The best soft-sided luggage for travellers to buy in 2025, tested & reviewed

Dimensions: 35 x 23 x 56cm
Capacity: 35L
Weight: 3kg

Pros: Affordable, can fit a week's worth of clothes
Cons: Does scuff easily, needs more zipper access for pockets

Thule is a self-proclaimed action/adventure brand, hailing from Sweden and dedicated to creating luggage that will see you through all of life’s most exciting pursuits. This carry-on case may have a slight shopping trolley look about it, but it’s far from it! Crammed full of pockets inside and out, with removable packing cubes and mesh, divider compartments, the designers of this suitcase have put all their efforts into creating a bag that is deceptively roomy.

We found the Thule Aion carry-on spinner to be very well constructed, sharing features of hard shell suitcases like spinner wheels and a telescopic handle, with a water resistant, recycled fabric outer that's free from toxic PFCs. Frequent traveller Patrick Thompson says: “The suitcase has a sleek look, with two useful outside pockets for storing smaller items like phones and chargers. There are straps that make it easy to pick up and place into cars or toss into an overhead locker.” On trips to Italy, Argentina, Florida, and beyond, Thompson noticed that the bag does scuff easily, but loves its nutria (tan) colour.

Dimensions: 73 x 54.5 x 30cm
Capacity: 110L to 111L when expanded

Weight: 6.7kg

Pros: Lightweight, hardwearing, smart design, matching cases available, laundry bag included
Cons: The case has a trunk-style design where the lid opens onto one deep compartment, rather than two equally sized compartments either side. This can make it hard to dig items out from the bottom should you need to grab something

You’ll see Away bags listed time and again across all our luggage guides and with good reason. This is an exceptional brand that offers a diverse range of suitcase options, all of which never cease to impress. Their soft side case has all the classic Away details such as 360 spinner wheels, zipper expansion, and a patented compression system, and has a large enough capacity to pack for at least two weeks. Senior visuals editor, Sophie Knight, managed to pack for both herself and her partner for a 17-day trip and found she was able to stay within the 25kg weight limit thanks to the feather-light (yet tough) material.

“I was nervous about fitting everything in one suitcase and staying within the weight limit. But this case was perfect. It’s super lightweight, can withstand a very heavy load and is plenty roomy, with an expandable section creating precious extra space – perfect if you’re sharing or have done some serious shopping, like we did in Hong Kong," she says. "It has two built-in zip pockets inside that are good for underwear and loose items, there’s a front zip pouch for emergency items and travel documents, plus a removable sleeve with extra storage should you need more pockets.”

Dimensions: 32.5 x 23 x 51cm
Weight: 2.42kg

Pros: Lightweight, adjustable external straps, zip up dividers, range of colours.

Cons: None that we can see.

Eastpak has been making bags since 1952, so they’ve been in the game a while and know what their customers want. It’s always a relief when a carry on bag has been made specifically to meet cabin-size restrictions, like this one has (for most airlines – always check before you travel to be on the safe side). If it goes slightly over when you stuff it full, you can use the adjustable compression straps on the outside to pull it all in. This suitcase comes with plenty of pockets and mesh compartments, an integrated TSA approved lock and handles for when you need to lift it into the overhead locker. It’s the ideal size for a weekend break away, or a business trip.

Dimensions: 58 x 40 x 25cm
Capacity: 52L
Weight: 3.6kg

Pros: Compression straps, removable packing cube
Cons: Wheels can glide too easily allowing the suitcase to roll away

The Travelpro Crew VersaPack carry on proves that smart tech is not only reserved for hard shell luggage, as this one comes with a very handy USB port on the exterior (battery sold separately). The PrecisionGlide System makes it a joy to roll along, whether across smooth airport terminals or bumpy pavements, and all the optional zip in garment organisers means you can keep everything sorted exactly as you need it.

US senior commerce editor Madison Flager tried the Travelpro out when travelling to Boston and Connecticut. She made good use of the expansion zip and compression panels, which enabled her to pack for a whole week. "I like the included packing cube, and that they have other accessories you can swap in to suit your needs," says Flager. It’s a great starter soft-sided piece for those who want to swap from a hard-sided suitcase and tend to overpack.”

Dimensions: 50 x 40 x 20cm
Weight: 2.1kg

Pros: External pockets, lightweight, great value price, next day delivery with Prime
Cons: Basic design, not built to last

Travelling with British Airways, Jet2 or easyJet? This lightweight cabin case, packed with pockets is the perfect size for these airlines and many others besides. This is a really light suitcase, weighing only 2.3kg, so it’s ideal for someone who struggles with lifting their bag. Of course, you won’t have to lift it very often, because the case features two ‘high milage’ wheels, built to last, just like the 600-denier jacquard polyester fabric and SBS zips.

Commerce editor, Lauren Burvill, was impressed by this suitcase – particularly for the low price. “I've travelled with this case a couple of times on short city breaks. For the price, it does a good job, and the external pockets are handy for easy-access. If you load up the case too much, especially the top when it's standing up right, the case can often topple over. But otherwise, it's a great budget option,” she says.

Dimensions: 78 x 56 x 33cm
Capacity: 126L
Weight: 8kg

Pros: Smooth wheels and zippers, includes a garment bag
Cons: 18 pounds on its own, it can be heavy to lift, plain exterior can be hard to spot on a luggage carousel

If the eye-watering price tag doesn’t scare you off, you’d be well kitted out with this prestigious soft shell suitcase. The FXT ballistic nylon fabric is an exclusive weave you’ll only find on TUMI products, designed with a special coating that makes it extra durable. And the internal garment bag, plethora of pockets and Lever Lock expansion mean you can fit a whole lot in here. Research director Alexandra Sanidad loves this luxury suitcase for its impressive capacity, smooth wheels and the zipped pouches. Sanidad says “We packed as much as we could up to the 50 pounds per bag limit, but you can definitely fit more if you're driving around with this or on a vehicle with no weight limit."

Dimensions: 56 x 40 x 23cm
Capacity: 42L
Weight: 5kg

Pros: Large capacity for a week's worth of clothes, included garment sleeve, easy to clean
Cons: Heavy before packing, its size can be confused for a checked bag

The hard-wearing fabric means this bag will look flawless for years to come and be able to take any knocks it might encounter on your adventures around the world. This suitcase has loads of space (increased further with the 5cm expansion zip) but be warned – with this large capacity comes the risk that it might not meet some airlines size requirements. Former Traveler US editor Alex Erdekian has taken this suitcase with her on jaunts across the globe, and has discovered that she can pack at least a week’s worth of clothes, accessories and essentials in here. However she also found it to be on the heavy side, making it more difficult than others to lift into the overhead locker once packed.

Dimensions: 36 x 23 x 56cm
Capacity: 51L
Weight: 4.5kg

Pros: Automatic expander, designated pocket for passport and tickets
Cons: Overall look is a bit simple and industrial

Named “the ultimate domestic carry on”, Briggs & Riley have delivered yet again with a remarkable suitcase that meets all our criteria for an excellent cabin bag. US senior features editor Rebecca Misner has been our main tester for this one, taking it with her on her travels and putting it to the test in terms of overpacking. Ordinarily she’d never manage to fit more than a couple of days-worth of packing into a carry-on case (“I’m a proud overpacker. I live by: you never know, might as well throw it on in” she says). However, when using the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential carry-on, she packed easily for three-day trip, including running shoes and large evening dresses. One reason she was able to achieve this is that instead of the usual zipper expansion, this cabin bag has a patented ‘CX One Touch System’, which expands and compresses the case with the touch of a button – so you won’t have to sit on the lid to get it shut! The “SpeedThru” pocket has been designed specifically for you to safely store your passport and boarding passes, which we also think is a great. And the lifetime guarantee is a big bonus.

Dimensions: 40 x 56 x 25cm
Capacity: 46L
Weight: 4.5kg

Pros: Keeps clothes looking neat, suitcase has a lifetime warranty
Cons: Only has two wheels

If you know you need a bag that’s made for carrying suits, dresses or shirts with minimum creasing in transit, this soft sided suitcase is made for you. Setting it apart from other cases in this respect is the fold out garment hanger and the padded roll bar. As well as this, the Travelpro Platinum Elite case has all the premium details, including ball-bearing wheels, airline-grade telescopic handle, and high-density nylon fabric. This, plus the lifetime limited warranty that covers the cost of repairs from airline damage, is what makes it a higher price point – but it’s also what makes it hold up against hardshell suitcases.

Traveler US's global associate director of audience development Lara Kramer has used this bag on a trip to Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, and it held up well. "I was able to pack a few nice dresses and my husband fit an entire suit, all of which remained wrinkle-free, which was a game changer,” she says.

Dimensions: 56 x 36 x 23cm
Capacity: 50L not expanded, 60L when expanded
Weight: 4kg

Pros: Large capacity, able to expand and collapse, cushioned top handle
Cons: Only good for shorter trips

A Conde Nast Traveller luggage guide wouldn’t be complete without a placement from Béis – a luxury travel brand that entered the scene in 2018 and is clearly here to stay. Their soft sided collapsible carry on is the perfect purchase for anyone who needs as much room as possible in their cabin bag as this one has an excellent expandable zipper, as well as lots of pockets (including a laptop sleeve) and clever compression flaps that help minimise the size. Storage when you get home won’t be a problem, because you can collapse the bag completely flat when it’s not in use. US senior commerce editor Madison Flager made the most of this suitcase when packing for a four-day trip – incredibly, she found she had plenty of space for everything she needed to bring. “Another major perk is that the top handle has a soft hand cushion akin to a keyboard wrist rest,” she says.