Trunk Luggage: Unveiling the Best Options for Travelers
Getting ready for a long-haul flight? When you have a lot to pack and carry with you, you need a suitcase that can go the distance. Trunk luggage is bigger and more durable than your traditional carry-on, making it the ideal pick for flying with a checked bag and securing your belongings in the luggage hold. These are the best picks for trunk luggage in 2024.
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10 best trunk-style luggage and suitcases for 2024
1. Best trunk luggage with interior compression: Away
If you’re looking for iconic trunk luggage that can go the distance, then we recommend this little number from Away. Constructed using a durable and impact-resistant polycarbonate shell, this trunk luggage features a deep main compartment and an internal compression system with interior pockets that empower you to maximize your packing efficiency. In true Away fashion, this luggage comes with a removable laundry bag, boasts 360-degree wheels for seamless maneuverability, and is offered in distinctive colors including Seafoam, Olive, and the timeless Black option.
Price: starting at $435
2. Best vintage-style trunk luggage: Steamline Luggage
Trunk luggage has a reputation for being resilient and durable … but it’s not always so stylish. To combine trend-setting chic with reliable strength, turn to The Architect Stowaway from Steamline Luggage. Available in burgundy, cream, or navy, this trunk luggage delivers a vintage-inspired flair with modern essentials for comfortable, fashionable travel in the air. Inside, it's lined with an Art Deco-inspired print. Outside, it features a telescopic handle, TSA-approved locks, and silent-glide wheels.
Price: starting at $895
3. Best durable trunk luggage: Travelpro
Originally designed for aviation professionals, Travelpro is the go-to source for efficient travel in the sky. When you need to fly with a heavy load, you can check in with confidence with the Travelpro® x Travel + Leisure® Large Check-In Trunk Spinner. Its 100% polycarbonate exterior hard shell stands up tough against bumps and scrapes, while its zinc corner armors give extra protection to high-impact areas. And with genuine leather trim and carry handles, you can enjoy rough-and-tough durability alongside timeless elegance every time you travel.
Price: starting at $695
4. Best personalized trunk luggage: July
Arguably the worst part of checking a bag when flying is searching for your luggage at the carousel. But with a personalized suitcase, you can help reduce the odds of a stranger accidentally grabbing your boring black suitcase instead of their boring black suitcase. The Checked Trunk from July is available in nine eye-popping shades, from Cherry Red and Coastal Blue to Matte Moss Green. Better yet, you can add your monogram to the glazed polycarbonate shell for even more personalization (and style) when you travel.
Price: starting at $545
5. Best carry-on size trunk luggage: Calpak
Trunk luggage is strong, durable, and resilient. And it’s also usually oversized. If you want to secure your belongings when you fly but don’t want to check a bag, then turn to Trnk Carry-On Luggage from Calpak. Available in Pink Sand, Hazel, and Moss, as well as limited-edition shades like Jade and Poppy, this trunk luggage will put some spring in your step when you arrive at the airport. But there’s more to this suitcase than the vibrant color palette. It also expands up to 2 inches (hooray for all the over-packers out there!) and features a TSA-approved lock, an extending handle, and 360° spinner wheels.
Price: starting at $195
6. Best aluminum trunk luggage: Sterling Pacific
There's nothing more durable (or chic) than aluminum luggage, and this pick from Sterling Pacific is the cream of the crop. The 35L Cabin Travel Case features a full aluminum body with impact-bearing ridges and reinforced aluminum corners to keep your gear safe and secure from takeoff ‘til landing. Even the wheels are reinforced with aluminum wheel housings so you don’t have to worry about things breaking along the way. Best of all, this aluminum trunk luggage features Italian full-grain leather handles to make transport as comfortable as it is secure.
Price: starting at $1,950
7. Best affordable trunk luggage: Level8
Trunk luggage has a reputation for being robust and rugged, and if you shop from the right brands, it can even be stylish. But trunk luggage also has a reputation for being expensive. That’s why we love this pick from Level8. Their Luminous Trunk Luggage 28” offers all the functionality and durability of most trunk luggage—but at a much more affordable price. Made of Bayer Makrolon®, this trunk luggage features a scratch-resistant hard shell, ultra-quiet 360° spinner wheels, an aluminum alloy handle, and a TSA-approved combination lock to give you function and security—without cutting into your travel budget.
Price: starting at $279
8. Best medium-sized trunk luggage: Briggs & Riley
When you need more than a carry-on suitcase but you’re not ready to commit to an oversized checked suitcase, the Medium Hardside Trunk Spinner from Briggs & Riley is there to meet you in the middle. This medium-sized trunk luggage is designed to give you the best of both worlds, offering up more packing space than a small carry-on but weighing less than a large piece of trunk luggage. You can count on its three-layer Makrolon® polycarbonate material to withstand scuffs and scrapes and its mesh lid pocket and cinch-down garment panels to help you arrive at your final destination organized and wrinkle-free.
Price: starting at $669
9. Best trunk luggage with closet shelves: Solgaard
If you’re the clean queen and you’re always searching for new ways to stay organized when you travel, then you’re going to love this trunk luggage from Solgaard. Appropriately dubbed the Check-In Closet, this large check-in suitcase features a unique built-in shelving system to give you the feeling of (organized) home sweet home, wherever you are. Better yet, it’s all secured and protected by a waterproof, scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell and TSA-approved lock.
Price: starting at $425
10. Best anti-theft trunk luggage: Traveler’s Choice
Checking a bag during a long-haul flight can be a little nerve-wracking. If you suffer from bag-separation anxiety, then give yourself some peace of mind with the Ultimax II Large Trunk Spinner from Traveler’s Choice. Featuring a double-coil burst-resistant anti-theft zipper and a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, you can rest easy knowing your bag is secure—even when it’s out of sight. It even comes with a clear luggage cover so you can protect your luggage from dirt and scratches along the way.
Price: starting at $300
Trunk luggage - common FAQs
Is trunk luggage good to travel with?
Trunk luggage is great for long-haul flights when you need to bring a lot with you. Trunk luggage is bigger and more durable than your average carry-on suitcase, so it gives you both extra packing space and better protection when you’re embarking on a cross-country or cross-continental trip.
Is trunk luggage durable?
You bet! Trunk luggage is some of the most durable luggage out there, so you can be sure it’ll keep your gear secure in the luggage hold on a long-haul flight. Plus, if you invest in high-quality trunk luggage, you can usually expect it to last for over a decade, even with frequent use.
What are the best brands for trunk luggage?
For trunk luggage you can count on to stand the test of time, Travelpro and Sterling Pacific are some of the most well-known brands in the travel industry. For modern brands that put a fun twist on classic trunk luggage, check out the options from July and Calpak.
