The Best Hard-Shell Luggage for Every Type of Traveler

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So many things can (and will) go wrong during peak season travel: extreme weather, unexpected cancellations, lost baggage, general airport mayhem (and now we can add global tech outages to this list). Unfortunately, a lot of variables are just out of our control, but a suitcase that is not built well enough for the journey doesn’t have to be one of them. While the soft-sided vs. hard-shell luggage debate has passionate champions in both camps, the merits of the latter are undeniable. Crafted in durable polycarbonate or sturdy aluminum, they are engineered to protect whatever is packed inside, and reinforced with a number of aerodynamic design features to make travel as breezy as possible. Plus, those exteriors are simply easier to clean and, unlike fabric constructions, won’t be as vulnerable to that other travel nightmare: bed bugs. Have we convinced you yet? If so, see below for a T&C-vetted selection of the best hard-shell suitcases on the market right now.

The Carry-On X

The preferred stealth wealth suitcases of Succession’s masters of the universe now come in sleek all-black models, making it that much easier to lean into the quiet luxury aesthetic. Good looks aside though, the British brand’s Carry-On X is a favorite of business travelers and frequent fliers alike, thanks to its large front pocket—also a hard-shell construction—perfect for travel documents and electronics, details like silent Japanese spinner wheels and Italian leather trim, and up to an inch of expansion capability.

Dimensions: 15" x 21.7" x 9.6" (10.6" expanded); 9.5 lbs

A 5-star review: “This Carry-On is not only incredibly beautiful, it’s functional, practical and does everything you want it to do. Incredibly well thought out and designed for people who travel a lot and need functionality.”

35L Cabin Travel Case

It always bodes well for a suitcase’s credibility when it gets the pilot seal of approval. Such is the case with this carry-on by Sterling Pacific, a new luggage brand based in Reno, Nevada, which has earned top marks with the world’s most frequent fliers thanks to details like an all-aluminum construction (even in the handles), an easy-to-use one-sided rectangular trunk design, and—in an industry rarity—a two-wheel construction, which is how the true OGs roll.

Dimensions: 22.5" x 14" x 8.5" ; 11.5 lbs.

A 5-star review: “As both a 4+ million miler and an engineer I rate the quality and construction of the case as excellent. The best part is it’s NOT a clamshell. Having to separate items in equal amounts it’s not very practical. This solves the issue with a single space.”

Check-In M

We can thank Rimowa for turning hard-shell luggage, especially of the aluminum variety, into a global status symbol. There is also more than a century of innovation to justify its popularity—as legend has it, aluminum became the company’s signature material because it was the only thing that survived a factory fire in the ’30s.

Dimensions: 26.4" x 17.8" x 9.5"; 11.9 lbs.

Bellagio 2.0 Carry-On

That the Princess of Wales is partial to Bric’s luggage may be endorsement enough, but the heritage Italian brand—headquartered in tony Lake Como—has also earned its reputation through 70 years of craftsmanship. The signature Bellagio line, constructed in polycarbonate and finished with leather trimmings, is perfect for those who want a hard-shell with a more classic and feminine vibe.

Dimensions: 14" x 8" x 21"

Tech 2.0 Expandable Luggage 2-Piece Set

Not of the camp that luggage should be a splurge? Then the answer is Samsonsite, a brand as established and trusted for its quality pieces as for its great price point. It checks all the boxes required of a durable suitcase: sturdy polycarbonate shell, ergonomic handles, really good wheels, lightweight, and with expansion capabilities.

Dimensions: 27" x 19.4" x 13" (for check-in model)

A 5-star review: “I took these to Hawaii, Europe, and Lake Tahoe. These are so durable! It has all the pockets and storage you could want and its hard shell provides protection for everything inside.”

Aviator Grand

Billed as the world’s first carbon-neutral luggage, Paravel’s suitcases are composed of recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, and recycled vegan leather. It also claims to offset all of the carbon emissions generated by not only making the bag and shipping it to you, but also from the first flight you take with it. Now that’s traveling with a conscience.

Dimensions: 18.25" x 28" x 11"; 11.8 lbs.

A 5-star review: “This suitcase went way beyond my expectations. The color is just as advertised. The bag itself is of excellent quality. The vegan leather is very sturdy and well made. There is so much room inside of this bag. It’s easy to handle and move around. The wheels glide with ease.”

Carry-On

Monos gets high marks for its variety of pretty colors—including this limited edition version in terracotta—as well as its use of vegan finishes and recycled materials. The excellent price point doesn't hurt either. And if you happen to get a check-in bag as well, all carry-ons are designed to fit inside their larger counterparts to maximize storage (a godsend for New Yorkers).

Dimensions: 22" × 14" × 9"; 7 lbs.

A 5-star review: “I put this bag through its paces for a week and it came out unscathed on the other end. I’ve been recommending it to anyone who will listen!”

Bank Collection Spinner 76

Classic meets contemporary and nostalgia meets the new with FPM Milano's signature Bank suitcases, designed by the 77-year-old company as modern takes on vintage trunks. All the elements of a heritage Italian brand are there, like the fine leather details on handles and the interior straps, as are the necessary components that make them worthy of 21st-century international jetsetting: thick aluminum shells, excellent wheels, butterfly locks.

Dimensions: 19.25" x 29.5" x 11.25"; 16.3 lbs.

The Medium: Aluminum Edition

This is probably one of the best deals around on an aluminum shell suitcase, most of which tend to be priced at more than $1,000. That it comes from one of the most popular luggage brands on the market gives it that extra cred.

Dimensions: 26" x 18.5" x 11"; 13.3 lbs.

A 5-star review: “I've been an international traveler for decades. I've had many bags in my time, and many that didn't survive the abuse. This one is my favorite. I love this suitcase. The compression system is always great, allowing more stuff to be squeezed in. The aluminum edition color and material is beautiful. It gets beat up pretty quickly by the lovely baggage handlers of the world, but I enjoy the suitcase carrying scars of travel. Finally, the support at Away is always fantastic.”

Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case

Considering how large this suitcase is (see dimensions below), it’s remarkable that it only weighs around 12 lbs. But that’s what you get with a brand that knows what it’s doing. Tumi, which also happens to be the maker of the backpack T&C executive travel editor Klara Glowczewska never goes anywhere without, i

Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 11"; 12.1 lbs.

A 5-star review: “Just spent 2 weeks in Italy and this piece was perfect for fitting everything. Love how smoothly it rolls, even over cobblestone streets. The color is great because it is easy to see amongst a sea of black suitcases.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Aluminum or polycarbonate? It depends. Polycarbonate shells tend to be lighter, have a lower price point, and will withstand dents and scratches relatively well. Aluminum, on the other hand, is more expensive and can easily bruise—but for some, that steep price tag and the patina of frequent wear and tear is all part of the flex.

Zippers or butterfly locks? The satisfying click and sleek aesthetics of butterfly locks are big pros, but keep in mind that they leave very little margin for error. A zipper construction will be slightly more forgiving when you need to close an overpacked suitcase.

Is a built-in battery pack worth it? Away was an early pioneer of carry-ons reinforced with charging banks and USB ports, but a few years ago it started phasing this feature out of its popular models. For one, portable power banks have become ubiquitous anyway so a built-in one is redundant. And then there is the hassle of having to remove it to charge (or to check your bag, or because an unsympathetic gate agent won’t let you on the plane until she sees it in your hand). But if having that charger significantly improves your life, you do you!

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