchase a new set of wheels online.

Strong Materials

Hardshell suitcases are generally considered more durable due to usually being made out of polycarbonate, ABS, aluminum, and polypropylene. These high-quality materials handle the usual bumps that come with flying with ease and will keep your belongings safe.

That said, there are a lot of very durable softshell luggage options on the market as well. In purchasing a strong softshell option, look for ballistic and Cordura nylon.

Read more:The Most Stylish Luggage For Fashion Forward Travelers

How to Choose the Best Luggage for You

Purpose

Before you purchase your luggage, consider what you’ll be using it for. Are you someone who travels mainly for business, do you like to take long-term sightseeing trips, or do you prefer more nature-based adventures? Each of these options will weigh into what kind of suitcase would suit your needs and be the most convenient for you on your trip.

Size

Speaking of convenience, size is a big factor in choosing checked luggage. If you take short business trips, then smaller, more compact luggage will probably do the trick. Conversely, if you’re on a longer trek, something larger and more flexible is probably what you’re looking for.

Color

Don’t let your bag get lost in a sea of other black bags on the carousel, and purchase a bag with a little color! I love buying uniquely-colored bags and then personalizing them with tags and other identifying features.

Expandability

Are you someone who tends to come back from a trip with way more stuff than you left with? If you are, I totally get you, and you’re either going to want to pack super light before you leave, or purchase a bag that expands.

Weight

Considering the weight of your bag without any items inside is important both if you’re someone who tends to overpack or if you like to keep your load as light as possible. Either way, just make sure you end up packing a weight that’s compliant with your airline so you can avoid those annoying overweight baggage fees!

FAQ: Most Durable Luggage

Hard or soft luggage: which is better?

This comes down to personal preference, but hard-shell suitcases are generally considered more durable due to usually being made out of polycarbonate, ABS, aluminum, and polypropylene. These materials handle the usual bumps that come with flying with ease and will keep your belongings safe.

That said, there are a lot of very durable softshell luggage options on the market as well. In purchasing a strong softshell option, look for ballistic and Cordura nylon.

Which hard luggage material is the most durable?

Aluminum is the most durable luggage material. Luggage made out of aluminum usually dents instead of cracking. Luggage made out of aluminum is heavier than other hardside luggage materials and it is also more expensive. If you want to invest in luggage that you will use for many years, this is a great option.

Pin it!

Most Durable Luggage

The Most Durable Luggage [Buying Guide]

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’m also a member of other affiliate programs. For more info please read my Privacy Policy

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One Comment

  1. Luqman Alameddine says:

    Great tips