The Best Calpak Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Since my beloved checked suitcase is not available online, I found a worthy hardside alternative: the Calpak Evry Medium Luggage. One thing I’ve noticed after testing so many suitcases is that Calpak luggage has some of the best organizational features I’ve ever seen. I love suitcases with zippers and pockets inside to store smaller items, and this one has plenty of different sections and built-in pouches that you can use to group accessories together. 

Though it’s on the smaller size for a checked bag, one side is deeper than the other, which made it deceptively spacious. There are stretchy mesh dividers that you can zip shut to keep your clothing from spilling out, though you’d have to be careful that any pointy items or heels don’t rip through (I would recommend a shoe bag to prevent that). The suitcase also has an expandable zipper to add an additional two inches of space if you need more room.

The Details: Hardside checked | 24.5 x 15.25 x 11 inches | 9 pounds | 67-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Expandable

For those who prefer to fly with a carry-on, the Calpak Ambeur Front Pocket Carry-on Luggage stands out for its eye-catching metallic color options and front pocket that can hold a laptop up to 16 inches. Not all hardside suitcases have an outer pocket, but it’s such a useful feature for a carry-on to have so you can have easy access to your belongings without unzipping the entire suitcase. When we tested this suitcase in our lab, we noticed that the more we packed inside the bag, the more the lining of the front pocket started to protrude, so try to avoid overstuffing it (it’s also not expandable).

Once again, we loved all of the zippered compartments that kept loose items in place, including a pouch sewn into the suitcase interior that would be useful for jewelry or small valuables. We loved how easy it was to glide the suitcase through our obstacle course, handling sharp turns without a hitch. When we threw the bag off a counter several times to test for durability, the bag endured some superficial scratches. You can avoid those if you carry it on the plane instead of checking it.

The Details: Hardside carry-on | 21 x 14 x 9 inches | 8 pounds | 43-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Laptop pocket

I have been on the hunt for a travel trunk for a while now, and I finally found one I love after we tested the Hue Trunk in our luggage tests. Some trunks can feel heavy and weigh you down, but this one felt lightweight and rolled with ease even when we packed it full. It’s spacious yet not too large to handle thanks to its tall, skinny design. However, it would be nice if the handle had more than one height for people who may need a taller setting. The expandable zipper is useful for adding an extra two inches of space (something that most trunks don’t have!).

The slightly flexible exterior proved to be durable after we hit it four times with a baseball bat in different places without a dent in sight. There are luggage feet on the side and bottom to hold the trunk in place when you open it on the ground. They also help guide which direction you should open the trunk so that your clothing doesn’t come pouring out, as only one side of the interior zips fully shut. I also love the long pockets inside that are large enough to hold shoes.

The Details: Hardside checked | 31.5 x 15.5 x 12.5 inches | 11.75 pounds | 108-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Expandable

You already know that I love my Calpak softside suitcase. Sadly, the brand doesn’t offer any softside checked luggage at the moment. But they do have an equally-impressive carry-on option available in the puffy, water-resistant polyester material that the Luka collection is known for. There’s only one main compartment inside instead of a clamshell design, and the capacity is much smaller than Calpak’s hardside carry-ons — but the payoff is a supremely lightweight bag and compact size that would come in handy on flights with tighter overhead bins. The outer pocket can also hold a larger laptop than the Ambeur Front Pocket Carry-on above, with space for a 17-inch device. During testing, we thought the puffy material created nice padding for any tech inside, though the suitcase handle felt a little flimsier than others we tried. One of the coolest features was the small pocket on the top outer corner of the suitcase, giving you a special spot to stash your passport, phone, and keys.

The Details: Softside carry-on | 21 x 13.75 x 9 inches | 6.6 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Polyester | Laptop pocket

Though I own the larger version of the Calpak Luka Duffel, I think this 25-liter bag is the perfect size to use as a personal item on a flight — and it’s also versatile enough for everyday use. I love how the dimensions and weight are smaller than the underseater above, but the capacity is actually larger. That makes it a more spacious alternative if you don’t mind toting it around since it doesn’t have wheels (though the padded shoulder straps are more comfortable than the removable crossbody strap). The shoe compartment is useful for keeping dirty shoes separate from your other belongings, though the pocket eats into the interior of the bag rather than sitting underneath. This poofy weekender also comes in more than a dozen different color options (and it’s impossible to choose just one!).

The Details: 12 x 16 x 8 inches | 2 pounds | 25-liter capacity | Polyester | Laptop pocket

This hefty backpack has an impressive design for travel, featuring a deep main compartment with well-placed compression straps and multiple ways to open it, including a top zipper and a convenient clamshell opening. There’s a padded laptop pocket at the back of the bag that fits up to a 17-inch device. There are an amazing amount of pockets in the main compartment, on the front of the bag, on the sides for a water bottle, and even hidden in the back of the bag as an anti-theft feature for your passport or wallet. 

We tested this backpack in our lab and found the padded shoulder straps to be extremely comfortable, and there’s also a sternum strap for extra support. Though it’s large and spacious, it weighs almost three pounds when empty which is heavy for a backpack. If you want to carry it a different way, you can tuck the backpack straps in and use the detachable carrying strap to turn it into a duffel bag instead.

The Details: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches | 2.9 pounds | 26-liter capacity | Recycled ripstop polyester | Laptop pocket

I prefer a compact backpack when I’m commuting to work so I can travel light and not bump into everyone on public transportation. Not only did we test this bag in our lab, but I personally own it as well. I love how it sits flat against my back without the bulk while still boasting two moderately sized compartments, including one with a laptop sleeve that can hold a 15-inch device. The faux leather gives the bag an elegant, structured shape, but it’s still flexible enough that you can fold the material back to access your items. Though this bag is smaller than the other backpack on this list, it’s just as heavy, and there is no padding on the shoulder straps or back of the bag. However, I love the rectangular shape and unique stitching, and I think it’s a great price for a stylish backpack that feels durable and looks like real leather. There are more than 20 vibrant color options, including papaya, honey, spearmint, emerald, and more.

The Details: 15.5 x 11.5 x 4.25 inches (main compartment); 15 x 9.8 x 1 inch (laptop compartment) | 3 pound | 11.8-liter capacity | Faux leather | Laptop pocket