Best luggage in the UK for winter holiday travel: options from Antler, Away, Samsonite, and more

Which luggage is best? Hard or soft?

Choosing between hard and soft luggage depends on how you travel. Hard‑shell suitcases can offer excellent protection for fragile items, are more water‑resistant, and often look sleeker, making them great for long flights or checked bags.

On the other hand, soft‑shell luggage could also be the best option for shorter travel times. "Soft-sided luggage tends to be more flexible and lighter. It can fit into tighter spaces, and it usually has exterior pockets and expandable features that make packing easier," said Vanessa Gordon, founder of East End Taste.

What type of luggage should you avoid when travelling?

When choosing luggage, some types are best avoided to ensure smooth travel. Cheap, flimsy suitcases can break, especially the zippers, wheels, or handles, causing frustration at the airport. Overly bulky or oversized bags may exceed airline limits, resulting in extra fees. Bags made from non-water-resistant materials also risk damaging your belongings in wet conditions.

Using a bag with fewer features inside may be a better option, too. "Avoid bags with too many compartments. It actually makes packing harder because you won’t always remember where you put something, especially when you need it quickly," said Sandra Zo Awodele, a travel advisor.

What features should you look for in hand luggage for easier packing?

When choosing hand luggage, certain features make packing and travel much simpler. Look for lightweight designs that maximise carry-on space without weighing you down.

Expandable compartments allow extra room for souvenirs or bulky items, while multiple internal and external pockets keep essentials organised and accessible. Compression systems also help fit more items neatly, and durable, smooth-gliding wheels with a sturdy telescopic handle make navigating airports effortless.

There are different standout features to be mindful of between hard-shell and soft-shell luggage, too.

"If you choose a hardshell luggage, check if it has more than two open space compartments. There should be other organisers in the luggage and at least one area that has a closed zipper for easy packing," said Ms Awodele.

"For soft shell bags, look for hard corners to ensure the bag has structure for packing." This will help the luggage not fold in on itself if placed under other baggage.

Best overall luggage

Designed with style, security, and practicality, this medium suitcase from Antler combines durable polypropylene construction with a lightweight feel. A custom-designed handle and bespoke lightweight wheels are built into this case to ensure comfortable carrying and quick, easy movement.

Plus, the eye-catching colour selection makes it easy to spot when searching through the sea of checked luggage after a flight.

The protective 40mm Antler stripe also allows personalisation with a luggage strap, supported by top and side carry handles for effortless lifting.

Inside, the premium interior features a lining made from 100% recycled polyester, a U-zip pocket, mesh divider and compression straps to keep belongings organised and secure.

Antler is also very confident in the quality of its products. If anything were to happen to any of your suitcases from the brand that were a result of a manufacturing error, then they'll replace it for free as part of their lifetime warranty policy.

Capacity

89 litres

Weight

3.6 kg

Dimensions

68 x 46 x 31 cm

Best luggage set

Travel comfortably and confidently with a best-selling bundle from Away. The Bigger Carry-On is one of the brand’s most popular and award-winning styles, designed to make every journey effortless. Crafted with a lightweight yet exceptionally durable hard shell, it has been rigorously tested to withstand the demands of travel. Inside, Away’s signature compression system helps you pack more while keeping your belongings organized, secure, and protected throughout your trip.

Completing the set is the Everywhere Bag, a versatile companion built for life on the move. It features a detachable, padded shoulder strap with concealable D-rings, along with thoughtfully sized top handles that allow for comfortable shoulder carry. Made from durable nylon, the bag is easy to wipe clean in case of spills or everyday wear. For seamless travel, the Everywhere Bag is designed to slide effortlessly over any Away carry-on suitcase, making airport navigation smoother and more convenient.

We've taken the everywhere bag on a flight before, too, and have found that we can comfortably store it underneath the seat in front of us without having to store it in the overhead locker.

Capacity

The Bigger carry-on: 49 litres

The Everywhere bag: 20 litres

Weight

The Bigger carry-on: 3.6kg

The Everywhere bag: 1.25kg

Dimensions

The Bigger carry-on: 57.7 cm x 39.2 cm x 24.4 cm

The Everywhere bag: 41.4cm x 25.9cm x 18.5cm

Best carry-on luggage

The Transit Carry-On from Bellroy is designed for seamless travel, offering sizing that ensures global airline compatibility, while the Transit Carry-On Large prioritises maximum packing capacity for longer trips.

This carry-on is a best-seller on Bellroy's website and we can see why. Crafted from durable matte polycarbonate made with 80% post-consumer recycled material, it’s built to go the distance.

A custom telescopic handle with three height settings pairs with its Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run wheels for an ultra-smooth, nearly soundless glide. Inside, removable packing cells double as an internal divider, complemented by a large mesh drop-in zone for easy organisation.

It also comes with an abrasion-resistant, water-resistant YKK zipper, an internal Apple AirTag pocket, and replaceable components from wheels to locks.

Capacity

34 litres

Weight

3.1kg

Dimensions

555 x 350 x 225 mm

Best hold luggage

The Samsonite Neopulse Spinner is a large suitcase ideal for frequent travellers. Its lightweight yet durable polycarbonate shell and reinforced corners protect your belongings while keeping the weight low.

The suitcase includes a built-in 3-digit TSA combination lock, so airport security can open it without damage during inspections. With smooth 360-degree spinner wheels and a telescopic pull handle, it’s easy to navigate busy terminals.

The Neopulse also comes in smaller sizes to suit short trips or longer holidays, and a variety of colours, from metallic blue and red to matte black and silver, so you can pick a style that fits your taste.

Capacity

94 litres

Weight

3.6kg

Dimensions

51 x 28 x 75 cm

Best holdall luggage- Ted Baker

The Samber Holdall bag is a stylish and functional choice for modern travellers. Made from refined crosshatch PU leather, it features a polished tie-bar hardware detail that adds a touch of sophistication.

The bag’s spacious interior accommodates everything from clothes to travel essentials, while a flap-closure front pocket provides easy access to smaller items.

You can carry it using the rolled top handles with a keeper tab for a classic look, or attach the removable and adjustable shoulder strap for hands-free convenience. The double zip closure ensures your belongings stay secure during transit.

This holdall is ideal for weekend getaways, business trips, or stylish everyday use.

Capacity

34 litres

Weight

1.5kg

Dimensions

28cm x 52cm x 22cm

Best hard-shell luggage

The Samber Hard-Shell Spinner is Aerospace-Grade, meaning it's built to be ultra-durable during your trips.

Crafted from water-resistant polycarbonate with partially recycled materials, it withstands bumps while remaining lightweight. It's designed to glide effortlessly on high-performance 360-degree spinner wheels and adjust the telescopic handle to four different heights for comfort. Security is assured with a TSA-accepted combination lock and colour-coordinated YKK reverse coil zippers.

The interior features an anti-microbial lining made from 100% recycled polyester, ultra-microfibre vegan leather accents, and a built-in removable compression pad with a zippered pocket for flat packing.

Capacity

45.9 litres

Weight

3.34kg

Dimensions

58.42cm x 38.10cm x 24.13cm

Best soft-sided luggage

The Samber Expandable Nylon Carry-On Spinner is crafted from durable nylon with a water-repellent coating. It features premium 360-degree smooth-gliding spinner wheels and a quick-release trolley handle with two adjustable heights for effortless manoeuvring.

Its expandable zippers provide an additional 4.5 cm of packing space, while the main compartment with a patented interior compression system keeps items secure. It also features two hidden, padded front pockets that protect laptops and smaller essentials, and a TSA-accepted combination padlock ensures security.

It even includes top, side, and underside grab handles, a water-resistant drawstring laundry bag, and a black leather luggage tag.

Capacity

34 litres

Weight

4.2kg

Dimensions

55.5 cm x 38 cm x 23 cm

Best under-seat luggage

You can travel light and smart with the Antler Overnight Bag, crafted from 100% recycled polyester with a fully recycled interior lining.

Its spacious main compartment adapts to your travel plans, while a full zip opener ensures effortless packing and reduces rummaging. It also features a hidden essentials pocket under a magnetic flap that keeps small items secure and accessible.

The bag offers versatile carrying options with a short leather grab handle or a long adjustable shoulder strap for comfort. There's also a back sleeve that slips over a suitcase handle for easy stacking and mobility.

Capacity 

25 litres

Weight

1.2kg

Dimensions

28 cm x 45 cm x 20 cm