Expert advice on choosing the best luggage: Full-size, carry-on, hardshell and more

This best-selling option from Briggs & Riley (Adames’ pick for the best overall luggage brand thanks to qualities such as “indestructible” wheels) is an investment for sure, but you’ll worry less about repair costs thanks to its lifetime warranty and impeccable construction. Available here in four colors and a variety of sizes to accommodate your travel needs, it also comes with interesting bells and whistles such as one-touch expansion to give you more packing room, a large front pocket for quick access to your essentials and a built-in tri fold garment folder so you can carry more formal attire without it wrinkling in transit.

A more affordable but still high-quality option is the Carry-On Roller from Beis. Crafted from 100% virgin polycarbonate, this bag features 360-degree wheels for seamless rolling, an extendable handle with a soft cushion for comfort, included TSA-approved locks and a variety of colorways to best fit your personal aesthetic.

If you prefer the flexibiity of soft-shell luggage, this Samsonite four-wheel carry-on bag is a great solution. It has rubberized corner protectors to cut down on wear and tear, plenty of pockets inside for premium organization and a two-inch expanding capability so you're able to squeeze in the souvenirs you pick up along the way, but be sure to check airline weight limits to ensure you're not going over!

This carry-on regularly out-performs similar models in post-consumer tests thanks to its lightweight yet durable hard shell, an interior compression system for efficient packing, smooth-rolling wheels and personalization options. The color range makes it easy to match your preferred style.

This Away trunk can store a suggested 18 to 21 outfits for longer getaways, and the durable polycarbonate shell is lightweight despite its strength.As both experts recommended, this one comes with a TSA-approved lock. A double-buckle compression pad offers space-saving, secure storage, and a handle on the reverse end allows for easy carrying should you need a helping hand. And if you’re concerned with home storage, Away’s luggage nestles snugly into each other so sticking with multiple pieces from the brand can save space.

Away's largest suitcase is built for those long-haul trips that last two weeks or more with plenty of space for you to pack the treasures you find on your trip. It also has all the bells and whistles shoppers love about this popular brand like TSA-approved locks, internal compression and more. You have 100 days to return the suitcase unless you have it personalized, but their limited warranty is still in effect for covered damages to parts like zippers or the shell.

Adames mentioned Briggs & Riley several times and told us he rarely, if ever, has seen them come into the shop for repairs. The price of its bags is certainly prohibitive for those on tighter budgets, but as far as investments go, the brand is seen as a gold standard. This popular model claims to be the only hard shell with a hard-side front pocket that hinges open for easy access during travel. Aircraft-grade aluminum gives the handle near-indestructible strength and four stop points on its telescoping system accommodates a wide range of user heights. Best of all? A lifetime warranty guarantees that, even if it’s the airline’s fault, you’ll never pay for damages to the suitcase. For frequent travelers, this could very well pay for itself in a few short years.

Expandable by up to 1.25 inches and engineered with shock-absorbing wheels that spin on a dime, this medium softside Samsonite is an all-around winner that offers plenty of storage and organization options, as well as extra abrasion resisitance and repairability.

While higher-end brands might see less repairs, it can be hard to fork over that much cash at once for a suitcase, especially if you’re leaving for vacation soon. Jones personally uses a version similar to this one, noting he’s “been lucky enough to have it for a while” and praising the smooth roll of Samsonite wheels. Above all else, he urges shoppers to avoid bags that “look cool on the outside but have mechanics on the inside that don’t work as well.” This Samsonite ticks off all his preferred boxes thanks to a shock-absorbing outer layer and four multi-directional spinner wheels, all while offering an attractive look at a budget-friendly price.

For the chronic over-packer, try this softside option that comes with a hideaway ID tag, an outsider handle to avoid wrinkling your clothes and reinforced corner guards. It's also easy to wipe clean, which is always a plus.

While two wheels aren't always the easiest to navigate, the duffle functionality of this bag still makes it a top pick for travelers on a budget. It has a locking pull handle for easy carrying capability, a large U-shaped opening for quick access to your belongings and multiple external handles so you can always grab it and go.

Keep things simple and affordable with this protective backpack that keeps your laptop safe thanks to an internal hammock system that cradles your PC. Padding in the back and straps prevents chafing, too, allowing for a comfortable hands-free carrying experience while you rush between connecting flights.

Another sturdy brand Adames brought up was Bric's, whose weekend bag seen here is inspired by Milano fashion with useful and attractive features such as a large side pocket for holding toiletries and a back belt that makes it easy to attach to a telescoping handle on a larger bag.

If you're on a serious budget and don't have time to shop around for individual pieces, try this all-in-one set from Wrangler that clocks in just under $75. It's sold hundreds of units this month alone to generally positive reviews and while it might not last a lifetime, it's a great deal for the last-minute traveler.

Lost luggage is one of travelers’ biggest nightmares and a great way to keep tabs on it is with AirTags. Jones let us know that while accidents are relatively rare, there’s always the chance your bag could get caught up in processing between home and your destination, but these handy tracking devices can save tons of time when trying to determine the location of your belongings.

If you’re currently using a non-TSA approved lock and want to avoid damage to your bag, pick up a few cheap locks that won’t cause excess headaches at the airport.