The Best Hardside Luggage For Durable, Secure And Stylish Travel 2023

After your flights and hotels are booked for that dream vacation, the next most important detail on your travel checklist should be securing a durable suitcase you can rely on—and that’s where hardside luggage comes in. Whether your luggage is being shoved into a tight underseat space, tossed into a car trunk or propelled down a carousel, chances are high that it will be put through the ringer before you land. The best hardside luggage can ensure that your personal items are kept safe and secure, meaning you can carry on your suitcase or check it in at the airport with the confidence that everything inside of it will remain in one piece.

Durable hardside luggage is an excellent choice for making sure your belongings are safe and ... [+] protected.

Hardside luggage has seen a significant rise in popularity, and it’s not difficult to see why. With stand-out luggage brands like Away, Monos, July and more, the world of hardside luggage has racked up some major style points in the last few years (alongside being generally easier to wipe clean). And while softside luggage can be great for overpackers, several luggage brands have debuted expandable hardside luggage options, providing the best of both worlds. If you’re looking to add a trustworthy hardside suitcase to your travel set-up, we’ve selected the best hardside luggage in both carry-on and check-in sizes that will keep your travels stress-free in 2023.

Away

Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.4 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: 100-day return policy and limited lifetime warranty

Away’s bigger carry-on is an excellent overall choice for the traveler looking for a reliable hardside suitcase at a reasonable price point. Its durable polycarbonate hard shell is fairly easy to clean and its 360-degree spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver on days when you really need to book it to your gate. It also comes with a built-in compression system, an ejectable USB for charging electronics on the go and a foldable laundry bag. The brand is known for its modern, sleek design and has a handful of color options to choose from, as well as options in check-in sizes.

Rimowa

Dimensions: 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inch inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Register online for a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee

For travelers looking to make a serious investment in high quality hardside luggage, Rimowa’s Essential Cabin suitcase should be at the top of your list. Hand-crafted in Germany, the brand is a staple of every luxury travel set-up, with a one-of-a-kind multi-mounted wheel system that will make gliding to your gate feel like a breeze. The Essential Cabin is made of lightweight polycarbonate and comes with both a built-in TSA-approved lock and a flex divider to help keep you organized. Rimowa suitcases are built to last, meaning your money will go far, but if you end up needing a repair, the brand oversees a network of care centers and in-hotel concierges.

Monos

Dimensions: 30 × 21 × 11 inches | Weight: 10.5 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Monos has quickly become a highly spotted name brand in airports around the globe—not surprising, given that we named it one of the best luggage brands on the market. For those looking to secure a sturdy and dependable checked baggage option, the brand’s large Check-In is made out of aerospace-grade polycarbonate, known for its extreme durability, and features tough YKK zippers that can withstand every type of pull. The Check-In also features 360-degree silent-run spinner wheels that are easy to maneuver and an internal compression pad that will allow you to squeeze in multiple extra outfits. In an effort to stand out from one of its competitors, Away, Monos offers a chic and stylish color selection, including hues like Teracotta and Rose Quartz.

July

Dimensions: 28 × 16.5 × 14.5 inches | Weight: 13.2 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Buzzy Australian brand July is another name that made our list of best luggage brands, and their lightweight and aesthetically pleasing trunk luggage is perfect for travelers who are packing for an extensive trip in style. With a multi-height softly padded handle, whisper quiet spinner wheels and a glazed polycarbonate shell, the brand’s Checked Trunk will make a suitcase packed with items for a multi-week trip feel as light as a cloud. July is inarguably making the best-looking trunk luggage on the market right now—we’re personally fond of their Light Sand color, which recalls the color of ballet slippers.

Béis

Dimensions: 18.75 x 12 x 30.5 inches | Weight: 11.8 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty on manufacturing defects

Chronic overpackers need look no further than Béis for hardside luggage; The brand’s Large Check-In Roller allows for two inches of extra expansion that will allow you to stuff in what you need. When you’re finished, you can triple check that your bag is good to go with a built-in weight-limit indicator that will keep you in check—when you lift the suitcase by the side-carry handle, a red mark will appear if the luggage is over 50 pounds, the standard weight limit for checked bags.

Arlo Skye

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: 5-year warranty on manufacturing defects

For travelers looking for that extra mile of organization, Arlo Skye’s Zipper Carry-On provides a large front pocket roomy enough to fit a laptop or tablet, alongside forgiving zipper technology that stretches up to an extra inch. In addition to its eye-catching sunshine yellow shade—courtesy of a limited-edition collaboration—the Carry-On Max is also equipped with a TSA-approved lock and a blazing fast built-in charger which promises to fill a phone battery halfway in 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a zipperless option, The Frame Check-In is also an excellent choice.

Tumi

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: 5-year warranty

Tumi is a trusted name for high-quality luggage, and their durable, aluminum international carry-on suitcase is one of the best on the market. For travelers planning on international travel that could require long flights and multiple layovers, it doesn’t get more sturdy than this hardshell case, which gets extra points for its uniquely contoured design, bumpers to shield your suitcase from any damage, and sturdy compression straps to keep everything in place. To protect your investment, the brand also offers a Tracer Product Recovery Program, a complimentary tracking service Tumi offers that allows you to track your suitcase with an ID number that can be registered with Tumi.

Level8

Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 10.14 pounds | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

For those traveling with valuables or who want to be extra, extra sure their belongings won’t get jostled to and fro, Level8’s Gibraltar Carry On is a no-brainer. The suitcase’s aluminum-magnesium alloy hardshell can resist temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and is durable enough to still keep everything in place no matter how hard it’s tossed, bumped or rattled. Its reinforced metal corner guards and side bumper give the suitcase extra protection, and the brand offers an unlimited lifetime warranty, making this bag an investment worth taking a shot on.

When the time comes to invest in new hardside luggage, the Forbes Vetted travel section relies on expert advice, independent reviews and personal experience before making any recommendations. We also take into consideration the factors that separate one piece of luggage from the next. This includes not only common variables such as size, weight, build quality and features, but also how you intend to use your luggage, the kind of trip you’re going on and what you’ll be packing. We’ve published a number of luggage guides that provide detailed information on which luggage pieces are well-suited for travel and which ones you can do without.