Suitcase Guide 2026 — Sizes, Materials and Packing

How to choose a suitcase in 2026: hard vs soft shell, the right size in litres, measuring, weight limits, packing tips and what to do if your bag goes missing.

A good suitcase lasts years; a bad one ruins a trip. Three things decide the choice: size, material and wheels. This guide explains which size suits which trip, how airlines actually measure your bag, and how to pack so everything fits without an excess-weight fee.

Hard shell or soft shell?

Choose hard shell if you carry electronics or wine bottles, or check the bag often. Choose soft shell if you want pockets, tend to overpack, or need to squeeze the bag into a tight overhead bin.

Suitcase sizes — what fits which trip

Rule of thumb: most people need a 55 cm cabin bag plus one 65–70 cm mid-size case. A large case tempts you to overpack and exceeds the 23 kg limit when full. Airline-specific limits are in the carry-on size guide.

How to measure your bag correctly

Airline dimensions are overall measurements — wheels, handles and external pockets count. Many manufacturers list only the shell, so the real bag is 2–4 cm bigger than the product page suggests.

Measure like this:
1. Stand the bag upright with the telescopic handle pushed in.
2. Measure the height from the floor (under the wheels) to the top edge.
3. Measure width and depth at the thickest point, pockets included.
4. Compare to the airline's sizer — many budget carriers check this at the gate.

If your bag is borderline, do not stuff the front pocket. Depth, not height, is the most common reason for a gate fee.

Materials and durability

Polycarbonate is the best all-round hard-shell material: light, flexes on impact and returns to shape. ABS is cheaper but more brittle and cracks more easily in the cold. An ABS/polycarbonate blend is typical in mid-priced models. Aluminium is stylish and very durable but heavy, expensive and dents visibly.

In soft bags, quality shows in the fabric: 400–600D polyester is fine for normal use, while ballistic nylon survives years of weekly travel.

Durability is usually decided elsewhere, though: zips and wheels fail first. Choose a wide, two-way zip and double wheels. Check whether wheels and handles can be replaced — that adds years of life.

Wheels, locks and warranty

Four wheels (spinner) are best in terminals and on smooth floors. Two wheels cope better with rough cobblestones and steal less internal space.

A TSA lock is worth it if you fly to the United States: security can open it without breaking the bag. Elsewhere it deters casual theft rather than a determined thief. Valuables always belong in your cabin bag.

Warranties range from 2 years to lifetime. Read whether airline handling damage is covered — many brands exclude it, in which case you claim from the airline or your travel insurance.

Weight and airline limits

A checked bag is typically limited to 23 kg, or 20 kg with budget carriers. Cabin bags are usually capped at 8–10 kg.

An empty case weighs 2.2–4.5 kg — up to 6 kg for a large aluminium one. That is taken straight out of your allowance, so a light shell is free extra capacity.

Weigh the bag at home with luggage scales. At the airport, excess weight typically costs €10–20 per kilo, charged from the first kilo over.

Packing techniques that actually work

- Roll soft clothes, fold stiff ones. Rolling saves space and reduces creases in t-shirts and knitwear.
- Use packing cubes. They do not create space, but they keep the bag organised and make packing light easier.
- Heavy items over the wheels. The bag then stays upright instead of tipping when you pull it.
- Shoes along the edges, socks inside them. Use shoe bags to keep soles off clothes.
- One change of clothes and your medication in the cabin bag. If the checked bag is delayed, the first day still works.
- Liquids upright in a bag. Pressure changes push shampoo out — leave air in bottles and tape the caps.

A full list of what to bring is in the complete packing list, and the site's packing list tool builds a list for your trip.

What must not go in your suitcase

Power banks and loose lithium batteries must not be packed in checked luggage — they always travel in the cabin. The same goes for e-cigarettes.

In cabin bags, liquids are limited to 100 ml containers in a one-litre transparent bag, unless the airport has next-generation scanners. The rule varies by airport, so prepare for the stricter reading.

Sharp objects, scissors over 6 cm and tools go in checked luggage. Valuables, medication, keys and documents stay with you. Document requirements are covered in the passport, ETIAS and visa guide.

If your bag is lost or damaged

1. Report it at the airport before leaving the baggage hall. You get a PIR report and a reference number needed for everything that follows.
2. Photograph the damage and keep the baggage tag and boarding pass.
3. Buy essentials and keep the receipts — airlines reimburse reasonable purchases while the bag is delayed.
4. Claim from the airline. The Montreal Convention cap is roughly €1,300 per passenger.
5. Check your travel insurance. Many policies pay faster and more broadly than the airline — see the travel insurance comparison.

If the flight was delayed or cancelled, you may also be owed EU compensation. See cheap flights 2026 and the best travel apps for tracking your bag and flight in real time.

FAQ — suitcases

How many litres do I need for a week? For one person, 40–60 litres is plenty. Allow 70 litres for winter clothes.

Hard or soft shell? Hard protects better, soft flexes and offers pockets. If you mostly fly and carry electronics, go hard shell.

Do wheels count in the dimensions? Yes. Airline limits include wheels and handles.

What is a good empty weight? Under 2.8 kg for a cabin bag and under 4 kg for a mid-size case.

Can a power bank go in checked luggage? No. Power banks and loose lithium batteries must travel in the cabin.

What if my bag never arrives? File a PIR report at the airport, keep receipts, and claim first from the airline and then from your travel insurance.