The luggage you choose can set the tone for your entire trip. In this article, I will review the best rated hardside luggage brands and go over their durability, design, features, pricing, and how much bang for your buck you get.
Whether you’re after more affordable luggage to use on a regular basis or you want to treat yourself to some luxurious luggage, these brands have options suited for every type of travel, packing style, and budget.
Key Points & Top Rated Hardside Luggage Brands to Buy
- Away: Trendy durable polycarbonate shells feature compression systems and sleek designs.
- Monos: Minimalist Japanese-inspired designs offer spacious interiors and exceptionally sturdy construction.
- Rimowa: Luxury travel icon featuring grooved aluminum and high-end engineering technology.
- Samsonite: Trusted household name offering lightweight polycarbonate luggage at excellent value.
- Carl Friedrik: Luxury aluminum-and-leather cases combine timeless style with refined craftsmanship.
- Delsey Paris: Elegant French styling meets secure patented puncture-resistant zipper technology.
- TUMI: Ultra-robust luggage engineered for business travelers needing superior organization.
- Briggs & Riley: Premium hardside luggage offers durability and a lifetime guarantee.
- Calpak: Fun colors, laptop-friendly front pockets, and practical shells attract travelers.
- Paravel: Sustainable luggage features carbon-neutral polycarbonate shells and recycled materials.
- July: Lightweight customizable hardside cases suit overpackers with smart ergonomic shapes.
- Level 8: Affordable anti-scratch polycarbonate luggage features smooth, silent-rolling wheels.
- Travelpro: Flight-crew trusted brand offers reliable engineering and robust hardside luggage.
- Solgaard: Tough polycarbonate shells feature the innovative Carry-On Closet shelving system.
- American Tourister: Affordable colorful hard-shell luggage delivers dependable performance for travelers.
15 Top Rated Hardside Luggage Brands to Buy
1. Away
As the first company to successfully pioneer the creation of fashionable, hard polycarbonate suitcases, Away is now the luggage brand of choice for many travelers.
Frequent travelers not only love Away’s durable luggage, but also the organization features and packing aids Away supplies inside their suitcases including compression systems.
Monos has perfected the art of packing design, with clean, modern lines and minimalist luggage. Assemble your first Monos suitcase and you will never want to fly with anything else.
Away Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable polycarbonate shells provide reliable impact protection. | Premium pricing may exceed many budget travelers’ expectations. |
| Compression system helps maximize and organize packing space. | Minimalist design may feel less distinctive to some buyers. |
| Sleek, modern appearance suits contemporary travelers. | Some features vary between individual luggage collections. |
| Strong brand appeal and convenient travel-focused design. | Polycarbonate can still show scratches after |
2. Monos
Monos provides hardside suitcases that are beautiful, sophisticated, and reflective of modern travel.
With a spacious and thoughtfully designed layout, Monos luggage systems provide their users with peace of mind throughout the entire journey with protective luggage that is durable and robust.
The seamless construction of Monos luggage caters to travelers that want durable luggage without excessive branding.
Monos luggage focuses on refinement with an emphasis on simplicity and design with a generous amount of packing space.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Minimalist Japanese-inspired styling looks sophisticated and timeless. | Premium pricing can make it expensive for occasional travelers. |
| Spacious interiors provide useful packing capacity. | Limited decorative styling may not suit colorful-luggage preferences. |
| Strong construction supports frequent travel. | Availability and model selection can vary by market. |
| Clean interior organization simplifies packing. | Some travelers may prefer more external-access compartments. |
3. Rimowa
Rimowa has rightfully earned its fame as one of the best luxury luggage brands. This brand instantly classes up the Mid-Jet with their grooved aluminum cases.
Rimowa definitely isn’t lacking in the case engineering department considering their luggage is designed to be robust and portable.
This brand actually has the gall to charge the big bucks for luggage that is actually beautiful and functional.
Rimowa’s luggage defies the laws of bigger luggage by offering a high-quality, luxury case that promises durability and function. If you’re looking for the best luggage in the world, you’ve probably arrived at Rimowa.
Rimowa Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Iconic grooved aluminum construction offers exceptional durability. | Significantly more expensive than most competing luggage brands. |
| Premium engineering provides smooth, refined performance. | Aluminum cases can become visibly dented during rough handling. |
| Distinctive design offers strong luxury appeal. | Heavier than many lightweight polycarbonate alternatives. |
| Excellent choice for luxury-conscious frequent travelers. | High price makes it a substantial investment. |
4. Samsonite
Samsonite is arguably the most reputable luggage brand for everything but luxury luggage. They’re in the game over 100 years and have good cases to offer for various types of travelers.
Samsonite uses lightweight polycarbonate in order to give luggage mids the protective edge without the inherent heft.
Samsonite has numerous options in the size, weight, and price departments to appeal to both family and corporate travel. Samsonite is consistent luggage for most travelers that falls comfortably below luxury luggage.
Samsonite Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide selection provides options across different budgets. | Some entry-level models may have simpler construction. |
| Lightweight polycarbonate options reduce carrying weight. | Product quality can vary significantly between collections. |
| Established reputation provides strong consumer familiarity. | Designs may feel less exclusive than premium competitors. |
| Generally offers excellent value for everyday travelers. | Premium collections can become comparatively expensive. |
5. Carl Friedrik
The company Carl Friedrik makes something for modern travelers, and that is sophisticated luggage.
With aluminum frames and leather details, their hardside luggage is made from attributes that travelers have come to expect from quality luggage, but there are refined details that set them apart from luggage that can be found at most mass retail stores.
Flashy designs are for Flashy people. Luxury luggage is about finer details, and these are the perfect bags for business trips and the vacations that are worth an upgrade.
Customers should expect luggage of high quality where all the details, from shape to design to materials, are executed at the highest level.
Exquisite luggage like Carl Friedrik’s ask for a larger investment, but it is luggage worth investing in, especially when design and luxury meet function like they do with Carl Friedrik luggage.
Carl Friedrik Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Aluminum-and-leather construction creates a luxurious appearance. | Higher pricing limits accessibility for budget-conscious travelers. |
| Timeless styling works especially well for business travel. | Aluminum can be heavier than polycarbonate luggage. |
| Premium materials provide a sophisticated overall presentation. | Leather details may require more care than synthetic materials. |
| Distinctive design separates it from mainstream luggage. | Smaller product range than larger established luggage brands. |
6. Delsey Paris
The French luggage company, Delsey Paris, has mastered something unique with their luggage, design within the restraints of function, and practical luggage features.
Most of engineering luggage these days has to do with securing luggage, including patented zips that are puncture resistant, and Delsey has luggage that boasts features like that.
Hardside luggage should maintain a nice sleek finish and sophisticated appearance, and Delsey offers luggage for short trips, long trips, and everything in between.
Modern luggage lovers should appreciate that Delsey has created luggage with beautiful French design, amazing engineering, and practical French functionality.
Delsey Paris Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Elegant French styling provides sophisticated visual appeal. | Some models can be relatively heavy compared with competitors. |
| Patented zipper technology adds useful security features. | Features and materials differ substantially between collections. |
| Offers luggage across multiple sizes and price ranges. | Some premium models can become expensive. |
| Good balance between style, protection, and functionality. | Exterior finishes may show scratches with frequent |
7. TUMI
TUMI is a choice brand for the business traveler due to its organization, durability, and professional styling. Luggage is also designed with construction that is durable and packing features that are designed for business travelers who travel frequently.
Many TUMI designs have smart packing features, storage, and access to travel items. TUMI’s appearance has a corporate and professional look, but also is an engineering marvel.
TUMI is typically in the upper-level price bracket; however, the engineering and organization along with durability and functionality designed for the business traveler makes it a smart investment for travelers.
TUMI Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust construction suits frequent business travel. | Premium pricing makes TUMI relatively expensive. |
| Excellent organization supports business-oriented packing needs. | Some travelers may find the designs understated. |
| Professional styling works well in corporate environments. | Added organizational features can increase overall weight. |
| Strong focus on functionality and long-term travel use. | Not always the best choice for strict budget |
8. Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley is a luggage brand that has made a name for itself in the business travel luggage marketplace because of its focus on long-term ownership and luggage that is designed to be both durable and protective.
The Torq series incorporates construction tactics that are designed to be protective and elegant while also incorporating smart organization for business travelers. Briggs & Riley has a strong customer confidence loyalty program whereby it offers a lifetime guarantee.
This luggage is designed for business travelers, and Briggs & Riley has a strong emphasis to provide such business travelers with reliable and frequent use luggage.
The luggage also incorporates premium construction, along with functionality that is both convenient and smart, plus protective, long-term customer confidence.
Briggs & Riley Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium construction is designed for frequent travelers. | Initial purchase price is relatively high. |
| Lifetime guarantee provides strong long-term ownership value. | Hardside options can be heavier than lightweight alternatives. |
| Durable designs support repeated travel and handling. | Styling is generally more conservative than fashion-focused brands. |
| Excellent reputation for reliability and repair support. | Premium features may be unnecessary for |
9. Calpak
Calpak SmartLuggage incorporates functionality and design to give style-conscious travelers chic hardside cases. Calpak has travelers pick and choose from travel accessories in attractive colors and finishes.
For most models, the front beats with a compartment designed for quick access to laptop, documents, and other everyday essentials.
They have unique polycarbonate shells which provide protection while still looking good. Calpak balances practical everyday travel functionality with modern aesthetics and smart organization.
Calpak Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attractive colors and finishes provide fashionable choices. | Fashion-focused designs may not appeal to minimalist travelers. |
| Front-pocket models offer convenient laptop access. | Front compartments can reduce interior packing capacity. |
| Practical shells provide useful everyday travel protection. | Some lighter designs may prioritize style over ruggedness. |
| Generally appealing to younger and style-conscious travelers. | Color availability can vary between different collections. |
10. Paravel
Paravel serves a niche market for luggage centered around sustainability. They were among the first to incorporate a focus for the use of luggage made from recycled materials and adopt operations that are carbon neutral.
To compliment this focus on sustainability, they also provide protective shells and additional hard case organizers. If you are looking for luggage that is eco-friendly, stylish, and functional, this brand is for you.
Paravel Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sustainability-focused approach appeals to environmentally conscious travelers. | Eco-focused materials and positioning can increase purchase costs. |
| Recycled materials reduce reliance on virgin resources. | Sustainability claims can vary between specific products. |
| Stylish designs combine environmental considerations with functionality. | Smaller selection than major mainstream luggage brands. |
| Carbon-neutral positioning strengthens its eco-conscious appeal. | Travelers prioritizing maximum ruggedness may prefer specialized alternatives. |
11. July
July is perfect for today’s travelers with a unique mixture of customization, modern design and competitive weight. Their hardside cases offer the capacity to accommodate extensive trips, while managing to maintain ease in handles for over-packers.
Beyond the traditional, Zero Halliburton style (square), July offers cases of varying shapes and sizes. High personalization options allow travelers to put their personal touch on their luggage.
For travelers that want an overall lightweight option built for the contemporary traveler, July is an excellent choice.
July Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight construction helps maximize usable packing capacity. | Overpacking can still make the suitcase difficult to carry. |
| Customization options provide a personalized travel experience. | Personalized features may increase overall purchase cost. |
| Ergonomic shapes create a distinctive modern appearance. | Rounded designs may provide slightly different packing efficiency. |
| Particularly useful for travelers needing generous capacity. | Fewer traditional styling options than some |
12. Level 8
Helping to maintain the practical hardside luggage market at a lower price point, Level 8 is most appealing to the price-conscious traveler.
Their Polycarbonate cases offer excellent scratch resistant surface and structure in order to retain their original appearance Level 8 also utilizes smooth, silent touch contact wheels to improve the luggage’s ease of use.
Level 8 does an excellent job at creating contemporary styled luggage with practical travel components, all while avoiding luxury luggage prices.
For the budget conscious buyer looking for modern luggage with quality construction and design, Level 8 is an excellent option.
Level 8 Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing makes premium-style features more accessible. | Brand recognition is lower than established luggage leaders. |
| Anti-scratch polycarbonate helps maintain exterior appearance. | Long-term durability may vary across different models. |
| Smooth, quiet wheels improve airport maneuverability. | Some models may feel heavier when fully packed. |
| Contemporary designs appeal to modern budget-conscious travelers. | Warranty and service availability may depend on location. |
13. Travelpro
Travelpro specializes in constructing luggage systems which travel professionals appreciate. These professionals like features that fulfill daily use scenarios and engineering that helps reduce the overall burden on the user.
Travelpro’s offerings uniquely fulfill these two requests. The brand is synonymous with soft-sided luggage but extends this philosophy into hard-shelled luggage through its hard-sided collections.
Travelpro has built its brand on the engineering and daily use of its luggage, leading to its reputation as a trusted brand for luggage for various travel needs.
Travelpro Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong reputation among airline professionals and frequent travelers. | Some hardside models can be heavier than competitors. |
| Reliable engineering supports repeated travel use. | Styling tends to prioritize function over fashion. |
| Practical designs emphasize maneuverability and durability. | Premium collections can become relatively expensive. |
| Excellent option for frequent flyers seeking dependability. | Hardside selection may be smaller than softside offerings. |
14. Solgaard
Solgaard’s claim to fame is the Carry-On Closet. A unique shelving system enables users to hang the contents of the closet in a suitcase. This serves travelers who do a quick unpack or need to keep their clothes organized.
Aesthetic value is enhanced by a polycarbonate outer shell unit that offers protection throughout the transport. These luggage systems are well designed and innovative, prompting Solgaard to focus on organization, protection, convenience luggage, and design systems.
Solgaard Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Carry-On Closet system creates organized clothing storage. | Internal shelving occupies some usable suitcase space. |
| Polycarbonate shell provides useful exterior protection. | Innovative organization may require adjustment for first-time users. |
| Excellent for travelers who dislike unpacking messily. | Design may not suit travelers preferring simple interiors. |
| Modern concept differentiates Solgaard from traditional luggage. | Specialized features can increase overall |
15. American Tourister
Many budget-minded travelers looking for fashionable luggage without breaking the bank opt for American Tourister. The brand has a wide variety of fun, bright colors and shapes.
Their hard-shell luggage is very protective but offers pockets to increase organization on trips. American Tourister’s luggage is perfect for budgeting travelers, offering a variety of brightly colored luggage pieces in different shapes and sizes, perfect for families as well.
American Touristers durable and colorful luggage is a perfect combination of style and affordability, while offering excellent everyday performance.
American Tourister Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing suits budget-conscious travelers and families. | Entry-level models may offer fewer premium features. |
| Colorful designs appeal to children and younger travelers. | Some designs may appear less sophisticated for business travel. |
| Hard-shell construction provides practical everyday protection. | Durability varies considerably across individual collections. |
| Wide availability makes replacement and purchasing convenient. | Wheels and hardware may not match premium competitors |
Conclusion
In Conclusion: The Best Hardside Luggage Brands For The Money Hardside luggage brands have distinct advantages, and the best hardside luggage brands are all about functionality.
The brand and price of luggage you buy are dependent on your travel frequency and financial needs and determine packing and style preferences. TUMI and Rimowa prioritize fashion and overall quality, while still affordable hard side luggage options exist from American Tourister and Samsonite.
When considering luggage, you must look at the warranty, organization, weight, durability, design, and security. The best luggage can give you peace of mind on your travels with its protection and convenience.
FAQ
Which hardside luggage brand is best for luxury travelers?
Rimowa is renowned for luxury materials, engineering, and iconic aluminum designs.
Which luggage brand offers the best value?
Samsonite provides dependable construction, lightweight options, and competitive pricing for travelers.
Is Away good for frequent travelers?
Yes, Away combines durable shells with practical compression and organization.
Why is Rimowa considered premium luggage?
Rimowa combines distinctive aluminum shells, sophisticated engineering, and luxury craftsmanship.
