The 10 Best Places to Buy Luggage in 2021

Best Overall: Walmart

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From home decor to hunting accessories, there’s very little you can’t buy from Walmart. The superstore has an impressive Luggage & Travel department that specializes in affordable American brands such as Rockland, Olympia USA, and American Tourister. The user-friendly website splits products into helpful categories ranging from carry-on suitcases to complete luggage sets, which you can then filter according to customer rating, price range, and more.

A highlight of buying luggage at Walmart is the website’s Special Offers filter, which allows you to quickly view clearance, reduced price, and on sale items in order to ensure that you get the best deal possible. Walmart offers free two-day shipping on all orders of $35 or more. Alternatively, some items are eligible for free in-store pickup, while the ability to return items in-store saves you from having to arrange postage.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Away

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For frequent travelers, there’s almost no better luggage brand than cult-favorite Away, which has quickly become the go-to brand among stylish jetsetters in-the-know. Famously, every piece of luggage that the brand sells comes with a lifetime warranty, so that you feel confident investing in their products. But chances are that you’ll never even need to use that warranty, because their luxury suitcases are sleek, sturdy, and genuinely fashion-forward, with thoughtful design features—a battery comes built into both carry-on options, for example, so you can charge your phone.

Their hardshell carry-on pieces and larger suitcases are crafted from a durable polycarbonate shell that’s as resilient as they come, and the wheels couldn’t be more smooth rolling. And, with four sizes—two carry-on sizes and a medium and large for full-size suitcases—you have plenty of options. And, the millennial color palette was basically designed to look good on Instagram. If you travel a ton for work, play, or somewhere in between, an Away suitcase is worth the hype.

“In lieu of a plastic polybag—which doesn't recycle and doesn't unbox well—this carry-on came nestled in a nice cotton muslin dust bag and gave us the feeling of unwrapping a gift. While we doubt we'd store the suitcase in the bag when not in use (though Away suggests it and plenty of people do), it's nice enough to repurpose as a laundry bag.” — Joy Merrifield, Product Tester

Best Budget: Zappos

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Though you might naturally associate Zappos with shoes or clothes, the online retailer also has an extensive luggage collection. You’ll find more expensive brands like Tumi and Samsonite, but the site also has a range of wallet-friendly travel gear, with quite a few options under $100. Even if you choose to go with a more expensive brand, you’ll usually find them marked down. 

In addition to price, Zappos makes it easy to search by functions like bag size, colors, and prints. Narrowing your picks down is even easier if you’re searching for specifics like an expandable bag, TSA-approved locks, water-resistant or sustainable materials, and more. 

Best for Customization: Roam

Buy on Roamluggage.com

If you’ve ever stood at the carousel waiting for your black bag in a sea of other neutrals, then you know the importance of distinguishing your gear from everyone else’s. A brand like Roam helps cut down on those cookie-cutter luggage sets. The website walks you through how to choose from one of their fun designs or you can get creative and design your own.

Once you choose the right size, the real fun begins as you can select colors for the front and back shell cover, trim color, and a monogram. You can even select the hues for the wheels and zippers. The custom combinations are endless and before finalizing your selection, you can preview the suitcase to make sure it’s to your liking. 

Best Variety: Amazon

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Excellent customer service, helpful buyer reviews, and an easy return policy help to make Amazon the world’s favorite online retailer. The website’s comprehensive luggage department offers a full range of brands, including top names such as Samsonite, Kenneth Cole REACTION, and Briggs & Riley. To avoid excess luggage fees at the airport, use the unique Carry-On Guide to shop for bags that comply with the size restrictions of 24 specific airlines.

You can shop by category (think travel duffels, backpacks, or laptop bags), and filter results according to your favorite brand, preferred color and material, or budget. Pair your suitcase with packing organizers or a luggage lock from the website’s Travel Accessories section. You can also add items to a wish list to help your friends choose the perfect gift.

Best Style: Nordstrom

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Leading fashion retailer Nordstrom delivers luggage items just as stylish as its shoes, clothing, jewelry, and other accessories. Expect top brands like Calpak, Longchamp, Herschel Supply Co., Tumi, and Tory Burch, as well as the company's own brand, Nordstrom Made, a more budget-friendly option. Either way, you have over a thousand different items to choose from, including carry-ons, toiletry bags, duffel bags, jewelry cases, briefcases, and more.

Scour Nordstrom's travel section by filtering through luggage or bag type, size, material, color, brand, and price (ranges from under $25 to over $1,000). Most items will also ship anywhere for free in the U.S., even to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Or, if you're itching to travel soon, you can schedule a pick-up at your nearby Nordstrom store.

Best Luxury: Bloomingdale's

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For high-end shoppers, look no further than luxury department store Bloomingdale's. You can find all the major luggage item brands, including Rimowa, Bric's, Delsey, and Hartmann, along with designer brands like Coach, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs. The iconic retailer carries spinners, luggage sets, backpacks, and tote bags, among many other travel items. Shop conveniently by filtering your selection through luggage/bag type, size, features (TSA-integrated lock, RFID-blocking tech, etc.), colors, brands, price, and offers/sales. You can even filter through same-day delivery or pick-up in-store options.

If you're part of the Loyallist program, a rewards program that allows you to earn points on Bloomingdale's purchases, you get free shipping every day and free returns (no minimum). All other customers get free shipping on purchases over $150—though, with a selection that ranges to $5,000, it's easy to splurge at Bloomingdale's.

Best for Adventure Travel: L.L. Bean

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If you want an adventure travel bag, consider going directly to the source. L.L. Bean specializes in outdoor clothing and recreation equipment, and as a result, the company’s luggage line focuses on sturdy duffles, rugged pullmans, and ski bags. You can refine your search according to style, pattern, fabric, and color, while a features filter lets you choose specifics such as a drop bottom or detachable shoulder strap.

The results can be ranked by price, customer rating, or newness. If you want more than one bag, try browsing the collections for matching sets. L.L. Bean also sells adventure backpacks, travel totes, and useful accessories such as travel pillows or RFID-blocking wallets. Purchases of $50 or more are shipped free of charge to addresses in the U.S. and Canada​ and may be returned for a full refund within one year. 

Runner Up, Best for Adventure Travel: REI

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A one-stop-shop for all things outdoors, REI is another great choice for adventure-oriented luggage. The website stocks a range of different brands, including industry leaders such as Eagle Creek, The North Face, and Patagonia. Whether you’re looking for an expedition pack, a waterproof duffle, or a wheeled suitcase, you’ll find it here. Products can be sorted by a variety of filters, like gear capacity, unique features, and price.

One particularly clever feature is the “Best Use” filter, which assigns luggage to specific pastimes ranging from paddling to camping. Those on a budget should browse the used gear page for impressive discounts. All second-hand bags are inspected for quality before being uploaded. Other perks of shopping at REI include the option for one-day express shipping and a return policy that offers replacements on faulty items within one year of purchase.