Travel Experts Share The Best Soft-Sided Luggage

The brand Samsonite consistently performs well in the Textiles Lab and is a favorite of both GH analysts and our consumer testers. A newer offering from Samsonite, the UpLift line is its lightest collection yet. This 20-inch polyester carry-on bag weighs in at just 5.7 pounds, which is the lightest softside suitcase we've evaluated thus far.

Just because it's more compact than other bags doesn't mean it doesn't pack a punch. To start, it has a tapered design that grows wider at the bottom to prevent it from tipping over when it's full, along with a 1.25-inch expansion. There are large external pockets for laptops and passports, a built-in USB charging port, and a convenient luggage sleeve on the back of the bag so it can slide over the handle of a checked suitcase. Inside, you'll find a large packing space with stretch compression straps, mesh pockets, and a removable toiletries bag.

WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR TESTS: When we've evaluated Samsonite suitcases in the Textiles Lab, they've earned some of our top scores across categories, for everything from overall ease of use to maneuverability and durability. The brand's polyester material withstood rubbing in our abrasion tests, and the suitcases held up without major damages after being released repeatedly from our drop tester.

Although it held a standard packing load in our tests, testers wished there were a little more room to pack their belongings, explaining that the interior is slightly smaller than other suitcases they've tried.

RELATED: The Best Samsonite Luggage

If you don't want to lug around something bulky, try the Helium DLX suitcase. As the name implies, it's impressively lightweight at just 6.7 lbs for a carry-on bag and held up well to our durability testing.

As far as soft suitcases come, it's fairly simple, unfolding into one primary compartment with adjustable compression straps. It also features a helpful bifold organizer and a mesh zippered pocket, and there are additional pockets on the exterior that our testers said were convenient and easy to access.

WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR TESTS: Small yet mighty, the suitcase and material held up well in Textiles Lab assessments for durability, and testers said the bag felt sturdy. I have carried multiple carry-on suitcases from Delsey and have also been impressed by how well they've held up to being shoved in an overhead bin or dragged around the luggage carousel. Still, it's made of a thinner polyester material, which isn't quite as durable as some of the other bags featured, but since it's priced under $150, it's a great value for a bag from the well-known brand.

When we evaluated the suitcase in the Textiles Lab, the zippers required a bit of effort to use, and it received lower scores for maneuverability, meaning it wasn't as easy to roll around twists and turns as other bags. It received high ratings for its comfortable telescopic handle and for being easy to pack.

This suitcase from Briggs & Riley has a similar design to the other bags on our list, except for one brilliant feature: Hidden in the lid is a built-in garment folder to help keep formal attire, like a suit jacket or dress, crease-free. Plus, the best part: The bag features a unique expansion system that allows you to open it up for extra space and then compress your belongings back into place with just the push of a button.

WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR TESTS: Testers were thrilled with just how much they could fit inside the bag, sharing that they could pack more than they expected for its smaller size, which meets the carry-on dimensions of most major airlines. I carried a hardside version of this bag through five European countries during the fall and was able to stuff it full of sweaters, long pants, and jackets without a hitch. I also tried the checked version, which was a breeze to pack and looked great after several cross-country plane rides.

The nylon suitcase received top scores in our drop and abrasion tests, and it performed well in our luggage obstacle course. Our testers said it was easy to maneuver around twists and turns and gave the telescopic handle high scores. One of our consumer testers commented, "The handle and wheels work smoothly such that it is almost effortless to roll." It is on the heavier side, though, weighing in at a hefty 9.9 lbs.

While Away is best known for its hardside carry-on suitcases, the brand has ventured into soft-sided luggage, including this carry-on. You might recognize the brand's signature horizontal grooves, this time in durable woven nylon instead of hardside polycarbonate. Thoughtfully designed, this sleek and streamlined soft-sided bag has external pockets, but they're not nearly as bulky or prominent as those on other suitcases, and there are monochromatic bumpers on the upper corners of the bag.

The bag has a flip top with a mesh zipper pocket inside, as well as two additional mesh zipper pockets and an adjustable compression panel, which really helps to squish all of your belongings down so you can pack more.

WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR TESTS: Our consumer testers loved the look of this suitcase, as did I. The front pockets blend seamlessly into the front of the bag, so you barely notice they're there. Unfortunately, some other testers and I agreed that the zipper pulls were hard to use because the pockets are so hidden.

In terms of function, our testers appreciated how easy the suitcase was to use, particularly because of the 360-degree wheels. One shared, "It rolls SO well, and the handle is both comfortable and easy to lift up and down." Another commented on her experience, "The wheels are so, so smooth. It practically pushes itself. I felt like I barely had to push it, and it glided through the airport with ease, even over bumps and grooves that would normally trip me up. The handle is so easy to put down and bring up, which made it easy to get through security and later lift it into the plane's overhead bin."

RELATED: Away Luggage Review