The Best Hard Shell Luggage to Buy in 2021 | Junyuan bagsr - Custom Golf Bags & Sports Bag Manufacturer | JUNYUAN BAGS (Since 2004)

Any frequent traveler knows that when you bid farewell to your bag at check-in, the likelihood of it being treated with the care and attention you feel it deserves is low. That's when you turn to hard shell luggage: sturdy, box-like suitcases with hard sides that are typically made of ultra-durable polycarbonate or aluminum (making them easier to sanitize than fabric suitcases). They can handle the wear and tear of being transported by baggage handlers, and have all the perks you'd expect out of high-quality luggage—spinner wheels that can speed through an airport or take on a cobblestoned street, TSA-approved locks, and more often than not, a matching carry-on to consider. Here, the best hard shell luggage that will last for years to come, from trunk-like Calpak bags to retro-looking Steamline suitcases.

This gallery was last published in September 2019. It has been updated with new information.

All products featured on Junyuanr are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage
Among the newest bags on the list is Paravel's first checked-size bag, the Aviator Grand. Launched in November, it's the rare suitcase that can call itself 100 percent carbon neutral—Paravel offsets the cost of the emissions that come from sourcing, assembly, shipping, and delivering the bag to you, as well as from your first trip (based on an average flight). The bag's materials are sourced sustainably, too: It's constructed with a recycled polycarbonate shell, recycled zippers, recycled nylon lining, and vegan leather trim. Beyond that, it's a handsome and chic bag you'll be happy to roll through the airport on that long-awaited next trip, with plenty of room inside; while testing it out, we fit two weeks worth of clothing inside, plus four pairs of shoes and a Dopp kit, and still had room to spare. Other highlights: a smooth, comfortable handle wrapped in vegan leather, carbon steel bearing wheels, and a sturdy (and easy-to-clean) nylon interior lining.
Pros: Sustainably made, rolled smoothly on uneven surfaces, textured exterior to hide scuffs
Cons: Quite a bit of branding on the exterior and interior
$315 at Paravel
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Briggs & Riley Medium Expandable Spinner
One problem with hard shell luggage? There's very little wiggle room when you're packing. Thankfully this large, expandable spinner from Briggs & Riley gives you that much-needed extra room to bring back extras you may have accumulated on the road—it's kitted out with an expansion-compression system that increases packing capacity by 17 percent (a good two inches of extra space). It also has a less pronounced dip on the bottom of the bag, as the handle sits on the exterior of the case, minimizing wrinkles in clothes packed. Another thoughtful touch: the front of the bag curves in to avoid dents or scratches. This is a solid, functional, and well-designed bag with a streamlined look we love.
Pros: Clean lines and minimalist look, plenty of room inside with and without expansion
Cons: Among the heavier bags at 12 pounds, compression system latch can be finicky (watch your fingers)
$629 at Briggs & Riley
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SteamLine Luggage The Diplomat Spinner
For a piece of luggage you'll want to keep around for decades to come, you can't go wrong with Steamline's vintage-inspired luggage. The Diplomat is Steamline's largest four-wheel trunk, mixing the spinner wheels today's travelers have come to expect with a retro style sure to stand out among the crop of minimalist bags popular of late. Available in cream or hunter green, it has gold hardware and tan leather straps to buckle it closed (as well as more secure latches and TSA-approved locks). Inside, there's more room than you'd expect, though if you're someone who likes a ton of compartments, this might not be the bag for you. If you're an unpacker, though, the large singular compartment (and two zippered pockets) won't be a problem.
Pros: Beautiful design, comes with ripstop protective sleeve for use in transit, sturdy leather handles
Cons: Fewer compartments than most, on the heavier side at 12.1 pounds
$925 at Steamline Luggage

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Calpak Jen Atkin Trunk Luggage
As far as trunks go, this Jen Atkin-designed style is a favorite. The hairstylist and entrepreneur created it as part of a Calpak collection, and it is by far the roomiest piece of luggage we tested, with clothes for 18 days and four pairs of shoes fitting easily inside. Unlike the Steamline trunk, this one has compartments on both sides (one much deeper than the other), plus four mesh zippered pocket. The bag's textured exterior stands up to scratches, and it comes with a clear waterproof sleeve for extra protection in transit. Bonus points for the easy-to-close clasps, rather than a wraparound zipper, and the fun, eye-catching red hue (it comes in black, gold, or light pink, too).
Pros: Incredibly roomy, easy to roll despite bulkier size, three handles (top, front, side)
Cons: Requires more storage space than standard bag
~~$385~~ $308 at Calpak
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Arlo Skye The Frame Check-In
Several Traveler editors have been known to roll a piece of Arlo Skye luggage through the airport. The Frame Check-In's polycarbonate shell is lightweight (10.5 pounds) and built around an aluminum frame so it won't get damaged in the hold. We also love the quiet wheels and the zipper-less closure that makes it feel extra-secure (and means none of your clothes will get snagged while you're sitting on top of it, trying to fit in that one last souvenir).
Pros: Zipper-less closure, anti-microbial interior lining
Cons: Not particularly deep, smaller capacity than other check-ins
$495 at Arlo Skye
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Samsonite Tru-Frame Medium Spinner
Samsonite knows how to make light bags. (The absolute lightest we tested, the Lite-Box Medium Spinnner, weighs in under six pounds, though it isn't particularly roomy.) The Tru-Frame is a happy medium; at 9.3 pounds, it's easy to maneuver and ideal for overpackers or winter trips where heavy sweaters and boots are in the mix. Its two sides are even, so it flips open easily and without tumbling to one side; inside, it is very roomy, with pockets to keep you organized and aware of what's where without leafing through each compartment (there are two mesh ones and a clear, half-zip panel). It gets points for a clasp closure, rather than a zipper, making it easier to open and shut.
Pros: Spacious, lightweight, comes with a hanger and hook inside
Cons: Scuffed fairly easily in transit, but most wiped off with a microfiber cleaning cloth
$540 at Samsonite
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Monos Check-In Large
Monos makes premium, made-to-last luggage at a more accessible price point than most luxury suitcase brands. (The Check-In is just under $400, making it one of the most affordable on this list.) We like the Check-In Large, which comes in 10 mostly neutral colors, and has a design not unlike the Away bag, with less noticeable branding. A few design features set it apart, though, like vegan leather trim and a handle with a release button underneath instead of on top, meaning it sits where your grip naturally does. Of all the bags tested, this is the only one with this more intuitive placement. It is on the lighter side at 10.58 pounds, with one zipped side and an open one featuring compression straps, as well as a cover panel with two large pockets.
Pros: Rolled easily over uneven surfaces (door frames, carpet), wide color range, comes with laundry bag and two shoe bags
Cons: Scuffed easily in transit
~~$381~~ $286 at Monos

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Tumi Extended Trip Packing Case
It should come as no surprise that Tumi makes some of the best hard-sided luggage on the market. The Extended Trip Packing Case has an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell with an expandable fabric panel, should you need a bit more space than the 31-inch suitcase allots for. Other features include a two-way zipper, a TSA-approved lock, and on the inside, a hanger bracket plus two zippered compartments and compression straps. Worried about dents or scratches? Embrace it: This is the kind of bag that looks better with age.
Pros: Expandable, Tumi Tracer technology to locate lost bags
Cons: Fewer interior compartments than we'd like
$750 at Nordstrom$750 at Tumi
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Rimowa Original Check-In Wheeled Suitcase
For the past 80 years, German luggage brand Rimowa has been making some of the most durable hard-sided suitcases out there, thanks to its now-iconic aluminum shell. In fact, these bags are so durable that the classic design has been known to survive everything from plane crashes to war zones. Consider it a lifelong investment (hence the steeper price tag). As for the Check-In Large, its interior is fairly standard: two evenly split compartments, both with a mesh zippered sleeve, which can be raised or lowered depending on how much is under each side.
Pros: Grooved exterior minimizes appearance of scuff marks, zipper-less close
Cons: Among the heaviest options at 13.7 pounds, could use more interior pockets
$1,360 at Nordstrom
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Away The Large
Away's trend-setting polycarbonate shell still holds up in its large checked bag, which comes in a dozen shades from blush pink to asphalt gray and sky blue. Like many bags of this material, it scuffs fairly easily, but can be wiped clean with a Magic Eraser or microfiber towel. At under $300, it's among the most affordable on the list. With spinner wheels, a TSA-friendly lock, and matching carry-on sizes that nest into this bag for easy storage, Away's luggage sets continue to be a great lower-cost, quality option for travelers.
Pros: Broad color range, smooth spinner wheels, interior compression straps
Cons: Smaller than other check-ins tested
$295 at Away
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Roam The Journey Check-In
Founded by two former Tumi execs in 2018, Roam has quickly established itself as a competitor thanks to the quality of its designs—scratch-resistant shells, super-smooth wheels, and sturdy handles molded to your grip. Bonus: There are almost never-ending options for customization, meaning you can mix and match everything from the wheels to the zipper to create your ideal bag. We like The Journey as a mid-size option; the brand's Expedition is larger, but this one won't feel like a schlepp to bring along on those trips that require more than a carry-on, but not your whole wardrobe.
Pros: Four height settings on telescopic handle, among the lightest at 9.2 pounds
Cons: For indecisive travelers, the endless color options can feel like a chore (though, stylists are available virtually to help you out)
$550 at Roam