There are no rules or norms that dictate what suitcase you need for work travel. That said, if you find yourself flying to important meetings or flying frequently for work-related trips, it helps to have a suitcase tailored to your needs.
Here’s what to look for
There are four key attributes we look for in any suitcase we consider for business travel:
The size of the suitcase
Durability
Organization
Convenience
Having ample organization makes your life easier before and during your trip when you’re packing and retrieving your belongings. Convenience features, like built-in USB charge ports, come in handy when you’re on the go.
Having a smaller suitcase that fits in the overhead bins of an aircraft also has its benefits. And a bag that’s durable is a bag that you can rely on for years to come.
Carry-on sized
For trips that last five days or shorter, limit yourself to a carry-on and a briefcase.
We like smaller bags because they let us take our belongings onto the plane as carry-on. That means skipping the baggage carousel after each flight and mitigating the risk of an airline losing our bags. In 2016, airlines lost or mishandled six bags per 1,000 passengers. Those odds aren’t high, but they’re not exactly slim either.
We also like smaller bags because they’re easier to handle. Their compact dimensions make them easier to grab them when we need to chuck them overhead, into a trunk, or onto a conveyor belt for security. A smaller bag also inherently limits how much we can pack, which is a good thing. You can read more about packing light and its advantages in Our Our 6 Best Tips for Packing Light.
Durability
A bag’s durability comes down to the materials used in it, its design, and the workmanship that went into assembling it.
We’ve written extensively about what makes a bag durable in two other articles:
In short, a bag is durable when it uses tough materials for its shell and offers sturdy wheels, handles, and zippers.
Tough shell materials include aluminum and polycarbonate for hardshell bags. They include ballistic and cordura nylon for softshells. It’s harder to gauge how durable a bag’s wheels, handles, and zippers are. You could go off the manufacturer’s word (usually marketing) on how great their components are, but there are other approaches to determining durability.
Reading reviews and going off of a brand’s reputation (and there are man reputable brands out there) are two places to start. If you’re still in doubt, look at the warranty that comes with the bag. The toughest bags are backed by solid warranty policies. These should last at least a few years and cover breakage under regular use. Exceptional warranty policies cover wear and tear and damage done by bag handlers and porters.
Organization
Arguably the biggest differentiator between bags made for leisure and business travelers is the amount of organization available.
A bag designed for work travel offers all kinds of pockets, compartments, and dividers. These are designed for a variety of clothing, accessories, documents, and electronics. They keep your belongings in order when you’re on the road.
If you’re concerned about your presentation, then no doubt you care about your clothing. Higher-end suitcases provide semi-rigid pockets that guard against wrinkling. Some even come with detachable suiters, garment bags, and rollers for your suits, jackets, dress pants, and dress shirts and blouses.
Briggs and Riley's Baseline Expandable Upright features a garment folder for wrinkle-free packing
These suitcases should also provide mesh pockets for accessories of all shapes and sizes. These accessories might include belts, ties, shoes, and socks. You might also find spill-proof or waterproof pockets that double as toiletry bags.
In the US, you may pass security without removing your laptop from your bag so long as it’s kept separate from all other belongings. If you plan on skipping the briefcase or laptop bag, look for suitcases that offer dedicated compartments for laptops.
Convenience
Convenience features are nice-to-have’s. You don’t need them, but having them makes your life that much easier.
One of our favorite convenience features is the USB port, which is becoming increasingly popular among mid-range and premium suitcases. These ports let you charge up your devices by plugging them in directly to the suitcase itself. A battery inside the suitcase (usually sold separately- a battery under $20 can charge your phone twice over) supplies power.
Platinum Elite 20" Carry-on from Travelpro features its own USB port for on-the-go charging
We also love compression systems. Many suitcases provide simple compression straps. These are great for holding your possessions in place. For significant space-saving, however, we prefer compression systems that user zippers or locking mechanisms. Briggs and Riley’s CX system is among the best of these compression tools.
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Briggs and Riley demonstration of their CX system
The last convenience feature we’ll mention is the built-in lock. You might not ever need it if you always bring your suitcases onboard, but it’s excellent to have for when you need an extra peace of mind. That’s especially so if you’re ever parted from your suitcase, say, when the aircraft’s overhead bins are full or you’re leaving your bags with concierge.
So what can you get for $___?
It’s easy to find a bag that packs in a suite of features and exceptional durability. It’s harder to find one without a premium price tag.
We’ve done the legwork to pick out some of our favorite bags that also offer exceptional value. These bags range from $200-$700 and they meet the needs of most business travelers. Head over to our Editors’ Picks 2018: Best Luggage for Business Travelers to see them.
Bags below the $200 tend to shed some of the qualities we discussed in this article. But as we said at the start, even a basic no-frills suitcase can get the job done. A sub-$50 roller with a couple of packing cubes and a toiletry bag can help you stay organized for a work trip.
At just under $50, AmazonBasics' Hardside Spinner Luggage - 20-Inch delivers a solid balance of functionality and value, but discerning business travelers may scoff at its simplicity
At $500 and up, you’ll find bags built for performance and luxury. Whether their prices are justified depends on you. We’re inclined to think they’re worth it if you’re planning on flying at least a trip every month or two. These bags also tend to last for at least a few years, probably longer, so you’ll get to enjoy them indefinitely.
What are the best brands for business travelers?
In our view, there are no “best brands,” only those that focus on building quality, reliability, and performance into their luggage. Brands that most consistently do this include, but are not limited to:
Tumi
Briggs and Riley
Travelpro
Rimowa
Hartmann
Eagle Creek
And while these brands are revered for their quality, keep in mind many other brands also build luggage suited for business travelers. Those brands may not focus on the mid-range or premium markets, but they may offer compelling options at more affordable prices.
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