CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
If you're looking to invest in a new piece of luggage for an upcoming vacation or road trip, you have a lot of options. While some people may prefer pricier polycarbonate luggage or aluminum luggage , most shoppers opt for softside luggage. Made with materials such as polyester and woven nylon, soft-sided luggage provides decent protection at a much more affordable price.
Here are some of the best soft-sided luggage options available online, based on user reviews.
Top products in this article:
Best soft luggage on a budget: Samsonite Bartlett medium 24" checked, $100 (reduced from $130)
Best soft luggage value: Travelpro Platinum Elite spinner 29" (black), $370
Most splurge-worthy soft-sided luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline, $664 and up (with $35 off coupon)
Should you buy a softside suitcase or a hardside one? It all comes down to personal preference.
Hard-sided suitcases offer more protection for breakables. If you're traveling only with clothes and other non-fragile items, soft-sided luggage offers more give while packing.
Price is a major factor, too. Hardside luggage tends to be more expensive than nylon softside luggage. That said, there are plenty of budget hardside options, and plenty of high-end softside luggage options made from leather and other premium materials.
One con to soft-sided luggage: Their fabric can be prone to tearing. That's why we think it's important to choose a well-constructed, well-reviewed suitcase.
We rounded up some of the most highly rated softside duffles, carry-on and checked bag options from brands like Samsonite, Travelpro, Hartmann, Delsey, Briggs & Riley, Ghurka, Filson and SwissGear.
Available in two checked sizes, 25 inches and 29 inches, the Travelpro Platinum Elite spinner has a luxury look. Constructed out of a stain-resistant fabric with stylish leather accents, the Platinum Elite features an internal tie-down system, a built-in foldable suiter, and a removable, TSA-compliant wet pocket for toiletries.
Need more room? The suitcase also boasts a tapered expansion, offering an extra two inches when needed. Prices vary by color.
29" Travelpro Platinum Elite spinner (black), $370
A less expensive (but highly rated) option from Travelpro, the ultra-lightweight Maxlight 5 offers a smooth ride on four spinner wheels and expanding capability (up to two inches) for when you need extra space. Available in two carry-on and two checked sizes, and in a variety of colors.
The soft-sided Bartlett is one of Samsonite's most affordable suitcases -- and one of its bestselling suitcases, too. The polyester, soft-shell suitcase features multi-directional spinner wheels, a retractable handle and interior organizational pockets.
On sale for just $100, it's a terrific value.
24" Samsonite Bartlett medium checked suitcase, $100 (reduced from $130)
The Delsey Paris Montrouge is made out of durable and sleek-looking polyester, trimmed in vegan leather with gold accents. It comes well-equipped with TSA-approved locks, roomy interiors with zippered compartments, spinner wheels, telescopic handles and exterior pockets for stashing travel documents. Available in three color options, and in checked-bag and carry-on sizes.
25" Delsey Paris Montrouge checked suitcase, $238
The Briggs & Riley Baseline is one of the sleekest and most luxurious soft-sided suitcases you can get on Amazon. It features shock-absorbing spinner wheels, a one-touch expansion system and a tri-fold garment folder that holds up to two suits without wrinkling. The bag also boasts a power pocket for storing a battery pack. and shock-absorbing spinner wheels for gliding through the airport.
Available in a bunch of sizes, the suitcases come with straps so you can stack and secure them together for easy transport. Get the carry-on spinner for $35 off by clicking on the Amazon coupon.
Briggs & Riley Baseline, $664 after coupon (reduced from $700)
Want to invest in a classic, leather carry-on? The luxurious Ghurka Cavalier comes in three sizes and color options (walnut, chestnut and black). Get it monogrammed for an extra $40, or add a brass luggage tag for $195.
Travelers on a budget should check out the SwissGear Sion, a highly rated softside suitcase. The no-frills model offers multiple front pockets to stash travel documents, a telescopic handle and spinner wheels. Available as a carry-on, in two checked sizes and in several colors.
Hartmann, a luggage company since 1877, has upgraded its trademark look with the Ratio Classic Deluxe 2 collection. Crafted out of ballistic nylon and trimmed with leather, the Ratio Classic Deluxe 2 offers neutral elegance with modern features like TSA locks, a 12-position contoured telescopic handle and a smooth wheel system. Some sizes even come equipped with USB ports.
Hartmann Ratio Classic Deluxe 2, $660 and up
Filson constructs durable suitcases out of their trademark lightly waxed, abrasion-resistant twill, adding leather straps and accents for a refined touch. Retractable telescopic handle, rotating wheels and both exterior and interior pockets for organizational purposes perfect this rolling carry-on. Available in tan and otter green.
If you have any issues, Filson guarantees materials, workmanship, craftsmanship and manufacturer's defects for the lifetime of the bag, and repairs damaged bags in-house.
Filson Rugged Twill carry-on bag, $650
If you're shopping for piece of luggage, you'll want to take extra care protecting your investment from loss or theft. One of the best ways to find lost or stolen luggage is with an Apple AirTag. (We recommend hiding the AirTag inside your luggage so thieves don't know it's there.)
Stolen or lost luggage is an increasingly common complaint for air travelers. Apple AirTags will keep track of your bag's location as it makes its way through the airport, and can help you find a lost suitcase, or at least narrow its location to a specific lost-and-found or storage area.
(For more about how Apple AirTags work, check out our article Apple AirTags: How to find your lost or stolen luggage .)
You'll get the best per-AirTag price when you buy a four pack. But if you need only one, single Apple AirTags are available.
First published on August 19, 2022 / 9:00 AM
The pre-Roe abortion ban would have allowed providers to be charged with a felony.
Tate has gained notoriety for expressing misogynistic views on different platforms.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court could have the final word on just how far state legislatures can go with redistricting.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. It's unclear if anyone was hurt.
"The flag bearer for the rise up and kind of left," one analyst said of the meme stock. "He deflated the balloon."
"The flag bearer for the rise up and kind of left," one analyst said of the meme stock. "He deflated the balloon."
While some requirements don't kick in until 2023, any cars bought after August must be made in North America.
Fast-food chain will test a poultry version of its iconic burger in the Miami-area after positive reviews in the U.K.
Walmart, the nation's largest employer, is expanding its abortion coverage for employees after staying largely mum on the issue for months following the Supreme Court ruling that scrapped a nationwide right to abortion.
One maker of the fruit-flavored candies halts sales after FDA issues first-of-a-kind warning of potential toxicity.
The pre-Roe abortion ban would have allowed providers to be charged with a felony.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court could have the final word on just how far state legislatures can go with redistricting.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Rep. Mike Turner, Dr. Deborah Birx and more will appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
Graham has also filed an appeal with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to delay his testimony, which is supposed to take place next week.
The U.S. says it will give Ukraine Scan Eagle surveillance drones and 40 mine-resistant vehicles.
When a referee had a heart attack during a game, one of the players stepped in to save him. Steve Hartman shares more in "On the Road."
Walmart says it's expanding its abortion coverage for workers in limited cases. It will also cover some expenses for those who have to travel more than 100 miles for the procedure.
The outbreak has not been definitively linked to the fast food chain's lettuce, though many of those who fell ill said they ate there before they got sick, the CDC said.
One maker of the fruit-flavored candies halts sales after FDA issues first-of-a-kind warning of potential toxicity.
The research is one of several efforts by the Biden administration to address long-term symptoms that linger for some patients.
"I have a family life, I have a work life and I have free time to spend with my friends. Pretty much the same as many people my age."
The office of the current attorney general said Murillo Karam was charged with torture, official misconduct and forced disappearance.
Tate has gained notoriety for expressing misogynistic views on different platforms.
The U.S. says it will give Ukraine Scan Eagle surveillance drones and 40 mine-resistant vehicles.
El Shafee Elsheikh was found guilty of participating in a brutal ISIS hostage-taking scheme that led to the deaths of four Americans.
Firefighters said smoke from one of the few remaining buildings on the property could be seen for "several miles."
Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss partnering with the president of Ukraine to raise awareness and money for medical care. Reynolds also discusses the band's new music, tour and celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their first album.
Actress and producer Sharon Horgan, who's the brain and wit behind a slew of sitcoms like "Catastrophe" and "Divorce," is now the star and creator of a new Apple TV+ show called "Bad Sisters." Jamie Wax caught up with the Irish star to discuss the new show and what inspires her writing.
A preliminary report said the actor died from inhalation injury and burns.
Knowles is the third woman, and just the second Black woman, to have a score commissioned by the ballet.
Apple has released a security update after identifying a flaw that could leave devices vulnerable to hackers. Tech and cybersecurity expert Burton Kelso joins CBS News to discuss the severity of the issue and what users need to know.
Apple said the vulnerability would allow a hacker to impersonate a device's owner and subsequently run any software in their name.
An Indiana city thinks it's found a solution to a number of traffic woes. Kris Van Cleave takes a look at how Carmel, Indiana, is implementing hundreds of roundabouts.
Tech giant Baidu has human-monitored self-driving test cars rolling around in 10 cities, and it just got clearance to use some without any human oversight.
New device expected to have a better camera and longer battery life, while top-of-the-line Pro may have A16 chip.
An Indiana city thinks it's found a solution to a number of traffic woes. Kris Van Cleave takes a look at how Carmel, Indiana, is implementing hundreds of roundabouts.
The organism enters the body through the nose and reaches the brain, typically when swimming or diving in some freshwater sources.
As flash floods leave more than 30 people dead or missing in Qinghai province, heat and drought force car plants to close in Shanghai.
The megadrought in the western U.S. has caused a severe water shortage in the Colorado River. Arizona and Nevada have been issued restrictions on their water usage. The Arizona Republic's Debra Utacia Krol joins CBS News with more on the extreme conditions.
"Everything points to a manmade catastrophe," one environmental expert tells CBS News, as 100 tons of dead fish are removed from the Oder River.
The office of the current attorney general said Murillo Karam was charged with torture, official misconduct and forced disappearance.
He was later released on $1,830 bond.
A devastating fire tore through a Massachusetts boat yard on Friday. Boats, cars and buildings went up in flames. The cause is under investigation.
The highest ranking ISIS terrorist ever to go on trial in the U.S. was sentenced to life in prison. El Shafee Elsheikh was convicted of conspiracy in the kidnapping, torture and murders of four American hostages.
Two sources close to former President Trump tell CBS News his legal team is thinking through how to handle security footage that captured FBI agents executing a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago home. Catherine Herridge has the latest.
Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will serve as mission commander and make history as the first Native American woman in space this fall.
The storm could hit as soon as Thursday, NOAA said.
The maiden flight of the SLS moon rocket is intended to clear the way for the Artemis program's first piloted flight in 2024.
The Ryugu samples could give clues to the mystery of how oceans appeared on Earth billions of years ago, scientists said.
Even Utah's governor, out for a run, heard the boom, which was caused by what the National Weather Service said was a meteor.
A look inside the truck trailer where 26 abducted school children and their bus driver were buried alive -- and later escaped.
While many Afghans have little to celebrate, the country's Taliban rulers were happy to show off their control of Kabul's streets.
An anonymous letter writer terrorizes a small town, threatening to expose their rumored dark secrets.
Inside the case against Steven Pankey, a former political candidate who was tried for the kidnapping and murder of a Colorado 12-year-old.
These colleges come with a hefty price tag
Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney for former President Donald Trump during the Russia investigation, joined CBS News' Catherine Herridge to discuss the latest on the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago.
If you have an Apple device, security experts are urging you update it as soon as possible. Apple disclosed this week that it has found a serious vulnerability that could allow a hacker take control of your iPhone, iPad or Mac. First, CBS News reporter Dina Demetrius breaks down what this means for consumers. Then, Samantha Delouya, a senior business news reporter for Business Insider, has some tips if you believe your device has been compromised.
Former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held rallies in multiple states Friday. The events come as lawyers for Pence speak with the House Jan. 6 committee about him potentially testifying. Republican strategist Kevin Sheridan explained the impact the rallies could have leading up to the midterms.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for a demilitarized zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, Europe's largest. It is located in a Russian-occupied territory. Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., joined Catherine Herridge to discuss the latest on the situation.
Catherine Herridge speaks with Ukraine's ambassador to U.S. on nuclear tensions, and former Trump lawyer Ty Cobb and Rep. Michael McCaul on the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.