There are a lot of different choices when it comes to purchasing luggage. Most people opt to buy the best lightweight luggage because it helps them save on baggage fees. And the lighter weight is much easier to handle and maneuver, whether it’s on wheels or your carrying it.
When looking for a lightweight bag, you’ll want to do a bit of research to see what types of bags there are and which best meets your travel requirements. Search for durable bags made by reputable luggage manufacturers for a good investment. Learn about other top luggage brands throughout our website. Consider size, style, material, and extra features offered by different brands.
5 Best Lightweight Luggage Choices
Since we all have unique travel needs, style preferences, and budgets, what’s best for one person may not be for another. But here are 5 very different lightweight bags that have been highly rated by a variety of different travelers and sources.
1. Travelpro T-Pro Bold 22-inch Expandable Rollaboard – We love this 2-wheeled 22” bag not only for its light weight but also light on the wallet. It has padded pockets for protecting a laptop or tablet, and a water resistant pocket for food or damp clothing.
It also comes in a 25″ version if you’re looking for a nice quality, lightweight matching luggage set.
2. Tumi Voyageur Super Leger International Carry-on – If you’re looking for a higher-end carry-on, this lightweight bag is the perfect size for standard carry-on luggage, and weighs under 6 pounds. It is a bit pricey for this smaller size, listing at $395, but you can get it for under $300 when they run their infrequent sales.And if you know Tumi, then you know that they consistently deliver top quality and great looks.
3. Samsonite LIFT 25-inch Expandable Spinner – This bag has four multi-directional wheels, which allows upright rolling so there’s virtually no weight on your shoulder or arm. And these wheels can be pulled in flush to the bag, so they are less susceptible to damage when not being rolled.At just over 8 lbs, this is a nice light bag for its size, yet highly durable and well made. It comes in black and other fun colors like pink or lavender, and it’s a great value for under $200.
4. Eagle Creek 32 inch Wheeled Duffel – If you need a huge capacity duffel style bag for a long or adventurous trip, then this is a great pick. At just over $200, this extra large bag weights only 8 pounds, and has a great layout for keeping organized.
5. Victorinox 20 inch Carry On – What a great small size for overnight trips or a handy smaller carry-on. At 20” and the retractable handle taking up some of the packing space, do note that this is a smaller sized and capacity carry-on. But it weighs only 6.9 lbs, and is has the Victronix quality you can’t beat at this mid-range price point.
Benefits of Lightweight Bags 
Not only does a lightweight bag bring convenience and mobility, it will also help you save on your baggage fees. Bags that are not heavy will allow you to bring more items on your trip without you having to worry about going over the weight limit. Convenient and light bags are easy and comfortable to bring around, and less likely to strain your back or shoulders.
What To Look For When Reading Lightweight Luggage Reviews
Size and Style
The size you select will depend on your travel needs. If you typically take short trips, whether by car or plane, then a lightweight smaller carry-on bag will suit you well. This smaller size is ideal for stowing overhead or under your seat on an airplane, and also easy to handle yourself when walking with it, or lifting and fitting it into the trunk of a car.
On longer plane trips, you’ll likely be checking in at least one bag. You’ll want that bag to be roomy enough to carry all of your belongings, but lightweight enough not to incur extra airline fees. Depending on the airline and the flight, the weight limit for check in is around 50 pounds. The goal is to minimize how much the bag itself contributes to much to the overall weight.
Wheeled bags are great for all types of travel. The traditional two-wheeled bag is the top choice for those who travel by plane. The reinvention of this wheeled bag brings the four-wheeled spinner luggage, which offers more mobility and ease of movement. These are perfect for individuals who travel frequently and move quickly.
Material
The key to purchasing a durable bag is to learn about the different types of material. Some high-end lightweight bags are made from hard-shell material. This is useful for protecting the contents from being squished and compressed. Or you can also opt for high-density cotton or tough nylon, which are rugged and resistant to everyday wear and tear. These are flexible and often easier to squeeze into smaller places like an overhead airplane bin or a car trunk.
Another component that affects the weight of a bag is the frame. Upright pieces usually have frames in them to keep their shape and provide support. Lighter weight frames are often made of aluminum or graphite. They may also be honeycombed or collapsible, which makes them even lighter and more flexible.
Extras
Depending on what you need to pack, and your personal preferences, you might want to look carefully at the extra features offered on different bags. Additional compartments, conveniently located zippers, and expandable features are great for keeping things organized and accessible.
Also keep in mind that when going for lightweight, it’s equally important to look for and avoid features that you don’t want. For example, a carry-on bag with a nice garment bag inside might be great for some. But if you know you will never have a need for it, then all it does is take up space and add weight. And the ability to expand can come in handy, but this may allow you to over pack and add unnecessary weight.
A warranty is always great when purchasing luggage, especially when it is a more costly brand. Look for those that offer a warranty just in case something does happen to your bag.