The 11 Best Travel Trunks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Paravel Aviator Trunk

View on Tourparavel.com

We recently tested this new suitcase from Paravel, and it impressed us so much that it shot right to the top of our favorite trunks, winning the title of best overall (previously held by the Away trunk below). First things first: it’s a gorgeous piece of luggage, available in six classic color combinations made with a recycled polycarbonate shell and vegan leather details. The material held up well with just one tiny scuff mark after we hit it multiple times with a metal baseball bat, and the corners have durable bumpers to add another element of protection against rough handling.

Our favorite thing about this trunk is the Trunk Packing Suite, a set of seven packing cubes that are designed exclusively for the Aviator Trunk, which means they fit perfectly inside the deeper side of the suitcase. You do have to pay extra for them, but we think it’s a must to keep your belongings organized for any occasion. The cubes come with labels (both prefilled ones and ones you can fill in yourself) to help you keep track of what’s inside each one. Even without the cubes, the trunk has plenty of organization features, including multiple pockets, a compression board, and a removable laundry bag.

“The wheels roll so smoothly, and the bag is easy to maneuver despite its massive stature,” says Travel + Leisure associate editor Anna Popp, who owns this bag. “From the wheels to the handle, this bag is so hardy and study, but it feels weightless to roll, which really impressed me.” The only thing we would change is adding another height setting to the handle so that it could go up higher.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 12.3 pounds | 31 x 16.67 x 13.88 inches | 95-liter capacity | Recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum handles, recycled zippers, vegan leather details | 4 dual spinner wheels

Smoothest Wheels

Away The Trunk

$435 at Away Travel

Smooth-gliding wheels make traveling that much more enjoyable as you float through the airport. One of the most stand-out features of this trunk from Away is how easy it is to maneuver on either two or four wheels. We put it to the test, racing it around sharp turns, obstacle courses full of bystanders, and over rough surfaces, and we loved how it glided through all scenarios without ever getting stuck or feeling heavy. Even though it's a large trunk with a 107-liter capacity, it still managed to feel lightweight and didn’t put any strain on us while pulling or pushing it. The trunk also has compression straps and zippered mesh pockets inside to help you make the most of your space. We recommend making sure you distribute your belongings as evenly as you can in the 70/30 design to best distribute the weight so that it doesn’t feel uneven or lopsided. 

Out of all the Away luggage we’ve tested, this was one of the most durable pieces, standing up well to our table drops with barely any scratches. The outer shell has a lot of give, and when we hit it with a metal baseball bat, the bat actually bounced right back up without leaving any dents. It also has an easy-grip top handle, side handle, and underside grab handle that makes it easy to pull out of a car trunk or off a baggage carousel. The color selection is also top tier.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 12.3 pounds | 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Design

Hartmann Reserve Medium Trunk

View on Luggagepros.com View on Bloomingdales View on Modesens.com

This new Hartmann trunk shined during testing for its supreme organization and thoughtful details. One side of the 50/50 clamshell design has three snap-in dividers that you can remove if you’re packing something large and would prefer one big, open cabin. You can zip that half of the suitcase shut and use the two large zipper pockets on the divider for smaller items. The inside of those pockets are waterproof, so you won't have to worry about spills if you pack toiletries in there. The other half of the suitcase features a removable, rectangular garment bag with a large pocket on the outside. The trunk also comes with two large packing cubes and a shoe bag that fit inside that rectangular pouch (if you don’t want to use it as a garment bag). Unlike the Paravel trunk, all of these packing cubes are included with the suitcase. You can buckle everything in place with the leather straps, and nothing inside is going to move around in transit because it's all locked into place.

Though this is a bulky, heavy bag that weighs over 14 pounds, it actually felt really lightweight when we packed it full and rolled it around the lab, moving smoothly when we ran through our obstacle course, zig-zagged through cones, and pulled it up over a layer of concrete pavers. The wheels rotated seamlessly and the handle felt sturdy, with a curved design and 12 different height options. We do wish there were more color options, as it’s currently only available in navy and oak brown, both with tan leather accents and a deep red plaid interior.

“This bag feels luxurious, from the hand-painted wheels and the leather details to the thick material of the packing cubes, zippers, and pockets inside,” says T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco, who tested this bag in the lab.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 14.11 pounds | 28.25 x 16.5 x 15 inches | Polycarbonate with leather details | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Set

July Trunk Set

$990 at July.com

What’s even better than one trunk? A set of trunks. The July Trunk Set will give you two stylish pieces of luggage in both carry-on and checked sizes, both with 80/20 lid-opening designs. These matching trunks close with TSA latch locks instead of zippers for added security, and the locks proved to be durable even when we gave them some direct hits during our baseball bat test. We tested the glossy version of the trunks — which are also available in matte styles — and they impressed us with how strong they were, surviving our drop tests without any dents. After traveling with them over the course of six months, we noticed they scuffed easily with noticeable black marks, but we were always able to wipe it away afterward. We imagine these trunks could last a very long time even with heavy usage since the materials seemed to hold up well to rough handling. One of our favorite features of both trunks is that the handles can adjust to 20 different heights, which is helpful to wheel and navigate them both no matter how tall or short you are.

The Details: 8.4 pounds for carry-on; 13.2 pounds for checked | 21.7 x 15 x 8.7 inches for carry-on; 28.25 x 16.5 x 14.5 inches for checked | 42-liter capacity for carry-on; 95-liter capacity for checked | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Carry-on

Steamline The Illustrator Carryon

View on Steamlineluggage.com

This chic trunk is so charming that everyone was “oohing” and “ahhing” over it in our lab. It may not be the most practical option if you have a lot of belongings to pack, but the vintage aesthetic and stylish prints (both inside and out) are undeniably beautiful. Instead of a zipper, it closes with two latches and two leather straps, and there are several internal pockets of varying sizes. It also comes with a cute cover that folds up into a pouch. When the cover is on the suitcase, that pouch turns into a front pocket. It comes in two different striped colorways, and even the inside features floral prints.

It has two fixed wheels as opposed to four spinner wheels, and we found that it rolled smoothly and made turns easily since it’s a smaller bag, though you can’t roll it beside you — it always has to be tilted on an angle. The bottom scuffed a bit when we pulled it over concrete curbs, but it fared surprisingly well in our baseball bat tests. Still, we would not recommend ever checking this bag because it feels like it could dent easily if a larger suitcase was placed on top since it’s made from Japanese Pasco fiberboard instead of a more durable polycarbonate or aluminum material. Overall, we think it’s one of the most stylish options you can get for a short getaway or honeymoon.

The Details: Carry-on | 8.8 pounds | 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | Japanese pasco fiberboard | 2 fixed wheels

Best Value

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 26-inch Trunk

$240 $180 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $480 at Bloomingdales

Delsey's Cruise 3.0 trunk passed our durability tests with flying colors, with the polycarbonate shell and spinner wheels not showing any signs of wear and tear, which is exactly what you'd want from your checked suitcase (after all, airport handlers are not exactly known for their gentle handling of luggage). We were also impressed with how easy it was to maneuver it — even when fully packed — along various surfaces and quickly change directions with no drag, so,whether you're heading to the airport or rolling it along a historic street in Europe, this is a solid choice. 

We packed a long list of items, including a very bulky puffer jacket, with the help of the compression straps and had no issues closing it. And, while it has a rather simple internal organization, you can invest in a good set of packing cubes if you'd like to have more control over how your belongings are organized. 

Another feature that we found extremely helpful is the built-in weight indicator, which turns red as soon as the trunk becomes too heavy (goodbye, overweight luggage fees!). Naturally, as expected from this reliable, stylish brand, you can also expect beautiful design and sturdy construction that will last for years to come. We think it's a great value at under $250.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 9.5 pounds | 29.5 x 16.5 x 14 inches | 90-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Most Durable

Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner

$695 at Travel Pro $695 at Bloomingdales

"This isn't a bag, it's an apartment," says T+L editor Taylor Fox, who tested this suitcase in our lab. The inside of this trunk is incredibly spacious, and rather than a 70/30 or 80/20 construction that most trunks have, this one splits evenly to distribute the weight so that it doesn't feel lopsided. Plus, it's expandable if you do find that you need even more space. We found it helpful that both sides of the clamshell zip closed to keep all of your items contained. There are also several pockets with zippers to stash smaller items and to prevent them from getting lost in the void.

This trunk is best suited for a long trip (or even a moving day) when you need ample space, but you can expect to pay overweight baggage fees if you pack it full because of the sheer size. Despite the size and weight, we found it shockingly easy to maneuver over different surfaces and through our obstacle course. Though the handle has three height adjustments, we thought the suitcase itself was tall, so shorter travelers may find the height a bit awkward. The price is an investment, but we think this high-quality piece will last a lifetime.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 12.6 pounds | 30 x 17 x 14 inches | 97-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Expandable

Calpak Hue Trunk Luggage

View on Calpaktravel.com $290 at The Container Store $290 at Saks Fifth Avenue

While many trunks feature latches instead of zippers, this sturdy Calpak suitcase is one of the few trunks with an expandable zipper, giving you an additional 2 inches of extra storage space if you need more room. We brought this spacious trunk on trips to Amsterdam, Madrid, and Jackson Hole, and the expansion came in handy when we had to fly back home with more items than we originally packed — including bulky hiking gear, cowboy boots, and multiple coats (hey, we love to shop!). It was easy to stay organized and maximize space by zipping one side of the trunk shut and using the different sized pockets for smaller items.

It did get very scuffed after just two flights, with lots of black marks on the exterior, but it did not dent at all — even after checking it on eight different flights. The handle has three heights, but we wish it went up a little taller. It was easy to push and pull the trunk through airports and hotel lobbies, but it was harder to maneuver when we put a heavy carry-on duffel bag over the handle, which made the whole trunk fall over.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 12 pounds | 31.5 x 15.5 x 12.75 inches | 93.9-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best for Long Trips

Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner

$729 at Nordstrom View on Briggs & Riley View on Bloomingdales

If you need as much space as you can get for long trips or multiple family members sharing one bag, this is the largest of all the trunks on this list. “This bag is an absolute monster,” says T+L editor Sophie Mendel, who tested this suitcase in our lab. “The bag is enormous, though the weight of the empty bag is less than I would expect for something this large at just 10 pounds (less than other suitcases I own).” 

Thanks to its 80/20 design, deep compartments, and compression panels, you could really stuff it full, even with bulkier or oddly shaped objects. What really impressed us was that even with its clunky size and massive storage potential, it was a breeze to maneuver the trunk in every direction and on multiple terrains without getting stuck. Also, unlike many other trunks, this one has a handle that you can raise to multiple heights, and we found it easy to transition between them without the handle getting stuck. While the hardware seemed durable, the polycarbonate shell dented easily when we hit it with a baseball bat, so you can expect the outside to get beat up during transit. 

The Details: Checked suitcase | 10.4 pounds | 32.5 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches | 123.9-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Rugged

Delsey X Jeep Expandable Spinner Trunk

View on Delsey.com

If you’re a Jeep owner or a fan of the car brand, this Delsey x Jeep collaboration is perfect for you. The 121-liter capacity is extremely spacious, and the 70/30 design has a cavernous depth for bulky gear like helmets or sporting boots; you could easily fit three weeks worth of clothing and supplies inside, and there’s even an expander for more space. The trunk was a champ in our durability tests with no dents after throwing it and hitting it with metal bats. It got a few scuff marks, but they were easy to wipe away.

One of the most unique features is the wheels. “I can tell the wheels were designed with traction in mind for tougher surfaces, and they definitely did their job,” says T+L senior editor Lydia Price, who tested this trunk in the lab. Though the wheels didn’t roll as smoothly as other Delsey luggage we’ve tested, they’re meant more for adventure travel and rough dirt paths. We found it easy to turn on tight corners, and the wheels handled bumps well. 

Though the handle only raises to one height, it felt especially sturdy for leading the weight around. We also liked how easy it was to lift the bag using the two strong handles on the front of the trunk. 

The Details: Checked suitcase | 11 pounds | 31.5 x 14.5 x 16.25 inches | 121-liter capacity | Expandable | ABS/polycarbonate blend | 4 dual spinner wheels

Most Stylish

Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 26-inch Trunk

$390 $312 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $780 $468 at Macy's

You'll surely make a statement in any old airport with this stylish Delsey trunk, available in sophisticated shades of beige and tan. After using this trunk for over three months, we especially love its size and shape, which is big enough to fit a ton of items for even a two-week long trip, but it isn't as bulky as a traditional checked suitcase. This trunk is designed with one side much deeper than the other, making it perfect for transporting ski equipment (like ski boots or a helmet, for example). Additionally, we packed a long list of items and still had plenty of room left over. We also appreciated the zippered pockets on the two divider flaps that you could keep smaller items in. This is a very packing-cube-friendly trunk as you could easily stack them on top of each other in the deeper compartment.

Once you check it in at the airport, you can rest assured that your items will arrive at your destination safe and sound, thanks to the durable and tough polycarbonate construction that, together with the four double spinner wheels, held up remarkably well after several hits and drops, even in the creamy color. We do wish the handle was taller, but it wasn't a deal breaker.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 10.87 pounds | 28.75 x 16.5 x 14 inches | 91-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Splurge

Carl Friedrik Trunk

View on Carlfriedrik.com

This trunk will be an excellent buy for travelers looking for a way to keep their belongings organized during long trips. The trunk has an 80/20 design, leaving you with one very large main compartment to pack and a second one that can still fit plenty of other belongings. To make things more convenient, the trunk has two collapsible dividers inside, enabling you to personalize the interior organizational layout. It also comes with a set of three complimentary packing cubes, which is a thoughtful touch to help keep this hefty trunk in order. 

“This was probably the most well-organized piece of luggage I've ever tested,” says T+L updates editor Hillary Maglin. “As I tested it, I kept thinking how well everything would be kept in place through even the roughest travels and baggage handling.” 

After we packed the trunk full, we thought it felt significantly lighter to roll and turn up on an angle on two wheels, while it lagged awkwardly on all four. However, we think it would make a great travel companion thanks to its amazingly designed interior, especially for someone looking to invest in a high-quality, luxury luggage brand.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 13.7 pounds | 15.8 x 28.7 x 14.6 inches | 90-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Colors

Herschel Heritage Hardshell Large Luggage

$325 at Backcountry $325 at Zappos View on Herschel.com

If you're looking for a sturdy, no-frills travel trunk, this Herschel option will get the job done. The 50/50 split design means you have equal storage in both compartments, with a zippered mesh panel on one side and compression straps on the other. We appreciate the uncomplicated design, the various interior pockets, and the many colors to choose from — including royal blue, a purplish gray, and a muted rose — that will make this trunk stand out on the baggage belt. 

We noticed during our tests that the hardside exterior is not as rigid as some other trunks, making it a little bit flexible if you need to really pack it full and squish a few extra items in there. We also liked how the weight felt evenly distributed and how the wheels were able to make sharp turns easily. Though the trunk didn’t sustain any dents during our durability tests, the bottom of the suitcase scraped easily by simply rolling it from the linoleum floor to concrete pavers, so we imagine that it will get very scuffed, but no one is really looking at the very bottom of your suitcase anyway. 

The Details: Checked suitcase | 10.6 pounds | 31.88 x 16.93 x 12.6 inches | 95-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels