The 11 Best Lightweight Luggage of 2022 | by TripSavvy (2023)

The Rundown

Best Overall: Everlane The Twill Weekender

Lightweight luggage bags are easy to travel with and help avoid overpacking. If you're looking for a sleek option, Everlane's Twill Weekender will do just the trick. Crafted from extremely durable water-resistant cotton twill and ethically sourced from Ho Chi Minh City, the classic carry-on comes with zero bells and whistles (just an exterior slip pocket and interior zip pocket)—and that’s just the way we like it. It’s available in five color combos, including reverse denim and black leather and dark green and black, and at 22 x 8.5 x 12 inches (with a 12-inch shoulder drop), it fits snugly inside any overhead compartment. For minimalist-leaning travelers, it doesn’t get much better—especially considering the bag's sub-$100 price tag.

Though our tester would have preferred a longer strap, it was comfortable to carry and the weight was evenly distributed.

Size: 22 x 8.5 x 12 in. | Material: Cotton and leather

Best Budget: AmazonBasics 29-Inch Softside Spinner Luggage

Easy to hoist into overhead bins and very easy on your wallet, the AmazonBasics Softside Spinner Luggage is a great pick all around. Its soft exterior means you can maneuver it into tight spaces, but it’s also expandable, offering up to 25 percent additional packing capacity. Lightweight and durable, the spinner has a 150D-polyester interior organizer with three zippered pockets, so there’s ample storage, along with solid, secure-closing zippers and four 360-degree spinner wheels for easy mobility and comfy maneuvering virtually anywhere. The fabric lining also effectively helps protect your items from scratches. Weighing less than eight pounds, the bag is light and surprisingly affordable considering how functional it is.

Size: 30.9 x 17.5 x 12.9 in. | Weight: 7.9 lbs.| Material: Polyester

Best Carry-On: Away The Carry-On

The Away Carry-On offers a staggering array of smart features, from an ejectable battery that charges your phone to a TSA-approved combination lock for extra security. And, while it’s undoubtedly convenient to be able to charge your phone on the go, even if the Away Carry-On didn’t boast such tech-savvy features, we’d still love it all the same. The shell is made of durable polycarbonate and the 360-degree spinner wheels are smooth, which means that navigating this bad boy through the airport is a total breeze. Our tester appreciated the telescopic handle that extends to almost three and a half feet, making it ideal for taller travelers.

Storage-wise, the featherlight carry-on is equipped with an interior compression system and hidden laundry bag. The bag is available in more than ten colors including white, violet, black, blush pink, and navy.

Size: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 in. | Weight: 8.1 lbs.| Material: Polycarbonate

Best Checked: Lipault Paris Plume Spinner

Lipault Paris doesn’t skimp on cutting-edge style or functional features—just take a look at the Plum Spinner to see for yourself. With its water-resistant nylon exterior and spacious interior, this is a darn good suitcase. Our tester has owned several Lipault bags and marvels at how they withstand the test of time.

Plus, the four spinner wheels mean you won't have to work any harder to transport it from the baggage claim to your cab. Its lightweight construction is, of course, what landed it on this list, though. It's roomy enough for all your belongings, but at just 6.6 pounds, it isn't too bulky. The checked luggage bag comes with a three-year limited warranty and is available in six lovely colors: black, cherry red, taupe, khaki, navy, and plum.

Size: 28.3 x 19.7 x 11 in. | Weight: 6.6 lbs.| Material: Nylon and PVC

Best Underseat Bag: Samsonite Eco-Nu Wheeled Underseater

When it comes to compact, lightweight underseaters, Samsonite's offering is hard to beat. Handcrafted from a high-strength polyester made from recycled bottles, this durable, scuff-resistant bag is built to last. Measuring 18 x 14 x 8 inches and weighing 5 pounds, it's undoubtedly a space-saver. Thanks to a push-button locking handle and smooth-rolling in-line skate wheels, lugging it around the airport isn't a chore, either. In terms of storage capabilities, the lightweight luggage bag features a spacious interior compartment, internal laptop and tablet sleeves, tie-down straps, shoe compartments, as well as a large external zippered pocket. The Samsonite Eco-Nu Wheeled Underseater is available in three attractive shades: black, deep teal, and hot pink.

Size: 18 x 14 x 8 in. | Weight: 5.3 lbs.| Material: Recyclex polyester

Best Backpack: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Sometimes a good backpack is all you need when you're packing light or just want to free up your hands. Dagne Dover's backpack comes in three sizes, small, medium, or large, and the latter is perfect for traveling. The exterior has secure side pockets (great for a water bottle or umbrella) and open the main compartment to reveal a secure laptop sleeve and zip pockets for smaller items.

Also, the neoprene material is water-resistant and easily washable. This is a bag that's functional, but also quite fashionable with a range of colors, including blue, dark moss, heather gray, and a blush pink.

Size: 13.25 x 5.25 x 17.5 in. | Weight: 2.6 lbs.| Material: Neoprene

Best for Adventures: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

The sporty-chic Allpa Travel Pack from Cotopaxi is our pick for any outdoor adventure. The carry-on compatible pack has a 35-liter interior, plus a weight-distributing harness system that includes contoured shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum strap, and a padded hip belt for true comfort, balance, and ease. Crafted from 1608D ballistic nylon paneling and TPU-coated 1000D polyester, the Allpa Travel Pack is designed to withstand years and years of rugged travel. There’s plenty of storage space, too, including spacious mesh compartments on the inside, a suitcase-style zipper opening on the main compartment, two zippered pockets on the top, and padded laptop and tablet sleeves. Four reinforced grab handles provide multiple carry points when you’re not using the shoulder straps. Not to mention, the lightweight pack comes with several travel accessories including mesh laundry bags, a snap-on water bottle sleeve, and a nylon shoe bag.You can pick one up in royal blue, Caribbean blue, spruce green, or black.

Size: 20 x 12 x 8 in. | Weight: 3.8 lbs.| Material: Nylon and polyester

Best Expandable: Briggs & Riley Travelware Suitcase

The Briggs & Riley Expandable Upright utilizes CX technology to expand up to 25 percent, though it’s still relatively lightweight (especially for a hard-sided suitcase), at just 10 pounds. Once you’ve used its expansion properties to pack an extra pair of shoes or blouse, it compresses back down to its original size, to prevent your belongings from shifting around too much. This cult-fave suitcase boasts a ballistic nylon outer exterior that resists the wear-and-tear of travel, and the cushioned top-carry handle and integrated bottom fabric handle combo makes for easy, smooth handling. There are also several organizational compartments: a tri-fold garment folder and panels on the inside, and a large u-zip front pocket, and other small pockets on the outside for easy access.

Size: 25 x 18 x 10.5 in. | Weight: 10.2 lbs.| Material: Nylon

Best Splurge: Tumi Latitude International Carry-On

Invest in a well-made luggage bag like the Latitude International Carry-On from Tumi, which the brand boasts as its most durable, lightweight case. The 22 x 14 x 9-inch hardside spinner weighs only 6 pounds, yet it's constructed out of ballistic material that bends to maximize its packing capacity. The outer shell is also beautifully designed, with a color selection of navy, silver, or black. Its interior boasts two compartments with tie-down straps, zippered pockets, and a hanger bracket for easy packing. Better yet, a three-stage telescoping handle and four, lightweight spinning wheels offer great mobility, while an integrated TSA lock secures everything inside.

Size: 22 x 14 x 9 in. | Weight: 6.24 lbs.| Material: Polypropylene

Best Softshell: Victorinox Swiss Army Connex Medium Softside Case

No more lugging around bulky, heavy suitcases on your next vacation—just get the Connex Medium Softside Case. Though it’s on the lightweight side, 9.5 pounds, this sleek suitcase makes optimal use of space, with a spacious main compartment that expands. The smooth-rolling Lisof wheels are near silent when in use and there’s even an integrated multi-tool (inspired by the Swiss Army Knife) that has an ID tag, pen, and SIM card replacement gadget.

Size: 11.8 x 17.3 x 25.6 in. | Weight: 9.5 lbs.| Material: Nylon

Best Hard Sided: Calpak Ambeur Carry-On

Fitting the Ambeur Carry-On in an overhead bin is easy. This sharp-looking 22-inch suitcase on spinner wheels will get you through the airport with no trouble, and the hard-sided fabric is both fade- and scratch-resistant. The adjustable height trolley comes in handy, and the interior pockets allow for easy access to all your belongings (there’s even a removable mesh accessory pocket on the inside, alongside the main compartment). Ultra-stylish, with clean lines and made from high-quality materials, the Ambeur is great for those who don’t need a ton of packing space.

Size: 22 x 14 x 8.5 in. | Weight: 6 lbs.| Material: Polycarbonate

Frequently Asked Questions

• How small does luggage have to be to fit in the overhead compartment on planes?

  Typically, carry-on bags must be 9 x 14 x 20 inches (including handles and wheels) or smaller to be able to be placed in the overhead compartment. That being said, you should always check your airline’s specific requirements and size chart before your trip.

• Does luggage that’s designed to be lightweight still come with expandable capacity?

  Yes, just because a piece of luggage is lightweight doesn’t mean it can’t expand (which is great news for over-packers). Even smaller suitcases can have expandable capacity.

The Best Checked Luggage According to Our Tests | by TripSavvy