For times when travelling light won’t suffice
20 February 2024
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Sometimes you’re dashing off with just hand luggage only for a weekend. However, other times, you need more backup, perhaps considerably so. Those occasions call for trunk luggage.
A trunk-style suitcase typically has a different design from regular check-in luggage, being taller and deeper on average. Rather than two equally sized compartments, they usually have one deep, roomy section and one smaller, slimmer one. This makes them particularly suitable for winter travel, as they provide space for chunky jumpers and other bulky items (like all your ski gear if you’re headed off to the slopes). Investing in this style also means you’ve got ample room for oddly-shaped items that you may be packing for various reasons—like if you’re moving house, for instance.
Below are our picks of the best trunk suitcases to shop now from our tried and tested selection of top UK luggage brands.
The best trunk luggage to buy at a glance:
- Best overall trunk suitcase: July, Away
- Best value trunk suitcase: Nere
- Best luxury trunk suitcase: Louis Vuitton, Rimowa
- Best eco-friendly trunk luggage: Monos, Herschel
- Best aluminium trunk: Samsonite, Tumi
- Best stylish trunk luggage: Steamline, Globe-Trotter
How do I choose a suitcase?
There’s a lot to consider when buying a suitcase. In addition to weight and dimensions, the best type of suitcase depends on the kind of travel you are planning. Some things to look for include:
- Durable spinner wheels – especially for travel in the UK and Europe where there are cobblestone streets
- Internal storage pockets and compression features
- External pockets – for easy access to laptops and documents
- Expandable zips – for flexible storage
- TSA approved lock
- Texture of casing – whether it’s prone to scuffs, dents and scratches
- Whether there’s a lifetime warranty, especially on pricier high-end cases
Best trunk luggage:
Pros: Very roomy case, extra grab handle
Cons: Few colour options
Multiple iBestTravel editors swear by their Away suitcase, notably global audience development manager Abigail Malbon, who emigrated using hers. This trunk has lots of clever features to make packing for longer trips easier. A buckled compression pad for squeezing clothes together tightly, three mesh pockets for smaller items and a mini hanging pocket. The 30/70 split opening gives you a deep compartment to stack your stuff, and packing cubes can help keep things tidier. There’s also a game-changing addition that overpackers everywhere will appreciate: an extra grab handle at the bottom.
Dimensions: 80 x 43 x 35cm
Weight: 5.4kg
Capacity: 107L
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Pros: Sleek, aluminium-style look, made with recycled materials
Cons: Scuffs easily
Want the look of an aluminium case without the corresponding luxury price tag? Monos has got you. This chic trunk is part of the Canadian travel brand’s Hybrid collection, which pairs a lightweight aluminium frame with its signature aerospace-grade, partially recycled polycarbonate shell. Compression straps and a compressive divider ensure you can bring all your gear, and the antimicrobial lining should help keep things hygienic on your return home.
Dimensions: 76 x 40 x 36cm
Weight: 5.9kg
Capacity: 89L
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Pros: Hardwearing, stylish
Cons: Expensive
A card-carrying icon of the luggage world, it’s rare not to see a well-heeled traveller toting one of Rimowa’s instantly recognisable ribbed cases at the airport. This is one of the brand’s aluminium cases, known for their unrivalled strength and durability. Its Large Trunk has space for a two-week getaway, and an adjustable divider helps you organise most effectively.
Dimensions: 74 x 43 x 38cm
Weight: 6kg
Capacity: 89L
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Pros: Competitive price for an aluminium case
Samsonite cases span the lower and higher end of the price spectrum, making them a highly accessible and reliable luxury luggage retailer beloved worldwide. This trunk is made from aluminium for a more luxurious, hardwearing spec.
Dimensions: 80 x 41 x 37cm
Weight: 7.29kg
Capacity: 106L
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Pros: Built-in compression system
With a 99L capacity, this is a roomy option given its relatively lightweight configuration. However, clever space-saving is expected, seeing as it’s made by the inventors of the pen knife. Inside, there are two compressible compartments—almost like built-in packing cubes—along with stabilising straps and several mesh pockets for smaller items.
Dimensions: 76 x 36 x 42cm
Weight: 5.3kg
Capacity: 99L
Warranty: The brand’s 1+10 year warranty
