Family of Frequent Flyers? Try One of These Matching Luggage Sets

Traveling alone is easy. You bring one bag, ideally, a carry-on, take it with you on the plane, de-plane with it and depart the airport for your final destination. But if you’re traveling in a group or hauling a whole hell of a lot on your own, you’re probably responsible for several bags — maybe even for folks who can’t (or don’t care to) carry their own weight (kids). In this case, you need a set, a coordinated cache that will put your anxiety at peace, even in the airport.

Singles vs. a Set

Sure, anybody can make a set by buying two, three or four of the same suitcase in the same color, slapping a few identical stickers on each and calling it a day. While that would technically be a matching set, most brands sell sets at a discount, a thank you for buying more than one. If you need more than one, for whatever reason, always check to see if your chosen brand sells sets, instead of pulling the trigger on their full-price suitcases.

A set is also a great way to get you and someone else a suitcase. By buying them at a discount, you get yours at a discount, too. And rarely do suitcases come packaged together. They’ll be easy to split apart, without the other person knowing, of course.

How Many Suitcases Do You Need?

It all depends on where you’re going and for how long. In the summertime, you can pack more while taking up minimal space. If you’re headed somewhere cold, two parkas will put you at max capacity on their own. So, it’s really more of a guessing game — but one you can have a game plan for, says Tony Standing, menswear stylist at Thread.

Standing says that you should be able to pack clothing and toiletries for a week-long trip to somewhere warm in a standard carry-on. The same can’t be said for a ski trip, so upgrade to a checked bag here. But wintertime (especially around the holidays) is when air travel peaks, so be mindful of the lines to greet ticketing agents. While a carry-on can come with you through the security gates, checked bags obviously cannot.

Chronic over-packer? Learn how to pack lighter in our dedicated guide to packing a suitcase.

How Many Suitcases Can You Travel with?

Worried you won’t make it through with three suitcases? Accidentally check all three on your ticket, not your travel partners? Almost every airline allows one carry-on bag and accommodates up to 10 checked bags. You shouldn’t worry about whether they’ll take your extra cargo, just how much they’ll charge for doing so. On Delta, for example, your first two checked bags fly free (if you’re a member), but bag three will cost $150 and bags 4-10 will cost $200 each.

Feel stressed just looking at those fees? Forget a set; just get yourself a nice little carry-on. Find yours in our guide to carry-on suitcases.

The Best Matching Luggage Sets

Courtesy

Best Overall Luggage Set: July Family Luggage Set

• £605.00 at july.com
  £640.00 (5% off)

July’s Family Luggage Set features three polycarbonate suitcases: the Carry On, Checked and Checked Plus. Each one is backed with its own lifetime warranty, and you get free personalization on each, a service that usually costs $150 ($50 each). Grab them in one of several colors and enjoy the brand’s supremely quiet rolling wheels.

“So often in the luggage world, functionality equals drab design. July tries to buck the trend, melding first-class materials with looks to match,” our tester, Senior Editor John Zientek says.

• Country of Manufacture China
• Materials Nylon, polycarbonate shell
• Capacity 42 L, 80 L, 110 L
• Warranty Lifetime

Away

Best Upgrade Luggage Set: Away Luggage Set (3)

• $3,237.00 at Away

Away bags are nice. And they’re probably the most popular suitcase brand out right now — just about everybody has one. But the most cost-efficient way to order multiple ones is to do it as a set. You can customize your set to your liking, by upgrading certain bags or adding built-in batteries (for when your phone needs charged).

“My favorite aspect of Away is the integrated lithium-ion battery (available as an add-on for $20 more), which is capable of powering your phone or tablet as you travel,” our tester, Associate Editor Hayley Helms, says. “Outlets are hard to come by in the airport, and if you do work from your phone like I do, having a dead battery isn’t an option.”

• Country of Manufacture China
• Materials Nylon, polycarbonate shell
• Capacity 42 L, 80 L, 110 L
• Warranty Lifetime

Courtesy

Best Affordable Luggage Set: Samsonite Barlett 2 Piece Set

• $168.00 at
  $240.00 (30% off)

Samsonite’s Barlett is a solid two-piece for one. Surprisingly, it’s less than $200 for both pieces and it provides ample room for anyone traveling solo.

For the price, you’re getting a normal-sized carry-on suitcase and a giant checked bag. The checked bag offers enough room for one over-packed or several minimalists, while the carry-on suitcase is the better candidate for frequent use.

• Country of Manufacture India
• Materials Polyester
• Capacity Unlisted
• Warranty Limited 10-year

Samsonite

Best Affordable Luggage Set

Samsonite Valor 2.0 2 Piece Set

• $300.00 at samsonite.com

Samsonite’s Valor Collection is sold exclusively in sets. As such, it’s hard to tell how much you’re truly saving by buying two, but it’s surely a decent amount — at least $100.

For the price, you’re getting a normal-sized carry-on suitcase and a giant checked bag. The checked bag offers enough room for one over-packed or several minimalists, while the carry-on suitcase is the better candidate for frequent use.

Quantity: 2
Sizes: Carry-On (1), Checked Bag (1)
Colors: 2
Savings: ~$100

Paravel

Best Luggage Set for Long Work Trips

Best Luggage Set for Long Work Trips: Paravel Aviator Set

• $795.00 at Paravel
  $870.00 (9% off)

“Paravel was founded on the principle of delivering top-quality travel accessories that are as easy on the eye as they are on the earth,” our tester, contributor Monica Mendal, says.

Paravel’s suitcases are made from mostly recycled materials: a recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled zippers, a lining made from plastic bottles and so and on so forth. They’re also manufactured in a carbon-neutral way, reducing the suitcase’s footprint. The Aviator Set — one carry-on and one checked bag — is perfect for individuals on long adventures.

• Country of Manufacture Italy
• Materials Recycled aluminum, recycled polycarbonate, recycled nylon, recycled vegan leather
• Capacity 43.7 L, 77 L
• Warranty 10-year warranty

Calpak

best luggage set for a family

Best Luggage Set for a Family: Calpak Ambeur 3-Piece Luggage Set

• $495.00 at Calpak
  $715.00 (31% off)

Calpak’s sleek Ambeur Set covers all three bases: small, big and bigger, meaning you get a carry-on and two different size checked bags. Each one spins on four wheels and features an interior compression system that packs down what you’re towing with you.

“With so much emphasis on function, there are few luggage brands that keep optics top of mind. Enter Calpak, an LA-based luggage brand that prioritizes both style and function with products that look as good as they feel,” our tester, contributor Monica Mendal, says.

• Country of Manufacture China
• Materials Polycarbonate, ABS, polyester
• Capacity 43 L, 72 L, 115 L
• Warranty 2-year limited warranty

Amazon

Best Luggage Set for Couples

Best Luggage Set for Couples: LEVEL8 2 Piece Luggage Set

• $300.00 at Amazon

LEVEL8’s Sleek 2 Piece Luggage Set comes with one carry-on and one checked bag. This is the ideal one-two punch for traveling partners, who are able to split their belongings into one big and one small bag, but not two carry-ons. It’s better to only pay for one checked bag than it is two.

They’re a modern design most people don’t own — an A+ when sifting for yours at baggage claim — and they offer lots of room. Plus, LEVEL8 suitcases are easy to maneuver no matter the size.

• Country of Manufacture China
• Materials Aluminum, nylon
• Capacity 40 L, 65 L
• Warranty 2-year

Courtesy

Most Colorful Luggage Set: Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag Set

• $597.00 at baboontothemoon.com

If you’re in the market for something hip, vibrant and maybe even funky, Baboon to the Moon’s bundled Go-Bag Set is sure to catch your eye––and anyone else’s at the airport. Its shell is made of a durable ripstop polyester, which the brand claims is actually machete-proof, meaning it can withstand scrapes, scuffs and maybe even a stab.

Each bag has a massive main compartment with smaller mesh pockets inside, similar to a Patagonia Black Hole Duffle. If you don’t mind overpacking and cramming everything inside of a main compartment, or if you’ve got plenty of packing cubes on hand, this one could be the best choice.

• Country of Manufacture China
• Materials Phthalate-free PVC fabric, polyester
• Capacity 32 L, 40 L, 60 L
• Warranty Lifetime

Related Topics