The Best Emerging Luggage Brands for Your Next Escape

When you think of luggage, a few stalwarts probably come to mind—Samsonite, Briggs & Riley and Tumi. These brands earned their stripes the traditional way. But the landscape is shifting.

A new generation of luggage brands is stepping in—sleek, smart, and engineered for the way we travel now. They’re not just competing with the old names. They’re bringing fresh takes. Whether you’re racking up boarding passes or mastering the art of the long weekend, these new kids on the block have figured out how to blend performance, design, and a touch of swagger.

From carry-ons that pack new innovations to check-in bags that don’t scream “corporate retreat,” the new school of travel gear is worth your attention. Modern nomads, consider your radar updated.

Peak Design

From their first release in 2011, the Capture Camera Clip, through to rethinking what bags could achieve with the Everyday Messenger and Everyday Backpack, Peak Design have firmly established themselves as an innovative brand that’s not afraid to push boundaries. So when they turned their attention to the travel sphere, it was no surprise they created highly considered and practical pieces such as the expandable Travel Backpack and versatile Travel Duffelpack. But now, they’re also taking on wheeled luggage with the Roller Pro Carry-On Luggage. Featuring a hybrid softshell and hardshell construction, a proprietary SlimDrive trolley tube that offers more packing space than traditional designs, and quick-access front storage for a laptop and travel essentials, this thoughtful design aims to make travel as hassle-free as possible.

Carl Friedrik

With premium materials and construction, elegant aesthetics, and practical functionality, Carl Friedrik offers a luxurious luggage experience for travelers seeking elevated sophistication. Founded in 2012 by two brothers, the London-based brand delivers a refined travel experience with a range of suitcases as well as travel weekenders and backpacks. Built with long-lasting durability and sustainability in mind, the brand uses quality materials such as German-engineered Makrolon polycarbonate, nylon sourced from 100% recycled pre-consumer waste, full-grain leather from a Leather Working Group Gold-rated German tannery, and vegetable-tanned Vachetta leather. Carl Friedrik offers sleek luggage designs for both carry-on and check-in needs, delivered with a first-class look and feel that works equally well for business and leisure travel.

Bellroy

Since 2010, our friends at Bellroy has been quietly obsessing over how we carry our lives. It started with wallets—slim, smart, and engineered to tame that brick in your back pocket. Fast forward a decade, and the brand has grown into a full-blown design house for the modern mover: bags, pouches, slings, and travel kits that look sharp and work smarter.

Their gear hits that sweet spot between work and wanderlust—sleek enough for the office, practical enough for a red-eye to Berlin. Take the Transit Workpack 26L, the Venture Ready Pack 26L, or the Lite Travel Pack 30L—each one made for hands-free mobility and razor-sharp organization. If you’ve ever needed to pack a laptop, gym shoes, snacks, and three different charging cables into one elegant solution, Bellroy’s already there.

But one frontier remained untouched: wheels.
Until now.

Meet the (coming soon) Transit Carry-On and Transit Carry-On Plus—Bellroy’s first hard-shells—and the featherweight Lite Carry-On, their softshell entry. All three are crafted to do one thing better than the rest: make travel smoother, quieter, and more easier to repair than it’s ever been.

No more clattering through terminals like a grocery cart on cobblestones—these cases ride on Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run spinner wheels. The hard-shells are molded from a brawny polycarbonate that’s 80% recycled and built to absorb knocks, scrapes, and overhead bin battles. The softshell? A lightweight Dura Lite Nylon that shrugs off abrasion like a seasoned globetrotter.

Inside, it gets even more considered. Customizable mesh compartments. Flat-item sections. Organization so dialed you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. And when the miles eventually take their toll? Everything from the wheels to the TSA lock is user-replaceable in under ten minutes. No landfill destiny, no shipping your bag off for weeks—just a quick fix and back to chasing flight connections.

Bellroy didn’t just add wheels. They redesigned what wheeled luggage should be—quiet, modular, and impossibly good-looking. Now all you have to do is decide where to take it.

RAWROW

Most luggage blends in. RAWROW was built to stand out—without making a scene. Since 2012, this Seoul-based brand has been quietly mastering the balance of style, function, and just the right amount of design nerdery.

Their standout? The R Trunk collection—a range of suitcases that look as good rolling through Incheon as they do waiting at baggage claim in Paris. With sizes and colorways that cater to everything from long hauls to quick getaways, the R Trunk isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s dialed in for real-world use.

Take the wide TT handle: sleek, stable, and cleverly designed to hang a tote or jacket without the usual awkward balancing act. Underfoot, the smooth-gliding Hinomoto wheels keep things whisper-quiet on terminal tile. And the materials? Rugged, featherweight polycarbonate and aluminum, ready for whatever the baggage handlers throw at it.

But the real charm is in the details. There’s a built-in digital scale tucked right beside the handle—because guessing your luggage weight while praying at the check-in counter is a game no one enjoys. There’s even a hidden compartment under the handle, perfectly sized for your passport or boarding pass. And if you want to make yours stand out, RAWROW’s silicone grip accents come in a range of bold colors—making your case easy to spot and unmistakably yours.

In short, it’s luggage that’s smart, stylish, and built for the kind of traveler who actually notices good design. And that’s exactly the point.

NOMATIC

NOMATIC was founded in 2014 by two cousins, who launched a successful crowdfunding campaign for a minimalist wallet (the BASICS Wallet). Fast-forward a decade and NOMATIC is now a respected player in the carry sphere, with crowdfunding playing a crucial role in bringing several well-designed bags to life, including the NOMATIC Messenger and Laptop Bags and the NOMATIC Travel Bag. This versatile travel bag converts easily between backpack and duffel carry with an innovative strap system. The wide-opening main compartment makes packing and accessing gear quick and easy, while the separate lay-flat laptop compartment keeps tech at the ready. Multiple quick-access pockets ensure small essentials remain secure but accessible as needed, while a burly weatherproof build takes on travel in diverse conditions without batting an eye. The Travel Duffel also offers great access, with a dedicated shoe compartment and multiple pockets to organize small items.

Prefer rolling luggage? They’ve got you covered there too with the Navigator Carry-On that can expand from 37L to 44L. Alternatively check out the Method Suitcase, an expandable polycarbonate hardshell available in Carry-On and Check-In options. And if you’re looking to travel with photography equipment, their McKinnon collection designed in collaboration with Peter McKinnon is packed full of handy features to keep travelers and photographers alike happy on the go.

Aer

Aer got its start in 2014 with a crowdfunded hybrid work and gym bag. And they’ve grown in leaps and bounds since then, branching out across packs, slings, totes, and more. They’ve built a solid reputation for creating gear with trusty durability, clean aesthetics, and functional organization, so you really do get the best of all worlds. Constantly honing their designs to make them even better, Aer offers a range of practical travel pieces such as their Travel Pack 3 with its front admin compartment keeping essentials handily accessible, a clamshell-style main compartment, and separate externally accessible laptop storage. The Flight Pack 3 is a multifunctional piece that can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, or briefcase. And the San Francisco brand have stepped into wheeled luggage too with their Carry-On and Carry-On Max. Built with a Makrolon polycarbonate hard shell, Hinomoto wheels with an integrated brake system, and an interior compression system, these suitcases deliver sleek style and travel-friendly practicality in one.

Topo Designs

Founded in 2008, Topo Designs have almost two decades of experience delivering practical, eye-catching carry across everyday, urban, outdoor, and travel spheres. Take a closer look at their travel collection and you’ll find a variety of pieces covering diverse needs and preferences. Options such as their Global Travel Bag Roller cater to wheeled luggage users. Want flexible portability? Check out their Global Briefcase and Global Travel Bag 30L, which can both be carried by hand, as a shoulder bag, or as a backpack. Topo’s signature heritage aesthetic is well displayed in various colorways across their range, making their bags a fun choice for infusing a splash of color on your travels.

ROAM

Founded by the same team who built TUMI, it’s safe to say ROAM started in 2017 with a strong foundation. On the luggage front, you’ll find both carry-on and check-in options, while backpacks, duffels, and totes are also available for wheel-free carry needs. But what makes ROAM really stand out is their luggage customization program. Almost every feature, from wheels and handles to linings and zippers, can be customized in a choice of colors. You can also opt to make any of their cases expandable or to include a front pocket if desired. With multiple color combinations available, you really can make a suitcase that sings to your personal preferences. Plus, the suitcases come with a lifetime guarantee and a 100-day trial, so you can pack in peace of mind the next time you venture forth. And if you want a ready-made option, no problem. ROAM also offers their Designer Collection with ready-to-order colorways inspired by cities around the world.

Floyd

Inspired by California’s 1970s skateboard culture but designed for modern-day adventures, Floyd believes in bringing fun and functionality to your travels. Founded in 2019, the German brand are known for their colorful hardshell suitcases featuring 360-degree skateboard spinner wheels and bold orange interiors. Available in a variety of sizes for carry-on and check-in needs, the suitcases feature an integrated TSA lock, interior zippered compartments to organize and secure gear, as well as a drawstring duster and shoe bag. The lightweight but durable polycarbonate shells come in a host of vibrant colorways to add a pop of pizzazz to your journey. And for added fun, the wheels come in a choice of colors too and are easy to swap out if you fancy a new feel to your luggage.

Horizn Studios

Horizn Studios was founded in 2015, with the launch of the world’s first luggage with a removable charger. Focused on sustainable luxury, the brand’s RE Series features a hard shell made from 97% recycled high-end polycarbonate and a 100% recycled interior. But they’re looking to push sustainability even further with their Circle One series; currently in development, it will feature a 100% plant-based hard shell. With various series currently available, you can pick a suitcase style that’s right for your needs and priorities, such as the Air series to prioritize light weight, the Essential series which delivers enhanced durability, and the Pro series which adds to the Essential features with additional features such as extra-silent wheels and a compression pad and laundry bag. The various designs can be selected in different sizes, series, and colorways, so you can find the perfect travel partner for your next trip.

Sterling Pacific

Sterling Pacific is quietly carving out a name for itself in the world of premium travel gear, blending old-world craftsmanship with hard-hitting durability. Born in Reno, Nevada, and backed by brand incubator Galton Voysey, the company is focused on one thing: making aluminum luggage that lasts a lifetime. Their suitcases are crafted from 5052 aluminum and reinforced with A380 corners—materials usually reserved for heavy-duty applications—giving them a rugged edge. It’s the kind of gear you’d expect to age gracefully, collecting dents and stories along the way rather than falling apart.

But toughness isn’t the only card they play. Sterling Pacific pays obsessive attention to the small things—the full-grain Italian leather handles from the Veneto region, the aluminum trolley systems and wheel housings where most brands go plastic, the dual-axle wheels built to roll over everything from airport tiles to cobbled European streets. It’s the kind of thoughtful engineering that disappears into the background during travel but makes all the difference when it counts. Even their TSA locks are designed to feel solid and elegant, with a clean industrial charm.

Currently, the lineup is deliberately tight: a 35L Cabin Travel Case and an 80L Check-In. Both are sized for efficiency and built to handle the rigors of modern travel without sacrificing timeless style. With design cues borrowed from classic trunks and a lifetime warranty that speaks to their confidence, Sterling Pacific is positioning itself as a go-to for the discerning traveler—someone who values materials, form, and quiet confidence over logos and trends.

A heads up: Carryology is proudly backed by Bellroy. You can read more about how we started here.