The 8 Best Travel Bags for Men to Take on Any Type of Trip This Year

This isn’t your elementary-school rucksack. It has dedicated space to fit a 15" PC or 16" MacBook as well as a padded tablet pocket and two side-zip pockets (one of which has a water-resistant lining). And, the durability and functionality make the price seriously worth it. Plus, it can take the place of smaller, stow-away luggage or duffle bags. And if you're bringing a carry-on bag with you, it'll slip right onto the handle.

Like all things Tumi, it's hard to find much to dislike. But, also like all things Tumi, it is quite pricey. Almost $400 for a backpack—even a premium one—might be a little too rich for some travelers. Still, if you have the money to spend and only the best will do, we think this is the best backpack for travel this year. Bonus: optional monogramming make this an especially gift-worthy travel bag for the holidays.

What do buyers say? "Best backpack, practical and stylish. I truly love the design, now wishing it lasts as long as my last Tumi," said one Tumi.com reviewer.

Read More: Best Backpacks for Men

Without a doubt, this hardshell suitcase is small but mighty. The recycled polycarbonate exterior shell is handsome and built tough—making it a great option to get through nearly everything. Every design aspect has been thoughtfully considered, including the recycled aluminum and recycled vegan leather accents. On the inside, it's surprisingly roomy (even with the interior pockets) with space for up to a week's worth of clothing, 2-4 pairs of shoes, and other essentials.

Finally, the 360-wheels with carbon steel bearings let this bag move smoothly across the ground, so you won't have to worry about lugging your things through the airport. We suggest this carry-on case for weeklong trips or shorter ones. Bonus: Paravel offsets all carbon emissions that result from making and shipping their bags, so you can rest assured that your purchase is 100% carbon neutral.

What do buyers say? "Great carry on! Perfect roller for vacations! My kids love them too. Feels lightweight, love the design," said one reviewer on TourParavel.com.

When a hard-shell suitcase seems like overkill, you want the best soft-sided option you can find. Travelpro's Maxlite 5 Soft-sided Suitcase is just the trick. The brand has been a trusted luggage staple among airline employees for years, and we like to think they know a thing or two about travel. The Carry-on 22-inch model, in particular, starts at under $150, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck luggage values available right now.

It's not only affordable but has everything we look for in a great travel bag too, including a durable, water-resistant shell, two exterior compartments for extra organization, and a side accessory pocket that can be used for chargers and other small essentials. The exterior is simple (to the point of being almost boring), but we like that it's available in a dozen colors so you can coordinate your personal travel aesthetic. If your main concerns are budget and functionality over flash, this might be the best travel bag for you.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 3,500 Amazon reviews, 88% recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Soft-sided Suitcase with at least a 4-star rating.

You've likely seen Away's best carry-on luggage bags at the airport. It's hard to miss them. They've become one of the most popular choices among today's savvy traveler—and with good reason. The hard-shell Bigger Carry-On, in particular, offers all the same features of the brand's best-selling Carry-On, but with 20% more capacity. That means all the most essential features, including whisper-quiet 360-degree wheels, an interior compression system so you can get even more in there for your next getaway, and an optional ejectable USB charger for keeping your tech topped up on the go.

We especially love the sleek, modern aesthetic that would feel right at home either on a cross-country getaway or if you're packing for a stay at the world's first space hotel. The nearly $300 price tag might seem a little steep, but this is easily one of the best, most feature-rich carry-on bags available right now. So, yeah, we think it's worth it.

What do buyers say? "This suitcase is so worth the money! If you are hesitating because of the price tag, JUST do it! I promise this was my best purchase and I usually have buyer’s regret but not with this," said one AwayTravel.com reviewer.

Read More: Best Carry-On Luggage

There's something about a leather travel bag that just feels, well, suave. The handsome, full-grain Ethiopian leather in Parker Clay's Montecito Weekender is accented with brass hardware for a look that's timeless with a dash of rugged. It's designed to develop a natural patina over time, so it'll look better with every trip. With roughly the dimensions of a max-size carry-on bag, it's got room for a weekend away; even more, if you pack right. Several storage pockets—including one on the outside and one in—plus a dedicated laptop sleeve help keep all your essentials in order.

We love everything about this bag. But, there's no getting around the $600 premium price tag that might be a little too steep for some travelers. We'd argue, though, that this is an heirloom-quality travel bag that you're sure to have for a decade or more. So why not splurge a little?

What do buyers say? "I gave this weekender travel bag to my husband for his birthday & he loves it! The leather is soft and a beautiful color & the bag is very well crafted," said one ParkerClay.com reviewer.

Filson has made a helluva brand out of adventure travel gear that's equal parts rugged, timeless, and handsome. This heavy-duty, super-capacity duffle is no exception. At more than 36" x 16 x 14", it's beefy enough to stash all your adventure gear for a week away in the bush. The abrasion- and water-resistant fabric is built to take a serious beating (think tossing in and out of seaplanes in the Alaskan wilderness). Yet, it rolls on wide, heavy-duty wheels that move easily over virtually any terrain.

On the downside, it can get heavy when fully packed. But, that's to be expected of such a massive duffel. The biggest negative to this travel bag is the price. Like most Filson gear, it comes with a premium price tag north of $700. But, if you're seriously into adventure travel and exploring way off grid with one bag to rule them all, this is your man.

If you think Yeti's coolers are good, wait until you try out the brand's latest luggage line. The Crossroads collection boasts the same rough-and-tumble appeal of the Yeti brand you know and love. That includes a thoughtful design with a spacious main compartment, an organizer pocket, and compression straps. The maximum-carry-on size travel bag offers a 50-liter capacity—that's plenty of room for a smartly packed week away or even a long road trip.

True to Yeti's roots, the rugged, proprietary TuffSkin nylon shell is more durable than most "ordinary" soft-sided luggage. That makes it a great hard-shell alternative too. It rolls on sturdy, all-terrain wheels (though they're not 360-degree spinners), making easy work of moving between airport gates or running to catch your next train. It's a little pricey at $350. But, given the legendary Yeti name and quality, it's still our pick for the best travel bag for road trips (and plenty of vacations with air travel too!).

What do buyers say? "The modern and sleek design of the Yeti Crossroads 22” impressed us, but most important to us is the durability, the internal pocket divider panel, the wide opening, multiple handles, molded base and rugged wheels," said one Yeti.com reviewer.

Victorinox Swiss Army has been a staple brand of outdoorsmen for more than a century. But, they also happen to make some pretty sweet luggage and travel bags too. If you're a heavy packer or like taking extended trips, the Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case is an ideal checked bag solution. With more than 100L of storage space, it's roomy enough for even the longest trips. Plus it expands up to 40% for even more room. It's wrapped in a tough polycarbonate hard shell that protects your possessions from turbulence, thieves, and less-than-gentle airport baggage handlers. And it all rolls on smooth, 360-degree spinners.

If premium good looks and massive capacity are your two most important considerations when shopping for luggage, this is your man. It has plenty of both. On the downside, it's pricey at an even $700. For that price, you can score two comparably equipped travel bags from Away. Plus, it's heavy at 15 pounds, although that's to be expected of a 100-plus-liter checked bag.