16 Types of Travel Bags: Choosing the Right One for Your Needs

Choosing the right bag can make all the difference when you travel. Whether you’re planning a weekend city break, a week-long cruise, or a longer vacation, there are so many different types of travel bags to choose from. And with such a variety of luggage types on the market, it can be tricky to know where to start.

Whether you’re looking for a backpack, a duffel bag, or a suitcase, it’s all about matching your bag to your personal travel style and what you have planned.

Here’s a handy guide to help you find the perfect bag for your next adventure!

Backpacks

Is there any bag more versatile than a backpack?

Perhaps one of the easiest bags to travel with, a backpack is perfect for trips where you're always on the go or just want to travel light. These handy and popular travel bags come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll have no problem finding one that’s suitable for your needs.

From quick day trips to extended journeys and work trips to outdoor excursions, travel backpacks consistently come out on top for the best travel bags for men and women. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Daypacks

Features

Daypacks are lightweight, compact, and designed to easily access all your essentials. They provide just enough room for everything you need for your next day trip, including space for your water bottle, lunch, and even a rain jacket.

Best For

Daypacks are best for short outdoor day breaks and sightseeing trips around a big city. They’re also great for commuting to work!

Hiking Backpacks

Features

Hiking backpacks are larger and sturdier bags. They’re often made from water-resistant materials to keep your belongings dry in any weather, and they also feature ergonomic support to protect your back and shoulders while on the move. They also have multiple compartments, so you’ll always have enough room for all your hiking gear.

Best For

Hiking backpacks are best for single-day outdoor adventures, multi-day hikes, and longer camping trips.

Wheeled Backpacks

Features

Wheeled backpacks are just what they sound like—the ultimate combination of a backpack and wheeled luggage. You can pull these bags behind you like a suitcase or pop them on your back, giving you the best of both worlds. 

Best For

Wheeled backpacks are great for easy transport when you’re hustling through the airport but work equally as well when hopping from train to train or walking around a busy city.

Frameless Backpacks

Features

Frameless backpacks are lightweight with no internal frame, making them great for minimal travel. They’re also easy to pack because the bag's shape will flex around whatever you pack inside.

Best For

These backpacks are best for hiking trips when you want your travel bag to be as light as possible. They’re also perfect for minimalist travelers setting off on a short trip.

Laptop Backpacks

Features

Laptop backpacks have all the benefits of regular daypacks, but they also feature a padded compartment for your laptop. They also offer plenty of extra space for your other tech accessories.

Best For

Laptop backpacks are best for daily commuting and business travel when you want to easily and safely transport your laptop. They’re also great for remote workers who want to carry their laptops to a nearby coffee shop or coworking space and students who need their computers to take great class notes.

Duffel Bags

If you’re looking for a travel bag with lots of space for all your belongings, a duffel bag is one of the best types of travel bags for you.

Duffel bags offer loads of spacious storage, so you can fit lots into them. They’re most suitable for shorter trips or gym use, as you’ll need to carry these types of luggage in your hand or slung over a shoulder.

Classic Duffel Bags

Features

Classic duffel bags have a large main compartment, making them a great travel bag for when you just want to chuck in your things and go. These bags also have a flexible structure, making them really easy to pack—and roomy enough to fit in everything you need for a short trip!

Best For

Classic duffels are perfect for weekend getaways in the city, gym sessions after work, and athletes going away for a sports trip.

Wheeled Duffel Bags

Features

Wheeled duffel bags boast all the benefits of a classic duffel bag, but they also feature built-in wheels, a structured base, and handles for easy mobility. This makes them quite a bit easier to move around, especially if you’re traveling through a busy airport or train station.

Best For

These handy bags are best for long-haul travel when you want to avoid having to lug your bag on your shoulder. They’re also great for multi-destination trips where you have lots to take with you, or if you need to transport heavy equipment.

Suitcase and Rolling Luggage Types

Ah, the trusty suitcase, one of the most classic types of travel bags!

There’s no denying that suitcases and rolling luggage are the most popular choices for convenience and durability. Available in all shapes and sizes, larger suitcases also boast tons of capacity, so they’re a great travel bag when you need plenty of room.

Carry-On Luggage

Features

A carry-on rolling suitcase is the perfect choice if you need a travel bag that easily fits into overhead compartments when traveling by plane, train, or bus. A hard-shelled carry-on is particularly good if you want to stick to strict luggage measurements as the bag’s structure will help keep all your things contained.

Plus, carry-on luggage is usually made to meet standard airline size requirements, so you won’t face any oversized luggage fines—win, win!

Best For

As carry-on cases are on the smaller end of travel bag sizes, they’re normally best for shorter trips or simply avoiding checked luggage fees when traveling by air. They’re also great for more minimalist travelers who love to travel light.

Medium Luggage

Features

Medium suitcases have plenty of storage for slightly longer trips. They often come with internal dividers, helping you stay organized while traveling. They’re also made from durable materials, so you can feel confident that your belongings are safe and secure while you’re traveling to your destination.

Best For

Medium suitcases are great for weeklong trips, family vacations, and international travel.

Large Luggage

Features

Large suitcases have loads of capacity for longer trips and strong wheels to keep them stable. Some large cases also have handy expandable sections, which are great for fitting in all your souvenirs on the way home.

Best For

Large suitcases are best for long vacations when you’ll be away from home for an extended time. They’re also excellent for family trips when you don’t want to take multiple suitcases with you or need to pack lots of toys and clothes for the kids.

Hard-Shell Luggage

Features

Hard-shell luggage is one of the toughest bag types. They have a rigid outer casing, giving you the peace of mind that your belongings are protected from damage while traveling. These cases are also usually scratch-resistant, making them a reliable and durable luggage type.

Best For

Hard-shell luggage is best for when you’re traveling with fragile or valuable items or you just want that extra level of protection for your belongings. They’re also great for long-haul travel.

Soft-Sided Luggage

Features

Soft-sided luggage is just what it sounds like: a suitcase made with a flexible fabric exterior. Soft-sided luggage will be lighter to transport around than hard-shell bags. Plus, their fabric construction makes them easier to squeeze into tight spaces on planes with tight luggage requirements.

Best For

This type of luggage is perfect for travelers needing a flexible travel bag that won’t be too difficult to transport. It’s great for road trips or domestic flights without connections, where your luggage is less likely to be thrown around.

Specialized Bags

Some types of travel bags are designed for more specialized, specific use cases. Here are a few of our favorite types of specialized travel bags.

Messenger Bags

Features

While these bags were originally designed for couriers, they’re now a modern and versatile travel bag. They have a cross-body design and often include various compartments. Messenger bags are great for keeping your belongings organized and easy to access.

Best For

Messenger bags are best for daily commuting (bonus points if you’re a bike commuter!), urban travel, and times when you need to travel with valuables like small electronics.

Travel Totes

Features

Travel totes are a great casual travel bag and one of the best travel bags for women. Think of them as a handbag on steroids. They usually have one large main compartment with an open top and come in all sorts of stylish designs.

Best For

These types of travel bags are best for casual outings, like beach days in the summer or city shopping trips. Travel totes are also great as personal items on planes, letting you keep all your essentials at your seat.

Laptop Bags

Features

Laptop bags come in lots of different designs, but they all have padded compartments for your laptop or tablet. They’re normally lightweight and minimal, making them perfect for professional environments.

Best For

Laptop bags are a great choice for short business trips, as well as your daily commute to work. They’re perfect for tech-savvy travelers keen to keep their electronics safe and protected while on the move.

Bucket Bags

Features

Bucket bags are cylindrical in shape and feature a drawstring closure that cinches the bag shut and keeps your belongings safe while traveling. They’re super trendy and are great for casual travel.

Best For

These bags are best for casual day trips when you won’t be traveling too far away from home. They’re a great choice for anyone who wants to stay stylish while on the move.

How to Choose the Right Travel Bag For Your Adventure

Now that you know all about the different types of travel bags out there, how do you choose the right one? Here are the key things to consider when choosing the right bag for your trip:

• Know your trip length: Opt for backpacks or carry-on luggage for shorter trips, while larger luggage is best for longer trips.
• Consider your activities: Choose durable backpacks or duffels with specialized features for hiking or outdoor adventures.
• Think about transportation: Wheeled bags or rolling luggage are ideal for airports, while frameless or duffel bags are better for road trips.
• Pack efficiently: Choose bags with internal organization or look for expandability to optimize space and organization.
• Match your personal style: Consider both function and form. Your bag should reflect your travel style!

Get Travel-Ready With CALPAK

From short getaways to longer trips, choosing the right travel bag depends on your travel style and specific needs. No matter where you’re headed, CALPAK has a bag that fits perfectly. Explore our full travel bag collection today.