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I know that soft-sided suitcases don’t look particularly cool, but they have other advantages over their hard-sided rivals. Fabric luggage is more lightweight than plastic luggage, as well as more durable and repairable. And while plastic is rigid, fabric can flex and expand to accommodate a few extra pairs of socks or souvenirs. Hard suitcases have to be fully unzipped and unpacked every time you need to grab an item from inside, but soft ones have external pockets in which to stash small useful stuff.
And hey, they aren’t as ugly as they used to be. “Soft cases are having a bit of a refresh moment right now, with several of the newer brands coming out with appealing designs,” says luggage and bag designer Rebecca Stevenson. Even Away, the brand famous for making cute hard luggage, has come out with a puffy fabric case that features the same smooth spinner wheels as its plastic carry-on. Below you’ll find the best soft suitcases for different sorts of trips, as tested by myself and other globe-trotting experts. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the best carry-on backpacks and the best toiletry bottles.
What we’re looking for
Weight and capacity
“Soft bags are typically made with either polyester or nylon, which are really lightweight materials that could save you a few precious ounces of your weight limit,” says Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of baggage delivery service LugLess. Still, some soft bags are lighter and smaller than others, so I’ve noted the different weights and capacities for each of those listed below. For what it’s worth, polyester weighs less than nylon, but nylon is more waterproof and rip-resistant.
Compartments and dividers
Materials aside, layout is the main differentiator between hard and soft luggage. Whereas most hard suitcases unzip clamshell style to reveal two compartments of almost equal capacity, soft suitcases typically have just one deep compartment with a flat lid on top. I like deep suitcases because they free up some hotel floor while I’m rummaging around for my clothes — clamshell suitcases take up double the amount of space when they’re opened up. Also, if you’re carrying any large objects, “a case with a larger single compartment probably makes more sense,” says Stevenson. To make packing and unpacking a single-compartment suitcase a bit easier, I looked for options with internal compression straps, dividers, laundry sleeves, and other organizational features.
External pockets and expansion
The best soft suitcases have quick-access pockets for small items and electronics, meaning that you don’t have to unzip your entire suitcase to access your charging cables or extra sweater. Many can also expand an extra inch or two to accommodate the shopping you get done on your trip. Below you’ll find soft suitcases suitable for both overpackers and minimalists.
Warranty and repairs
Any luggage-repair shop will tell you that a cracked plastic suitcase is likely destined for landfill, whereas a ripped fabric one can probably be salvaged. Some brands take this even further and offer generous warranties and in-house repair programs — definitely a perk that’s worth paying a little extra for if you have the budget.
Best soft suitcase overall
Weight and capacity: 9.6 lbs., 47 liter (carry-on) 9.8 lbs., 97 liter (medium checked) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, removable compression packing cubes, shoe bags, and laundry bag | External pockets and expansion: External laptop pocket, two-inch expansion | Warranty and repairs: Limited lifetime warranty and three-year airline-damage coverage
Travelpro’s luggage is used and recommended by flight crews around the world. As Kohout puts it, the brand “has been around for decades and is widely respected in the industry — you know you’ll get a high-quality bag from them.” The nylon VersaPack+ is Travelpro’s latest and greatest soft suitcase, and upon receiving mine I was immediately impressed by the sturdy metal telescoping handle and four smooth spinner wheels, which happen to match the exterior fabric color. This is a nice touch that makes the suitcase look more elevated. I also like that this suitcase is ready for adventure and that you don’t need to purchase additional packing cubes to complete your system. It comes equipped with an internal compression packing cube system, two shoe bags, and a laundry bag. There’s also a waterproof compartment for toiletries. Given the materials and workmanship, I feel really confident that mine will last me for many years. If it doesn’t, a limited lifetime repair and replacement warranty covers any defects to its wheels, zippers, extension handles, and carrying handles. Plus, the brand’s Trusted Companion Promise covers the cost of repair for damage caused by an airline for the first three years of ownership.
Best less-expensive soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 5.4 lbs., 46 liter (carry-on) 6.8 lbs., 91 liter (medium checked) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, laundry sleeve, straps | External pockets and expansion: External laptop pocket, two-inch expansion | Warranty and repairs: Limited lifetime warranty and one-year airline-damage coverage
If you are loyal to your packing cubes or just want a simple and lightweight bag that’s built to last, opt for Travelpro’s cheaper Maxlite over the VersaPack. “To score a suitcase at this price point from a legacy brand is a steal that is guaranteed to last you years of travel,” says Kohout. “The Maxlite is really lightweight and has features like waterproofing, a telescopic handle, and expandable compartments that rival luxury bags.” Many travel experts feel the same, including TripSavvy’s former general manager Molly Fergus, who has traveled with her Maxlite across Miami, Cancun, and all over Europe: “It’s survived being dragged across sand, dirt, and cobblestones,” she says. Travelpro’s limited lifetime guarantee covers defects to the wheels, zippers, extension handles, and carrying handles, and this lasts for however long you own it. And the Maxlite 5 is covered by Travelpro’s Trusted Companion Promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage caused by an airline, for the first year of ownership.
Best stylish soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 9.8 lbs., 44.3 liter (carry-on) 14.8 lbs., 111.5 liter (checked) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, laundry bag, compression strap system | External pockets and expansion: Two front pockets, 1.75-inch expansion | Warranty and repairs: Limited lifetime warranty
Away’s soft suitcase is essentially a fabric version of the brand’s popular polycarbonate design that we’ve been testing and recommending for many years. I like its exceptionally smooth spinner wheels, internal compression system that makes packing a breeze, sturdy zippers, and telescoping handle that clicks firmly into place. And as with the original Away suitcase, there’s an unusually watertight lifetime warranty. Some key additions include two padded front pockets for quick access to your laptop and other essentials, as well as a handy hidden grab-handle next to the wheels. The Away Softside is also just a bit more stuffable compared to the rigid polycarbonate original. It is much prettier than the Travelpros above, and a joy to wheel around.
Best (less expensive) stylish soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 5.3 lbs., 22.5 liter (Mini carry-on) 6.4 lbs., 31 liter (carry-on) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, mesh pockets, straps | External pockets and expansion: Two front pockets, no expansion | Warranty and repairs: Two-year limited warranty
Calpak’s colorful bags are a favorite among many travel industry experts that I’ve interviewed over the years. Katy Nastro of flight deals subscription service Going says the brand is a good affordable alternative to Away, and Kohout also names it as a “tried and true” option that holds up really well on all sorts of trips. The Luka carry-on is lightweight and easy to roll around, and its puffiness makes me feel like my stuff is padded and protected from harm. Its four spinner wheels aren’t quite as smooth as those on my Away, but they get the job done.
Best expandable soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 10 lbs., 48 liter (Carry-on) 12.5 lbs., 97 liter (medium checked) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, garment folder, compression straps, mesh pockets | External pockets and expansion: Large exterior pocket for laptop, smaller battery pack pocket for phone | Warranty and repairs: Lifetime repair and replacement warranty, no receipt needed
Briggs & Riley have solved one of the great expandable suitcase dilemmas by designing one that really does compress back down to its normal size once it has been zipped up. This helps avoid any issues at the check-in counter baggage sizer, and also makes life easier when cramming your carry-on into the overhead. I found that this compression feature worked much better than others I’ve used, and I also like the bag’s general layout. An internal divider system lets you separate two layers of clothes, and a hidden garment bag can keep a suit or gown looking neat. It’s an outfit overpacker’s dream.
Best (less-expensive) expandable soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 8.2 lbs., 40 liter (Carry-on) 10 lbs., 112 liter (Large checked) | Compartments and dividers: Deep main compartment, compression straps, compression divider, mesh sleeves, expandable laundry bag | External pockets and expansion: External pocket, two-inch expansion | Warranty and repairs: Limited 10-year global warranty
Kohout calls the Samsonite Elevation not only the best suitcase she’s ever owned, but also just “one of the best items I’ve ever purchased.” Over the past decade it has endured “cruise ships, European cobblestones, Rocky Mountain dust and dirt, you name it — and has never had so much as a tear.” Like the Briggs & Riley above, it offers many smart packing features designed to maximize space, including two inches of expansion (tapered to have more space at the bottom, which makes it easier to zip up once you’re finished stuffing your clothes in), dividers and compression straps, and a wet pocket for toiletries or dirty clothes. Another cool and slightly underrated feature is the telescoping handle, which offers one-inch height adjustments rather than the standard two height levels that most brands have.
Best dual-access soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 10.7 lbs., 35 liter (carry-on) 16.7 lbs., 108 liter (medium checked) | Compartments and dividers: Clamshell compartments, garment sleeve, mesh pockets, zip divider | External pockets and expansion: External pocket, two-inch expansion | Warranty and repairs: Limited lifetime warranty
What Rimowa is to aluminum suitcases, Tumi is to nylon ones. The luxury brand has a strong reputation for durability and customer service should anything go wrong — its luggage is “bound to last many years and has been engineered to work super hard,” says Kohout. I spent an afternoon at the brand’s flagship in Soho comparing its fabric luggage, and the Alpha range is what I’d recommend for most people. It’s constructed from ballistic nylon that feels much more substantial than polyester, and protective plastic side panels and bumper rails will help keep your souvenirs safe. Unusually, this suitcase can be opened as a clamshell to reveal two compartments, but also unzips on top for quicker access to what’s inside. I really like this best-of-both-worlds design. As you’d expect for the price point, Tumi guarantees its products for life and offers a dedicated repair and replace program. You can find Tumi stores in capital cities around the world, which means that if a zipper fails while you’re on vacation, you can go get it swapped for a new one free of charge.
Best (less-expensive) dual-access soft suitcase
Weight and capacity: 10 lbs., 41 liter (Carry-on) 11 lbs., 66 liter (Large checked) | Compartments and dividers: Clamshell compatments, compression system, zipper divider | External pockets and expansion: Laptop pocket, phone and passport pocket, expandable | Warranty and repairs: Limited lifetime warranty
Dagne Dover’s dual-access luggage is slightly more affordable than Tumi’s. I like that I am able to unzip my Seattle carry-on from the front or fully open it up like a clamshell, and its tall and slim proportions are rather elegant. The wheels are smooth and the telescoping handle reliable; everything stays secure inside with the help of interior dividers and compression straps. As Dagne Dover is less ubiquitous than Tumi, you won’t be able to walk into a store in Rome and get a broken zipper replaced right away. But a limited lifetime warranty does cover manufacturing defects, broken handles and wheels, non-functional zippers, and fabric tears.
Our experts
• Molly Fergus, former manager, TripSavvy
• Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of LugLess
• Katy Nastro, company spokesperson, Going
• Rebecca Stevenson, freelance bag and accessories designer
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
