If you're anything like me and want to travel in style but still need luggage that's going to hold up to your frequent flyer status, look no further than Calpak.
One the Good Housekeeping Institute's top-tested luggage brands, Calpak offers luggage that's equally as fashionable as it is functional. From lightweight and durable suitcases to trendy duffels and backpacks to handy accessories like packing cubes and toiletries cases, Calpak has everything you need to bring on your next vacation, weekend getaway or overnight trip.
As an analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, I test and write about all kinds of luggage — from carry-ons to checked bags, hardside suitcases to softside styles — and I can't get enough of Calpak's pieces, and neither can many of my fellow GH analysts and editors as well as our consumer testers. We've taken the brand's luggage on our own vacations, and it regularly stands out as a top performer in our Lab tests, beating out popular pieces from other well-known brands.
Read on to learn more about some of the most popular pieces Calpak offers and our honest insights into why we think they're worth the investment.
Suitcases
Pros
- Smooth wheels
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable handles
Cons
- Noticeable scratches in Lab tests
| Dimensions | 21" x 14" x 9" |
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The sleek and sturdy hardsided suitcases of Calpak's Ambeur collection are designed with wheels that roll effortlessly over carpet, tile and wood floor. Each piece is lightweight with comfortable carrying handles that make it easy to lift, so I don't have to worry about holding up the line when I'm loading my suitcase into the overhead bin on a plane. The polycarbonate and ABS plastic composite material held up well in our drop tests without dents but did show more surface-level scratches than other suitcases we've tested, so there's a possibility you may notice some scuffs and marks after retrieving your bag from the luggage carousel.
I love the interior of the carry-on bag, which unzips to two primary packing compartments: one side with a full zippered panel and another with compression straps to secure your belongings in place. There are plenty of organizational features like two zippered mesh pockets and a removable mesh toiletries bag, and as a self-proclaimed over-packer, I'm especially fond of the 2-inch expansion system so I can fill the suitcase with my favorite vacation clothes and shoes and still have room for souvenirs.
Pros
- On-trend padded look
- Easy-access laptop sleeve
- 360-degree spinner wheels
Cons
- Smaller than other carry-on bags
| Dimensions | 21" x 14" x 8.5" |
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Puffy padding is totally on-trend right now, and Calpak gets it. The brand's Luka collection includes this cute softside carry-on that has a special tapered design to help keep it upright when you stuff it full of your belongings. The carry-on is on the smaller side, so it's not ideal for a long trip, but it's perfect for a weekend getaway or to hold your travel must-haves if you're checking a larger bag. I'm a fan of the two outer pockets that take some of the stress out of the TSA line. Instead of digging through your bag for your laptop or boarding pass, there's a larger front pocket that's equipped to hold a 17-inch laptop and a smaller side pocket that can fit your passport and ID.
Inside, you'll find one main packing compartment with secure compression straps and elasticized mesh pockets built into the lid for more organization. The suitcase is made with a smooth polyester material that should be easy to wipe clean after a long trip. It's equipped with 360-spinner wheels and padded handles to make rolling the bag through a busy airport a little easier.
Duffels and backpacks
Pros
- Separate shoe compartment
- Perfect size for a weekend trip
- Removable crossbody strap and comfortable shoulder straps
Cons
- One tester said stitching came undone around luggage sleeve
| Dimensions | 12" x 16" x 7" |
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Just as chic as its carry-on counterpart, Calpak's Luka duffel is a favorite of GH analysts and editors and is our number one pick for weekender bags. The trendy duffel fits everything you need for a short trip, and when we packed it with a weekend's worth of clothing, accessories and toiletries, there was room to spare. There's a separate shoe compartment, water bottle pocket and a zippered outer pocket to easily access your essentials. You'll find even more elastic and zippered pockets inside to stash smaller items.
The padded shoulder straps are comfortable to throw over your shoulder and don't dig in (pictured here). There's a removable crossbody strap too. If you don't want to lug around a bag while you're on the go, you'll find the luggage strap on this duffel to be especially handy. Simply slide the luggage sleeve over your suitcase's telescopic handle, and you can roll it around on top of your suitcase. One GH analyst who brought this duffel on a weekend trip noticed some unraveling at the seams around the luggage sleeve, but it remained in great shape overall. The material was easy to wipe clean, and it's water-resistant to keep your things dry, even if you're traveling in wet weather.
Pros
- Water resistant
- Can be carried as a backpack or duffel
- Padded laptop pocket
Cons
- Material lacks structure
| Dimensions | 21" x 11" x 13" |
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Perfect for your next adventure, this travel backpack is made of a laminated polyester ripstop material that's rugged and water resistant. The straps are padded for a more comfortable feel, and there's a sternum strap for extra support. The versatile backpack actually doubles as a duffel bag — just unbuckle the backpack straps, tuck them away and attach the crossbody strap to carry it over your shoulder. And it even has a luggage sleeve to slide over the handle of your favorite suitcase (pictured here).
Because the sides and bottom of the backpack aren't structured, you're able to fill it with everything you need, but that means it's also easy to overstuff, which can make it difficult to zip or become too heavy, causing the straps to dig into your shoulders. When you're packing the backpack, you'll find that it's completely full of organizational features — inside and out. There are small, zippered pockets on the outside of the bag to stow away your travel necessities, a water bottle pocket on the side and buckles to attach items you may not be able to fit inside, such as a travel blanket or poncho. Inside, there's a padded laptop pocket, along with compression straps and additional mesh zippered pockets.
Pros
- Streamlined and stylish design
- Luggage sleeve
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Straps may feel uncomfortable with extended wear
| Dimensions | 15.5” x 11.5” x 4.5” |
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If you're traveling for business or want something a little chicer, Calpak's Kaya laptop backpack is for you. This streamlined style is a favorite of GH analysts and editors, earning a top spot as our best work backpack. It's made of faux leather and features elegant details like gold hardware for the zippers and pulls, a rectangular shape and stitched trim. It's available in a collection of seven core colors like grey, black and navy, along with nearly 20 bold limited hues like lavender, bronze and emerald. The straps are thin and unpadded, so they can start to feel uncomfortable with extended wear, and I find the bag is best to use for a shorter commute.
To relieve the stress on your shoulders, there's a luggage sleeve that you can slide over your suitcase handle for easy transport. The backpack is equally as practical as it is stylish and can hold a significant amount of your belongings, including a 15-inch laptop, and there are a lot of small pockets inside for sunglasses, pens and notebooks.
Travel accessories
Pros
- Material holds its shape
- Easy to keep belongings organized
- Breathable mesh details
Cons
- Not compressive
| Dimensions | Large: 17” x 12” x 3”; Medium: 15” x 11” x 3”; Small: 12” x 8.8” x 3” |
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I bring packing cubes with me on every single trip I take, even when I'm just carrying a backpack or weekender bag. These from Calpak help me keep all my belongings organized and easy to access on my journey and once I reach my destination, so I don't have to rummage through my suitcase to find what I'm looking for. They're not compressive like some of Calpak's other packing cubes, so they do take up more room in my bag than some other styles I've tried. That said, they feature breathable mesh details that help clothes to feel fresh, even after they've been shoved in a bag for days.
Pros
- Easy to wipe clean
- Metal feet
- Large enough to fit some full-size products
Cons
- Expensive
| Dimensions | 11.5” x 5.25” x 9” |
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Another one of our staffers' favorites, Calpak's large toiletries case will hold everything you need, including some full-size products. At $95, this isn't the most affordable option on the market, but it's designed with thoughtful details like carrying handles, metal feet to keep it upright and a mesh pocket inside for your smaller items. The transparent case makes it easy to show your liquids during TSA screenings, and you can clearly see everything you packed without having to spend forever digging around to find it. The PVC material also makes it a breeze to wipe clean when your makeup or skincare products inevitably leak in your bag.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
