Louis Polo · 15 Jun 2026
Standing in front of a wall of suitcases can be overwhelming. They all look similar, but the differences in quality, size, and features are enormous. Get this decision right and your suitcase will be a faithful travel companion for a decade.
Suitcase sizes are standardised around carry-on and check-in categories, but actual dimensions vary by brand.
Cabin bags are designed to fit in overhead compartments. The universal sweet spot is 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, fitting the most restrictive airlines while also working on full-service carriers. Use a cabin bag for trips up to 4 days, business travel where you need quick access to belongings, or any trip where you want to avoid checked baggage fees and collection waits.
This is the most popular size category for good reason. A medium check-in bag holds enough for a 2-week holiday while remaining manageable to lift and manoeuvre. The 24-inch size is the sweet spot, large enough for most holidays but not so heavy that you strain yourself lifting it into a taxi boot or onto a train rack.
Large bags are for extended trips, family travel, or travellers who simply need to bring more, and are also popular with students moving internationally. A fair warning: large bags encourage overpacking. If you regularly return home with half your bag empty, you probably don’t need a large case.
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Hard shell suitcases offer superior protection for fragile items and are generally more water-resistant, ideal for checked baggage since they protect contents from mishandling; the downside is they don’t flex for one last item. Modern hard shells use polycarbonate or ABS plastic that is surprisingly impact-resistant.
Soft shell suitcases offer flexibility, they can expand to accommodate extra packing and often have external pockets for items you need quick access to, and are lighter than comparable hard shells. The downside is lower protection for fragile items and vulnerability to water damage.
Our recommendation: hard shell for checked baggage, soft shell for cabin bags where you need that extra flexibility and quick-access pockets.
2-wheel rollaboards are pulled behind you at an angle. They’re more stable on rough terrain, cobblestones, gravel, uneven surfaces, and slightly more secure on slopes since they won’t roll away when you let go. 4-wheel spinners roll in all directions beside you, far more comfortable over long distances on smooth surfaces like airport terminals, though trickier on rough terrain and slopes.
Our recommendation: 4-wheel spinners for primarily airport and hotel travel, 2-wheel for adventures involving rougher surfaces.
For most travellers, a two-bag system works best: a carry-on for short trips and business travel, plus a medium check-in for longer holidays. You don’t need to own every size, strategic flexibility matters more than having every option available.
The right suitcase is not the most expensive or the most feature-rich, it’s the one that fits your travel lifestyle perfectly and serves you reliably for years to come.
