Rimowa

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 4 October 2026

Americans mostly buy mass-market and durable staple brands like Samsonite, American Tourister, and Travelpro for everyday travel, alongside trendy direct-to-consumer (DTC) favorites like Away and Calpak.

### The Everyday & Budget Favorites

- Samsonite: As one of the most recognizable household names, it is a go-to for reliable, moderately priced hardside and softside spinners. - American Tourister: Owned by Samsonite, this brand dominates budget-friendly purchases for families and casual vacationers looking for colorful, lightweight options. - Travelpro: Originally built for airline pilots and flight crews, Travelpro's softside luggage (like the Platinum Elite series) is heavily bought by frequent flyers who prioritize durability over flashy aesthetics.

### The Modern & DTC Darlings

- Away: Famous for popularizing minimalist polycarbonate hardside luggage with USB chargers, Away became a massive status symbol for millennial and Gen Z travelers via social media. - Calpak: Known for stylish aesthetics, pastel colorways, and functional travel accessories like packing cubes and vanity cases, appealing heavily to lifestyle and weekend travelers. - Béis: Founded by actress Shay Mitchell, Béis has surged in popularity for functional, affordable weekender bags, backpacks, and matching luggage sets targeted at trendy travelers.

### The Premium & Investment Brands

- Briggs & Riley: A favorite among road warriors and business flyers because of its unconditional lifetime guarantee that covers functional damage-even if caused by an airline. - Tumi: Highly popular among corporate executives and luxury travelers for its ultra-durable ballistic nylon and premium leather aesthetic. - Rimowa: The ultimate luxury status symbol, known for its iconic grooved aluminum suitcases.

If you want to narrow down the best choice for yourself, tell me:

- What is your typical budget? - Do you prefer hardside or softside luggage? - How frequently do you plan to travel?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026

If you're shopping for luggage in the U.S., these are the brands I'd put at the top of the list in 2026. Current expert testing from Travel + Leisure and Good Housekeeping strongly favors these names. www.travelandleisure.comwww.goodhousekeeping.com

| Brand | Best for | Typical price | My take | |---|---|---:|---| | Samsonite | Best overall/value | $100-$500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Travelpro | Frequent flyers | $150-$500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Briggs & Riley | Premium durability | $500-$900+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Away | Stylish carry-ons | $275-$350 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | Rimowa | Luxury/premium | $700-$1,500+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Tumi | Business/luxury travel | $500-$1,500+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | American Tourister | Budget | $70-$250 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |

### 🏆 My top 5

1. Samsonite - best for most people Good Housekeeping named Samsonite its best overall luggage brand, citing durability, easy packing, maneuverability and relatively accessible pricing. www.travelandleisure.comwww.goodhousekeeping.com

### Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Carry-On $169.99

2. Travelpro - best for frequent flying Excellent wheels, organization and durability. Travel + Leisure ranks it just behind its overall winner, and GearLab has repeatedly favored Travelpro for checked luggage. www.travelandleisure.com

### Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On $160.00

3. Briggs & Riley - best premium investment This is the one I'd choose if you travel constantly and want a suitcase built for years of use. Its warranty is a major selling point, and Travel + Leisure calls it the most durable brand in its 2026 ranking. www.travelandleisure.com

### Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On $729.00

4. Away - best stylish hard-shell Great if you want modern design, good organization and a polycarbonate shell. Away's newly updated Series 3 line adds quieter wheels, an adjustable handle, brake and improved interior access. www.goodhousekeeping.com

### Away The Carry-On Flex $325.00

5. Rimowa - best luxury If price isn't the main concern, Rimowa's aluminum luggage is exceptionally premium and durable. The trade-off is weight and a very high price. www.forbes.com

### My recommendation by budget

- Under $200: Samsonite - $200-$400: Travelpro or Away - $400-$700: Travelpro Platinum Elite or Briggs & Riley - $700+: Briggs & Riley or Rimowa - Frequent international travel: Briggs & Riley - Mostly domestic carry-on: Travelpro or Away - Luxury/status: Rimowa or Tumi

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $200 / $300 / $500) and whether you want carry-on or checked luggage, I can find the best 5 actual models currently for sale in America and compare prices.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 4 October 2026

The best suitcase brand in America depends on your budget and travel style:

| Best for | Brand | Why choose it | |---|---|---| | Best overall | Away | Durable, stylish cases with practical organization; its Bigger Carry-On is a leading overall pick. | | Best premium durability | Briggs & Riley | Excellent construction, expandable designs, and strong suitability for frequent or international travel. | | Best value | American Tourister | Affordable, lightweight luggage with a broad range of sizes and styles. | | Best overall variety | Samsonite | Reliable options across many price points and luggage types. | | Best for frequent flyers | Travelpro | Particularly strong soft-sided luggage and spinner suitcases; its Platinum Elite line performs well in testing. | | Best luxury | Rimowa | Distinctive aluminum cases, premium build quality, and high-end design. | | Best minimalist design | Monos | Clean styling and well-organized hard-shell cases. | | Best organization | Solgaard | Built-in packing systems designed to keep clothing organized. |

Quick recommendations: - Choose American Tourister for affordable occasional travel. - Choose Samsonite for a dependable all-purpose suitcase. - Choose Away for stylish hard-shell luggage. - Choose Travelpro or Briggs & Riley for frequent travel. - Choose Rimowa if luxury and design matter more than price.

For most travelers, Samsonite is the safest general recommendation, while Briggs & Riley is the best upgrade for durability and frequent use.