At NBC Select, we spend hours researching, testing and reviewing products so that you can be more selective and informed about the things you buy. For our first-ever NBC Select Travel Awards, we spent months thoroughly testing travel gear covering various categories.
We traveled across the globe to Tokyo with hardshell suitcases and packing cubes, commuting to and from our New York City office with weekenders and duffel bags and tried toiletry bags, noise-canceling headphones and more.
After all of our testing, we collected thoughtful feedback for every product. After sifting through all editors’ reviews, we found the products deserving of the Travel Award winner’s stamp of approval.
Below, we rounded up the best hardshell and softshell suitcases, plus information about how we evaluated each product.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best hardshell and softshell suitcases | Best hardshell suitcases | Best softshell suitcases
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How we picked the best hardshell and softshell suitcases
Arguably one of the most important types of bags you’ll take with you on a long-haul trip, a great hardshell and softshell suitcase should be durable, spacious, easy to maneuver and able to hold up well against scratches, scuffs and potential damage (especially if you regularly check in your bags).
- Durability: Overall, we wanted to see that once the bag was fully packed, it was easy to pull and roll around on various surfaces, including carpet, tile and pavement. We also wanted to see if the fully packed suitcases held their shape well with items like clothes and shoes inside. Plus, it was important to ensure that the suitcases held up well against elements such as water or accidental spills.
- Maneuverability: Similar to durability, we prioritized maneuverability in the hardshell softshell suitcases we tested. We wanted to ensure the handles weren’t flimsy or prone to breaking, especially after pulling and handling the bag for hours. Additionally, we wanted to make sure the suitcases were relatively easy for the average person to lift and carry if they plan on using them as carry-ons.
- Spaciousness: We wanted to make sure the suitcases we awarded had sufficient room to hold common articles of clothing such as t-shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, and certain types of shoes. Ideally, the bag would hold at least a few days' worth of outfits. We also wanted to make sure they were compatible with packing cubes, which help to keep belongings more organized.
Best hardshell suitcases
Best overall hardshell suitcase: Away The Bigger Carry-On
Away’s The Bigger Carry-On is the best overall hardshell suitcase because it delivered when it came to all of our testing criteria. This Away suitcase, as the name implies, is a subtly larger version of the brand’s standard carry-on suitcase. The bag can fit multiple packing cubes and has ample room for clothing, toiletries and shoes. It also comes with a small bag for storing dirty laundry.
Additionally, it comes with a TSA-approved lock, which NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez found useful during her travel testing. “I loved using this carry-on and was able to pack roughly around 10 days worth of clothes with the help of packing cubes,” she says. “I also thought that the inside features were convenient.” Aside from space for clothing, it also has straps and buckles, which help flatten and secure the items in the bag, which makes it easier to close. The handle is easy to adjust and the wheels roll smoothly and handle various surfaces well, whether upright or at an angle.
Best lightweight hardshell suitcase: Quince 21” Carry-On
During our testing, we found that the Quince 21” Carry-On balances durability and maneuverability well. While the suitcase keeps belongings safe and secure, it’s also easy to lift and place in an overhead compartment or into the trunk of a car, especially when it is fully packed. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin tested the bag and loved how well it handled different terrain. “I dragged this bag through the streets of New York, on multiple flights, checked and not checked, and dragged it up flights of stairs and it looks great,” she says. While the bag is prone to some scrapes (the case with many hardshell bags), it comes with a small sponge to help wipe scuffs away.
Best budget hardshell suitcase: Bagsmart Carry-On
The Bagsmart Carry-On can hold a surprisingly large amount given its size, according to NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg, who tested the bag. “I was really impressed by this carry-on. Its dimensions are smaller than the average carry-on,” she says. “But it held a lot of things and the quality is good for the price.” The suitcase is slightly smaller than the standard carry-on size for most major airlines but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice space for storing clothing or other travel items. It also has 360-degree wheels, an adjustable handle with four heights, TSA-approved locks on the zippers, multiple compartments for organizing clothes and an expandable zipper on the side.
Best softshell suitcases
Best overall: Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Spinner
Thule’s Subterra 2 suitcase is the perfect softshell carry-on for your travel needs, whether you’re using it for a quick trip or taking it on a long-haul vacation. Former NBC Select editorial operations manager Shari Uyehara says that while testing the bag, it “helped make traveling a lot easier” — she loves its sleek, stylish design, and how well it’s held up after multiple trips. It’s made from a polycarbonate shell and a durable nylon/polyester blend that’s designed to be water-resistant and to withstand the impact of travel wear and tear, according to the brand.
The suitcase also includes an easily-accessible removable panel that compresses your clothes to maximize packing space, which Uyehara says she loves most of all. “I love how spacious it is and that it can easily hold all of my items,” she says. She also says that, compared to other carry-on suitcases she’s tried, this one is lightweight and very easy to wheel around.
Best lightweight: Calpak Luka Soft Sided Carry-On
Malin, who’s never used soft-shell luggage before, says that this suitcase is “ideal to use for a short trip”, because of its spacious yet lightweight design. When testing the suitcase for a weekend trip, Malin says she fit three full day outfits, three pairs of pajamas and three workout outfits inside of the suitcase’s main compartment, plus underwear, bras and socks.
It’s made from Calpak’s puffy, polyester Luka material, which the brand says is designed to withstand travel — the flexible material also makes it easier to close (and overstuff, according to Malin). The carry-on also has 360-degree spinner wheels and two front pockets with a padded laptop compartment, which Malin says is her favorite part of the bag. “The sleeve makes it really easy to take my laptop out, which would be super helpful if I was going through security at the airport,” she says. Malin says she can store extras like her resistance bands and Bala bangles in the larger part of the pocket, and it’s an easy bag to wipe clean.
Why trust NBC Select?
Products underwent an eight-week trial before being selected as our favorite in their respective categories. We utilized our editors as shopping and trying experts. Each editor was given the same criteria during the testing period to ensure each item was held to the same standards and procedures. We looked at spaciousness, durability, comfort, zippers and much more. You can read more about our process here.
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When a product carries the NBC Select badge, you can trust that our team of editors as shopping experts and professionals vetted the item thoroughly. First and foremost, we are journalists, so we will always do our research and reporting.
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