We tested over 700 luggage pieces—here are our favorites from Briggs & Riley.

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New York-based luggage brand Briggs & Riley is best known for having simply designed suitcases with one of the best warranties on the market. Although the unconditional lifetime guarantee is already reassuring, we got our hands on Briggs & Riley carry-ons and checked bags, and they proved to be some of the most durable and well-built pieces we’ve tested.

We tried more than 700 pieces of luggage in total, including carry-ons, checked bags, underseat bags, carry-on backpacks, duffels, and weekender bags. For this article, we went through the results from 17 Briggs & Riley pieces, looking for top feedback on capacity, design, maneuverability, and durability. The seven bags below thoroughly impressed us by delivering the brand’s promise of being incredibly durable—especially after taking several hits from a baseball bat.

Top Picks

Best Carry-on: Briggs & Riley 22 Inch Spinner Jump to Review Best Hardside Checked: Briggs & Riley Sympatico Hardside Luggage at Briggs & Riley Jump to Review Best Softside Checked: Briggs & Riley Expandable Spinner at Amazon $859 Jump to Review Best for Organization: Briggs & Riley ZDX Carry-On Expandable Spinner at Briggs & Riley $569 Jump to Review Best Rolling Duffel: SALE Briggs & Riley Wheeled Duffel at Amazon $499 $399 Jump to Review Best Trunk: Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner at Amazon $779 Jump to Review Best Garment Bag: Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-on Wheeled Garment Spinner at Amazon $839 Jump to Review

Best Carry-on

Briggs & Riley 22 Inch Spinner

Credit: Briggs & Riley View on Bloomingdales $695 at Amazon $695 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• The clever expansion system adds 10 more liters of space.

What to Consider

• The bottom of the bag scratched during testing.

It can be difficult to pack everything you need in a carry-on bag, but this expandable spinner has a sophisticated expansion system that promises to increase your space by 25 percent just by pressing a button inside the suitcase. The bag is plenty spacious without the expander, too, and we were able to fit our full packing list with room to spare during testing. Once expanded, we were confident we could fit three or four more pairs of shoes in the main compartment—a win in our book! This bag is designed with one large compartment that has a compression pad with a small pocket attached for storing little items. The main pocket is pretty deep and becomes large enough to fit bulky items like boots inside once expanded. The top of the bag has a shallow compartment with two mesh pockets, and there is a pouch on the back exterior that can store a power bank for easy charging.

The expansion system was also fun to use. Instead of a using zipper like most bags, this carry-on has two buttons inside that you press to raise and lower panels that create the additional space. We like that we don’t have to deal with finicky zippers when expanding and compressing the bag. This suitcase rolled smoothly on various terrains and turned all the way around with no issue. We were disappointed that the bottom of the suitcase and a wheel were scratched while going over a concrete curb, but these were the only instances when we questioned the durability of the bag.

The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 8.6 pounds | Expandable (2 inches) | 41-51 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Recycled PC and recycled polyester

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Best Hardside Checked

Briggs & Riley Sympatico Hardside Luggage

Credit: Amazon View on Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• It expands to add an extra 2.25 inches in width.

What to Consider

• This suitcase is the heaviest on this list.

Overpackers should consider the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner thanks to its extra large capacity and the expandability to add even more packing space. While the suitcase can already hold a week’s worth of clothing without the expanding feature, we love that travelers have the ability to add more room if desired or keep it at its usual width. Like the carry-on version of this suitcase, it has two buttons located on the inside of the suitcase to expand it. It is the heaviest bag on this list, so be mindful of the extra weight when packing. There are two interior pockets on the inside of the opening flap (perfect for undergarments, swimsuits, or toiletries). The exterior is made of a hefty polycarbonate hardside shell that had no issues when we hit it with a baseball bat and threw it off a table multiple times.

The sturdy YKK zippers were slightly difficult to toggle but we don’t think that will be an issue over time as the zipper is designed to self-lubricate with prolonged use, and you can lock them to the suitcase for added security. Checked bags can sometimes be cumbersome to wheel, yet this one performed well on four and two wheels over smooth surfaces (though you may find some resistance over bumpy surfaces). I personally own this suitcase and have flown with it over two dozen times, so I highly recommend it.

The Details: 30 x 20 x 12 inches | 13.6 pounds | Expandable (2.25 inches) | 110-131 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Recycled PC and recycled polyester

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Best Softside Checked

Briggs & Riley Expandable Spinner

Credit: Briggs & Riley $859 at Amazon $859 at Nordstrom $859 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• It’s incredibly sturdy for a softside and features a slew of interior and exterior pockets.

What to Consider

• Some features weren’t as intuitive to use as we had hoped.

If you prefer to travel with softside luggage, this 26-inch suitcase is made of a soft and sturdy ballistic nylon exterior that has a sleek look without sacrificing durability. In fact, this piece of checked luggage thoroughly impressed us during our durability test. The bag withstood several beatings and falls (even the wheels). Even though it wasn’t a hardside exterior, the outer fabric felt very durable and sturdy—we wouldn’t worry about it getting soiled or affected by weather or dirt. We love that the suitcase has self-repairing YKK zippers that only get more lubricated and smoother over time and that the strong aluminum handle makes it easier to wheel the slightly boxy suitcase over smooth and bumpy surfaces like carpet and gravel.

The only downside is that some of the features in the main compartment had a slight learning curve, including the built-in, trifolding garment bag located on the inside of the opening flap. While the garment bag could be more intuitive to use for business travelers, it remains discreetly tucked away for those who don’t want to use it. Besides that, we loved the interior and exterior pockets that made packing easier and more efficient with a spot for all the travel essentials you would need to check in.

The Details: 26 x 18 x 12 inches | 12.5 pounds | Expandable (2.5 inches) | 80-97 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Ballistic nylon

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The Best Luggage Brands of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Best for Organization

Briggs & Riley ZDX Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Credit: Briggs & Riley $569 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• It has more than seven compartments to ensure that everything in the carry-on has its place.

What to Consider

• It felt a little less spacious than Briggs & Riley’s other carry-ons.

With a plethora of organizational compartments, the Briggs & Riley ZDX Essential 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner helps to ensure that everything has its place. The softside exterior has one open pocket and two zipper pockets—one with an internal divide, the other with RFID-blocking technology. There’s also a zipper pocket at the back of the bag that can hold a phone, plus a sleeve for the included luggage tag. The top flap opens to one main compartment, with a compression panel that cinches in clothing and two zipper pockets on the flap, which are large enough to store travel pouches or underwear. Because the shape of the suitcase has rounded corners, we felt like there was a little less packing space than other Briggs & Riley carry-ons, but it expands 2 inches.

This has a lower price point than most of the other Briggs & Riley luggage, and it also has a more rugged look—with a durable construction to match. The zippers and handle felt sturdy, and we loved how tall the handle extended. Made with a woven nylon, the softside suitcase stood up to many thwacks from a bat and multiple drops onto hard floor. While it suffered minor scuffs on its base, it otherwise went unscathed. While it earned high marks for its durability, the suitcase’s aesthetics may not elicit “oohs” the way those of our other picks might. It does, however, come in four colors, including blue, orange, black, and green, with the option for personalization.

The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 8 pounds | Expandable (2 inches) | 37.2-46.5 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Nylon

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Best Rolling Duffel

Briggs & Riley Wheeled Duffel

Credit: Amazon $499 $399 at Amazon $499 $399 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• This weighs less than the other checked bags on this list, and you can either roll it or carry it like a duffel.

What to Consider

• It is not expandable, and the wheels do not rotate 360 degrees.

This rolling duffel bag is a checked size but weighs less than Briggs & Riley’s other checked bags. You can either roll it on two wheels (though they do not rotate 360 degrees) or use the tote handles on top to carry it like a duffel. We thought the built-in compression straps inside were useful for keeping our clothing wedged together, and there are also multiple pockets for organization. It is not expandable.

Durability is incredibly important when it comes to checked bags that may be handled roughly, and we were impressed with how sturdy the ballistic nylon exterior was after several hits with a baseball bat. It is made of a soft but strong fabric that would take a lot for it to get damaged, though the bag does not have the structure of Briggs & Riley’s four-wheeled suitcases. We think this lightweight, durable duffel bag has all the bells and whistles to make it the best option for maximizing your space and weight allotment.

 The Details: 27 x 15 x 15 inches | 8.9 pounds | 90.3 liters | 2 wheels | Nylon

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Best Trunk

Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner

Credit: Briggs & Riley $779 at Amazon $779 at Nordstrom $779 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• This hefty trunk has a whopping 123.9-liter capacity and can be shared by multiple people.

What to Consider

• It might be hard to stay within your airline’s weight limit if you pack the bag full.

Trunks are ideal for hefting a lot of stuff, and it will be hard to find a better suitcase for the task than this one. The Extra Large Trunk Spinner is a substantial bag with enough space for multiple people to share, making it a great option for families. Dubbed an «absolute monster» during testing, we were impressed with the 123.9-liter capacity that seemed like it could fit our entire packing list four times over. While its capacity and its 32.5-inch height made us worry about its heaviness, we were surprised to find that it weighs about as much as an average-size suitcase. It does get heavy when packed full, and you’ll have to keep an eye on your airline’s weight limit—we recommend checking its weight with a luggage scale to avoid getting too heavy.

This bag has an 80/20-split lid, two deep compartments, zippered pockets, and compression panels to keep everything tidy. The handle can be raised to multiple heights, which is useful when the bag is heavy so you can adjust it to your comfort level. For such a large bag, we found that it rolled smoothly on various terrains when fully packed. Our only concern is that the polycarbonate hardside shell did dent when we hit it with a baseball bat during testing, but we still feel like the bag is sturdy enough to protect your things while traveling to your destination. Overall, we were impressed with the size and maneuverability of this bag.

The Details: 32.5 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches | 10.4 pounds | 123.9 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Makrolon polycarbonate

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The 11 Best Luggage Pieces for International Travel, Tested and Reviewed

Best Garment Bag

Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-on Wheeled Garment Spinner

Credit: Amazon $839 at Amazon $839 at Nordstrom $839 at Briggs & Riley Why We Love It

• This bag has lots of organization features to keep your wardrobe wrinkle-free during travel.

What to Consider

• It’s only designed to fit one pair of shoes.

Whether you’re on a business trip or traveling to a wedding, sometimes your wardrobe is the most important thing you’ll pack. If you want to prioritize keeping your dresses, slacks, tops, and shoes in great shape, you’ll want to opt for a garment bag like this luxe wheeled option. It has several features that make it ideal for transporting clothing, including built-in hanger brackets and compression straps that reduce wrinkles on the road. It’s also made from resilient ballistic nylon that can withstand the wear and tear of travel whether you check it or bring it as a carry-on, so you can be confident your clothing items stay protected.

Although relatively small, this bag has a surprisingly spacious interior. It has plenty of organizational features including five interior zippered pockets and a water-resistant shoe compartment that we fit one pair of shoes in. The built-in hanger brackets can hang up to three dresses or suits. It also has a front compartment that you can use to store a laptop and a back pocket that can store a phone and charger for powering up on the go. While this bag is on the heavier side for a carry-on, we found that it rolls smoothly when packed full and doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome.

The Details: 15.5 x 21 x 10.5 inches | 11.9 pounds | 44 liters | 4 dual spinner wheels | Ballistic nylon

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Our Testing Process

We’re constantly testing luggage—everything from checked and carry-on suitcases to backpacks, duffels, and weekender bags. For this article, we looked through results from 17 Briggs & Riley pieces that we’ve tested, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, and underseat luggage. We evaluated the bags based on traits like maneuverability, design, durability, and capacity.

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When it came to capacity, the best bags were easy to pack and had generous storage for items like shoes, pants, toiletry bags, and laptops. Our favorite bags for maneuverability had no issues being rolled on two or four wheels while we glided them over carpet, gravel, and through an obstacle course to see how the bag turned around sharp corners. The durability tests—our favorite task—involved hitting the bags with a baseball bat several times and throwing them off ladders and tabletops. The best suitcases for durability showed little-to-no signs of damage after impact, leading us to believe they would hold up well with prolonged use.

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To judge the design, we examined the smoothness of the zippers, the functionality of special features like pockets, suiters, or compression straps, and the weight of the suitcase. Finally, we were unaware of the price of each bag until after testing was complete and judged the fairness of the cost based on how well the bag performed during testing.

After testing, our editors take the bags on various trips with them to judge for an additional six months. We will update this article with long-term testing results and with new bags as we test even more Briggs & Riley luggage worth recommending.

Other Briggs & Riley Luggage We Liked

These other Briggs & Riley pieces didn’t quite make the cut because of some issues during testing, but they’re still worth checking out and might be the right fit for some travelers.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-on Spinner: We love the generous storage capacity of this carry-on bag, but it was easier to roll the other carry-ons we tried.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Spinner: While this underseat bag is extremely easy to maneuver with its four wheels and long extending handle, it didn’t fit under an airplane seat no matter how hard we tried.

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Briggs & Riley Torq International 21-inch Carry-on Spinner: This is another Briggs & Riley bag that had excellent maneuverability, but we think the brand offers better carry-ons that have a larger capacity and are more durable for the same price.

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Tips for Buying Briggs & Riley Luggage

Compare hardside vs. softside

Whether you want a hardside or softside suitcase is usually a matter of preference. A hardside suitcase is best for travelers packing fragile items since a polycarbonate exterior can generally provide more structure and framing around the suitcase. However, scuffs, scratches, and dents are usually more apparent on a hardside suitcase rather than one with a nylon fabric exterior that can hide wear and tear better. A softside bag is often more flexible to pack when you need to squeeze in a few extra items. They don’t dent easily, and they often weigh less. The design also tends to be different: Hardside bags usually open like clamshell, while most softside suitcases open like a lid to give you one main packing compartment. Softside suitcases also usually have exterior pockets, whereas a hardside suitcase doesn’t always have those.

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Know your organization preferences

Depending on the type of travel you plan on using a suitcase for, there are options for those who like to be organized or who prefer a more personalized approach to packing. If you like to use packing cubes, consider a suitcase with one main, large compartment. For packers that want an all-in-one design, consider a suitcase with lots of pockets, dividers, or a fold-out suiter for clothes that wrinkle easily. Also check to see if the suitcase you’re considering is expandable if you think you’ll need the extra packing space.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is an associate editor at T+L, where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best Briggs & Riley luggage based on a series of tests completed by our team. She also owns the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner and has flown with it over two dozen times.

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