The Best Suitcases for Digital Nomads in 2025: Smart Travel Gear That Moves With You

1. Introduction

We’ve done our fair share of country hopping, flying between the capitals of South America, taking a slow road trip through Europe, and exploring the wonders of Asia’s high-speed rail networks.

On a big-picture level, being able to balance all that travel with remote working has been a dream come true. On a more minute, practical level, it has made us hyper aware of the importance of reliable, smart, lightweight luggage.

Anybody who has seen Up in the Air starring George Clooney must surely remember the scenes involving his suitcase (or maybe it’s just us being a travel nerd). There was a Zen-like calm to the way Clooney’s character packed his perfectly compartmentalized bag, which glided smoothly through the terminal on responsive wheels.

When the character came to the security area, the bag’s handle smoothly telescoped back into the body, and it was the work of an instant for him to lift it up onto the conveyor belt and whisk out his laptop for separate inspection.

That, in a nutshell, is the dream: a seamless journey, enabled by an efficient piece of travel-ware.

In this post, we’re going to examine precisely what makes for an awesome suitcase, as well as recommending some of our favorite tried-and-tested brands for top-quality luggage.

2. Why Suitcase Choice Matters for Digital Nomads

For the occasional traveler, putting up with a slightly inconvenient suitcase isn’t a huge deal. Sure, the wheels might not work overly well, the design of the interior might be impractical, or the exterior might be easily damaged, but that’s probably just about bearable for the holidayer who goes abroad once a year.

For the digital nomad, it’s a whole other story. When you find yourself moving about every few months or even weeks, poor maneuverability, inefficient design, and insufficient durability are an annoyance that you will be forced to confront on a regular basis.

Even if there’s nothing especially wrong with your luggage, it might not be as optimized as it could be for regular trips. Just consider for a minute the various uncontrollable factors that can arise, such as unpredictable weather or uneven terrain.

Traveling the world means shlepping through quite a spectrum of airports, cities, towns and countryside. Even massive metropolises like Paris or Beijing have areas where it’s difficult to manhandle a suitcase – think cobblestone streets and/or raised doorway thresholds.

The right piece of luggage can smooth over all these issues for more comfortable, more enjoyable journeys. Some premium brands even offer handy tech features like a built-in power bank – invaluable in places where charging points aren’t abundant.

Separate compartments for digital devices, toiletries and dirty laundry make it that much easier and more convenient to find what you’re looking for in an instant, while also providing peace of mind that everything is safely stowed.

3. Key Features to Look For in a Digital Nomad Suitcase

We can get pretty geeky about suitcases and their design. It’s just fascinating how ergonomic they have become over the decades.

In this section, we’re going to list some of the key features that you should examine before deciding what piece of luggage to purchase.

Wheels & Maneuverability:

Does the suitcase come with a quartet of 360-degree spinner wheels or just a pair of casters? Is the telescopic handle easy to slide into the luggage? Have the handholds been designed to make the bag easy to pick up?

Good maneuverability is a basic must-have for any top-notch piece of luggage – and the first thing we test.

Carry-On Compliance:

We know this might sound obvious, but don’t forget to check that your luggage meets the carry-on allowances of your airline. Exact rules do vary, as does the strictness of the enforcement.

Some brands (like Away, for example) offer larger-sized carry-on options that are fine for domestic US travel but are slightly oversized for European carriers, which could cause problems. If you’re going budget all the way, you can bet there are probably additional restrictions, too.

As a rule of thumb, bags that are no more than 22” H x 14” L x 9” W (55cm x 35cm x 23 cm) are suitable for most international flights.

Built-in Tech Features:

Modern luggage sometimes comes with useful additions. One of our favs is the removable USB power bank, which you see with quite a few carry-ons, including July.

Other useful features can enhance the security of your check-in bags, such as GPS tracking and TSA-approved locks that are controlled using a smartphone app.

If you really want to pimp your suitcase, there are also options that double as scooters, come with a built-in scale, or move alongside you autonomously.

Organization & Expandability:

At their most basic, suitcases can offer expandability with a zipper. Many models also boast compression panels to help you pack more in.

For the Marie Kondo aficionados, things like separate zippered compartments, a padded laptop sleeve, or a bag for dirty laundry are different ways luggage companies can help you stay organized while traveling.

Durability & Materials

There are two main types of baggage style to consider. The first is hardshell (also known as hardside), which can be made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, aluminum, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among other materials. The second is softshell, which is usually made from either nylon or polyester.

Hardshell suitcases tend to be more protective and nicer looking than softshell ones, but they are also more prone to scuffing and scratching, as well as being less flexible.

Weight & Portability:

For digital nomads who are often found hopping countries, the weight of the luggage by itself is quite an important consideration. While hardshell tends to be heavier than softshell, there’s also a difference between polycarbonate and aluminum.

In terms of portability, some suitcases come with better handle design than others. A comfortable, well-placed handle can make it much easier to place luggage in overhead compartments or lift them off conveyor belts.

Warranty & Customer Support:

Finally, make sure to look at the length of the warranty and the kind of customer support that’s available. As with anything we buy that costs hundreds of dollars, we like to know there’s some kind of guarantee included.

4. Best Carry-On Suitcases for Digital Nomads

For those occasions when you want to travel light or are hoping to save a bit of cash by avoiding checked baggage fees, a spatially efficient carry-on is a must. Here, we’ve picked out five of our favs from the many that we’ve tested, all of which have excellent 360-degree spinner wheels and superb maneuverability.

Away Bigger Carry-On

Away has been described as a disruptor in the luggage market for creating stylish, desirable suitcases that are relatively affordable. A lot of other companies followed in their wake, but Away remains the OG.

The Bigger Carry-On is basically a larger version of Away’s standard carry-on. The hardshell version has a whopping capacity of 49.7l – but it does push the boundaries of most airline restrictions at 22.7″ H x 15.4″ L x 9.6″ W (57.66cm x 39.12cm x 24.38cm).

Sold in eye-catching colors like Translucent Pink, Splash Blue or Taffy Purple, its exterior is made from polycarbonate, which is both lightweight and robust.

Pros:

• Good capacity
• Strong and stylish exterior
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• May be too big for strict airlines
• No tech features

Who’s it for: people going on week-long trips, fashion aficionados

Price range: $295

July Carry-On Pro

The July Carry-On Pro is a great option for people who like to have their laptop handy. It comes with an exterior laptop pocket, which has space for devices up to 15”. There’s also an ejectable battery pack built into the suitcase, so that you can charge your smartphone on the go.

Walking in Away’s footsteps, July also offers a range of smart but striking colors for its polycarbonate hardshell luggage, ranging from Clay and Moss to Lavender Purple.

The Carry-On Pro’s dimensions of 21.5” H x 15” W x 8.5” L (55cm x 38.5cm x 21.5cm) are just within the scope of most airline restrictions, but it still manages to offer a good capacity of 42l.

Pros:

• Attractive, hard-wearing shell
• Exterior laptop pocket
• Built-in power bank

Cons:

• More expensive than comparable competitors
• Lack of sustainability initiatives

Who’s it for: digital nomads traveling with tech

Price range: $325

LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro

A cheaper entry in the stylish suitcase stakes, the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro is another option for people who like easy access to their laptops. Better still, the laptop compartment is connected to the locking mechanism, so it can’t be opened by an opportunistic passerby at the airport.

While the Road Runner Pro doesn’t come with a power bank, it does have an external USB port, which connects to a cable that runs into the front compartment.

The bag has a relatively limited capacity at 35l, but its dimensions of 21.5” H x 14.4” L x 9.2” W (55cm x 37cm x 23.5cm) are suitable for almost every airline.

Don’t expect any flashy colors here. Your choices are black, stone or charcoal.

Pros:

• Conforms to most airline carry-on restrictions
• Robust polycarbonate exterior
• Smooth 360-degree spinner wheels

Cons:

• Relatively small capacity
• Limited color range

Who’s it for: understated professionals

Price range: $219.99

Monos Carry-On Plus

Monos is a relatively new Canadian brand that has attempted to refine the Away model with thoughtful design features and a clear sustainability message. Founded in 2018, the company survived a Covid-afflicted infancy to make itself an online success, before opening its first physical retail store in 2023.

Rose Quartz, Stone Grey, and Blue Haze are just some of the colors available for its polycarbonate shell, which weighs just 7.38lbs (3.35kg).

Capacity-wise, it can only accommodate 35l inside its 23” H x 15” W x 9.5” L (58cm x 38cm x 24cm) dimensions, but it does have lots of pockets and pouches for different bits and bobs.

Pros:

• Stylish design
• Partially made from sustainable materials
• Extremely lightweight

Cons:

• May be too big for strict airlines
• Limited warranty

Who’s it for: design-focused nomads

Price range: $295

Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On

Who hasn’t heard of Samsonite? The company is one of the biggest names in the world of luggage, with more than a century of experience in the market. It may not be a shiny new brand, but it has a proven track record of providing quality suitcases.

The Outline Pro is a polypropylene hardshell that has the same sort of feel as Away, July, and Monos, but at a cheaper price point.

Although we love the 49l capacity, we’re a bit concerned by the Outline Pro’s dimensions, which reach 23” H x 15” L x 10” W (58.42cm x 38.10cm x 25.4cm). That’s going to be too large for most carriers – at least, for the strict ones.

Pros:

• Cheaper than similar competitors
• Doesn’t weigh much
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Does not comply with most airline size restrictions
• Unremarkable design

Who’s it for: Over-packers

Price range: $199.99

5. Best Checked Suitcases & Hybrid Options for Long-Term Travel

Nomatic Check-In

Nomatic is principally known for its functional backpacks, but their dabbling in the checked bag sector has yielded a very butch, sturdy piece of hardshell luggage.

At 29” H x 18.5” W x 9″ L (74cm x 46cm x 23cm), the Nomatic Check-In can hold up to 78l, with multiple different compartments for your various items, both large and small. It’s undeniably on the pricier side, but it comes with quality zippers, wheels, and handles.

Possibly our favorite unique feature of the Nomatic Check-In is the foldable compression pad, which is one of those simple but genius ideas that make packing so much more flexible.

Pros

• Durable and sturdy
• Stylish exterior
• Smartly designed interior

Cons

• Shows dirt more than competitors
• Pricey investment

Who’s it for: travelers with delicate possessions, people who like to stay organized

Price range: $649.99

Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100l

An excellent choice for more adventurous nomads, the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle is a no-nonsense duffel with oversized, 110mm wheels that provide stability over rough terrain.

You can cram up to 100l of stuff into the 31” H X 19” W X 17” L (78cm X 49cm X 43cm) bag, which utilizes Osprey’s signature StraightJacket design to cinch everything down to its minimum possible size.

Aside from the main interior space, there are three exterior access pockets, including a handy boot bin that you can use for shoes or dirty laundry – or both!

Pros:

• Good capacity
• Sturdy construction
• Easy to manhandle

Cons:

• No locking mechanism
• No smart features

Who’s it for: hikers, backpackers, adventurers of all kinds

Price range: $395

Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX

With a capacity of 76l, the Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX has the smallest available area of all the checked luggage we’ve included in this post, but it can still hold more than enough for two weeks away.

At 31” H x 20” W x 12.75” D (78cm x 51cm x 32cm), it’s a sizable bit of luggage that’s perfect for long-term travelers.

While it’s not as sleek as some of its competitors, it is very attractively priced.

The polycarbonate shell has grooves to decrease the appearance of scuffs, and the completely open interior gives you a lot of flexibility around how you want to pack your items.

Pros:

• Affordably priced
• Grooved shell to avoid scuffing
• Suitable for all airlines

Cons:

• Limited warranty
• Wheels and zippers feel a bit flimsy
• Not as stylish as some competitors

Who’s it for: nomads who want quality on a budget

Price range: $259.99

Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel

Another wheeled duffel option for intrepid nomads, the Patagonia Black Hole can also fit 100l of stuff but is slightly taller and thinner than the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle at 32” H x 14” W x 16” L (81cm x 36cm x 41cm).

The bag has an internal frame, so it doesn’t collapse on your items – although the frame itself is collapsible by design, so that the duffel flattens out when it’s not in use for easy storage.

It’s largely made from recyclable materials, so you can feel good about supporting nature while enjoying nature.

Pros:

• Good capacity
• Made from recyclable materials
• Water-resistant fabric

Cons:

• No locking mechanism
• Limited number of compartments

Who’s it for: hiking enthusiasts, adventurous nomads

Price range: $419

Tumi Alpha 3 Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case

Tumi is widely acknowledged as one of the top luxury luggage brands. Combining understated sophistication with quality materials, it’s a top-tier choice for upmarket travelers.

In addition to all the usual features, the Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case comes with lots of unique extras, including a garment sleeve, protective bumper rails, and a Tumi Tracer.

Starting off at 31″ H X 22″ W X 13″ L (79cm x 56cm x 33cm), the softshell suitcase’s depth can be expanded by a further 2” for a whopping 126l of capacity.

Pros:

• Enormous capacity
• Lots of compartments
• Comprehensive warranty for the first year

Cons:

• Extremely expensive
• Heavier than most

Who’s it for: high-flying nomads with a taste for luxury

Price range: $1,395

6. Smart vs. Traditional Luggage: Which One Wins?

Smart luggage refers to bags that come with techie features, such as USB chargers, GPS tracking, and Bluetooth locks. These can enhance the usefulness of your carry-on and/or checked suitcase, but often the increased functionality comes at a higher price point.

For digital nomads, smart luggage can make life easier by providing extras that smooth the travel experience and improve the security of your personal belongings. For example, having a built-in weight sensor in our checked bag means we don’t have to scrabble about looking for a scale in our Airbnb before every flight!

On the flipside, smart luggage can complicate the check-in and screening process. The American TSA, for example, has strict rules about battery packs and luggage locks. Always double check any special features are compliant with local transportation authority regulations.

Overall, we find the added convenience of the tech makes it worth the expense, but that won’t be the case for everyone. There’s no point in paying for something that you won’t use, and some people are quite happy with a suitcase that has good capacity and nothing more.

7. Budget vs. Premium: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

The upfront cost of premium luggage can be off-putting for digital nomads, but long term it represents a better return on investment.

Brands like Away and Nomatic have developed bags that are designed to last longer, with lifetime warranties that protect against extreme damage like cracked shells or broken wheels. That’s good news not just from a wallet perspective but an environmental perspective as well.

The cost of higher-end products is partly down to the quality of the materials used, which offer a better standard of protection for your personal items. Your money also goes towards investing in developing smart features, which are absent from budget brands.

From a fashion perspective, premium luggage just looks more stylish!

People that don’t travel frequently will probably get along just fine with something from Amazon Basics or the It Luggage range that costs less than 100 bucks. For nomads crisscrossing the world by planes, trains, and buses, however, it’s worth splashing out for a durable travel item instead of being lured in by the false economy of a cheapo suitcase.

8. Final Thoughts + Quick Comparison Table

Whether you’re after a stylish carry-on for a long weekend, a durable duffel for adventure getaways, or a suitcase that can fit enough clothes for a multi-week trip, there’s an ideal piece of luggage to suit your unique needs.

Finding the bag that fits your nomadic lifestyle can be a real game changer, as it will make your packing more efficient and your travel less stressful. Plus, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t like to show off our stylish side piece just a little!

That’s not to say you should rush into a decision. High-quality luggage is expensive, and we recommend doing plenty of research before making a final call. Some brands like Away and Monos will actually let you try out their products at home and allowing you to request a refund if you change your mind.