Best cabin bags, suitcases and overnight backpacks for travel in 2023

News flash (particularly for those who associate Thule primarily with ski boxes) – Thule does a mean side line in cabin bags, too. The aion weighs slightly more than some of the bags we tested, but it’s also the toughest, thanks to a polycarbonate panel at the rear and a 600-denier waxed canvas shell. For us though, the highlight is the clamshell opening.

One side (which is also accessible through a zip on the front of the bag) comprises a shallow covered compartment, while the other features a deeper single compartment, covered not with material but compression straps attached to a removable laptop-sized sleeve. The small pocket on the exterior was great for storing smaller items such as keys, and the four oversized spinner wheels moved incredibly freely.

We’ve referred to suitcases as Tardis-like before, but this one really is. This cabin case’s USP is its extendable sidewalls, which can be raised (and then compressed) to provide 22 per cent more space. Other innovative features include the power pack pocket on the suitcase’s rear, the aircraft-grade aluminium telescoping handle system (trust us – this is the smoothest suitcase handle you’ll come across) and the combination of internal compression panels and a soft-touch lining – a double act which left our clothes crease-free, even after a long-haul flight to Singapore.

In a nutshell? Yes, it’s one of the pricier suitcases, but it’s also one which – in our opinion – is worth every penny.

This is a fantastic suitcase which comes with plenty of perks, including an ultra-secure locking system and an abundance of pockets. The spinner wheels roll incredibly smoothly, thanks partly to their double-wheel design, and the presence of additional handles on both the bottom and side made it easy to remove from a particularly full overhead luggage bin. The interior comprises two mesh-covered compartments, and we loved the way additional pockets have been incorporated into these mesh covers – one has enough room for a laptop, while the other is divided into two zippered pouches.

Is there anything this cabin bag can’t do? We suspect not. Then again, perhaps it’s hardly surprising that this offering from Eastpak – a brand famous for its backpacks – works equally well as a duffel bag or rucksack-style one. When carried using the side handle, the backpack straps slip neatly into their designated pocket, and the clamshell opening, which reveals two roomy, mesh-covered compartments, makes accessing the contents a breeze. We loved the presence of the bag’s side straps – these don’t only serve as compression straps but helped to secure the water bottles we placed in the side pockets, too.

It’s a myth that cabin bags need to be rectangular. This is an over-the-shoulder bag which also serves as the ideal cabin bag. Our testing process involved filling it to capacity and shoving it (easily) into various cramped overhead luggage bins. Bear with us here, but this is another bag worthy of the comparison to a Tardis – somehow, Scamp and Dude has managed to squeeze in a huge main compartment, one large internal laptop pocket and two smaller pockets.

At first we wondered if the silver was a bit much. Would people think we’d wrapped a tote bag in tin foil? Luckily, it works fabulously, thanks to the funky lightning strike design, which includes a single bolt picked out in bright pink. It’s exceptionally well padded throughout too, and the reinforced base provides added protection from wear and tear.

When we left our laptop case in a hotel room in Goa, we had no concerns about keeping our exposed computer in this bag’s laptop sleeve – like the rest of the bag, it’s exceptionally well padded. The extra-large side handle meant shoving this bag into (and dragging it out of) cramped overhead luggage bins was a breeze, and the enormous main compartment means this is a great bag for weekends away, too.

Our favourite feature? The way in which the elasticated side pocket, designed to hold bottles of water, is hidden by a zippered pocket. This provided extra peace of mind and meant we didn’t have to remove said water bottle from the side pocket before placing it in the overhead locker.

This suitcase is ridiculously, mind-bogglingly light, and it lacks the worrying flimsiness we’ve come across in suitcases with a similarly low weight. The three-point TSA-compliant lock was incredibly easy to use, and it’s another suitcase with wheels which moved incredibly smoothly. The two main compartments are covered by mesh sleeves, and we loved the design.

Rather than using fixed covers which zip up, Samsonite has used covers which clip into anchor points on the suitcase’s walls, and the removable nature of these covers meant we could simply unclip them when they weren’t needed. The magnum is also pretty sustainable – it’s made entirely with recycled post-consumer waste.

Another suitcase which feels incredibly light but has a surprising rigidity, this graphite grey case from Tripp will stand up to some serious wear and tear. Even the wheels – supersized rollers which glide incredibly smoothly – have exterior components which protect the sides of the wheels from accidental knocks. The internal design allows for a certain amount of customisation, thanks to the zippered cover over one side of the case and X-shaped compression straps on the other.

Black hole is an appropriate name for this duffel bag, which is Fair Trade Certified sewn and made entirely of recycled materials. The laminated ripstop fabric feels reassuringly tough, as do the reinforced side handles. It’s another bag with plenty of opportunities for customisation – the straps, for example, allow it to be carried like a backpack and are fully removable – and when the bag’s not in use, it folds neatly into its own carry sack.

The interior is easily accessible courtesy of a three-sided zip and comprises one large central compartment and a laptop-sized pocket in the lid. A smaller side compartment, accessible from both the interior and exterior of the bag, is perfect for smaller items such as power banks and charging cables, too.