A Travel Advisor’s Guide to Choosing the Right Luggage

If you’ve ever stood in a luggage aisle wondering, Do I need the 20-inch, 22-inch, medium, large…hard side or soft side? — you’re not alone.

If you've traveled with us, you know we remind travelers that the biggest suitcase you can buy isn’t necessarily the best suitcase to travel with.

The right luggage depends on where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and how much you really want to haul around once you arrive.

Here’s my simple guide to choosing luggage you’ll actually love traveling with.

1. Your Under-the-Seat Bag: Keep It Small — But Make It Work Hard

Your personal item is the bag that goes under the seat in front of you. Think backpack, tote, small duffel, or mini roller.

There is no universal airline size, but a good rule of thumb is approximately 16–18 inches long, 12–14 inches wide and 6–8 inches deep. Always check your specific airline before traveling.

For example, American Airlines currently allows personal items up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches, while some European airlines are considerably more restrictive. Lufthansa's standard personal-item limit is about 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm).

Travel Advisor Tip: Don't buy an under-seat bag simply because the manufacturer calls it a “personal item.” The airline gets the final say!

I especially like an under-seat bag with a trolley sleeve that slides over the handle of your rolling suitcase. Your shoulders will thank you as you're making your way through a huge airport. And that's not all - consider a backpack - much easier to carry in long lines or for the long haul.

This is also where I keep the things I absolutely don't want separated from me: medications, travel documents, electronics such as AirPods or headphones, chargers-especially the lithium-ion battery packs that are restricted from your checked luggage, a couple of snacks in case of delays, valuables in case they make me check my roll-on, and at least a few necessities in case my checked luggage decides to take a vacation of its own.

2. Your Overhead Carry-On: The Famous 22-Inch Rule

For most major U.S. airlines, 22 x 14 x 9 inches is the size to remember for an overhead-bin carry-on — and those measurements generally include the wheels and handles.

That doesn't mean every airline in the world follows that rule.

International carriers may have slightly different dimensions and, importantly, carry-on weight limits. Lufthansa, for example, currently limits a standard cabin bag to 55 x 40 x 23 cm (about 21.7 x 15.7 x 9 inches) and 8 kg/17.6 pounds.

And then there are the airplanes themselves.

On smaller regional aircraft, your perfectly legal 22-inch carry-on may simply be too large for the overhead bin. It may need to be tagged and placed in the cargo hold at the aircraft. That's why anything you absolutely cannot be without should remain in your personal item.

💡My advice: If you travel internationally frequently, don't buy your carry-on based solely on the most generous U.S. airline allowance. A slightly smaller, lightweight bag can be far more versatile.

3. Checked Luggage: Bigger Isn't Always Better

A medium checked suitcase — generally around 24–26 inches — is my sweet spot for most travelers.

Large checked bags are commonly around 28–30 inches, and while all that room looks wonderful when you're packing at home, there's a catch:

More room usually means you'll fill it - and then it will be overweight.

Then you're dealing with weight limits, stairs, cobblestone streets, hotel rooms, train platforms, and trying to lift a monster suitcase in and out of vehicles.

Many airlines use 62 total linear inches (length + width + height) as the standard maximum size for a regular checked suitcase and commonly allow around 50 pounds in Economy, 70 pounds in Premium and First Class - although allowances vary by airline, route and fare.

For many trips, I'd rather see you travel with a manageable medium suitcase than a gigantic one you can barely move.

Your Airplane Isn't the Only Thing Your Suitcase Has to Fit

This is something travelers often don't think about until they're already on vacation.

Your airline's luggage allowance isn't necessarily your entire trip's luggage allowance.

Small regional aircraft may have much tighter storage. Trains can require you to lift and maneuver your own luggage and may have limited luggage racks. River cruises and small ships have smaller cabins. Private transfers and touring vehicles have finite trunk space.

And if six people arrive for a private transfer with six enormous 30-inch suitcases plus six carry-ons, you may suddenly need a larger vehicle — and possibly a more expensive transfer.

💡If your itinerary includes trains, small aircraft, multiple hotels, private transfers, or lots of walking, packing smaller and lighter can dramatically improve your trip.

Hard Side or Soft Side? I Like Both — for Different Reasons.

Hard-Sided Luggage

Pros:
It provides excellent structure and protection, is generally easy to wipe clean, doesn't absorb water as readily as fabric, and looks sleek. Many newer hard-shell bags are made from lightweight polycarbonate and have excellent spinner wheels.

Cons:
It doesn't “give” much when you're trying to squeeze in that last sweater. Scratches and scuffs can show, and many hard-shell suitcases open into two equal halves — something that can be annoying in a tiny hotel room.

Soft-Sided Luggage

Pros:
It has some flexibility when packing, often provides convenient exterior pockets, and can be easier to squeeze into tight spaces. I particularly like quick-access exterior pockets when traveling.

Cons:
Fabric can get dirty, wet, or stained more easily and doesn't provide quite the same rigid protection for what's inside.

Neither is automatically better. Choose based on how you travel.

💡I personally prefer a backpack shoulder bag with a leather/pleather/plastic bottom because it's going to be sitting on the floor a lot, a hard side roll-on, and a soft side checked bag because I like packing in a box with a lid instead of the split case.

A Luggage Brand Worth Looking At: CALPAK

If you're shopping for new luggage right now, this is a good time to take a look at CALPAK.

What I like about CALPAK is that their bags are smart, quality, and they offer options for the entire luggage system rather than just one big suitcase — mini carry-ons, standard carry-ons, medium and large checked luggage, hard- and soft-sided styles, backpacks, packing cubes and travel accessories.

They also offer some thoughtful features I look for in luggage: 360-degree spinner wheels, organized interiors, expandable designs on many models, TSA-approved locks on many of their suitcases and plenty of coordinating pieces.

If you're a hard-shell person, look at collections such as the Hue or Ambeur. If you're a soft-side person, the Luka Soft-Sided Carry-On is worth a look. And if you're looking for something very small, CALPAK even makes mini carry-ons designed to fit under most airline seats.

And right now is an especially good time to look.

CALPAK's Anniversary Sale is currently 15% off sitewide through October 16, 2026, with some luggage bundles discounted even more. At the time I'm writing this, the Hue and Evry Starter Bundles are 50% off.

Remember: sales and prices change, so always check the current offer before purchasing.

My Secret for Buying Luggage? Wait for the Sales!

Unless I desperately need a suitcase immediately, I rarely pay full price for luggage.

In fact, 💡I buy luggage during the Black Friday sales almost every year.

It's a great time to replace a worn-out carry-on, add a different size to your collection, or finally buy that nicer suitcase with quality wheels you've been eyeing.

And luggage makes a fantastic🎄Christmas gift 🤶🏼for the traveler in your life.

Instead of another sweater, give them something they'll use while making memories for years to come. Add some electronics, gadgets, packing cubes, a luggage tag, travel-size toiletries or a little note that says:

“For wherever you go next.”

That's a gift I'd be thrilled to open!

One Last Piece of Advice From Your Travel Advisor

Before purchasing luggage, think beyond your next flight.

Ask yourself:

Will this fit under the seat?
Can I lift it into the overhead bin?
Can I carry it up train steps?
Will it fit in a transfer vehicle?
Can I maneuver it over cobblestones?
And can I handle it myself if no one is there to help me?

The best suitcase isn't necessarily the biggest, most expensive or prettiest one. It's the one that makes traveling easier.

And that's always the goal.

“SHOP MY FAVORITE LUGGAGE & TRAVEL ESSENTIALS”

Happy Travels!