These are the checked bags carried by TPG's staff
Quick summary
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If anyone knows about checked luggage, it would be TPG staffers, who travel the globe on the regular. Our readers are always asking us about our go-to checked luggage for our trips, and we definitely have our favorites.
I polled TPG staff members to share their favorite checked suitcases. From the ultra-cool Rimowa to the reliable Samsonite, these are the checked bags we can't leave home without.
Brian Kelly, The Points Guy CEO and founder
My favorite checked bag is the Rimowa Check-In M. As a tall person, I really love Rimowa because the company has super-sturdy handles that can be elevated to make rolling a breeze for me. The wheels are incredibly reliable and they look chic, not cheap.
As my dad once told me: Cheap is expensive. I feel like that's especially true for luggage!
Currently, the M is available on the Rimowa website for $875.
Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam
Benét J. Wilson, senior editor
I am a founding member of TPG's Team Carry-on, but there are those rare occasions where I — gasp — check luggage. And when that time comes, I'm packing my High Sierra Fairlead 28" Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel.
I'm short, so I like to have a telescoping handle that allows me to roll on the duffle's two smooth rollerblade-like wheels. The interior has a large main compartment (with access from the outside) that holds enough clothes for those longer trips — and even more when using packing cubes. The bottom interior compartment offers additional space for clothes, and the compression strap keeps everything in place. The exterior has grab handles on the top, front and bottom, too, along with more compression straps, should I need them.
Kristy Tolley, editor
I love my 30-inch A New Day Transparent Spinner Romero Britto polycarbonate suitcase. It's colorful, partially see-through and stands out on the baggage delivery belt when I check it.
It's roomy and sturdy, with durable compression straps on both sides to keep everything securely in place. It has a multistage telescopic handle, a flush-mounted built-in Transportation Security Administration combination lock, 360-degree spinner wheels and comfortable gel-cushioned top and side carry handles.
Katie Genter, senior writer
I love my Osprey Farpoint 80 backpack. I upgraded to the 80 from the Farpoint 70 (I never liked the detachable backpack with the 70) when I started traveling with my cat in 2018 and needed room to carry her food and litter in my bag. Even though I don't travel internationally with my cat anymore, I've stuck with the Farpoint 80.
As a digital nomad who frequently takes public transportation and often walks up and down stairs and across uneven surfaces, I wouldn't consider any checked luggage that isn't a backpack. Since I live on the road, I prefer to check a bag on each flight so that I can bring large bottles of sunscreen and contact solution, which can be expensive in some destinations.
Osprey has an excellent warranty, too, that I've taken advantage when my bag has needed repairs from wear and tear. Plus, I find the Osprey Farpoint backpack comfortable to carry due to its waist belt and chest strap. And I can zip away the backpack straps before each flight so they don't get stuck in the baggage system.
Related: The best credit cards for digital nomads and long-term travelers
Hannah Streck, SEO senior associate
I really like my polycarbonate 25-inch Delsey Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable suitcase.
I love that it comes with a TSA-friendly lock and double spinner wheels. It has two large interior compartments and expands by 2 inches if I need extra space at the end of a trip. It's also super durable and because I have it in bright red, I can easily snatch it from the luggage carousel.
Ayana Morali, director of video
I've got the OG version of the Osprey Sojourn 80L. I love it because no one else seems to have it in green like me, so it's easy to spot at baggage claim. It's also rugged and can handle a beating without looking super worn. Despite being more than 10 years old, my bag still looks decent, almost as if it hasn't accompanied me to some gnarly places.
A highlight for me is the bag's ample interior and exterior pockets for organizing. I'm also a fan of Osprey's exchange policy, which lets you return the bag if there's anything wrong with it during its lifetime to be fixed or replaced for free.
Mitchell Stoutin, senior director of engineering
I recently gave up wheels and have been carrying Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L. It doesn't have wheels but does have reasonably comfortable backpack straps. It has a cavernous interior, too — just put your carry-on inside it and throw the whole thing on your back.
Additionally, the bag is waterproof, indestructible and has high-quality zippers. The crushable structure lets it fit anywhere — if I under-pack it a little, I can throw it into an overhead bin. Plus, I can fit three of them in the cargo box on top of my car for road trips, which is obviously out of the question with hardshell cases.
Maddie Tarr, product manager
My hot take is that I have mixed feelings about my Away bags. Away is sleek and trendy, and its hardshell luggage is flexible.
I love the attention to detail with The Large: the included laundry bags, built-in chargers, large internal structure, etc. I also think it still rolls well when overweight, which cannot be said for all brands.
However, my less-cute Samsonite (my previous bag that was sadly stolen) felt much more durable to me. It rolled so smoothly, and I could really pack that thing full. Still, it wouldn't shock me if I just bought another Away bag (perhaps in one of the eight other colors) the next time I need one.
Currently, you can get the Away Large bag for $375 on the Away website.
Yemi Kolawole, senior associate
I love my Away The Carry-On, but I also carry the 29-inch Beis suitcase because it's large and durable. I clunked it around three different boroughs when I was visiting New York City, and it never once failed me.
I love the sectioned compartments and appreciate having a bag for dirty clothes. And it's expandable, so I'm able to fit the extra items I accumulate on my trips.
Head to the Beis website to buy it for $298.
Capri Whiteley, social media marketing manager
Both my carry-on bag and my checked bag are made by Samsonite. My large one is the 25-inch Samsonite Ziplite 5 Hardside Spinner.
I like this bag because it's super lightweight and sturdy. Plus, there's a great selection of 11 color options, so you can pick a less-common color that will make your bag easy to spot on the airport carousel.
Bottom line
There you have it: our picks for best checked luggage.
Before you decide on which suitcase to buy, look for the best ways to earn points and miles for your purchase. Use a card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Freedom Unlimited to earn miles, points, or receive cash back when you buy your chosen bag.
Remember to also check out airline shopping portals and shopping portal aggregators to find even more luggage deals.
Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases