Checked and carried: Roadbook’s definitive luggage list

Travel can be precarious at the best of times, but the one thing you should be able to rely on is your luggage. And a good piece of baggage will last a lifetime, from a trusty holdall that gets better with age to a slick cabin bag that makes gliding through airports a breeze.

Our luggage edit presents consciously-made, enduring hero pieces from a global line-up of brands that we wholeheartedly believe in. They are made for travelling well, whether by air, rail or trail.

The Essential Suitcase collection by Rimowa, from £680 for a cabin bag, rimowa.com

Rimowa

Hero product: The Essential Suitcase

Rimowa is the definitive luxury heritage suitcase brand. No other name compares when it comes to robust, long-lasting luggage and immutable design. Editors, stylists and entrepreneurs alike fete Rimowa’s ribbed aluminium cases for their style and durability, Roadbook co-founder Fouad Ghanma included: “Rimowa is like an heirloom on wheels. It’s the only suitcase that looks better the more you travel with it.”

The historic German company began as a small saddlery firm in 1898 and its cases were initially constructed from wood. During a fire at its factory in 1937, the only inventory that survived was its near indestructible aluminium cases, and thus a signature was born. Patented multi-wheel steering allows for effortless manoeuvrability when dashing to the gate, while suitcases come with smart built-in combination locks and signature flex dividers to compress your clothing. Dents and scuffs are a deliberate characteristic, serving as a reminder of trips gone by.

Recent launches include a retro-suffused Holiday Collection in a range of primary brights and a ReCrafted initiative in the US that repairs pre-loved luggage for resale.

Ruben 2.0 backpack by Sandqvist, £175, sandqvist.com

Sandqvist

Hero product: Ruben 2.0 backpack

Ask any design aficionado with a penchant for the great outdoors what their favourite bag brand is and they’ll likely tell you Sandqvist. Anton Sandqvist co-founded his eponymous Swedish accessories label in 2004, following a fruitless search for a smart laptop bag that didn’t cost the earth. Today, the range spans backpacks, weekenders and belt bags, as suited to urban life as rural escapades. Products are sustainably made from water-resistant recycled fabrics and the brand’s eco credentials extend to its transparent and ethical supply chain – Sandqvist has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent before 2030, compared to 2020 levels.

We rate the versatile Ruben 2.0 backpack, which features a 15-inch laptop sleeve and roomy interior that allows for up to 23 litres of storage. It is a practical option as a day bag or a fully stuffed travel companion, whether travelling by bike or on foot.

Tanker Drum weekend bag by Porter-Yoshida & Co, £670, mrporter.com

Porter-Yoshida & Co

Hero product: A weekender bag

A cushy weekender bag from Tokyo’s Porter-Yoshida & Co fits as easily beneath a seat as it does in an overhead rack. The longstanding brand was founded in 1935 by Kichizo Yoshida, who was originally inspired to create bags that would carry essential items in the wake of the Great Kantō earthquake.

It has since scored partnerships with Comme des Garçons and Takashi Murakami and is the epitome of understated Japanese cool. Bags are also eminently efficient, with functional organisational pockets, sturdy zips and adjustable straps. Not pictured: the vibrant orange lining, which is signature to every bag.

Carry-on X case by Carl Friedrik, £465, carlfriedrik.com

Carl Friedrik

Hero product: Carry-on X case

Launched by two Swedish brothers in 2012, Carl Friedrik has built a reputation for reliable, resilient luggage with a minimalist aesthetic. Its hardshell Carry-on X case scooped the 2024 iF Design Award for its impeccable functionality and strong aesthetic, made from tough-wearing polycarbonate with a separate laptop sleeve. We particularly like the durable aluminum lock frame in lieu of a zipper, which keeps your belongings extra-secure.

While undoubtedly premium, luggage costs less than its luxury competitors, and so confident is the brand in its own design that it offers a 100-day free trial on each product, and a lifetime warranty on every purchase.

Messenger bag by Master-Piece, £85, mrporter.com 

Master-Piece

Taichi Fujimatsu launched Master-Piece in 1994 with a desire to create high-end, versatile bags and accessories that marry form and function. Products are made in its Osaka factory from high-performance, waterproof fabrics that withstand the elements, and include belt bags, messenger styles and backpacks. Alongside classic black options, look out for bold colour combinations and hybrid designs, with sturdy zips and closures. Its durable belt bags are big enough to hold all of your travel essentials, with plenty of nifty zip pockets on the inside and outside to ensure you’re not fumbling around at the boarding gate.

Catalina Deluxe weekender, $215, loandsons.com

Lo & Sons

Hero product: Catalina Deluxe weekender

When Lo & Sons launched its bestselling Catalina weekender, it was one of the first holdalls with a separate shoe compartment – a deft idea that has spawned countless imitations. The capacious design also folds easily into a larger suitcase and is available in a spectrum of neutral tones. *Quote from Gordon?*

Helen Lo founded the brand with her two sons at the age of 65, after a fruitless search to find a good-looking, lightweight carry-on bag that she could use when travelling for long periods with her husband. It remains a family-run, environmentally minded business, working out of Brooklyn, New York. Bags are crafted from recycled nylon, eco-friendly canvas and plant-based leather alternatives and the company partners with sustainability leaders such as Looptworks, which promotes textile recycling and circular solutions. Other dual-function details across the range include front pockets that double up as detachable crossbody bags and a laptop-friendly backpack that converts into a tote.

The Endeavour briefcase in King’s green and black by Mismo Copenhagen, £645, mismo.dk

Mismo

Hero product: Endeavour briefcase

Mismo is rooted in Danish design tradition. Simplicity and purity sit at the core of the brand, alongside a commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and quality materials. The Copenhagen-based company bills its unisex bags as personal companions for a life uncluttered, crafted from premium leather, cotton canvas and nylon with solid brass hardware. Husband-and-wife duo Adam Bach and Rikke Overgaard originally founded the brand in 2006 to fill a gap in the market at the time for a stylish laptop case. Today, the range includes city break-friendly weekenders, smart briefcases and backpacks, as well as suit carriers and tennis bags. Mismo advocates a ‘buy less, buy better’ mantra and applies recycled and organic materials wherever possible, from the product to the packaging.

We’re spotlighting the Endeavour for its quality and timeless appeal. Forget the notion of a stuffy corporate briefcase, this contemporary style is crafted from durable canvas and finished with brass hardware. It comfortably holds a laptop and everyday essentials when moving between meetings, while commanding a cool air of authority.

Alpha Bravo Dynamic Backpack by TUMI, £610, tumi.com

TUMI

Hero product: Alpha Bravo Dynamic Backpack

2025 marks 50 years of TUMI, the American luggage brand synonymous with longevity, functionality and stellar aftersales service. Business travellers are loyal to TUMI’s ultra-functional Alpha Bravo backpack, which can hold a laptop and all daily essentials with ease. Bags are designed with expandable zippers, dividers, pen holders and myriad pockets of varying size for easy organisation, while add-ons include accessory kits and cosmetic pouches. For those travelling with precious cargo by rail, there is a contemporary aluminium train case, which can also hook over the top of a suitcase.

Each piece of luggage undergoes 30 different quality control tests before it goes to market, including the Handle Jerk Test to ensure that a bag’s handle can withstand daily wear and weight. Product owners can register their product to the TUMI Tracer® recovery program, which helps recover lost luggage.

In short, Tumi excels in long-lasting, supremely practical luggage that works together. The brand is so-called after the ceremonial Peruvian symbol, which became known to founder Charlie Clifford during his time in the Peace Corps in South America.

Aluminum carry-on case in silver by Away, £500, away.com

Away

Hero product: Aluminum Carry-On

In a sea of direct-to-consumer suitcases, Away stands out for its sleek design and reliable functionality. Wander through any major airport and you’ll pass an Away suitcase, recognisable only by the discreet black logo. Hailing from New York, the brand launched in 2015 and has become the go-to for recyclable polycarbonate and aluminum cases at a lower price point to Rimowa. We’ve road-tested a few over the years and can attest they meet the grade. And if anything cracks or breaks, it will be replaced under a lifetime warranty.

Cases are available in a range of cool muted tones, including olive green, coast blue and clay pink. The brand also offers coordinating garment bags, soft duffles and packing cubes. Purchases come with a lifetime guarantee, meaning you can lift yours onto the check-in belt with confidence.