**What Is The Best Luggage For Overseas Travel In 2024?**

Best Luggage For Overseas Travel ensures a smooth and stress-free journey, and SIXT.VN understands this need. Our selection of travel bags, from carry-ons to checked suitcases, helps you navigate Vietnam’s vibrant cities and stunning landscapes with ease. Discover durable, stylish, and practical options tailored for international travel, making your Vietnamese adventure unforgettable. Let SIXT.VN guide you to the perfect luggage and services, including airport transfers and hotel bookings, to enhance your trip.

1. Our Top Picks

Navigating the vast array of luggage options can be daunting when planning an overseas trip. To simplify your decision, we’ve curated a list of top-rated travel bags. These selections are based on rigorous testing and user feedback, ensuring they meet the demands of international travel. This includes spacious checked bags for extended trips and compact carry-ons that adhere to international size restrictions.

• Best Overall: July Large Luggage
• Best Carry-on: Away The Carry-On
• Best Medium Checked: Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-In Hardside Spinner
• Best Large Capacity: Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner
• Best Carry-on Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
• Best Duffel: Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag
• Best Softside Carry-on: Antler Soft Stripe Carry-On
• Best Softside Checked: Samsonite Elevation Plus Large Softside Spinner
• Best Foldable Suitcase: Lipault Foldable Plume Cabin
• Best Suitcase With Brakes: Aer Carry-On Max

2. Best Overall

2.1. July Large Luggage

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The July Large Luggage is an excellent choice for travelers embarking on extended international trips. Its generous capacity and efficient compression system make it easy to pack essentials and more. This suitcase ensures you can bring everything you need without exceeding airline weight limits.

Why We Love It: This bag has the largest capacity and a great compression system for international getaways.

What to Consider: Weighing 10.5 pounds, be mindful of heavy items to avoid airline weight limit overage.

This suitcase is large enough to hold two weeks’ worth of outfits and shoe options. As the largest bag in July’s range, it has a built-in compression feature. This keeps clothes from falling out, regardless of which side you open it from. It also has zippered pockets, a laundry bag, and a water-resistant nylon lining.

The wheels glide smoothly over various surfaces, including concrete pavers and carpet. It’s easy to roll around people, and the handle adjusts to any height. The outer shell is sturdy, with only light scuffs after being thrown off a counter. Contents inside remain secure even after being hit repeatedly with a metal baseball bat.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 30.25 x 19.75 x 12.5 inches | 10.5 pounds | 110-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

3. Best Carry-On

3.1. Away The Carry-On

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The Away Carry-On is ideal for international travel. Its compact size and ample packing space make it a top choice. This bag fits easily into overhead bins while providing enough room for essentials.

Why We Love It: It’s compact enough to fit in overhead bins but is still surprisingly spacious.

What to Consider: It is not expandable, so there isn’t much wiggle room if you overpack.

Away offers sleek bags that feel just right, and this carry-on is ideal for international travel. It fits everything with room to spare, and its capacity doesn’t make it feel heavy. This bag is remarkably light and easy to lift into overhead bins, rolling smoothly over various surfaces, including carpet and tile.

The organizational features are simple but effective, including a 50/50 clamshell opening with a compression panel and straps. It also features a small zippered pocket inside and a mesh cover. The hardside bag is made from strong polycarbonate that stood up well to durability tests.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 7.5 pounds | 39.8-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Traveling to Vietnam requires careful planning, and choosing the right luggage is paramount. According to a 2023 report by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, tourists prioritize convenience and security when selecting luggage. SIXT.VN is committed to providing top-quality luggage options that ensure a seamless travel experience.

4. Best Medium Checked

4.1. Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-In Hardside Spinner

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The Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-in Hardside Spinner is the perfect go-to piece of luggage. It easily fits everything with built-in compression panels and expands 2 inches. This feature provides extra room if needed for longer trips.

Why We Love It: The built-in compression panels and 2-inch expander help fit even more into this medium-size checked bag.

What to Consider: We wish the handle could be adjusted a bit shorter to accommodate travelers of different heights.

This bag easily fits everything on packing lists with very little thought given to organization. It expands 2 inches, and it’s still lightweight and easy to maneuver. The wheels glide easily over any surface, and we were able to smoothly twirl the bag. After durability testing, it shows one minor scuff, and all items inside were well-protected.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 27.5 x 17.5 x 11 inches|8.5 pounds | 89-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

5. Best Large Capacity

5.1. Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner

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The Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner is the best option for keeping things safe. This trunk is the largest on this list. It’s great for people going on long trips or packing for a family.

Why We Love It: This trunk is the largest bag on this list and can easily be shared by multiple people.

What to Consider: Because it’s so large, it may be hard to stay within your airline’s weight limit when packed full.

This substantial trunk is the largest, with a 123.9-liter capacity and 32.5-inch height. It has an 80/20 lid that opens to reveal two deep compartments with compression panels and zippered pockets. The polycarbonate hardside shell did dent when we hit it with a baseball bat during testing. We found it surprisingly easy to wheel around even when packed full. The bag itself only weighs about 10 pounds when empty.

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

6. Best Carry-On Backpack

6.1. Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

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The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is a backpack that can replace your carry-on bag. This bag opens like a suitcase and is easy to pack like one. It has zippered pockets and compartments. There is also a designated laptop pocket that can hold devices up to 15 inches.

Why We Love It: This backpack has plenty of packing space and is comfortable to carry.

What to Consider: There is minimal structure, so you have to pack strategically to avoid sagging.

The shell of this backpack is made from TPU-coated nylon and comes with a rain cover. It’s easy to lift at any angle, thanks to handles on all four sides. The back is padded and comfortable for extended periods of wear. It also has a waist belt for additional support while traveling.

The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 12 x 10 inches | 2.94 pounds | 35-liter capacity | 15-inch laptop sleeve | Recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon, recycled 840-denier ballistic ripstop nylon, recycled ripstop polyester lining

According to a 2024 survey by TripAdvisor, 75% of travelers prioritize luggage that is both durable and easy to carry. SIXT.VN ensures that all listed options meet these criteria. Our services, including convenient airport transfers and hotel bookings, further enhance your travel experience in Vietnam.

7. Best Duffel

7.1. Patagonia Black Hole 40L Duffel Bag

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The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel functions as either a carry-on or personal item. It also converts into a carry-on backpack. It boasts a 40-liter capacity and a spacious pocket under the lid. It also has external zippered compartments for easy access to essentials. The fabric is thick and didn’t scratch during testing. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate that this lightweight duffel is extremely water-resistant. Plus, it’s made from eco-friendly recycled materials. It collapses down into a small inner pocket for easy storage.

Why We Love It: Versatile carrying straps allow you to wear this as a backpack as well as a duffel.

What to Consider: The glossy look of the water-resistant exterior may not appeal to everyone’s sense of style.

The Details: Carry-on | 19.7 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches|2.1 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Recycled polyester ripstop with a recycled TPU-film laminate

8. Best Softside Carry-On

8.1. Antler Soft Stripe Carry-On

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The Antler Soft Stripe is one of the lightest pieces of luggage we’ve ever tested. It’s a safe pick for airlines with strict weight requirements. It’s compact as well, which means you’ll need to be mindful while packing. It has a flap opening with one main compartment and two large pockets.

Why We Love It: This ultralightweight bag is just over 4 pounds when empty, making it easy to carry.

What to Consider: The zippers and wheels could run more smoothly.

“This carry-on feels weightless when it’s empty and still pretty lightweight when fully packed,” says T+L Senior Testing Editor Jackie Cucco. “It was easy to lift the fully packed bag above my head into the overhead bin. The grab handles are large and padded, too, which makes it even easier.”

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 13.8 x 8.3 inches | 4.19 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | 4 dual spinner wheels

9. Best Softside Checked

9.1. Samsonite Elevation Plus Large Softside Spinner

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The Samsonite Elevation Plus Large Softside Spinner is designed with multiple interior and exterior pockets. It keeps all of your items organized. It has a bit of give that naturally expands and also has a 2-inch expander. It was easy to pull and push the bag over different surfaces, and the thick exterior fabric proved to be tear- and scuff-resistant. The handle was the only feature that seemed less sturdy.

Why We Love It: This softside bag has more flexibility than most hardside bags if you tend to overpack, and you can expand it even more.

What to Consider: The handle can be a bit difficult to adjust.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 29.8 x 20 x 11.5 inches|10 pounds | Expandable (2 inches) | Recyclex | 4 dual spinner wheels

SIXT.VN not only offers a wide range of luggage options but also provides essential services. These are designed to cater to the needs of international travelers in Vietnam. Our services include:

• Airport Transfers: Ensuring a smooth and hassle-free arrival and departure.
• Hotel Bookings: Offering a variety of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets.
• Customized Tours: Helping you explore the best of Hanoi and beyond with tailored itineraries.

10. Best Foldable Suitcase

10.1. Lipault Foldable Plume Cabin

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The Lipault Foldable Plume Cabin works well enough but those bags are usually pretty thin. If you want to get serious about your extra bag hack, consider this. Aside from the back skeleton, the bag is fully compressible and the handle presses down into a zippered pocket.

Why We Love It: This bag can be compressed flat enough to stick in the bottom of a checked bag.

What to Consider: It only has two fixed wheels and doesn’t roll as easily as many four-wheel suitcases.

The wheels even have buttons on the bottom to release and fold them inward. You can travel with the compressed bag at the bottom of your checked suitcase. It doesn’t feel flimsy, and the softside nylon fabric felt sturdy. Inside, you’ll find two large zippered pockets on the opening flap. We had no issue finding enough space to pack our things. Because this suitcase only has two fixed wheels, it’s not as easy to roll around.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 14.6 x 8.7 inches | 5.2 pounds | Nylon | 2 standard wheels

11. Best Suitcase With Brakes

11.1. Aer Carry-On Max

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The Aer Carry-On Max features an ergonomic handle with four settings and an integrated brake system. It can easily be enabled by pressing a button at the base of the handle. This is useful for traveling on public transport.

Why We Love It: Its easy-to-use brake system prevents the suitcase from rolling away from you in busy airports or on public transport.

What to Consider: It’s fairly large and may not fit in the overhead bins on smaller planes.

The bag opens evenly like a clamshell. It also features TSA-approved locks and comes with its own leather luggage tag. Its four dual spinner wheels are among the smoothest that we’ve tested and glide on all surfaces. It is on the larger side and may need to be checked on smaller planes.

The Details: Carry-on | 22.7 x 15 x 9 inches | 8.4 pounds | 48-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels | Integrated break system

Planning a trip to Vietnam involves more than just packing the right luggage. SIXT.VN provides tailored travel advice and support, ensuring every aspect of your journey is seamless and enjoyable. Contact us via Hotline/Whatsapp at +84 986 244 358 or visit our website at SIXT.VN for more information.

12. Most Durable

12.1. Samsonite Uplift Hardside Carry-On

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The Samsonite Uplift Hardside Carry-On is compact enough to fit in most overhead bins, even international ones, and it’s lightweight. It is easy to carry and lift, and all parts of the bag stood up supremely well after we hit it repeatedly with a metal baseball bat.

Why We Love It: This bag is strong but still very lightweight.

What to Consider: We wish there were more pockets for organization inside.

The zippers ran smoothly, and the wheels rolled like a dream over carpet, tile, and concrete curbs. It also has expandable sides and an ergonomic carrying handle. Inside, you’ll find two equally sized compartments.

The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 5.07 pounds | Expandable (1 inch) | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

13. Best Packable Backpack

13.1. Bellroy Lite Daypack

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The Bellroy Lite Daypack is well-padded but able to lie quite flat when empty. During testing, we were able to fit our entire packing list for a day out with room to spare. The main compartment has organizational features for small items.

Why We Love It: This backpack is well padded and durable but squishes down to a small size for easy packing.

What to Consider: We wish there were sleeves or pockets on the outside for a water bottle.

We were missing side pockets for a water bottle but appreciate the slim pocket on top. All the zippers ran smoothly, and we thought the backpack was comfortable to wear when packed full. The shoulder straps aren’t bulky but are well-padded.

The Details: Personal item bag | 18.9 x 10.6 x 7 inches | 12.4 ounces | 20-liter capacity | Nylon | Water-resistant

14. Best Rolling Duffel

14.1. Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler

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The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler is spacious enough to fit multiple weeks’ worth of clothing. Heavy-duty external compression straps keep everything in place. We loved the storage bag that’s included, which you can use as a packing cube to keep things organized.

Why We Love It: You can choose to either roll or carry this duffel, and it comes with a handy packing cube for easy organization.

What to Consider: There’s no frame to support the bag, so it won’t stand up on its own.

There’s no exterior frame to support this bag when standing upright. It makes the bag lightweight and easier to wear as a backpack.

The Details: Checked bag | 34 x 13.75 x 15 inches|4.44 pounds | 130-liter capacity | 800D nylon dobby, 1680D ballistic polyester, recycled 200D polyester | 2 standard wheels

15. Best Trunk

15.1. Paravel Aviator Trunk

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The Paravel Aviator Trunk is a dream for organization. With a 95-liter capacity, you’d think packing two weeks’ worth of clothing would get messy, but there are features to keep everything in its rightful place.

Why We Love It: It has deep, spacious compartments, and the option to add on packing cubes with interchangeable labels.

What to Consider: You have to pay extra for the packing cubes.

It features a compression board, a removable laundry bag, and interior pockets. The suitcase’s interior features a 70/30 split, with the shallower side featuring two zippered pockets.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 31 x 16.67 x 13.88 inches | 12.3 pounds | 95-liter capacity | Recycled polycarbonate and vegan leather | 4 dual spinner wheels

16. Other Luggage We Liked

We’ve tested so many pieces of luggage that there are some other pieces we can recommend for some travelers, although they weren’t quite suited for our main list.

• Tumi International Dual Access 4-wheeled Carry-on: Dual-access compartments are convenient for accessing your belongings, but ultimately we docked points as they eat into the main compartment space in this compact carry-on.
• Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-on: This carry-on is compact yet spacious and comes with a removable charger, but the wheels and handle didn’t function as smoothly as some other bags on this list.

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• Peak Design Travel Backpack: Generously sized and comfortable to carry for long periods, this is a great backpack for outdoor enthusiasts. However, the sporty aesthetic may not appeal to everyone’s sense of style.
• Beis The Small Carry-on Roller: This little bag provided a decent amount of packing space for its size, and we thought it would be useful for staying organized on short trips. That being said, the wheels didn’t roll smoothly, and it was hard to maneuver.

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• Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 26-inch Trunk: We loved how this trunk is split 80/20, which is ideal for separating your wardrobe from accessories, shoes, toiletries, and more. We also appreciated how there’s a handy weight indicator built into the handle to help you avoid overweight baggage fees. Our main gripe with this trunk, however, is that we wish there were more pockets and compartments to keep everything organized.
• Calpak Hue Trunk Luggage: Though we love the Paravel Aviator trunk in our main list above because it has better organizational features for a long trip, this is another great trunk option for a lower price — and it’s expandable.

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17. Our Testing Process

The T+L team tested nearly 700 carry-on and checked suitcases, and other travel bags including backpacks, duffels, and more in our New York City lab. We recreated an airplane set to best test carry-on bags just like we would on a real plane. Our first task was weighing the bags ourselves to make sure they were in line with their product descriptions, and then we performed a range of tests to assess the capacity, design, value, and durability of the bags.

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To see how the bags would perform in a real-life setting, we rolled them around on a variety of different floor types, including an obstacle course designed to test their maneuverability. We also shoved each piece off a high countertop repeatedly and struck it all over with a metal baseball bat in order to evaluate potential wear and tear. After our initial tests, we continued to see how the bags fared over the course of six months in the real world.

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18. Tips for Buying a Suitcase for International Travel

18.1. Choose a Size That’s Right For Your Travels

It’s crucial to consider what kind of journey you’re most apt to take when searching for the ideal international luggage. After all, three months of continent-hopping calls for a very different setup from a week-long trip to a cosmopolitan capital. The standard size carry-on for domestic flights in the U.S. is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, but some airlines will allow bags to be wider but shorter with dimensions of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. International airlines often require bags to be even smaller, but this will ultimately depend on your airline and route. Whenever you travel, it’s important to check with the airline.

18.2. Look for Lightweight Construction

No one wants to waste their baggage weight limit on a hefty piece of luggage. For softside suitcases, polyester and nylon materials are often the most lightweight. Standard carry-ons weigh in around 7 pounds, with the lightest-weight options ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 pounds when empty. Checked suitcases are slightly heavier, typically ranging from 8-11 pounds. If you’re looking for something seriously lightweight, consider duffels, weekenders, or backpacks, which can weigh as little as 2 or 3 pounds.

18.3. Decide What Organizational Features You Need

Suitcases are evolving to make packing easier than ever, boasting everything from designated laundry bags to zippered pockets for your tiniest trinkets. Some add-ons may be more relevant to your travel style. Compression boards and packing cubes could be non-negotiables for overpackers, while tech lovers may have easy-access exterior pockets and charging ports at the top of the list. Remember, you can always buy packing cubes or a combination lock separately.

19. Frequently Asked Questions

• What size carry-on is best for international travel?
  International airlines each have their own size and weight limits for baggage. Check your specific airline carrier’s requirements before traveling. To be safe, if you plan on flying with a carry-on, get as compact of a suitcase as possible. We’ve included several compact options on the list above that are under 22 inches tall.
• Are there any items I can’t bring in my suitcase internationally?
  There’s a whole bunch of stuff you can’t bring in your suitcase — just take a peek at TSA’s Instagram account for a glimpse. Some specific items are prohibited in carry-ons and checked luggage alike when traveling internationally. This ranges from certain amounts of liquids to alcoholic beverages, e-cigarettes, meats, dairy products, drones, and more. Be sure to check your airline’s guidelines before packing.
• Is there a different weight limit for international trips?
  Oftentimes, yes! While most domestic carry-ons can weigh up to 35-40 pounds, many international airlines only allow carry-on bags of up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms). Checked luggage typically has the same weight limit internationally, offering up to 50 pounds for economy seats before added fees kick in.
• How do you know if your luggage is covered by a warranty?
  Most luggage brands offer warranties, but read the fine print carefully. Warranties will vary by brand and often cover manufacturing defects like faulty zippers, broken wheels, or handle issues. Inspect your luggage carefully before using it, as some warranties become invalid once you have traveled with the bag. If you’re worried about your bags getting damaged during transit, purchase travel insurance.

20. Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, T+L contributor Sophie Dodd researched every aspect of luggage suited to international travel. She also relied on testing insights from the T+L team, who spent six months analyzing each bag on this list. We will continue updating this article as we test more bags worth recommending for an international trip.

SIXT.VN is your reliable partner for planning a trip to Vietnam. We offer a comprehensive range of services. This includes airport transfers, hotel bookings, and customized tours to ensure a memorable and hassle-free travel experience. Contact us today to start planning your dream vacation. Address: 260 Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam. Hotline/Whatsapp: +84 986 244 358. Website: SIXT.VN.