Best Suitcases And Luggage Sets For Teens In 2023

Your travelling teen will look stylish and practical with these teen luggage ideas

Your teen wants to be independent, but style and looks are equally (if not more!) important to them than all the practical features frequent travellers know you need in good luggage. Steer them in the right direction by getting them their own luggage that you know will achieve both!

There’s not always a one size fits all solution to teen luggage – what they might need for a weekend camping with friends is very different from taking a spring break trip to Europe! We’ll cover our favourite teen suitcases in detail but also provide some practical suggestions on perfectly sized totes for teens and accessories to make travel easier.

This post is part of our best family travel products series – we have you covered, from camping trips to the ultimate family vacation checklist

Types of Teen Luggage

Finding the right sort of teenager luggage can certainly be a challenge; the trade-off between pretty patterns and durable materials; lightweight enough so they can independently carry it and left it, vs being large enough to fit all the essentials for a big trip.

Your teen’s suitcase needs to fit not just clothing but accessories, shoes (how many shoes!) and all their personal items – electronics, chargers, toiletries – it’s much more complex than packing for your younger kids!

There are different types of luggage for teens that you can try:  

1. Hardshell Suitcase – This is a bag with a hard ABS plastic or polycarbonate frame. It is waterproof and durable – and can handle stress and scratches – though lacks some flexibility and can be a little heavier than other soft luggage. Cheap brands are also prone to cracking and damage from mishandling or hitting the conveyor belt too hard.
2. Softside Suitcase – This type of luggage is made from durable fabric such as nylon. It has more ‘give’ and flexibility, and usually, external pockets and expander zips for more optionality.
3. Rucksack – A flexible luggage, usually without a frame. A rucksack is worn over both shoulders and can vary greatly in size and capacity. These are best for outdoor adventures without smooth surfaces for wheeled luggage.
4. Duffel Bag – A wide, cylindrical luggage with a top opening, a duffel bag is flexible and heavy-duty. It can carry bulky products easily but must be kept light enough it can still be carried over the shoulder (though some larger duffels also come with wheels).
5. Travel Tote – This luggage, with straps for a single shoulder, is larger than regular totes. They are ideal for a few clothes and other essentials, though not great for long periods of carrying, best for short trips. 
6. Backpack – A smaller luggage with straps to be carried on both shoulders. A backpack is smaller and generally less durable than a rucksack but good for a few items. Ideal to be used as a carry-on or for short trips where extensive carrying may be necessary, it’s more practical than a tote.
7. Carry-On Luggage – Suitcases, rucksacks, duffels, totes: anything that can fit in the overhead compartments of an airplane is considered carry-on luggage (actual carry-on rules vary by airline – aim for under 22″ long by 14″ wide to be sure).
8. Wheeled Luggage – All types of luggage can have wheels, even carry-on luggage and duffels. There are either one-directional wheels (usual 2-wheeled) or rotational wheels (4-wheeled). 4 independent spinner wheels are by far the most practical, but this can add to the cost and weight of the bag.
9. Scooter Luggage – although not common, we’re throwing this one into the mix as a fun alternative to wheeled luggage. A carry-on-sized suitcase that attaches to a scooter!

Choosing the best teen suitcases depends on the kind of trip your teenage kid is planning. While totes and backpacks are great for weekend trips, rucksacks are best for hiking trips.

Hardshell suitcases provide better protection during international travels or if the luggage might be tossed around. But soft bags and duffels fit into small storage spaces in buses, cars, etc and give your teen the most flexibility in their packing.

There may not be a one-size-fits-all solution for your teens travel needs which is where luggage sets with multiple options can come in handy. Look for those that have checked luggage as well as a carry-on-sized case and a tote.

Using our printable teens packing list will certainly keep them on track with the most important items to pack

What to Look for in a Quality Suitcase for Teens

Your teen can stuff a small world inside a suitcase so it’s important to think practically about what they really need. And remember, if the point is for them to be using the suitcase independently, the most important thing is how they will lift it, carry it and transport it from A to B. These are the essential features that we look for:

Hard/Soft Suitcase – Soft suitcases allow more flexibility as the sides can bend. However, hard suitcases are better at protecting the contents inside. Given the material hard suitcases are now made from, they are much the same in total weight, but do we conscious of how much the suitcase itself weighs before you have anything in it!

Checked/Cabin Suitcase – When traveling by plane your teen can keep the cabin suitcase under the seat or in overhead lockers. A checked suitcase is too large to fit on the plane (generally, the height limit is 21″) so needs to sit underneath in the cargo hold and be collected after the journey.

Carrying – Will your teen be pulling the luggage on wheels or lugging a bag on their shoulders? This will depend entirely on where your teen will be taking the case. For long haul journey’s and anywhere that involves going through airports and train stations, you will almost certainly want wheels; anywhere you’ll be without smooth flat surfaces, two shoulder straps or a sturdy over shoulder luggage strap is essential.

Durability – Your teen’s luggage will no doubt go through a lot of manhandling over the years. Getting shoved and pulled goes hand in hand with being forced to carry stuff they can’t hold. Plus, there’s rain, rough terrain, and drops. So pick suitcases made of durable materials that will last your teen several years – ideally, you want them to last into the early years of adulthood.

Size – Determine the size of the suitcase based on the distance and duration of the trip and the modes of transportation. Most teens hate bulky suitcases that are too heavy to lift, look on larger checked suitcases for adequate grab handles on the top and sides so you’re not tugging too hard on the pulling handle which can snap with misuse – remember even wheeled cases still need to be picked up in and out of cars or up and down stairs. The biggest mistake we’ve seen parents make with teen luggage is assuming wheels means they can take a heavier case.

Flexibility – When choosing a suitcase, whether hard-sided or soft-sided, look whether there is an option to expand the case if additional space is needed. Remember additional internal size will add to weight, and may make a previously carry-on complaint case too wide once expanded.

Security – You’ve no doubt heard horror stories of items being slipped into suitcases unawares to the owner. For any flight or international travel, we highly recommend you lock the zips together so this does not happen to your teen. If the suitcase does not come with a padlock, get them a TSA approved combination lock for their safety and peace of mind (TSA approved locks can be opened by airport security staff for any checking requirements without damaging the bag).

Style – Companies create different types of suitcases with sleek designs and stylish patterns and colors to stay up with the latest trends. Check with your teen and see what kind of a suitcase they are comfortable with – neutrals may be a little boring but can still work best if your teen suddenly can’t stand florals, leopard print, or bright colors.

Make sure to consult your opinionated teen kid. Offer your perspective, but don’t ignore their point of view while browsing through the best suitcases for teenagers. 

Top 10 Suitcases for Teenagers

Now you are aware of what to look for in teen luggage, here are our detailed recommendations for the best suitcases for teenagers to choose from; we look at a variety of carry-ons, checked luggage, and luggage sets that give your teen multiple matching options to choose from (we will cover rucksacks and backpacks for teens in a separate review).

Best Tote Teen Luggage

We’d also like to give you a few tote options for your teens. These smaller bags are ideal for short weekenders where you don’t need a huge amount of luggage space, and you can easily sling a bag over your shoulder (think festivals, beach trips or glamping trips where a wheeled suitcase simply won’t be practical).

Large Foldable Travel Duffle Bag For Women Girls Cute Floral Weekender

We love that this tote can fold down and fit inside your luggage, perfect for when you know you’ll be coming back with more than you started with!

Available in a huge variety of colourful and playful designs, it’s the ideal emergency bag that even has a pocket to slip over your suitcase handle. Ultralight material but a carrying capacity of up to 150lbs (though given your teen probably can’t carry the groceries without moaning, watch how much you pack!)

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Jadyn 19” Barrel Womens Weekender Bag

This super cute and inexpensive barrel bag is the ideal weekend for your stylish teen who wants to keep their luggage light. It has a 13″ drop handle for easy over-shoulder carrying, plus you can add an adjustable shoulder strap. A handy exterior phone pocket available in 6 colourful and playful designs to choose from = sleepover weekends sorted!

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Original Floral Water Resistant Duffel

A sturdy and stylish weekend that will easily fit in an overhead bin, we love that this simple duffel includes a separate zip pocket for shoes. Also perfect for taking on a road trip or an overnight stay.

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BLUBOON Canvas Overnight Bag Travel Duffel

A lovely stylish option for your teen boy, you can fit in an impressive 52L, but it’s still classified as carry-on compliant. It comes with a large adjustable shoulder strap perfect for your larger lads, made from durable canvas and leather. An excellent travel piece that they can treasure well into their college years.

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