Tech & Gear Luggage The 8 Best Briggs & Riley Luggage Items Check out our favorite picks for all your packing needs By Erika Owen Erika Owen Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Erika Owen is a self-proclaimed Professional Iceland Enthusiast, covering everything from boutique hotels to ATV tours. She's also a product reviewer who's tested out everything from airplane pillows to travel adapters for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 01/06/22 Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The Rundown Best Overall: Briggs & Riley Torq Hardside Luggage at Amazon This hardside bag is an absolute powerhouse with a scratch-resistant case. Best Carry-On: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner at Amazon Despite the case’s small size, you don’t have to compromise on packing space. Best Checked: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Upright at Amazon Its signature compression system allows you to shrink it back to its original size without forfeiting space. Best Backpack: Briggs & Riley @Work Medium Cargo Backpack at Amazon Made from 100 percent ballistic nylon, this is perfect for traveling professionals. Best-Midsized: Briggs & Riley Transcend Medium Expandable Spinner at Amazon The nylon exterior resists dirt, moisture, and the wear and tear of travel. Best Underseater: Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Spinner at Briggs-riley.com Its ballistic nylon fabric ensures protection from wear and tear, while an outsider handle offers more packing space inside. Best for Durability: Briggs & Riley Simpatico Large Spinner at Amazon It’s extra strong, extra lightweight, and cleverly molded into a fashionable futuristic design with ergonomic grab points. Best Duffel: Briggs & Riley International Carry-On Upright Duffel at Amazon The material is a strong, ballistic nylon that resists tears, moisture, and dirt. Best Overall: Briggs & Riley Torq Hardside Luggage View On Amazon View On Briggs-riley.com What We Like Incredibly durable Tons of packing space Built-in TSA-approved locks What We Don't Like Not many pockets The Torq Luggage is available in six sizes: two carry-on sizes (21 inches and 22 inches) and four checked bag sizes (27 inches, 28 inches, 30 inches, and 32 inches). This hardside bag is an absolute powerhouse with a scratch-resistant case, a handle system made of aircraft-grade aluminum that locks in at three different heights, and the brand’s classic Outside handle design. The latter of these features takes away the bumpy packing surface you see with so many other suitcase designs and offers a wrinkle-free interior to work with. The durability is the real winner here. Suitcases of this size and heft are generally pretty heavy, but this lightweight option is made of three-layer Makrolon polycarbonate and offers unbeatable interior space without the bulk. Weight: 7.5 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate (hardside) Best Carry-On: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner 4.7 View On Amazon View On Briggs-riley.com What We Like Ample packing space Lightweight Durable and easy-to-use wheels What We Don't Like Slightly dated design aesthetic Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner Review 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 United States 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. Weight: 9.3 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon (softside) Tested by TripSavvy The Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner is one of several soft-sided carry-on bags within the well-respected luggage brand’s flagship Baseline collection. But would the packing space and maneuverability justify the steep price tag? The first thing we noticed is that this bag features oodles of useful pockets. A large exterior pocket on the front easily holds a hardcover book and an iPad or magazine. A second shallow pocket atop the bigger one is roughly as big as a business envelope, making it ideal for storing documents. Inside, a fairly roomy main compartment can be expanded using Briggs & Riley’s CX, or “Compression Expansion,” technology. All we had to do was pull up on both sides of the case to expand it—there’s nothing to unzip. Once we had it packed and zipped, we simply pushed down and in on the sides, and it compressed down with a satisfying click. According to the company, this feature helps increase capacity by more than 25 percent; sure enough, it allowed us to squeeze in an extra pair of sandals and a small cosmetics case. All Briggs & Riley luggage bags feature a lifetime guarantee. The company handles any needed repairs, even those caused by airlines, at any point in a bag’s life—and you don’t even have to dig a proof of purchase out of your desk drawer. —Hailey Eber, Product Tester TripSavvy / Hailey Eber Best Checked: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Upright View On Amazon View On Briggs-riley.com What We Like Lightweight Has handles on three sides for easy maneuvering Retractable ID tag What We Don't Like Suiter section cannot be removed Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Upright Review 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, its signature compression system allows you to shrink it back to its original size without forfeiting space. Weight: 9.3 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon (softside) Tested by TripSavvy We tested out the top-rated suitcase to see just how well it traveled, evaluating for factors including design, capacity, and durability. Inside, the large main cavity can be expanded using the company’s CX, or Compression Expansion, technology. We were easily able to fit two bulky sweaters, three pairs of shoes, a toiletry bag, enough pants and tops for a busy week, and a suit jacket along the top of the main compartment (without folding it). The company claims this technology helps increase capacity by more than 25 percent, and it definitely allowed us to toss in an extra bulky sweaty and yet another pair of shoes. We like that there are two large flaps that buckle together to cover the contents of the main compartment and keep clothing tidy and wrinkle-free. In our experience, the roomy compartment on the interior of the lid is ideal for holding underwear and the like. It also has a hook for a hanger and an attachment with a foam rail that can be used to fold a suit or dress over. However, we found that the entire compartment cannot be removed to function as a separate garment bag, as in older Briggs models, which may bother some users. Like all Briggs & Riley bags, this one come with a lifetime guarantee. —Hailey Eber, Product Tester TripSavvy / Hailey Eber Best Backpack: Briggs & Riley @Work Medium Cargo Backpack View On Amazon View On Zappos What We Like Plenty of pockets RFID protection Ample packing space What We Don't Like Expensive 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 the main compartment can hold 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. Weight: 2.86 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon Tested and Reviewed: The Best Checked Luggage of 2022 Best-Midsized: Briggs & Riley Transcend Medium Expandable Spinner View On Amazon What We Like Great packing capacity Lightweight design Durable wheel design that’s easy to roll What We Don't Like Expensive 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 2 inches of packing space when you need it. Weight: 10.8 pounds | Material: Nylon twill (softside) Best Underseater: Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Spinner 4.7 View On Briggs-riley.com What We Like Lifetime guarantee Large front tech pocket Flat packing surface thanks to Outsider handle What We Don't Like Limited packing space 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. Weight: 9.3 pounds | Material: Ballistic Nylon (softside) The 8 Best Underseat Luggage Bags of 2022 Best for Durability: Briggs & Riley Simpatico Large Spinner View On Amazon View On Briggs-riley.com What We Like Expandable design Garment compression panels Stylish design Lifetime guarantee What We Don't Like Very large 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. Weight: 9.2 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate (hardside) The 9 Best Carry-On Bags of 2022 Best Duffel: Briggs & Riley International Carry-On Upright Duffel View On Amazon View On Briggs-riley.com This duffel is available in three sizes—a 21-inch carry-on, a 27-inch checked bag, and a 27-inch checked bag—but the smaller version is great if you don’t like spending time at the baggage claim (or worrying if your luggage made it in one piece). The large front pocket has RFID shielding and is perfect for storing your laptop or iPad. A back-of-bag power pocket makes it easy to charge your devices on the go, thanks to its pass-through USB cord design. The interior of the International Carry-On Upright Duffel has cinch-down garment panels, which help make more space and encourages flat, wrinkle-free packing. The material is a strong, ballistic nylon that resists tears, moisture, and dirt. Weight: 7.4 pounds | Material: Nylon, plastic The 10 Best Duffel Bags of 2022 Final Verdict If you want the perfect mix of style, durability, and a roomy interior, the Torq Hardside Luggage is the best bet (view at Amazon). It’s more modern in aesthetic than some of Briggs & Riley’s softside options and can withstand the wear and tear of the worst airport transfers. If you prefer a smaller option that doesn’t need to be checked, consider the Baseline Rolling Cabin Bag (view at Amazon). This underseat-compatible bag has limited packing space, but is full of pockets and will easily fit a weekend’s worth of clothes and essentials. 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. Hardside 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. Why Trust TripSavvy? With 10+ years of writing experience, Erika Owen has covered everything from transparent bubble hotels to why there are tiny holes in airplane windows (there really are).These bags have been researched for hours for quality, durability, usability, and style. Each one has been selected for a specific use case and honestly appraised on its performance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 8 below.