- The types of trips you'll take (e.g., hotels, camping, international).
- What kinds of activities you plan to do (e.g., trekking, snorkeling, cycling).
- How many possessions you want to bring.
Wheeled Duffels
Nothing swallows up gear like a duffel bag, and one with wheels can be a dream come true for multisport gear junkies. If your adventures frequently require gear of widely varying sizes and shapes, a rolling duffel is a smart way to corral it all. A newer variation, the carry-on wheeled duffel (22"), offers less space but more convenience, allowing you to forego the time and expense of checking a bag.
Best for: adventure travel requiring bulky or odd-shaped gear; family trips; road trips
Wheeled Luggage
Designed for traditional travel (business commuting, family visits, road trips), this category typically features compact sizing and sturdy construction made to handle the rigors of luggage transport systems. If you like to have things organized—medications here, toiletries there—look for bags with lots of pockets or add-in organization accessories.
Best for: business travel; family visits; road trips and travel to urban areas.
Wheeled Backpacks
Popular with adventure travelers, these combine the convenience of wheeled luggage with the mobility of a backpack. You can transport lots of gear with a simple pull of the extendable handle. Facing heavy foot traffic or a long flight of stairs? Strap on the shoulder and waist straps for hands-free carrying convenience.
Best for: adventure travel; road trips.
Travel Packs
These travel-oriented backpacks are for those who don’t mind carrying gear on their backs.
They excel where wheeled luggage cannot: on gravel, cobblestone streets, stairs and other uneven terrain. Travel packs sport internal frames, hideaway shoulder straps and built-in security features. Women’s travel packs have suspension systems designed specifically for a woman’s frame.
Best for: travelers who want to be highly mobile and plan on carrying all their gear.
Duffel Bags
The traditional duffel—minus wheels and pull handle—is lighter than its rolling counterpart, easier to store (no rigid parts, so it folds up smaller) and friendlier to your budget. It also offers huge capacities—several models available at REI provide over 130 liters (8,000 cubic inches) of space. Zip your pack inside one to transport it on an airplane.
Best for: climbers, college students or any traveler on a budget.
Laptop Bags, Sleeves and Day Packs
These urban carry-ons have a padded compartment to protect your 10"–17" laptop, plus a bevy of organizing pockets to hold cables, peripherals and paperwork. Some are checkpoint-friendly, meaning the TSA may not require you to remove your laptop at security checkpoints. Laptop sleeves can also be used with e-readers and tablets.
Best for: Urban travelers and anyone who wants to safely transport a laptop.
Carry-on Luggage
Want to avoid the expense and hassle of checked bags? All of the bags and packs described above—from wheeled backpacks to duffels—come in sizes intended for carry-on use.
Most airlines allow carry-on bags no larger than 22" x 14" x 9". Rules can change, so be sure to check with your airline about size limits (or other baggage regulations) before departure.
Best for: travelers who pack light, are highly mobile and want to bypass baggage claim.