7 Best Softside Luggage, Tested by Travel Experts

Samsonite consistently performs well as a brand in Textiles Lab and is a favorite of both GH analysts and our consumer testers. Its Solyte softside suitcase is made from a durable polyester material that withstood repeated rubbing in our abrasion tests and looked great after being released repeatedly by our drop tester. We were also wowed by the smooth rolling wheels when we maneuvered it through our luggage obstacle course.

The lightweight, compact suitcase opens into one primary compartment to pack your belongings and a compression strap keeps everything secure. You'll also find two interior zipper pockets for more organized packing space. Although it held a standard packing load in our tests, consumer testers wish there was a little more room to pack their belongings, explaining that the interior is slightly smaller than other suitcases they've tried. However, there are three exterior pockets for additional storage, and there's a built-in USB port pocket to plug in your electronics while you're on the go (portable charger not included).

This carry-on from American Tourister costs signficantly less than other models without being "cheap." The design may be simple, but if you're looking for a budget-friendly bag that you don't plan to use so frequently, this one does the trick. It opens into one storage compartment with a large mesh zipper pocket, and there are three front external pockets to store your go-to travel items.

The brand's suitcases aren't the most durable compared to other bags we've tested, but one GH analyst who has used a carry-on bag from American Tourister for years shared that it has held up well to consistent use. She added that the material showed some signs of wear but the suitcase stayed in great shape overall. When we tested other suitcases from this brand, the wheels received perfect scores for rolling smoothly and for feeling stable. If you want an entire set of luggage, the brand offers a three-piece set for less than the price of some carry-on bags from popular brands.

Travelpro was founded by a pilot who wanted to make luggage for airline personnel who are always on the go, but the softside suitcases are popular with flight crews, business travelers and frequent flyers alike. One of the brand's most popular suitcases, the Platinum Elite carry-on is also a Textiles Lab and tester favorite. It is one of the heavier bags we've tested, but it's made with high-quality materials and is impressively durable. It withstood repeated drops in our tests without major dents or damages, and the fabric resisted wear from our abrasion tester.

Other highlights include cushioned handles with a contoured grip, self-aligning spinner wheels and a USB port with a pocket for a portable charger (not included). The spacious interior is full of functional features to make packing a breeze including a removable TSA-compliant toiletries bag, a foldable garment bag and pocketed compression panels. It can expand up to 2 inches with a unique tapered expansion system that helps prevent the bag from tipping over. We're also fans of the larger checked bag for longer trips.

If you struggle to lift your bag into an overhead bin or just don't want to lug around something big and bulky, try the Helium DLX suitcase. As the name implies, it's impressively lightweight at just 6.7 lbs for a carry-on bag, and it weighed less than any other standard carry-on model in our tests. Small yet mighty, the suitcase and material held up well in Textiles Lab assessments for durability, and testers said the bag felt sturdy.

The suitcase unfolds into one primary compartment with compression straps. It also features a bifold organizer and a mesh zipper pocket, and there are additional pockets on the exterior that our testers loved using. When we evaluated the suitcase in the Textiles Lab, the zippers required a bit of effort to use, and it received lower scores for maneuverability. Still, it received high ratings for its comfortable telescopic handle and for being easy to pack.

Designed to simplify packing for longer trips, this case unzips into one roomy compartment with mesh zippered pockets to stow away smaller items. Hidden in the lid of the suitcase is a built-in garment folder to properly store more formal attire like a suit jacket or dress. Plus, the bag features a unique expansion system that allows you to open up the bag for extra space and then compress your belongings back into place with just the push of a button.

Testers were thrilled with just how much they could fit inside of the bag, sharing that they could pack more than they expected for its smaller size, which meets the carry-on dimensions of most major airlines. It is on the heavier side, though, weighing in at 9.9 lbs. The nylon suitcase received top scores in our drop and abrasion tests, and it performed well in our luggage obstacle course. Our testers said it was easy to maneuver around twists and turns and gave the telescopic handle high scores.

With more than 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, this suitcase from SwissGear is beloved by reviewers who say the quality offered at such an affordable price point can't be beat. And since the luggage is available on Amazon, it comes with convenient Prime shipping. Hundreds of reviewers describe the bag as "perfect," adding that it works well for everything from international ventures to short business trips and that it holds up to years of regular use. One Textiles Lab analyst shared that, in her experience, the brand's bags are long-lasting and durable.

When you open the suitcase, you'll find one large compartment to pack your belongings and adjustable straps to secure everything in place, along with two zippered mesh pockets and a removable wet bag for toiletries. The bag expands 2 inches for even more storage, and there are two additional pockets on the exterior of the bag to stash away small items. The four spinner wheels allow you to push or pull the suitcase in any direction, and the telescopic handle is gripped for comfort. Some online reviewers say the handle feels flimsy when fully extended, with a few sharing it broke with heavy use.

If you don't want to sacrifice fashion for function, consider this new style from Calpak with an on-trend padded design. The carry-on bag is a part of the brand's larger Luka line, filled with matching pieces like totes and backpacks so you can own a complete collection of fashion-forward luggage. The bag unzips to reveal one compartment with adjustable straps and smaller mesh pockets under the lid. There are two front pockets, including a large, easy-access laptop compartment. Reviewers appreciate the organizational features, but some wish it were a little roomier inside with more packing space.

The suitcase features a tapered design to prevent it from tipping over when it's full, and the top and side carrying handles are padded for a comfortable feel. Although we haven't tested this particular style, we have tried plenty of other bags and travel accessories from Calpak that we love, including its top-tested hardside carry-on. When we tested Calpak luggage in the Textiles Lab, it performed well, receiving high scores for its smooth wheels and easy-to-use, comfy telescopic handles.