Pack Your Bags!

The right luggage can make traveling easier. We share expert tips for choosing between hard and soft shells, carry-on or checked bags, plus pro packing hacks.

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Kit Dillon

Products we recommend: 

• The best soft-sided carry-on bag: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner
• The best hard-sided carry-on bag: Away The Carry-On
• The upgrade pick carry-on: Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner
• A travel backpack we love: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Del Dia
• The best duffel bag:  Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 70L
• The best packing cubes: Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set
• Kit recommends: Pat Rawson Surfoards

Additional Reading: 

• The 6 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2025
• The Best Suitcases for Checking
• The 6 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for 2025
• The 9 Best Duffle Bags of 2025
• The 4 Best Packing Cubes of 2025

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.