Two suitcases stand in a sunny outdoor area: one is beige, the other red, both with black accents. A person in a yellow dress sits in the background reading a book. Plants and a flower pot add to the relaxed atmosphere.

Which luggage fits which trip?

The packing list for your next trip is sorted. Fresh T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, open-toed shoes – you know what you need to take. Now there’s just one question left: which piece of luggage is right for your trip? The lightweight Weekender? Or perhaps the carry-on suitcase? And what’s actually wrong with the large Trolley?

Find out which piece of luggage suits your plans:

Weekender, carry-on, XL Trolley – what’s on offer?

Different materials, various sizes, diverse shapes. We’ll introduce you to six of the most popular types of luggage, explain their advantages and share our favourites to help you on your way (on your travels).

Weekender

Weekenders are travel bags whose very names suggest the ideal length of stay for which they’re designed: (long) weekends. If you’re planning a city break of three to four days, a Weekender should be your choice. The big advantage is that these bags are usually lightweight and small enough to be taken on board as hand luggage. This means you can carry your belongings comfortably and save on checked-in luggage fees. Another practical feature is that travel bags can be folded up to save space when stored at home.

Our favourite: Miigo. Featuring a comfortable shoulder strap, a separate laundry compartment and a large zip.

Backpack

Whether it’s an active holiday, a city break or a longer trip – it’s always a good idea to have a rucksack with you. You can use it on the journey there to carry your most important documents, so you always have them to hand. You can use it on the go as a much more back-friendly alternative to a handbag. And if you fancy getting active, you can even hop on a bike with it and explore the area. Another advantage:

Our favourite: the Kick Off Multibag. The rucksack was designed for sports and leisure – adjustable internal straps ensure everything stays organised. There’s even room for your laptop.

Wheeled travel bag

Slightly larger than the Weekender. With wheels. But more versatile than a Trolley. Large wheeled travel bags are your perfect companion for trips of up to a week. What makes this ‘hybrid’ – that is, the mix of Trolley and travel bag – so practical? As soon as your luggage gets a bit heavier, you can pull the bag along behind you in total comfort. Facing cobbled streets or lots of stairs? Thanks to sturdy carrying handles, you can quickly sling the bag over your shoulder and enjoy much greater mobility whilst on the move. Another advantage, apart from easier transport, is that the material is often stretchy, giving you plenty of flexible storage space.

Our favourite: Skaii. With just one simple movement, you can pull a telescopic handle out of the travel bag and transform it into a Trolley. On large wheels, it’ll follow your thirst for adventure wherever you go – and all with a super-lightweight design of just 1.8 kg.

Soft-sided Trolley

Is your next holiday coming up? And do you need to pack for several weeks? Soft-sided Trolleys are among the most popular pieces of luggage, offering plenty of storage space whilst being lightweight. Of course, how much you can ultimately pack always depends on the size of the suitcase. What they all have in common, however, is their high level of user comfort: Trolleys on four wheels can be rolled effortlessly alongside you, have practical internal compartments and front pockets, and can be opened all the way round with a zip. What we particularly like is that soft-sided Trolleys can be packed differently to hard-shell suitcases. This is because they have one deep compartment instead of two shallower ones. This is particularly useful if you want to pack large items such as hiking boots. Soft-sided Trolleys are best taken on trips lasting several weeks, on active holidays or on cruises.

Our favourite: the Viia Trolley in L. It not only comes with the features described above, but also in trendy colours. The advantage: in ‘Eucalyptus’ green and ‘Spring Rose’ red, you’ll spot your suitcase first on the baggage carousel. Viia is highly recognisable and guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

Hard-shell suitcase

Hard-shell suitcases differ from soft-sided Trolleys mainly in terms of material. The advantage: they’re much easier to look after, as dirt can be wiped off quickly. They’re also extremely sturdy and durable. The case rarely gives way, so you can pack everything without worrying that anything will get damaged.

Our favourite: Air Base. Four double-wheel castors allow the Trolley to glide quietly alongside you, whilst the rigid material ensures stability and security.

Aluminium suitcase

Aluminium suitcases are considered the most exclusive type of luggage. This is down to their high-quality material, elegant look and reputation for durability. Aluminium suitcases are true style icons and are perfect for absolutely any trip – they’re particularly well-suited to business trips and chic cruises. What sets them apart from soft-sided Trolleys? Thanks to their rigid frame and sturdy shell, you can even transport fragile items inside them. And what’s more: aluminium suitcases tell stories like no others. With every journey, a small dent or bump is added to the case. It’s rather like the patina on luxury handbags.

Our favourite: the Next . Compared to other aluminium suitcases, it offers particularly good value for money. It also features a clever packing system inside, complete with dividers and straps.

Which is best for which trip?

We’ve introduced you to the different types of luggage and their advantages. Now we’d like to give you the best possible overview: which type of luggage suits which trip?

Active holidays: rucksack, cycle bag, soft-sided Trolleys or hard-shell suitcase, Duffle Bags
City break / long weekend: Weekender, rucksack, wheeled travel bag, cabin suitcase
Business travel: carry-on bag, aluminium suitcase, medium-sized Trolley
Cruise: aluminium suitcases, soft-sided Trolleys or hard-shell suitcases, Beautycase
Holidays lasting several weeks: Beautycase, Suitcase sets
Family holidays: suitcase sets, children’s trolleys, rucksack

Which piece of luggage can you take on the plane?

Which piece of luggage you take on your next flight depends not on the type, but above all on its dimensions. For Hand luggage each airline is free to decide for itself what maximum size and weight it will accept as ‘airline-compatible’. Many airlines use – on the recommendation of the IATA – dimensions 55 x 40 x 23 cm.

This corresponds to our size S suitcases (Next, Air Base, Skaii). For business trips, we recommend Cabin bags, which provide the perfect space for your laptop. You can also take a foldable garment bag for your business attire. (With Lufthansa, for example, the maximum dimensions are 57 x 54 x 15 cm).

Are you checking in a large suitcase anyway and just want to take a ‘small’ bag with you as well? Choose a Backpack or Weekender.

As hand luggage rules change from time to time, always check your airline’s regulations again. This will save you stress and additional costs at check-in.

What to look out for when buying

If you want your luggage to last a long time, look out for criteria such as material and workmanship when shopping. We prioritise high quality in our models and put our suitcases through various tests before they go on our shop land.

Is it also important to you that your new suitcase is as sustainable as possible? Some of our models are made from recycled materials that protect the environment and conserve resources. At Miigo-Trolley, for example, the inner lining and outer material are made from recycled polyester.

And, of course, it’s also crucial that you like the look of your luggage. From the classic aluminium travel icon to the colourful soft-sided Trolley – choose whatever takes your fancy.