Luggage

How we test

We’ve tested a range of check-in and carry-on bags to see which are most durable and easiest to use.

Overall score breakdown

Our overall score for luggage includes:

Performance

We tested the bags’ ability to withstand being dropped repeatedly, and their puncture resistance and rain resistance.

Ease of use

We assessed how easy the bags are to move and carry, considering their weight, stability, handle comfort and adjustability, and how well their wheels roll across difference surfaces.

About our test

Our lift and drop test simulates the worst you might expect from years of careless baggage handling. Bags are loaded (4kg for carry-on and 15kg for check-in bags), raised by their handle to 90cm, then dropped onto their wheels. We repeat 300 times or until they break.

We also drop a pointed cylinder onto the bags and check whether they got punctured or otherwise damaged.

We then stuff the bags with newspaper and simulate 10 minutes of heavy rain to see how wet they get inside.

To assess how easy the bags are to use, we weigh and measure them. Then we get several testers to take them over rough and smooth surfaces, indoors and out, up and down stairs, through doorways and into lifts.