Best softside luggage of 2024
If you're looking to invest in a new piece of luggage for the new year, you have a lot of options. While some people may prefer pricier polycarbonate luggage or aluminum luggage, like Rimowa's luxury grooved options, many shoppers opt for softside luggage. Made with materials such as polyester and woven nylon, soft-sided luggage provides decent protection at a much more affordable price.
Here are some of the best soft-sided luggage options available online in 2024, based on user reviews and analysis from our CBS Essentials luggage experts.
The best soft-sided luggage of 2024
We rounded up some of the most highly rated softside duffles, carry-on and checked bag options from brands like Samsonite, Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Ghurka, SwissGear and more.
- Best expandable softside luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite
- Best lightweight soft sided luggage: Travelpro Maxlite 5
- Best Samsonite softside luggage: Samsonite Bartlett spinner
- Best luxury softside luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline
- Best leather softside luggage: Ghurka Packet No. 83
- Best budget softside luggage: SwissGear Sion rolling luggage
Keep reading to learn more about why each of these softsided luggage option made our best picks list for 2024.
Best expandable softside luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite
Available in two checked sizes, 25 inches and 29 inches, the Travelpro Platinum Elite spinner has a luxury look. Constructed out of a stain-resistant fabric with stylish leather accents, the Platinum Elite features an internal tie-down system, a built-in foldable suiter, and a removable, TSA-compliant wet pocket for toiletries.
Need more room? The suitcase also boasts a tapered expansion, offering an extra two inches when needed. Prices vary by color.
Why we like the Travelpro Platinum Elite:
- Travelpro offers a lifetime warranty.
- The TSA-approved lock keeps your belongings secure.
- Reviewers praise the bag's durability.
Best lightweight soft sided luggage: Travelpro Maxlite 5
A less expensive (but highly rated) option from Travelpro, the ultra-lightweight Maxlight 5 offers a smooth ride on four spinner wheels and expanding capability (up to two inches) for when you need extra space.
It's available in two carry-on and two checked sizes, and in a variety of colors. You can also purchase two or three-piece luggage sets.
Why we like the Travelpro Maxlite 5:
Best Samsonite softside luggage: Samsonite Bartlett spinner
The soft-sided Bartlett is one of the most affordable suitcases from Samsonite-- and one of its bestselling suitcases, too. The polyester, soft-shell suitcase features multi-directional spinner wheels, a retractable handle and interior organizational pockets.
"My favorite bags, all sizes! They last forever! I travel extensively internationally and this is my bag. I use the smaller version as carry-on and [the medium spinner] as a checked bag." shared one reviewer.
Why we like the Samsonite Bartlett spinner luggage:
Best luxury softside luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline
The Briggs & Riley Baseline is one of the sleekest and most luxurious soft-sided suitcases you can get on Amazon. It features shock-absorbing spinner wheels, a one-touch expansion system and a tri-fold garment folder that holds up to two suits without wrinkling. The bag also boasts a power pocket for storing a battery pack. and shock-absorbing spinner wheels for gliding through the airport.
Available in a bunch of sizes, the suitcases come with straps so you can stack and secure them together for easy transport.
Why we like the Briggs & Riley Baseline luggage:
Best leather softside luggage: Ghurka Packet No. 83
A great garment bag keeps fine clothing from getting wrinkled, including business suits and dresses. This leather, tri-fold offers ample space for hanging clothes and folds up into a carry-on sized bag.
Other features include a large exterior zipper pocket for smaller items, an exterior pouch for travel documents and other easily accessible zipper pockets to stash miscellaneous items. Available in vintage black and vintage chestnut leather and khaki twill with leather accents.
Why we like the Ghurka Packet No. 83
Best budget softside luggage: SwissGear Sion rolling luggage
Travelers on a budget should check out the SwissGear Sion, a highly rated softside suitcase. The no-frills model offers multiple front pockets to stash travel documents, a telescopic handle and spinner wheels.
Available as a carry-on, in two checked sizes and in several colors. Prices vary by size and color. The price shown below is for the carry-on in black.
Why we like the SwissGear Sion rolling luggage:
Softside luggage vs. Hardside luggage: How to choose
Should you buy a softside suitcase or hardside luggage in 2024? While both types made our best luggage of 2024 list, it all comes down to personal preference.
Hard-sided suitcases offer more protection for breakables. If you're only traveling with clothes and other non-fragile items, soft-sided luggage offers more give while packing.
Price is a major factor, too. Hardside luggage tends to be more expensive than nylon softside luggage. That said, there are plenty of budget hardside options, and plenty of high-end softside luggage options made from leather and other premium materials.
One con to soft-sided luggage: Their fabric can be prone to tearing. That's why we think it's important to choose a well-constructed, well-reviewed suitcase, like the ones listed.
