Summer Travel Hack: Colorful Luggage to Stand Out at Baggage Claim and Beyond

“If you find single colors too boring, opt for luggage with a design or pattern,” Dengler says. “Your luggage will still be easier to find in the baggage claim area, and it will hide scratches and scuff marks better than light-colored luggage.” 

This Monos carry-on luggage aced our durability test, which measures the piece’s ability to resist damage from being dropped, pulled, or having other items dropped onto it. Featuring a polycarbonate shell, it also comes with an ultrasturdy telescopic handle with four height settings, spinner wheels, and a lock. 

It’s available in eight colors and four additional limited-edition tones. If you prefer a neutral option, go for the Desert Taupe or Ocean Blue.

This basic, hard-shell carry-on by Away impresses in our tests for impact resistance and construction quality. Away is also a top brand for carry-on luggage based on our CR member survey. The bag’s special features include a compartment divider, leather luggage tag, and laundry bag. It has an unusually generous limited lifetime warranty and, like a mattress, a 100-day trial period so you can see how you like it on the road.

Available in seven different colorways, including Navy and Sand.

The Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner is the only hard-shell carry-on luggage model in our ratings to earn a top mark for usability, which is measured by how easy it is to open, close, and load luggage, with a focus on zippers and internal straps. Not only is this durable model expandable but its handle can be raised to six positions, a boon to travelers of varying heights. Special features include a compartment divider, lock, and built-in USB port for connecting power sources (that you provide) to your electronics. 

Available in four colors, including Midnight Black and Misty Gray.

With its relatively low price and admirable test performance, this expandable Amazon Basics carry-on is a worthwhile pick. This spinner aced our durability tests, and it impressed in our tests of usability, carrying and pulling, construction quality, ergonomics, design, and safety. Given its lower price, there are some caveats: Testers found the telescopic handle to be somewhat wobbly or unstable. This model also lacks a lock, but it does have three internal pockets to help organize smaller items. 

Available in four colors, including black, as well as three sizes. 

Target’s Made By Design carry-on spinner suitcase is rated among the best-value bags in our tests, thanks to its overall performance and basic features offered at a competitive price. It sails through our impact tests, including assaults from a heavy, pointed hammer. It earns respectable scores in all our other evaluations, though some testers found its top handle too tight to grasp well. This spinner is expandable, and its handle telescopes to three different heights. 

Available in seven colors, including tan and dark green for those who prefer a more neutral option.

When it comes to usability, construction quality, and how easy it is to pull and carry, this Calpak carry-on rates well in our tests. Where it may lack a bit is impact resistance, which measures the luggage’s ability to resist damage from being dropped, pulled, or having other items dropped onto it. Despite its shortcomings, it’s a solid buy at a lower price than its competition’s. 

Available in three colorways and four sizes. 

Save more: Best Deals on Carry-Ons, Weekenders, Backpacks, and More

This Instagram-famous weekender impressed our editors with its clever design. It features a dedicated shoe compartment at the base of the piece as well as a zippered pass-through, allowing you to slide the bag onto your rolling suitcase handle. The rolled, faux-leather handles are long and can fit over the shoulders if desired, and it has a lightweight, highly adjustable removable crossbody strap. Its structured frame provides easy accessibility when packing while thoughtfully placed pockets throughout are prime for staying organized. 

Available in nine vibrant colors, including beige and navy for those who prefer to take a neutral approach. 

Dagne Dover’s weekender bag was a favorite in a recent evaluation of the best weekender bags. It features six large mesh pockets, a smaller zippered pocket, and two removable sleeves. Made from neoprene (a material commonly used to manufacture wetsuits), this water-resistant bag is a choice option for travel during rain or shine.

Available in six colorways—like Storm and Heather Gray—and five sizes.

According to our editors, this Everlane bag is a decent option for those looking for a basic, budget-friendly weekender. It’s made from water-resistant recycled polyester and has an adjustable padded crossbody strap and handles that are long enough to be worn over most shoulders. It has two external pockets: a zippered back pocket large enough for a tablet or paperback and an unzipped front pocket in a similar size.

Available in five colorways, including Warm Quartz and Warm Charcoal for those who prefer a neutral option.

Lightweight, relatively affordable, and available in an array of bold colorways, the Herschel Novel duffle is a great option for kids, teens, and adults. It features faux-leather handles as well as a padded crossbody strap, and it’s made of a thin polyester fabric that’s water-resistant. 

Available in 12 colorways, including a patterned Nature Camo, Quail Crosshatch, and a neutral black and tan combo.

For more options: Best Weekender Bags

With a 27-liter capacity, this Yeti travel backpack can seamlessly transition from the plane to the hiking trails. It features a water-resistant exterior, sealed zippers, and a main cargo load inside with compartments and cuffs to hold water bottles. The Yeti may cost more than many similar bags, but double-reinforced (with bar-tacked stitching) grab handles and an extra protective layer at the base could make it last longer than some of the others, says evaluator and frequent flyer Michael Frank. 

Available in three sizes and six colors, including Alpine Brown and black. 

Topo Design’s versatile backpack has a capacity of up to 14 liters and its dual exterior pockets with neon-yellow lining and mesh sleeves are surprisingly roomy. The main sleeve can hold several articles of clothing and accessories—it also features a laptop sleeve that can fit a 15-inch computer. According to our evaluator, the backpack’s construction seems solid enough, and the oversized compartment zippers are very stout, plus the extra-long zipper pulls are exceptionally easy to grab.

Available in charcoal and black.