On the case: the best bags for long-haul travel

We’ve rounded up the market-leading cabin bags for those going the distance, so you can pick yours knowing it’s stylish, secure and fit for purpose

You’re off to faraway lands, or maybe you’re just a seasoned over-packer, and your baggage requirements are lengthy. You need manoeuvrability, for starters (who wants to break into a sweat lugging a weighty suitcase around?). Space is also an essential (we’re talking many tens of litres). Plus, of course, there’s durability – you want this case to last – and flexibility so you can get creative with your cramming. And while function is important, you also want to invest in something that’s well-crafted and nice to look at.

It might sound like a long list of requirements but, luckily, we’ve found six bags that all – in their own way – hit the mark.

Away The Medium

How much: £275
Remember when Away first burst on to the global luggage market, and no trendy traveller would be seen without their signature suitcase? Well, almost ten years later and not much has changed – it’s still the not-so-secret brag in any given airport terminal. And even though The Carry-On remains possibly its most popular case, you could nimbly move countries with The Medium – large in charge at 68.8l but still feeling easy enough to swing on to the conveyer belt at bag-drop and lug up steep train station stairs. Away hallmarks include a durable, 100% polycarbonate shell that passed rigorous pre-launch testing by real travellers, optional USB charger for your devices and 100% recycled polyester laundry bag for your dirties. Best of all, Away’s customer service is second-to-none – if issues do occur, it will switch your case without faff or fuss.

Carl Friedrik The Large Check-In

How much: £595
A robust outer shell and aluminium frame mean that, wherever you are in the world, this 105l suitcase has your back. But that doesn’t read chunky or clunky. The Large Check-in is a handsome devil, especially in the steel grey/cognac colourway. It’s handy, too, thanks to an ‘any-stop trolley system’ (you wouldn’t want your valise rolling off into the sunset, would you?) and noiseless, fully rotating wheels. Other whizzy specifications include five, yes five, TSA-approved locks, so your valuables are more than secure, while integrated straps and a removable compression pad keep everything inside just so.

Paravel Aviator Trunk Set

How much: £735
This aptly named set isn’t just a pretty face (admit it, though, it is chic). It will ensure your holiday wardrobe stays wrinkle-free. Beneath the hard-wearing shell, you’ll find seven packing cubes designed to fit into the deepest side of the trunk, like pieces in a puzzle. Again, it boasts all the industry-leading tech (the wheels, the scuff-hiding textured finish), but what we love is its eco CV. Not only is it made of 99% recycled polycarbonate, vegan leather and a lining woven from recycled plastic bottles, but it is carbon neutral, offsetting all the emissions from sourcing to manufacture, delivery of the case and even your first plane trip with it.

Antler Lightest Large Suitcase

How much: £240
It’s not always a case of ‘go hard or go home’ when it comes to long-haul baggage. Antler’s Lightest Large Suitcase is made from fully recycled polyester with a soft exterior that’s both ultra-light and heavy duty. It’s stretchable, too, with an expander zip offering 5cm extra depth for all those sarongs and sandals you can’t bring yourself to leave at home. A deep external pocket is handy for anything you need to grab without unzipping the whole shebang, and it also has a top and side handle for versatile lifting, 360° spinner wheels, reverse coil zippers, interior zip pockets and TSA-approved locks… Case closed.

Globe-Trotter Centenary XL Trunk

How much: £2,495
If you have a soft spot for the golden age of travel, Globe-Trotter is the brand for you. The British label has been hand-making luggage for more than a century, counting everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to 007 as fans. The XL Trunk is inspired by the original steamer trunk but with a modern spin, literally, as it comes on four wheels and has a telescopic trolley system and handle. Made from vulcanised fibreboard (“lighter than aluminium and tougher than leather”), the vegetable-tanned leather detailing brings the nostalgia. Though each 117l trunk has its own unique serial number, elevate the personalisation with a bespoke inner lining and your initials on the front.

July Checked Plus Expandable

How much: £325
How can you not love a luggage brand that’s named after a month in the summer? This is the biggest check-in suitcase in the July collection and it’s the gift that keeps on giving, with a zip allowing an extra 10l of space, taking it to a whopping 120l. The polycarbonate shell is crush-proof and abrasion-resistant, with custom anodised corners and bumpers designed to protect against any hard drops. There are more than 20 available heights on the handle, while the SilentMove wheels don’t make a sound. Every detail has been considered inside, too, including a hidden laundry bag that is both smell and stain resistant. Genius.