The 8 BEST Luggage for Families – We’ve Tried Them All!
Traveling with kids is an adventure in itself, and choosing the right luggage can make a world of difference. After boarding over 100 planes with my toddler, I’ve learned that the right suitcase is the difference between a stressful and easeful check in experience.
From finding a spot for the travel bed to ensuring there are enough pockets for all the little essentials, picking suitcases for my family is more complicated than when I’m choosing one for a solo trip. I always look for something spacious yet easy to maneuver, durable yet lightweight, and something that’s easy to pack and unpack.
After plenty of trial and error, these are the suitcases that have stood up to the chaos of family travel and made our journeys smoother and more enjoyable:
1. Eagle Creek
One of the best suitcases for families is the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior XE 30. I chose this suitcase because it offers the versatility we need when navigating different types of terrain, from the cobblestone streets of Europe to the efficient train systems in Japan. In both cases you will encounter stairs you can’t avoid. What sets this suitcase apart is its ability to be wheeled or used as a backpack, with straps you can easily unzip and tuck back in, making it easy to transport no matter where we are.
The Gear Warrior XE 30 is impressively spacious, accommodating our Guava Lotus—something we struggled to fit into other suitcases with divided compartments. This suitcase also has a durable design, perfect for handling the wear and tear of frequent travel, and is one of the only suitcases with a lifetime warranty.
However the most important feature has been the smaller space it takes up on the floor of the hotel room when we unzip it. A two-sided suitcase takes up way more room and gets messier. The only downside is that it’s soft-sided, so you wouldn’t want to put anything super delicate in there.
2. Miamilly
Miamily, a Swiss brand created by parents of three kids, brings a unique and practical solution for families on the go with their ride-along suitcase. While any suitcase might suffice as an impromptu seat for a toddler, this particular model goes a step further. It features a hard-shell design with an additional back support flap that can be easily secured or deployed, along with a lap belt to keep little ones safely in place. For older kids who have better balance, the suitcase works well even without the belt.
This ride-along suitcase is impressively sturdy and can accommodate an adult up to 220 pounds. Yep, you can even sit on it when all the seats are taken in the airport. The suitcase also has ample interior space and is more resistant to scuffs than some other brands we’ve used, such as Away and Monos.
I particularly love my Miamily because it’s made life easier when de-boarding the aircraft, navigating the narrow aisle to our seats, waiting in line to board, moving through the terminal, or making quick trips from the curb to the check-in counter. My son is a big fan, too—he loves riding on it and often asks to climb aboard and be wheeled around.
This suitcase has become a favorite in our family, and you can read my detailed review of the Miamily ride-along suitcase here.
3. Away
One of the standout brands for family travel is Away, known for its limited lifetime warranty—a significant selling point for parents. Their suitcases are famously durable and sturdy, and the hard shell design is strong enough for little ones to ride on top, making getting to your gate at the airport a breeze.
I’ve tried Away’s The Large, which is surprisingly lightweight for its size. It has plenty of room to fit a Slumberpod, white noise machine, monitor, and his clothes in one side, and my gear in the other, and it’s easy to maneuver, making it ideal for navigating busy airports and crowded train stations.
Away’s commitment to quality and durability means you can trust this suitcase to hold up over time, and the limited lifetime warranty gives me peace of mind that I can switch mine out for a new one if something on it breaks.
4. No Reception Club Getaway Bag
The No Reception Club’s Getaway Bag is the travel diaper bag of all diaper bags, thoughtfully designed for seasoned globetrotters who are now parents. One of the key features of the Getaway Bag is the two customizable shelves within the bag, which provides flexible storage solutions, ensuring that everything from diapers to toys has its own place.
Additionally, it comes with two detachable stroller clips, so you can easily attach the bag to your travel stroller for convenient access. The two customizable shelves within the bag provide flexible storage solutions, ensuring that everything from diapers to toys has its own place. We also love the cold storage bag that can be removed or kept in the bag, which is perfect for traveling with milk or travel snacks that need to be chilled.
I’ve been looking for an organized backpack that we can use as a carry-on, and this one is a the top of my list.
5. Monos Trunk
The Monos For the Frequent Flyer luggage set is a favorite among travelers, proven by over 2,300 five-star reviews. I’ve used Monos trunk, and I can confirm that they’re some of the best on the market.
These suitcases have a high-quality polycarbonate shell and a limited lifetime warranty similar to Away’s. Mine has scuffed a bit but it does still look great and functions well, too.
When you opt for the set rather than buying each piece individually, you can save $150. It’s also worth it because the set includes the Metro Backpack, an ideal personal item for flights. This backpack has a strap that makes slipping it onto your suitcase quick and easy. Plus, the main compartment is optimized for streamlined packing and accessibility, with pockets to keep all your essentials organized. Compare Monos and Away here.
6. Milk x Whiskey Diaper Bag Backpack
The only other diaper bag I’d recommend for extensive travel is the Milk x Whiskey Diaper Bag Backpack. It’s incredibly sturdy, and comes with so many features we never knew we needed – like a lightweight, water resistant picnic blanket, detachable odor and diaper storage pouches, and insane durability.
This is a diaper bag that can easily accommodate two kids, and will stand the test of time. We’re all about products that will actually last that we can use for multiple kids and/or sell on the secondhand market when we’re done, and this absolutely fits the bill. It’s pricey, but we spend less in the long run when we invest in quality. Read my full Milk x Whiskey review.
7. Royce & Rocket
Does your family value organization above all else? The Royce & Rocket The Castle might make your dreams come true. This super-sized 31-inch checked luggage piece is a ideal for those who struggle to stay organized when living out of a suitcase.
That’s because The Castle has a unique built-in shelving system that I haven’t seen anywhere else. The clever two-tier shelves fold down when the suitcase opens, allowing you to neatly stack all your family’s items. This makes it easier to keep everything organized and accessible throughout your trip.
It gets better, though. The Castle has a compression system, a mesh pouch, and numerous internal pockets, making it easy to keep track of smaller items and pack enough clothing for the whole family.
Final Thoughts
Each suitcase on this list is designed to handle the bumps and bruises of travel while keeping your belongings secure and organized. With these excellent luggage options, you can focus on what truly matters: making unforgettable memories as a family.
We use all of these interchangeably depending on the trip, but right now, my favorite combination is the Eagle Creek and Milk x Whiskey. Happy travels!
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