How to choose the right travel bag for your trip

Whether you’re planning a weekend away, an overseas holiday or a multi-day hiking adventure, choosing the right bag can make the whole journey easier.

The best travel bag for you will depend on where you’re going, how long you’ll be away and how you plan to get around. A wheeled travel bag might be ideal for airports and hotels, while a backpack gives you more freedom when moving between different destinations. If your trip takes you onto the trail, you’ll need a hiking pack designed to carry your gear comfortably over longer distances.

With so many sizes, styles and features available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This guide explains the main types of travel bags and packs, what they’re designed for and what to consider before choosing one.

Start with how you plan to travel

Before comparing different travel bags, think about what your trip will involve.

Ask yourself:

• How long will I be travelling?

• Will I mainly be moving through airports and hotels?

• Will I need to carry my bag across uneven ground or up stairs?

• Am I packing for a city break, camping trip or multi-day hike?

• Do I need a small carry-on bag or checked luggage?

• How much weight can I comfortably carry?

• Will I need quick access to electronics, documents or an extra layer?

A large travel bag may give you more packing space, but it can also be heavier and harder to move. A smaller travel bag encourages lighter packing and may be suitable as carry-on luggage, depending on the airline’s size and weight limits.

Once you understand how you’ll use your bag, it becomes much easier to narrow down your options.

Hybrid trolley bags: flexibility on wheels or your back 

Hybrid trolley bags offer the convenience of wheeled luggage with the option to carry the bag on your back when needed.

You can wheel your bag through the airport, then switch to the shoulder straps when you reach stairs, cobbled streets or crowded transport. This makes a hybrid bag useful for trips involving a mix of smooth surfaces and places where wheels may be less practical.

When comparing hybrid trolley bags, consider how often you expect to carry the bag rather than wheel it. Wheels, handles and additional structure can add weight, so make sure the bag will still be comfortable and manageable throughout your trip.

Hybrid bags can work well for general travel, but they are not designed to replace a dedicated hiking pack. If you’ll be carrying your gear along a trail for several hours, a hiking pack will usually provide a more suitable fit and carrying system.

Best for:

• Overseas and multi-destination trips

• Airports, public transport and city travel

• Travellers who want the choice of carrying or wheeling their bag

• Journeys involving occasional stairs or uneven surfaces

Trolley cases and wheeled luggage: easy airport travel

Trolley cases and wheeled luggage are designed to make moving through airports, hotels and city streets easier. They generally include wheels, an extendable handle and a structured shape that makes packing and organising your gear simple.

If most of your trip involves smooth floors, paved streets and direct transport, a trolley case can be one of the most convenient options. You can roll your luggage instead of carrying its full weight on your back.

The main limitation of wheeled travel bags is that they can become awkward on stairs, gravel, cobbled streets or other uneven surfaces. Think about how frequently you’ll need to lift the bag before choosing a larger or heavier option.

Best for:

• Flights and hotel-based holidays

• Business travel

• City trips with minimal transport changes

• Travellers who prefer not to carry luggage on their back

Pictured: Feather Flight® Carry-On Spinner & Feather Flight® Check-In Spinner

Carry-on travel bags: compact and convenient

A carry-on travel bag can be a practical option for shorter trips or travellers who prefer to pack light.

Travelling with carry-on luggage can make it easier to move between destinations and keep your essentials close throughout the journey. A small travel bag may also be useful as a second bag for electronics, documents, toiletries or an extra layer.

Carry-on size and weight restrictions vary between airlines, so always check the requirements for your booking before travelling. Remember to include the weight of the bag itself when working out how much you can pack.

When choosing a carry-on travel bag, consider:

• The overall dimensions and weight

• How comfortably it can be carried

• The amount of internal storage

• Whether your essentials are easy to access

• Whether it can be securely closed

• How easily it will fit into overhead storage

Best for:

• Weekend trips

• Short business trips

• Travellers who prefer to avoid checked luggage

• Use alongside a larger trolley case or travel bag

Backpacks: made for moving between destinations

Backpacks can be a practical choice when you want to keep your hands free or expect to move between different destinations regularly.

Unlike wheeled luggage, a backpack is easier to carry up stairs, onto public transport and across uneven surfaces. It can work well for city exploration, shorter trips or as a secondary bag alongside your main luggage.

When choosing a backpack for travel, consider how much you need to carry and how long the bag will be on your back. Check that the shoulder straps feel comfortable and that the size works for your journey.

A general backpack is not the same as a technical multi-day hiking pack. If your trip involves carrying camping equipment or heavier loads along a trail, choose a hiking pack designed for that purpose.

Best for:

• City breaks and shorter holidays

• Travelling on public transport

• Carry-on or secondary luggage

• Trips involving stairs or uneven surfaces

Hiking packs: designed for comfort on the trail

If your adventure involves carrying camping equipment, food and clothing along a trail, choose a dedicated multi-day hiking pack.

A properly fitted hiking pack is designed to keep your load stable and distribute its weight more comfortably while you move. Depending on the design, adjustment points may include a hipbelt, shoulder straps and a sternum strap.

Fit is especially important when you’ll be walking for several hours at a time. A pack that feels comfortable when empty may feel very different once it has been loaded with your gear. If possible, try the pack with some weight inside and adjust it before deciding.

The size you need will depend on the length of your hike, the conditions and the equipment you need to carry. Lightweight overnight trips may require less space, while longer or colder adventures generally call for additional capacity.

Best for:

• Overnight hikes

• Multi-day hiking and tramping trips

• Carrying camping equipment on the trail

• Adventures where fit, stability and load support are important

Duffel and weekend bags: simple, flexible storage

A duffel or weekend bag is a straightforward option for road trips, camping weekends, gym gear and shorter holidays.

A wide opening can make it easier to pack bulky items and see what is inside. The soft-sided shape of a duffel bag can also make it easier to fit into a car boot or another tight storage space.

Some styles may offer different carrying options, but always check the individual product features before choosing. Duffel bags may not provide the same internal organisation as wheeled luggage or the same support as a fitted hiking pack.

If you choose a duffel bag for air travel, check whether its dimensions meet your airline’s carry-on or checked-luggage requirements.

Best for:

• Road trips

• Camping weekends

• Sports and gym gear

• Short, casual holidays

Pictured: Indus Base Duffel 50L - Pure Navy

Packing cells and travel accessories: organise your gear

Once you’ve chosen your bag, packing cells and cases can help organise clothing, accessories and smaller essentials.

Separating your belongings into different packing cells can make it easier to find what you need without unpacking the entire bag. They can also help keep clean clothing separate from worn items during longer trips.

You can also explore the wider range of travel accessories for products that may help keep your journey more organised.

Best for:

• Organising larger travel bags

• Separating clothing and accessories

• Multi-destination trips

• Travellers who prefer a more organised packing system

What size travel bag do you need?

There is no single travel bag size that works for every trip. The right capacity depends on your trip length, packing style, destination and the type of equipment you need to carry.

As a general guide:

Day trips

Choose a small backpack with enough room for water, snacks, sun protection, a rain jacket and your personal essentials.

Weekend trips

A small or medium travel bag may be enough for a few changes of clothing, toiletries and an extra layer. If you’re flying, check whether the bag can be used as carry-on luggage.

Longer holidays

A larger travel bag, trolley case or backpack provides more space for extended trips. Be careful not to choose more capacity than you need, as larger bags can be easy to overpack.

Overnight and multi-day hikes

Choose a hiking pack based on the equipment, food, water and clothing required for the conditions. The pack should fit your body correctly and remain comfortable once fully loaded.

Travel bag features worth comparing

Once you’ve chosen the most suitable type of bag, compare the features that will make the biggest difference to your trip.

Always check the individual product description, as features will vary between different styles.

Carrying comfort:

For backpacks and hiking packs, check the available straps and fit adjustments. For trolley cases, consider the position and comfort of the carry handles.

Bag weight:

A lightweight travel bag leaves more of your luggage allowance available for your gear. However, make sure the bag still provides the structure and features you need.

Organisation:

Internal sections, external pockets and packing cells can help keep your belongings organised. Consider whether you’ll need quick access to documents, electronics or an extra layer.

Access:

Think about how the bag opens and whether you’ll be able to reach your belongings easily. A wide opening can be helpful when packing clothing and other bulky items.

Wheels and handles:

If you’re choosing wheeled luggage, consider how easily you can manoeuvre and lift the bag. You may need to move it into a vehicle, onto a luggage rack or up a flight of stairs.

Durability:

Consider how often you’ll use the bag and the conditions it may encounter. Check the individual product materials and construction to find an option suited to your travel plans.

Weather protection:

Not every travel bag is waterproof. If you expect wet conditions, check the product specifications and consider using an appropriate waterproof packing solution for important items.

Should you choose a backpack or a wheeled travel bag?

Choose a backpack if your trip involves frequent transport changes, stairs, uneven surfaces or destinations where you’ll need to carry your luggage.

Choose a wheeled travel bag if you’ll mainly be travelling through airports, hotels and paved city areas. Wheeled luggage can be more convenient when you have a heavier load and do not want to carry it on your back.

If your trip includes a combination of both, a hybrid trolley bag may give you the flexibility you need.

Can you use a hiking pack as a travel bag?

A hiking pack can be used for travel, particularly if your trip includes outdoor activities. However, hiking packs are primarily designed for carrying gear comfortably on the trail.

They may not offer the same access or travel-focused organisation as other bags. If most of your journey involves airports, hotels and city transport, a backpack or wheeled travel bag may be more convenient. If the trail is the main focus, choose a properly fitted hiking pack.

Find the right bag for your next adventure

The right bag should suit your destination, the length of your trip and how you prefer to travel.

A trolley case makes airport travel simple, while a backpack gives you more freedom when moving between destinations. Carry-on and weekend bags are ideal for lighter trips, and hiking packs provide the fit and support needed for longer adventures on the trail.

Once you have chosen the right style, compare the size, weight, organisation and carrying features before making your decision.

Explore our full range of travel bags, carry-on bags, luggage, backpacks, hiking packs and weekend bags and duffels to find the right option for your next trip.