In a perfect world, your luggage would follow you around like a well-trained puppy. It would keep up with you while rushing to the gate to catch your flight and happily handle the cobblestoned streets of Rome without needing to be carried in your arms—all while looking incredibly cute and catching the attention of everyone you pass.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case (and, by the way, you’ll probably have to wait until next year before the trained puppy-like robotic luggage might be available to purchase). That vintage leather suitcase that’s seen every corner of the world is beautiful and romantic in theory, but schlepping it from the baggage carousel at Charles De Gaulle airport to the metro and up nine floors of uneven, winding stairs to your non–air conditioned, Parisian rooftop rental flat? We can’t think of anything less glamorous (especially if it’s packed with two weeks’ worth of clothes, shoes, and guidebooks).
As hard as it may be to admit, backpacks with wheels are your friends, like trusty standbys in good times and bad. Just ask anyone who has ever sprinted between terminals to make a tight connecting flight or who’s struggled to make the Eurostar before the doors close: without that all-important rolling carry-on, they’d have been stranded without so much as a meal voucher.
So what’s a savvy frequent traveler to do if they want to get around fast and with ease while still feeling stylish? Fear not. There are aesthetically pleasing options out there, and we’ve done the research for you. Here, 12 wheeled bags that balance great looks with a design that’s durable, sturdy, and above all, easy-to-handle. Until hands-free luggage becomes mainstream, these sleek rolling backpacks, bags, and duffels will be your best friend for everything from a weekend getaway to a grand tour of Europe.
Hartmann Metropolitan 27-inch Rolling Duffel
This Hartmann duffel bag is structured, spacious, and has small feet to keep it from tipping when standing upright.
$300
Pendleton Spider Rock 22-Inch 2 Wheel Rolling Duffel
This vibrant Pendleton 22-inch wheeled bag will brighten up even the most miserable airport experiences.
$199
Tumi Wheeled Split Duffel
The ballistic nylon exterior of this 30-inch Large Wheeled Split Duffel is super durable, which keeps it looking sleek through all of your bucket list trips. It offers a separate, structured bottom section for shoes or gear with a curtain that unzips to create one large packing cavity when you need it.
$840
Eagle Creek EC Lync System International Carry-on
What sets the Eagle Creek EC Lync Carry-On apart is its detachable frame. The simple but smartly designed backpack can be used with or without the wheels or retractable handle, and the front pocket is perfectly sized for your favorite magazine, hint hint.
$349
Leathario Leather Luggage Wheeled Duffel
The chestnut-colored Leathario Leather Luggage Wheeled Duffel combines a vintage look with modern practicality. It has a roomy upper compartment and a separate lower compartment that’s perfect for stowing your favorite travel shoes.
$200
London Fog Luggage Chelsea Computer Bag
The London Fog Luggage Chelsea Computer Bag is for the hyper-organized traveler. It has three separate zippered compartments and multiple pockets designed for passports, books, pens, and all of your personal must-pack items.
$90
Women in Business Portofino Ladies Roller Backpack
This Roller Backpack is perfect for traveling with tech. It has a secure, padded internal pocket that fits a laptop sized up to 17 inches and another smaller one for a tablet in the front zip pocket. And it's also available in black.
$80
Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Luggage
Adventurers will love the Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Luggage, an 80-liter backpacking pack. The wheels are designed to cruise over uneven terrain with ease, and the adjustable suspension makes it easy to sling the load on your shoulders, too. It’s also available in a 60-liter capacity.
$290
Tommy Bahama Surge Wheeled Duffel Bag
If you need something super roomy, the 24-inch Tommy Bahama Surge Wheeled Duffel Bag was designed with space and style in mind.
$180
Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffle
Heading somewhere notorious for rain or snow? The Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel is made of a highly weather-resistant TPU laminate to keep your belongings secure and dry. Plus, the heavy-duty wheels are designed to roll easily over ice or snow.
$300
ClaireChase 22-Inch Rolling Duffel
The ClaireChase Rolling Duffel is beautifully crafted from top grain cowhide leather and features antique brass hardware accents, tons of zipped pockets, and in-line skate wheels that make it easy to maneuver. There are even built-in bumper guards to protect the leather when rolling up stairs, over curbs, or down cobblestone streets.
$350
Bric's 21-Inch Rolling Duffle
The Bric's 21-Inch Rolling Duffel fits easily into overhead bins and the leather trim adds a touch of class.
$199
