The right luggage can make traveling easier. We share expert tips for choosing between hard and soft shells, carry-on or checked bags, plus pro packing hacks.
Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Kit Dillon
Products we recommend:
- The best soft-sided carry-on bag: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner
- The best hard-sided carry-on bag: Away The Carry-On
- The upgrade pick carry-on: Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
- A travel backpack we love: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia
- The best duffel bag: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L
- The best packing cubes: Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
- Kit recommends: Pat Rawson Surfoards
Additional Reading:
- The 6 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2025
- The Best Suitcases for Checking
- The 6 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for 2025
- The 9 Best Duffle Bags of 2025
- The 4 Best Packing Cubes of 2025
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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast
