The Best Lightweight Luggage For International Travel In 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Best Lightweight Luggage For International Travel
Best Lightweight Luggage For International Travel

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Amazon Basics Luggage

Carry all your essentials in this Amazon Basics 26-Inch Hardside Spinner. This suitcase is made of high-quality material for durability and has a scratch resistant black finish. The interior is fully lined with a divider, giving you the option to keep smaller items separate from larger ones. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Luggage

Spinner wheels make it easy to take your Samsonite luggage with you, even when you have a lot of stuff. This retractable handle case opens up fully with a smooth glide for effortless opening and closing. The bottom of the case has a zipped modesty pocket for personal items. Read Review

3. Best Quality: Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Luggage

This lightweight, sleek and stylish luggage is perfect for the traveler. The generous expandable size allows you to pack more clothes and shoes. The Precision Glide System has magnatrac self-aligning 360-degree dual spinner wheels and an adjustable PowerScope extension handle with Contour grip, that delivers effortless roll and comfortable maneuverability. Read Review

4. Best Stability: Steve Madden Designer Luggage

Made from polyester fabric and 360 degree spinner wheels, this attractive design is perfect for carrying your belongings with style. This sharp looking piece with Steve Madden signature lining will keep you traveling in style. Read Review

When it comes to traveling, you might as well embrace your inner minimalist. After all, you don’t need anything more than a toothbrush and some clean clothes for the duration of your journey. Even if that means leaving behind anything superfluous. You can take only what you need, right? That being said, flying frequently is great for saving money and time. Additionally, it also gives us the opportunity to see different parts of the world without ever feeling homesick.

However, traveling with carry-on bags can be a hassle at times. This is especially if you’re planning international travel or going on a weekend getaway with friends and family. This is why we’ve put together this guide on lightweight luggage options for frequent travelers throughout the world. Whether you’re headed on an extended trip across Europe or simply spending a few days in Mexico City before heading home again – these bags will have you covered!

After lots of research based on customer feedback, We think the best lightweight luggage for international travel is Amazon Basics Luggage. We have provided you with a detailed buyer's guide and many other good choices so that you can decide which one is the best for your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Amazon Basics Luggage
Our Score:
9.8
Amazon Basics

Product dimensions: 11.4 x 18.3 x 26.7 inches (LxWxH, including wheels)

4 double spinner wheels ensure smooth-rolling mobility in any direction

Fully lined 150D-polyester interior organizer with divider; 3 zippered pockets for storing smaller items

Expandable for up to 15% more packing space

Includes a 26-inch hardside spinner with a protective extra-thick ABS hard shell and a scratch resistant black finish

Hardside spinner luggage for work travel, vacations, or weekend getaways

Sturdy telescoping handle for comfortable maneuvering; securely mounted short handle

TOP Choice #2 Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Luggage
Our Score:
9.6
Samsonite

10 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Samsonite products are rigorously tested to ensure our products meet stringent standards. This bag comes with a 10-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

EXPANSION to allow you to pack more items and compression keeps clothing neatly pressed

PUSH-BUTTON locking handles provides easy maneuverability when extended out from the suitcase, and stores neatly inside when not in use

SIDE-MOUNTED TSA LOCKS act to deter theft, ensuring that only you or a TSA agent have easy access to your belongings when traveling

PACKING Dimensions: 19" x 14.5" x 9.5", Overall Dimensions: 22" x 15" x 9.5", Weight: 6.81 lbs.

20" SPINNER LUGGAGE maximizes your packing power and meets most carry-on size restrictions for those traveling domestically and looking to stay light

MICRO-DIAMOND POLYCARBONATE texture is extremely scratch-resistant, keeping cases beautiful trip after trip

BOOK OPENING CASE with mesh divider and cross straps in main compartment with a zipped modesty pocket

FOUR, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL OVERSIZED SPINNER WHEELS for effortless mobility, re-engineered lightweight

TOP Choice #3 Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Luggage
Our Score:
9.5
Travelpro

Expandable carry-on spinner suitcase with external USB port and dedicated powerbank pocket meets FAA regulations for carry-on and checked baggage. Powerbank not included.

Deluxe interior tie down system includes built-in accessory pockets for quick access to essentials. Removable quart-sized wet pocket is TSA compliant and perfect for storing toiletries. Premium leather top and side carry handles plus bottom handle cup provide comfortable carrying options.

The Precision Glide System has magnatrac self-aligning 360-degree dual spinner wheels and an adjustable PowerScope extension handle with Contour grip, that delivers effortless roll and comfortable maneuverability.

Backed by our built for a lifetime limited worry free warranty that covers the cost of repair for damage from airline or other common carrier for the life of the bag after registration under the trusted companion promise.

Case Dimensions: 19x15x7.75, Overall Dimensions: 21.75x15.75x7.75 Weight: 7.7 lbs

4 Steve Madden Designer Luggage
Our Score:
9.3
Steve Madden

✈️ BUILT FOR TRAVEL; Travel lighter than ever with this 3-piece luggage set; The softside design can collapse a bit to fit more easily into tight spaces (compared to hardside); The lightweight construction helps you adhere to airline weight restrictions and avoid unneeded airport fees which make it best suitcase for domestic and international travel

✈️ HI-STABILITY: Wide wheel positioning provides better balance and resistance from falling forward/ unique base structure - specially developed case platform provides additional strength and stability

✈️ SATISFACTION GUARANTEED; Limited 5 year manufacturer warranty plus trusted companion promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage for any manufacturer defect or replace the defective bag

✈️ DELICATE DESIGN; The stylish unique style, noble and elegant design, catering to the new trend of fashion. No matter travelling on the weekends or go abroad, you will be the distinctive one. Suitcase lining made of high quality and safe polyester fabric

✈️ BUILT FOR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE; You can easily drag along the airport with its ergonomic handle providing easy maneuverability and relieve any pressure from your arms while on the move; The 4-spinner wheels system allow smooth, 360° degree movement over any rough terrain for complete mobility free-weight rolling

5 Kenneth Cole Reaction Renegade Luggage
Our Score:
9.2
Kenneth Cole REACTION

Ergonomically designed retractable trolley handle

Overall Dimensions - 22" H x 14" L x 9-11" D.

Meets most U. S based & international airline carry-on size requirements and fits into most overhead bins.

Weight - 7.35 lbs.

Main compartment interior features several zippered organization pockets elastic shoe pockets and a garment restraint panel

Packing Dimensions - 20" H x 13.5" L x 8.5-10.5" D.

Sleek and stylish exterior with corner guard reinforcements helps protect your bag from damage

8-wheel multi-directional spinners for effortless handling

Expands an additional 2 inches

6 Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Luggage
Our Score:
9.1
Travelpro

High performance inline skate wheels and lightweight yet sturdy PowerScope Lite handle with stops at 38 inches and 42.5 inches reduce wobble and ensure a smooth, easy roll; Expands up to 2 inches to maximize packing capacity with tapered shape to prevent tipping

Ultra lightweight, ultra durable 19 inches expandable Rollaboard suitcase maximizes your packing power and meets carry on size restrictions for most international airlines; Polyester fabric with stain resistant, water repellant duraguard coating and ergonomic, high tensile strength zipper pulls provide lasting durability

Case Dimensions: 20x 15x7.7, Overall Dimensions: 21.75x15.75x7.75, Weight: 5.4 pounds ; Volume : 45 L

Limited Lifetime Coverage plus new trusted companion promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage from airline or other common carrier for 1 year

Features low profile top, side and bottom carry handles, two exterior compartments, full length interior lid pocket, side accessory pocket and adjustable hold down straps for packing convenience and flexibility

Explore Our Collection: We make a wide array of durable luggage including carry ons, duffels, rolling garment bags and hardside spinners, plus backpacks, briefcases, crossbody sling bags and much more

Product Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 21 inches ; The dimensions are with handle and wheels.

Performance and Style: Power Pocket stores your cell phone and allows for a pass-through USB cord for on-the-go charging. Aircraft-grade aluminum telescoping handle system with 3 stop heights and an ergonomic grip

Exceptionally wide, tilt-resistant wheel base for maximum stability

Lifetime Guarantee: We're the only luggage company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee. If your bag is ever broken or damaged, we'll repair it free of charge, no proof of purchase needed, no questions asked

CASE DIMENSIONS: 19 x 14 x 9 in. / 49 x 35.5 x 23 cm

Expandable Hardside Carry On: This wheeled carry on bag expands for 22% more space. Adjustable garment compression panels keep clothing flat to minimize wrinkles and keep contents secure. Perfect for international flights

Engineered for Reality: We craft luggage for real world needs to make travel easier and more efficient, with innovative handles, pockets, and expansion systems for high functionality and more storage space

8 Hanke Expandable Foldable Luggage
Our Score:
8.8
Hanke

EASE OF MOBILITY: Four spinner wheels makes for easy control and movement, suit for all kinds of road conditions. When it’s fully extended, please pack large but light stuff at the top, such as shoes, coats and blanket.

FOLDABLE: Quality collapsible rolling duffel bag folds down to a compact 17.72" x 10.24" x 4.7" easy-to-store pouch when not in use.

DURABLE: Premium polyester fabric for water and tear resistant. Easy cleaning, and added durability.

SPACIOUS: Includes one main compartment open from the top and one zippered exterior pocket on the front. The biggest capacity is 90L, perfect large luggage bag for family trip, international travel, business trips, house-moving, etc.

EXPANDABLE: 20" suitcase (Not carry on, it's slightly larger than standard 20 in) expands into a 24’’ medium or 28" large suitcase for extra space base on your travel need.

Delsey's lightest luggage range ever, weighing only 5.3lbs for stylish, easy travel; Winner of the 2020 Red Dot Design Award

Four spinner wheels assuring a stable base with multi-directional rolling with zero weight on your hand for easy travel

Interior has two full packing compartments with tie-down straps and zippered mesh divider to secure your belongings; three carry handles for ease when lifting a fully packed case

Suitcase expands up to 2 inches for additional packing space; 19 inch carry on size is perfect for weekend getaways and short business trips

Features DELSEY's patented zip SECURITECH, a closing system that is three times more resistant to intrusion than a conventional zipper; integrated TSA-accepted combination lock for additional security

Weight: 5.4 lbs.

Interior dimension: 21 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches Exterior dimension: 23 inches x 14.5 inches x 9 inches; Volume : 46 liter

Limited Lifetime Coverage plus trusted companion promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage from airline or other common carrier for 1 year

4 wheel spinners rotate 360 degree for a smooth roll. Lightweight, sturdy PowerScope handle stops at 38 inch and 42.5 inch features a patented contour grip with rubberized touch points for easy maneuvering. Unique bottom tray design increases durability

A half pound lighter than maxlite 4, this ultra lightweight 21 inch spinner meets carry on size restrictions for most domestic airlines. H20 Guard protects the interior lining from moisture

Expands up to 2 inch to maximize packing capacity. Features low profile top, side and bottom carry handles, two exterior compartments, full length interior lid pocket, side accessory pocket and adjustable hold down straps for packing convenience

What to Look For in a best lightweight luggage for international travel?

Please follow the bellow points before selecting the best lightweight luggage for international travel:

Handles

Practicality is enhanced by suitcases that have handles at the top and sides. This extra handle along with the towing handle makes it much simpler to lift your suitcase onto and off luggage racks, check-in scales, and baggage carousels.
Top handles can extend into several positions to provide maximum comfort. When not in use, they can be retracted for easy pushing down.

Security

Traveling with your padlock is important. However, it is recommended that you have one with Transport Security Administration (TSA).
The locks are branded with the TSA red logo and include a universal masterkey.
The TSA is the only one that has this copy. This key allows American airlines security personnel to access your luggage and inspect its contents, without risk.
They can open the lock if they are unable to do so.

Size

Cases up to full-size: How easy will your suitcase fit into the car's boot if you plan to drive to the airport? It will it be possible to carry the bag around in crowds? There's also the baggage rack at the airport bus. You could hoist it onto the top. You might consider a lighter option if your travels are less than two weeks. A piece of luggage should be durable enough to endure rough transit conditions, yet not cause you pain.
Hand luggage is allowed on most airlines. Some allow for a second hand bag, such as a backpack, or sling bag. A suitcase that is "cabin-size" does not necessarily mean that it can fit into a cabin. Although there are restrictions on size, many airlines will accept suitcases up to 56x45x25 cm.

Weight

Checked luggage: Full-size bags are allowed, but the weight limits vary by airline (see below). Excess baggage fees can be very high so make sure your bag isn't too heavy. Regular flyers might find it useful to purchase luggage scales. Keep in mind, however that you will need to pack more outfits if your suitcase is empty. We found that the best suitcases were as light as 2.3kg empty. Bulkier options weighed in at around 6.2kg.
Hand luggage: Some airlines may have restrictions on the weight of cabin cases. You don't have to give up books, souvenirs and gifts if you choose a lighter cabin bag or fly with an airline that is more flexible.

Wheels

Four-wheelers are the most common type of suitcase. Sometimes called spinners. This means that you don’t need to tip your bag before you tow it. It can also be wheeled along with you. Two-wheeled suitcases tend to be slightly larger and are easier to lift over kerbs. However, spinners offer more versatility.

Storage

There are many internal pockets that you can find in both hard-shell and soft-sided luggages. These include small pockets with integrated zippers and large pouched pockets that will hold a laptop. You can also have removable laundry bags or garment sections to keep your suit jackets from tearing. Soft-sided suitcases are often equipped with external pockets that can be used to store easy-access items.

Expandability

A lot of suitcases have an expandable panel that can be removed to give you at least 10% more packing space. If you're looking for last-minute souvenirs and gifts, some of our top-scoring full-size and cabin suitcases can be expanded.

FAQs

How Much Does It Weigh?

You should look beyond the features and attributes of the bag's pockets when you search for a travel suitcase. Check out the weight of the bag without any contents. This is a mistake I've made more times than once. A bag too heavy to carry around is a temptation that I make love to. You will need to ensure that your bag is light, especially for travelers who want to save baggage fees. Look for bags that claim to be lightweight, or give you an accurate weight. It will not be possible to carry a heavy bag on an airplane from Hawaii, or at train stations across Europe.

Is Hard Or Soft Luggage Better?

Because it is lighter than heavy luggage, soft luggage is more popular. Because of the use of lighter materials in hard luggage, this has been changed. It really depends on personal choice as to which option is better. Many soft luggage has expandable and external pockets. Hard luggage, on the other hand offers greater protection and durability.

Is The Rolling Handle Double Barred?

You may prefer to carry a rolling bag, but the main part of a suitcase is its handle. Some brands still make luggage that has a single pull handle. Single bar bags are less sturdy than double-bar rolling bags. This feature can fail to work when you're rushing through an airport. You will be in the middle of an arm workout while carrying your bag. This can be avoided by purchasing a bag that has a double-bar handle.

What Size Suitcase Is Considered Oversized?

While baggage size regulations vary from one airline to the next, most airlines allow luggage to be checked up to 62 inches in length. These airlines would consider bags exceeding these limits to be excessive.

What Is The Most Durable Luggage?

Polycarbonate and ABS are the most reliable luggage materials on the market. While the former is more sturdy, it's usually lighter. Both durable and lightweight luggage can be constructed from both.

Are The Inside Pockets Useful?

Your clothing and personal belongings should be contained in your luggage. Bags with too many pockets end up being useless. Think about what you prefer to pack before you go ahead and click the buy button. You may not want a large zippered lid, so make sure you have a bag that has a great design. Look for suitcases with shoe compartments. Your bag should maximize its space. If your features aren't clear, it won't work.

What Is The Importance Of Luggage?

Because you need to travel a lot, you can also take the bag with you. A well-designed luggage bag will make an impression on other people. Bags are more than just bags. They can also be a fashion statement.

In general, it's difficult to say who creates the best lightweight luggage for international travel since each firm has unique qualities, features, and pricing points that set them apart from the competition. We only suggest products from the most outstanding manufacturers on our site, so you can rest assured about their quality.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance with your problems. Wish you a happy shopping!


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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