Heading off to college is an exciting time, and there are a ton of things to prepare for. One important consideration is the type of luggage you’ll be needing. The best luggage for college students is largely a personal preference, and can be found in a variety of sizes, styles, and features.
Your own decision on the types of bags and number of pieces you need will depend in large part on how much clothing and accessories you’ll be taking with you, and your planned use for bags, on campus and off, throughout the year. Below we take a look at some other key considerations and top rated picks of each type of bag that college students everywhere have found to be the most useful.
Duffel Bags and Softsided Bags For Easy Storage
One huge factor is that dorm rooms and living quarters will have very limited storage space. Bags that are collapsible, or sets that can fit inside one another take up the least space, and can often be conveniently slid under your bed and out of the way.
For this reason, duffel bags like the Eagle Creek No Matter What Rolling Duffel Bag are a top pick for college students. Available in spacious 30-inch or 36-inch sizes and multiple color choices, these bags have two smooth rolling wheels, padded carrying handles, and a shoulder strap making transporting easy. They carry a huge amount and can be used for storing items in the dorm, or collapsed fairly flat when empty.
If you like the duffel bag idea but are looking for something a little more economical, have a look at this Olympia Luggage 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel Bag. It may be the lowest cost piece of luggage on our list, but this 2-wheeled 26-inch duffel is ultra-durable and has 8 different pockets for tons of packing flexibility. Plus this easy-to-handle size is useful for short or long trips.
Soft sided upright luggage, such as the Travelpro Maxlite3 Expandable Spinner, are a good choice because they can compress more than hardshell luggage pieces of the same dimensions. Plus this bag can expand by 2-inches for extra packing capacity when needed.
Wheeled Sets for Versatile Travel Uses
Another thing to keep in mind when selecting your luggage is that you’ll likely be using your luggage not just to get to school at the beginning of the year, but for week-end and holiday outings, visits back home, and moving in and out most every year.
Matching sets of multiple pieces are great because you’ll have lots of versatility in choosing which bags to use for a given adventure. Choose a set that’s designed to nest one inside the other, like this Samsonite 5 Piece Nested Luggage Set, for minimizing the total storage space needed when not in use.
If you’re planning travels that take you in flight, be sure to get a bag that meets airline carry-on dimensions. Express your personality with your choice of over 30 colors and patterns, from pink polka dots to leopard print to camo green, in this Rockland 2-Piece Luggage Set. The usability of this 21-inch carry-on bag and matching tote bag are super highly rated for their great durability, light weight, and overall usability.
Backpacks and Tote Bags for Everyday Use
Whether you need a bag to carry books across campus or take a day hike with newfound friends, consider getting a backpack to take you there.
This SwissGear Travel Gear ScanSmart Backpack 1900 is a comfortable size and has tons of compartments for all your gear, plus a place for a water bottle, making it a great bag for everyday use around campus or for taking out for a day’s hike.
The High Sierra Freewheel Wheeled Bookbag Backpack is extremely popular among students because this hybrid brings the best of both worlds – a backpack with shoulder straps when you want to carry it, and wheels and telescoping handle for ease in rolling it when filled with heavy books. It features a deluxe media pocket with a port for headphones, and a cushioned computer sleeve for protecting most 15-inch laptops.
If city shopping trips or beach outings are in your horizons, you might prefer a tote bag. This Baggallini Avenue Travel Tote Bag is lightweight and comfortable, with a removable shoulder strap and handles for your choice of carrying methods.
Plus it features a well-padded compartment for your tablet, eBook, or up to a 15.5 inch laptop, making it great for use around campus too. Lots of pockets and slots inside and out provide great organization options for mobile devices and personal items. And they come in 15 stylish color options.
When searching for the best luggage for college students, the key is to think about how you will be using it. Be sure to have a good sturdy suitcase or two so you can carry all your stuff where and when you need it. Choose any of the picks above and you can’t go wrong.