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Keep your cargo safe and secure without exterior zippers. Frosted Bag Market
Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.
If you’ve ever jammed a bunch of excess cargo into a suitcase and forced the zipper closed, you know that zippers can break and leave you stuck without a usable suitcase. Suitcases with zippers can be an easy target: if a thief is determined, they’ll get inside a piece of zippered luggage way more easily than a suitcase with latches and combination locks in place of zippers. Zipperless luggage pieces are often constructed from aluminum or polycarbonate hardside shells for durable, rugged protection that deters break-ins. They also have a sleek, stylish aesthetic that many travelers can appreciate.
To uncover the best zipperless luggage, Travel + Leisure editors tested suitcases in our New York City lab, where the team packed them full to determine how spacious they felt (especially since zipperless luggage isn’t very flexible), wheeled them through obstacle courses to see how portable the wheels and size of the luggage were, threw them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to make sure they could withstand rough baggage handlers. For carry-on suitcases, we built a mock airplane set, where we wheeled the suitcases down aisles and lifted them into overhead bins to make sure they weren’t too heavy.
Our top picks include a range of varied options in carry-on and checked sizes. Ahead, find the zipperless luggage pieces that suit you best.
This compact carry-on is lightweight and stylish, with a nice amount of pockets inside to help with packing.
The capacity is on the smaller side, so you'll likely need to bring along a personal item or a checked bag.
After testing so many bags, we found that a fair number of the zipperless options are made with aluminum, which can get heavy quickly. That's why we loved this lightweight Samsonite carry-on stood out so much — the polycarbonate exterior keeps it lightweight, weighing only 7.5 pounds, making it so easy to travel with. The shell feels thick and durable, withstanding our baseball bat hits like a champ without any dents, and the latches were unaffected when we directly hit them with the metal baseball bat.
One thing to note is that this bag is on the smaller side for a carry-on, better suited for when you want to pack light or need a supplemental bag in addition to a weekender or a checked suitcase. Though it's not a large bag, this carry-on has a nice amount of pockets, zippered compartments, compression straps, and even a mini hanger inside to help with packing. We found it supereasy to maneuver the suitcase through our obstacle course thanks to smooth wheels, a handle with four height options, and the large side handle that makes it easy to lift the bag into an overhead bin or the trunk of a car. The wheels and handle feel durable and sturdy, even after we threw the bag off a counter so that the wheels hit the floor at different angles. This futuristic carry-on is available in monochromatic phantom black, olive green, or matte silver, all excellent options.
The Details: Carry-on | 22.6 x 15.3 x 8.7 inches | 7.5 pounds | Polycarbonate shell
This 95.1-liter bag is so spacious, and the heavy-duty aluminum shell would protect essentially anything inside.
This suitcase can get heavy quickly if you pack it full since it already weighs 16 pounds on its own.
Since zipperless luggage isn’t expandable, overpackers are going to need ample space, and this checked bag has plenty of room inside. When we tested Away luggage, we found this aluminum suitcase as spacious and stylish as can be, paying particular attention to how smoothly it rolled over different types of flooring despite its size and weight. The bag does weigh 16 pounds on its own, so you just have to be wary that you may hit your airline’s weight limit quicker than other bags. The exterior is aluminum, so it does dent somewhat easily, but it also will likely protect the contents inside because of how durable it is. We thought the interior felt high-quality as well, with some of the sturdiest dividers we’ve seen. While the price is higher than many other bags on this list, we feel this bag is worth it due to its sleek appearance, large capacity, and overall durability.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches | 16 pounds | 95.1-liter capacity | Aluminum shell
This super-sleek, glazed luggage set comes with one carry-on trunk and one larger checked trunk, both of which held up well during our durability tests.
Although the wheels rolled smoothly on four wheels, they required just a little extra effort on two wheels.
This splurge-worthy set comes with two trunks: one for carrying onto the plane cabin with you and one for checking. The set looks sleek and oh-so-chic with a crush-proof polycarbonate shell and two latching locks apiece. We tested both pieces of luggage in our New York City lab, and we were pleasantly surprised at how the glossy exterior had no dents after we threw it multiple times off tables and hit it with a metal baseball bat. After long-term testing, we noticed the lighter colored bags do tend to get covered in black scuff marks when you check them at the airport, but it's easy to wipe them off. We also love how the handles have customizable height options so you can adjust them to any height you want, making it more comfortable to pull the suitcase than if the handle only had one set height. It was easy to maneuver the trunks through our obstacle course and over different materials like carpet and concrete pavers, although we noticed they rolled more smoothly on four wheels and slowed down just a little bit on two wheels.
The Details: 21.7 x 15 x 8.7 inches (carry-on); 28.25 x 16.5 x 14.5 inches (checked) | 8.4 pounds (carry-on); 13.2 pounds (checked) | 42-liter capacity (carry-on); 95-liter capacity (checked) | Polycarbonate shell
This ultradurable carry-on is an investment piece built to last a lifetime.
The buckled dividers inside aren’t highly functional, and we wish there were more pockets and organization.
This Zero Halliburton suitcase is as solid as it looks — in fact, T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco says it’s one of the most durable bags she’s ever tested. Aluminum is very protective — a fair tradeoff for the added weight. “Not only did it hit the outer shell multiple times with a metal baseball but, but I even hit the handles and latches, and they were so strong that I felt like the bat would break before any part of the bag would break,” Cucco says.
Each side in the interior of this straightforward carry-on features a flat compression divider with two large zippered pockets. You can buckle the flat dividers down to hold items in place, and they serve as a compression board, too, though you won’t be able to buckle them if you have too much packed inside. Some people may prefer the Tumi carry-on on this list for higher levels of organization to help you pack more artfully.
We love that the main handle on this bag has six height options, while the smaller grab handles have a cool auto-return feature that makes them fall back slowly and silently into the original position when you let go of them. While the weight of the bag makes it a little clunky to maneuver, it’s a fair trade-off for the rock-solid durability.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 19 inches | 11.5 pounds | 33-liter capacity | Aluminum shell
This carry-on comes with a portable charger so you can keep your phone's battery energized.
We wish the bag’s grab handle was larger and more flexible to make it easier to pull the bag out of overhead bins.
Though this Arlo Skye suitcase has an aluminum frame, it has a polycarbonate exterior that makes it pretty lightweight. We packed this carry-on full and lifted it into overhead bins on our T+L airplane, and it never felt too heavy. We did think that the top grab-handle was a little too close to the bag, making it more difficult than usual to fit our hand in when trying to take the bag out of the overhead bin. However, the zippers, wheels, and handles all worked smoothly, and we were able to maneuver the bag well through our obstacle course full of bystanders like you would find at a real airport. We also love how the suitcase comes with a removable charger, an adapter, and a USB-C cable so you can make sure your devices are charged at any time, even when all of the airport outlets are occupied.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 8.1 pounds | 40-liter capacity | Polycarbonate shell
This suitcase is an investment, but the elegant look, high-quality materials, and organizational features make it worth it.
Scratches can compromise the artful appearance of this piece, so we'd avoid checking it whenever possible.
With this sleek suitcase, you are paying for the Tumi label, but this bag is worth the splurge. The striking craftsmanship makes it one of those statement-making pieces like a Rimowa bag — but with superior organization. It features two TSA integrated combination locks that open with the push of a button, plus protective bumpers, and retractable top and side carry handles.
With a 31-liter capacity, the bag was on the smaller size for a carry-on, but it’s easy to pack given the built-in organization and has plenty of space for a long weekend trip (even more with packing cubes and thoughtful organization). Both halves of the suitcase have fully zippered closures and compression straps to keep your clothing in place. “This is an ideal combo because you can use the compression straps to get the contents as tightly packed as possible, and put less strain on the zippers when you ultimately close the bag,” says T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker, who tested this bag in the lab.
The suitcase also held up impressively well against our durability testing — with just one little dent in one corner from a direct baseball bat hit. We'd recommend you avoid checking this bag to keep it from getting too dented or scratched.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 11.2 pounds | 31-liter capacity | Aluminum shell
This elegant trunk stood out in our testing for its brilliantly designed interior organization system.
The trunk seems too heavy for its own wheels when packed full.
This luxe Carl Friedrik Trunk is an exceptionally well-organized piece of luggage. It comes with its own packing cubes in three different sizes and has two collapsible dividers in the main compartment so you can easily personalize your own level of organization. Despite its whopping 90-liter capacity, this trunk is sure to keep everything in place through even the roughest travels and baggage handling given its thoughtful organizational systems. “As I tested this trunk, I kept thinking how well everything would be kept in place through even the roughest travels and baggage handling,” says updates editor Hillary Maglin.
While it is large and heavy (weighing 13.6 pounds), it didn't feel cumbersome to roll around because its silhouette is tall and thin rather than wide and bulky. That said, we found it was easier — and felt significantly lighter — to maneuver on two wheels than four. The handle felt plenty sturdy to support the bag without any wobbling or shaking. The outside of the trunk did also get some serious scuff marks when we hit it with a baseball bat, so be prepared for it to get beat up during transit (it adds character!).
The Details: Checked suitcase | 28.7 x 15.8 x 14.6 inches | 13.6 pounds | 90-liter capacity | Polycarbonate shell
This is a large suitcase that would be ideal if you’re heading out on a long trip and need a ton of space: you could easily pack two weeks' worth of clothing and still have room for souvenirs. To fit even more, the Y-shaped compression straps are adjustable and great for packing down items. The organizational features instead will help you stay organized, including compression straps, a divider, pockets, and removable pouches that are convenient for wet bathing suits or laundry items.
Despite its size, this suitcase moved through our obstacle course effortlessly — the wheels glided with no resistance, and it was just as easy to pull on carpet as it was on hard floor. “The one disappointment was that when I stepped up onto the concrete pavers, the bottom of the suitcase scraped against it,” says senior editor Jasmine Grant. “I think the wheels should have been larger because it is such a large suitcase, and the extra height is needed.”
The suitcase held up well to our bat and drop tests, though one of the latches came slightly undone when we threw the bag off a table — though we didn’t lock the latches, so this is a problem you could easily solve. However, we would feel more secure if the latches were made of a sturdier material like metal rather than a hard plastic.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 30 x 21 x 11 inches | 13 pounds | 97-liter capacity | Polycarbonate shell
Although we haven’t yet tested these suitcases in our lab yet, we think these additional pieces of zipperless luggage have standout features worthy of your consideration.
Coolife Aluminum Frame Luggage: This checked suitcase is visually appealing, budget-priced, and made to last. Inside is a thoughtfully designed organizational system for tidy packing, with built-in mesh pockets and carrying bags.
Cluci No-zipper Carry-on: This carry-on bag is lightweight, budget-friendly, and looks cool. This spinner luggage is made of lightweight polycarbonate and a rugged aluminum frame with reinforced corners.
Luggexx 28-inch Polycarbonate: This checked luggage is attractive, durable, and smooth rolling.You can open and close it with a single press of the latches, and it rolls on eight smooth, quiet wheels so you can glide through airports frictionlessly. Plus it has a three-year warranty.
Level8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-on Luggage: This carry-on is made with aerospace-grade aluminum magnesium alloy with dual TSA-approved locks; slow-release handles; and ultrasmooth, 360-degree durable spinner wheels for effortless movement.
Our T+L team has tested more than 400 pieces of luggage in our New York City lab, and for this article, we curated a list of our favorite zipperless suitcases that performed well during testing. During our tests, we weigh the bags, then assess the maneuverability, portability, capacity, durability, and value. We pack each bag with a consistent packing list to see what the capacity looks like in real-world scenarios and to assess organizational features like pockets, zippered interior sections, and compression straps.
To see how the bags would perform in a real-life setting, we rolled them multiple ways and on multiple surfaces (including carpet and uneven terrain) and rolled them through an obstacle course complete with traffic cones. We recreated an airplane in the lab to hoist them into overhead bins, seeing how light or heavy they felt and whether the side handles were comfortable or functional. We also put these bags through rigorous durability testing — including pushing them off a countertop multiple times and even hitting them with a baseball bat to see how easily they scratch, dent, or break altogether.
We also test each bag on our real-world travels for an additional six months after our lab testing to make sure they perform as well on actual planes, trains, and cars as they do in our controlled environment. The luggage pieces with the best feedback made the cut for this roundup, and we will continue to update this article as we test new bags.
As with any luggage purchase, consider your usage before settling on a size. How much cargo do you need to haul, and do you plan to check it in or carry it on a plane? If you plan to go carry-on only, check your airline and route’s specific requirements for maximum luggage size. You should also check the weight of the suitcase as many zipperless options come in aluminum, which can get heavy quickly, and you'll want to get a suitcase you'll be able to lift into the overhead bins on a plane if needed.
Zipperless suitcases don't have the same flexibility as ones with zippers because the latches make them more rigid — meaning you can't really overstuff or overpack them. That means you'll want to be more thoughtful with your packing, and that's where organizational features come in. With zipperless suitcases, all of the organizational features are generally found on the inside. Look for zippered or mesh interior pockets, dividers, compression straps, and even extras like included laundry bags. While the cases on our list are all free from external zippers, many contain internal zippers for the purposes of organization.
Luggage is subject to serious wear and tear on the road, and — especially if you’ve invested at a higher price point — you want to make sure your investment goes the distance. Some luggage comes with warranties against manufacturer defects or other damage. Make sure you read the specifics of the policy to understand its length and limitations. Most warranties will only be valid if you purchase your suitcase from the manufacturer as opposed to a third-party seller.
While many suitcases close with exterior zippers, zipperless luggage pieces instead use one or more latches, which you can typically lock using a code or a key. Some people prefer traveling with this style of luggage because it’s harder for thieves to get into and also less likely to break. It also has a stylistic appeal.
Many zipperless luggage pieces are made of aluminum or have an aluminum frame. Others are made of polycarbonate, which can be more lightweight. Zipperless luggage typically features a hardside exterior.
Zipperless luggage, like aluminum suitcases, is safer than many zippered softside suitcases because they are outfitted with secure latches and rigid hardside shells, which makes them harder to break into. Thieves can sometimes slash through zippers.
T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin is a career travel and lifestyle writer and product reviewer. She’s also a frequent traveler with plenty of hard-earned packing experience. For this article, Alesandra worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best zipperless luggage pieces based on a series of tests completed by the T+L team in our New York City lab.
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