If you’re a frequent business traveller, you’ll be well acquainted with suitcases. The range of options is huge, and the selection can be overwhelming. There is so much to consider - security, how easy it is to wrestle with at the airport, and the ease of living out of it for days on end.
Carry-on luggage is another matter entirely. You need laptop space, pockets, security and ultra-comfort. You’ll carry it everywhere, through the miles of security and down long terminals. Are hand-held or wheeled carry-on options best, or an easy-to-carry soft shell backpack?
Before you start looking, think about what you want from your luggage.
- How much space do you need? Are you an overnight traveller, or a long-hauler with a variety of events to attend?
- How do you like things organised? Would you like one big space or several compartments? A separate space for a suit? An in-built plastic container for toiletries?
- What colour do you want? Something easy to see on a luggage carousel, or something corporate and discreet?
- What features do you want? A handle, wheels, shoulder strap?
- Will you be in one place for a long time, and need to unpack your suitcase, or travelling for short periods, with a suitcase that unzips flat and saves a lot of unnecessary hassle?
A word on smart luggage: they can do everything, from following you around the airport to charging your phone. While that sounds like it will reduce the stress of your business travel, it could actually, however, several airlines have banned them - their lithium batteries often cannot be removed. That’s why we haven’t listed any of these smart travel bags. The last thing you need is to be denied entry onto a flight because of your luggage choice.
Samson Octolite range
If you have a long trip coming up, or one with multiple engagements, you’ll need a lot of luggage.
The Samsonite Octolite range has a variety of sizes from the huge 81cm/129 litre suitcase with expander, to a more moderate 68cm/75 litre. There are plenty of options.
This range also comes in several colours - black, silver, blue and red. They all have a tough polypropylene outer shell to keep contents safe, and a TSA-approved combination lock. This means you and the TSA can get in, but no-one else.
They have 360-degree spinner wheels to easily trundle after you, and fully lined zipped compartments make organising a breeze. They also open flat, for easy packing and unpacking.
Travelpro Maxlite Garment Bag
If you’re off on a shorter trip, a garment bag might be all you need. A Travelpro Maxlite 4 Garment Bag keeps your clothing immaculate and meeting-ready.
This 38cm x 55cm x 23 cm bag weighs 3.6kg, with smooth-rolling wheels and a telescopic handle for simple manoeuvring.
It’s fully lined, with compression straps, a coat-hanger clip and fold-down flap to keep your clothing in place. There are also two zipped pockets for jewellery and accessories, and two mesh pockets for anything else.
Once you’ve arrived, the bag unbuckles at the top and fully unzips, so you can quickly access everything inside.
There’s a TSA lock to keep unwanted hands out of the main compartment, and an external pocket keeps important documents close to hand.
Cubo cabin bag by Lojel
If you’re on a short trip and only need carry-on, the Cubo bag is ideal. Its clever design lets you fit everything logically. It comes in four bright colours, and it fits within airline guidelines of carry-on: 54 x 36 x 26 cm. It weighs 3.2kg and takes up to 130 litres if you use the expander zip.
It has a light, scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell and a TSA-approved lock system. The tamper-proof double coil also helps keep your possessions safe.
It opens flat, and the front pocket also opens wide. The laptop slot and extra pockets keep necessaries easy to access while you’re flying.
Flylite Optix wheeled laptop backpack
The Optix wheeled backpack gives you the option of actually carrying your carry-on. It’s designed to carry-on dimensions (44cm x 36cm x 22cm) and the soft shell makes it easier to pop in the overhead compartment.
It has a zip opening, with clips that stop the contents falling out, while being wide enough to easily access whatever you need. The other main pocket fits your laptop, and side pockets easily store drink bottles and other small items.
When you get tired, the bag has an extendable handle and wheels so you can pull it around. A wheeled backpack does offer the best of both worlds: a professional look, with the ease of travel only a backpack can provide.
Samsonite Duranxt Lite Garment Bag
If you’re carrying a suit, you can either try to fold it nicely in your luggage, or buy luggage designed to transport it without a wrinkle. At 50cm x 59 cm x 18cm and 2.6kg, the Samsonite Duranxt Lite Garment Bag is slim, light, and has enough space for a short trip. It’s an approved cabin bag for Qantas and Virgin flights, and has a removable shoulder strap with a hanging hook.
It unfolds and unzips to hang flat, so your suit hangs perfectly without the need to put it up in the wardrobe. An internal wet pocket is great for toiletries, with other internal zipped pockets for accessories and other clothing. An external pocket fits a pair of shoes or travel documents.
So many business travel suitcase options
If you’re looking for the best carry-on luggage for a business trip, or a heavy-duty suitcase for a long trip, there’s a huge range of options. Think about what you want from your luggage, and the decisions become a lot easier.
With price often reflecting durability, it’s worth investing in a few key pieces of luggage you can use again and again. The right business travel suitcase can make the commute easier - and that’s well worth the money.