10 Best Lightweight Suitcases for International Travel

Last Updated on July 22, 2023 by Editor G

Now international travel is returning to normal, you might be considering updating your travel luggage for your next trip. We have curated a list of the top lightweight suitcases on the market. These sleek travel companions ensure compliance with stringent airline regulations regarding weight and size and add a touch of elegance to your globetrotting endeavors.

If you are looking to travel very lightly, the best way to travel is with a carry-on case only; this will save you a lot of travel time as you will skip baggage reclaim.  But you will have to pack meticulously, especially if going away for longer than a weekend.

We have divided our article into carry-on luggage and checked-in, depending on how you plan to travel.

We have tested all these cases – we mostly borrowed them from friends and family for various trips. It would have cost us thousands of dollars if we had to buy them all.

Quick Answer – Best Lightweight Suitcase

Airline Carry-on Suitcase Sizes

Before you dive into the world of colors and styles, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specific luggage provisions of the airlines you plan to travel with. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to choose the perfect lightweight suitcase that complements your travel needs and aligns seamlessly with your preferred airlines’ requirements.

Here is a list of some of the carry-on luggage allowances for the biggest airlines in the world.

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Buying a Lightweight Suitcase for International Travel

• Suitcase Size
It’s an obvious consideration because you will want luggage that can squeeze in all your essential items while still complying with size restrictions. Consider how long your travel will be so that you don’t leave anything out. It’s always important to be realistic and not stuff the things you hope to use but in reality are just by the way items that take up valuable space.

• Soft vs. Hard Lightweight Suitcases
Soft bags are flexible and can easily fit in an overhead compartment. Their flexibility also means you can fit an extra outfit. But they can rip easily if you don’t pick a high-quality suitcase made of dense materials. On the other hand, hard suitcases are ideal for storing fragile items. They are lightweight, durable, and less likely to be damaged in transit. Since they have hard sides, you will mostly carry the necessary items because going over the limit is hard. With hard carry-on suitcases, you have to get the right size because you cannot squeeze it into an overhead compartment if it is not the right fit.

• Wheels on Your Lightweight Case
You can choose to go with a suitcase with two or four wheels and some have double wheel sets so are called  8-wheel.  Four-wheeled luggage is easy to move since the spinner wheels move in all directions. For navigating through airports, 360-degree wheels are more comfortable to pull through since you can turn a corner without stopping. But they can be hard to pull on cobblestone roads mostly found in Europe. That is why you may need to consider two-wheeled suitcases if your destination is Europe. Two wheels only move in two directions, making them stable on rough surfaces.

• Specialised Sports Luggage Bags

If you are planning a trip where sports luggage is required, it’s a good idea to look at the specific bags and travel requirements involved for your sport. Snowboarding travel bags for example come under specific travel luggage and are often checked into airlines as snow sports equipment. Whereas scuba dive bags for dive gear look just like normal suitcases or duffle bags, you just might need to declare what it is you are carrying. We recommend you always check airline luggage guidelines before checking in, just in case you get caught out and need to pay something extra at the airport.

The cost of being overweight (not literally!)

If your luggage is overweight or over sized you can expect to be hit with a hefty fine of up to $550 on some flights, basically the cost of the flight again! Here’s some charges from the American airlines page.

Best Lightweight Carry-On Suitcases for International Travel (Cabin Luggage Approved)

We class ultra lightweight carry-on cases as weighing under 5lbs, but these may not be the best choice for you. The ultra-light suitcases tend only to have 2 wheels, which can get a bit annoying when queuing to board the plane.  In our tests, we preferred the carry-on cases weighing under 7lb with hard shells and at least 4 wheels.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 4-Wheel Carry-On Luggage

I’ve owned one of these cases for over 10 years and it’s still going strong, bar a few scuffs on the corners.

The case is available in many colors and is a very stylish case. At only 19 inches high, this is one of the hard-sided suitcases that you never have to worry about flexibility.

Four spinner wheels will glide effortlessly beside you to smooth your movements around the airport. It is very stable on smooth surfaces of any airport so you won’t have to keep your hand or foot on the bag at all times.

This luggage weighs only 6.25 pounds. With construction from tough ABS, it still manages to bring the weight considerably low, so you will meet airline restrictions with no problem. You will like that the interior has a soft lining, and it even includes zippered flaps still on the inside where you can put dirty items separate from the rest of the stuff.

On the suitcase’s exterior, you will find a U-shaped zipper pocket. It also increases the storage capacity of the luggage. The zipper is credited to take pressure even when you squeeze in an extra pair of shoes.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers

This suitcase will not do well on rugged surfaces. The wheels will most likely break off if you roll it on a rough path.

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner Suitcase (Best Carry-On)

At 19 inches, Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner is an excellent option in carry-ons. It comes in a lightweight and robust design for improved durability, weighing in at 6.8 lbs. Being hard-sided, it is not a suitcase prone to damage, so even if it is in a squeezed compartment, great if you are keeping your travel laptop inside.

You can count on it, not only because it meets international luggage size but because it is easy to store lots of stuff. It has a full-zip interior with a divider and cross-straps to help squeeze in every item for your trip. Remember not to overstuff it because airlines will charge you extra fees or, even worse, be grounded for not abiding by airlines’ carry-on rules.

This luggage uses a micro-diamond texture such that no matter how many trips you take, your suitcase will look as good as new every time.

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner also explores 360-degree wheels. They make it super easy to move with your luggage as they manage the weight of the luggage for you. And your luggage will always be protected since it also comes with a TSA-compatible combination lock.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers

This suitcase does not include a side handle. You will have to use the main retractable handle to lift and remove it from overhead compartments.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Suitcase

Travelpro is known for their outstanding quality of their luggage. They have a line of different travel bag styles, and the Maxlite 5 is one of their top sought models. With its professional styling, this carry-on rollaboard will simplify your journey.

It is absolutely light, weighing only 5.4 pounds. When you add your travel essentials, you will not be dealing with heavy carry-on luggage to give you trouble fitting it into airplane compartments. It comes with two rollaboard wheels. Since they usually require more effort to pull, you will find that Maxlite 5 does not put any pressure on your wrists and joints because it is lightweight.

You will like that it comes with a telescoping handle that can stop at your ideal height, whether at 38 inches or 42.5 inches. The handle is built using airline-grade aluminum that speaks durability. It boasts a honeycomb frame and polyester fabric construction that is water- and stain-resistant.

This suitcase can expand to 2 inches to allow the packing of extra stuff. It also includes an interior lid pocket, adjustable hold-down straps, and a side accessory pocket.

For security, this luggage has durable zipper pulls that are deemed some of the best in the industry.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers
Maxlite 5 is prone to tipping. We find this is a common issue with two-wheeled models since they cannot stand on their own. For a stable model, you can opt for the Maxlite 3 spinner, that is lighter but smaller than the Maxlite 5.

>> You might also like our best day packs, these can packed in your suitcase ready for explore when you arrive

Best Lightweight Checked Suitcases for International Travel

Samsonite Pro Travel Softside

If you are looking for lightweight checked luggage with spinner wheels, you will want to consider the Samsonite Pro Travel Softside  – formally called the ‘Mightlite’.

It is a soft side spinner weighing only 8 pounds. It’s not that any compromises have been made with the construction since it is made of heavy-duty nylon fabric. It includes a safeguard water-resistant coating to make it weather resistant and improve its durability.

The multi-direction spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver through crowded spaces. This is because they are easy to turn and will also be easy on your joints and wrists. The alloy pull handle is beveled for comfortable handling. It eliminates extra stress when pulling a full suitcase over a long distance.

Apart from the main compartment, this luggage also comes with three zippered pockets on the outside. You will have enough room to bring every essential item you want for your trip.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers
There are complaints about a broken zipper if you overstuff the suitcase. It is vital to understand your limits instead of risking a snapped zipper when you are at the airport.

TravelPro Elite Platinum 25” Expandable Spinner Checked Suitcase

TravelPro is always ahead of the game when it comes to international travel. It is evident in their Platinum Elite that this brand brings perfection in your travel. This particular checked luggage has a height of 25 inches. It is a medium-sized model that is ideal for medium and long trips.

With its tapered design, you can expand it to get two more inches when you have more than a few travel necessities to bring along. We like that its weight is easy to manage thanks to the four Magnatrac spinner wheels. If you feel the weight is still too much, you can go for the Maxlite 5 that is 2 pounds lighter than this Platinum Elite model.

With the Platinum Elite, you get a 4-stop PowerScope handle with a contoured grip. It comes with a foldout suiter that keeps clothes wrinkle-free. The suiter will fit in two suits, and it is not removable. You also have accessory pockets that will give you more organized space.

What’s more, this luggage has durable Supra zipper heads and a TSA lock to keep everything protected. It has a lifetime warranty which is unlike other checked luggage.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers
Like many spinner suitcases, TravelPro Platinum Elite also faces the same struggles of cruising on rough surfaces. They inhibit movement and most likely will break off if mishandled.

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage 3-Piece Set

AmazonBasics offers an affordable option to get carry-on and checked luggage size suitcases. This 3-piece set allows you to make an easy choice for all your international travels. The protective hard shell ensures that your luggage arrives in good condition. It has a scratch-resistant finish that also helps to maintain its sparkly condition.

This luggage is as good on the outside as it is on the inside. It has a 150-Denier polyester interior with dividers. For smaller items, you have three zippered compartments that are as important as the main pocket.

The telescoping handle locks into place such that together with the four spinner wheels, it is quite easy to get it rolling even when you are carrying the maximum weight limit. The short handle is securely mounted on the side to facilitate safe and comfortable lifting of your luggage.
If you are traveling large, the three suitcases can be used as they all meet airline size restrictions. But you won’t be getting a strap that can hook the three suitcases together.

Drawbacks but not Deal Breakers
The 28-inch suitcase if expanded may exceed size limitations. We don’t see why AmazonBasics included this option if it is going to be a challenge to use it.

If you are looking for more 3-piece sets, IT luggage  touts itself as producing ‘The World’s lightest luggage sets’. Their best seller is the 8 wheel 3-piece set .

Wrapping Up – The Best Lightweight Suitcases: Our Verdict

It feels good when you have all your belongings in the right size luggage. Our Best Lightweight Suitcases for International Travel are from some of the top brands. These pieces of luggage are all of high-quality, durable, and meet international suitcase size recommendations by most airlines. We hope you will find the one that is right for you.

Jane Freeman

Jane Freeman is a travel blogger and digital marketer based in the UK.  Jane splits her time between London during the Spring/Summer and Asia in the winter.