The 8 Best Briggs & Riley Luggage Items

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Briggs & Riley BRX Expandable Spinner at Amazon

"Resistant to tears, abrasions, dirt, and moisture."

Best Carry-On: Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-On at Amazon

"Its expansion-compression technology means you won't compromise on packing space."

Best Checked: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Upright at Amazon

"Measures 11 x 20 x 28 inches – big enough for a week’s worth of clothing."

Best Backpack: Briggs & Riley @Work Medium Cargo Backpack at Macy's

"Perfect for traveling professionals."

Best Mid-Sized: Briggs & Riley Transcend Medium Spinner at Amazon

"A solid choice for a medium-sized checked bag."

Best Underseater: Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Bag at Amazon

"Fits under most airline seats and in the overhead bin."

Best for Durability: Briggs & Riley Simpatico Large Spinner at Amazon

"Extra strong, extra lightweight, and cleverly molded."

Best Duffel: Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Upright Duffel at Amazon

"Features a traditional duffel compartment and a flat-packing section."

Best Overall: Briggs & Riley BRX Explore Large Expandable Spinner

Briggs & Riley BRX Explore Large Expandable Spinner Suitcases — Courtesy of Amazon.com

Made from durable nylon, the Briggs & Riley BRX Explore Large Expandable Spinner exemplifies the brand’s commitment to quality. The outer material is resistant to tears, abrasions, dirt, and moisture; while the sturdy interior design includes wet and dry zippered compartments built into the lid. The case measures a roomy 19.5 x 11.5 x 29 inches, making it perfect for longer trips. It is expandable by up to two inches and features compression straps that help to keep the case streamlined even when packed to the brim.

The brand’s signature exterior-mounted Outsider pull handle increases the bag’s packing space even further. You can also stash essential items in the easy-access zippered compartment on the outside of the case. Despite its large size, a set of four double spinner wheels makes the bag exceptionally easy to maneuver. The wheels are also recessed, keeping the bag’s center of gravity low and making it extra stable even when upright. Available in black and blue, it is protected by the brand’s famous lifetime warranty.

Briggs & Riley Brx Explore Large Expandable Spinner Review

Best Carry-On: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner

4.2

With dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner complies with the size restrictions of most airlines (both in the US and worldwide). Special expansion-compression technology means that despite the case’s small size, you don’t have to compromise on packing space. It expands by up to 25 percent, then compresses back to its original size when closed.

Inside, the lid offers a zippered compartment and a concealed garment bag. On the exterior, you’ll find easy-access pockets between the bars of the handle and on the front of the bag. Made from durable ballistic nylon, the Briggs & Riley carry-on makes those long inter-terminal walks easier with an extendable handle and four double spinner wheels. Color-wise, you have a choice of olive or black.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner Review

Best Checked: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Upright

For a well-designed suitcase with a large capacity, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Upright is an easy choice that’s built to last (and is backed by the company's warranty). The bag is made from super-durable ballistic nylon and has an exterior handle to maximize space inside. A garment folder is built right into the bag, as are compression pouches to prevent wrinkles. This stylish suitcase comes in black or olive, weighs less than 11 pounds and measures 11 x 20 x 28 inches – big enough for a week’s worth of clothing. If you overfill the suitcase, it's signature compression system allows you to shrink it back to its original size without forfeiting space.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Upright Review

Best Backpack: Briggs & Riley @Work Medium Cargo Backpack

Made from 100 percent ballistic nylon, the Briggs & Riley @Work Medium Cargo Backpack is perfect for traveling professionals. Its three-section design has a padded compartment for laptops measuring up to 15.6 inches and a main compartment for holding larger items. It also has a fleece-lined slip pocket for an iPad or tablet and an organizer section with dedicated spaces for business cards, pens, and keys.

On the exterior, a u-zip side compartment conceals a water bottle holder, while a deep zip pocket on the front panel has space for a power cord. Best of all, your passport and credit cards are kept safe from identity theft in a hidden RFID-blocking pocket. Measuring 18 x 13.5 x 8 inches in size, the Briggs & Riley backpack also features padded shoulder straps, a leather handle, and a slip-through strap for attachment to other bags.

Best Mid-Sized: Briggs & Riley Transcend Medium Expandable Spinner

A favorite among long-time Briggs & Riley customers, the Transcend Medium Expandable Spinner is a solid choice for a medium-sized checked bag. Available in merlot, rainforest green, and gray, this soft-sided bag measures 12 x 19 x 26 inches, weighs 10.8 pounds, and has plenty of added features that set it apart. The nylon exterior resists dirt, moisture and the wear and tear of travel. It has a hideaway ID tag that tucks nicely into the side so personal information isn’t on display. And on the inside, there’s a garment holder for two dresses or suits, plus the signature expansion method adds an extra two inches of packing space when you need it.

Best Underseater: Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Bag

Another great rolling carry-on option, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Bag is an underseater that fits under most airline seats and in the overhead bin. The 13.5 x 9.5 x 15.5-inch bag boasts a padded pocket for your tablet, a roomy main compartment, and three mesh pockets for organizing smaller items — yet it still meets carry-on regulations for domestic and international airlines. For more storage, there's a front pocket, side pocket, a water bottle pocket, and a handy, SpeedThru pocket for quick access to items. Its ballistic nylon fabric ensures protection from wear and tear, while an outsider handle offers more packing space inside. For added convenience, the interlocking, aluminum handle system allows the bag to securely stack on top of other Briggs & Riley Baseline Upright bags.

Best for Durability: Briggs & Riley Simpatico Large Spinner

The Briggs & Riley Sympatico Large Spinner is built to last from three-layer 100 percent virgin Makrolon polycarbonate. It’s extra strong, extra lightweight, and cleverly molded into a fashionable futuristic design with ergonomic grab points. The accessories are equally hardy — from the aircraft-grade aluminum handle to the spinner wheels mounted on an especially wide, tilt-resistant base. The case measures 30 x 20 x 12 inches and has a cavernous interior with built-in garment holders and compression panels to keep clothing flat. The zipper is protected from theft by an integrated TSA lock, while suitcase colors range from plum to bronze or onyx.

Best Duffel: Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Upright Duffel

Available in black or olive, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Upright Duffel is made from 100 percent ballistic nylon. It features two separate sections — a traditional duffel compartment and a flat-packing section in the bottom of the bag. The former is accessed via a U-shaped zipper and fitted with garment-securing panels and a mesh pocket. The latter is perfect for shoes or delicate garments. It can be entered via a U-shaped zipper at the base of the duffel section or via a clam-shell zipper that splits the 16.5 x 14 x 27-inch bag in two. In transit, use the top carry handles or the pull handle paired with twin rolling wheels.

How We Tested

Our reviewers tested this piece of Briggs & Riley luggage by using it daily on their own vacations. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this suitcase, from its size and weight to its durability and maneuverability. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Piece of Briggs & Riley Luggage

Weight Although Briggs & Riley suitcases make every ounce count, be careful with how much an empty bag weighs. The more lightweight the luggage, the more allowance you’ll have for clothing to take with you (or bring home).

Hardshell vs. softshell Many travelers love softshell bags for their flexibility. Hard-sided bags, on the other hand, are better at protecting delicate items. Consult your typical packing list to figure out what works best for you.

Carry-it-yourself vs. roller This choice depends on both personal preference and expected use. Carry-it-yourself bags stay close to your side in crowded public spaces or airports, and they won’t get thrown off by cobblestone streets. With roller suitcases, you don’t have to deal with schlepping a heavy bag, but when spaces are tight and busy, they’re a little harder to maneuver.

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