Published May 14, 2015 12:00AM
The Best Luggage of 2015
Most functional bags of 2015.
High Sierra Adventour 26" Hybrid
Smart and tough travelers for life on the road.
—Will Palmer
(Michael Karsh)
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Eddie Bauer Maximus 90L
This is a serious expedition bag ($149) made from tough, waterproof, TPUcoated polyester. Testers appreciated the four padded grab handles, which made it easy to yank on and off roof racks, as well as the legit backpack straps. Bonus: when you’re home, this 90liter duffel collapses to become its own storage pouch. eddiebauer.com
This is a serious expedition bag ($149) made from tough, waterproof, TPUcoated polyester. Testers appreciated the four padded grab handles, which made it easy to yank on and off roof racks, as well as the legit backpack straps. Bonus: when you’re home, this 90liter duffel collapses to become its own storage pouch. eddiebauer.com
(Michael Karsh)
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United by Blue Trafford Weekender
A throwback in the best ways: vintage looks, organic waxed canvas, and leather straps and trim ($148). It’s big enough for a getaway (roughly 30 liters) but compact enough to take to the coffee shop. The “Blue” in United by Blue? For every product purchased, the Philly startup removes a pound of trash from waterways. unitedbyblue.com
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A throwback in the best ways: vintage looks, organic waxed canvas, and leather straps and trim ($148). It’s big enough for a getaway (roughly 30 liters) but compact enough to take to the coffee shop. The “Blue” in United by Blue? For every product purchased, the Philly startup removes a pound of trash from waterways. unitedbyblue.com
(Michael Karsh)
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Eagle Creek EC Lync System 22
You can wear this transformer ($260) as a bona fide backpack that’s as comfortable as any overnighter in your closet. Or, with five minutes of assembly, strap it onto an aluminum frame to make it a carryonsize roller. You’d never know this 43-liters bag wasn’t built that way to begin with. eaglecreek.com
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You can wear this transformer ($260) as a bona fide backpack that’s as comfortable as any overnighter in your closet. Or, with five minutes of assembly, strap it onto an aluminum frame to make it a carryonsize roller. You’d never know this 43-liters bag wasn’t built that way to begin with. eaglecreek.com
(Michael Karsh)
Marmot Lightning Carry On
This sharp-looking, 22.5-inch carry-on ($249) does what so many small bags fail to do: maximize space. Credit the inner zip compartments and tiedown panels that put everything in its place. The 40-liter, nylonouter bag, with Hypalon reinforcements on the corners, shows restraint by including only one outer pocket. marmot.com
This sharp-looking, 22.5-inch carry-on ($249) does what so many small bags fail to do: maximize space. Credit the inner zip compartments and tiedown panels that put everything in its place. The 40-liter, nylonouter bag, with Hypalon reinforcements on the corners, shows restraint by including only one outer pocket. marmot.com
(Michael Karsh)
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High Sierra Adventour 26″ Hybrid
Protection, organization, and a smooth ride: the Adventour ($180) nails that holy trinity. It has a flexible but tough EVA drop bottom that lets you compartmentalize your stuff, burly skate wheels that glide effortlessly, and a soft but durable front to keep the weight down (8.7 pounds for a bag that holds 96 liters). Two side-loading pockets quarantine two pairs of muddy shoes. highsierra.com
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Protection, organization, and a smooth ride: the Adventour ($180) nails that holy trinity. It has a flexible but tough EVA drop bottom that lets you compartmentalize your stuff, burly skate wheels that glide effortlessly, and a soft but durable front to keep the weight down (8.7 pounds for a bag that holds 96 liters). Two side-loading pockets quarantine two pairs of muddy shoes. highsierra.com
(Michael Karsh)
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Granite Gear 22″ Wheeled CarryOn
A carry-on with a detachable pack may sound gimmicky, but with integration this seamless it makes perfect sense. The 28-liter daypack ($180), with its load-absorbing foam straps, unzips so you can pull the main bag—or unfurl the shoulder straps and hipbelt to make it a second, 46 liter backpack. granitegear.com
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A carry-on with a detachable pack may sound gimmicky, but with integration this seamless it makes perfect sense. The 28-liter daypack ($180), with its load-absorbing foam straps, unzips so you can pull the main bag—or unfurl the shoulder straps and hipbelt to make it a second, 46 liter backpack. granitegear.com
(Michael Karsh)
